the messenger 2019 - amazon s3

The Messenger

First Parish Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

The Church with Love & Hope to Share

2019

Homecoming Sunday is September 8th.

Deadline for Team

Budgets is October 1stSeptember Board Meeting

Tuesday, September 10th

9:30 a.m. – Church Parlor

Rev. Scott Cousineau

Kristine Galasyn, Director of Christian Education

Jacqueline Savage, Music Director

Bob Mohlin, Church Moderator

Nadeen DeSilva, Office Administrator

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Please register for church school on line at www.firstparishsaco.org

Beach to MainCoffee House

Sept 14 at 6:00 pm

Office is Closed

on September 2nd

for Labor Day

Happy Labor Day

SAVE THE DATE:Saturday, December 7th

The Gingerbread FairBook Club Wednesday, October 1st @ 6:00 PM

Bean Supper Saturday 14, 5-6:30 PM

mailto:[email protected]





We made it! The move took several trips back and forth, but we made

it! We walked into the parsonage exhausted from days of packing and

hours of loading, and found food on the counter and in the fridge! We

knew that many of you labored for days preparing the house for us

and we are so very grateful for all of your efforts. We felt the love of

community as soon as we stepped through the door.

Renee and I are thrilled to begin this next chapter and become part of

this church family! We still have unpacking to do and we are in the

process of settling in, but your kindness and thoughtfulness have

made those chores so much more pleasant. Thank you!

As I sit in my office typing, I am listening to the beautiful hymn,

Wonderful Peace, by Warren Cornell. The lyrics speak of the

wonderful peace that we receive from God, a peace that fills our souls

and comforts us all the days of our lives. They are words of

encouragement and reassurance, they are words of promise. Can we

find rest in God's wonderful peace!

Some people have asked me if I feel anxious as I begin my ministry

with you. Change can be unsettling and difficult, starting something

new can be very stressful. Certainly, my head is spinning as I try to

learn your history and all of your names, but I feel nothing but peace

... God's wonderful peace!

As my journey joins your journeys, I am excited about all of the

opportunities that are ahead of us. I look forward to the ministries that

we will share. I pray that you will experience nothing but God's

peace.

Scott

A Message from the Senior MinisterRev. Scott Cousineau

Deacons’ Corner

Can you stand one more reminder to wear your nametags at church?

With the much-anticipated arrival of Rev. Scott Cousineau as our new

settled pastor, it’s more important than ever! We know he has been

studying the church directory to help him put names with faces, but the

directory is sadly out-of-date. There are so many new faces since that

directory was compiled a few years ago. Let’s do our part to make Scott

feel welcome...and that includes wearing your nametags when you come

to church! Temporary tags are available every Sunday if you don’t have

one, or can’t find yours, and permanent tags will be made for you for the

following Sunday.

With that reminder out of the way, we want to express our excitement at

being part of Scott’s ministry here at First Parish. The deacons stand

ready to assist him in whatever way he needs and look forward

enthusiastically to working with him on both practical and spiritual

masters. A big, heartfelt welcome to you, Scott and Renee!

And a final, enormous thank you to Jeff Larsen who shepherded us so

wonderfully through the transition. God is good!

Don’t forget to wear your nametags!

Thanks and blessings,

Nadine Russell and Dan Carter, Co-chairs

September always seems

to creep up on us. Maybe

it is because we do not

want to let go of the

summer or maybe it is

because there is so much

to do to prepare for our program year. This is

one of my favorite Sundays…all our families

returning, programs starting up, church school

classrooms with teachers and children enjoying

all our wonderful Bible stories. Yes, this is a

special Sunday.

Homecoming Sunday is September 8th. As

we begin our worship together, that morning, we

will be having a Blessing of the Backpacks.

All children are invited to bring their Backpack

to worship and place it in front of the altar. All

adults are welcome to bring their briefcase,

messenger bag or work bag and place that on the

altar. Diaper bags too! Please remember to

retrieve your bag after worship. We will begin

age level Church school classes that day.

As we celebrate Homecoming Sunday may

we also be aware of those without homes.

We will be collecting items for Grace

Street Ministries, a homeless ministry in

Portland. Items include $5 gift cards to

Dunkin Donuts or Subway, new or gently

used hoodies (all sizes), new underwear (all

sizes), new socks. For more information,

www.gracestreetministry.com

Pastor Jeff, at Grace Street Ministries, came

last winter and shared with our youth about

this amazing ministry. We were all very

moved by his stories and wanted to help out

in how ever way we can. There will be a

shopping cart in the atrium, beginning

Sunday, September 1 for all items.

