Steeple Talk - First Congregational ChurchSteeple Talk First Congregational Church of Littleton 189 Main Street, Littleton, NH 03561 October 2016 PHONE 603-444-3376 FAX 603-444-6589

October. A time for celebrating, for sharing a meal, for enjoying our children, for sitting by the fire. We just got back from North Carolina. My dad passed away on September 25th, just before midnight. The papers said it was the 26th because that’s when the doctor said so, but I was there. My dad passed away on September 25th, just before midnight. The day of his funeral was hot. The sun was beating down on the graveyard; I got a sun-burn on the top of my bald head; it was eighty-five degrees. To people who’d lived through the summer there, eighty-five degrees was a relief. To me it was hot. After the funeral, we started to think about the next thing on our plate—sorting out all that stuff, a ten-room farmhouse, chock full of toys my grandparents used to keep in their closet, antique clocks, the ordinary stuff that accumulates, papers and books and . . . We got overwhelmed. We have grieving to do. The next thing on our plate will have to wait. Wilma got on the phone and found plane tickets home. It seemed a little odd, considering all we have before us, sooner or later. Still, Wilma had it right in her heart. We needed to go home, take in the warmth, the hugs, the silent sharing of feelings that don’t very easily fit into words. We needed to see our cats, plan worship, say hello to the people we’ve been charged with caring for, teaching, praying with, loving—we needed to reconnect with our lives. So, Wilma found us plane tickets home. The trees are turning. What an amazing display of beauty. What an outstanding way to discover the mystery of God’s great love. The leaves are dying, of course. And yet, they seem to be shouting out, “Joy, Joy, Joy!” even as they make that fateful turning. Wilma was singing it on our way down to visit Dad, to say goodbye. It’s a song they sing at the monastery of Taizé. I’ll teach it to you one of these days. “Iubilate Deo, omnes terra. Servite Domino in laetitia. Alleluia, Alleluia, in laetitia. Alleluia, Alleluia, in laetitia.” It’s the beginning of Psalm 100—“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all ye lands! Serve the Lord with gladness. Alleluia!” You sing it in a round and you can feel your heart being lifted up, lifted up out of the darkness, where sickness and sorrow, fear and abuse hold sway; you can feel your soul being lifted up out of the pit where the very real hurts of death overwhelm, and into the sunlight, where dying leaves raise a song of joyful praise to their Creator. October. It’s a great time for celebrating—a time to offer a hearty meal to our neighbors, a time to share trick-or-treat with happy kids, the perfect time for building a fire in the back yard and sharing the love that makes us so glad to be alive, right now. Make a joyful noise, make a joyful noise to God! Alleluia! Amen.

david

Steeple Talk First Congregational Church of Littleton

189 Main Street, Littleton, NH 03561

October 2016 PHONE 603-444-3376 FAX 603-444-6589 Volume 44, Issue 10

EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.1stconglittleton.org

Contents

Pastor’s Message 1

October Calendar 2

“Classifieds” 3

Church & 4-13 Community Happenings

Birthdays & Anniversaries 14

Upcoming Events October 8 – Harvest Dinner

October 10 – Office Closed

October 10 – SLLC Board

October 11 - Property Mtg.

October 11 – Dinner Bell

October 12 – Ladies Society

October 13 – By-Laws TASK FORCE

October 13 – SLLC Open House

October 15 – Men’s Breakfast

October 22 – NH Conf. UCC Annual Meeting

October 25 – Eastern Star

October 29 – Happy Harvest

Hospitality

Production staff: Pam Nute &

Anna Jackman

First Congregational Church

October 2016 Office Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Pastor’s Office Hours: Wednesday – Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Music Director’s Hours: Wednesday 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. & Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1

7:00 PM-AA-FH

2 Neighbors in Need – Special Offering

9:00 AM – Adult Bible Class: Romans – CR

10:00 AM-Worship Service & Communion Sunday School

11:15 AM – Coffee Fellowship – LP

3 11:30 AM-AA – FH Pastors' Sabbath

4 11:30 AM-AA – FH

6:00 PM-AlAnon-LP

5 11:30 AM-AA - FH

1;30 PM – Harvest Dinner Potato Prep. – Kitchen

5:00 PM-AA-LP

6:30 PM-Choir Practice - LP 7:00 PM-AA-FH

6 11:30 AM-AA – FH

5:30 PM – Harvest Dinner Apple Crisp Prep. - Kitchen

7 11:30 AM-AA – FH 1:30 PM – Set Up for Harvest Dinner – FH SLLC Closed – Staff Dev. Day

