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EPISTLE
Bradford Congregational
Church – UCC
Bradford, VT (802) 222-4034
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Can I Live Here?
Kenneth L. Samuel
"Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He
whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth
from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong
. . ." - Psalm 15
I have traveled across counties, countries and continents to visit shrines and
cathedrals. I've been blessed to visit the sacred sites of the Holy Land in Israel on
more than one occasion. I've toured the Vatican and stood in St Peter's square
before the grand basilica in Rome. I've stood at the Acropolis in Athens where
philosophers expounded and the Apostle Paul preached. I've sailed the Aegean
Sea to the Island of Patmos, where the Apostle John received the book of
Revelation.
Yet, despite all these visits to sacred places, Psalm 15 reminds me that the
essence of sacredness is not in a location but in a lifestyle. Sacred sites are
preserved and revered because they help us to feel closer to God, and yet the
Psalmist informs us that we can be no closer to God than the values we uphold in
our everyday lives. As inspiring as they are, visits to holy places (including
church on Sunday morning) do not constitute real holiness or sacredness.
Real holiness is determined by the honesty of our relationships, by the justice we
promote in our communities, by the respect we express for others and by using
our financial blessings to help those in need. The sacred is not really about
special places, but good values that should be lived out in every place.
SEPTEMBER, 2015 See us on Facebook!
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And when we live our faith in the love we share, in the service we give and in the
justice we promote, we never leave the holy place, because we personify it.
What? Didn't you know that you are the temple of the most high God? Let's
become the church that we invite others to attend.
Prayer Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. And with
thanksgiving, I'll be a living sanctuary, Lord, for you. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kenneth L. Samuel is Pastor of Victory for the World Church, Stone Mountain, Georgia.
THURSDAY September 3rd … CHURCH COUNCIL
Pam Lucas, our Associate Conference Minister, will attend our
September Church Council meeting to help us begin forming a minister
search committee. If you would like to be a member of the Search
Committee please inform a Council or Diaconate member. This is a
wonderful opportunity to help our church move into the future. Please
consider serving!
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PRAYER CONCERNS
We always welcome new “links” in the prayer chain. If you would like to be on the
prayer email list, please let me know. You can also call or email any time with
prayer requests (222-9679 or [email protected]) -Bridget Peters
Among those who were lifted up in prayer in the past month:
Diane Burgess Cass Poulos Kristin Rose Unnamed friend James Berry
Dick Swenson Howard Grant Margaret Staples’ nephew George
Christie Welch Mary Trischman
Our sympathy and love to the family and friends of
Royce Boyd Harry Brainerd Jack Shepard Paul Hodge Millie Bruder
Steve Johnson Diana Wilson
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A Wise and Discerning People
Talitha Arnold
You must observe these (commandments) diligently, . . . (and others) will say,
"Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!" - Deuteronomy 4:6
Can you hear the urgency in Moses' voice? He knows he's not going with his
people into their new life beyond the wilderness. He also knows that no matter
the landscape, the temptations and trials they experienced in the desert will
continue throughout their lives.
So Moses urges them to let those lives—and the lives of their children and their
children's children--be shaped by God's word. As we gear up for the new school
year, we would be smart to heed Moses' urgent command. Like those ancient
Israelites, we too need to be "wise and discerning people." That means we take
seriously our ministries of teaching and faith formation—for all ages.
The African-American theologian Howard Thurman knew the importance of
such ministry. In his classic Disciplines of the Spirit, Thurman wrote of growing
up in a Christian tradition with yearly "revivals," when "opportunity was
provided for the surrender of the individual life to God." But Thurman noted,
"The church did not leave (the person) there." With the sponsorship of an older
Christian, "experienced in the Way," the person participated in a weekly prayer
service and other faith formation times. "Nurture in the Christian life," Thurman
affirmed, "was another way of providing a time of intensive, deepening
experience which gave the new resolve a chance to establish itself as a permanent
outlet for the creative energies of God."
Like the Israelites, we are called to be a "wise and discerning people"--or in
Thurman's words, "the permanent outlet for the creative energies of God." The
place to begin is with our commitment to education.
