1 2 B e a c h S t r e e t , S a c o , M a i n e 0 4 0 7 2

P h o n e 2 0 7 - 2 8 3 - 3 7 7 1 w w w . f i r s t p a r i s h s a c o . o r g

Rev. Deborah Breault, Interim Minister deborah@firstparishsaco.org

Kristine Galasyn, Director of Christian Education kris@firstparishsaco.org

Nadeen DeSilva, Office Manager office@firstparishsaco.org

Jacqueline Savage, Choir Director jacqui@firstparishsaco.org

The MessengerFirst Parish Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

The Church with Love &Hope to Share

Bean SupperSaturday, August 11

5-6:30 PM

2018

Church school begins September 9th

Invites you to a Picnic in the Parking Lot on

Sunday, August 12th immediately following

worship services…

“Who’s Going to Pilgrim Lodge”

Kris

As we head into August we realize that September is not far behind. The First Parish Christian Education Team invites any adult to be a church school teacher for our Fall Quarter (Sept, Oct and Nov.). We know that no one wants to miss worship services (there is an 8 AM) but teaching Church school reaps many benefits too. Church school age level classes begin September 9th. Thank you.

F i r s t P a r i s h C h r i s t i a n E d u c a t i o n T e a m a p p r e c i a t e s

y o u r t i m e . Thank you

Blessings,

Church School Registration is already on the website. We hope that parents will help us out by registering children on the church website. We will have hard copies available at church. All parents will need to sign their child(ren)’s registration forms.

Enjoy your summer everyone. Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you on September 9th if not sometime over the summer.

Summer is in full swing and First

Parish has been keeping very busy.

Here is what has been happening

this summer.

Jesus says: “Let the little Children come to me” Matthew 19:14

Helping Lisa Edstrom in the Nursery

For the month of July was:

1st Mary Coyne and Erin Huth

8th Aldene Walters

15th Aldene Walters

22nd Mary Coyne

29th Jo Nancy Gunn

As usual, we have a great group of children, youth and adults attending PL this summer. If you

haven’t registered for a fun camping event at PL it isn’t too late. www.pilgrimlodge.org

This month we have: Aidan Fiske, JoJo Fitzgerald, Sage Guerrette, and Hope Poore

attending Destination Hogwarts. Norma Gorham and grandson, Theo Roberts attending

Grandparent/Grandchildren 2. We also have three families attending Family Camp. The

DiMatteo Family, the Guerrette Family and the Mehlman/Wiggins Family. Have FUN!!!

Wanted:TRAVEL SIZE BOTTLES

You know, the small bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body lotion… the small soaps and tubes of

toothpaste that hotels leave out for occupants. Those…. we need them. See, those are perfect to

give out on Martin Luther King Day. We always have people stopping by the church looking for

these types of items. So while you are on vacation and enjoying nice accommodations please

remember before using those little bottles that for some people that is all they have and can really

use. Thanks for thinking of others in this small but important way.

.

Vacation Bible School

ROLLING RIVER RAMPAGE

was our theme for this summer’s (2018) Vacation

Bible School. VBS, a summer program for children

4years through fifth grade, was held July 9-13 from

9-11:30 AM. . We had a fabulous time filled with

fun, faith, fellowship….and food too.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be

with you.” -Isaiah 43:2

Our VBS team this year included: Marge Belanger,

Peggy Blood, Susan Marston, Nadine Russell,

Aldene Walters and Kris Galasyn. Student helpers

were Ella Marston, Alex Savage and Bella

Fleuraent. Best Team Ever!!!

Our day consisted of Marvelous music with Susan

Marston, Bubbly Bible Stories told by: Peter Gray,

Judy Gray, Marge Belanger and Carol Spencer

Lemay.

Savory snacks prepared by Aldene Walters, Crafts

created with Ella Marston, Science time explored

by Nadine Russell. Recreation and

Reflection/Mission time with Kris Galasyn.

Our service project for the week was making

Sunshine Buckets. These buckets will be given to

shut-ins by our First Parish Calling Committee.

Each bucket contains a note pad, First Parish pen,

bookmark, hard candies, Kleenex pack, a magnet

and hand sanitizer or Chapstick. The children

decorated the buckets and made the bookmarks.

