Worship Service This Week
Please join us in the sanctuary or online for the Fourth Sunday of Pentecost
We ask that those attending wear masks and social distance as is recommended.
The service will also be live-streamed through Facebook Live here or on 3CX here. We hope you will join us in person or online.
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This Sunday, June 20th (Father’s Day)
Weather Permitting!
Please join us right after service for an Ice Cream Social. The Missions Team will be serving Ice Cream Sundaes with all the "fixins" outside of Hadley Hall.
Donations will benefit Isaiah 58 NH.
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Hampstead Independence Day Celebration
June 26th
Looking For Volunteers
The Hampstead Civic Club will be holding its annual Independence Day celebration on Saturday, June 26th. As we have in the past, HCC will be running the kid’s games as part of our fundraising efforts.
We are looking for volunteers to run the games and sell tickets.
Games start at 4 p.m. and end just before the fireworks start, around 9 p.m. There are 2 time slots of 2 ½ hours each where we could use your help; 4:00-6:30 and 6:30-9:00.
We need 14 volunteers for each time slot. Adults and children are welcome to volunteer. Any time you can give would be greatly appreciated. To sign up, click HERE OR email Barbara Wallack at bsw91@comcast.net OR call Barbara at 603-548-8326.
Your support is greatly appreciated.
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Bible Study Is Meeting Weekly
All Are Invited!
Right now we are studying the parables of Jesus. This study will take readers back in time to understand how the original Jewish audience heard the stories.
We meet every Thursday at 10 am at Jeanne Stalker 's home.
For more information, or to get the address to attend, contact Linda Tilden at latdet50@comcast.net or call 978-973-7681.
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An Update from Pastor Kathy (Summer 2021 Plans) |
I will be out of the office for a continuing education week from Monday, June 14-Sunday, June 20. Rev. Linda Snyder will be providing pastoral coverage (ph. 203-927-5387).
Recently it has become clear to me that in order to stay healthy and have the time and space I need to grieve the loss of my mother, I need an extended time of leave from professional responsibilities. I will be taking five weeks of extended leave beginning on June 28 and ending August 1.
It is a blessing to have the support of the HCC leadership team (MO) as well as the Association's Committee on Church and Ministry. I look forward to returning well-rested and ready to continue the strong ministry that is Hampstead Congregational Church.
In addition, I will be traveling to Wisconsin in late August for my mother's memorial service.
I appreciate your care and concern, and I am so grateful to be a part of this congregation.
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Steeple Lighting
The church steeple is being lit the week of June 14th in memory of Mark Stairs who passed away on May 6th, 2021.
Lighting the steeple in the month of June is especially meaningful for his beloved wife, Marie, as this was the month they married 50 years ago. There is a new star in the night's sky, shining brightly.... With caring and my sincerest condolences, Dina
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Upper Room Devotional
We have a few copies of the July/August Upper Room devotional available in the foyer to Hadley Hall. If you need a copy mailed to you, please contact the main office.
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UCC General Synod -
July 11th-18th
The national gathering of the UCC is happening this summer, and for the first time ever it is virtual--so all are invited to attend!
General Synod is a marvelous and interesting event that brings thousands of people together from churches all around the country.
We have scholarships for anyone interested--
Once you register you have access to all aspects of General Synod, including worship, optional events, business, over 50 workshops, exhibit hall, keynote speakers and much more. Please contact Pastor Kathy for more info.
To learn more about this year's online event click here
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Memorial Service for
Robert Chase, Jr.
A graveside service and interment were held this past Saturday at West Hampstead Cemetery for Bob Chase.
Bob was a former Trustee, Treasurer, and also served as the Chair of the Hadley Hall addition building committee.
Bob passed away on December 9, 2020.
Memorial donations may be made to Hampstead Congregational Church, 61 Main St., Hampstead NH, or South Congregational Church, 242 Salmon Brook St., Granby CT.
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A Thank You from The Manchester Diaper Pantry and Update from Missions Team
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May Diaper Pantry Drive Update
All we can say is "Wow!" and "Thank you!". Once again, we asked our congregation and we certainly received! Our Diaper Pantry Drive was a wonderful success.
We collected and delivered:
25 boxes/packages of diapers – 1750 total
23 packages of wipes – 1500 total
$160 in donations which will be used to purchase even more diapers and wipes
Gabi Teed, who runs the Manchester Diaper Pantry, was so surprised and grateful for our generosity. This donation will help support so many families in need of this basic item. Check out their Facebook page here for more information or to see their thank you post to our church.
Thank you so much for supporting this wonderful cause and for continuing to answer our missions call!
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Loaner's Closet for Durable Medical Equipment
Community Caregivers, located at 6 West Broadway Unit #6 in Derry, operates the Loaner’s Closet for Durable Medical Equipment
Used durable medical equipment is available for loan at no charge for as long as needed for Individuals and/or service providers
Loaner's Closet is looking for the following items and would put these items to good use:
Common Items Requested: (*denotes most requested items)
Bath seats*, bed assist rails*, blood pressure kits, canes, commodes, gait belts, grabbers, hearing aides, knee scooters*, manual wheelchairs*, raised toilet seats, rollators*, sock aids, transfer benches*, transport wheelchairs*, versa frames, and bariatric equipment* of all types.