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Prayer Thank you, God, for the call to be "wise and discerning people." And
thank you for teachers, youth ministers, mentors, and all "Ministers of
Education" who help us heed that call. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Talitha Arnold is Senior Minister of the United Church of Santa Fe (UCC), Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is the author of Worship for Vital Congregations, published by The Pilgrim Press.
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP next meeting is Sept. 2nd at 6:30 in the vestry
Bazaar News: we are in need of someone to do the dining room and have
servers.
We are asking for items for the following tables: food, candy, crafts and gifts,
Attic Collectibles. Leave at the church Oct. 15 and 16.
We are looking for donations for the corn chowder luncheon. The following
items are needed: 5 lbs. onions, 25 lbs. potatoes, 2 lbs. bacon, 10 cans whole
corn, 20 cans cream corn, 2 gallons milk, 6 quarts half ‘n’ half, 1 bag oyster
crackers, 5 large cans tuna, 1 bunch celery, 4 dozen eggs, 4 gallons cider, 2
quarts mayo, 4 loaves white bread, 4 loaves wheat bread.
Please call Maribeth Ames at 222-9696 if you will be donating any of the
above.
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Lectionary Readings for SEPTEMBER
Please note: This list of readings includes both
tracks of the Revised Common Lectionary for the
time after Pentecost. The semicontinuous track moves sequentially through
major stories and themes from the Old Testament. The complementary track
provides Old Testament readings related to the Gospel selection for the day.
September 6 Semicontinuous
Proverbs 22:1–2, 8–9, 22–23
Psalm 125
James 2:1–10 (11–13) 14–17
Mark 7:24–37
Complementary
Isaiah 35:4–7a
Psalm 146
James 2:1–10 [11–13] 14–17
Mark 7:24–37
September 13 Semicontinuous
Proverbs 1:20–33
Psalm 19
James 3:1–12
Mark 8:27–38
Complementary
Isaiah 50:4–9a
Psalm 116:1–9
James 3:1–12
Mark 8:27–38
September 20
Semicontinuous
Proverbs 31:10–31
Psalm 1
James 3:13–4:3, 7–8a
Mark 9:30–37
Complementary
Jeremiah 11:18–20
Psalm 54
James 3:13–4:3, 7–8a
Mark 9:30–37
September 27
Semicontinuous
Esther 7:1–6, 9–10; 9:20–22
Psalm 124
James 5:13–20
Mark 9:38–50
Complementary
Numbers 11:4–6, 10–16, 24–29
Psalm 19:7–14
James 5:13–20
Mark 9:38–50
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The Chicken Pie Supper is
September 26th
Now is the time to give me a call
(802-449-4689) or drop me an email
([email protected] ) if you can take
part.
This supper is a Bradford 250 event
and the proceeds will be going to the
Tower Renovation! How appropriate!!
The idea came about during early 250
meetings when we were recalling
traditions that had been so “Bradford.” This supper was one of the first mentioned.
Because this is a 250 event you will see some workers from other churches, too! A
nice ecumenical and community service effort!
The specific ways to help:
set-up (includes moving tables and chairs)
preparing vegetables for cooking (washing, paring, etc.)
making the slaw*
cooking the chicken pies*
cooking the vegetables*
baking dessert pies
serving/hosting
clean up (includes moving tables and chairs)
*since this is a Bradford 250 event we will do the cooking the way it
was done originally, all in the church kitchen the day of the supper!
The ONE sitting is at 5pm following the all-day craft fair and flea market. It will
be by donation with net proceeds going to the Clock Tower project.
Marcia and Kara Tomlinson
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Sunday School
Way back in February, the Valentine’s
fundraising dinner raised $130 for the
children to donate to charity. They knew
they wanted their donation to help
animals in some way, and in the end they
decided to split it: $65 to New Digs for
Dogs in Haverhill, and $65 to the Upper
Valley Humane Society. This month, the
kids made art and cards to send along
with the donations.
