Pastor Jason David Rios Ramos Pastor Tom Trainor, Retired Assoc. ~ Center for Healing & Wholeness, Inc. Victoria Eddy, Executive Director ~ Ann Thompson, Treasurer Carol Sceurman, Office Admin.
Tuckerton United Methodist Church
June ~ July 2021 Volume 41 Issue 3
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The Lamplighter
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In this issue: 1-From Pastor Jason 2-Finance Committee Update Stay in Touch 3-Center for Healing & Wholeness Children’s Church 4-Women of TUMC / JOY Group Church Mouse 5-Farmers Market / Vendor Fair 4th of July Parade / Yoga 6-Community Missions Birthdays & Anniversaries 7-Our Healing Ministry 8-June Calendar 9-July Calendar 10-June & July Happenings Altar Flowers: To order altar flowers, call the church office by Wednesday of the week you choose. Leave a message during offhours. The cost is $20.
Blessings Church, A new season in the life of the church is here. One that reminds us that we are all filled with God's Spirit to serve the world. This season is the season of Pentecost. Pentecost comes fifty days after Easter and marks the beginning of the work of the church. On Pentecost Sunday, we remember the day the disciples uniquely received the Holy Spirit. The story in Acts 2 describes a powerful wind and tongues of fire as the Holy Spirit was poured out on people from all over the world who came to Jerusalem to celebrate a Jewish feast. At the first Pentecost, over 3,000 people were baptized, creating the first church. What a powerful moment that on that day, the Holy Spirit was poured out on all the people, and they began to “speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability” (Acts 2:4). It was an inclusive community of all God’s children. A reminder that salvation does not belong to any particular group or what they do to maintain their group identity. Salvation belongs to God and God alone, and all are recipients of God’s grace. Because of this, we are also all givers of God’s grace. Our sameness does not unite the community of God, but unity is based on the love of God in Christ alone. Together, moved by the Spirit, let us share this good news with all. A new season also brings changes and new experiences. As you have likely heard, the CDC has put out new guidelines saying in effect that vaccinated people no longer need to wear face-covering in most public settings, both indoors and outdoors. The state of New Jersey, on May 28th, has also removed indoor face-covering requirements for houses of worship. Starting Sunday, May 30, we will no longer require face-covering to participate in worship. All are welcome to join in the worship service. We ask that you be mindful and respectful of CDC Guidelines and be kind to those who may feel more comfortable wearing face-covering indoors or outdoors when they come to worship. Carol will continue to keep a record of attendance for contact tracing purposes. We ask that you please use the hand sanitizer stations upon entering and exiting the building and maintain physical distancing. (Continued on page 2)