Dear HUMC Family,

This week, our scripture will come from 1 John 3:16-24:

 16We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?

18 Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him 20whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.

23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.

The title of the sermon is “Love is a Verb.”  In this scripture, John is reminding us that Christian Love is not only something we say, but more importantly, it’s something we do!

As I reflect on the state of HUMC, I see a lot of Love in Action!  Here is just a quick list of some things that I see on a daily and weekly basis.  What more could you add to this list? I know I will come back to this list and say, “I forgot to mention _____” But here is a start!

• We gather every Sunday and not only worship together, but there is a genuine sense of community and love for God and each other! This is love!
• Our Band of Brothers has met faithfully for many years (and we are open to more men who would like to join us on Tuesdays at 10 AM).  We talk about important Christian issues, and we do that with seriousness, humor, but most importantly, love! This is love!
• Our Women’s Circles meet on a regular basis. Each circle is involved in putting their Love of God and Neighbor into concrete action! (Plus they never forget to share a dessert with their pastor!!!). This is love!
• We have members who visit our shut-ins to remind them they are still a valuable part of our church.  This is love!
• Members volunteer their time and talents to care for the maintenance of the church. So much of this work is “behind the scenes,” and unless you see them doing it, you don’t realize how much work they do.  This is love!
• Our Stephen Ministry Team is training new Stephen Ministers to show God’s love to people who are experiencing a difficult time in life.  With such a great group of people, please take advantage of this ministry - Just as we are called to give help, we are also called to receive help!  This is love!
• Our Choir meets weekly to practice and sing praise to God.  It’s said, “when you sing, you pray twice.” This is love!
• Our staff (office and custodial) do so much work behind the scenes to make the business of the church run smoothly. They are the first faces you see when you come to the church during the week.  This is love!
• When someone is going through a difficult time - grief, surgery, illness, and so forth, the members of our church step up and provide a listening ear, a card, a call…This is love!
• We collect food for the Open Door Pantry and for Hunger Heroes in the schools. People who would go without are able to eat because of the love of God that others show. This is love!
• Our committees and officers work to carry out the ministries of the church and they always look forward to finding new ways to serve. This is love!
• There are people who volunteer to stream our services, manage the sound system, serve as ushers, and serve as liturgists in order to make sure our Worship is streamlined and able to reach more than just those who can physically attend.  This is love!

What have I forgotten? This is certainly not an exhaustive list! We have people who remember the birthdays and anniversaries of others and send cards…We have people who pray for our church…We have people who make cakes and cookies for others…We have people who donate money or supplies…The list goes on and on.  This is love!

I hope this inspires you to realize that what we do in the name of Jesus always plants a seed. You were created to love and to be loved.

Blessings!

Pastor Tom

Please Remember these in your prayers

Andrea Boone

Ray Sawyer

Karen Fallon

Brenda White

Tim Brinn

John Larson

Chicago Eure

River Trace Nursing Home

Jean Ashley

Chowan River

Tom Gard

Edenton Primetime 

Wayne Ashley

The Landings

Thelma Skinner

Bobbie Boynton

Margaret Denison

Winslows- Elizabeth City

Jane Jordan

Extended Church Family  

J.D. Abshire (friend of Todd & Candy Tilley) Tiffany Roberts (Ronnie & Donna Baker's Daughter)

Patrice Dardenne (Friend of Kathy Sherrill)

Larry Johnson (brother-in-law of Nancy Lodge)

David Malcom (Requested by Mark Sherrill)

Dwayne Priest (Requested by Mark Sherrill)

Family of Lyndon White (Brother of Thelma Skinner)

Laurie & Don Winz (Friends of Trip & Melissa Cofield)

Carole Donaghy (Ruth Lacefield's Niece)

Sandy Scaff Ryan

Tiffany Roberts (Ronnie & Donna Baker's Daughter)

Stan Wilkerson (Requested by Mark Sherrill)

Amy Cullipher (Ed Nixon & Kay Winslow’s sister)

Nick Nixon (Ed & Barbara Nixon's Son)

Jackie Hobbs (Friend of John & Susan Christensen)

Allie Pucchio (Jeff & Barb Paige's Niece)

Joseph Ambrose (Patty Bittner's Neighbor) 

Beth Colson (Marta Colson’s Daughter-in-Law)

Diane Selleck (Katheleen Selleck's Daughter)

