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.

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

NYCC Choir

It’s that time of year again – believe it or not! This is just a quick note to remind you that regular NYCC Choir rehearsals will start up again in just under three weeks on Wednesday, August 30th (6:30 to 7:30 p.m.), and we will plan to begin singing in worship services on Sunday, September 17th (with rehearsal from 8:30 to 9 a.m. prior to our 9:30 service). If you haven’t sung with the choir before, but are interested too see what it is all about, please join us!

David, Choir Director

Kintsugi

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”                                                              2 Corinthians 4:7 The Japanese developed the art form of kintsugi. It is a method of repairing broken pottery. Rather than throw a shattered ceramic in the trash as if it had become useless and of no value, a kintsugi artist gathers all the broken shards together on his work area. He then mixes a special lacquer of gold or platinum and uses it as a bonding agent to hold the broken pieces together. But it’s not just glue to make the cracks as invisible as possible, the way I would want to fix a broken pot. No, the artist fills each crack with layers of the expensive lacquer as he or she puts each shard in its place. The result is a stunning work of art. The point behind kintsugi is to showcase the object’s brokenness, and at the same time to visibly highlight its repair into an entirely new piece. The end result is not only beautiful, but more valuable, and radiant with the glory of gold and platinum. For the Japanese, the pain as well as the error, does not need to be eradicated or hidden. Aesthetic imperfection is not an element capable of ruining the harmony of a figure. So, the cracks of the broken object must not be hidden or avoided but accepted and valued, just as the scars and wounds of the soul are not hidden but exhibited without embarrassment. They are part of each person’s history. Jesus has scars too. The art of kintsugi is a beautiful picture of redemption. Our fragile bodies, as 2 Corinthians 4:7 says, are jars of clay. We know clay can easily break, but Psalm 147 says, “God binds up our wounds.” And Psalm 34 says, “He is near to the brokenhearted, and he saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Just look at the enormous expense God undertook to redeem us! God applies the priceless blood of his own Son to our broken lives. The Master Artist never tosses aside or trashes a broken life. He never turns his back on the needy. He’s too loving, kind, and tender for that. As the Master Artist, God applies the gold of his grace to our broken lives. God puts us back together again in a way that does not conceal our pain but reveals his grace in and through it. So, when your life is shattered by deep disappointment or pain, allow God to “put you back together” in a way that is far more beautiful than before the trial. Rather than conceal the damage done, invite the Lord Jesus to accentuate the gold of his grace through the broken pieces of your life. It’s a way of highlighting his magnificent handiwork in you, so that people can’t help but admire the elegance of his glorious design in your life. And here is one more thought, we may have to humbly admit that we are just clay pots with cracks here and there that God’s light might shine through. But even with our cracks, and scars, were designed by God to make us into exactly what he determined would be best for us and bring him the most glory. You are a beautiful work of art, handcrafted by God himself. We may only see plain clay cracked pots. But through the blood of Jesus, God sees stained glass windows! Grace & peace, Pastor Paul

Assistance Requests In recent months our church has been approached for assistance after our Sunday services. There was confusion about how to handle these immediate needs.  This confusion left some at NYCC with hurt and confusing feelings.  However, both times both individuals left with their needs being met! Our philosophy is to always help when asked and to not judge those in need.  Ask yourself “What would Jesus do?” After some discussion, it turns out that we do have $25 food cards and gas cards on hand for assistance.  A few points to consider when approached for help:  *    Please handle these requests quietly and confidentially away from other individuals.  The minister and/or a deacon should handle the situation. *    Please do not hand out cash from your own resources.  We do not want the reputation of giving cash for a variety of reasons. *    Please do not judge the individual as it is not our job to make those judgments.  Even if you suspect that the request is not real, kindly give them a card for food and/or a card for gas and send them on their way. *    If their request for assistance is greater, please take their name and telephone number to be given to the deacons for further consideration. If you encounter someone in need, please get a deacon or the pastor, and they will take it from there. Marsha Heath, Moderator

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.

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