Church school Registration is now open.

Our new and improved website is ready for

viewing and our Church school registration form

is ready to be filled out. Visit our website:

www.firstparishsaco.org click on Christian

Education at the bottom of the page, then click

on the Registration button. We encourage all

children to be registered, birth through age 18.

It makes our registration process so much

smoother if children are registered prior to

Homecoming Sunday. Thank you to everyone

who has already registered. There is no need to

stop at our registration table if you have filled

out the online form, because, new this year, you

can even sign the form online. Thank you to

Tim Guerrette, who knows everything about

computers. You’re amazing, Tim. Hard copies

are always available for anyone who was not

able to register online.

Nametags will be very important this

program year as we welcome our new

settled pastor, Scott Cousineau to our

church. Everyone knows who Pastor Scott

is, but, Pastor Scott will not know everyone.

So please be kind and wear your nametag so

that Pastor Scott will be able to learn YOUR

child(ren)’s name. Nametags will be out in

the atrium every Sunday morning. Please

return all nametags on your way out of the

church. Thank you.

See you at Church.

Stay safe,

Kris

September

September 8 Alex Savage

September 15 Johanna Fitzgerald

September 22 Cameron Wiggins-Mehlman

September 29 Sagan Guerrette

August at Pilgrim Lodge

was amazing with all our

campers. Here are a few picture from

Destination Hogwarts.

First Parish had 6 youth going to this ever

popular camp week. They are: Spencer

Cook, Johanna Fitzgerald, Hope Poore,

Camilla Roberge, Ella Walters and

Cameron Wiggins-Mehlman.

August 11-13, Norma Gorham and

grandson, Theo Roberts attended

Grandparents And Grandchildren 2.

Also, Labor Day Weekend the Guerrette

Family, (Tim, Hope and Sagan), will be at PL

for Family Camp and so will Allison

DiMatteo and son, Simon.

In September we have 6 ladies attending

Women’s Autumn Weekend. I can’t wait to

share more pictures next month.

http://www.pilgrimlodge.org/

“Let the little

Children come

to me”

-Matthew 19:14 Helping Lisa in the Nursery for the month

of August was:

4th Martha Perkins

11th Karen Brann

18th Jo Nancy Gunn

25th Mary Coyne

Thank you to all who have signed up for

helping in our Nursery. Our new sign up

sheet for the Fall and Winter is up and we

hope you will continue your generosity by

signing up.

“Its Only One Sunday!” First Parish Christian Education Team

appreciates your time. Thank you

I am happy to announce that we have all our

Church school teachers for the Fall Quarter.

We give thanks to all the very

dedicated adults that teach

consistently.

PreK/K/1 Linda Lambert, Danielle

Roberge and Mike Remillard

Grades 2,3,4 Heather Nolette and Allison

DiMatteo

Grades 5,6,7 Jane and Rick Campbell

Senior High (Grades 8-12) Karen Brann

and Brian Doyle

Confirmation Class

Confirmation, derived from

the word confirm, is the time

where each youth is now

confirming the Baptismal

vows that, most often, were taken for them

by their parents. We are baptized into the

church universal but we are confirmed into a

local church. If you are ninth grade and

older, we look forward to your participation

in confirmation classes. Letters will be sent

out to all those who are age eligible.

Baptisms this summer

Welcome to the UCC

July 14

Jonah and Lila Hersey

Parents: Ryan and Suzanne

August 11

Soren Henry

Parents: Abigail and Aaron

Grandparents: Pam and Bob Mohlin

Fiona and Lainey Sasserson

Parents: Stacey and Ryan

Grandmother: Mary Coyne

Calixte Martel

Parents: Lindsey and Eric

Grandmother: Mary Coyne

Pilgrim Lodge Fall Workday, Oct. 19

Bible Sunday/Breakfast, Oct 20

Music Ministry Jacqueline Savage: Music Director [email protected]

Welcome Back! I can’t believe the summer is coming to an end! It has been a joy working with Rev.

Larson along with the summer drop in choir. I am looking forward to having all choirs

back and singing with us during rehearsals and worship. The Senior Choir is looking

for new members and the start of the year is the best time to try it out! If you would

like to sing with us, please email me! There are folders for people interested in joining

the choir in the Atrium. Please pick one up if you might be interested!

