Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
North Falmouth Congregational Church, UCC
155 Old Main Road/PO Box 403
North Falmouth, MA 02556-0403
Return Service Requested
Dated Material
The Sandpiper is a monthly publication of the North Falmouth Congregational Church, UCC.
The Reverend Christina Williams, Pastor (508) 563-2177, www.northfalmouthucc.com
Sandpiper 1
The Sandpiper
North Falmouth Congregational Church,
United Church of Christ
April 2020
Pastoral Page
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and
courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be
discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you
wherever you go.”Joshua 1:9
Dear Friends,
What a difference a month can make! Four weeks
ago, COVID-19 hadn’t really touched our lives yet.
It was something that was happening elsewhere. We
had some concerns. We wondered when it might
cross the Bourne or Sagamore Bridges. Yes, it was
on our radar, but we weren’t too worried about it.
Sure, after worship, we were bumping elbows to
greet one another instead of hugging, but that was
the extent of our concerns. A month ago life was
normal. Now life has been turned upside down.
In the first days and weeks of this pandemic, if you
are anything like me, it was hard to shake off the
worry and uncertainty. The world was closing down
and we had no idea how to live with social
distancing and sheltering in place. All of us have
been impacted—albeit in different ways. Some of
us are terribly worried for our families. Some of us
are losing sleep over the jobs we’ve lost and the
financial hardships we face. Some of us are scared
we might get the virus. And some of us are feeling
lonely and are getting antsy.
If you are worried, afraid, or anxious right now, it is
perfectly okay—your emotions are God-given.
Recognizing them for what they are and handing
them over to God’s care transforms us and enlarges
our spirits. Practicing prayer, contemplation,
Christian mindfulness, and meditation can help us
embrace our emotions and give us perspective. Fear
and worry may loom large right now, but be assured
that love is stronger than fear and death, and
nothing—absolutely nothing—can separate us from
that love (Romans 8:38-39).
Fear and worry are not the only emotions we are
feeling now. I know many of you, despite your
pandemic concerns, are finding hope and joy in
FaceTiming with family, connecting with long lost
cousins, sharing photos online, playing bridge
virtually, and making face masks for midwives. It is
remarkable how joy can sit right next to fear and
anxiety in these difficult times.
The future might be uncertain, but the good news is
that we are Easter people assured through Jesus
Christ that new life and new beginnings awaits us.
This means that even in the midst of our swirling
emotions we can still find joy in the simple things,
we can still muster up the courage to face this crisis,
and we can still find plenty of kindness to spread
around. So my friends, as we move from fear to
kindness know that God’s love surrounds you every
step of the way. Amen.
With much love and faith,
Pastor Christina
UPCOMING WORSHIP – EASTER SEASON
Worship in April will be online. Please see our
weekly announcements for details and links.
Sandpiper 2
04/05 Cole Allenby
04/05 Laurinda Morway
04/07 Richard Latimer
04/08 Hank Bertsch
04/09 Leslie Murphy
04/12 Ann Lindberg
04/13 Emily Yoerger
04/14 Susan Rowitz
04/15 Kristin Fraser
04/17 Vincent Greco
04/21 Brigid Murphy
04/21 Jan Winslow
04/29 Sarah Oshman
04/30 Bethany Ashworth
04/30 William Work
Dear NFCC Friends,
We have been sheltered in place for three weeks
and slowly adjusting to the change in lifestyle.
Sarah spends part of her time ordering groceries for
delivery as best she can from various stores and it is
a challenge. I have been working to offer recordings
of hymns that are well-loved with background
history and hymn texts. Sarah has been working
with me as we both have a great love of HYMNS
and how those hymns can be a great source of
inspiration! YouTube has been helpful to offer a
great variety of recordings. Hopefully those hymns
fit with our Lenten theme but more importantly help
to comfort, uplift and inspire you during this
difficult time. Sarah and I have taken walks in the
neighborhood when the weather has been good and
it is very healing to get outside when we feel so
isolated. It is amazing how house projects get
ignored in normal daily life but I am now able to
dig into some of those projects. We had been in the
midst of some necessary home construction but that
has ceased and seems entirely insignificant at this
time. Instead we are focusing our attention on the
creation of a vegetable garden.
