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NORTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UCC
February 16, 2023
We hope you enjoy this week's News for the Pews!

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
~ Psalm 46: 10 ~
 
Have you ever felt like there are not enough hours in the day to do everything you need to do? It happens to me more often than I like to admit. Every week, I set aside time for reading and reflection -- or at least I try to. Sometimes -- and I am guessing that you all have experienced this, too -- it feels like I'm pulled in several different directions at once: I get spread too thin, and my energy seeps away. And just when I think it can't get any more complicated, one more thing happens -- I've double-booked myself with a doctors appointment and getting the brakes on my car checked out...or I'm on my way out to run errands or get to a meeting, and the bank calls to report "unusual activity" in my account... There’s always something that has to be done, whether it’s shopping for groceries, tasks at work, studies for school or helping with homework, cleaning the house, fixing things that are broken, taking care of kids, or literally hundreds of other things that take up our days. And, even if we do force ourselves to carve out a little quiet time and turn away from all the tasks and demands, our thoughts may be still be racing, bouncing from one idea to another, with no end in sight.  If I am honest with myself, I must admit, for me, sometimes the hardest thing to do is to slow down and to be still. 

In Genesis, we find the story of Creation. God's first act is to give form to that which was formless, bringing order out of chaos. Then, over time, God unfurls Creation, bringing light out of darkness, separating water from solid earth, making the land fertile and spreading all manner of plants and creatures across its surface. And God creates humankind. God looked out over Creation and was pleased and declared it very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. By the seventh day God had finished the work that God had been doing; so on the seventh day, rested from all work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all the work of creating.

In Exodus (chapter 20) and Deuteronomy (chapter 5) God instructs Moses, and all of us, to remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. God reminds us that the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but then God, completing the work of Creation, deliberately took a break and rested on the seventh day. But God did more than just rest -- the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 

We most often think of Sabbath or Sunday as a holy day, a day to worship God. That is not quite the sense of it. Theologian Walter Brueggemann says about Sabbath: 

“Sabbath, in the first instance, is not about worship. It is about work stoppage. It is about withdrawal from the anxiety system of Pharaoh, the refusal to let one’s life be defined by production and consumption and the endless pursuit of private well-being.” 

God stopped, rested, and reflected on the good work already done. And God no doubt reflected about the work that was yet to be done, and no doubt has and will continue to reflect on the work that is yet to be done.  God wants the same for us -- to reflect on our purpose and to be intentional about what we are doing. And to keep God at the center of our lives, as a guiding Light. To reflect and be intentional, we need to stop and do a self-check -- Is God at the center of our life?  Or are we so wrapped up in all the thinking and doing that we edge God out?  Our challenge is that when we don't know what to do, we too often try to fill that gap with anything we can think of. In doing so, we soothe our own discomfort and in our busyness miss God's call.

Being still in this Sabbath way provides us with an opportunity not only to stop working, but to stop wanting, stressing, pursuing and worrying. Throughout his ministry, Jesus taught his disciples and the throngs of people hoping for new life how to be intentional in their pursuit of God.  He modeled for us what it looks like to be still with God and place our trust in God. Jesus always acknowledged that God was in control (Remember the temptation of Jesus in the desert "Worship the Lord your God and serve God only" (Matthew 4: 10)? Remember how he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Yet not as I will, but as you will" (Matthew 26: 39)? Remember how Jesus taught his disciples to pray, at the end of the Lord's Prayer, "Your will be done" (Matthew 6: 10)?  God is in control and that you trust Him to take care of your needs. And that’s what it really comes down to. Trust.

There will always be things that have to be done in our daily lives, just like there will always be the poor among us. So, take the time to be still, keeping Christ at our center. Jesus is worthy of our time. He is worthy of our worship and praise. He is worthy of our trust. Not only on Sunday in worship, but at the heart of all our thoughts and actions.  In stillness we will discover what our purpose is and which of Jesus  ministries and mission works we are called to pursue. As we journey together and in our daily lives, let us be intentional in our stillness as much as in our activities. Listen for God's voice in all you do, calling you closer, beckoning you:  "Be still and know that I am God."

I welcome all your thoughts and questions, and encourage you to send them to me at pastorkristie.northcc@gmail.com.


Keeping you all in prayer and wishing you a full measure of
Peace and Blessings
This day and always,
Pastor Kristie

 
Deacon of the Month for February is
Rebecca Glinsman - 860-485-3058

 
Our Deacons help to serve the church, especially in the areas of worship, and spiritual care and day-to-day support of our faith community. They also enjoy welcoming newcomers and helping them learn more about our faith community. If you need prayer, a listening ear, or to be connected to resources, please reach out to our Deacons. If your situation is urgent, they will help connect you to Pastor Kristie. Pastor Kristie is also available by appointment.

Deacons rotate responsibilities on a monthly basis. The revised rotation is set forth below:


Deacons for 2023 are:
January - Cele Hoffman 
February - Rebecca Glinsman
March - Clarence Moore
April - Fran Herman
May - Frank Owens
June - Cele Hoffman
July - Clarence Moore
August - Rebecca Glinsman
September - Cele Hoffman
October - Frank Owens
November - Rebecca Glinsman
December - Fran Herman
 
WINTER WORSHIP SOJOURN CONTINUES!!!

