the benefits of worship from home: 2. no parking hassles ...€¦ · angels nor demons, neither our...
TRANSCRIPT
The Benefits of Worship from Home:
1. You can wear your pajamas.
2. No parking hassles.
3. You can eat and drink in your "pew."
4. You can MUTE the pastor.
The M e s s e n g e r 2020First Parish Congregational Church United Church of ChristThe Church with Love and Hope to Share Saco, Maine
Sunday, Aril 5th
Worship at 8:00 am & 10:00 amPalm/ Passion Sunday
Friday April 10th
Good Friday
Thursday April 9th
7:00 pm Worship for Maundy Thursday
April 12st
Easter SundayEaster Sunday Worship 10:00 am
Scott Cousineau Senior Minister [email protected]
Kristine Galasyn, Director of Christian Education [email protected]
Jacqueline Savage, Music Director [email protected]
Nadeen DeSilva, Office Manager [email protected]
12 Beach Street, Saco Maine 04072 207-283-3771 www.firstparishsaco.org
Please Note: As of our publication date, all Holy Week services will be offered online only. Please watch the church website https://www.firstparishsaco.org/
or our Facebook page for any updates.
Pastor Scott’s Message…
“For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither
angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of
hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below — indeed, nothing
in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our
Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
Nothing spreads faster than fear. Fear stresses our bodies … our hearts and our souls. Fear
stresses our relationships and our communities. But only if we allow that to happen.
This is an unprecedented event. We do not have training for this. There is not seminary
course in global pandemics. (Although, there will be now.) We do not have a wealth of shared experience
to guide us. We are learning as we go.
We will do this together. We will follow guidelines that will ensure our health and safety. We may have
to make short-term sacrifices to ensure long-term success. We will resist fear by following the facts. We
will resist panic by following recommended precautions.
Health officials around the world recommend that we practice social distancing in order
to “flatten the curve” … to curb transmission. And it has been successful. We will begin that practice as
well. However, I prefer to call it PHYSICAL distancing.
During this time, we NEED social closeness. We NEED connection and community. We
NEED care and compassion.
During this time, we can use technology and social media for the best possible purposes
… to remain connected to one another. During this time, those who are already in danger of social
isolation may experience social abandonment. We need to follow precautions AND we also must find
safe ways to connect with our neighbors.
During this time, ministry will look and feel different, but we must continue to serve our
neighbors.
During this time of stress and anxiety, we can share the gift of peace.
During this time of fear, we can offer the gift of love.
During this time of hoarding, we can share the gift of generosity.
In Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, he wrote that “nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate
us from the love of God that is revealed in Jesus.” I would add to that, “Nothing in all creation will ever
be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in one another.”
Giving to the Church and Social Distancing
During this unprecedented time, we cannot physically gather together with
our families and friends. We cannot gather for worship or coffee hour. We miss one
another dearly and we look forward to that time when we can worship and celebrate
together!
In the meantime, many of you have asked how you can give and support the
church. If you are able, there are three ways that you can send your pledges and
offerings:
First, you can mail checks to the church, 12 Beach Street. Please know that
they may not get processed right away, since our counters are also practicing physical
distancing.
Second, there is an offering function on the church website. On the front
page click on the “Offering & Services,” and then on the “Online Offering” button. You
can then fill out the secure form to make your donation or offering.
Third, you can sign up for e-giving through your bank. There is a simple
form that you complete, and your offering or pledge will be made electronically directly
from your bank. The e-giving form is attached to this edition of the Messenger, or you
can find it on the church website.
We appreciate all of your support during this unusual and difficult time. We
know that many people in our community are struggling financially. If you are unable to
pay your pledge at this time, please know that we understand. Please do not be
embarrassed by your circumstances. You are not alone.
If you are experiencing financial difficulties and could use some help or
support from your church family, please let us know. We have the Discretionary Fund
available to offer assistance, and all disbursements are confidential. Please call. That is
what families do, we help one another.
We will get through this. May God bless you all.
Grace and Peace,
Scott
First Parish Congregational Church
Authorization Agreement for Direct Payments (ACH Debits)
To: First Parish Congregational Church
I (we) hereby authorize First Parish Congregational Church to initiate debit entries to my (our)
account indicated below at the financial institution named below.
I (we) acknowledge that the origination of Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions to
my (our) account must comply with the provisions of U.S. law.
