FIRST PARISH CHURCHFirst Parish United Church of Christ (Congregational)

P.O. Box 228, 176 West High Street, Somersworth, NH 03878-0228Rev. Mark Rideout, Pastor

Church Office: (603) 692-2057www.somersworthfirstparish.org

firstparishsomersworth@myfairpoint.net

This was another busy month for the Diaconate. Our monthly meeting in February was delicious! The outgoing Deacons: Geoff Day, Priscilla Chellis, Dave Stolpe plus Pastor Mark cooked a light supper for all - soup, salad, homemade bread, and yummy dessert, after which we got down to business.

We had a long discussion regarding our participation in Paul Nickerson's coaching on "Reaching New People", and "Church Vitality". Several ideas were suggested, such as visiting new neighbors with a welcome basket from the church family, perhaps containing some cookies, a pair of tickets to the Spaghetti Supper, the newsletter, etc. We could get out in the community to be more visible, such as a small group for breakfast at a local restaurant and have a Bible Study. Teaching a beading class, and advertising it as a free offering to anyone. It could be held at the church on an evening.

A New Member session will be held on March 9th. New members will be received on March 30th.

Lent is fast approaching. Ash Wednesday is March 5th. We are already planning for the Easter season. If someone could take charge of the Good Friday Prayer Vigil, please speak to one of the Deacons or Pastor Mark. Many have expressed how important it is to them.

It's coming - Ash Wednesday, Lent, Good Friday, EASTER, HOPE, JOY, warmer weather. No snow! I can hardly wait!

Nancy McDonough for the Diaconate

The Trustees composed the Deficit Reduction Appeal letter which will be mailed to the congregation this month. The reason for the letter is the $23,000 deficit the church is facing. It is hoped that all church members and friends participate in this effort.

The trustees thanked Mike Watman for his years of guidance and service to strengthen our church community.

We welcomed Cynthia Jutrus and Jeff Libby to the Board of Trustees. Their stewardship and insight is greatly appreciated .

Please prayerfully consider how you might help our church reduce the deficit.

With thanks for your continued support.

SNOW SNOW SNOW and then there was MORE SNOW!

I think we have seen enough! A big THANK YOU to those persons keeping our Church accessible.

Time to think SPRING! A lawn mowing sign-up sheet will be posted (soon)...

The elevator passed inspection and a new battery back-up pack was installed.

The B&G team is looking forward to the warm weather and keeping up with the maintenance of our Church and parsonage. If anyone notices an area needing our attention please don't hesitate to inform a committee member.

Patty and Marc Cote are doing it again! Heading up two yard sales this year! Hooray! Dates: June 21 and October 4.

B&G Committee:Dean MartinJoe FortierJeff Libby

Leadership Listing for 2014 is included in this newsletter. You will note that there are a few openings on committees. If you feel called to serve, please speak with Moderator, Rich Whitten, as the Church Council serves as the Nominating Committee.

New Members will be received into covenant membership during morning worship on Sunday, March 30th. Some interested folk have already attended an information session. Another session is being offered on Sunday, March 9 at 1PM in the Chapel. Information packets will be available on the Narthex table. If you are interested in knowing more about First Parish Church, speak with any of the Deacons, or with Pastor Mark, and do plan on attending on 3/9/14.

Nancie Cameron [healing]; Pete Daley [health] Bette Daley’s husband; Bea Gardner [healing]; Roger & Tosh Horton [health]; Cathy Kitterman [healing]; Al Loika [health]; Toni Rhode [health]; Bill Voye [healing], Rev. Tom Clark, Tri-City Covenant Church [healing]; Rev. Debra Pratt-Peckham, 1st Congregational Church, Farmington [healing].

AND ongoing prayer focus during these days:* For our Carroll-Strafford Association Churches, and specifically in March, * First Parish Church, Dover, NH, and their pastor, Rev. Mike Bennett.* For safety and serenity to surround the Armed Forces and those serving in support capacities.* That God will bless and guide our Conference Minister, Rev. Gary Schulte, and Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Richard Slater, and the UKAMA Partnership with the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe.* For the presence of God’s living Spirit to guide us into transforming change as disciple in our world.* That the Spirit will guide us as we continue to share, and involve our church to reach new people with the gospel message, through church coaching and outreach.

