| 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. |
| Notes from the Church Office The church will be closed on Monday, April 17 for the Patriots Day holiday A funeral will be held at the church on Saturday, April 29 at 11 am for Pearl L. Brackett. Pearl and family were members of NYCC for many years. |
| Holy Humor Sunday When I first started out in ministry, the Sunday after Easter was called Low Sunday — presumably because of a let-down after the big celebration of the Resurrection. Following the busy-ness of Holy Week I often took the day off — especially when it coincided with School Vacation. Church attendance was usually much lower, too. But recently the Church has re-discovered the ancient practice of Bright Sunday or Holy Humor Sunday. What is Holy Humor Sunday? In the early church, the Sunday after Easter was observed by the faithful as a day of joy and laughter with parties and shenanigans to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. The custom of Bright Sunday, as it was called, came from the idea of some early church theologians that God played a joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead. Easter was God’s supreme joke played on death, hence the risus paschalis – “the Easter laugh.” So, on the Sunday after Easter, parishioners and pastors played practical jokes on each other, drenched each other with water, sang, and danced. It was a time for clergy and people to tell jokes and to have fun. “The assumption that a sense of humour and a Christian faith are incompatible is totally mistaken. In point of fact, the writers of the great classics of humour – Rebelais, Cervantes, Swift, Gogol – have all been deeply religious. Even comedians, like Bob Hope, tend to be believers rather than sceptics or cynics… Laughter is, indeed, God’s therapy. Let us then be thankful that, when the Gates of Heaven swing open, mixed with the celestial music there is the unmistakable sound of celestial laughter.” —Malcolm Muggeridge G.K. Chesterton once wrote: “Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly. Never forget that the devil fell by force of gravity. He who has the faith has the fun.”The Bible actually has many references to laughter and partying and having fun. Some examples: – “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Prov. 17:22) – “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Eccles. 3:4) – “A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed” (Prov. 15:13) So, come to worship next Sunday prepared to celebrate! Wear something outlandish. Be ready to share your favorite (clean) joke. Let’s share the joy!Grace and Peace — and Joy! Pastor Paul |
| Sunday Coffee and Fellowship Time There is a signup sheet for the next three (3) months on the table in the Gathering Space. There is nothing fancy about this! Bring whatever you would like. |
| Please keep the following people in your prayers The family of Pearl L. Brackett Diana Day Sandra and Vince Golonka Wayne Malloch Blanche Mays Ladd Meyerhoff Cindy Tompson |
| April Meetings Council – Thursday, April 20 at 6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal – Wednesday Nights at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday Morning at 8:30 am 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. |
| Chicken and Gravy Pie / Turkey and Gravy Pie Sale We have Turkey and Gravy Pies and Chicken and Gravy Pies for sale. There are also a few pints of gravy available. Cost: 9″ pie – $24 each. pint of poultry gravy – $6. If you would like to purchase a pie this will be ongoing until we sell out. On a Sunday you can reach out to Mark, Marsha, Lois or Leah. If it is during the week the office is open Monday-Thursday 8am-12 pm. Help yourself to a pie in the freezer (We will keep the kitchen hallway freezer stocked), and then pay Lyn or leave payment in cash or check on the office desk. If you have any questions call the office at 829-3644. |
| Conference Dues Conference dues for each church are calculated on the number of members reported as of the last years fiscal term. This is regardless of whether they attend or not, but are on the membership list at the end of the year. The dues this year are $19.00 per member. This amounts to about $1,820.00 for this year. This is a “chunk of change” for our church as we are watching our budget very carefully. It would be greatly appreciated if you could help us by remitting your portion of the dues. If you have remitted payment already, it is greatly appreciated! If you have any questions, feel free to contact Lois Knight, Financial Secretary. |
| NYCC Clothing Ministry Thank you for your generosity. Many are warmer and living easier lives because of your donations. Spring is here an clothing needs have changed. The Clothing Ministry of NYCC collects basic clothing and accessories to be given out by the NYCC Street Ministry or donated to Maine Needs or the Freeport Thrift Store. If you are so moved, please add your contribution to the boxes in the gathering space. Most needed and asked for items: Socks Baseball Hats Underwear T-shirts These items will be given out with the lunches when the NYCC crew visits Portland. If you have gently used spring coats, shoes, spring clothing, like long sleeve and short sleeve t-shirts, leggings, sweatpants or jeans that you would like to give, please add these to the boxes, too. These items will be donated to Maine Needs or Freeport Thrift Store. Questions, please ask Jeanne or Tracy. |
| Food Pantry Communion Sunday has been our Sunday for food collection for local food pantries. SNAP benefits do not cover household or personal hygiene products. So, if you are moved to donate, please consider donating items like: Shampoo and conditioner Feminine Hygiene Products Body Wash Toilet Paper Paper Towels Laundry Detergent Dish Soap Kleenex Canned and nonperishable food products are always needed, too.Thank you for your generosity, This food will be distributed where it is most needed, the Cumberland Food Pantry or Harrison Food Bank.*SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program |
| Presentation at First Cong’l Church of Gray Join us for a free screening of the film series, Current Revolution on April 23, 2023 at the First Congregational Church of Gray (church sanctuary on Yarmouth Road) at 7:00pm. These films show the possibility of a just transition to a clean energy economy where the well-being of workers and frontline community members is valued. Light refreshments will be served during a discussion following the film. Think about joining us to commemorate Earth Week. For more information contact lkeller611@gmail.com. |
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| Register for Camp TODAY! Programming for all ages You are welcome here! Scholarships are available for all sessions. Apply online by May 15, 2023 To sign up, visit www.pilgrimlodge.org 207-724-3200, info@ pilgrimlodge.orgPilgrim Lodge is a amp lovingly provided by the Maine Conference United Church of Christ since 1956. |
| Access worship directly on our YouTube channel (subscribe to our channel while you are there) at youtube.com/c/nyccucc |
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North Yarmouth Congregational Church 