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Church Office Hours - Fall and Winter
Monday - Thursday
8:00 am - 1:00 pm | |
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Church Informational Meeting
Sunday, Nov. 20 following the worship service - 11:15 am
The architect, Ann Vivian will make a presentation to the congregation. We encourage your attendance! | |
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TURNING 100
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Ellen Fuller Dorr, a member of our church since 1938 will be celebrating her 100th birthday on November 5th. She was very active in our church while raising her family in Wolfeboro. For anyone wishing to send a card, her current address is 129 Jefferson Road, Whitefield NH 03598.
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Thanksgiving at
L.I.F.E. Ministries food pantry | |
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This year we are anticipating even more people coming in asking for food for Thanksgiving. Our number of clients is increasing. The N.H. Food Bank's donations are down; subsequently they are not in a position to be as generous as they have been in the past. We wonder about the number of turkeys we will receive. We have requested 150 but don't anticipate receiving that many.
In addition to turkeys, stuffing and gravy are always items what we are apt to run out of. Whatever you may choose to give to the pantry, would be so appreciated. We will distributing a full
Thanksgiving dinner on Monday, November 21st from 10:00-1:00 p.m. and 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL!! |
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CHANGE OF TIME
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Daylight Saving Time will end Sunday, November 6. Be sure to change your clocks Saturday evening on the 5th.
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From Pastor Gina |
Dear Friends, It has been an exciting few months with you this fall. I have enjoyed these "Roses and Thorns" meetings as an excuse to gather in small groups - to watch and listen to you watch and listen to each other, as you reflect on what you love about our sacred space and what frustrates you about it. I have watched you laugh in agreement about some things, sigh in appreciation of other things, dream about what could be (but, remember no solutions!), and have your perspectives broadened by the concerns and needs of one another. What an incredible privilege it is to serve as your pastor in these days. Thank you.
If you have not been able to attend a "Roses and Thorns" meeting, or to speak with me separately about these topics, know that the time for input and opinion is just beginning. Whatever decisions we make about this next step (more about that in a moment), a phase of design-development will follow. This crucial phase will have more opportunities for specific input about solutions! I promise that we will have a series of broad and open conversations in this phase, in some way. And remember, my door is always open to you for individual appointments as well. I'm happy to come to your home, if that's is easier.
Here's a synopsis of where we are right now. Our architect extraordinaire, Ann Vivian, has been working furiously these last weeks in conjunction with a "steering committee" (Bob Davis, Edie DesMarais, Krista Hudson, Amy Jones, Tom Schamber) and me to articulate some conceptual design for two options (a renovate option and a rebuild option). *Remember, we are talking about the "old building" in these conversations-or the building that houses the sanctuary, fellowship hall, and the offices. *
On Sunday, November 20th following worship we will have an informational meeting, when Ann will present the two designs-complete with cost estimates. I'm sure this will be a long meeting! Come prepared to be inspired and excited! Our Board of Church Family Care will offer a "coffee hour" that will look more like a luncheon-with finger sandwiches and dessert-goodies-to sustain you. There will be childcare available downstairs, thanks to our fabulous high-school youth group, which is trying to raise money for their upcoming mission trip!
Ann's presentation will be include a 3D rendering of the space, design slides and boards, and a projected budget for each scenario. We will be able to make the essence of this presentation available electronically to anyone who is unable to attend the meeting on November, 20th. So, be in touch with the church office to request that information. And I will be most curious to hear your feedback, concerns and enthusiasm in the days/weeks that follow. So, do seek me out.
On Sunday, December 4th we will gather following worship for business meeting to consider a vote. While there is a lot of further planning to do, we cannot continue to straddle two options about a way to proceed for much longer. The details of the next phase will become clear once we choose a path. There will also be childcare provided at this meeting!
And so it goes... Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Details about the rest of Thanksgiving Sunday, 11/20 will come via separate email. Advent (the beginning of a new church year) is almost upon us, as well. You will receive news about our church plans for Advent in the coming weeks.
There is a spirit in this place, really there is... of abundant gratitude and great vision.
