The Lenten Season is here.
Click HERE for the UCC Lenten travel calendar in PDF format. This calendar provides suggested activities to help us travel through the Lenten season together. Activities range from a word of the day, prayers, scriptures, songs, service, and fasting days (going without). To begin, create an altar space in your home, with a simple candle, a cloth, and a small bowl. Having a designated space for prayer in your home helps with centering, slowing the breath and listening for God. Check off the activities as you go. Enjoy the spiritual journey and growing deeper in relationship with God. Let Patty know how you are doing. Feel free to send in a photo of your altar space, an image of God in nature you capture or one of the activities.
| Spiritual Practice this Week- Praying in Color = Praying + Doodling |
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| Draw a shape on paper (cloud,square, spiral), write names of people who need prayers in the shape, add details to the drawing, continue doodling until it feels done. Think of each mark as spending time with God.
If you need a template, click HERE for Lent 2023 Wilderness sheet, and for more info, click HERE. |
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Sunday School – March 19th
Thank you God for always being a light in dark places.
Thank you for being the light of the world.
Come into our hearts and fill us with your light and love.
Thank you for staying with us no matter where we go.
Help us to be kind to others so they can see your light too and feel your love.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Thank you to Dale Noelte for bringing a beautiful message about light to our children and to Judy Cook, Barbara Reece, and the children for bringing the joy and wonder. |
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| Nursery
Yes, we still have Nursery Care. The temporary location will be in the upper left classroom. The Nursery is available on Sunday mornings for our youngest friends, ages infant to Pre-K. It is available to families anytime during the worship service and/or for those who need to be at church before worship for choir practice, Hospitality, Deacons, etc. Becky Peckham and Ashley Barker are both skilled childcare professionals who are highly trained. |
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April Confirmation Gatherings
Here are the Holy Questions we will explore in our April gatherings. Dates are TBD.
- Why did Jesus have to die?
- Who is the Holy Spirit?
On March 15, Mentors and Confirmands gathered for Food, Fellowship, Faith and Fun: A recipe for a wonderful Confirmation Gathering. Thank you to all who participated and contributed to this fabulous evening. |
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| The Confirmation Journey is …
- Connecting with each other – by participating in Gatherings.
- Connecting with Church life- by sharing your gifts, attending worship,/church activities regularly.
- Connecting with Community – by sharing your gifts and serving in the world.
- Connecting with a Mentor – by meeting regularly, attending worship, and serving together.
- Connecting with Jesus – by engaging in sacred stories, worship practices, and discipleship.
- Connecting with the Holy Spirit – by welcoming and being a part of the great mystery.
- Connecting with God – by self-reflecting, prayer, and spiritual practices.
Confirmation Sunday will be in October 2023
The Journey Continues; Connecting with your beliefs, deepening your commitment, sharing your story, and re-affirming your Christian Faith.
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NEAUCE CONFERENCE 2023
This is open to lay leaders, clergy, and anyone interested in hearing new voices beyond the church walls, fellowship, and worship in the woods. Amazing speakers. Beautiful location. Click here for more info, and to read about the amazing speakers. Patty is on the planning team and will be one of the worship leaders. You can register HERE. |
Congrats to Nora and the Portsmouth High School Band!
With much love and light,
Patty Berry,
Minister of Faith Formation & the members of the Christian Education Board
Sara Fullerton, Rob Perry, Barbara Reece,
Ken Scigulinsky, and Carolyn Wiest
“but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them;
for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”" Matt 19:14
Sunday Morning Worship Schedule:
Worship: 10:00 - 11:00