Cherub Choir This year we will be starting a new choir for ages baby-5 years old!! Delaney Clifford

will be leading them in a Music and Movement class every Sunday except the first

Sunday of the month after church throughout the year. She will also be teaching them

songs to sing in church during special services. Music and Movement class will include

instrument play, scarf play, finger play, BUBBLES, dance, hoops, and lots of SINGING!

Parents are invited to stay!

Junior Choir The Junior Choir will be gathering again for another season of singing, beginning on Thursday,

September 26th. Children in grades K-5 are welcome to join us. Children attending Fairfield

School will be picked up by me and walked to Burns School. There we will pick up more

singers and then head to First Parish to have a snack from 3:00-3:15. We will then head to the

choir room to sing with Jacqui Savage, our music director, from 3:15-3:45. We sing a lot and

laugh a lot, too. We are planning to sing for Senior Living residences in the area several times

this year.

I hope your child/children will want to become part of the musical outreach of our church and

community. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by phone or email.

Susan Marston, Junior Choir Director phone: 283-0028, email: [email protected]

The next Beach and Main coffee house

will be on Saturday September 14th @6PM!!

All are invited to come and listen to the

talents of our church and community!

First Parish Music Program Schedules:

Senior Choir: Jacqueline Savage, Director

Senior Choir starts rehearsing on Thursday September 5th

Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 6:15PM-7:45PM

Sunday morning rehearsals are from 9AM-9:45AM

Youth Choir (6th grade-12th grade): Jacqueline Savage, Director

Youth Choir starts rehearsing Sunday September 8th

Rehearsals are on Sundays from 11:30AM-12:15PM every Sunday except

the first Sunday of the month

Group sings during worship once a month

Junior Choir (Kindergarten-5th Grade): Susan Marston, Director

Junior Choir starts rehearsing on Thursday September 26th

Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 3:15PM-3:45PM

Group sings during worship once a month throughout the church year

Cherub Choir (Baby-5 years): Delaney Clifford, Director

Cherub Choir starts on Sunday September 8th

Classes are on Sundays after church for 20-30 min every Sunday except

the first Sunday of the month

Bell Choir: Audrey Cabral, Director

Bell Choir starts on Monday September 8th

Rehearsals are on Mondays from 6:30PM-7:30PM

Ringers ring during 4-5 special services throughout the year

Interested in joining a group? Do you have a child that might be

interested in joining a group? Please pick up a pamphlet in the

Atrium for some more information or email Jacqui

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Greetings from the Prayer Group

and Knitters. As you know we are

blessed with a prayer shawl

ministry here at First Parish.

These beautiful shawls are made

by knitters from our congregation.

Our supply is now getting low and

I'm putting out a call for more.

If you would like to contribute a

shawl, please feel free to make

one-or two or more! If you need

directions and info on what yarn

to use, please get in touch with

Mary Johnson. (There is a

specific pattern and a yarn type

that works best for our purposes.)

These shawls, when blessed by

our congregation, give so much

comfort to ill and hurting people.

What a wonderful gift we can

give, and with your help we will

continue this ministry.

Blessings,

Brenda

Women’s Fellowship workshop’s are

held every Tuesday morning from

9:30 to 11:00; Women’s Fellowship

Board Meetings are held the second

Tuesday of every month from 9:30 to

11:00 and every woman that attends FP is automatically a member of WF

the Prayer Shawl Ministry meetings at

9:00 a.m. in the parlor every Sunday

before church and if anyone would

learn to knit or crochet so they can

make prayers shawls, please contact

me at [email protected] or 282-5316.


Kitchen Cleaning and Training

It's been a very long time since our First Parish kitchen has

had a thorough cleaning. It's also time to do some much

needed training for any group/team who use the kitchen,

even if it's just for Coffee Hour. At least one representative

from every group/team will be expected to attend a training

session.

The week of September 16th will be the time to get these

tasks completed. There will be sign up sheets in the Atrium

for those of you who will be attending training and for those

of you who will assist in cleaning the kitchen.

If you have any questions, please see Sue Burgess or

contact her at [email protected]


Missions

Flower & Altar

You can help keep children

and the elderly warm this

winter!

Nancy and Rick Twomey are

accepting donations of mittens

for school aged children, and

shawls or lap robes for the

elderly.