Blessings and Thanks-Giving, Gina
p.s. The church website is a work in progress... but you are welcome to check it out and watch it develop! (see link to the left)
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CHRISTIAN NURTURE CORNER
Bridget Kazukiewicz
Coorindator of Children and Youth Ministries
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Junior & Senior Youth Fellowship
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Who:
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When:
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Upcoming Events:
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Junior Youth Group
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6th, 7th, & 8th graders
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Sunday 11/6, 5:00 - 6:30
Sunday 11/20, 3:00 - 5:00
Sunday 11/27 11:00 -1:00
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Meeting/Games
Help at Food Pantry
Advent Workshop
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Senior Youth Group
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9th - 12th graders
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Friday 11/4, 6:00 - 9:00
Sunday 11/6, 6:30 - 8:00
Sunday 11/27, 11:00 -1:00
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Babysitting Fundraiser
Meeting
Advent Workshop
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The junior high youth group will be helping pack boxes for Thanksgiving at the food pantry on November 20th. The senior high youth group is working hard to raise money for their upcoming mission trip to South Carolina. They are also babysitting for the November 4 Roses and Thorns meeting so that families with children can attend. The babysitting is provided free of charge for families attending the meeting. The junior and senior high youth groups are ecumenical and open to all area youth. Please invite friends!
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 Advent Workshop - "Hope, Peace, Joy & Love"
This year's Advent Workshop will be held on Sunday November 27 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. There will be lunch available. We are in need of volunteers to host craft tables. Volunteers will choose and prepare an advent craft project to guide children or adults through. This is an intergenerational event. There is no cost to participants who are able to take their crafts home for themselves or to use as gifts. This year, we are asking volunteers to try to connect their craft to one of the Advent themes of hope, love, joy, or peace. In addition, we are suggesting that each craft volunteer is prepared to share how the craft fits with one of these themes. We also welcome volunteers sharing historical/cultural information about the craft if possible. We are hoping participants will leave feeling they have learned something new about Advent. If you are able to help, please contact Bridget.
Attention Church School Families: November Food Drive
For the month of November, we are asking church school students to bring non-perishable food items each Sunday to be donated to the L.I.F.E. Ministries Food Pantry. Children and youth will bring items to be given as an offering during chancel steps or youth chapel depending on the week. The items will be delivered to the food pantry before Thanksgiving. The following are some suggested donations:
LAUNDRY DETERGENT, DISH DETERGENT, PERSONAL SOAP, SHAMPOO, TOOTHPASTE, BATHROOM TISSUE, PEANUT BUTTER
JELLY, JIFFY MIX, OATS, FLOUR, SUGAR, MARGARINE, MUSTARD
KETCHUP, MAYONNAISE, COOKING OIL, COCOA, TEA, COFFEE
CANNED VEGETABLES, BAKED BEANS, FRUITS, SOUPS
CRACKERS, CANNED SPAGHETTI, SPAGHETTI SAUCE
PASTA, MACARONI & CHEESE, INSTANT POTATOES
TUNA, HASH, BEEF STEW, LUNCHEON MEAT, DRY MILK
EVAPORATED MILK, CEREALS, JELLO OR PUDDING
BROWNIE OR CAKE MIX, QUICK BREAD OR MUFFIN MIX
DRY BEANS, LENTILS, PEAS, RAISINS, THANKSGIVING FOODS
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FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Jeffery Kazukiewicz
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As Director of music for the first Congregational Church of Wolfeboro, part of my ministry to our church is to support the musical interest and participation of our congregation. I feel the role of music in worship is of tremendous importance in promoting a focused and cooperative spirit. Music has the unique role of tying together peoples from every aspect of life and belief.
I would like to again invite you to join in on the fun and deeply enriching experience of musical participation in our services. Our choir is strong, yet ever changing ... we are in need of more low voice participation. All voice levels are encouraged as we engage in a patient and light approach in our rehearsals. Please do not feel that having confidence in your abilities is a pre-requisite, rather your participation far outweighs past training. In case you were not already aware, not all of our members are 'note readers' per say and may not have formal training. I invite you to give us a try on any particular Sunday run. Come join us as a preliminary try on one of our Wed 6:30 rehearsals and prepare for the upcoming Sunday service. You may find participating as a choir member suits you better than you ever thought possible. If you feel to overwhelmed by jumping right in, I would be happy to work with you one to one as a primer to the first rehearsal. Please come to me to discuss your feelings and thoughts and I would be happy to engage.
