Join us for Worship!
We are worshiping in person on Sundays at 9:30 am. For those who wish to join us online please connect with us on YouTube at youtube.com/c/nyccucc. If you would like to see the Sunday Bulletin that can be found on our website at http://nyccucc.com. If you wish to make an offering it can be made online through Tithely at https://tithe.ly/give?c=1301940. You can also give by text: Text “Give” to 883-751-0314.

Chicken and Gravy Pie Raffle is Here!

ONLY 1 MORE DAY TO PURCHASE TICKETS
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Buy a chance to win one of four delicious home-cooked meals!
Win a delicious chicken & gravy pie dinner with wine and dessert!

Just in time for a cozy Valentine’s Day dinner!

4 lucky winners will each win 2 famous chicken & gravy pies, lovingly baked by the North Yarmouth Congregational Church resident chefs, plus wine and dessert for you to enjoy with the people you love.

Winners can pick up their prize at the church or we can arrange for local delivery. Thank you for your support!

Donations Will Benefit
First Congregational Church, UCC, North Yarmouth Maine

Please share this raffle with your friends and family! (Sharing the link on your Facebook page gets you extra chances to win!)

We truly appreciate your support in these challenging times. Love and blessings from our church family to yours.

Please click on the link below to go to purchase raffle tickets.

Purchase Chicken and Gravy Pie Dinner Tickets Here!
You can also text “chickenpie” to 855-202-2100 to get the link to the raffle!

Community Food Pantry Donations, a new twist.

Let’s make February a “Souper Bowl” Sunday

UPDATE: as of Sunday the game score prediction is:

Chiefs. 34
Eagles. 16

And Souper Bowl? What Souper Bowl? 23

Go Chiefs!🏈

In celebration of the Super Bowl, let’s fill the grocery cart with canned soup. Isn’t this a “souper” idea? A friendly competition between the Chief and Eagle fans. There will be two boxes in the Gathering Space, one for the Chiefs, one for the Eagles. Add your soup(or other foods) to the box of your choice so we can determine which team has the most “souper” fans. Maybe even a prediction as to who will win on the 12th.

For those who watch for the commercials, the puppy bowl, halftime show or not at all, there will be a third box for you. Let’s have some fun and help stock the food pantry at the same time!

Why Is February Black History Month?
Rev. Dr. Paul A. Day

February is recognized as Black History Month. Do you know why? February was chosen because it contains the birthdays of two of the most important figures in African-American History: The 12th is, of course, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. The second man is Frederick Douglass, born into slavery and a renowned orator and leader in the struggle for freedom and justice. Douglass was born in February – 1817 or ’18 – the exact date is unknown; he chose to celebrate his birthday on the 14th. Douglass died on February 20, 1895.

At a time when the teaching of history has become a political football, it is important to recognize and listen to various narratives—especially those that have long been silenced.

On Sunday we will observe Black History Month and Racial Justice Sunday. We give thanks for the progress we have made from the days of slavery, lynchings, and Jim Crow laws. At the same time, we recognize that we have further to go in the quest for true justice and equality for all. We know that laws and public policies can only go so far. Only God can change hearts and minds. But we can and must live up to and live into God’s ways.

Abraham Lincoln was asked why he had not joined any church. He replied, “When any church will inscribe over its altars, as its sole qualification for membership, the Savior’s condensed statement for the substance of both law and gospel, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself,’ that church will I join with all my heart and soul.”
I pray Abraham Lincoln would find a warm welcome and kindred spirits in our church.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Paul

P.S. – February 12 is also SOUP-er Bowl Sunday. We will bless the cans of soup we bring – for the Eagles, the Chiefs or “What Soup-er Bowl?” – for the Food Pantry. (And perhaps some pet food in honor of the Puppy Bowl and Kitten Bowl.) A friend commented, “I only watch the Super Bowl for the commercials and the half-time show – and I don’t care how many baskets they score.”)

P.P.S. – Lent is coming! We will host our sisters and brothers of the Gray and New Gloucester congregational churches for an Ash Wednesday Service at 6:30 pm on February 22nd.
We also have daily devotional booklets available for you to take home and use during Lent. Running on Empty written by the United Church of Christ Stillspeaking Writers group. Pick up yours today.

