THE COMMUNICON Union Congregational Church, UCC Peterborough, New Hampshire APRIL 2018 Bob s Byte When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. Luke 24:30-31 The story of the Road to Emmaus has some interesting features, but none more significant than this little gem. The disciples on the road were so wrapped up in their grief that they were blind to the truth that Jesus was right there with them. Grief can do that to us, as can other emotions: excitement, anticipation, jealousy, anger. These emotions can keep us from seeing clearly. Just think of the excitement that comes when one person becomes infatuated with another. All reason, all awareness, all sense goes out the window. A person in luv this is the Hallmark emotion, not true love can see nothing bad in the other person; they are blind. Anger, at its most extreme is called blind rage for a reason, but anger in fact can often cloud our vision. Jealousy can become obsessive and drive out all good feelings. Even happiness can blind us like the bright light on a sunny day, so that we miss what is lurking in the shadows. The disciples on the road to Emmaus were stuck. They were grieved deeply by the loss of Jesus, their friend and teacher. And in their grief they forgot many of the things he had told them. Be ready, stay awake, trust God these were all things Jesus had said over and over again, yet the sadness of the day blocked out all light. Until, that is, Jesus was there with them and he broke the bread. He brought them into the present moment so they could see clearly once again. Here we are in the Easter season, a time of renewal, of new opportunities, of new life. Easter is a time to remember that Jesus is never far from us. We may find him walking along the road with us. We may find him sitting down for a meal with us. We may find him in any person we meet because the love that was embodied in Jesus is open to all and is still present in the world today. That love is what brings resurrection; that love is what restores us when we are broken, and that love is what lifts us up when we have fallen. Allow your eyes to be opened so you can see the risen Christ wherever your road leads you. Bob
Please Keep in Your Prayers Worship This Month April 1 Easter John 20:1-18 Isaiah 25:1-10 Sermon: Dinner Time April 8 Acts 4:32-37 John 20:19-31 Sermon: What Is Behind Door Number One? April 15 1 John 3:1-7 Luke 24:13-35 Sermon: Walking the Walk, and Talking the Talk Bible Studies April 22 1 John 3:16-24 John 10:11-18 Sermon: Follow the Leader April 29 1 John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8 Sermon: Connections See you in church! After several interruptions because of flu season and March snowstorms, the Bible Studies group is looking forward to continuing our discussion of the Book of Amos. You are invited to join us in looking deeply at who we are and at what we do, both individually and collectively. How do we deal with the world in which we live? You re welcome to come for any or all of our discussions which start at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. Many people feel supported and blessed by our continuing prayers. Please remember to keep the following people in your prayers: Carl and Marilyn B Gio and Emma C Ruth C, friend of Deb H Lisa and Patrick F Kathleen F Debbie H Sandy H Katherine, friend of Carele M Lynn N Cheryl N Marty P Kathy and Larry S Ron S, Larry S s brother Brian and Ellen S Joe W and everyone in our church community To add or delete names from this ongoing prayer list, please contact Martha CB in the office (at 924-3272 or officeucc@comcast.net) by the twentieth of the month. To make a prayer request for the weekly worship bulletin, please contact the office by 10 a.m. on Wednesday. In Memoriam Thank you! We are sad to report that Rev. Dr. Quentin Peacock, a longtime member of Union Congregational Church, passed away on March 15, 2018. He served many churches and was a military chaplain. He was also a vital member of this congregation for many years. For instance, he was Waldo, the author of the Off the Waldo articles featured in the Communicon. (The picture above was the logo for his articles.) His funeral was held on March 24 at our church. Please keep his wife Carolyn and his family in your prayers. 2
