Archive for Youth
Easter Celebration
We had a beautiful celebration of our Risen Christ on Sunday morning. There was beautiful song and dance, uplifting words and prayer and a bagpipe send off. The service was followed by a fun visit from the Easter Bunny!
Holy Week at Hope – a busy week!
Sunday, March 20, Palm Sunday 10:00 AM — Come and receive the palms that commemorate Christ’s triumphant entry to Jerusalem. Enjoy our children’s choir and a family oriented worship service.
Monday, March 21 Day of Fasting and Prayer — Have a quiet day at home or work meditating on the events that changed the world. 7:00 PM Family friendly movie, popcorn and fellowship
Tuesday, March 22 — 9:30 AM Breakfast Bible Study
Wednesday, March 23 — 6:30 PM Holy Communion, 7:00 PM Lenten Study, The Call
Thursday, March 24, Holy Thursday — 6:30 PM – Ecumenical Agape Meal, 7:00 PM Tenebrae Service at Belchertown United Church of Christ, 18 Park Street, 8:00 PM through 3:00 PM Friday – 24 Hour Prayer Vigil at Hope UMC
Friday, March 25, Good Friday — 3:00 PM Ringing of the sanctuary bell in remembrance of Christ’s death, 7:00 PM The Passion Story from Peter, James, John, and Mary.
Saturday, March 26, Holy Saturday — 9:30 AM Organize and deliver Easter Baskets
Sunday, March 27, Easter Sunday — 6:00 AM. Ecumenical Sunrise Service at the Quabbin Reservoir Tower, in the case of inclement or frigid weather the service will be at Hope UMC , 10:00 AM. Grand Easter Celebration – Be inspired and uplifted by our spirit filled choir and our liturgical Rainbow Dancers and the beautiful voice of Cindy Murray. Refresh, restore, and renew your relationship with the one who called you beloved.
3rd Sunday of Advent, December 13th, 2015
We continue our journey this Sunday exploring the Prophets foretelling of the coming of Christ. Listen to a wonderful Children’s message.
Heifer Farm Visit
Saturday October 3rd turned out to be a cold and drizzly day but a hardy group bundled up and grabbed their umbrellas and headed off to Rutland to visit the Heifer Farm to attend the Global Harvest Festival. We spent the morning learning more about Heifer International and the way that they help impoverished families. In their Global village we saw how people from other countries live.
Justin and Ethan digging potatoes in the rain
Allison, Paige and Lauren making prayer flags
We met llamas and alpacas, goats and rabbits, cows and sheep and yaks! The children were able to participate in various hands on activities at each country’s site to help them learn about the culture.
Hannah and Ethan help with the apple press
We were then able to see and help make apple cider with a hand crank press! For some of us the best part was the delicious warm cider that they had for us to sample; it was a real treat since we were pretty cold by then!
We ate our bag lunches in the community room of the barn and then finished up our visit watching a team of bareback riders who were giving a demonstration and of course a visit to the gift shop.
Abbie and Emily hamming it up!
We are hoping to head back to the farm for another visit in the late winter when they have a pancake breakfast (or lunch). We will be able to see the maple syrup being made and hopefully there will be lots of newborn sheep and goats.
The gang
Hope’s Kids’ Kloset
Hope’s Kids’ Kloset is a brand new ministry of Hope UMC. The mission of this project is to help young families in our community who are struggling financially. This is a second-hand store which will provide children’s clothing, books, and toys at VERY low prices. Due to lack of space in our church building, the store will be located on donated space at 6 Berkshire Avenue on the old State School grounds.
The target date for opening is Saturday, October 17th. The hours of operation thereafter will be Thursday and Saturday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. We are in need of donations of clean, gently used children’s clothing (size newborn to size 14 girls and size 18 boys), books (children’s & parenting), and toys (especially educational). Goods can be brought to the church during regular office hours (Tues-Fri, 9:30-12:30) or to Great Threads at 6 Berkshire Ave (Mon-Fri, 8:00-4:30).
Volunteers to work in the store will be needed and our youth are welcome to help. Please see Debbie Ewing to volunteer or with questions. We are so excited to bring this new ministry to the community!
