Weekly News for August 9

From Pastor Paul

Wisdom from the Prairie Home Companion
Back in the day many of my friends and I were avid followers of Garrison Keillor. Saturday evening at 6 o’clock would find us sitting in front of the radio listening to The Prairie Home Companion on NPR. We loved the stories about Lake Woebegone and its various characters; we recognized ourselves in the Lutherans and other folks.

Here is Gary’s take on Methodists. How much of this could also apply to Congregationalists?

GARRISON KEILLOR ON “METHODISTS”

We make fun of Methodists for their blandness, their excessive calm, their fear of giving offense, their lack of speed, and also for their secret fondness for macaroni and cheese.

But nobody sings like them. If you were to ask an audience in New York City, a relatively Methodist-less place, to sing along on the chorus of “Michael Row the Boat Ashore,” they will look daggers at you as if you had asked them to strip to their underwear. But if you do this among Methodists, they’d smile and row that boat ashore and up on the beach! And down the road!

Many Methodists are bred from childhood to sing in four-part harmony, a talent that comes from sitting on the lap of someone singing alto or tenor or bass and hearing the harmonic intervals by putting your little head against that person’s rib cage.

It’s natural for Methodists to sing in harmony. They are too modest to be soloists, too worldly to sing in unison. When you’re singing in the key of C and you slide into the A7th and D7th chords, all two hundred of you, it’s an emotionally fulfilling moment. By joining in harmony, they somehow promise that they will not forsake each other.

I do believe this: People, these Methodists, who love to sing in four-part harmony are the sort of people you can call up when you’re in deep distress.
*If you’re dying, they will comfort you.
*If you are lonely, they’ll talk to you.
*And if you are hungry, they’ll give you tuna salad.
*Methodists believe in prayer, but would practically die if asked to pray out loud.
*Methodists like to sing, except when confronted with a new hymn or a hymn with more than four stanzas.
*Methodists believe their pastors will visit them in the hospital, even if they don’t notify them that they are there.
*Methodists usually follow the official liturgy and will feel it is their way of suffering for their sins.
*Methodists believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially during their stewardship visitation programs or when passing the plate.
*Methodists think that the Bible forbids them from crossing the aisle while passing the peace.
*Methodists drink coffee as if it were the Third Sacrament.
*Methodists feel guilty for not staying to clean up after their own wedding reception in the Fellowship Hall.
*Methodists are willing to pay up to one dollar for a meal at the church.
*Methodists still serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color of the season and think that peas in a tuna casserole adds too much color.
*Methodists believe that it is OK to poke fun at themselves and never take themselves too seriously.
And finally, You know you are a Methodist when:
It’s 100 degrees, with 90% humidity, and you still have coffee after the service.
You hear something funny during the sermon and smile as loudly as you can.
Donuts are a line item in the church budget, just like coffee.
When you watch a Star Wars movie and they say, “May the Force be with you,” you respond, “and also with you.”
And lastly, it takes ten minutes to say good-bye!

Grace & Peace,
Pastor Paul

An Encouraging Street Ministry Visit!
Caroline and I never really know where we will end up when we head to Portland, with lunches, cold sodas, clean socks, summer hats, etc. in hand to share with the unhoused….I think “homeless” is being put to rest! So, after the church folks helped assemble the 24 lunches and the car was loaded with all the goods you have so generously given to the cause, we left for town. We were aware of the encampment at the intersection of Marginal Way and Franklin Arterial, but we usually try the city park first. NOT ONE PERSON WAS THERE! We were a bit puzzled by this as it was the first time when the weather was good that not a soul was hanging out.

On our way to the park we happened to see another encampment near the farmers’ market area by the pond kind of hidden in the trees, but couldn’t figure out how to get there. We eventually found our way in, and what a shocking but pleasant surprise we had when we pulled in near the camp. The area was as neat as a pin, little to no trash, folks were pleasant, polite and so thankful for what we had to offer. It was simply a very pleasant experience. The cleanliness was such a change from what we usually experience. It almost seemed like the people had “organized” their camp and were showing some care for themselves and what passer-by might see and judge.

Because so many of you have given so much to NYCCSM, i.e. this week we had homemade chocolate chip cookies from Donna S., lots of Reese’s Peanut Butter Candies from a few people, which is their favorite (many eat dessert first!), potato chips from Lyn and Money so we can make tasty and substantial sandwiches. AND the Women’s Fellowship/Tuesday Gals gave us $500.00…Yes, you read that right! to use for sandwich fillings and fresh fruit, or as needed.

We are incredibly thankful to them and to all who help this ministry continue.

With a ton of gratitude, Caroline and Jeanne

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

Our Neighbors Could Use Our Help
Usually when our church asks for your financial help after a catastrophic event the folks needing help are far away. Well, this time it involves our fairly nearby neighbors. Recently Vermont suffered severe storms with much wind and water damage. This week the Missions Board sent $200.00 to the Vermont UCC Conference (they will see that our support….all of it… gets to where it is needed.)If you are feeling like you’d like to help Vermonters or the UCC churches which were damaged you can do that. Just send your contribution to NYCC, please note on the check that it is for Vermont, and we’ll send it on.Thank you for helping,
NYCC Missions Board.

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
Thank you for your generosity. Many are living easier lives because of your donations. Warmer weather is here, and 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 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.

Concert at First Baptist Church of Yarmouth
The First Baptist Church of Yarmouth are hosting a Christian concert at First Baptist Church of Yarmouth and you are invited to join them. Kenny and Claire Hilliard are a folk/americana duo from Nashville, TN and are passionate about worship in the church. Their music includes reworked hymns and modern songs, all focused on sound theology centered on the gospel. You can check out more about them and listen to some of their music here:https://www.kennyandclaire.com/The concert will be held Wednesday, August 23 at 346 Main Street, Yarmouth at 7:00 pm (probably running about 90 minutes). There is no charge, although donations are welcome to help defray the cost for FCBY. We hope it’s a great time of edification for the church!

August Meetings
Council – Thursday, August 17 at 6:30 pm at the church

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