Trina will give the donated

items to the Seacoast Mission

when she travels to Cherryfield,

ME this month as part of her

mission trip to help refurbish

low income housing.

The staff of Seacoast Mission

distributes the donated items to

those in need.

Flower & Altar Garden Tour

The Garden Tour held on July 26th was a huge success.Between ticket sales and donations, we made $600!

$450 was donated to the Parsonage Fund.

Special thanks to Mary & Bill Johnson, Suzanne & John Ropes and Marcia Lord & Jim Wheaterfor be amazing hosts. Their gardens were all beautiful and enjoyed by all who attended.

We are looking forward to having another Garden Tour in 2020 and are open to suggestions for participating gardens.

Jump into Fall with News from the Good News Team

Hello First Parish Church!!

What can I say? The Sea Dog Game was a great success. Eighty First Parish people came to the Game on August 24th. Since there is another article about the game in the Messenger that is all I will say, Except...

Thank You Sue and Jack Neumyer !!!!

Also: Thank First Parish. We are a vital and fun group. More great events will be planned.

It is here that I am going to borrow a page out of a dear friend's play book. Be the first to

come to me with the secret word "Fun" and I will have something special I for you.

We are thinking about another invitation Sunday in the next year. You might remember, that in 2017, we had a Sunday in which we all invited a friend or a family member to attend church. Then after church a group of us went bowling. It was a Happy and Fun time of getting to know other church members and people from outside our church circle. Our Guests got to see what our Christian mission looks like first hand and meet our parishioners. There will be more information around this event in the future. Start thinking who should I invite? Relaxed PLUS...IN 2019 We have two more great opportunities for you to get out in or mingle with the community and spread the Good News with these up-coming events.

The Saco MainStreet Pumpkin Harvest Festival October 19th and The Parade of Lights December 7th.

May God Bless You First Parish

Rick Campbell

On Saturday, August 24th, 80 members & friends of First Parish had a stellar evening enjoying food, fun, and great company! At the last minute, Robert Guptill performed The National Anthem when the scheduled group cancelled. If you were there, you’ll agree that we were all bursting with pride at his outstanding rendition.🎤

We had several winners of the score/hits chart. Glen Ellen Roth, Brandi Flanagan, and Fred Connelly all chose a lucky square. The genius sports quiz was won by the dynamic duo of Kathy & Robert Guptill. Two heads are better than one!

Rev. Scott was among those who threw out a first pitch! The crowd in the picnic area cheered him on, and he was presented with a souvenir baseball.

More News form the Good News Team

Please sign up to get your NEWFirst Parish T-Shirt. A new design will be ordered this fall and wouldn't it be great to all have matching T's to

wear to FPC events.

They will be available in V-neck and crew.

For more information contact

Jon Edstrom at 423-4732 or [email protected]

Rick Campbell at 831-1425 or [email protected]



.

First Parish Congregational Church12 Beach Street, Saco

(Corner of Beach and Main St.)Time 5:00 – 6:30 pm

$8.00 for Adults$4.00 for Children ages (6-12)

Children under 6 years old are freeMenu:

Pea BeansKidney Beans

Hot DogsMacaroni & Cheese

Brown Bread/Dinner RollsColeslawDeserts

Beverages

Bean SuppahSeptember 14, 2019

2019Bean Supper Dates

February 9March 9 Aug 10April 13 Sept 14May 11 Oct 12June 8 Nov 9July 13

Volunteers WantedWe are looking for volunteers to help

with the Bean Suppers.Please sign up on the sign up sheet

outside the office door.

Book ClubMeetings Start at 6:30

Parlor

Tuesday, October 1

Summer of '69

Elin Hilderbrand

Perfect Strangers

Liane Moriarty

Tuesday, October 22

Tuesday, November 19

Stranger in the Woods

Michael Finkel

Tuesday, December 17

The Prayer BoxLisa Wingate

Please consider joining the men’s fellowship group for about a hour of Bible study and friendship at the church.

The group meets at 7:15 AM on the 2nd Tuesday of the month and 7:00 PM on the 4th Tuesday of the month.

We are currently studying Acts and discuss a chapter each session, making it easy for anyone to join us at any meeting.

During our meetings we have learned from sharing excellent insights about what it means to be a Christian along with increased

understanding of the Bible and how it translates to our lives today. We have also enjoyed fellowship and friendship.

Please contact John Grew at [email protected] more information.

Our friend Bill Johnson sitting in a sunbeam in the sanctuary.

