Thanksgiving 2008

Posted on November 6, 2008 by admin

The Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church will be serving the Saco Bay Community on Thanksgiving Day again this year. For the fourth consecutive year, we will be holding a free Thanksgiving Day meal to anyone that would like to attend. For those that cannot make it on your own, we are offering to drive them to and from the event as long as they live in Old Orchard Beach, Saco, or Biddeford. Of, if they prefer or can’t get out of their home, we can deliver a meal to them within that same area.

At this point, we are looking for donations and volunteers to help us bring this event together. Organizations or individuals that might be willing to purchase needed food items, help with food preparation, or otherwise volunteer their time or talents are asked to email the church office at info@oobumchurch.org. Someone at the church will contact you with more information once we get a handle on how much help is being offered. Monetary donations can be made directly to the Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church at P.O. Box K, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064.

The free Thanksgiving Day meal will be happen on Thanksgiving (November 27) at the Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church with delivery service starting at 11:00 and the meal being served from 12:00 – 2:00. If you are need of a ride or would like to have meals delivered to you on that day, please leave a message on the church phone at (207) 934-5553. Or you can email the church office at info@oobumchurch.org.

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Austin William Blake Memorial Fund

Posted on October 27, 2008 by admin

The family of Austin Blake has set up a fund to provide families with young children fire prevention tools and information. The goal is to help as many families as possible in the Biddeford area. In the inaugural year, the family has teamed up with York County Community Action to donate a fire safe holiday tree, smoke detector, fire extinguisher, and fire safety information. The family hopes to expand this to more people and a larger area in the future.

Austin was three years old when he lost his life in a fire two years ago in a Biddeford apartment. He was a boy that would light up a room when he entered. He loved his family and friends and simply tries
to make everyone happy. He did this every place he went. Austin loved all types of music and made sure everybody had equal time with the radio dial. He loved walking on the beach with Grammy collecting shells and rocks, fishing with Grandpa, and going to the Portland Pirates games with Mom and Dad. Austin is sadly missed by all who knew him.

Any donations can be made by sending a check directly to the Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church, P. O. Box K, Old Orchard Beach, Maine 04064. Please put “Blake Fund” in the memo line.

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Holy Week Services

Posted on March 10, 2008 by admin

Holy Week is almost here and the Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church has many events scheduled to mark the occasion.

Sunday, March 16 at 10 AM – Palm/Passion Sunday – We will be holding a special service during our regular worship time to bring participants through the Passion Week narrative up through Holy Saturday. Sunday School for ages 5-12 is held during the worship service.

Thursday, March 20 at 6 PM – Maundy Thursday – We will be commemorating the Last Supper by taking part in a Christian interpretation of the Seder. This well-received celebration is in its third year at the church and is held in the fellowship hall. It is a great introduction to the Jewish traditions that were a part of Jesus’ life.

Friday, March 21 – Good Friday – The church sanctuary will be open for much of the day for people to take part in a self-directed meditation on the Stations of the Cross.

Friday, March 21 at 7 PM – Good Friday – We will be holding a special service including a recitation of the Reproaches. This service in meant to be a time of reflection and meditation. Participants are invited to come early or stay late and take part in the Stations of the Cross.

Sunday, March 23 at 6:30 AM – Easter Sunday – Come and welcome the sun (and the Son) at our Easter Sunrise Service. Held right on Old Orchard Beach at the end of Atlantic Avenue, this service gives all of us a moment to breathe in the fresh sea air and enjoy the beauty that is God’s Creation.

Sunday, March 23 at 10 AM – Easter Sunday – Our traditional Easter Sunday Service. Sunday School for ages 5-12 is held during the worship service.

We look forward to seeing you.

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The York County Food Rescue Program

Posted on January 26, 2008 by admin

At the Food Pantry and Clothes Closet run out of the United Methodist Church, we benefit directly from the great work that is done by the York County Food Rescue Program. They supply much of the food that we give out during the month, with a good portion of it being free of charge. The food that we do purchase from them is at deeply discounted prices. Without organizations like this, we would not be able to serve the amount of people that we do.

Unfortunately, those numbers are increasing. Over the last two years or so, we have seen a steady increase in the amount of people needing assistance. We are now serving over 250 people a month through the Food Pantry. All of these people are residents of Old Orchard Beach and are on some sort of government assistance. (We are the distribution site for the federal government’s food assistance program, so our clients have to meet these particular eligibility requirements.) On top of that, we have seen an increase in the amount of people taking advantage of the clothing that we give out free of charge on a first-come-first-serve basis. (We also have been known to give out household items and furniture when we can.)

