September 12th Weekly Word | |
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Worship This Week
Please join us
in the Sanctuary
or online at 10am for the
Seventeenth Sunday
after Pentecost
Coffee hour will be held
after the service
in Hadley Hall
The service will be live streamed
on Facebook Live here
or on 3CX here
Reader: Fred Malcolm
Coffee Hour Host: Nancy & Bill Cheyne
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Rev Paige's Corner: Joining a Chorus
I shared recently about a new liturgical season being observed by Christians: The Season of Creation. Although people of faith have long celebrated God's gift of creation in a variety of ways, this particular movement seemed to come into focus in 1989. Looking at the intersection of our wonder with creation and our strong concern about the damge done to it has motivated people of faith both to pray and to act. The hope was to create a liturgical season like Advent and Lent that will ground our worship in this common faith based concern.
I have long observed the Season of Creation in September in worship leadership and church activities. But as I have been reviewing the materials for this year at Seasonofcreation.org, I was struck at the ways this common concern has brought unity to Christ's church which has seemed at times very fractures. I was reading a joint statement from Pope Francis, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury: “Future generations will never forgive us if we miss the opportunity to protect our common home. We have inherited a garden; we must not leave a desert for our children.” And I was looking at materials representing 41 faith partners from around the world. Each is unique, of course, and yet all are sharing together to try to make a difference in an issue that effects us all. (Take a look at the web page to explore a wealth of materials to help us think about what our faith says to us about creation care and ways that we can act in the world as people of faith.)
Last week I wrote about the difference between being in a boat where folks are trying to row in different directions and one where people are rowing together in the same direction. I would pause with a bit of wonder that world wide in many different Christian and non-Christian faith traditions, there seems to be some significant collaboration. For that, I am thankful and I encourage us all to join the chorus!
With blessings!
Rev Paige Besse-Rankin
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Save the Date for a Transition Talk: Sunday, October 13 following Worship
Join us for pizza and discussion as we look at the scope of our pastoral position moving forward. Do we have the resources to continue with a full-time position? What are the options for part-time pastorates? Is there an update on our exploration of sharing a pastor with the Atkinson Church? These are questions that need to be resolved before a Search Committee can begin working. We want to share some information and get your input.
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Would you like to learn about church membership?
We are organizing a New Members Class for October. This is a chance to learn about what membership means, what Hampstead Congregational Church is all about, a bit about the United Church of Christ, and more. If you ae interested, please speak with the pastor, sign up in Hadley Hall, or use this link to express interest:
Click to sign up for New Member's Class!
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Trip to the Horton Center
Summer spiritual adventure group.
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Book Discussion Group is back for the Fall
After our summer break, our Thursday morning Book group will be returning! This group is open to any who would like to join.
Thursday, September 12 from 10 - 11:30 am, we will meet with "muffins and mugs" to talk about "what I did/read for my summer vacation." Some of of the group have had some wonderful adventures. Bring a couple of photos to share! Others have been reading - some even from our summer book list. So let's catch up and share our summer adventures.
The suggested book for the fall. It is "Freeing Jesus" by Dianna Butler Bass. It is available on Amazon in paperback, digital format and audible version. It can also be purchased used for $3 or so. Here is the book description: "The award-winning author of Grateful goes beyond the culture wars to offer a refreshing take on the comprehensive, multi-faceted nature of Jesus, keeping his teachings relevant and alive in our daily lives. How can you still be a Christian? This is the most common question Diana Butler Bass is asked today. It is a question that many believers ponder as they wrestle with disappointment and disillusionment in their church and its leadership. But while many Christians have left their churches, they cannot leave their faith behind.
"In Freeing Jesus, Bass challenges the idea that Jesus can only be understood in static, one-dimensional ways and asks us to instead consider a life where Jesus grows with us and helps us through life’s challenges in several capacities: as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence. Freeing Jesus is an invitation to leave the religious wars behind and rediscover Jesus in all his many manifestations, to experience Jesus beyond the narrow confines we have built around him. It renews our hope in faith and worship at a time when we need it most."
We will finalize our choice on Sept 12. Other suggestions are welcome.
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HCC Historical Designation Marker on Display
As most of you know, Hampstead Congregational is now officially on the
New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places! Last week we received the official historical marker to display on the church.
Special thank you, Brad Robie, for all of your hard work and dedication
in accomplishing this amazing fete!
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New Association structure being proposed for NH UCC
The United Church of Christ is organized into 4 settings: The national setting overseen by General Synod; Conferences (in our case the NH Conference); Associations (in our case the Rockingham Association) and local congregations. This is not a hierarchical structure, and no setting has authority over any others. Instead, it is a set of covenantal relationships where we support one another in our ministries.
In New Hampshire, our Associations of Churches are fairly small in terms of geography and number of churches. Remember that many were organized before automobiles where people would have to travel on foot or horse and carriage to participate in meetings. Among other things, Associations are where decisions are made about who to ordain and authorize for ministry.
But in recent years, many of our Associations in NH have struggled to stay active, to get volunteers and to stay active. This has led to challenges. So, a Task Force has been working over the last 2 years to look at our model, to learn what is happening other parts of the country, to organized listening sessions, and to propose a new structure.
The proposal coming the fall for consideration involves combining all Associations who want to join into one statewide association. Would you like to learn more? There is now a web page with information and there are listening sessions coming later this month. Check here for more information: Association Task Force materials
We will need delegates for participate in listening sessions and in our association meeting later this fall to vote as representatives of our congregation. If you would be interested, please speak with Fred Malcolm or Rev Paige.