(or is that a halo?)"

Do you have a picture you’d like to submit for the Messenger? If you do feel free to send it to [email protected]

Picture submitted by Pam Mohlin


Please “Save The Date”

You Won’t Want To Miss This Event!

September 2ndCelia Chandler-Smith

Glenn Baker Paige Allen

September 6thLauren Roedner

September 7thAlex Pickering

September 8thHeather MacLean

JD DeckerTaj Hjort

September 9th

Luce DesRoberts

September 10thJacob Allen

September 21stCarole Nero

Meg Pickering Inga Browne

September 22nd

Annie Gorman

September 23rdRobert Begin

September 24thCharlotte Lapham Marietta Andersen

Victoria Shaw Lauren Lizotte

September 25thAbigail Mohlin

September 27thCarol ConnellyPricilla Baker

September 28thMarjorie Belanger

Milo Decker

September 29thJennifer Poore

September 30thGregory Galasyn

September 11thLinda Dickson

September 12thMarianne Cook

Peter Mohlin

September 13thJean Johnson

September 16thDavid Johnston

Vanessa Johnston

September 17thKeith Meiler Alex Savage

September 18thBrenda MacDonald

Lori SmithKatie Collard

September 19thAllen Sicard

Stella WellsPeter Galasyn

September 20thBrian Doyle

Jon EdstormAlice Browne


Events Schedule 1Page:08/30/2019 10:46 AM

Time Event Name Event Type Room(s)

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Small Group

ServicePrayer Shawl Ministry

Sunday Service

08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

09:00 AM - 10:30 AM

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Sanctuary

Parlor

Sanctuary

Conference

Monday, September 2, 2019

09:00 AM - 01:00 PM Counters

06:30 PM - 08:30 PM Big Book AA

Tuesday, September 3, 2019Women's Fellowship

Faithnetwork

Facilities

09:30 AM - 11:00 AM

06:00 PM - 08:30 PM

06:30 PM - 07:00 PM

Fellowship Hall

Fellowship Hall

Conference

Staff Meeting

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Staff Meeting

Thursday, September 5, 2019Fellowship HallTop of the Hill Gang

Senior Choir

Women's 12 Step Meeting

09:00 AM - 12:30 PM

06:15 PM - 07:45 PM

06:30 PM - 07:30 PM Flexible Use

Small Group

Friday, September 6, 2019

04:30 PM - 05:30 PM Townsend WeddingReher

Saturday, September 7, 2019

02:00 PM - 06:30 PM Wedding /Townsend


Small Group

Sanctuary

Parlor

Sanctuary

Sunday School


Sunday Service

Church School Starts

Youth Choir

08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

09:00 AM - 10:30 AM

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

Monday, September 9, 2019Conference

Conference

Counters

Council Meeting

Big Book AA

09:00 AM - 01:00 PM

06:00 PM - 09:00 PM

06:30 PM - 08:30 PM

Tuesday, September 10, 2019Men's GroupWF Board Meeting

Women's Fellowship

GNT

Mission

07:15 AM - 09:00 AM

09:30 AM - 11:30 AM

09:30 AM - 11:00 AM

06:30 PM - 08:30 PM

06:30 PM - 08:30 PM

Parlor

Parlor

Fellowship Hall

Conference

Parlor

Thursday, September 12, 2019Fellowship HallTop of the Hill Gang

Senior Choir


09:00 AM - 12:30 PM

06:15 PM - 07:45 PM


Saturday, September 14, 2019

12:00 PM - 03:30 PM Summer Jam

03:00 PM - 05:30 PM Maine Conference Budget

Sanctuary

Flexible Use


Events Schedule 3Page:08/30/2019 10:46 AM

Time Event Name Event Type Room(s)

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Girl Scouts Group Classroom 5

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Youth Activity

Fellowship Hall

Sanctuary

Top of the Hill Gang

Jr. Choir

Senior Choir


09:00 AM - 12:30 PM

03:15 PM - 03:45 PM

06:15 PM - 07:45 PM



Small Group

Sanctuary

Parlor

Sanctuary

Sunday School


Sunday Service

Church School Starts

Cherub Choir

Youth Choir

08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

09:00 AM - 10:30 AM

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

Conference

Monday, September 30, 2019

09:00 AM - 01:00 PM Counters

06:30 PM - 08:30 PM Big Book AA

Thank You To All Our Volunteers

the messenger 2019 - amazon s3

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