Psalm 46 NRSV
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very
present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the
earth should change, though the mountains
shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam, though
the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah
We’ve used FaceTime and zoom to connect with
family and friends although we haven’t caught up
with everyone yet. My young grandsons have been
able to use email for the first time to correspond
with me and Sarah and it is such a gift. The ability
to reach out via technology would have been
impossible in the 1980’s and earlier so it is a
celebration to have that technology during this
pandemic time.
Sandpiper 3
If you have a special HYMN request please reach
out to me or Sarah. I can be reached my phone,
email, texts and am now checking Facebook. If you
can’t reach me, reach out to Sarah. Feel free to send
a friend request on Facebook if you aren’t
connected to me or Sarah. We are eager to connect
to our NFCC family and Facebook allows us all to
connect. I was previously in name only on
Facebook but I am making the effort to check in
once a day. You can locate me by email on
Facebook.
Sarah is sharing our contribution of HYMNs and
information as often as we can. Please look to the
North Falmouth Congregational Church Facebook
page throughout the week. On Sundays, you may
see several posts from us throughout the day. I am
preparing a listening list for PALM SUNDAY and
another for HOLY WEEK (Maundy Thursday and
Good Friday) and EASTER. Debbie has been so
kind to send out the information via church emails
as well so stay tuned.
Psalm 59:16 NRSV
But I will sing of your might;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the
morning.
For you have been a fortress for me
and a refuge in the day of my distress.
Please know that we send our love and prayers to all
of you and look forward to being with all of you
again.
Faithfully,
Babette
508-221-4572
Sarah
774-392-4780
Sarah Bach, soprano
www.sarahbach.com
Staying at Home
Hello everyone! Last week a request went out for
you to share photos and stories of how you are
occupying your time while staying at home and how
God is showing up for you.
Many thanks to all for the following!
My 15 year old Westie Fiona is enjoying
this stay at home situation. Deb
From Rin Morway
Warming by the fire
Sandpiper 4
Planting seed finding hopes of spring
Admiring the flowers in spite of the rain.
From Sarah Bach
My little indoor garden. The orchid is blooming and
the Easter cactus has buds. The mum is the last of a
bouquet sent to me by my sister and family March
13th for my birthday and the ivy and Kalanchoe
were rescued from the Music room at church. The
plants are happily residing in the back of the living
room with somewhat diffused light.
#grateful #myinspiration #fleurs
From Sue Holloway
The wisdom of Patrick and Chelsea
Sandpiper 5
From Linda Thomas
Thank Goodness for the jigsaw puzzle.
Decorating for Easter
From Lisa
Trying my hand at Ebelskivers.
Made Friendship Bread starter to share with
neighbors on Easter.
Starting some seeds for the garden.
Sandpiper 6
Making note cards to send.
Decorating for Easter
Stripping the popcorn off my ceiling. OK, I am
admittedly less enthusiastic about this one but it
will be nice to have it done.
From Martha Rosewell (sharing some of
the classic Peanuts quips)
Sandpiper 7
Sandpiper 8
From Carolee
Sharing a few of her award winning creations!
From Carolyn Reynolds (a great video for children)
https://youtu.be/sTKJUxl8TL4
From Joyce Bock
To keep myself at least partially sane, I have been
making masks to donate. The first 10 went to
Falmouth Hospital yesterday and 10 more to
Megansett Nursing Home today. There is still
debate about how effective these are but I hope they
will be put to good use. I have 40 more cut out and
partially sewn. I'll just keep plugging along as long
as the supplies last.
Now we just need some sunshine again!
One last thing from Sue Holloway
Deb – I had to let mine inside his computer kept
shorting out in the rain!!!
Sandpiper 9
Saturday, March 7th
, Corned Beef and
Cabbage Supper
The Covenant Room was packed!
Emily Murphy leads in some basic
Irish Step Dancing.
North Falmouth Congregational Church
155 Old Main Road North Falmouth, MA
Spring Plant Sale
Craft Fair
Yard Sale - Raffle
Baked Goods - Silent Auction
SAT. MAY 9th
9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Snacks & beverages served all morning.
LOBSTER ROLL LUNCH
11:00 Take outs available a la carte menu: Lobster rolls, chowder, hot dogs, chips, salad,
beverage.
Something for everyone!
Crafter spaces available: call 508-563-2177
Local crafters & Vendors on sight !!