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Exploring Our Faith Program for 2024/25
We are organizing a program for youth and adults to explore the basics of Christian Faith through discussion, activities, and experiences. This will function like a Confirmation Class for those who have never confirmed their baptism vows. But it will also be open to those who took Confirmation years ago and would like to explore again or for those considering becoming a Christian. It will be a place to ask big questions.
To provide the most flexibility for those with busy schedules and the most chance to personalize exploration to participants own interests, this program will gather monthly for an overview of the theme of the month. Then small groups will have the chance to select and schedule activities around that theme that most interest them and to work together on those activities.
There will also be the opportunity for a mission trip and a retreat as the group has interest. There will be an informational/organizational meeting in early September. This program is open to those in high school and older.
If you are interested in more information, please sign up in the book in Hadley Hall or use this link to register: Faith Journey sign up form
Please see Rev Paige if you have questions!
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Visitation Team being Organized!
One of the challenges of pastoral transition time is that long-time members who are homebound can get lost in the shuffle. It can take a while for a new pastor to get to know folks. And even when a pastor has been settled for a while, 1 person is often not enough to keep folks who are homebound feeling closely connected. A Visitation team can make a big difference with visits, cards, and regular check ins. While this has been happening informally in some cases, we want to organize it just a bit so we can make sure everyone is supported and connected. If you would be interested in volunteering for a visitation team or just learning more about what would be involved, please sign up in the sign-up book in Hadley Hall or contact the office. We plan to have an organizational meeting in early September.
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Peace & Justice
In Depth NH reported that housing prices in New Hampshire are continuing to increase. In July 2024 record high median rent for a 2 bedroom unit was $1833 ($2069 in Rockingham Co.) and single-family home price was $530,000. The strain on families and communities continues as family budgets are disproportionately hit by housing costs and employees cannot afford to live where jobs are.
See the full article for more details.
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Music Corner by Herb Tardiff
Origins of the Battle Hymn of the Republic
In November 1861, a woman named Julia Ward Howe and her husband visited Washington, D.C. While there, Howe, a published poet, heard Union troops belting out a well-known marching song called “John Brown’s Body,” after the famous abolitionist, John Brown.
A preacher standing with Howe encouraged her to write new lyrics to the tune. “I replied that I had often wished to do so,” Howe later wrote I… awoke the next morning in the gray of the early dawn, and to my astonishment found that the wished-for lines were arranging themselves in my brain. I lay quite still until the last verse had completed itself in my thoughts, then hastily arose, saying to myself, I shall lose this if I don’t write it down immediately. I… began to scrawl the lines almost without looking…. Having completed this, I lay down again and fell asleep, but not before feeling that something of importance had happened to me.”
That “something of importance” proved to be the words to the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” In February 1862, she sold her poem to the Atlantic Monthly, a well-known magazine, for five dollars.
The new song spread quickly through the Union armies and was adopted by Union supporters who wanted to teach the southern rebels a lesson. (Oddly, it had been a southerner named William Steffe who had written the original music.) Howe’s version was packed with Biblical imagery and phrasing.
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on.
(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
Howe took dead aim at slavery in her lyrics. She and her husband were strong anti-slavery activists, called abolitionists. Included in one verse of the hymn were the words “let us die to make men free”—to fight to end slavery, in other words. Howe’s new words also angered southerners. Not only did the song sing for an end to slavery, this “hymn”—a holy, church song—claimed that God was on the North’s side.
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New Hampshire Conference UCC
Weekly News
We thought you might enjoy reading the NH Conference UCC weekly newsletter. You can read it with this link.
9/10/2024 Newsletter
Each week, we will update this section of our Weekly Word with the new link
for the current newsletter.
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New AMAZON Wish List for
Saint Anne's Food Pantry
St. Anne's Pantry is seeing an increase in the number of families who shop with them. They've almost doubled the amount of families who shop weekly since this time last year. They try to keep their shelves stocked as much as they can.
They are reaching out for some help...donations are needed. They thought they would try an Amazon Wish List in addition to listing items here.
Thank you in advance for any donations.
Please no expired items and non-perishable items only please.
Drop off in the foyer of Hadley Hall.
Looking for the following: cereal(no oatmeal), coffee, tea, Ritz Crackers, Saltines, granola bars, Nutrigrain bars, cheese and crackers, peanut butter and crackers, canned Chef Boy r Dee, condiments, salad dressing, brownie/cake mix, Coffee/K-Cups, Quickbread/Muffin mixes, Easter Candy, Ensure, Scalloped/Au gratin potatoes.
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To sign up for the next volunteer opportunity click here. If you are interested in volunteering contact Jane DeRosa via email at janederosa@comcast.net. | |
The Sonshine Soup Kitchen needs volunteers to prepare and package the food for "To Go Meals." We partner with Atkinson Congregational Church once a month on the 4th Wednesday of the month to help out from 3-6pm. | | |
Are you on Facebook? Do you follow Hampstead Congregational Church? Please like our page to know about all the great events in the church. Liking also supports our church when people check us out. If you are already connected, share our good news!
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Help Us Continue Our Mission at HCC | |
Want to get the word out about what’s happening at HCC? If you want to publicize your event or remind the congregation about something, please email the office (hcc1752@gmail.com) by Wednesday at noon so that your information can be included in that week’s Weekly Word. Feel free to send in information up to three weeks in advance of an upcoming event. We want all of the congregation (not just the Team leaders) to be empowered to get the word out about all the activities that are happening at Hampstead Congregational Church!
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Our Mailing Address:
61 Main Street
Hampstead, NH 03841
Church Summer Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9:00am to Noon
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Hampstead Congregational Church Website
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