First Congregational Church of Eliot United Church of Christ 1361 State Road Eliot, Maine 03903 the ECHO SEPTEMBER 2011 Rev. Beth Hoffman, Pastor http://www.congchurcheliot.org RALLY SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11 at 10AM This is a WELCOME BACK Sunday for all those who have been away. This is a WLECOME HOME Sunday for all those who have traveled. This is a WELCOME Sunday for all who are searching for a place to worship. EVENT CALENDAR WORSHIP RETURNS TO 10AM SEPTEMBER 4 RALLY SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORY AND HOPE SERVICE SEPT. 11 3PM It is a RALLY SUNDAY for our students and the beginning of a new Sunday school year. We will commission our teachers and celebrate return of the choirs. FCCE- the place you can always call home, always come back to, always feel welcome! OUTDOORS GAMES NIGHT OF FELLOWSHIP SEPTEMBER 15 5-7PM INSTALLATION of PASTOR SEPTEMBER 18 3PM ELIOT FESTIVAL DAY SEPTEMBER 24 LIONS PANCAKE BREAKFAST SEPTEMBER 24 7-9AM HAM AND BEAN SUPPER SEPTEMBER 24 4-6PM
A Page from the Pastor Years ago, there was a master violinist in Europe. He would play in concerts, and he had a magnificent Stradivarius violin, extremely expensive. He would play the Stradivarius violin in concert and everyone would whisper in the crowd, "Listen to the beautiful sounds of the Stradivarius." He would play in churches, and people would say, "Listen to the beautiful sounds of the Stradivarius." He even played before kings and queens, and they, too, would turn to one another and say, "Listen to the beautiful sounds of the Stradivarius." All the glory went to the instrument. Then one day this master violinist was walking by a pawn shop. He noticed an old, beat-up, wornout violin. He walked into the pawn shop and asked how much it would cost. The owner of the pawn shop told him the American equivalent of five dollars. He bought the violin, and he took it home. He polished it, and he refined it, and he tuned it, and he retuned it, and he built some character into that violin. Then, when he was to play the greatest performance of his life in a concert hall, he took out the little, five-dollar, worn-out, beat- up violin that he had polished and refined. He put it up to his chin, and he began to play, and everybody in the concert hall whispered, "Listen to the beautiful sounds of the Stradivarius." People listening were mistaken to think that the music came from the expense and polish of the instrument. They did not realize that the music flowed not from a perfect violin but from a perfect faith that God can use imperfect things and people to make such beauty in the world. We need not be perfect. We cannot be perfect. Instead we are called to be dedicated, open to possibility and humbly willing to try to do a new thing, even if all we have is an old thing. It should be our goal to allow God to "play" us AS WE PLAY and use us for God s glory and honor. That what we offer is not a perfect performance but a deep and honest effort to worship and serve. Our work and our play and our gifts should serve to point to God so that people see not us but the Divine through us. In The gospel of Matthew we hear Let your light so shine before all, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. This is truly reflecting the praise to the Divine musician. Let your light shine. Get involved with the ministries of FCCE. Come to worship and let your instrument play even when you feel you are not skilled, not worth very much or your gifts are too shabby. God knows better and with your heart and God s grace YOU are a symphony of possibility!! See you in church! Pastor Beth