Yours truly in music,
Jeffery Kazukiewicz
Director of Music |
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CHURCH FAMILY CARE BOARD
THANKS and UPCOMING EVENTS
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With Appreciation
The Family Care Board extends a heartfelt thank you to the church family for all your support in making the Italian Dinner, which was held October 14th, a huge success! Through ticket sales and food sales following the dinner, we raised $963.00. From tickets to table set-up, publicity, cooking and wonderful desserts, so many of you assisted us in this fundraising endeavor for FCCW. Also, behind the scenes, we express deep gratitude to those who lent a helping hand serving at the buffet table and working in the kitchen! Because of your time and effort, it was an enjoyable evening of delicious food, music (thanks to Jeffrey & Bridget!) and fellowship. Thank you, dear friends, for everything!
Upcoming Events - Save the Dates!
WOMEN'S CHRISTMAS COFFEE
 Tuesday, December 6, 10:00am
Once again Lois Carey has graciously offered to host a Christmas Coffee at her beautifully decorated lakeside home. From festive trees, displays of Santa, holiday music and more, this is always a special time of fun and fellowship. Those who are interested in participating are asked to sign up at the Family Care Board in Fellowship Hall. On the day of the event, we will meet in the church parking lot at 9:45am to carpool to Lois's house. Also, please bring a dozen of your favorite Christmas cookies or holiday treats to share. At the end of the coffee, we will "exchange" the remaining delicacies!
PERFORMANCE OF THE NUTCRACKER
Saturday, December 10, 2:00pm
The holiday season just wouldn't be complete without seeing a performance of The Nutcracker! This year we have the opportunity to enjoy a performance at Prospect Mountain High School (on Rt. 28, just south of Alton circle) featuring several members of our church family-Elizabeth Waaks, Thomas Cook, Becky, Sam, Lily & Lucia Miller and Elizabeth Cook in the leading role as Clara. Group discounted tickets (10 or more) are $12 each. Regular ticket prices are $15 for seniors/students and $20 for adults. If you would like to attend this performance, please contact Phyllis Schamber at 544-2106.
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FAITH IN ACTION BOARD
"GIFTS OF HOPE"
For the third year First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro, UCC will be sponsoring Gifts of Hope. The idea behind Gifts of Hope is that people give a gift in the name of someone to a reputable charity around the world and/or in the United States. Many people substitute this type of gift for a material one that may not be needed or wanted. Others might give it along with other gifts. Last year we raised $3,329 for the various charities.
This year Gifts of Hope will be held in our Fellowship Hall immediately following worship on Sunday, November 13th. You will be able to select gifts from the Alternative Gift Market, the Heifer Project, gifts that support The Ghana Education and Development Fund and/or donations to the L.I.F.E Ministries food pantry. Please come and encourage friends to come also. We are advertising it to the public as November 13th, 11:15 AM to 12:30 PM. Order forms will be put in the bulletin on November 6th so that you can prepare for Gifts of Hope on November 13th.
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FUNDRAISING WITH HARVEST PARTIES | |
TO DATE WE HAVE RAISED $813 FOR THE FIRST FOUR PARTIES
Would you like to have a fabulous time? Enjoy delicious food? Meet exciting people? Try new things?
Raise a few more dollars
for the church operating budget??
Well you can do all these activities while at the same time raise money for your church. This is how it works. You can host a Harvest Party and/or you and your friends can attend a Harvest Party. A Harvest Party will usually consist of a host preparing a meal/buffet for a certain number of people. This event will most likely be held at the host's home. In some cases the party will encompass a fun theme or happening created by the host. The number of attendees will be determined by the host.
Each attendee will buy a ticket and make reservations through the church office. All the money raised from the tickets sold will go directly to the church. Hosting and attending a Harvest Party can be an exciting way to network with church and non-church members. Please consider becoming a party host and attendee. (TO BE A HOST, PLEASE PICK UP A FORM IN THE CHURCH OFFICE.
Plan your event between September 15 - December 15.
See scheduled party below:
HAVE QUESTIONS? Contact the church office, or Gina, Richard Thayer, or Barbara Jackson.
HARVEST PARTY
Event Title: EUROPEAN BUFFET
French, Italian, German and Eastern Europe Cuisine
A Demonstration of the Art of Fencing
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - 6:00 pm
Hosts: Richard and Denise Thayer
First Congregational Church, 115 South Main Street Wolfeboro -
Fellowship Hall
$11 per person
$8.00 - Children
Number of attendees allowed: 28
Call the Church Office to make reservations!
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HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AND CAROLING
Event Christmas music and carol sing-a-long
Saturday, December 17 - 1:00-5:00 pm
Com join us as we celebrate the joys of the season! Bridget and Jeff will fill the house with music while you enjoy snacks and beverages by the fire or around the Christmas tree. During the gathering you will have the opportunity to accompany them in a carol sing-a-long (at 2:30 and 4:00 )!