We are very excited to announce that the
Munson’s have generously agreed to host
the children again this year for apple-
picking and
cider
making! We
will gather at
the Munson’s
house at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 20th. Do you
have some children in your life that might enjoy this
outing? We welcome children, grandchildren,
nephews, nieces and neighbors—they need not have
any connection with the church. Please let Bridget
Peters know if you can come, or if you need any more
information. (802-222-9679 or
Regular Sunday School curriculum resumes
September 6th, with weekly readings and activities to help the kids learn about the
Bible and build their own faith.
And stay tuned for more fun kid events coming up this fall and winter, including a
movie night in October, Christmas Pageant in December, and an outdoor winter
party in January!
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EIGHTH ANNUAL ALL-CHURCH YARD SALE
Here’s the great news from this year’s Yard Sale. We made $963.85!
And we were able to donate blankets, linens, cookware, dishes, implements and
more to the West Newbury Congregational Church’s ingathering for shipment to
Zimbabwe.
Co-Chairs – Dan Perry, Eris Eastman, Vida Perry-Munson, Linda Gross, Sue
Eastman, Maryjane Krepper, Martina Stever
Our Wider Christian Fellowship
The West Newbury Congregational Church is ingathering practically anything
gently used you can donate to be shipped to Zimbabwe: tools, kitchen items, (new)
batteries, clothing, shoes, fabric, knitting needles, non-perishable packaged and dry
foods … weight is not a consideration as it’s shipped by the cubic foot. The last
day to drop off items is 9/15. Also, if you can spare $10 to defray their shipping
cost?
Grace UMC will be hosting its Community potluck Supper Saturday, Sept. 5th at
5:30. Please help spread the news!
MUSIC
By mid September the Music Committee will have met
with Organist and Choir Director John Atwood and Rev.
Kinder to map out the music for the new church year.
Look for announcements for recitals, special music
offerings, and hymn sings. And, speaking of hymns,
please let any of us know if YOU have a favorite hymn., or if you associate a
particular hymn with a particular time of year and would like to have it sung then.
Marcia Tomlinson, Penny Perryman, Bridget Peters
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Note seen on the back of the Aug. 30th bulletin:
Last Wednesday was our Community Supper. Did we outdo last
month’s landmark turnout?! Perhaps not, but the exuberance of so many
children was enervating! Thanks especially to those who stayed to clean
up after the young families needed to leave to put sleepy school kids to
bed.
Reminder: our Monthly Potluck Community Supper is the 4th Wednesday of
each month (except November and December … stay tuned in case that
changes) and is a collaborative effort by us all … no specific committee … no
chairmen or secretaries … just hungry folk coming together!
DIACONATE
The Board met briefly following worship on Aug. 30th to
plan the upcoming
SEPTEMBER 13th WELCOME SUNDAY
with SUNDAES
EVERYONE is invited to this welcome back after
summer vacations and to celebrate the Deacons will be
providing a really sweet and savory make your own
Sunday Sundae buffet during the fellowship time.
BRING A FRIEND!!!!!
Reminder: every first Sunday the Deacon Fund envelopes are available for
donations. The Fund is used to supply emergency care.
Your Deacons include: Carole Taylor, Dan Perry, Jim Perry, Kathy Munson,
Marcia Tomlinson and chair Ginny Moore.
Marcia Tomlinson, Secretary for the Diaconate
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Church Families from Long Ago The Peters Family, cont.
THE BRADFORD FAIR
Envelope for 1908 Fair
Letterhead for Annual Meeting – 1906
Mr. A. W. Peters, Vice President
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Spectators on North
Side (behind an early
Peters’ barn) of what
is now Fairground
Rd. … dated Oct. 28
19__?
Spectators in
Grandstand watching
sulky horse race –
dated July 1910
A Special Attraction:
“Welcome and
Alexander the Great
at Bradford, Vt. Fair”
No date
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All of these and the
pictures following are
some of the floats in the
Fair Parade of the early
1900s
The Fairs from 110 years ago look
like lots of fun. Wish we still had
floats like these! I’m old enough to
remember some like these – in
Bradford and in East Corinth. I
think the last one was in 1965 for
our Bicentennial. Mr. J. Edward
Peters was in that parade as Gov.
Benning Wentworth. Mr. Peters
invited me to ride with him for part
of the parade. Of course I accepted!