My Bank Information: (please print clearly)
Bank Name: ___________________________________________________________Branch__________
Bank Address: _________________________________________________________________________
City: __________________________________________State_________________Zip_______________
Bank Routing Number: _______________________________Bank Account Number: ________________
Type of Account: Checking Account Savings Account
Name(s) on Account____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Amount of Debit: $______________ Frequency of Debit Bi-weekly (Fridays) Monthly (15th)
Authorization
This authorization is to remain in full force and effect until First Parish Congregational Church has received written
notification from me (or either of us) of its termination in such time and in such manner as to afford First Parish
Congregational Church reasonable opportunity to act on it.
By signing below, the account owner(s) acknowledge that he/she understands any charges assessed by the financial
institution listed above for insufficient funds as a result of this debit authorization, are the sole responsibility of the
owner and not First Parish Congregational Church.
Date: _____________________________Email Address: _______________________________________
Printed Name: _________________________________________________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________________________________________________
Please attach a copy of a voided check to this form if applicable.
Spring has finally sprung and with it comes “new life”.
New life in Jesus, in us and in our church. This year it might look a
little different with the social distancing but Spring is still
happening and so will Easter. At this time we are not sure how that is
going to look exactly but we will get the word out when we do know.
We are working on a creative way for our children’s Easter Egg Hunt. We will let you
know.
Since schools are closed through April vacation, and not due to open until April 27, it
seems necessary to follow their lead. At this time Church school classes will be
suspended until after April vacation.
Jesus says: “Let the little
children come to me” -Matthew 19:14
Helping Lisa in the Nursery for the month of March was:
1st Mary Coyne
8th Abbie Henry
15th Aldene Walters
First Parish Christian Education Team appreciates your time. Thank you
Thank you to our Acolytes for the month of March
1st Johanna Fitzgerald
8th Alex Savage
15th Connor Remillard
To all our youth and chaperones that were planning to attend National Youth
Event 2020 at Purdue University, I received this notice. If you already have a
packet with forms and information, please hold onto it for now. Thank you.
""""""Due to recent CDC protocols regarding COVID-19, registration for
NYE2020 has been suspended indefinitely. All paid registrations will be refunded.”"""
Stay home, Stay well,
Kris
Pilgrim Lodge Sunday will not be taking place this year but we invite everyone to register for a camping
experience. Registration is available NOW. If in the event that Pilgrim Lodge camping season will not take
place this summer, full refunds will be granted. Campership applications will be on the website soon. One will
also be included in this newsletter and can be filled out and mailed to the church office. Please fill out a form for
every camping experience. Thank you. Below is a letter that was recently sent out by our new camping director,
Jen Paty
Pilgrim Lodge Camp Family,
Hi, Jennifer (Jen) here, I am your new settled director for Pilgrim Lodge.
I am writing in response to the news cycle, the CDC warnings and the public address from Governor Janet
Mills, concerning the COVID 19 virus and how Pilgrim Lodge continues to be proactive in preparing Camp for
the 2020 season.
The most important thing I can share with you is a reminder. Pilgrim Lodge is in the business of keeping
Campers safe and healthy in a close community. We continue to take great care to develop and maintain
medical practices to address a variety of communicable diseases, both common and rare. Because we already
have stringent state regulated practices in place and because we study and drill those practices, we have been
able to stay ahead of these new concerns. We have been able to immediately implement best
practices suggestions from the Maine CDC, American Camper Association and our Professional Health
Advisers.
The beginning of Camp season is almost 3 months away. With the exception of myself and Karen and
John Steelhammer, Pilgrim Lodge is empty and just waking up from its winter sleep. We are practicing all the
best practice advice for the prevention of COVID-19. We are washing our hands, keeping our distance, keeping
our hands below our shoulders and away from our face and wiping down surfaces with sanitizer.
Today at PL, the Coronavirus poses no immediate threat. Every day we watch, listen and review our procedures,
staff requirements and supplies needed to insure we implement any and all additional precautions
and procedures to our already excellent health protocol.
I am working closely with our excellent staff, volunteers, summer staff and of course the Pilgrim Lodge
Leadership Team to be ready, willing and able to do that which is necessary to insure our Campers a safe,
healthy and happy season.
We do not know what the future holds for the Summer Camp Season; however, we continue to create, prepare,
screen and organize your favorite camp week in preparation for opening PL for the 2020 season. As things
change, we will do our best to update you on new information specific to COVID-19and CAMP.
