Strengthen the Church Offering

on Pentecost This Sunday, June 8th

The Strengthen the Church (STC) Offering reflects the shared commitment of people across the United Church of Christ to cooperatively build up the UCC. Conferences and the national setting equally share the gifts given by members and friends through their local congregations. The funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations. By your generosity to this offering, you build up the Body of Christ.

As God calls our congregations to be the church in new ways, your generosity will plant new churches, awaken new ideas in existing churches and develop the spiritual life in our youth and young adults.

Click here to watch the video.

Douglas Spence

November 21, 1945 — March 11, 2025

Somersworth, NH

We received the sad news that Doug Spence, a frequent summer visitor to Hampstead Congregational Church, passed away on March 11, 2025.

At last Sunday’s service, Doug’s wife, Gabrielle, came forward during the announcements to share the news with the congregation. Gabrielle’s family owns a camp on Sunset Lake, where she and Doug spent their summers, often joined by their children and grandchildren.

Doug first visited Hampstead Congregational Church in the summer of 2021 and quickly became a regular. A big man with a gentle spirit, Doug sat in the same pew each week—a familiar, comforting presence. He often said that from his very first visit, he felt welcomed by our congregation—and that meant a great deal to him.

Each year, Doug returned to worship with us, and each fall, as he prepared to close the camp and head back to Somersworth for the winter, he would say, “Well, I hope I’ll see you next spring.” He said it with a smile, but also with awareness, as Doug had been battling cancer for several years. And yet, he kept showing up—summer after summer. Many of us were expecting to see him walk through the doors again this spring, just as he always had. But this year, it was not to be.

During her remarks on Sunday, Gabrielle spoke warmly about how much the church meant to Doug. She shared how welcome he felt here and how deeply he appreciated being part of our community.

Doug also cared passionately about preserving our historic church building. From the very beginning of the Capital Campaign in 2022, he was a generous and enthusiastic supporter. He took great joy in seeing the repairs progress—especially the steeple restoration in 2023 and the repairs to the bell ringing apparatus last summer.

Gabrielle shared with us that, in a final act of generosity, Doug left a significant gift to the Capital Campaign. His bequest will help fund the upcoming restoration of the sanctuary windows—a beautiful and fitting tribute from someone who so deeply appreciated the beauty and meaning of this place.

We will miss our summer friend—his presence, his spirit, and his quiet strength. While the family has not yet published an obituary, we do know that Doug was a veteran, and we honor his service as well.

Thank you to everyone who helped make Doug feel at home among us. Please keep Gabrielle and the Spence family in your prayers.

Rest in peace, Doug. You will not be forgotten.

HELP WANTED

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL - JUNE 7, 2025

Our annual Strawberry Festival is THIS WEEKEND and our volunteer sheet IS starting to fill up. If you have already signed up to help, we thank you. If not, we still have some empty spaces that could use your help. They are as follows.  

MANNING TABLES

Saturday Bake Table: 12-3pm

Plant table 830am to 12 pm and 12 to 3pm

Games and Yard Sale table: anytime between 8:30 and 3pm

Clean up:3pm

Please contact the office to sign up for any of these slots or call/email Barbara Wallack at 603-548-8324 or bsw91@comcast.net Your help would be greatly appreciated.

The Fundraising Team

Summer Office Hours Begin June 9th

Just a reminder that the summer office hours will begin on Monday, June 9th until August 31st.  

Office hours will be:

Monday 9am-12pm

Wednesday 9am-12pm

Thursday 9am-12pm

Music Corner by Herb Tardiff

The Flugelhorn: Understanding Its Unique Sound and Role in Music

When you come across the mention of the flugelhorn, you might immediately think about the mellow, warm tones it produces. And you’re definitely right. This instrument has always held a significant place among other representatives of the trumpet family due to its sonic characteristics. Let’s investigate its unique role in music in more detail.

What Is a Flugelhorn?

The flugelhorn is described as a hybrid between a trumpet and a cornet. What makes it distinctive among other members of the brass family is its iconic tone that sounds darker than trumpets. The instrument was developed on the basis of the English valveless bugle in the early 19th century in Germany. The credit is attributed to the inventor of the valved orchestral horn – Heinrich Stölzel, whose early design became the groundwork for the further development of the instrument. The inventive instrument maker Michael Saurle improved and popularized the flugelhorn. He was also the creator of key modifications in the mid-19th century that helped adapt the flugelhorn in military and brass band.

Saint Anne's Food Pantry

Thank you all who continue to donate food for St. Anne’s Food Pantry! They have updated their needs list: Salad dressings, Coffee, Mayonnaise, Cans of Grated Cheese, Flour, Sugar, Gluten Free Items, Juice Boxes, Spices, Cereal (no oatmeal).

St. Anne’s Food Pantry has also updated their

 Amazon Wish List

in addition to listing items here.

Please no expired items. Non-perishable items only.

Drop off is in the foyer of Hadley Hall.

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.

6/3/2025 Newsletter

Each week, we will update this section of our Weekly Word with the new link

for the current newsletter.

Our Mailing address:

61 Main Street

Hampstead, NH 03841

Church Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9:00am to 2 pm