7:00 PM–NA-LP

8 5:00 – 7:00 PM HARVEST DINNER

AND AUCTION

7:00 PM-AA-LP

9 9:00 AM – Adult Bible Class: Romans – CR

10:00 AM-Worship Service & Sunday School


11:30 AM – Adult Bible Class: Abiding in Christ - CR

Deacon’s Collection

10 11:30 AM-AA – FH OFFICE CLOSED

SLLC CLOSED

5:30 PM – SLLC Board - CR

Ladies Society Pecan Orders Due

Pastors' Sabbath

11 11:30 AM-AA – FH 5:00 PM – Property Committee - FH 5:00 PM – Dinner Bell – All Saint’s Church 6:00 PM-AlAnon-LP

12 11:30 AM-AA - FH

1:30 Ladies Society – LP

5:00 PM-AA-LP


13 11:30 AM-AA – FH 5:45 PM – SLLC Open House 6:30 PM – By-Laws Task Force - CR

14 11:30 AM-AA – FH 7:00 PM–NA-FH

15 8:00 AM – Men’s Breakfast – Craxton Residence 7:00 PM-AA-FH






18 11:30 AM-AA – FH 6:00 PM-AlAnon-LP

19 11:30 AM-AA - FH 5:00 PM-AA-LP


20 11:30 AM-AA - FH

21 11:30 AM-AA – FH 7:00 PM–NA-FH

22 8:00 AM - NH Conf., UCC Annual Mtg.-Concord, NH 7:00 PM-AA-FH





12:00 PM - Eastern Star - FH

24 11:30 AM-AA – FH Stage Area available for LS Rummage Sale Pastors' Sabbath

25 11:30 AM-AA – FH 6:00 PM-AlAnon-LP 7:00 PM-Eastern Star – FH Steeple Talk Articles/Information

DUE

26 11:30 AM-AA - FH 5:00 PM-AA-LP


27 11:30 AM-AA - FH

28 11:30 AM-AA – FH 7:00 PM–NA-FH

29 2:00 – 6:00 PM Happy Harvest Hospitality COG & CE - FH 7:00 PM-AA-LP

30 Food Pantry Collection 9:00 AM – Adult Bible Class: Romans – CR




KEY: FH – Fellowship Hall LP – Ladies Parlor

CR - Classroom

Your Generosity in September

Deacon’s Collection

$185.00

Food Pantry Collection $153.00

Thank you to the RiverWalk for MS volunteers!! See

more on page 6.

August30, 2016 YTD

Member support: $ 96,615

Scheduled w/d from trust funds

$ 14,300

Other Income: $ 9,366

Total Income: $120,281

Total Expenses: $117,480

Net: $ 2,801

Financial Report

Men’s Breakfast

8:00 am

October 15th at the

Craxton Residence

Shining Lights Learning Center

Open House

Thursday, October 13th

4:45 pm - 6:00 pm

Food Collection Sunday October 30, 2016

The Food Cupboard is in need of the following items:

Canned fruit. Soups, stews, canned meat (turkey,

chicken, ham, corned beef, Spam). Small containers of

condiments. Coffee. Canned or boxed (complete) meals. Cat food. Tissues.

Thank you!

Welcome

Oliver Robert Clarke

Baptized October 2nd

Wireless Guest

Account

SSID: FCC Guests

Password: fcc189main

Enjoy!

Page 4 Steeple Talk

“Classifieds and Notices”

Page 3 Steeple Talk


Would like to thank

Judy and Bob Oleary for all of their

help and support at the Rummage

Sale fundraiser on September 24th !!

Page 4 Steeple Talk

Recently, the children were learning about all the different things they can do with their hands.

Pam joined in the fun one day and taught them how they could use their hands to make soup! They all enjoyed a big bowl of soup for lunch.

Melissa Kam, Director, encourages everyone from church to be involved with the children at Shining Lights. Activities such as reading to the children

or sharing a special skill are always welcomed and they are appreciative of any support.

Believe in Books visited Shining Lights with Clifford, the big red dog. The kids

enjoyed it and received a free book.