Co-Hosts: Bridget & Jeff Kazukiewicz
Phyllis & Tom Schamber
Location: 316 Castle Shore road, Moultonborough
(544-2106)
Cost: $10 Adults/$25 Families
Number of attendees allowed: 25
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The Smile Train Bridge Group began meeting in fellowship hall on Oct. 1, 2004. In that time, many friendships have been made and now we are about to begin our 8th year! We are happy to report to our church family that the Smile Train Bridge Group has sent $4,033.00 in contributions to help children born with cleft palates to have a better life - through their life changing surgery Operations are performed free of charge by doctors trained through the Smile Train Charity. It costs as little as $250.00 for each operation!
Our bridge group will continue meeting over the next year on the first and third Fridays of each month and new players are always welcome. To join, please call Ella Roman at 569-3311, Vivian Dion at 859- 3314 or Janet Patterson at 859-2702. These three ladies take turns in organizing the Friday evening get togethers. If you would like to play with a very welcoming group, come join us! We have fun AND we help children through our donations of $2.00 from each person that plays. If you can't commit to every get together, you could be on a substitution list. Please call for more information. You would be most welcome!
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FROM STEVE CURTIS | |
In 1960 my father became the minister of a church in Parkersburg, West Virginia. I don't remember the congregation that well, but I do remember the building; it was a cement block foundation with a flat roof that leaked when it rained and leaked when it snowed. The men from the church would spread gooey tar, heated over an open fire then carried to the roof, over the old cracked tar and try to keep the basement as dry as possible so we could conduct services every Sunday and Wednesday night.
There were four rooms in the basement; a shared restroom, a nursery with a large glass window looking out to the sanctuary that was filled with rows of folding metal chairs, and two more small square rooms off the sanctuary used for Sunday school classrooms. That was it. The floor was cement; the walls were cement blocks painted white and the ceiling was white tile with single bulbs hanging in straight rows down both sides of the basement. I liked it; especially when it rained on worship days. The men would place small metal buckets around the sanctuary to catch the water that dripped, dripped, dripped in all the buckets during the service. Even as a young boy I would listen to the dripping water and know when the bucket was filling because instead of a 'ping' it would begin to sound like a 'plopsh'. After the service was over I would go stand by a bucket and catch the water in my hands...until my mother would find me.
In 1963 loans had been secured and a church building was raised on the old foundation. It was soaring in height that ended in a large cross on the peak of the roof. What a grand building to worship God in every week. It had real pews to sit on. It had a real platform for the pulpit. On one side of the platform was a brand new organ which my mother loved to play. On the other side was a new piano that the congregation liked my mother to play. Mom played the piano for the songs we sang and she played the organ during the offering. I always thought she may have got that one backwards. It didn't matter; a month after I started first grade we moved to Elyria, Ohio where another congregation was starting a new church. They had purchased an old run-down farm and were meeting in the drafty two story white clapboard farm house that remained. I was happy to see folding metal chairs in neat little rows where they met for worship after tearing down the wall between the dining room and living room. Life was great.
I can remember a lot of the places I've worshipped in my life and sometimes I can remember the people, like Chaplin Evens with rain dripping off his helmet as he lead us in worship. But when I drive into the parking lot of our church the building isn't my destination; that's not the reason I came. I came to worship with my friends. I came for the smiles, the handshakes, some hugs, and always the laughter that seems to erupt whenever two or more of us gather together. It wouldn't matter to me if we worshiped in a basement or a tent filled with folding metal chairs. But what does matter to me is that as the existing congregation we are looking to the needs of the future congregation (some of them will be our children and grandchildren). I hope they will be able to look back at our time and say 'thank you' for allowing us the opportunity to worship the faith of our fathers and mothers within the same sanctuary. The story of faith is one of people and places. I hope we look at this time in our church's life as a time to lay the foundation for our future church. I hope one of the children in our congregation will be able tell their child about the time when they could see the bare brick walls while sitting in the sanctuary and about one old man in the bell choir that couldn't see the notes 'cause the lighting was so poor but he kept playing anyway. I hope it will be a great story that is difficult to believe as they look around at the work we did.
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IT IS NOT TOO EARLY TO ORDER YOUR PLANTS TO BEAUTIFY THE CHURCH SANCTUARY