Ministry of Prayer and Concern

Nancy Ainsworth, Edgewood Center, 928 South St., Portsmouth, NH 03801Lucille Berry, Studley Home, 15 Eastern Ave., Rochester, NH 03867 335-1241Marion Burnham, Dover Center for Health and Rehabilitation, 307 Plaza Driver, Dover, NH 03820Bertha Carr, Rockingham County Nursing Home, 117 North Road, Brentwood, NH 03833 Peggy Goodrow, Clipper Harbor at Portsmouth, 188 Jones Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801 Bob Philbrick, Berwick Estates, 75 Portland St., So. Berwick, ME 03908Elinor Ridlon, Langdon Place of Dover, 60 Middle Road, Dover, NH 03820Gladys Dolby, Mona Faucher, Janet Giffin, Dorothy Storms, Bernice Stucker,Wentworth Home, 795 Central Ave., Dover, NH 03820

--and all who are residents in long-term care and assisted living facilities in our area. Please do send your cards and greetings.

Prayer Concerns may be added to the active Prayer List by: using a Prayer Card in worship; submitting in writing to the Church Office, or contacting those on the Prayer Group. Prayer Group members include: Sue Boucher [603-617-6949], Bertha Carr, Dottie Douglas [603-332-6113] and Fran Karlik [603-330-3724]. Names/concerns shared with the group are held until the next quarterly meeting of the group unless asked to keep the name on.

Christian Sympathy is extended to the families of:

Ferne C. Fogg, who passed away on January 17. Please remember her son, Don & Patricia Fogg, and family in prayer.

Scott Glidden, who passed away at age 45 on February 18 from ALS-Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Remember his family, including wife Stephanie, and children Amber, Lindsey and Eric and In-laws, Butch & Sue Boucher in prayer.

May the deep peace of the Lord surround these families.

“God can do anything, you know—far more thanyou could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! God does it not by pushing us around, but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.” Ephesians 3:20 The Message

Dear Ones:

First Parish Church has started a journey as we begin the Reaching Out to New People Church Coaching for the coming year. Your Deacons voted an active involvement, Church Council accepted the recommendation, and the Church gathered at Annual Meeting approved this direction. At the Annual Meeting, Kathy Latchaw presented a power-point presentation (which she had created), “Moving our Congregation Forward.” (Paper copies are available in the Narthex). Check it out!

I shared, through my 2013 Annual Report, the following:Church is changing. This has come to my awareness in a variety of ways, not the least of which is a decided shift from printed communication to include the use of social media to share the good news of the Gospel. Church is changing. What some of us have known and cherished, have experienced and found sustaining is being shared and experienced quite differently than just a ‘traditional’ organ and anthem worship. Church is changing. Church has changed!

We believe we are being asked by God’s loving Spirit to experience new growth as we work together. Being disciples of Jesus Christ, “leads up into paths we would not choose for ourselves.” We believe God is guiding us to take a Spirit-filled leap of faith to build up our church as we share the power of the Good News.

Again, from my Annual Report:With change comes the opportunity for learning, a deeper awareness and experience of God’s living Spirit, a challenge to connect more deeply with our community. For me, a particular challenge is understanding what technology can do to build community for Christ, while keeping the sense of face to face-ness that has been a touchstone of the Body of believers since the disciples first gathered. A generous sub-committee has initiated revamping our church website, participation in Facebook, continuation of our printed newsletter: all these representing the “face” of First Parish Church.

To assist us in being faithful to change that needs to take place, again, your Deacons and I looked outside ourselves, participating in a church coaching workshop lead by Rev. Paul Nickerson. We sent a group of four people [Laurel Curtis, Brenda Davidson, Geoff Day, and myself] for a two-day program. We were inspired and scared and invigorated to be with 19 other United Church of Christ congregations from New Hampshire and Maine. We heard new strategies, and came back to share what we had heard. Your Deacons agreed to on-going, active commitment to this next full year of cluster coaching.

We are at present implementing strategies, developing leadership to fully use gifts and graces, and to allow me to use my time in new and unfolding ways to network and build relationships in our community.

Again, from my Annual Report:This will entail some distinct changes in how we have done ministry together. One change is a commitment that I, as your pastor, spend 20% of my time out in the community. Guidance is offered as to the how and what; the why is to connect with our neighbors. In a similar way, beginning with your Deacons, they will begin to expand their reaching out with member-guest activities. Again, this is a strategy to engage neighbors, and build relationship, and ultimately, share the Good News, and invite these neighbors into our church community. We will all play a part in connecting for the Gospel! You, our wider congregation, will participate and learn these strategies, for your on-going, active commitment will naturally follow, and is vital to our vitality. As Apostle Paul reminded the church at Ephesus: God can do anything!