upcoming events devotional YOU ARE INVITED TO THE INSTALLATION of OUR PASTOR PLEASE COME CELEBRATE! September 18 th 2PM Ecclesiastical Council 3PM Service of Installation Fellowship and refreshments to follow A SERVICE FOR 9/11 BETWEEN MEMORY and HOPE SEPTEMBER 11 at 3PM This coming September 11th will be the 10-year anniversary of the attacks events on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. That event, of course, instantly launched us into a new era of wars, fear and struggle. But it also propelled us to a new era of understanding, reaching out to friend and stranger, lighting candles and praying for deep peace. On September 11, 2011 3:00PM there will be a service of memory, healing and reflection in our sanctuary, for all who are looking for a sanctuary of peace and comfort. If you would like to assist our pastor in creating this service of music, prayer and light, please contact her with your ideas. Light refreshments will follow and the community is invited, as our doors Our new pastor The Reverend Elizabeth Hope Follum Hoffman, will be officially installed as pastor and teacher for the First Congregational Church of Eliot, United Church of Christ. In this special service we will covenant with her and she with us, to work in God s name to serve one another and the people of God s world. As hosts we will welcome the York Association, members of the Maine Conference local clergy, friends and family of Pastor Beth and special guests. The Church and Ministry Committee of the York Association, UCC will officiate the service. Our pastor has chosen three clergy persons to offer key words for the worship. We are looking forward to hearing the Word shared in a sermon by Rev Dr Jeffrey Gallagher, pastor of Kittery Point UCC. We will receive the charge to the congregation from Rev. Brad Hirst, pastor of Second Christian Congregational UCC. The charge to our pastor will be given by Rev. Darren Morgan, Associate Conference Minister for Small Church Development. Of course we will also have amazing music! PLEASE COME AND HELP US CELEBRATE THE COVENANT WE MAKE TOGETHER AND THE MINISTRY WE ARE CALLED TO LIVE OUT
OUR SEPTEMBER SUNDAY SERVANTS FELLOWSHIP HOUR HOSTS 4 Jane Spinney and Vicki Koch 11 Jan McMullen and RuthVetter 18 Dottie Edson and Mary Siebert 24 Soyna Quinn and Donna Tobey USHERS 4 Joan and Richard Donhauser 11 Karen Davis and Doris Grover 11 Dick Edson and Mike Wayburn (3PM) 18 Jan McMullen and Betty Grogan 25 Soyna and Rob Quinn ACOLYTES 4 11 Andy Wormwood 18 Nate Orr 25 Ella Quinn HAM & BEAN SUPPER The next Ham and Bean Supper will be September 24, 2011 from 4-6 PM During Eliot Festival Day Adults $9.00. Children under 12 $2.00 Children under 5 are free PANCAKE BREAKFAST Eliot Festival Day Lions Club Pancake Breakfast September 24, 2011 7 9 a.m. $5.00 adults SUMMER S LAST HURRAH Outdoor games night Friday Sept. 16 5-7PM Fran and Sally Hartford and Dick and Carolyn Bogh have all answered the call to be part of the Fellowship Ministry Team. They recently met to discuss what they might do to promote fun activities in the coming months and they hope to offer something once each month. LITURGISTS 4 Lisa Marshall 11 Gabe Hoffman 18 Jane Spinney 25 Peggy Gray DEACONS OF THE MONTH Kirsten Berg Faith Follum SANCTUARY STEWARDS Linda Gove Mike Wayburn To start things off, we extend an invitation to all of you to join us for an end-of-the-summeroutdoor games evening to be held at the church Friday, Sept. 16th from 5:00-7:00. There will be a variety of games suitable for all ages and abilities (hopscotch will be the most strenuous, and some others can be played while sitting or using a cane). A big thank-you goes to Fran for rounding up many of the games. Children are encouraged to bring hula hoops and wands as Carolyn is researching the making of soap bubble solution. Be sure to clearly mark names on items brought from home. If anyone has a badminton game we might borrow, call Carolyn at 439-2404. There will be no individual prizes because we will all be winners. Popcorn and punch will be served after the games. Sorry we can't squeeze in a rain date; just call Carolyn if you think the weather is iffy. Be on the alert for information regarding a pumpkin-carving/decorating event for October!
