Lamplighter – May/June 2011
Fourth Annual Strawberry Festival
Saturday, June 18, 2011
The “Good Old Summertime” is almost here so it must be time for the Strawberry Festival!!!
On Saturday June 18th, from 11:00AM to 3:00PM the historic Litchfield Presbyterian Church will once again partner with the Litchfield Historical Society to celebrate family, friends and the beginning of summer with the fourth annual old-fashioned Strawberry Festival. The Strawberry Festival brings back memories of bygone days when rural communities gathered to celebrate the seasons and share the fruit of their land.
The Strawberry Festival proudly features delicious homemade strawberry shortcake made with McQuesten Farm’s Litchfield-grown strawberries – and this year we’re adding strawberry covered Belgian waffles to our menu! As always, you can enjoy “The Reverend’s World Famous” sausage grinders, hotdogs, soft drinks, and an amazing array of baked goods. Dine in the shade of an old maple tree or at a picnic table on the banks of the beautiful Merrimack River. There will be games for the kiddies, raffle tickets, cookbooks for sale and much more.
2011 is the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the American Civil War, and in recognition of the date, the Historical Society’s old town hall building will be open from 12:00 to 3:00 PM, and will feature a marvelous display of Civil War era artifacts. As a special treat, members of the 5th New Hampshire Volunteer Regiment of Civil War re-enactors will be on hand with a living history presentation of an authentic Civil War encampment. The 5th NH Regiment will also be “recruiting” the children to teach them some real Civil War marching and drills!
We are really looking forward to our fourth annual Strawberry Festival and the planning is already well under way. Below is a list of areas in which we’ll need help. Please let us know if you would like to pitch in! Sign-up sheets will be circulated in the church on the next few Sunday mornings.
- Strawberry picking, hulling and slicing (Friday Before)
- Shortcake baking
- Serving Strawberry Shortcake and waffles – yum!
- Famous Sausage Grinders – cooking and serving
- Soda and water selling
- Setup/Cleanup
- Bake Sale Items – Baking and Selling
One of the goals of the Strawberry Festival is to raise money for the continuing mission of the church, but we also want to have some good old-fashioned fun and celebrate our wonderful community and our little country church! So please… join us for a great day and spread the word!
Pastor Steve Quinlan
Memorial Day Parade
Our church will be taking part in this year’s Memorial Day festivities on Monday, May 30. There will be a parade from the Litchfield Middle School down Pinecrest Road, and up Charles Bancroft Highway to the Litchfield Historical Society building (on the other side of the fire station, opposing the church). Line up for the parade starts at 9:30 a.m. and the parade will proceed at 10:00 a.m. Our Rev. Quinlan will be delivering the invocation and benediction for the services. This year the focus for the service will be on the Civil War, as this is the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the conflict. There will be an exhibit of Civil War artifacts at the historical society. The Campbell High School orchestra and chorus will have a special musical tribute of historic music and songs. Also, Jacob McQuesten will deliver a tribute to Capt James F. McQuesten, 1861 graduate of West Point, who was killed in 1864, and is buried beneath his monument near the side entrance of the church.
Vacation Bible School in Londonderry
Looking for something fun for your children, ages 4 – 11 to do this summer? How about “PandaMania” Vacation Bible School at Londonderry Presbyterian Church. From June 27th through July 1st, there will be daytime activities including amazing crafts, lip-smacking snacks, fun Bible adventures, incredible music, and wild games. Please register by June 13. Visit www.lpcnh.net for more information and a printable registration form.
Deacons Yard Sale
The Deacons Yard Sale is scheduled for Aug. 13, 2011 so we will begin collecting items for the Deacons Yard Sale as of May 29th 2011. We ask that you leave any items inside the hall to the basement at the right side of the church. If you require assistance with larger pieces please call ahead at 424.6057 and arrange for what ever assistance you may require. God Bless.
Deacon Mrs. B. Joan Franklin
Eagle Scout Projects
We currently have two Eagle Scout projects in the planning stages:
- Bradley Johnson will undertake the construction and installation of built-in storage cabinets in the choir room. These will cover the entire west wall of the room and will replace the rickety and mismatched metal cabinets presently there. The cabinets will be of sturdy plywood construction and will be painted to match the room. These will be a great improvement to the church.