Be assured you will be asked to play a part in the changes that feed vitality and transformation in the days ahead.

May God guide us as we bring Christ’s light and love into our world. ~ Pastor Mark

The Women's Fellowship had their annual meeting and voted to have Kathy Latchaw continue as President, Luise Watman will be the Vice President, Janice Wentworth the Secretary, and Robin Hamel the Treasurer. We set the dates for the "Spring Fling" which is going to be April 5th. We are looking for new ideas for this fair. So, if you have a craft or you knit or sew, please don't hesitate to let one of us know. Also, there will be a basket table. More information will be coming on that. We have set the date for the Holly Daze Fair. It is going to be November 1st. There is interest in having an evening gathering of women who can't get to the morning group. Please let Kathy Latchaw know if you would be interested in being a part of that so a day and time can be set up. There was an outing on Feb 12th to Hobby Lobby in Manchester. What an amazing place! We had such a good time that we all agreed more outings will be planned this year! We are looking for ideas of places to go. We have so many women gather for fellowship, sharing ideas and doing various crafts on Tuesday mornings. Hopefully, we can have another group get together in the evening starting very soon."Take a leap of faith", and please join us. Let's see where the Lord leads us.

ALL ARE WELCOME!!

SUNDAY SCHEDULESunday Worship - 10:00 AMSunday School - 10:00 AMFellowship Time Follows WorshipHoly Communion is celebrated on the firstSunday of each month.Ministers: The People of the ChurchPastor: Rev. Mark A. RideloutChristian Education Coordinator:Susan VollkommerModerator: Richard WhittenCo-Clerks: Patty Cote & Debbie HallTreasurer: Linda FarrellAssistant Treasurer: Richard ShepherdOraganist/Choir Director: Bette DaleyNewsletter Team: Debbie Hall-Editor,Brenda Davidson-Calendar, Luise Watman-Birthdays/Anniversaries/Email Addresses

Our monthly newsletter can be accessedentirely online! Check it out: www.somersworthfirstparish.orgPaper copies are available in the Narthex. If you prefer to have the newsletter sent to you in the mail, please send $20 with your name and address to: First Parish Church, P.O Box 228, Somersworth, NH 03878, Attn: Newsletter Editor.

If you want to add or change your birthday, anniversary or email address information, please email any updates to lcwatman@comcast.net or just speak to Luise Watman.

If you would like to add an article to the newsletter, please email kenanddebhall@comast.net or give Debbie a copy in person.

Items to be put in the newsletter’s calendar should be given to Brenda Davidson or emailed to her atbirdsdavidson@comcast.net.

The deadline for newsletter and calendar items is always at noon on the 3rd Friday of each month.

After experiencing several recent storms, it was nice to end a warm sunny day with a delicious spaghetti meal and an evening with friends at our February supper. Thank you to everyone who helped make the February supper a success! With your help, we donated $633.50 to the church's general fund. New volunteers are always welcome. If you are interested in helping make the sauce, a dessert or help during a supper, please sign up on the sheet that is passed around during worship service on Sundays or talk with one of the committee members: Tom Allen, Patty Cote, and Debbie Hall

March 2, 2014Last Sunday after Epiphany

Transfiguration SundayLiturgical Color: Green

Exodus 24:12-18Psalm 2 or Psalm 99

2 Peter 1:16-21Matthew 17:1-9

March 9, 2014First Sunday in Lent

Liturgical Color: PurpleGenesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