THE CHOIR COMMUNITY! The Senior Choir has begun rehearsing for the fall already and is currently meeting on Thursdays at 6PM. All are welcome to join in. The choir offers something in worship every other Sunday. The Alleluia Choir for grades 5-8 and the Cherub Choir for ages 3 and up will begin in earnest this fall and the Music team is looking for adult support for this wonderful blessing to our choir community. Please talk to Pastor Beth of Music Minster Lisa Marshall if you think God might be calling you to a rehearsal with both of them and the little ones just twice a month. THRIFT SHOP IS OPEN with everything half price! Thursday Sept 1 Saturday Sept 3 Thursday Sept 15 Saturday Sept 17 3-6 PM 9 - Noon 3-6 PM 9 - Noon ELIOT FESTIVAL DAY Saturday, Sept 24, 9 2 PM $2.00 A BAG Thursday Sept 29 Saturday Oct. 1 3-6 PM 9 Noon We are no longer accepting items for the Thrift Shop. Thank you for supporting this important ministry for the church C E L E B R A T I O N S BIRTHDAYS September 2 Peggy Gray 19 Judy Pruett 20 June Brackett ANNIVERSARIES September 18 Mr. and Mrs. Harry Langford 21 Mr. and Mrs. David Webster A CHANCE TO REALLY PRACTICE Talent Show Moved to 2012 It is with regret that we have to report that the Talent Show for this year will have to be cancelled. Because we are both still in the process of recovering from surgery, undergoing further tests, treatments, etc. neither of us feel we have the time to adequately do the preparation that goes into planning for a good Talent Show. We have agreed that rather than try to arrange a harried and hurried show it makes more sense to do a really good coordination job next year when we can pull something together that will provide a really fun-filled evening. Dick Bogh and Rod Follum
news of the church events devotional news CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Christian Ed has had a busy summer! Despite the early hour, Sunday school has been well attended. We have had a relaxed atmosphere and mostly focused on the story of Creation. Thank you to our special guest, Doris Grover for sharing a flower craft with the children. Rally Day will be held September 11 th. We will take registrations, have some get acquainted ice breakers, play games & generally have a welcome back celebration. Please invite your family, friends and neighbors! September 18 th we will review the story of Moses from birth to fleeing Pharaoh & crossing the Red Sea. This will be a fun, interactive story to bring everyone up to date before we continue Moses adventures as he leads the people into the wilderness. Volunteers are needed for our library, the nursery, classes, youth, etc. Is God calling you? LADIES CIRCLE NEWS Vacation Bible School (VBS) was held July 18-22. The program, PandaMania (Where God Is Wild About You) was a hit with the over 40 people who participated. A taste of VBS was shared with the congregation July 24 th. Many people gave their time & talents as well as donations of money & supplies to make this program a success thank you! We are looking ahead to a new school year. Our August 3rd meeting was at the Portsmouth Country Club. 19 ladies enjoyed a delicious lunch. Our next meeting will be September 7 th at 12:30 in McPherson Hall. Our program will be A Surprise! Pastor Beth and Faith Follum will have the program and the refreshments. There will be a Fair meeting after church on September 25 th. B.L.A.S.T and SPARKS! Our BLAST and SPARKS youth group program have been amazing opportunities for fellowship, fun service and faith growing. We will resume both programs in October after our kids have adjusted to their school rhythms. With the Holy Spirit, it will be an amazing year.
THANK YOU To all those who choose to worship with us each Sunday and celebrate the good news To all who are making a donation of a Worship and Rejoice hymnal! Those that bring in food for Footprints every month. To all those who help prepare the Thrift Shop for business and mission each week. To all the many talented musicians who share their gifts with us in worship. For all those that shared their vocal talents with us in worship this summer. The songs were true gifts. To Jeff Pelkey for donating a huge tent for our outdoor worship service and to the Spinney s who assisted in setting it up. To all those church mice who make quiet but powerful donations of time talent and treasure above and beyond their pledges to help this church be a shining light in the world. To all those who donated money and materials to make VBS so amazing! To all the people who serve as Sunday servants each week! The generous person who donated an air conditioner to the church office. To Sherry Goodnough for her never ending commitment to our Sunday School program and the love and dedication she gives each Sunday.. To the Gove s for donating a dresser for the sacristy. To Jeff Pelkey for the loan of his digital projector and screen for VBS Sunday To the church mice that donated pads of paper, sidewalk chalk, tissues, stamps and shared good cheer with all. To everyone who came to our outdoor worship and potluck and really made it a wonderful experience. To all those who are working so hard to plan Pastor Beth s installation service, especially, Linda Gove, Kirsti Berg, Lisa Marshall and Jan McMullen. To all the people who hosted our summer fellowship hours with finesse and fun! To the generous people who donated 80 Sing a New Creation