Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

We have been reading portions of the book of Hebrews in worship recently. Last Sunday and this Sunday we hear the stories of some of the trials and tribulations God's people have endured through the ages. Yet, it was not by their own efforts, nor did everything turn out well for them in the end. The refrain that introduces the various people and their stories is "by faith." This faith is not having the right beliefs or devotion, but it is the gift of faith that comes from God. It is the recognition that the only thing we can ultimately rely on is God.

As we make our way through our own trials and tribulations, hear the words of encouragement from the writer of Hebrews: we can look to Jesus, the origin and completion of faith. This faith does not eliminate the hard parts of life, but guides us through. Whether you are struggling with personal concerns or the state of the world, we don't do this alone. Join us on Sunday morning in worship, Friday evening at the Stone Soup Kitchen potluck, or even through a phone call, text, social media or email. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, and we too are part of the cloud for others.

Peace,

Pastor Gaeta

 NEW Local Opportunities To Serve

Household Goods in Acton has 300 families scheduled to come in August. To give everyone a set of towels we need 900 hand towels, 900 bath towels and 900 face cloths. Karen S. will be organizing a towel drive in September. In the meantime, if you would like to help before then, shop their wish lists at Amazon or Target

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/8JMJW30SKMRX?ref_=wl_share

Target: https://www.target.com/gift-registry/gift-giver?registryId=6689eac0-6247-11f0-8918-43da993488c9&type=CHARITY

ANSWER participants, after the closing of the Ayer shelter, have connected with a new initiative called Neighbor to Neighbor. A team of volunteers, each committed to the equivalent of a half day each week between September and December will provide direct support to immigrant neighbors in our region under the direction of the InContinue ternational Institute of New England (IINE). IINE is a highly regarded immigrant support organization that has been in operation for over a century with offices in Lowell, Boston, and Manchester, New Hampshire.

Direct support may include, but is not limited to:

strengthening Food Access (e.g., accompanying immigrant families while shopping, delivering food to households concerned about public visibility)

ESL instruction (training to be provided)

Employment search support

Adopt-a-family (providing a range of support directly to an identified family/household)

Contributing to the establishment of a community of caring.

Volunteers (or teams of people) need to be ready to provide the equivalent of a half-day (e.g., morning or afternoon or evening) once each week under the guidance of IINE staff, between September and December 2025. Specific tasks/assignments will be identified collaboratively, once the full team is assembled.

Timeline:

August: Recruitment of volunteers

September: Formation of Neighbor-to-Neighbor Team / CORI Check and Training by IINE including matching the team to volunteering and/or a client to mentor and work with.

October - December: One Semester Pilot Project begins, includes monthly team gatherings

January: Evaluation

February - April: Continuation of Project

May: Evaluation and Next Steps

Reach out to Karen S. or Janet V. if you would like to be on SOV's support team!

Ayer Holiday Giving Tree

Keeping the SOV tradition of giving holiday gifts to the children of Ayer - Shirley Regional School District (ASRSD) families, we need a new leader for 2025!  The contact for the school organizers is Julie Murray, matta.julie@gmail.com.  This effort takes time and usually starts the first of October.  Or, for more information contact Angela G. 

God's Work Our Hands

Sunday September 7th SOV will have a workday for Gods Work.  This year we will be preparing and donating satchels for the ELCA ministry Seafarer's International House for their CHRISTMAS-AT-SEA program.

Seafarers are often overworked and lonely. Seafarers International and Thrivent invite congregations to spread the joy of Christmas among those who will not be home with their loved ones. Their port chaplains deliver satchels filled with gifts. Mariners regardless of their faith or nationality will receive satchels filled with:

• One Sweatshirt – hooded or unhooded (size M-L)

• Three Pairs of Socks – thermal or gym

• One T- Shirt (size M-L)

• One Knitted Winter Cap (coordinating scarf optional; no pastels please),

• One Can of Nuts, Large Bar of Chocolate, or Healthy Snack Bar

• A Holiday or Christmas card from YOU!

​You pick the colors, styles and brands, but please no substitutions from the list. For the safety of seafarers, please do not add fringes or pom-poms to the hats and scarves. The Christmas-at-Sea satchels should be comparable for each member of the crew. Please assemble each satchel with sweatshirts and T-shirts of the same size and label the satchel with a M or L on the back side.

Linda Prince will be organizing SOV's Prayer Shawl Ministry to knit hats and scarves.  Patterns are available now;
can be downloaded.  Here are a few to get started
https://www.sihnyc.org/_files/ugd/0a725f_4b5b60eb7cc74316a333d6e239cfa605.pdf
https://www.sihnyc.org/_files/ugd/0a725f_2a35b47643c04efea1d204dcd8ecd301.pdf
https://www.sihnyc.org/_files/ugd/0a725f_9e0458e7c1174238a2e6761b9f95b62c.pdf

Thrivent mini action grants can be applied to help offset mailing satchels and supplies. See Linda for more information about the hats and scarves. We hope to prepare and fill 25 satchels on Sept 7th.