Psalm 32Romans 5:12-19Matthew 4:1-11

March 16, 2014Second Sunday in LentLiturgical Color: Purple

Genesis 12:1-4aPsalm 121

Romans 4:1-5, 13-17John 3:1-17 or Matthew 17:1-9

March 23, 2014Third Sunday in LentLiturgical Color: Purple

Exodus 17:1-7Psalm 95

Romans 5:1-11John 4:5-42

March 30, 2014Fourth Sunday in LentLiturgical Color: Purple

1 Samuel 16:1-13Psalm 23

Ephesians 5:8-14John 9:1-41

LENT BEGINS. The 40 day season of the church year, Lent, begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5th. We will gather for worship with our friends AT THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, BERWICK, ME. Worship begins at 7PM. The 40 days that follow become an opportunity, a possibility, a definite “set aside time”, for God, and God alone. Our Lenten journey is a parallel of the 40 days of Jesus in the wilderness. As we reflect on our lives, this will prepare our hearts for Easter. Our joy on Resurrection Day is personal, it is born in community transformation as disciples of the Risen Christ. Look into Scripture, spend time in prayer, be a part of weekly worship on Sunday and then to put into active response the “edge”, the places where changes in daily life bring depth to your spirit, all guided by God’s Spirit. To help with your Lenten preparations, Lenten Devotionals will be available in the Library area beginning on Sunday, March 2nd.

JEREMIAH: ADULT STUDY FOR LENT We will focus on the Old Testament book of Jeremiah. There will be two venues to participate: Wednesday Evenings, March 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9 6:30-8PM AT Leaven [a local restaurant] 44 Market St., Somersworth, NH. You will have opportunity to purchase coffee, or another beverage, an perhaps try some of their homemade breads, pretzels, or some other menu item. This location is a direct effort to bring our church life into the community. Thursday Mornings, March 6, 13, (NOT 20th), 27, April 3, 10 9-10:30AM in the Chapel. Pastor Mark will be leading and asks that you pick up handouts when you do advance sign-up, begin reading Jeremiah, and come on-time, prepared with your Bible, paper, pen.

ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP, March 5th, 7PM, will be held at the United Methodist Church, Berwick, ME. First Parish UCC and the UMC, Berwick, have shared Ash Wednesday for many years; just as we will on Good Friday AT First Parish UCC. Come, join in this time of focused reflection on Scripture, Praise, Prayer and Reflection.

March 2 Kaleigh Richer

March 6 Justin Kitterman

March 7 Doris Hayden

March 9 Priscilla Chellis

March 14 Becky Scribner

March 20 Gail Day

March 22 Doug & Kelly Whitten (Anniv)March 23 Robie MacRae

March 24 Genevieve Allen

March 28 Don Whitten, Susan Sargent, Jamie Conley

United in Marriage

Eric Chellis and Stefanie Roderick were united in marriage on January 25th, son of Fred & Priscilla Chellis. May God’s richest blessing be with this newly married couple.

Happy Birthday to Doris Hayden, who will turn 105 years old on March 7, 2014. You are invited to send birthday greetings to Doris Hayden, c/o Thomas Hayden, 2325 Bluegill Court, St. Augustine, FL 32092-2433

New Hampshire Conference, United Church of Christ has an ongoing website. There is much information on the website, and in particular, links to resources that support our shared life. This website is an important tool for the work of the church at every level—Conference, Association, and local Church. Please take a moment to visit it at www.nhcucc.org By making contact through the conference link, you can easily sign up to receive the weekly Conference e-newsletter. You may also want to subscribe to the Stillspeaking Devotional, a daily e-mail, with a right to the point scripture and message. The link is dailydevotional@ucc.org

A Place at the Table Community Screening of this thought provoking documentary which examines the“economic, social and cultural” implications of hunger in American. Learn why so many people struggle with food insecurity, and how lack of healthy and affordable food options affects population health. The film is 84 minutes, and discussion will follow. This is free and open to the public on Wednesday, March 26, 6PM at Frisbie Memorial Hospital’s Community Education & Conference Center located on the hospital campus. Registration is required: 603-330-7999 or visit frisbiehospital.com/calendar. Your Mission Committee is also anticipating a screening of this movie here at First Parish Church.

Copies of the updated Committee and Officers list is available in the Narthex. If you are not able to get one at the church, email Pastor Mark at pastor@somersworthfirstparish.org or Debbie Hall at kenanddebhall@comcast.net. We would be glad to email it to you.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Soup Luncheon such a success. The fishbowl banks are to help the children become more aware of making healthy eating choices. Hopefully parents can put a few coins in the bank when the children make a healthy snack choice, or eat a healthy meal. The money can then be placed in the ARK on any Sunday morning. The money is being sent to Heifer International to help families in need become self sufficient. The banks, although very cute, need some improvements. We would like the children to decorate their banks. We would like to see them use their imagination when they decorate them. They can use paint, stickers, glue, anything they can dream up. Have fun and be creative!! The contest ends on March 30, and there will be prizes!!!