This Sunday, February 19th, we will be Sojourning to United Congregational Church of Torrington (aka, Torringford Church). Worship is at 10:00 AM. The address is 1622 Torringford Street, Torrington, CT. 

On Ash Wednesday, February 22nd, NCC and our sister churches are invited to join Church of Christ Congregational in Goshen at 7:00 PM for a quiet service of reflection and prayer.  The service will be led by Goshen's Rev. Sara Khlar, Winchester's Rev. Jackie Hall, and NCC's Rev. Kristie Rubendunst.

On Friday, February 17th, I will be sending around a sign-up survey to NCC folks. The survey will have separate questions about your interest in attending each service.  Your completed surveys are very helpful to me in providing the churches we are visiting with info on how many are coming from NCC. 

Many thanks for your faithful participation in this exciting ministry in which we share our love of worship with our sister faith communities!!!
- NCC SUPPORTS THE OPEN DOOR SOUP KITCHEN & PANTRY-
OUR NEXT DELIVERY DATE IS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH
and
THE RESULTS ARE IN!!!!
PASTOR KRISTIE'S FOOD BANK CHALLENGE A FANTASTIC SUCCESS!
 “SOUP-er Bowl” Sunday, Feb 12th
The results are in! What a fantastic outpouring of support NCC showed for Open Door Soup Kitchen & Pantry! The challenge: How many cans of soup will our Food Wagon hold?  Well, we were so excited that we forgot to count the cans, but when Cele and Dave Hoffman, who transport our gift of food to Open Door report that SOUP-er Bowl Sunday usually at the end of the month, picked up the soup and other foods and household goods earlier this week, the foods collected in the first two weeks of February weighed in at 130 pounds of food -- nearly twice as much as our usual monthy haul in half the time! 
PRETTY AMAZING, NCC!!!  
THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
AND A BIG THANK YOU TO CELE AND DAVE HOFFMAN WHO FAITHFULLY TRANSPORT OUR GIFTS TO OPEN DOOR!!!
 


 
Food insecurity is a reality. Our gifts of food are so desperately needed by so many in our wider community. 

Open Door is both a Soup Kitchen and a Food Pantry.  Whatever food items we donate, the cooks utilize what they need to prepare the meals the Open Door offers from Monday through Friday. What the cooks don't use is given away to people in need. The list below, which we've seen the past couple of months, hasn't changed much. When I asked why, Carrie said this is pretty much the food and food prep items they need all the time.
OPEN DOOR SOUP KITCHEN & PANTRY IS OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY, 9:00-12:30
160 MAIN STREET, WINSTED, CT


Meanwhile, remember to bring some of these non-perishable items or household necessities for our Open Door food cart!  
Pancake Mix Juices Crackers
Syrup Canned Soups Saltines
Honey Canned Veggies Vegetable Oil
English Muffins Canned Fruit Cooking Spray
Corm Muffin Mix Apple Sauce Olive Oil
Cereal Chicken Broth Ketchup
Oatmeal Black Olives Mayo
Coffee Diced Tomatoes Salad Dressing
Tea Black Beans Sugar
Sloppy Joe Chili Mix Flour
Pasta Taco Seasoning Garlic Powder
Pasta Sauce Rice Onion Powder
Grated Cheese Tuna Fish Salt
Egg Noodles Bread Crumbs Pepper
Dinty Moore Stew Gravy- Pork, Turkey, Chicken, Beef  
Additional support items such as bathroom tissue, kitchen and household cleaning products,
and laundry detergent are also welcome.
Please contribute as you are able. Bags with lists are available in the Narthax and near the stairs to the Fellowship Hall. Please also reach out to Cele Hoffman who coordinates the delivery to Open Door if you would like to make a donation during times the church and office are closed.

 

All events are subject to our need to postpone/cancel due to inclement weather or covid conditions.

Coming Soon -- The NCC Book Club reading "Anxious for Nothing"
                            - discussion dates TBD - 
For info, contact Donna Howard 

February 17 - 10:00 AM - Paint Party - Contact Dave McCunn for Info
Friday               1:00 PM - Council Meeting - Fellowship Hall

February 19 -   10:00 AM - Winter Worship Sojourn -  change of location:
Sunday                               UNITED CHURCH OF TORRINGTON
                                            1622 Torringford Street, Torrington, CT
 

February  22 - SEASON OF LENT BEGINS
Wednesday
   7:00 PM - ASH WEDNESDAY - SHARED WORSHIP AT
                                         CHURCH OF CHRIST CONGREGATIONAL UCC
                                         5 Old Middle Street, Goshen, CT

                                         
February 26 - 10:00 AM - Worship - Lenten Project "Water Wednesdays" begins
Sunday           11:00 AM  - Fellowship
                        11:30 AM  - Sacred Conversation