We know that it’s a stressful time in all our lives. The PL Team is working to put together helpful resources, fun
ideas, music singalongs, storytelling times and even art projects to share while we watch and wait. Coming
soon ….. “PL Camp Sunday” on Facebook and Instagram
Getting Ready for Pilgrim Lodge Camp Season 2020.
Jennifer L Paty (Jen)
Director Pilgrim Lodge
TWO LOCAL MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
Did you know that 1 in 5 children in Maine are food insecure? You can help! In April, (if our
church and local schools are open) the Mission Team will be having a food drive to
support Youth Full Maine. Please fill the Youth Full Maine shopping cart with these items:
macaroni and cheese,
Chef Boyardee pop top cans,
chicken noodle or beef/vegetable soups,
granola bars,
canned beans,
canned pasta sauce,
pasta,
canned chicken/tuna
peanut butter,
small boxes of cereal/oatmeal packets,
rice.
Youth Full Maine (YFM) is a non-profit organization that provides food to children and their
families who are food insecure. YFM manages food pantries in pre-K through 12th grade
schools, and regularly distributes fresh produce at schools, neighborhood sites, and summer
lunch program sites.
All food is available for children or their guardians to take home for the evenings, weekends,
and school breaks. Seventy-five percent of the food YFM provides is donated from business
and individual food drives, community food pantries, and produce from local farms and
markets.
Youth Full Maine partners with Good Shepherd Food Bank to access more donated and
discounted dry goods and local produce. Volunteers provide the majority of the labor for
program operations. Volunteers act as liaisons to the active schools with pantries, pick up and
deliver food, help distribute food among students at produce distribution sites, serve on the
board and board committees, and more.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact Katie Brown at [email protected], or call
(207) 391-0185. To give a monetary donation, make the check out to Youth Full Maine, and
send it to: Youth Full Maine/ P.O. Box 745 / Biddeford, ME 04005.
Changes in Mission Outreach
As many of you know, First Parish has been providing volunteers to prepare breakfast for seniors at the Paul Hazleton residence here in Saco for several years. The meal supplies come from a United Way grant but the hands that cook and serve come from our own congregation! The meals prepared by First Parish are every other month on the third Saturday of the month.
In addition, First Parish has been preparing potluck dinners for veterans in two local transitional housing programs, Huot House in Saco and Veterans Career House in Biddeford. These dinners have been occurring every 3-4 months for about the past two years.
Both of these services have been received by the residents with thanks as those who participate from First Parish can attest.
Due to the current coronavirus epidemic, however, both of these ministry efforts must be placed on hold. Volunteers of America Northern New England, which run these residential programs, would like to extend grateful thanks for your willingness to become involved in this local outreach of concern and compassion.
Submitted by Thom Kircher
Submitted by Lisa Edstrom
Deacons’ Corner
DEACONS’ CORNER As we head slowly and optimistically into spring and a return to
“normal,” your diaconate is looking forward to welcoming new members and to
continuing our service to Pastor Scott in his loving and inspiring ministry.
As most of you know, one of our roles as deacons is assisting in the serving of
communion. We prepare the elements in the sacristy (a room set aside for our use in the
lower level), deliver them to the congregation at the direction of the pastor, and then
clean the communion vessels so they are ready for next time. You may be wondering
why we occasionally use the INTINCTION method, whereby members of the
congregation come forward to receive the elements from the pastor and a few deacons.
When our church was being rebuilt after the fire, the congregation faithfully worshiped
at Thornton Academy for over four years. Intinction was the only practical method of
sharing communion at that venue, and so we traditionally use that method on the first
Sunday in December, to commemorate the long-awaited first worship service in our
new building, when members of the congregation walked from Thornton to First Parish,
cheered on by many residents of Saco and members of other churches!
Sometimes circumstances suggest that we use intinction on other occasions. Recent
example: the first Sunday of February when most of the female deacons were away at
the Women’s Spiritual Retreat and there weren’t sufficient deacons to serve communion
in the customary way. But when we do use intinction, be assured we always have a
deacon on standby to directly serve communion to those unable to come forward.
We are happy and blessed to be able to share this sacred time with all of our members
and friends, in whichever way is best.
