Minister: Rev. John C. Blair Soloist: Robyn Piper
As you go through the program, please be sure to click on the video links to view each selection. Lyrics sheets and photos will also be included.
TRUSTEE TIDBITS:
Hi, my name is Karen McCune. My job at our little church is to find the ministers for each season. I have had the pleasure of doing this for 25 years! I took over this duty from my Uncle Henry, as we are descendants of Henry Hitt Crane who spearheaded the restoration of our little church in the 1950's. If you've been to our church you may have noticed his picture at the back of the church. I am a summer resident on Pine Island and our family has many wonderful memories of working at the church and attending services, first with my grandfather and then many ministers over the years.
It has been a joy to connect with the many ministers and fun to finally meet some of them in person, as I am not yet able to spend the entire summer here. Several come every year which is a real treat.
I am blessed to work with such great trustees who often give me names of new people to contact to see if they are willing to preach.
This is the close of our season this year, and we look forward to seeing you all, in person, in 2021!
All the best,
Karen M.
SOLO: “For The Beauty Of The Earth” – Robyn Piper
MINISTER’S MESSAGE:
Dear Meredith Friends,
Humor helps in these seriously difficult times. And music helps, as well!
Do you recall the hymn words, 'In Christ there is no East or West, in Him no South or North..."? Would you agree?
Do we still believe, in times of friction and a search for unity and joy, that Christ is present and at work in this unique world... everywhere?
I have ministered in Vermont; northern New Hampshire; and Atlanta, Georgia. Overseas, we have also worked in two states and one territory of Australia for 14 years. (G'day!) We worked in Melbourne, Victoria, Broken Hill, New South Wales (a mining town of 19,000 people in "the Accessible and arid Outback") and Canberra, the multicultural Capitol. My tasks involved hospital chaplaincy; bush pilot as "Flying Padre"/Patrol; and, finally, serving as a local church pastor. Becky worked for 30 years in the travel industry, which allowed us many insights into cultures beyond our own.
I have learned that in isolation, yearnings are fully experienced and examined. Old perceptions are questioned. New terms are defined, values tested and confirmed. Homelessness. Racism. Poverty. White Privilege. Respect. Wisdom. When I sing or play "In Christ there is no East or West", I am comforted that our unique planet has been created, sustained, and transformed over millions of years, and we still are praising God for the beauty and the mystery of our surrounds!
From New Hampshire, USA to New South Wales, Australia-- from Native Americans to Aboriginal first peoples-- we can still learn stewardship for the land, and respect for one another. We need to. We will.
Be safe, and travel well.
HYMN OF THE DAY: “How Great Thou Art”
Clarinet Ensemble: Stacey Baston, Sebrena Leclerc, Lisa McHugh, Patte Morrow, Ron Sibley, and Karen Sticht. (The B flat clarinet section from the New Horizons Band.)
(Please scroll down to view lyrics sheet below video)
CHURCH IMPROVEMENTS 2020:
Even though we have not had services this summer, things are still humming at the Union Church:
Erica Whitcher from Forget Me Not Gardens weeded and mulched our gardens.
The 3D printed Cross, Ball and Base were completed and installed on top of the steeple by Inter-Lakes Builders.
The railing leading to a lower parking area was installed and painted by our trustees Ivor Thomas and Chuck Thorndike.
Our sweet fairy Godmother supplied and planted the urns in front of the door.
Many thanks to everyone! External painting will be our next upcoming project.
SOLO: “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” – Robyn Piper
OFFERTORY: While our doors may be shut and the offertory plate cannot be passed, the work of the Lord is never closed. We continue to invite those who are able to make donations to our historic church. You may do so by mailing a check-- made out to the Union Church of Meredith Neck-- to the Union Church c/o Bev Lapham, PO Box 1748, Meredith, NH 03253. Your donation will help with both the work of the Lord and the maintenance of the building and grounds.
PRAYER CHAIN:
A button has been added at the top of the Union Church Facebook page that will allow you to request to visit the group page for the Union Church Prayer Chain group, where you can then request to join. Once your request is approved you will be able to begin viewing and commenting on existing posts, as well as adding prayer requests of your own. And once you are a member, you can invite others who are Facebook friends of yours to join the group by clicking the “+Invite” button to the right of the group name, just below the cover photo.
We are hopeful that this group will satisfy the need for a community setting— albeit a virtual one— in which members of our little community can request and receive spiritual support from one another as we continue to self-isolate for everyone’s safety.
And lastly, since with this service our season comes to a close…
POSTLUDE: “God Be With You ‘Til We Meet Again” – Robyn Piper