hymnals. To the wonderful VBS team that brought back a long standing tradition with new flair!! To all who pray for our church, our community and our world. To al those who are planning our fall Sunday school program. To those who came faithfully to summer worship and enriched our connection with the Divine. To those who came to summer worship for the first time and filled us with possibility! To all who pray for our church, our community and our world. To al those who are planning our fall Sunday school program. To those who came faithfully to summer worship and enriched our connection with the Divine. To those who came to summer worship for the first time and filled us with possibility! FOOTPRINTS FOOD PANTRY I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me! Items being collected for September are Items being collected are paper products, hamburger helper, macaroni and cheese, and anything you can find on sale when you are shopping. Times are tight. Remember the children need GOOD snacks and CEREAL for breakfast. We thank you for your generosity! SUNDAY EVENING VESPERS Our Sunday night Vespers Service 6:30 PM Sunday nights as we gather for prayer, hymns and scripture reflection
Summertime Spirit
NEW MINISTRIES! PRAYER PARTNERS Are you interested in being part of a prayer buddy system? Sign up at the Sign up Center and Pastor Beth will match partners up and put them in contact with one another. Written, spoken and silent prayers are all options. How you choose to live this out is up to you. Guidance will be offered and Pastor Beth is available for support. This is a great opportunity to practice prayer and meet others in a new spirit filled way. BANNER MINISTRY A great many of you have expressed an interest in adding to the liturgical beauty of our sanctuary, narthex and fellowship hall. A wonderful way to do this is by creating banners. Pastor Beth has many books and templates since this is a passion she has. Creating banners to hang in the fellowship hall will also absorb a great deal of the echo we have experienced since the laying of the new floor. If you are interested please talk to the pastor. You need not be able to sew but only have a willing heart and some creative energy. Banners can be worked on at home, at the church, alone or in groups. Let s start proclaiming our faith in our art and become MATERIAL WITNESSES! MISSION MOMENT MINUTES The Mission Board wants to thank the council for the donation for 2 clean-up buckets. We shopped for all of the items and had enough money to furnish 5 buckets. I delivered them to Wells, on the 18th,and paid for the postage for five buckets at three dollars apiece. I have given the treasurer the receipts for all the items that were purchased as well as the Ladies Circle, as they gave money for 2 buckets as well. The Board will meet in October to finalize the PIE SALE that we will have in October for Thanksgiving Pies to be purchase, before Thanksgiving day. We hope to raise enough funds to purchase more diapers, and articles the health kits. We are not sure just what we will do for the Fair in November, we will take that up as well. Everyone is welcome to attend our meetings and there is always coffee and goodies, along with conversation. A thank you to all that have brought in items for the school bags, we really appreciate it. Our next items to be asked for are toothbrushes, bandages, hand towels and Ivory soap. We have enough washcloths and other items, so are not in need of other items. Submitted by Carole Shirk, On behalf of the Mission Board Paula, Janice, Karen, Marion, Loretta, Nancy, Liz,and Carole The Mission Board, says THANK YOU ALL. _
ARE YOU A CHURCH MOUSE? You could be! When something wished for would suddenly appear in the church, or be accomplished behind the scenes, and you didn t know exactly who had done it you would say, The church mice have taken care of it. Or The church mice have been here. It wasn t always a secret but it was always kind and generous. If you have a wish to grant a wish, perhaps you would like to be a church mouse. Current church mouse wish list Stamps for the pastor s correspondence A two line answering machine for private messages New banners for the narthex and Fellowship hall Relocation of the old sound system or a new system Solid black music stands (2) A basket ball pole and hoop for the parking lot Welcome banner for the fellowship hallway People to help restructure choral room longer acolyte candle lighters Worship and Rejoice Hymnals PROPERTY BOARD With trees and limbs falling, it has been a busy summer for your Property Board! The north side of the Church roof and the roof on the Church addition have been completely reshingled and the roof on the Parish Hall has been repaired. After final negotiations with the insurance company and finding out that the roofs did not need new plywood, the final cost to the church was just under $800. When we had expected a much larger bill, several members of the church donated to the roof project and later decided to leave that money with the church. Thank you for your generosity! That s the good news! The bad news is that we have several more trees around the Church, Parish Hall and Parsonage that need to come down. More wind storms could easily mean more damage. Our next project is to get the McPherson Room and the front entrance hallway in the Parish Hall painted. We would like to have it finished