And we are not alone. The people of St. Margaret’s Church and the Faith Lighthouse Church have been generous in their support of our efforts and have done a good deal of work on their own. Many civic groups and private companies have stepped up and given time, talent, and treasure to those that are in need. And we all know how wonderful the Salvation Army is in their efforts to help those that need it most. But I can’t tell you how many people I have had to personally turn away from the doors of the parsonage with nothing more than a prayer because we simply don’t have any way of helping them.

It saddens me that we live in a town with so many people struggling.

But I am also deeply moved by the generosity of the people of this town. More than that, I am moved by the awesome sense of community in this town. I had lived in Cumberland County all of my life when I was called into the ministry here in OOB in July 2005. The first thing I was told was that I was no longer in Cumberland County. This is YORK County (and don’t forget it)! The second thing that I was told is that I OOB is NOT a suburb of Saco (thank you very much)!! I have loved this town since the first day that I came here, and it is because of the people. (That would be all of you and many more people like you.)

Thank you SO much for supporting our efforts over the years. We couldn’t do what we do without you!!

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Advent and Christmas Services

Posted on November 30, 2007 by admin

Consider joining us for the Advent and Christmas Season as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the �Reason for the Season�. Pastor Mike will be giving a special sermon series to explore the theme of what exactly the Kingdom of God looks like.

Sunday, December 2 at 10 AM—“Loving Unexpectedly�
Sunday, December 9 at 10 AM—“The Joy of Repentance�
Sunday, December 16 at 10 AM—“Hopeful Signs�
Sunday, December 23 at 10 AM—“Peaceful Example�
Monday, December 24 at 7 PM—Christmas Eve Service of Light
Sunday, December 30 at 10 AM—Regular worship
Sunday, January 6 at 10 AM—Epiphany Feast

We look forward to seeing you!!

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Thanksgiving Day Meal a Huge Success

Posted on November 29, 2007 by admin

Thanks to local press agencies and others, we got some great response for our Thanksgiving Day Meal this year. As a matter of fact, it was our best year by far. We ended up serving about 130 meals, with about 50 of them were “to go�. But more importantly, some of the meals that did leave the building were being delivered by people that came to the meal to eat themselves. They asked if they could take a meal to someone they knew who needed it. There were a few people that came that were homeless and hung out for quite a while just enjoying the warmth and an extra helping of mashed potatoes. One man didn’t want to go to the buffet line because he wasn’t “presentable� enough. (We walked up together and I saw him back in line later on for some more turkey and stuffing.)

The whole day was such a blessing to me as a pastor, but even more to me as a human being. Thank you for helping us make it possible. We look forward to serving the community again next year.

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FREE Thanksgiving Day Dinner and Delivery Service

Posted on October 28, 2007 by admin

The Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church will be serving the Saco Bay Community on Thanksgiving Day again this year. For the third consecutive year, we will be holding a free Thanksgiving Day meal to anyone that would like to attend. If you cannot make it on your own, we are offering to drive you to and from the event as long as you live in Old Orchard Beach, Saco, or Biddeford. Of, if you prefer or can’t get out of your home, we can deliver a meal to you within that same area.

The free Thanksgiving Day meal will be served on Thanksgiving (November 22) at the Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church from 12:00 – 2:00. If you are need of a ride or would like to have meals delivered to you on that day, please leave a message on the church phone at (207) 934-5553. Or you can email the church office at info@oobumchurch.org.

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Famous Bean Supper

Posted on October 28, 2007 by admin

The Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church will be holding our Famous Bean Supper on Friday, November 9, from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. The cost for adults is $6, children 6-12 are $4, and children under 6 are free. There is a limit of $20 per family (immediate family only).

We will be holding monthly suppers going forward on the second Friday evening of every month. We will be holding our last supper of 2007 on December 14. It will also be held from 4:30 to 6:00.

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Pastor Mike – Back and Ready to Go

Posted on July 18, 2007 by admin

Pastor Mike and the family enjoyed two weeks away from the Church in early July.  The first week, the family stayed in the area as Pastor Mike still had to work at his other job.  But during the second week, the family took off for Bar Harbor and spent a few days camping near the Acadia National Park.

So now, the family is safely back and well rested.  Good thing, too!  There is a lot of work to be done at the Church in getting ready for the upcoming Community Yard Sale.

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Pastor Mike on Vacation

Posted on July 4, 2007 by admin

Pastor Mike, Robyn, and the kids will be going on vacation from July 2 until July 16. Emily Felker will be preaching on July 8 and Charley Shotzberger will be preaching on July 15. If you have any pastoral needs during this time, please contact our Lay Leader, Phyllis Anne Lariviere, and she can make sure that things are handled appropriately.

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