August 2023 Newsletter
Dear friends,
I hope everyone is enjoying the summer – it seems to be flying!
We have had many special events over the past few months. Just one was a tour of our church gardens by our “Garden Angels,” Judy and Gerri. Stay tuned for a filmed tour and slide show of the gardens, coming up soon.
I’m reminded of the words to one of my favorite hymns:
“The Beautiful Garden of Prayer” by Eleanor Allen Schroll:
1 There’s a garden where Jesus is waiting,
There’s a place that is wondrously fair,
For it glows with the light of His presence
’Tis that beautiful garden of prayer.
Refrain:
O the beautiful garden, the garden of prayer,
O the beautiful garden of prayer!
There my Savior awaits, and He opens the gates
To the beautiful garden of prayer.
2 There’s a garden where Jesus is waiting,
And I go, with my burden and care,
Just to learn from His lips words of comfort
In the beautiful garden of prayer. [Refrain]
3 There’s a garden where Jesus is waiting,
And He bids you to come meet Him there,
Just to bow and receive a new blessing
In the beautiful garden of prayer. [Refrain]
Blessings,
Barbara
SUMMER SCHEDULE FOR WORSHIP
Reminder: We will continue to worship at 9:30 AM through September 3. Childcare and Church school are provided each Sunday.
WAVING FOR PEACE ANNIVERSARY: MONDAY, AUGUST 7th
All are welcome to help us celebrate NINE years of
“Waving for Peace” on Monday afternoons.
Time: 3:30-4:00 PM, waving, followed by refreshments
and conversation on the lawn
SPECIAL MUSIC SCHEDULE
| 8/6 | Men’s Choral Group |
| 8/13 | Barbara Schenk & Keith Walker, Vocalists & |
| 8/20 | Frank P. Jackson, Pianist |
| 8/27 | Kathy Schoeck, Violinist |
| 9/3 | Pickup Choir |
Everyone is invited to join the Pickup Choir and men are invited to join Men’s Choral Group. Rehearsals will be held in the sanctuary on Sunday at 8:45 AM. Please speak to Frank Jackson for more information.
AUGUST DRIVE THROUGH: SAT. AUGUST 12th
Time: 1-3 PM in our church parking lot. We will be collecting food for the Open Pantry and School Supplies for Rebecca Johnson School. REMINDER: We collect non-perishable food for Open Pantry every Sunday. All donations are so appreciated.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR REBECCA JOHNSON
We will be collecting school supplies each Sunday through August 13. Needed: Everything from pencils to back packs, notebooks, glue sticks, crayons, colored pencils, and two and four pocket folders. Thanks to everyone for your support!
FINAL SESSION WITH BOB LOESCH: SUNDAY, AUGUST 13th AFTER WORSHIP
We thank Bob for giving his time and talents during this past year. This final session will be sharing reflections and conversation about our personal “Star Words.” If anyone did not get a star word, see Pastor Barbara.
COMING UP: SAVE THE DATES!
| Tuesday, September 5: | Host Distribution of Crop materials |
| Sunday, September 10: | Rally Sunday |
| Sunday, September 24: | Hosting International Peace Day event |
DISTRIBUTION OF CROP MATERIALS: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 4:30 - 6:30PM
Once again, this year, members of the CROP WALK team will be hosting the distribution of CROP Hunger Walk materials from 5-6:30 PM at our church.
GREATER SPRINGFIELD CROPWALK FOR HUNGER
Please save the date for the walk: Sunday, October 15. We gather for the walk at Trinity United Methodist Church on Sumner Ave, at 1 PM. The walk kicks off at 2 PM; we walk through Forest Park (either one or three miles) and return to Trinity for refreshments. We always need helpers with refreshments and our “Welcome Back” team, as well as walkers and sponsors. More information will be coming soon.
DONATIONS FOR CROP HUNGER WALK ONLINE
If you would like to make a donation to our Foster church team online: https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2023/team/foster-memorial-church-ucc
GOD TIME RALLY SUNDAY
RALLY SUNDAY (Beginning of our church school program year) will be held on Sunday, September 10.
RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES
Along with in-person worship service, we offer pre-recorded worship services, posted each week (and for special services) on YOU Tube, on our Foster Memorial Church Facebook page and on our church website:
http://www.fostermemorial.org/videos/ Worship services are also provided in print through the mail each week for people who do not have access to the internet. Contact the church office if you would like to receive the service in the mail. Or contact us if you would like to be included on our email mailing list.
We are once again the hosts of this event!
INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY: MAY PEACE PREVAIL
Date: Sunday, September 24, 2023
Time: 3:00-5:00 PM
Rain Plans: Inside the church
The purpose of this event is to mark and celebrate International Peace Day, 2023 (September 21st) by bringing together groups and organizations engaged in the work for peace and justice in the Greater Springfield area. Each organization will have a space/table for sharing resources, information and conversation with other participants and guests. There will be time for each organization to share with everyone a few highlights of their group's involvement with concerns of peace and justice.
There will also be music, light refreshments, and interactive activities for all ages. One special activity will be writing on small "Peace Flags," which, together, will be displayed on the church lawn as a communal witness for peace.
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NOTE: Our Just Team is helping to host the event. We would love your help and also your participation in this event. Please contact Bob Loesch or Pastor Barbara for more information.
