June 16, 2023
Pastor’s Reflections – June 16, 2023
Dear Friends and Members of NCC:
As we head into Father’s Day weekend, I hope and pray you have moments this weekend to honor and remember the fathers and father figures in your life.
What’s Happening This Sunday Sunday morning at 10 AM we’ll gather in the Sanctuary and on our livestream on YouTube and Facebook Live to honor and remember as we also reflect on Matthew 9:36-10:10 and continue our study on the path of a follower of Christ. We will share in moments of reflection and devotion and in giving God thanks for the blessings we experience because of God’s grace and presence among us.
Celebrating New Members We’ll celebrate five new members during worship; MaryAnna Purello, Laurie and Tim Ashe, Davis Snider and Jesenia Roberts. Please plan to join in as we celebrate these new members and share in the new NCC Covenant of Membership, approved at the June 4th special meeting, together for the first time. All existing members are encouraged to join in and participate in the sharing of our new covenant together for the first time.
Nursery Care for Little Ones Calling all parents of toddlers and little ones! Nursery services are available this Sunday during services. Please get in touch with Dean Pratt at deanpratt@verizon.net if you are interested in participating in this program with your toddler or if you are interested in joining the team to take care of toddlers during the service.
All Church Hike after Fellowship Time Led by Sheila and Kevin Barnes, the NCC hikers will be heading out to the Piscassic River Loiselle Conservation Area to experience the mile loop. The trail head is just beyond the home at 272 Wadleigh Falls Rd, about 1.1 miles from church. There will be a temporary “NCC Hike” sign posted there.
Highlights of this week
Transition to The ABC of Massachusetts (TABCOM) submitted by Deb Grochmal, NCC Moderator
As we began the process of NCC’s transition to TABCOM the Executive Council had the honor and the privilege of meeting with several of the leaders of the Merrimack Valley Baptist Association on Wednesday evening. The Merrimack Valley Baptist Association is the specific association within TABCOM recommended to NCC to transfer to. The intent of the meeting was to more fully explain who NCC is and learn more about the Merrimack Valley group. The meeting was informative and positive. It truly feels like the perfect fit for NCC as we continue to expand the journey to inclusiveness.
The leaders of the Merrimack Valley Association all indicated that they will support NCC’s acceptance into the association. The next step is a vote by the assembled membership of the association at its fall annual meeting which will be scheduled for the Fall at a date to be determined. The meetings are open and all members of NCC will be invited to attend.
In Peace,
Deb Grochmal
Moderator
Celebrating and Honoring Alan Knight Today we celebrated the life of Alan Edward Knight at Riverside Cemetery with full military honors. Alan has been a lifelong resident of Newmarket and will be missed greatly. You can find his full obituary on the Kent and Pelczar website at kentandpelczarfh.com/obituary/alan-knight
Upcoming Events and Programs
NCC Book Reflection Group Every other Tuesday at 3:30PM beginning on June 27th Everyone is invited to join in whether in person or via video link as we begin reading the book Holy Envy Finding God in the Faith of Others by Barbara Brown Taylor. On June 27th we’ll review the introduction and Chapter one. Join in! It is a wonderful opportunity to reflect, share, connect, and ask questions.
Adverse Childhood Experiences Training Wednesday June 21st at 8:30AM - 10AM. In April we began our journey to become a Mental Health friendly workplace and house of worship through the Dover Alliance. So far, 12 of us have been trained in Mental Health First Aid. The second part of this journey is to participate in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Training, which is being offered to NCC members, friends, and volunteers virtually on Wednesday June 21st at 8:30AM - 10AM. This class is free and everyone is invited to participate. You do NOT need to have attended the first class to attend this class. If you would like to attend, please email me at pastor@newmarketchurch.org
The NCC Food Pantry Grand Reopening & Ribbon Cutting Please mark your calendar to join in on Monday June 26 from 4PM – 6PM in the Fellowship Hall as we invite our whole church family, community leaders, and pantry partners, to come experience the new food pantry. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30PM. Hope to see you!
Walk in the 2023 Portsmouth Pride Parade Join in to show your support again this year as we gather together as a community of faith to join in the Portsmouth Pride Parade on Saturday June 24 at 12PM. We will gather in Market Square, (exact location TBD), at 12 noon for opening remarks by the Portsmouth Mayor and others then participate in the short march to Strawberry Bank beginning at 12:30. If you’re interested in joining in please let me know by emailing me at pastor@newmarketchurch.org
Upcoming Summer Schedule 9AM Summer Worship Start Time beginning July 2!! Beginning July 2nd and continuing every Sunday morning in July and August, Sunday worship will begin at 9AM. In addition, we are planning more café church opportunities, (where the whole service is conducted in the fellowship hall), as well as a modified summer service format where we worship in the sanctuary for part of the service which is live streamed, (prayer, scripture, sermon, some music), and continue the service in the Fellowship Hall over coffee and refreshments with an interactive service format. It is sure to be worshipful while offering an opportunity to connect and reflect in a more meaningful way with one another during the summer months.
Upcoming Trip to the Holy Land Departing February 27 from Logan Airport
Pastor Patty and Suellen Leugers are leading a Holy Land Classic Journey through Educational Opportunities in 2024. The price for this 10-day tour is $3746 per person and includes: breakfast and dinner daily, deluxe A/C motor coaches, entrance and program fees, first class hotels, guided tours, hotel gratuities, international airfare from Logan Airport, live audio headsets, and study guides. Click here for a brochure for this trip Link to Brochure Printed brochures will be arriving in the coming week. If you’re interested in learning more, please let me know by emailing me at pastor@newmarketchurch.org
We have so many wonderful blessings and opportunities to participate. I hope to see you. May God bless you and keep you today and always.
With Love and Peace,
Pastor Patty