We had 30 children, many of which do not attend

First Parish. What a fabulous mission opportunity

this was. There are pictures from our fun week on

our First Parish website. We hope to see everyone

back next year 2019 for “To Mars and Beyond”

Glory to God, who is able

to do far beyond all that we

could ask or imagine by his

power at work within us! -

Ephesians 3:20

Alma with her Sunshine Bucket!

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

There will be no Women’s Fellowship

Board Meeting for the month of August.

However, we will begin discussing and

organizing for the Gingerbread Fair

scheduled for December 1st at the

September 11th Board Meeting. We

welcome any women of First Parish to

join us. Everyone has some special skill

no matter how small and we would love

you to share that skill with us. Please

come! All are welcome

Seaside Pavilion, OOB...Let’s Gather for:

🎤🎹🎼🎸

“Let’s Hang On!” Frankie Valli tribute band will be performing on Tuesday, 8/14 at 7 pm This group puts on a great show in a fantastic setting. Tickets: $17/Day of show $22. To purchase tickets, visit the showclixwebsite or call 888-718-4253.

The Seaside Pavilion, 8 Sixth St. OOB, ME 934-2024. seasidepavilion.org Parking is available at OOBHS with trolley service to the concert venue.

FYI…. Church Parking Lot News

On Thursday, August 30th, the Top of

the Hill Gang will sweep the parking lot

and repaint the lines and handicap

parking decals. For our safety, and

because the paint will be wet for some

time, it is necessary to close the lot while

we are working.

Therefore, please park in the street

during this time (both sides are

available during the summer). It is

possible that the work will continue to

the morning of the 31st.

We appreciate your cooperation.

FYI… There will be no calendar page this

month. The only two major events are

the Bean Supper and the Picnic in the

Parking Lot. Calendars will return in September

From Deborah’s Desk August 2018

Back when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a boy entered a coffee shop and

sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. “How much is an ice

cream sundae?” he asked. “Fifty cents,” replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied a number of coins in it.

“How much is a dish of plain ice cream?” he inquired. Some people were now waiting

for a table, and the waitress was impatient. “Thirty-five cents,” she said angrily.

The little boy again counted the coins. “I’ll have the plain ice cream.” The

waitress brought the ice cream and walked away. The boy finished, paid the cashier, and

departed.

When the waitress came back to clean up, she swallowed hard at what she saw.

There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies- her tip.

It’s the little things in life that really make the difference! One of the reasons I

like this story so much is because the little boy was not trying to go out of his way to do

something nice for the waitress. He was acting on what he understood to be the right

thing was to do. He had probably seen his parents leaving a tip for the waitress when the

family went out for a meal as well as others in a restaurant doing the same thing. When

he had his chance to act on his own, the natural thing for him to do was to do the right

thing as he understood it, even in his young life. Having a little less for ourselves, so that

others may have what is due them, can too often be a forgotten basic tenant of life.

In these days of so much anxiety and divisiveness, we can be at a loss for what is

the right thing to do in so many circumstances. I truly believe that if are able to take time

and think about the basics of what we know to be true in our lives…..the ways we have

been raised and the ways we’ve tried to raise our children in the right way to live; that the

simple acts of doing the right thing that come naturally to us will be the starting point of

practicing kindness and showing justice. Perhaps this summer, you may have some time

to consider the basic teachings from your own heritage and life experience remembering

and trusting that God is deep within you and will guide you in faithful living as we strive

to live our faith and to make a difference in our world. It really is the little things in life

that matter! Enjoy these summer days with relaxation and renewal, and time with family

and loved ones. Summer blessings to you all,

In Faith,

Rev. Deborah

Search Committee Update...

We would like to thank each of you for your continued positive thoughts and

powerful prayers as we continue our time of discernment.

At this time we are in the process of interviewing the final candidates. As of

7/17/18 we have invited the final 5 candidates for first and/or second

interviews. Those interviews are being carried out through July.

We have posted new charts on the first and second floors to help keep you apprised

of our status.

Your continued positive thoughts and powerful prayers are very much

appreciated.

Blessings and Peace,

Your Search Committee

Music Ministry Music Director: Jacqueline Savage

Senior Choir: The Senior Choir is looking for some new members for the 2018/2019

year! If you feel called to sing and make a joyful noise with the group, please email me.