End 68 Hours of Hunger Update When you want to know what s happening with students, ask their teachers! So we did. A local teacher told us she sees a real difference in her students since they started taking home food from End 68 Hours of Hunger. I m thinking of one little girl in particular, the teacher said. She just seems so much more present now. I can t think of anything else that s changed, so I think it s that she has more to eat. And that is exactly what it s all about. Thank you so much for your time, your money, and your peanut butter! You really are making a difference. Donate to the Church Rummage Sale Saturday, April 21, is the Women s Fellowship annual Spring Rummage Sale, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (The Bag Sale starts at 1 p.m.) This is your chance to donate your clean, gently used items and shop for some goodies for yourself. What items can we donate? Clothes (including shoes), linens, and craft supplies. (Please do not bring yard sale items.) When can we bring them in? Starting Tuesday, April 17, at 9:30 a.m., then Wednesday through Friday, April 18 20, from 9 a.m. to noon or whenever the church is open. Where should I put my items? Under the hall coat racks or in the Fellowship Hall if it s open. How else can I help? Please sign up on the Women s Fellowship bulletin board for times when you can sort, help our visitors, and/or clean up. (We re an equal opportunity volunteer group.) Second Annual Hunger Walk Walkers and Sponsors: On Saturday morning, May 5, the Second Annual Hunger Walk will be taking place. This year s host church is Peterborough s Unitarian Universalist Church. The route will be about a three-mile, fairly level walk up Summer Street and on the rail trail paralleling the river. A full 100% of the money raised goes to local food pantries and other food-benefiting groups, like End 68 Hours of Hunger. We will start handing out walker forms on Sunday, April 8. We will be looking for walkers and sponsors. Many area churches and service groups will be participating in this year s walk. Please considering joining us for this very worthy cause. Contact Dick Loudon with any questions. Thank you for your support! Come to Paint Night We will offer two sessions of our popular Paint Night in April: Saturday, April 7, 1 3 p.m.; and Tuesday, April 10, 6:30 8:30 p.m. No previous experience is required. Just come and explore your creativity. Both children and adults are welcome (with children under 12 being accompanied by an adult). The $10 fee covers the cost of materials. Come and learn a little about painting and a little about yourself! Above: Sarah, Avery, Megan, Sandy, and Celeste enjoyed Paint Night in Fellowship Hall in March. Left: Lily, Karyssa, Megan, and Luke were enraptured by Bob Fellows magic show at the Leprechaun Potluck on Saint Patrick s Day. 3
April SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 Easter 2 3 4 6 10 a.m.: 8:30 a.m.: Staff (P) Noon 5 p.m.: Red Easter Cross Blood Worship, Drive (FH, C, P) Communion, Jr. and Sr. Choirs (S) Chorus 8 8 a.m.: Christian Ed. (P) 10 a.m.: Worship (S) 15 10 a.m.: Worship, Jr. Choir, Bells (S) 11:30 a.m.: Music Cmt (C) Noon: Speaker, UpReach Therapeutic Equestrian Ctr 9:30 a.m.: Women s Fellowship Steering (P) 3:00 p.m.: Girl Scouts (P) 9 7 p.m.: Finance (P) 16 10 8:30 a.m.: Worship Planning (P) 9:45 a.m.: Maintenance (P) 11:30 a.m.: Retired Teachers Luncheon (FH, K) Paint Night 17 8:30 a.m.: Staff (P) Sale begins 11 Chorus 18 Sale continues Chorus (S) 5 8:30a.m. 4:30 p.m.: SNHS/WIC (C, P) Bells (C) Junior Choir (U) 7 p.m.: AA 7:30 p.m.: Senior Choir (C) 12 Bells (C) Junior Choir (U) 7 p.m.: AA 7:30 p.m.: Senior Choir (C) 19 Sale continues Bells (C) Junior Choir (U) 7 p.m.: AA (P) 7:30 p.m.: Senior Choir (C) 13 20 Sale continues 10 a.m.: May Communicon Deadline 7 8 a.m.: Men Making Breakfast (K, FH) 9:30 a.m.: Diaconate (P) 1 p.m.: Paint Night 14 10 a.m.: Barbara Hanson memorial service (S) 21 9 a.m. 2 p.m.: Church Rummage Sale 22 10 a.m.: Worship (S) 29 10 a.m.: Worship (S) 11:30 a.m.: Instrumental Band (S) 23 Late office hours, 2 5 p.m. 6:45 p.m.: Council (P) 30 3 p.m.: Girl Scouts (P) 24 8:30 a.m.: Worship Planning (P) 25 Chorus 26 7 p.m.: AA 27 28 Key: C = Chapel FH = Fellowship Hall P = Parlor K = Kitchen KC = Kitchen just for coffee OS = Off-site PO = Pastor s Office S = Sanctuary U = Upstairs Calendar is subject to change. Please visit www.uccpeterborough.org/calendar-of-events for updates. 4
Union Congregational Church Income/Expense Report Check Us Out on Facebook! For the most current news, commentary, and photos concerning Union Congregational activities, be sure to check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ peterboroughucc. We welcome your likes and comments too! Thanks to Leslie Inglis, Pastor Bob, and Martha CB for keeping our posts up to date. 5
COMMUNICON Vol. 64 No. 4 Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ 33 Concord Street Peterborough, NH 03458 Minister: The Rev. Dr. Robert Marrone pastorbob@uccpeterborough.org; 425-4578 Pastor s office hours: 8:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m., Mon. Thurs. Worship Service: 10 a.m. Nursery Care Provided Church Office: 924-3272 Kitchen: 924-7821 Church office hours: 8:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m., Mon.* Fri. *except 2 5 p.m. on April 23 officeucc@comcast.net www.uccpeterborough.org Editor: Martha Carlson-Bradley Proofreaders: Karen Loudon and Sharon Smith Silent Squad Support Team: Janet Brown, Randy Brown, Carolyn Peacock Deadline for May issue: 10 a.m., April 20 Union Congregational Church United Church of Christ 33 Concord Street Peterborough, NH 03458