Pastor’s Message

“Restore , our Fortunes, O God”

“Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like
the watercourses in the Negeb . . .”
Psalm 126:4

Psalm 126 rings true for us today. The Psalm calls out to the Lord of all Creation to restore the com- munity’s past fortunes, “like the streams in the Negeb”. The watercourses of the Negeb are dry beds, wadis in the desert, that become overflowing with water in the rainy, Spring season, the season of new life. Negeb is a Hebrew word literally meaning “dry”. The Psalmist’s cry is for a people who have just gone through a ‘dry period’, a life in exile. They have been barren of inspiration, devoid of an animating spirit, bone-dry of vital, spiritual life for such a long time!! The Psalmist prays for a time restored, a time that seems “too good to be true”! The Psalmist pleas to God to replenish people with blessings, of which people can now only remem- ber as a faded dream! This is a desperate thirst for God’s abundance!

We all have known ‘dry periods’ in our lives, but for many, none has been so acute and long-lived as the Pandemic through which we have just come. We wish to feel reinvigorated, restored. As the Psalmist says, “to have our tears become songs of joy”. We hope to have God bless us, so we will have to pinch our- selves to realize it’s true!

Experts are looking at what the Pandemic has left behind – – depression, disillusionment, rage, long- haul suffering, mistrust, and fear. People want to taste the ‘Good Life’ once again, yet there is a lingering uncertainty. As we are calling the groups that have always worked for the health and wholeness of our com- munity, there is a hesitation to begin again. We are experiencing a ‘lag time’, a time when people ‘wait and see’, seemingly unable to act with confidence.

To the author of Psalm 126 it is clear what is needed – – a rebirth of trust, an assurance it’s safe to dream of and act upon new life. The Psalmist realizes this world does not offer this assurance – – it only comes to those who have a true and certain faith in the God of Grace.

Waiting confidently upon our future,     

Rev. John Hughes
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From the Trustees

Hopefully we will see more sun this month, but our lawns are green again!

Thank you to all members who attended the Special Meeting on July 18th, both Zoom and in the church. The trustees had to revise the 2021 budget due to changes with regards to Covid. Now that the church is open, building use can resume. Not all groups are returning; some found new space or are only holding online meetings. If anyone is part of a group that needs space or has an event that could use space and possibly a kitchen, please call Melody.

The Capital Campaign Committee meets regularly and the plans for the church upgrades are coming along. We hope to be able to present all to the congregation in the fall. If anyone has ques- tions at any time, please contact a Trustee and we can go over what we have so far. This dedicated group of church members has been working hard and their efforts are very much appreciated.

The Fryeburg Fair volunteer sign up has gone out via e-mail. Please take a look at it and see if you can plan to help. It takes many to prepare the crisp and man the booth. It is the church’s big- gest fundraiser. If you do not get the e-mails, please call the office and Melody can review with you.

Trustees:
Chair: Anne Getchell
Duddie Andrews,  John Edgerton,  Nancy Irving,  Paul Weld, Tom Workman
Ex-officio member Carl Vitters – Church Treasurer