Consumable Items Requested:
Adult diapers, pull ups, under pads, Hearing Aide batteries, rubber gloves and supplemental drinks.
Items currently NOT NEEDED due to an abundance:
Crutches, Walking Boots, and Standard Wheel Walkers
For more information and up-to-date equipment needs, visit the Loaner's Closet page here
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A Word from Peace & Justice
This devotion from "God is Still Speaking" devotion series spoke to me this week and I felt moved to share it with you.
Who Am I?
Mary Luti
Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” - Matthew 16: 13-15 (NRSV)
Jesus’ first question isn’t hard. If you’re paying attention to the Gospels, the creeds, the culture, and your neighbors, you know what people are saying.
His next question is harder, because now he wants to uncover you. What do you say? You have to go deeper for that answer.
He’s also asking you to say it aloud, in public. Once you do, there’ll be consequences. Consequences you’ll have to live with.
A lot of queer people of my generation never came out to our parents, or we delayed it for a really long time. They already knew, of course. Most of them, anyway. And they’d found a way to accept us – silence. As long as nobody talked about it, they were okay.
But if it got said aloud, they knew they’d have to do something about it – either question their convictions and recalibrate their values, or reject their children and inflict a wound that might never heal.
For many families, both choices were untenable. So we all colluded. No one said a word. The consequences of that silence were often warping.
The truth, Jesus says elsewhere, will make you free. Confessed aloud, it’ll also make you choose – how you’ll live, how you’ll love, how you’ll judge, and whether you’ll change.
The choice is really hard, and no one should ever be shamed or coerced into making it. Yet the payoff of speaking our truth is a chance at authenticity. For everyone.
Prayer
For all who’re colluding, pretending not to notice, keeping secrets, I pray. Jesus, have mercy on their pain. And in your good time, and theirs, free everyone for the open lives everyone deserves to live.
About the Author
Mary Luti is a long time seminary educator and pastor, author of Teresa of Avila’s Way and numerous articles, and founding member of The Daughters of Abraham, a national network of interfaith women’s book groups.
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Notes from the Music Director . . .
Sharing some interesting stories and facts with you about famous composers.
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Anton Bruckner
Bruckner was a classic obsessive-compulsive, particularly when it came to numbers. In fact, he was unable to stop counting things. He counted bricks, windows, statues, prayers, leaves, everything. His obsession with numbers was particularly pronounced when he was composing symphonies. It’s said that in some movements he knew the number of bars he was going to use before he composed a single note.
On a more macabre note (boom boom), Bruckner was obsessed with dead composers’ skulls. He re-created the cemetery scene from Hamlet not only with Schubert’s skull but with Beethoven’s too. Why Bruckner was present at the ceremonial exhumation—and reburial—of both these composers can only be speculated
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·Sun Screen
·Bottled Water
·Non-Perishable Snacks including individual packages of:
·Granola Bars
·Goldfish
·Pretzels
·Fruit Snacks
·Peanut Butter or Cheese filled
Crackers
·Cookies
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Until June 30, we will be collecting the items for the Upper Room’s summer session.
This summer, the Upper Room’s older youth will be spending time on outdoor community service projects and the younger youth will be spending time on outside activities including hikes.
You can leave your donations in the foyer of the church any time. Please no fresh items – only shelf-stable, non-expired products.
Thank you as always for your generous donations to the Mission Team’s community needs drives!
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This month we help serve on Wednesday, June 23rd. To sign up, click here
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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.
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Blankets for Project Linus
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For those of you who have been busy sewing, quilting, knitting, or crocheting, we have an new opportunity to donate those handmade items!
We located a national organization that has local chapters called Project Linus (https://www.facebook.com/projectlinussouthwestnewhampshire/). This organization's mission is "to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans". Blankets are given to children in need through NH.
*We welcome all styles of blankets made in child-friendly colors/prints.
*Crocheted, knitted, quilted (100% cotton or flannel), fleece….you don’t have to be an expert!
*Blankets must be NEW, HANDMADE and WASHABLE.
*Fabric blankets can be quilted by machine, hand or tied. If you are tying the blanket make sure the ends are trimmed to 1” and the knots are secure.
*Please do not add any embellishments to the blankets such as buttons that could be swallowed by a child.
*If you are using a no-sew fleece pattern, please be sure to trim off both selvages FIRST. Not sure what selvages are? Ask the clerk who is cutting your fleece to please show you, they’re those odd looking edges at the top and bottom of the piece you have, sort of raggy looking.
*We accept all sizes of blankets. We donate to children, infants through teen years, so any size is appropriate. Baby blankets are typically 36”X36” or 36”X42”, toddler-pre-teen are typically about 40”X60”, and teen blankets are at least 60"X72".
Blankets can be dropped off in the bassinet in the entry way of Hadley Hall.
Thank you for your support of this project!
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Emails are often sent, saying they are from Pastor Kathy or another staff member. She (or they) will never send out a generic email--she'll address it to your name. She will never ask you for money/gift cards over email. Also, it will always have her signature line on the bottom with her phone number/address. If in doubt, please call or send an email to the church. |
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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!
Rev. Kathy also has a page for all who are interested to follow.
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If you are on Instagram, please follow us, and let your friends know about us by sharing our posts! Click this link
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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
See what's happening on our social sites
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Hampstead Congregational Church Website
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