prior to Beth s installation on September 18 th. All the paint and supplies are in the Parish Hall; DIACONATE HIGHLIGHTS Continuing Work: TEAM MINISTRIES Please answer the call to be involved. All teams are under the umbrella of our board leadership Care Team- Ruth Vetter: Fellowship Team- Dick Bogh: Personnel Team- Jan McMullen: Communications Team- Pastor Beth: Hospitality Team- Faith Follum: Beautification Team- Mark Hoffman: Youth Team- Kirsti Berg: Music Team Lisa Marshall: Fundraising team- Stewardship Team Richard Donhauser Vision Team: The Retirement of Administrative Assistant: Jane Spinney has verbally tendered her resignation but has offered to stay on until the close of our Annual Meeting in 2012. The Deacons will open up the position to prospective candidates after reviewing the job description, hours and salary. If anyone is interested in the position, they can talk to Jan McMullen or Richard Donhauser. We thank Jane for her many years of service to the church. Installation of New Pastor: Pastor Beth s installation on Sept. 18 th at 3PM Kirsten Berg is the coordinating person for the worship service and Linda Gove is the coordinating person for the reception with the assistance of the Deacons Deacons Retreat: The Deacons met for a time of retreat at Pastor Beth s house. In addition to fellowship and good food they also did some reflecting on a personal relationship with scripture and some brainstorming about what has been crazy good in the last 9 months of ministry. Some exciting and positive vibes were shared and joy was expressed over many things. A few of the highlights raised up the Deacons were the following A new noticeable lack of conflict, great new music, strong communication, sermon strength, a booming Sunday school, great new fellowship opportunities, a wonderful arrival of many younger families, lots of new visitors each week and a growing transformation and faith. There is a positive vibe in everything!
HOPING FOR NEW HYMNALS For a long and treasured history the sanctuary has been filled with the songs from the Pilgrim Hymnal. It has honored generations of churchgoers and the music has been important to Sunday morning worship. We give thanks for all the hymnody that has inspired us to worship God and brought people into our sanctuary to sing. As one long time member shared, The songs remind me of my grandparents. With the leadership of our new music minster and our new settled pastor, new hymns have begun to be a part of our church future. There is a new rhythm in our worship service and there is a growth in attendance and enthusiasm. As one regular visitor shared, There is a spirit in the space on Sunday that I am not finding at other places. Part of it is the way the music makes me feel. IS GOD CALLING YOU TO CHURCH MEMBERSHIP? We will next be receiving new members into fellowship on September 25 th. If you are interested, have questions or are simply curious, please talk to Pastor Beth or send her an email. This is an exciting time in the life of FCCE and you are part of that Spirit filled excitement! Our goal is to have 100 copies of Worship & Rejoice at $12.95 each. This is the Blue hardcover hymnal that we most often use and that you may have seen held up in worship. The hope is that the friends and members of FCCE will be willing to donate funds toward this endeavor. Each hymnal will have a dedication in the inside front cover recognizing the donation and who or what it honors. You could honor your grandfather, your grandchild, the ministry of this church or the memory of a loved one. Let us honor the old songs by daring to sing a new song and bring new rhythms, melodies and harmonies into our place of worship. A form for your donation and your dedication will be available in the narthex, the fellowship hall and by request. It is also on the next page of this newsletter Please ask questions and bring forth both your concerns and your excitement! Please donate a hymnal or two so that we can make a joyful noise unto the Lord! COMMUNICATION OPPORTUNITIES You can now invite your friends and family to find and friend us on us on PASTOR BETH S CONTACT INFO Rev. Beth Hoffman Cell Phone: 603-620-5348 Home Phone: 603-332-0997 Email: bhoffman@metrocast.net We also now have the EXTRA ECHO The Extra Echo is an e-letter sent out during the month with updates prayers and notifications. If you would like to be part of this mailing, or know someone who does, please notify Pastor Beth Friday is her scheduled day of Sabbath
Singing a New Song at FCCE! Hymnal Donation Form Your Name: I wish to donate a (blue) Worship and Rejoice hymnal at a cost of $12.95 each. Please make checks payable to First Congregational Church, with a note in the memo line. Please turn in one slip for every hymnal you wish to generously donate. A template will be placed on the inside cover with mention of your donation at your request. Please fill out the space below as you would like it to be printed. Examples: This hymnal was donated by The Smith Family in memory of Grandma Jane Smith and to the glory of God This hymnal was given in Honor of the Educaton Ministry of First Congreagtional Church of Eliot, United Church of Christ. This hymnal was donated by the Green Family Please direct any questions to Pastor Beth or Music Minister Lisa
First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ 1361 State Rd. Eliot, Maine 03903 ECHO SEPTEMBER 2011