- Union Weekly
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- June 5, 2025
June 5, 2025
"God's dream is that you and I and all of us will realize that we are famioly, that we are made for togetherness" - Archbishop Desmond Tutu
In This Edition:
Pentecost Sunday
This Sunday, we celebrate the birth of the church with the coming of the Holy Spirit! Get in the spirit by wearing your fieriest outfit to worship! This will also be the last Sunday for Sunday School for this academic year.
“All of a sudden, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:2-3)
Summer “Worship Without Walls” Begins 6/15
We will begin outdoor worship in Bird Park on June 15. Remember to BYOC (bring your own chair); in the event of rain or excessive heat, we will worship together in the Chapel.
During the summer, we invite members of the congregation to serve as “hosts” for fellowship after worship (usually just a light snack and lemonade). You can sign up in-person during coffee hour this Sunday, or by clicking here and filling out the online signup.
ONA Task Force Update
Thanks again to all who participated in our recent “congregational conversations” in the Parlor. Although we made great progress this year and had planned to take a formal vote in June, the Open and Affirming Discernment Process includes some steps to ensure our success that we have not yet completed. Our next step is a congregational survey to help plan some educational opportunities in the near future. Keep your eyes out for the survey coming soon in the Weekly Email (hard copies will be available as well at the church).
Bible Study Tomorrow / Summer Hiatus
Join Pastor Shepherd and members of the congregation for an in-depth look at the coming Sunday’s scripture lesson tomorrow morning (Friday) from 9:30-10:30 on Zoom. You can log in to the meeting by clicking here. After tomorrow’s meeting, Bible Study will go on hiatus for the summer, and return in September.
Summer Sermon Series: “Ask God Anything”
Do you have a favorite Bible story you’d like to hear preached in a sermon? Perhaps you have a nagging question that you’ve always hoped to hear addressed in church, but haven’t? I want to hear those ideas—and this summer, I’ll pick some of my favorites to preach sermons as part of the series, “Ask God Anything.”
Submit your question or sermon topic idea by clicking here.
(Questions/topics from children and youth are especially encouraged!)
THANKS! — Pastor Shepherd
Holding in Prayer
This week, as a community of faith we pray:
with joy, we celebrate our Sunday schoolers and Youth, and pray for their continued growth in faith in Christ: Charlotte, Stephen, Brady, Sahana, Nathan, Hayley, Jett, and Calvin
with thanks for Pat Howes, for providing wonderful care in our nursery all year
with thanks for our Sunday School teachers.
with joy, for the graduating class of Walpole High School.
for Travis Felice, as he prepares for a summer job at camp in New Hampshire.
for Laurie and her family, as they mourn the passing of her uncle Jerry.
for the Golden Family, as they mourn the unexpected death of Joey’s brother Brian and his mother Sophie.
with joy, for successful radiation treatments for Margie’s sister Holly, and for continued healing during her chemotherapy
with joyful expectation, as Lew and Pat look forward to the birth of their third grandchild, and for Elizabeth and Cindy.
for Rachel Traughber, as she undergoes chemotherapy
for Shirley’s niece Karen, as she undergoes treatment for pancreatic cancer
for Margie’s aunt and uncle, who are struggling with health challenges and dementia.
for healing for Lew’s brother Richard, and his wife Paula.