Sunday School Happenings:

MMiissssiioonn PPiigg SSppoott lliigghhtt oonn

NNoollaann CCllaarrkk,, aanndd hhiiss mmiissssiioonn --

SSeeccoonndd CChhaannccee AAnniimmaall RReessccuuee!!!!

On June 5th we celebrated the conclusion of another fun year of Sunday School. We celebrated our

students, our teachers, and our students presented the missions that they have chosen to help this

year with the funds from their very own piggy banks! Nolan Clark wanted to turn his focus on animals

a little more local (year 1 of the Piggy Bank Mission, Nolan supported the ASPCA). He chose to

support Second Chance Animal Rescue, right here in Littleton. Nolan raised an impressive $120.53!!!

That number will be doubled out of the children’s mission fund, so out of Nolan’s hard work a total of

$241.06 will be going to Second Chance ~ Great job Nolan!!

About Second chance Animal Rescue: “In 2010 an enthusiastic group of animal lovers saw a need

for a no-kill safe haven for cats, and a new all-volunteer organization was formed to fill a huge void in

Littleton and the surrounding area. The Second Chance Animal Rescue was created by caring

individuals with over 50 years of combined service in the animal rescue field.”

Sunday School Off and Running! Sunday school began this year on September 11th. So far we have

been blessed with four boys, all full of energy, and great kids! This year

our focus is on learning to use our Bibles. To make it lots of fun, the

bible verses we look up will all be tied in to science experiments, video

clips, games, and/or snacks!!

Cake Walk is Coming! Our Cake/Pie Walk will be held the Sunday before Thanksgiving again this

year. So, put aside some fun Thanksgiving dessert recipes if you would like

to help us out by baking, marking your calendars, setting aside those dollars,

and prepare to have some fun!

Steeple Talk Page 5

Third Annual RiverWalk for MS

Some have asked how our MS Walk began. It began as a small

idea to have the children of our Sunday School participate in an MS

Walk somewhere in NH to show our support for those in our church

community affected by MS. Most MS Walks in NH are 5 miles or

more (remember 3 years ago our kids had shorter legs), and most

NH walks were not especially close to Littleton. As members of the

CE committee talked, it was revealed that many of us had close

family or friends who are also affected by MS. Inspired by our

friends and loved ones, we decided to solve our logistical problems

and host our own family friendly walk right in Littleton!

Over the last three years our walkers have included all different ages, some have MS, some have

close family or friends with MS, some are fighting other medical issues. All have come together to

raise money, awareness and show support for those affected by MS in our community. There is a real

need for this support in Littleton and I dare say they all had a little fun along the way too!! We have

had scavenger hunters of all ages!!

This year our walkers were given a choice of a hat or a t-shirt (money has been generously donated

each year for shirts or hats by Mr. Dana West!)

Local businesses and organizations also contributed to our walk. If you know members of these

groups or visit any of these businesses please share your appreciation for their contribution! Special

Thanks to: Porfido's Market, Stonecipher and Clark Environmental Solutions, Family Dental, Greg

Winn, Garnet Hill, Littleton Coin, Eames Realty, Casella Environmental, Littleton Lions club, Littleton

Elks, Walmart, and Dr. Gopalan Umashankar.

And now for the exciting part…

The first year we raised $2,120. Year two = $3,220.68. This year our goal was $4,000

and we beat it! $4,210 Can we do $5,000 next year??

Page 4 Steeple Talk

Page 6 Steeple Talk

Stewardship, with its many facets, is a year-round proposition. But at this time each year, we pause to prayerfully reflect upon the resources – both human and financial – that we will need in the ensuing year to continue God’s work in our community and to enable the church to grown, improve and adapt.

This year’s stewardship theme, “Go and do the same.” Is drawn from the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The church council anticipates an opening stewardship message on Sunday, October 23, followed by a stewardship mailing on or about October 26. Additional stewardship messages will follow on October 30 and November 6. Stewardship will be the focus of Pastor David’s sermon on Sunday, November 13 and as part of the worship service on Sunday, November 20, we will dedicate our gifts and financial commitments.

Bob Muh, Stewardship Coordinator

Steeple Talk Page 7

A big thank you to Tim Gould who joined members of the Property Committee (Ed Craxton, Reg LaFlam, Dennis Sharpe & Ron Bolt) to power wash the church September 7th. It looks great!!