I have folders for interested members with the calendar of events for next year,

rehearsal times, information about the group, expectations, and pictures of all the fun

we have :)

The first rehearsal back for the Senior Choir will be Thursday September 6th. We will

be preparing to sing on Homecoming Sunday which is September 9th!

A Note from the Music and Arts Team: Jacqui has been dealing with tendonitis in her

right wrist which began right after the birth of her son Gunnar a year ago last June. She

found a teacher who is working with her on new techniques for playing the organ, so

that doing so will not continue to aggravate the tendonitis, since playing the organ

requires more pressure on the wrist. It has been recommended that she discontinue

playing the organ for a few months until she is healed, so Jacqui will play mostly on the

piano for the next two months.

You probably know that the Deacons at First Parish Church are meant to be part of our church’s extravagant welcome. We are charged with preparing the Sanctuary for services, serving communion and assisting the pastor in any way that is needed. There are currently nine active deacons: Norma Gorham, Pam Mohlin, Cheryl Gray, Heather Galasyn, Rick Twomey, Russ Denner, Chris DiMatteo and co-chairs, Dan Carter and Nadine Russell. We would be glad to welcome anyone who feels called to join us and who is willing to commit to the duties involved. Our work has recently been made much easier by the addition of a rotating group of ushers, who pass out bulletins and collect the offering. Deacon Norma Gorham spent a good deal of time inviting people to join this group and then developing a brilliant schedule that integrates these ushers into the deacon rotation. We are so grateful to the following people who have agreed to be ushers (some have already begun to serve!): Brenda MacDonald, Trina Triggs, Marcia Lord, Jim Wheater, Doug and Carole Macrae, Glen Ellen Roth, Maureen O’Donnell, Al and Mary Sicard, Kathleen Larsen, Cathy Baillargeon, and John and Debbie Grew. Thank you so much for giving your time and commitment to First Parish! On another note, don’t be surprised if you get a postcard from one of the deacons inviting you to be a greeter for an upcoming Sunday. Dan Carter and his daughter have designed some unique postcards and Dan himself developed the process, whereby the deacons alternate contacting members and asking them to serve. The deacons feel strongly that being greeted as you come into church is vital to our avowed welcoming spirit. Please respond when you are asked, and be a greeter if at all possible.

Wishing you a blessed August,

Nadine Russell

BeanSupper

First Parish Congregational Church12 Beach Street, Saco

(Corner of Beach & Main Streets)

When: Saturday, August 11, 2017Serving from 5:00-6:30PM

Cost: $8.00 for Adult$4.00 for Children ages 6-12

Children under 6 years old are free

Menu: Pea Beans, Kidney Beans, Hot Dogs,Macaroni & Cheese, Coleslaw, Summer Salads,Brown Bread/Dinner Rolls, Desserts, Beverages

The First Parish Book Club will not meet during the months of July and August, but will resume reading, gathering and socializing in September, Please join us for interesting conversation and fun times

The reading list for the rest of 2018, is as follows:

For more information please contact Glen Ellen Roth at droth@maine.rr.com Book club is sponsored by the Program Development Team.

“Shirley Gibson and Ladies of the First Parish Congregational Church,Thank you so very much for the prayer shawl.I’m sure there will be times when I will find

warmth and comfort from the shawl and the thoughts that are woven within. Sincerely,Sarah Rioux, sister of Mary Brown”

Born in

August 1st Parimala Samuel

August 2ndCarol Spencer-

LemayKevin Levasseur

August 3rdWilliam Robidoux

Lee PerkinsAllison DiMatteo

August 5thDennis Burnham

August 6thPeter Gray

Brett Meiler

August 7thSusan Upham

August 8thLu Downey

Robert Mohlin

August 24thHeather Galasyn

Cheryl Gray

August 25thErin SiulinskiSabena Allen

Elizabeth Johnson

August 26thBenjamin Steva

August 27thPhil Curry

August 28thBeverly Loring

August 29thEvelyn Steva

August 30thRobert CroninYvonne Shaw

August 11thEddie Cook

Jennifer Erickson

August 12thGenevieve LinquistDeborah Nielson

August 13thKyle Wentworth

August 14thJacob Steva

August 17thDavid Lovejoy

Kyle Gray

August 20thSusan Tarver

August 21stEmily Savage

August 22ndPriscilla Kelley

August 23rdPatrice Tripp

August

The MessengerFirst Parish Congregational Church12 Beach StreetSaco, ME 04072