Edward & Judy Taylor (Friends of Raymond Sawyer)

Carolyn Meads (Ida Saunder's Sister)

Gail Smith

PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE TO UPDATE

*Bold text indicates recent additions/updates to the prayer list*

Prayer Shawl

Monday 10 AM

Band of Brothers

(Men's Small Group)

Tuesdays - 10:00 AM

Stephen Leaders

Wednesday – 10AM

Choir Practice

Wednesdays – 7 PM

Trustees Meeting

Thursday 10 AM



APRIL

Misty Hallberg Apr 1

Tom Hallberg Apr 1

Lee Ann Van Pelt Apr 1

Esther Hall Apr 2

Becky Dobson Apr 3

Ruth Lacefield Apr 4

Donald Hurst Apr 6

Mark Sherrill Apr 7

Susan Winslow Apr 8

Kaye Long-Fussell Apr 9

Kathleen Selleck Apr 9

Richard Parr Apr 16

Ashley Stoop Apr 23

Sam McNaught Apr 24

Dina Hurdle Apr 27



Chris and Amy Hall

April 6

Ruth and Sam McNaught

April 7

Ronnie and Donna Baker

April 10

Mark & Lee Ann Van Pelt

April 14

Please let the church office know if we have missed your birthday or anniversary. Thank you!

Loaves and Dishes FAQ

What is “Loaves and Dishes?”

Beginning April 29, 2024, we will host monthly meals on the last Monday of each month (with some exceptions) from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM. These meals are a way to break bread and share God’s love with our congregation and the larger community.

Who can come to “Loaves and Dishes?”

Everyone is welcome! We want members of Hertford UMC and people from the community to join us.

What do I have to bring?

You don’t need to bring anything! The meals will be prepared for you. Come as you are - and invite a friend!

How much do the meals cost?

The meals are FREE, though we accept donations to help with the cost.

Who will be preparing the meals?

Any group from the church can prepare one of the meals - A Women’s Circle, A Men’s Group, and so forth. If you would like to help prepare a meal, gather some of your friends and sign up for a date and complete the meal application so that we have the details.

What kind of food will be served?

Our Outreach Team (led by Lynne Raymond) created a list of possible meals that a group can choose to prepare. Each month the team who will prepare the meals can choose a “hot” or “cold” option. The menu choices are available in print form for you to use in meal planning.

Who will pay for the cost of the meals?

Any team that chooses to prepare a meal can be reimbursed up to $50 from the Outreach Team by filling out a reimbursement form. 

Do I have to reserve a spot in order to come?

We ask that church members let the office know if they will attend, but we also understand that plans can change at the last minute. You are not required to reserve, but we ask that you try to reserve so that we know how many people to expect.

I have more questions…Who can I contact?

Contact Lynne Raymond (Outreach Chair) or Pastor Tom. You may also contact the church office.

Out Reach Opportunities! Choose your favorite one or two!

BEACON DISTRICT RESOURCES

United Methodist News answers frequently asked questions about General Conference in A Beginner’s Guide to General Conference.

Here is a LINK with delegates from the North Carolina Conference discussing General Conference

The People of the

United Methodist Church

What We Believe 

How We Serve

Ways to Grow

www.umc.org

HELP US WELCOME NEWCOMERS

TO OUR AREA!

The Outreach Ministries group needs your help. In order to help grow the membership of HUMC, we would like to send a card to all newcomers who move into Perquimans County.

In order to send this "Come meet new friends this Sunday at Hertford United Methodist Church . . . ., " we need the names and addresses for any folks who are new to the area.

Please provide this information to:



Nancy Lodge:

nancylodge62@gmail.com or 252-333-9208

Lynne Raymond

63lynner@gmail.com or 426-5102 and we will do the rest.



As always, thanks for helping us grow!

HAS YOUR E-MAIL CHANGED? DO YOU HAVE A NEW PHONE NUMBER? DROPPED YOUR LANDLINE NUMBER?

Are you missing HUMC E-NEWS or know someone who is not getting it?

Please feel free to share the HUMC E-News with your friends or family who are not receiving it.

We are in the process of updating addresses, emails and phone numbers and other contacts. Please let the church office know of any changes to your information!

Call: 426-5467 or Email: humcoffice@hertfordumc.org

If you have any news you would like in the

weekly e-news? Please email it to Stephanie in the office at humcoffice@hertfordumc.org

by Wednesday each week.