LADIES SOCIETY MEETING

October 12th

Littleton Opera House at 1:30 P.M.

LADIES SOCIETY MEETING will be held on October 12 at 1:30 pm starting at the Opera House in Littleton!

Dick Alberini, curator of the Littleton Historical Society, will be giving a “virtual historic tour of Littleton” to the Ladies (and anyone who would like to join in!).

The meeting will then follow in the Ladies Parlor for coffee and dessert. The business meeting will include results of the Pecan Sale and the planning of the NOVEMBER RUMMAGE SALE - a popular event each year.

Please contact June Davis at 616-1909 or 444-0765 if you would like to attend! The tour is sure to be very interesting and entertaining.

WE WELCOME VISITORS, FRIENDS, AND ALL MEMBERS TO OUR MEETING FOR LAUGHTER AND FELLOWSHIP NOVEMBER RUMMAGE SALE - NOW'S THE TIME TO............

Now that it's weather a-changin’ time again, our wardrobes usually get a close inspection. DO YOU HAVE ANY CLOTHES THAT ARE IN GOOD CONDITION that you can no longer wear? KITCHEN ITEMS, BOOKS, CHILDREN'S ITEMS CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES… they may be just the items we are looking for to place in our FABULOUS and POPULAR SALE. This sale is also very popular in the community - with proceeds going to the Ladies Society yearly projects.

STAY TUNED FOR DATES TO BRING THESE ITEMS TO THE FELLOWSHIP HALL

Page 8 Steeple Talk

ANNUAL PECAN SALE – Final Sales day! DEADLINE FOR ORDERS IS OCTOBER 10

th

Get your cookbooks out and begin thinking PECANS! Just what you need to start your fall season on the right

track!

Once again, the LADIES SOCIETY will be selling these GEORGIA pecans. You can order them from any Ladies Society member.

Members will also be available at Coffee Hour on October 9th

to answer any questions and take orders.

Price is $9 for a 12 ounce bag.

One of our customers buys enough pecans to last a whole year. Wonder who? SHE is a good customer! And a

returning customer! Won't you join her?

The Ladies are also working on

creating baskets to serve those

without basic essentials. Won’t

you support this effort by

donating items such as new

socks, mittens, toothpaste

and combs?

Contact June Davis or any

member of the Ladies Society to

learn how you can help and

where you can drop off items.

THANK YOU!

The Dinner Bell Meal is served at the All Saints' Church, 35 School Street in Littleton (behind

Bailiwick's) every Tuesday. Doors open at 4:30 pm and dinner is served at 5 pm.

Anyone is welcome to attend.

The Congregational Church Host Dates for the 2016/2017 Dinner Bell season are:

September 13, 2016 – A BIG SUCCESS ~ Thank you!

October 11, 2016

November 22 (all call for Thanksgiving meal)

January 24, 2017 & May 2, 2017

Do You Like to Cook? If so, you can make food!

Do you Not Like to Cook? Well, you can also contribute money towards drinks and supplies

(since Judy O. loves to cook and bake and will do the cooking for you!)

A sign-up sheet will be available on Sundays at church. For your convenience, your food contribution can be dropped off at our church (before 1pm on that day) and it will be delivered to Dinner Bell.

*********************************************************************

Neighbors in Need 2016 ~ a special mission offering of the UCC that

supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States.

Thank you for your generosity. $834 was collected on Sunday, October 2nd.

*********************************************************************

The Missions Committee is always looking for more members if anyone is interested! They do not meet often, but when they do, decisions are impactful.

Steeple Talk Page 9

Menu

Baked Ham/Raisin Sauce, Scalloped Potatoes, BBQ Backyard Baked Beans, Squash, Coleslaw, Corn Muffins/Sweet Breads & Rolls, Apple Crisp & Ice Cream

THROWBACK TIME! Elaine Stroop brought in some pictures from the past to share with Pam in the office.

Can you recognize these great ladies??

Page 10 Steeple Talk

37th Annual

Harvest Supper

AND SILENT AUCTION

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Adults/Teens: $ 10.00 Children 5-12: $5.00 4 & under: Free

Served Family Style – Continuous Seating 5 PM - 7 PM

How can YOU help?