IT'S FINALLY HERE... the cookie walk will be held on Sunday March 16 following Worship. We are looking for your favorite cookie, Use your imagination! Do you make a gluten free cookie? Do your grandkids beg for your cowboy cookie? Does your spouse drool over your snickerdoodle? Do you have a cookie recipe with no eggs or butter? Get out your cookie recipes that you haven't tried in a while. Bring in 4 dozen homemade cookies for our "Your Favorite Cookie" Cookie Walk. At the Cookie walk you can purchase 2 dozen assorted cookies for only $5.00. The money raised will help send our youth to summer camp.

Blessings from your CE Committee, Vonnie Libby, Julie Mathews, Angie Richer, Rachel Fournier, and Sue Vollkommer

Greetings, We had our last meeting on Saturday, February 1st. We started with some fresh coffee, doughnuts and some spirited conversation. The Winter Olympics were in Sochi, Russia and the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks played in the Super Bowl. We all know how that came out. On the Business end, we talked about our finances and plans for more fund raisers. We will revisit this in the next few months as the weather gets a bit warmer. We voted on the Elected Officials for 2014. We all agreed to keep it the same. Dave Stolpe as President, Dave Hamel as Vice President, and Rich Whitten as Treasurer. After the meeting, we helped set up for the Marianne Roberge 100th Birthday Party and came back to help clean up. Thanks to all who helped make this a success. The Events we talked about were the annual Womens Breakfast with a special guest musical group. Also another night out at the Hackmatac Playhouse. Both of these events were a great success last year and we hope to have another good turnout. We will announce dates and times and have sign-up sheets available when we get organized. As always, we encourage growth in our group and invite anyone interested to join us and see what we are all about. Also to enjoy the best Breakfast in town. The next meeting will be March 8th at 8:30am in the Church Hall. Come join us and bring a friend. We hope you all had a safe and happy Winter and pray for an early Spring.

Respectfully submitted by Dave Hamel for "Da Boys"

A little Trivia from the Music Committee

The History of “Jesus Loves Me.”

“Jesus Loves Me” is a Christian hymn set to words by Anna Bartlett Warner. The lyrics first appeared as a poem in the context of a novel called Say and Seal, written by Susan Warner and published in 1860, in which the words were spoken as a comforting poem to a dying child. The tune was added in 1862 by William Batchelder Bradbury who found the text of “Jesus Loves Me” in that book. Along with his tune, Bradbury added his own chorus “Yes, Jesus Loves me, Yes, Jesus Loves me. After publication the song became one of the most popular Christian hymns in churches around the world.

On Sunday March 30, following Worship, the Mission Committee is hosting a chicken dinner. We will be serving baked chicken legs, rice pilaf, and a vegetable. The cost of the dinner will be $5 per person, or $20 for a family of four or more. The Mission Committee is raising money for the Heifer International project that is done in conjunction with CE committee. Our goal is to raise money to send to help families learn to fish. The family is given baby fish, called fingerlings, and instruction in fish farming techniques. By being able to operate a fish farm, families are able to provide themselves with healthy meals, and they can also sell the fish for an income, providing their community with a healthy food option. The cost of a share of fingerlings is $30. Our goal is to raise enough money to be able to provide at least six or eight shares of fingerlings for Heifer International. Please join us on March 30th for a delicious meal, and a chance to help those who need it the most.

The United Church of Christ is inviting us to join in a one day initiative to "March Forth on March 4th" with simple acts of justice work. In this one day effort it is hoped that together we can raise awareness of justice issues around the world. In this one day each person can choose how they can improve the lives of people in their community, the nation, or the world. The Mission Committee has decided that as a church we will try and help those in our community. We are asking if on March 4th everyone who comes to church bring with them one canned food item for the food pantry. Please place your food item in the blue Food Pantry box in the Narthex.

The One Great Hour of Sharing will be collected on Sunday, March 30th. One Great Hour of Sharing provides support to health, education, refugee, agricultural, and emergency relief initiatives in 138 countries by working with local, national, and international partners. This offering helps families displaced by natural disaster or political unrest to receive food, shelter, and a safe place to live. It helps to provide food and clean water to those who are suffering from drought or famine. We may not be able physically to meet these needs in person, but our gifts go together to help assist others. As you make your offering on March 30th, remember the many ways your gift brings joy. Share prayerfully and cheerfully knowing that you are not only sharing your resources, you are helping to change lives. Thank you.