Thanks and blessings, Dan Carter and Nadine Russell,
Co-chairs
Hello First Parish. As you know, in the past, May has brought the start of our Team Events Season. The first event of the year is the Memorial Day on May 25th. Our team invites you to put this date on your calendar and plan to march with us at this year's Memorial Day Parade. We invite YOU and your family to join the parade as emissaries for Jesus and First Parish Church. It is a way that you can actively participate in the vitality of our church and to spread the Good News to our community. A robust and enthusiastic group of marchers tells the community we are vital. Last year we had a wonderful and enthusiastic group from our church. Let's continue fulfilling our destiny as Christians and spread the "Good News".
In June, we are planning to continue our Water and Watermelon give away at the Saco Main Street Art Festival. For the past five years, we have been spreading The Good News by giving bottles of water and slices of watermelon to all the vendors and attendees at this busy and fun Event. this month, we will be signing up people to join us dates and times will be announced.
I am also going to borrow a page out of dear friend's play book here. Be the first to come to me with the
secret word "vital" and I will have something special for you. Now on to other business.
Good News Team
This year we are planning two special events for our church. A concert celebrating the Beach Boys on Tuesday June 30th. There will be announces and opportunities to sign up soon.
Plus on August 23rd we will be going out the Sea Dogs Ball Park again. Last year we had a large group from First Parish enjoyed a sumptuous meal in their Picnic Pavilion. We also got to watch Revered Scott throw one of the first pitches (If you were there you know what I am talking about)! Also Robert Guptill sang the National Anthem and Peter Gray sang God Bless America...They were both Outstanding. Who knows maybe this year they will sing again. We will be making announcements about sign-up soon for this event as well.
First Parish Group at last years Beatles Concert
The Good News Team has a lot of fun planning these events and would like to invite you to be part of our Team. If you have IT experience or just like fun we are a great team to join.
Rick Campbell GNT
Prayer Shawl MinistryThank You Notes
Submitted byEJ Jackson
Flower and Altar
Due to the uncertainty of when we will be able to gather at First Parish for services, the Flower &
Altar Team has decided to not take further orders for Easter. If you have ordered flowers for
Easter, a member of the Flower & Altar Team will contact you regarding reimbursement.
We plan to continue to have flowers for the altar even though parishioner’s will be watching the
service online. If you have signed up to provide Sunday flowers, a member of Flower & Altar will
contact you to determine if you still want to provide flowers for that date or would prefer to cancel
or postpone to another date.
Thank you for your understanding during these unchartered and challenging times. If you have
questions for Flower & Altar, please don’t hesitate to contact Patrice at 207-590-1109.
Patrice Tripp & Marcia Lord, Co Chairs
Palm SundayThe large palms gracing our Sanctuary today are given in memory
of Tracy Lynn Richard by her parents Mike and Deb Richard
Book Club Every 4th Tuesday of the Month
6:30 pm in the Parlor
Tuesday, April 28 Where the Crawdads Singby Delia Owens
Tuesday, May 26The Things We Cannot Say
by Kelly Rimmer
Tuesday, June 23 Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
by Atul Gawande
Tuesday, June 28 American Savior: A Novel of Divine Politics
by Roland Merullo
Tuesday, Sept. 22 The Nickel Boysby Colson Whitehead
Here are some photos from the Backpacks and Costumes we sent to
Makengo’s daughter’s church.
Mission Team bought 10 backpacks and Christian Education donated 10
Christmas pageant costumes.
2020Bean Suppah Dates
Please check with the church before coming to the April Suppah
First Parish Congregational Church12 Beach Street, Saco
(Corner of Beach and Main St.)Time 5:00 – 6:30 pm
$8.00 for Adults$4.00 for Children ages (6-12)
Children under 6 years old are freeMenu:
Pea BeansKidney Beans
Hot DogsMacaroni & Cheese
Brown Bread/Dinner RollsColeslawDeserts
BeveragesVolunteers Wanted
We are looking for volunteers to helpwith the Bean Suppers.
Please sign up on the sign up sheet outside the office door.
April 11May 9June 13July 11Aug 8Sept 12Oct 10Nov 14
Next Beach and Main Street Coffee House
June 27 at 6:00 PM
“This To Shall Pass” Choir
If the video doesn’t load for you please click here
The MessengerFirst Parish Congregational Church 12 Beach StreetSaco, ME 04072
If you’d like to make an offering or a donation to
First Parish Church Saco Please go to
https://www.firstparishsaco.org/Offering
Or you can find the link on our website at www.firstparishsaco.org
For ongoing updates and information please go to our Facebook Page
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