Weekly News for November 8

November 8, 2023 North Yarmouth Congregational Church Weekly news

Weekly News for August 23

August 16, 2023August 23, 2023 North Yarmouth Congregational Church Weekly news

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

Weekly News for August 9

August 9, 2023 North Yarmouth Congregational Church Weekly news

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

Weekly News for August 6

August 2, 2023 North Yarmouth Congregational Church Weekly news

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.

Communion BrunchRev. Paul would like our August Communion Sunday (August 6) to be a Communion brunch, where we sit at the tables and incorporate Communion into a brunch for those attending. We encourage people to sit with someone they do not usually sit with, and if their “Faith Friend” is present, to sit with that person. The Deacons are heading this up and invite folks to contribute to the brunch menu. There will be a signup sheet in the Gathering Space on Sunday, 7/25. We are looking for items such as juice, cut-up fruit, muffins, scones, breakfast casseroles, or other suitable items. If you cannot sign up, please let Kathy Whittier know what you can bring (kwhit119@yahoo.com or 207-254-7509).

3-2-1 Week
This is 3-2-1 Week in our family. You see, our three daughters were born 18 months apart. On Sunday our youngest daughter turned 40 — How did that ever happen?!?! Our middle daughter is 41, and our eldest will turn 43 on Saturday. So it’s 3-2-1 week.You should have seen some of the looks we got — from church members & strangers — when #3 was born! On the other hand, were those who asked if we were going to keep trying until we had a boy! Oh my! (We had a friend at the time who had nine children: 7 daughters, then a son, and finally a trailing daughter. But he was a successful contractor, not trying to support a family on a pastor’s salary.)Having children close together in age had its challenges, of course; but it also had the advantage of going through the stages of childhood & adolescence in short periods instead of being dragged out. When they were all teens I did all my showering at the Y. And having three college students at the same time was actually an advantage. Basically, college sucks up all available disposable income — even if it’s just one student. But they can only take it once — no matter how many students. College poverty lasted a mere 7 years. (Friends who spread out their children at 4-year intervals endured 12 years of being college poor!)Most if all, though, parenting daughters is much easier on Dad than on Mom. (I imagine it’s the opposite for sons.) So I am a proud member of the D.O.D.O. club (Dads of Daughters Only — with the family name facing extinction. The irony is that the Day family goes back to colonial days with no record of daughters, only sons, until my generation.) And now, we are truly blessed by the love and support of our daughters.The Psalmist declared, “Children are God’s blessing!” (Ps. 127:3; The Message) and “I have been young and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are ever giving liberally and lending, and their children become a blessing.” (Ps. 37:25-26) A word of caution: These psalms are part of Israel’s “wisdom” literature, speaking anecdotally rather than universal truths.As I think of the blessing of children, more significant is John’s declaration, which I delight in reciting at infant baptisms as I hold up the baby for the congregation, “Behold! What manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called children of God—and so we are!” (1 John 3:1)Grace & peace,
Pastor Paul

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
We extend our prayers and sympathy to David Meyers-Wakeman on the passing of his father, David Myers, Sr. Peace be to his memory.

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
Trustees – Tuesday, August 8 at 7 pm at the church
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

Weekly News for July 26

July 26, 2023July 26, 2023 North Yarmouth Congregational Church Weekly news

Weekly News for July 19, 2023

July 19, 2023July 19, 2023 North Yarmouth Congregational Church Weekly news

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!

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

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

Weekly News for July 12

July 12, 2023 North Yarmouth Congregational Church Weekly news

Deacons Meeting CancelledThe Deacons will not be meeting on Thursday, July 20.

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

National Simplicity Day Rev. Paul Day
July 12th is National Simplicity Day, commemorating the birthday of Henry David Thoreau and encouraging people to emulate the philosopher. Thoreau famously advocated a simple lifestyle and getting back to nature in his classic essay Walden. Of course, if you have ever visited Walden Pond, you realize that Thoreau retreated only a short distance from his home and village of Concord.
During his second summer at Walden, in 1846, Thoreau took a trip to Maine. He traveled by train from Concord to Bangor, and then by canoe and backpack into the wilderness. Thoreau would take two more excursions to the Pine Tree State, in 1854 & 1857. He published accounts of his travels in The Maine Woods (1864). It was by far a more rugged experience than living in his little cabin by Walden Pond.

Thoreau promoted simplicity and self-sufficiency, but the reality of his time at Walden Pond and in Maine was much more complicated and required more support than Thoreau acknowledged.
We long for simplicity. But when asked about our own lifestyle choices we often respond, “It’s complicated” and refrain from giving the details.

July 11 was the commemoration of St. Benedict, famous for his Rule that established the basis of monastic life. Benedict’s Rule consists of 73 short chapters, regulating every aspect of a monk’s life. The Rule has 12 steps, revolving around 5 key practices—prayer, work, study, hospitality, and renewal. 73 à 12 à 5 – well, that’s a little better. The Torah (Law or Teaching) – the Five Books of Moses – contains 613 commandments, which expand upon the Ten Commandments. In Jesus’ day, it was commonly understood that the whole Law could be summarized in the twofold commandment: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus reduced it further to the single command: Love one another. 613 à 10 à 2 à 1 !!!

Jesus “entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, but few things are needed—indeed only one. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)

Stephen King’s Needful Things is a fantasy about a peddler who entices the people in a small town to desire a variety of wares – “needful things” – sowing discord and division in homes and the community. But only one thing is needed. May we observe National Simplicity Day – and every day – by remembering the one thing that is needed.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Paul

P.S. – The recent storms have left a swath of damage in Vermont and New Hampshire. One of the hardest hit areas is Swanzey, NH, just south of Keene. And in the center of the damage is a church camp, Pilgrim Pines Conference Center & Camp Squanto, where I and my family have spent many delightful weeks. No one was injured, but campers and families had to be evacuated, roads have been washed out, and property devastated. Needless to say, operations have been suspended for the foreseeable future. Please keep Pilgrim Pines and its staff and board members in prayer. Thank You. – PAD

Notes from the Church Office

OOPS! Our apologies as we had a glitch last week and Sunday worship service was not livestreamed. We know that we have folks who watch on Sunday morning and through the week and hope this does not happen in the future.

Gary and Norm are working on the water situation. The process of clearing the well water of bacteria is approx. 3 weeks. It is safe to wash hands and dishes. There are still 5 gallons of purchased water in the kitchen.

July Rentals: We have a two-night rental in the Fellowship Hall on July 14 and 15.

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

Faith FriendsWhat is a Faith Friend?
It is whatever you want it to be. It could be an email, a phone call, a text, a touch at services, or even lunch. It is intended to be a spiritual support for both parties. The knowledge someone is praying for you.More than 21 friends picked their match on Sunday morning, each one chosen and directed by God’s guidance. I firmly believe he has a hand in this as I saw the faces of those picking. A smile, a laugh of recognition, an ‘Oh, I have wanted to know her/ him better…’ and one, ‘Really…? Interesting!’I turn this project over to each of you. Those who picked the match will be reaching out by phone, text, or email. I pray that each of you discovers a new friendship guided by God’s grace.

Thank you!
Sara Rose

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.