A Life-Giving Christmas

Do you want this Christmas to be different?

To focus on the things that really matter, rather than just things?

This Christmas, experience authentic joy... joy that doesn't come with a price tag.

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"A life Giving Christmas... keepin' it real" is about finding a more meaningful way to celebrate this year, and finding hope for the New Year. We have opportunities for you to experience community in service and in spiritual reflection.

What I Really Want for Christmas?

HOPE... Next Year Things Will be Different!

PEACE... Strenght to Hold On

JOY... To Get me Trough the Tough Days

LOVE... Gotta Have It.

God's Ring Tone

You know how you can set a different ring tone for a certain caller on your cell phone? So you can identify your kids, or your spouse or someone important just by the sound the phone makes when they call. Ever wonder what God’s ring tone sounds like? At the New England Annual Conference meeting in June (a gathering of 1,000 Methodist pastors and church members from across New England) you could hear all sorts of God-like ring tones: “Oh when the Saints . .” or Handel’s “Ha-le-lu-jah!” or a variety of hip hop Christian groups. Or maybe God’s ring tone is something different altogether.

Recently, I had the opportunity to wait for someone. Since I am almost always late, this doesn’t happen all that often. I have two small children, and a whole congregation, not to mention a bit of the workaholic gene. This tends to make my life fast motion. Even though I try hard not to be, I am very often late! (Sorry to all those who have had to wait on me!) So here I was, waiting, and I was without my calendar, computer, or anything at all to do. Perhaps THIS is what God’s ring tone is like. Because this was a good reminder of me to pay attention and s-l-o-o-o-w down, to pray and remember God. Maybe God’s ring tone is what ever makes us stop to listen for God’s voice. Whatever breaks into our ordinary routine and shifts our focus to God.

Maybe it is a moment where the sun breaks through. Check out this great photo taken by Parker, one of our teenaged members, who mows the lawn each week, he noticed the beautiful sunset and how it reflected off the granite bench next to our labyrinth. God’s ring tone – causing a pause in the ordinary routine to notice the spectacular Creation! What moments, experiences, opportunities have you had to meet God today, this week?

~Pastor Virg Fryer

Meet the Church - A Tour

The best place to seek God is in a garden. You can dig for him there. ~George Bernard Shaw, The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God, 1932

Here is our main red door which it gives the title to this blog and newsletter. The history of the name began thanks to the collaboration of the United Methodist Women. The group created a contest to name the monthly newsletter.

The winner was one of the members of the church Marie Knapp who almost forgot what she had participated! She was quite surprised in the Sunday worship in late March, when her name was revealed being the winner. Congratulations Marie! (see her in the right side at her house as a host for a UMW lunch 2009).

This is the bell located facing the front of the church, everybody can see it walking or driving through the School Street.

Let's 'walk' into the Sanctuary. Every Sunday there is group of volunteers who make arrangements to the place before the service. Creativity count on this!

>>It is time to visit our Fellowship Hall on the right side, this is the place to gather after Sunday service. The Coffe Hour has the sense to join people to chat and share goodies prepared by church people. Also there are many outside groups who meet weekly, monthly and periodically. Every Friday the Listen Community Services provides the community dinner, people from Listen prepare the meal. The LUMC Kitchen Team is in charge the last Friday of the month.

Talking about the kitchen, on the right side is part of the huge and nice kitchen. In the photo is Dianne Langley (red) who is very proud of being part of the cook team.. ah! she cooks delicious! I can tell it... Her husband Al, is a good helper, and here I am... just checking the meal :) >>>

The Labyrinth is a walking path to discover our inner sacred space through meditation and reflection. A place that cannot be missed!

Here some seedlings are coming up in front of the three garden spots. Florence Burgess, a passionate gardener, and I are trying to do our best combining flowers according the color. She has grew some marigolds at home that I am transplanting according with my garden skills :)

:::: Although, sometimes I am making mistakes. A couple of weeks ago I have sprinkled basil seeds instead Baby's breath flower seeds ;). Anyways, edible gardens are the favorites nowadays.

Happy summer to all and see you!

~ Coralia

Lebanon United Methodist Church - NH

Spring tulips!

Hello and welcome to everyone!. Lebanon United Methodist Church of Lebanon, New Hampshire will be so pleased to update our church activities.

We will love to have you here regularly reading, writing your comments or just having fun with the digital era!

Rev. Virginia Fryer is our lovely Pastor who leads the church, she has a wonderful family, her husband Bryan and two cute daughters Abby and Kate, I love to call them "princesas". She is surronded by people who help and work hard for the community. In this picture Pastor Virg is during a Sunday worship in the Children's Time, time where the kids are participating making and answering questions.

On the left photo is Abby and myself.. yes! I am the onewho wrote this post. My name is Coralia Picardo and some people call me Laly. I am the church secretary working since 2007.