This Friday, October 28, is the date of our next No Neighbor Left Behind meal delivery. We’ll be gathering at 2 p.m. this Friday to collect, portion, package, and deliver meals to families and neighbors across our delivery area. If you’ve signed up to donate food, please drop your donations off at the church's side door by 2 p.m. on Friday.
Our ministry of food and love is so important at this time. A special thanks to all who donate and volunteer to help us address food insecurity on the Blue Hill peninsula, one nutritious meal at a time.
Dear Church,
I can hardly believe that I have been with you for almost four months! The time has flown by. And my gratitude to be in this place—and to be with all of you, doing the hard and holy work of figuring out how to be church—just keeps growing deeper. I thank God for this place and this ministry we are creating together.
And, it’s time for a short rest: time to let my cup refill so that I can greet the season of Advent with all of the energy and clarity that that time of holy anticipation demands. And so, off I go! I’ll be on vacation from November 1 until November 8th—mostly in Vermont, visiting with family and friends. And then, from November 8th through the 14th, I will be spending some continuing education time working with a spiritual director at the Eastern Point Retreat House in Gloucester, MA. It’ll be a time of sinking deep into a week of silence and prayer. I look forward to that time more than I can say.
While I’m gone, the Reverend Bobby Vagt will be stepping into the pulpit. I am grateful to him for his willingness to do so. And glad to leave you in such able hands.
I look forward to seeing many of you in worship this Sunday – and will be excited to catch up with all of you when I return from my time away.
Blessings to all of you,
Pastor Andi
Church Office Closed
Debbie, too, will be out of the office for a week beginning October 31. She will be back Monday, November 7th.
Weekly Meditation
1He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax-collector and was rich. 3He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way.
-Luke 19:1-4
I love this story. I love Zacchaeus’ thoroughly undignified behavior. I love his eagerness to see Jesus, no matter the cost. And, yes, I love that he climbs a tree to do it. It’s surprising behavior, here in 2022—but it would have been downright shocking to those listening to Luke’s Gospel. Grown men at that time did not run. And they surely did not climb trees. Something about the exuberance reminds me of Mary Oliver’s poem, “Coming to God: First Days.”
Lord, I would run for you, loving the miles for your sake. I would climb the highest tree to be that much closer.
It’s important to the story that Zacchaeus is a tax-collector—the chief tax-collector. That means that he was employed by the Roman Empire to collect all taxes and fees from the Jewish people, who were then living under Roman rule. Tax collectors were widely despised by the Jewish community: they were assumed to be dishonest and were reviled for their complicity with the oppressors.
The gathered crowd sees him, and they see a sinner. Jesus sees something more.
As the story continues, Jesus sees this man going to great and ridiculous lengths to lay eyes on him. And he stops. And invites himself over to Zacchaeus’ house. Zacchaeus climbs out of the tree, rejoicing. And then, right there, offers to give away half of his possessions and make restitution to anyone whom he has defrauded. It’s a remarkable turn-around!
And that’s exactly what repentance is. A remarkable turn-around. And the thing about repentance is that we’re not the heroes or heroines of our own stories of repentance. Christ is. It’s by grace that we are found, grace that welcomes us home. Zacchaeus turned around because Jesus sought him out. Amazing grace, indeed!
And here’s what I’m wondering, as I sit with this story: are there moments in your life of faith like that moment when Zacchaeus climbed a tree, and saw Jesus, and everything changed? Moments when you suddenly saw differently? Saw Jesus more clearly?
Whether there are trees involved or not, I’d love to hear about those moments, if you’re of a mind to share.
Grace and Peace to you all,
Pastor Andi
Sunday Worship Service
We gather for worship in person at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays in the Main Street Church.
In addition, all of our worship services are live-streamed to our YOUTUBE channel.
Contact the church if you need assistance in receiving this ministry in your home.
* The Church Council continues to recommend following Maine CDC guidance. With Hancock County now rated medium-risk for covid transmission, mask wearing is optional. Masking remains advisable for individuals at higher risk for serious illness, and those with symptoms, a positive test or exposure.
Click the links above to read the Scripture passages.
EXCITING NEWS
ON THE MUSIC FRONT!
As many of you heard in worship on Sunday, Heather Emanuelson will be joining TCP in the coming months as the new Director of Music! Our search for a new director was prompted by the happy news that Suzanne and James Eaton will be spending a few months each year in California. Church Council celebrates this new chapter in their lives and, at the same time, recognizes the need for continuity in our music program over the course of the year – and so, launched the search for a new Director of Music. In the weeks to come, we will have an opportunity to celebrate and say thank you to Suzanne, who has shared her musical gifts with this church so graciously and generously for these past four years. In the meantime, I thank God for her ministry with us.