- Painting of the storage building on the north lawn of the church. Did you know that this small building was constructed in 1856 and originally served as the “hearse house” – for the storage of the church’s horse drawn hearse. It was later converted to an outdoor privy and finally to its present use as a general storage building. The Eagle Scout will repair damaged wood, level the building, scrape, prime, paint and install a stone border around the building – all with sensitivity to the building’s historic character.
You Say… God Says
You say: It’s Impossible.
God says: All things are possible.(Luke 18:27)
You say: I’m too tired.
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: Nobody really loves me.
God says: I love you. (John 3:16 and John 3:34)
You say: I can’t go on.
God says: My grace is sufficient. (II Corinthians 12:9 and Psalm 91:15)
You say: I can’t figure things out
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: I can’t do it.
God says: You can do all things. (Philippians 4:13)
You say: I’m not able.
God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: It’s not worth it.
God says: It will be worth it. (Romans 8:2)
You say: I can’t forgive myself.
God says: I forgive you. (I John 1:9 and Romans 8:1)
You say: I can’t manage.
God says: I will supply all your needs. (Philippians 4:19)
You say: I’m afraid.
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear. (II Timothy 1:7)
You say: I’m always worried and frustrated.
God says: Cast all your cared on me. (I Peter 5:7)
You say: I don’t have enough faith.
God says: I’ve given everyone a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3)
You say: I’m not smart enough.
God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: I feel alone.
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)
Some Frequently Asked Questions*
About Recent Changes in the Ordinations Standards in the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Some of you may have heard that the PC (USA), our parent denomination, has adopted some changes in the standards for the ordination of Deacons, Elders and Ministers. Here are some frequently asked questions, the answers to which may help explain what is going on.
What has happened?
In July 2010, the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approved a proposed amendment to the PC(USA) Constitution, regarding ordination standards. As with all constitutional changes, the amendment had to be ratified by a majority (87) of the PC(USA)’s 173 presbyteries (regional bodies) for it to become part of the constitution. It has achieved that majority of votes and in July 2011, the PC(USA) constitution will be amended. The Presbytery of Northern New England, to which our church belongs, voted in favor of the amendment.
What will change?
The following provision that is currently in the Book of Order (G-6.0106b) will be changed:
Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.
The new language (Amendment 10-A) will read:
Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation (G-14.0240; G-14.0450) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003). Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.
What does this mean?
- Ordaining bodies continue to retain the right and responsibility to determine their own memberships. A congregation continues to elect their deacons and elders and the session examines them for suitability of office. Likewise, presbyteries examine individuals for suitability to be ordained as ministers of the Word and Sacrament.
- A person in a same-gender relationship can be considered for ordination as deacon, elder, or Minister of the Word and Sacrament.
- All other church wide standards for ordination remain unchanged. (There was never a prohibition against a person being ordained based on sexual orientation, as long as that person was celibate.)
What’s next?
The new standards will take effect on July 10, 2011. Already, the change has energized many conversations all across the PC(USA) about how we can best enable the gifts of those called to service in Christ’s church while maintaining mutual respect for each other’s integrity. Your session has reviewed our processes for examination of candidates and anticipates no sweeping changes here in Litchfield. We will continue to approve candidates on a case-by-case basis according to the merits and qualifications of the individual candidate. For more detailed information and additional resources go to: http://oga.pcusa.org. If you have specific questions or would like to discuss this further, please feel free to contact Pastor Steve or any member of the Session.
*This article is adapted from a PC(USA) publication entitled “Frequently Asked Question about Amendment 10-A”
Birthdays
May 6: Wayne Hilson
May 11: Joan Hall
May 13: Lynda Sommer
May 21: Nadine Collins
May 31: Tara Hershberger
June 14: Terry Jefferson
June 17: Melanie Quinlan
June 17: Alison Rivera
June 23: Stephanie Marsden
June 25: Kim Tinkham
June 25: Esther Edwards
June 26: Greg Lepine
July 15: Amanda Murray
July 18: Betty Scofield
July 25: Jessica McQuesten
