Join us for Worship! We are worshiping in person on Sundays at 9:30 am in airconditioned Fellowship Hall.  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.

Deacons Meeting Cancelled The Deacons will not be meeting on Thursday, July 20.  Come join us for Movie Night at 5:30 pm.  See article below!

Movie Night Thursday, July 20 at  5:30 pm   “Jesus Revolution” Based on a true story Starring Kelsey Grammer  Bring your favorite pizza to share Beverages will be provided Optional: Dress as you might in the 1970s.  PLEASE note that we have moved the movie to Thursday instead of Friday July 21st so you won’t miss the Clam Fest Parade.  See you in airconditioned Fellowship Hall.

What are the Odds? Confession: My worst class in college was a course in Statistics. The professor did not appreciate my frequent use of the 20% “fudge factor.” But statistics have been on my mind lately. Monday was National Lottery Day. The MegaMillions jackpot has reached $650,000,000, and PowerBall $1,000,000,000!  The odds of winning either is around 1 in 300,000,000!  You are 250 times more likely to be struck by lightning!  More than 500 times more likely to be killed by a bee sting! (Higher for me since I’m allergic! ) And even 180 times more likely to be hit by a meteorite! (If my calculations are in error, remember, Statistics was my worst class.) A friend of mine refers to the lottery as a tax on the mathematically-challenged. It is also a regressive tax—more lottery tickets are purchased in poor communities than in wealthy ones. And many people have had their lives ruined by winning large jackpots!But I have been thinking of the odds in other areas: As you may know Diana & I have been dealing with bulbar-onset ALS, concurrently with cognitive & behavioral impairment. At age 70 the odds of having ALS is about 1 in 6,000. And only 25% of ALS cases are the more aggressive Bulbar-onset form, and only 15% of people with ALS have cognitive & behavioral impairment. What are the odds? Kate Bowler, a professor at Duke Divinity School, was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. She relates her experience in Everything Happens for a Reason: and Other Lies I’ve Loved, taking on the title cliché and other common tropes such as “God never gives you more than you can handle.” Bowler followed up that book with No Cure for Being Human: and Other Truths I Need to Hear. “Life is a chronic condition. How do we go on living when the life we know changes beyond recognition?” The idea that God will not give us more than we can handle comes from misreading 1 Corinthians 10:13— “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” Notice that the verse narrowly refers to temptation (to sin) and the way of escape is God’s grace and forgiveness.A better passage from Paul is 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 — “For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” Notice that Paul says they were “so utterly burdened beyond our strength . . . to make us rely on God who raises the dead.” And so we lean on God as well as on family, friends, and others for support, and here we find blessings in the midst of affliction. Grace & peace,Pastor Paul PS — You may know that I have tendered my resignation as Interim Pastor. Diana’s health has declined and we now have support from Hospice of Southern Maine. My last Sunday will be August 13. Thank you for the privilege of serving with you, and for your support for us as well. May God bless and guide you in your ministry, and as you continue to seek pastoral leadership.

Please keep the following people in your prayers Terri Bickford Ron & Candy Burgess Diana Day Sandra and Vince Golonka Wayne Malloch Blanche Mays Nicki & David Myers, Sr. Cindy Tompson

Summer Music Do you have an interest in sharing your musical talent with us this summer?  We are always grateful to have folks with choral or instrumental skills provide special music for summer services. If you are interested please contact Kathy Whitter at 207-254-7509/kwhit119@yahoo.com or Lyn in the office at 829-3644 so that we can schedule your Sunday.

Notes from the Church Office The Office Administrator, Lyn will be out of the office on Thursday, July 20. Gary and Norm are working on the water situation (almost done). The process of clearing the well water of bacteria is approx. 3 weeks.  It is safe to wash hands and dishes. There are still 4 gallons of purchased water in the kitchen.

Church Indoor Yard Sale There will be a church yard sale on Saturday, August 5 from 9 to 1 at the church. We are looking for donations Please no non-working electronics, or clothing. Items may be dropped off at church on Thursday and Friday: August 3 and 4. Questions call Gary Davis at home 829-6266 or cell 831-1254

Food Pantry   Communion Sunday has been our Sunday for food collection for local food pantries, but  you can add to the grocery cart at any time throughout the month.  Please help us fill the cart with these most needed items.  We are replacing our food pantry item list with food staples most requested by the food pantry. These items include: Boxed Cereal Oatmeal Peanut Butter Granola and Snack Bars Spaghetti or Macaroni Rice Canned Fruit Soup Canned Tuna or Chicken Jam and Jelly Juice Non Food such as paper products are always welcome and 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.

NYCC Clothing Ministry 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 summer clothing, like sneakers, t-shirts, shorts, pants, or leggings that you would like to give, please add these to the boxes, too.  Another frequent ask tarps, tents and sleeping bags for those living outside.  These items will be donated to Maine Needs or Freeport Thrift Store.  Questions, please ask Jeanne or Tracy. Thank you!

July Meetings 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.

Access worship directly on our YouTube channel (subscribe to our channel while you are there) at youtube.com/c/nyccucc