And I am delighted to welcome Heather, who will join us early in the new year! Heather received her Bachelor of Music Education from North Central College in Naperville. While there, she was the recipient of many scholarships, both academic and performance based. She had the experience of playing with an elite group of musicians performing with the Naperville Chorus and was chosen to perform with the orchestra for North Central College operas and musicals. Her piano studies have been with Sue Malmberg, Dr. Sandra Carey, and most recently Ann August-Waldron.
For the last 25 years, Heather has maintained a private studio, first in Plainfield, IL and later in Penobscot, ME, where she teaches all instruments, at all skill levels. Previously, she served as faculty at North Central College in the Piano Academy in Naperville where she taught piano to students who had passed a rigorous audition process. Heather has taught in school districts in both Illinois and Maine, sharing her love of music with students in Pre-K through 8. She has also been the Music Director at churches in both states, enjoying the opportunity to serve with others. She performed on flute with the Chicagoland Pops Symphony Orchestra and as keyboardist for the Magical Starlight Theatre’s Musical Productions.
Heather maintains a freelance schedule performing with local ensembles. Her experience, musical breadth, eloquence on the central role of music in the worship of God and the life of a church community, and vision for the music program at TCP lifted her to the top of an extraordinary pool of candidates. She will have a chance, in the weeks to come, to share a bit of that vision with all of you.
In the meantime, I am so grateful to my fellow search committee participants—Jimmy Goodson, Lindsey Vagt, and John Cunningham—for the hard work that went into this search. And I thank God for Heather’s yes to our yes.
With much rejoicing and deep gratitude,
Pastor Andi
Oct 28 2 p.m. No Neighbor Left Behind
Oct 30 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship (in person & streaming)
Oct 30 4 p.m. Spirit and Nature Walk
Nov 1 9 a.m. Bible Study (Zoom)
Nov 6 Daylight Savings Time ENDS
Nov 6 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship (in person & streaming)
Nov 8 Election Day
Nov 8 9 a.m. Bible Study (Zoom)
Nov 11 Veterans Day
Saturday’s Harvest Dinner was a wonderful success, and we are so grateful for all who made it so! We thank all of the cooks, servers, the set-up and clean-up crew for all of the hard work that went into making the event happen. We thank all of the guests who came to share a meal and fellowship. And we are very glad and grateful to report that, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of those who were able to contribute, we collected $888 in donations for the fuel assistance fund! Thanks be to God for the fruits of the harvest, for the joys of fellowship, and for the ties of neighborly love that connect us all together.
What Day Is Your Birthday?
A birthday is a very special occasion and something to be celebrated. We would love to recognize all persons on the Sunday closest to their special day.
If you are willing to share with us your birthday (not your age) ,
so that we may all participate in the joy that is the day you came to be,
then please email Kim at Kimberlysmith91@aol.com.
Thank you!! We look forward to celebrating you!!
Volunteer Opportunities Available
INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING SUNDAY WORSHIP?
If you’re interested in providing flowers, or serving as an usher, or bringing coffee hour refreshments, or spending time in the Children’s Corner with the littlest members of our community,
or sign up on the clip-boards downstairs in the Vestry.
INTERESTED IN HELPING OUT WITH OUR LIVE-STREAM MINISTRY?
We are still looking for another person or two to join the live-stream team! Our live-stream ministry is an important part of the life of this church, and easy to learn. Training will be provided. Please contact Pastor Andi if you’re interested in giving it a try.
PRAYER REQUESTS
If you or someone you know is in need of our prayers, either individually or during our time of congregational prayer in Sunday worship, please let Pastor Andi know, using her contact information below.
Share the Good News
Click on the links below to share this newsletter with your family and friends.
This Friday!
I love this story. I love Zacchaeus’ thoroughly undignified behavior. I love his eagerness to see Jesus, no matter the cost. And, yes, I love that he climbs a tree to do it. It’s surprising behavior, here in 2022—but it would have been downright shocking to those listening to Luke’s Gospel. Grown men at that time did not run. And they surely did not climb trees. Something about the exuberance reminds me of Mary Oliver’s poem, “Coming to God: First Days.”
Scripture for Sunday
Saturday’s Harvest Dinner was a wonderful success, and we are so grateful for all who made it so! We thank all of the cooks, servers, the set-up and clean-up crew for all of the hard work that went into making the event happen. We thank all of the guests who came to share a meal and fellowship. And we are very glad and grateful to report that, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of those who were able to contribute, we collected $888 in donations for the fuel assistance fund! Thanks be to God for the fruits of the harvest, for the joys of fellowship, and for the ties of neighborly love that connect us all together.
,
We are still looking for another person or two to join the live-stream team! Our live-stream ministry is an important part of the life of this church, and easy to learn. Training will be provided. Please contact Pastor Andi if you’re interested in giving it a try.
If you or someone you know is in need of our prayers, either individually or during our time of congregational prayer in Sunday worship, please let Pastor Andi know, using her contact information below.