Please keep the following people in your prayers

Sandra and Vince Golonka
Dot Hayward
Wayne Malloch
Blanche Mays
Cindy Tompson

Newsies from NYCC Street Ministries

Caroline and I were grateful to be able to offer a little bit of warmth to the folks in Portland during this recent cold snap. We were hoping that they had warm places to get in out of the cold. We found out that several places, i.e. First Parish UUC on Congress St. was opening a warming center……as did other places…..soooooo, knowing that we had A LOT of handwarmers (thank you very much) we took them in. They weren’t doing much good under the table in the office! The workers at First Parish, and for sure the clients, were so thankful.

If you are so inclined, we will be taking cold weather socks, gloves, and hats for our February and March end of the month visits and appreciate how supportive NYCC folks are to this mission.

Can’t say thank you enough, Jeanne

NYCC Clothing Ministry

Thank you all for your generosity. Carloads of clothing have been donated and bags of gloves, hats and socks have been given out. The warm winter wear is making lives easier for those living outside and new Mainers who have arrived with next to nothing. Thank you, your generosity is astounding.

The Clothing Ministry of NYCC collects basic warm clothing and accessories to be given out by the NYCC Street Ministry or donated to Maine Needs or Preble Street. If you are so moved, please add your contribution to the boxes in the gathering space. Most needed and asked for items:
Warm Socks
Waterproof Gloves
Hand Warmers
Underwear
Scarfs
These items will be given out with the lunches when the NYCC crew visits Portland.

If you have gently used warm coats, boots, snow pants, warm clothing, that you would like to give, please add these to the boxes, too. These items will be donated to Maine Needs or Preble Street. Questions, please ask Jeanne or Tracy.

Help for Turkey and Syria,

Dear Friends:

The news continues to unfold about the devastating earthquake on the border of Turkey and Syria. The death toll continues to rise – numbers are pointing to over 5,000 – depending on the source. This is shattering news and adds to the challenges of the war in this area for over a decade.

The UCC has posted a prayer and short statement in response to this crisis. While the earthquake was on the border, the tremors were felt as far away as Lebanon and Cyprus. At this time, we are issuing an appeal to help recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria. It is hard to tell what other areas are affected or the extent of the damage from this seismic event.

Amid this current uncertainty, you can be certain that with your financial support the United Church of Christ will be there helping those in need. Give generously by clicking here. You may also text UCCDISASTER to 41444.

Sincerely,

Kent Siladi, Director of Philanthropy

February Meetings

February 12 – Faith Formation will meet in person following worship

February 13 – Missions will meet in person at 7 p.m. via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87514968916?pwd=UzAzVEhoTDFxUDNVMEpzL2VFaEE4QT09

February 14 – Trustees will meet in person at 6 p.m.

February 16 – Council will meet in person at 6:30 p.m.

Choir Rehearsal – Wednesday Nights at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday Morning at 8:30 am in the Sanctuary

Tuesday Gals meets on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.

Men’s Club meets on the third Saturday of the month at 7:30 a.m. at Toddy Brook

Pet Place Pantry is open on the second Saturday of each month from 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Board Game Afternoon

Let’s hang out and play games!
We’ve got a small selection of games (like Catan,Ticket to Ride, Rummikub, Splendor, Sorry, and cribbage), but this will be more fun if you bring your favorite card or board game to add to the mix.

Saturday, February 11 from 3:00-5:00 pm. at Westcustago Hall/No. Yarmouth Community Center.

https://facebook.com/events/s/board-game-afternoon/1183293099217624/

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland is looking for families to own new homes in Standish.
Habitat homes are for affordable, energy-efficient and for people who never thought they could own a home!
Think you don’t qualify? A family of four can earn up to $73,255!
Future homeowners must make no more than 65% of the area median income and demonstrate a need for affordable housing, an ability to pay a low interest mortgage, and a willingness to partner with Habitat.

How to Apply:
Download an application or request a mailed copy online at habitatportlandme.org/apply OR pick it up at 659 Warren Avenue, Portland, ME
Ask questions and get help filling out your application:
Group sessions available March 4-7 (Scarborough); March 8-9 (Standish); March 13-14 (Gorham); March 15-16 (Windham)
One-on-one meetings available by request
Completed applications due by noon on April 5, 2023
Questions? Email Family Services Director, Molly, at molly@habitatme.org or call 207-772-2151 x 104.