March 1 -          2:00 PM  - Project: Big Idea Group
- Fellowship Hall

 

OUR LENTEN REFLECTION PROJECT -- "WATER WEDNESDAYS"
Water Wednesdays are coming! 
During the six Wednesdays in Lent (March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and April 5) let’s commit to bringing clean water to those in need by prayingpracticing compassion and giving.  By drinking only water on these Wednesdays (and forgoing our usual coffee, juice, hot cocoa, etc.), and donating what we would usually spend on other beverages to our chosen charity, Pure Water for the World, we take small but important steps to care for “the least of these”.  Please contact Fran Herman (860-379-0327 or franceshermanrd@hotmail.com) to make your Water Wednesday pledge and to receive a Water Wednesday “kit”. 
ALL COMMITTEES PLEASE TAKE NOTE!  
It is now three months since our Annual Meeting. Please don't forget to submit any upcoming events or information BY EMAIL to our church office with a copy to Pastor Kristie. THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY NOON!!! We hope by setting this deadline we will be able to get your projects, news, and events published in the News for the Pews Newsletter and onto the church calendar the next day, Thursday, including, in the upcoming weeks, a calendar insert for the worship bulletin.  Your support and collaboration in this effort is deeply appreciated!
MISSIONS FOLLOW UP MEETING -
PROJECT: BIG IDEA -
  • Our first "Project:  Big Idea" meeting for growing the church will March 1st at 2pm. Please speak to Donna for details at 860-485-4744.


BOOK GROUP - 
  • Our books have arrived for our reading group! We have a reading schedule, and meet twice - once about half way through the book and then again at the end. Dates for our in-person discussions will be scheduled soon. If you wish to join in reading along, please speak to Donna and she can give you the schedule. We started reading on the week of Feb. 12th. 
READIN’ AND FREEZIN’ TRIP!
Babies, it’s cold outside! Great time to do some escapist reading! Welcome to our third year of winter read tripping. Will you join us? On Sunday, Feb. 5th, we start reading Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World, by Pastor Max Lucado, America’s (and New York Times) bestselling inspirational author. This acclaimed new book is based upon Philippians 4: 6-7, the most underlined passage in the Bible: 
“Be not anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
We all encounter uncertainty and anxiety, but worry and fear need not control our lives. This book may help you find more joy, clarity, physical renewal and contentment. Anxious for Nothing is a convenient 152 pages (only 11 chapters) in larger typeface, with relevant scriptures and study notes at the end. We plan to read about 30 pages a week for 6 weeks. There’s no “homework” but Missions will offer book discussions at church (fun!).
It’s available as a new paperback on Amazon for $13.50 and also on Kindle and Audible. Or you can buy it from our local Barnes & Noble. Please call Donna Howard (860-738-2207) to get your reading plan outlined below. (Don’t let cost of the book be a roadblock; Missions can help.)
 MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE BEEN "PARTICI-PAINTING"
IN THE UPDATES TO OUR LAVATORIES!
 
The Paint Party Gang will resume work in the Choir Room in the Fellowship Hall on Friday, February 17 at 10:00.  Please contact Dave McCunn for more info: 860-605-7903.
Volunteers are always a blessing!!!!
February 16 -- With the cold and flu season upon us, and still keeping cautious about the spread of Covid and its many variants, we are asking everyone to mask up while in worship or in the building for errands or meetings. We are also asking that If you have had "direct contact" or you or your family is feeling under the weather, we ask that you remain home pursuant to recommended guidelines.  

We are grateful that everyone continues to diligently practicing safety protocols while we worship, enjoy fellowship, and attend church meetings. Kudos to you all your thoughtfulness and diligence that keeps this faith community well!

As always, while we hope we don't have to suspend worship or any of our events, leadership is keeping a close eye on Covid rates in New Hartford and the surrounding area. Numbers of cases are harder to come by with all the home testing and potential non-reporting. We continue to advise everyone to be vigilant, by masking, keeping safe distances, practicing hand washing, using hand sanitizers, and when appropriate, testing.  If eligible and not precluded by underlying medical conditions, I encourage you to vaccinate and get boosters when available.  


If you have any questions about protocols, or have had direct contact, or are not feeling well, please let Sue, Fran or Pastor Kristie know as soon as possible, so appropriate adjustments can be made for the protection of the congregation. 

Also, if you are at home and need a helping hand or feel overwhelmed, please reach out to one of our Deacons for prayers and conversation, or help with organizing appropriate resources.

We pray, with God's help everyone may take care, 

Pastor Kristie
The office hours at North Congregational Church are 
Thursday 12:00 - 4:00 PM. 
If you need assistance, please contact
Deacon of the Month (see above)
or 
Pastor Kristie via email at pastorkristie.northcc@gmail.com
When inclement weather is forecast, the Chair of Deacons, Moderator, and Pastor will decide whether or not to cancel the Sunday service. The closure will be announced on WFSB.com and on Channel 3. An email from the church will also be sent out.  
Copyright © 2023 North Congregational Church UCC, All rights reserved.


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