Contributing something to the silent auction and of course

Coming to the dinner and bringing family and friends!

Wanted and Needed

Sunday Ushers and Greeters

Coffee Fellowship hosts

Please sign up on the yellow board at the back of the sanctuary

Coffee Fellowship and Greeters are an important ministry and create

a more welcoming atmosphere for members and visitors

Here are a few moments at a recent coffee hour. Thank you Judy O. for sharing these pictures!

Steeple Talk Page 11

Happy Harvest Hospitality

Headquarters for Harvest Festival Fun!!

October 29th 2016

The COG and CE members are teaming up once again

to provide an opportunity to share God’s love

with the community!

2-4pm Trick or Treating on Main Street

Drop off warm clothes for the evening, accessorize the kids, grab a warm

beverage and head down Main Street

4-6pm Food and Fun

Warm food and kid friendly activities available before heading off to the

Gathering of the Jack O’ Lanterns

Plans are underway to decorate and provide food and drinks for this

very fun gathering! See any member of COG or CE (Tim Gould, Pam

Nute, Alice Muh, Linda Warden, Kim Smith, Wilma and David Weddington) to

find out how you can help and/or participate ~ THEY WANT AND

NEED YOUR PARTICIPATION AT THESE EVENTS ~ THANK YOU!

Wilma and I want to thank you all so much for your kindness during our time of grieving for my dad. Your cards, your calls, your hugs, your kind words and heartfelt silences have all been precious gifts. The flowers you sent were beautiful. As we were leaving town to come home, we took them and left them in the vase on Dad’s grave. We have more to do, sorting out the things Dad left behind. We’ll be asking for your patience again before too long. But in the end, it’s very good to know we have family here and a warm and loving home. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

blessings, David and Wilma

Page 12 Steeple Talk

Celebrating Birthdays & Anniversaries

October

Happy Birthday! Anniversaries

1st Dottie Bailey 20th Kim & Tom Smith

2nd Marti Faulkner

2nd Nick Iles

3rd Dudley Bailey Nov. Anniversaries (preview)

4th Erma Sheley

18th Penny Blodgett 2nd Tina & Joel Peabody

24th Wilma Weddington 5th Dottie & Dudley Bailey

26th Sharon Bush 9th Wilma & David Weddington

29th Joel Peabody

29th Kim Smith

November (preview)

1st Doug Menzies

Steeple Talk Page 13

I apologize in advance for any errors or omissions.

The Deadline for submissions for the November issue is:

Monday, October 25th

Thank you!

~ Pam Nute, editor

Note from Pam in the office

Due to a recent computer crash, this issue is coming to you late. My apologies. I hope it was worth the wait and you enjoy it!

I am busy rebuilding email groups. If you know of someone who is not getting regular correspondence from the office, please let me know so that I can make sure they get on the list.

Thank you for your patience and under-standing as things get

back to normal!

Above: Pam Nute gets in on the fun of riding the lift when the church was power washed. Tim only charged her $100 for a ticket to get on. Just kidding!! Thanks, Tim, for your hard work on September 7th!

Above: The teachers and children at Shining Lights look on.

If you missed the other fun pictures, go back to page 7!

First Congregational Church, UCC 189 Main Street Littleton, NH 03561 Return Service Requested

Page 7

STEEPLE TALK OCTOBER 2016

Steeple Talk

A newsletter of the First Congregational Church of Littleton

Page 14

Church Staff

Pastor: Rev. W. David Weddington

Administrative Assistant: Pam Nute

Organist & Choir Director: Dottie Morton

Officers

Moderator: Ann Craxton

Vice Moderator: Lars Nielson

Treasurer: Dudley Bailey

Assistant Treasurer: Joyce Krill

Committee Chairs

Christian Education: Kim Smith

Deacons: Mary Menzies

Finance: Dudley Bailey

Mission: Judy Oleary

Music: Tina Peabody

Personnel Relations: Ann Craxton

Property Management: Ed Craxton

Overseer of the Trust Funds: Dudley Bailey


Board Chair: Suzanne Schott

Director: Melissa Kam

www.1stconglittleton.org

Documents

Steeple Talk - First Congregational ChurchSteeple Talk First Congregational Church of Littleton 189 Main Street, Littleton, NH 03561 October 2016 PHONE 603-444-3376 FAX 603-444-6589