East Orrington Congregational Church April / May 2025

Pen of Power

To download the latest edition of the Pen of Power click HERE!
For earlier issues, go to the ARCHIVES page.

To My Church Family With Love

“Having gifts that differ to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in teaching; the one who exhorts, in exhortation; the one who contributors, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." Romans 12:6-8

Do you hear the church bell ringing?

It’s a typical Sunday morning at the white-steepled church on the hill. The bell chimes out its’ invitation. East Orrington Congregational Church is open. We are family and we share a living faith. There is happy conversation. We tell our stories and laugh together. We support and comfort each other in times of need. And we reach out to visitors and newcomers – a beacon on love and faith for those who need safe harbor. We are EOCC and we walk in faith – learning, growing: better and stronger for sharing. Come: join us on our journey. The bell rings for all.

Do you hear the choir singing their hymns of grateful praise?

They sing with joyful faith and fill our hearts with gratitude. The walls of EOCC ring with the music of the spheres. We who sit in the pews are recipients of faith-set-to-music whenever the choir, featured quartets and soloists, the Chime  Choir, instrumentalists, organist and children present their gifts to us. Is yours a gift of music?

Have you seen the children and the candles?

“The Light of Christ” they bring into the sanctuary every Sunday – their faces filled with the intensity of their sacred  assignment? A child offers the prayer-of-gratitude when are offerings are presented at the altar. And at the end of the  service, watch the children join our pastor as he carries the “Light of Christ” from the sanctuary “out into the world”. Our children sing of God’s love for us; they present their Christmas pageant; and on Palm Sunday, they present their gifts of palms to each and every one of us. Our children are welcomed into a life of faith with baptism, confirmation and church membership. Faithful teachers guide them on their journeys; and our Sunday School echoes with the sound of happy  children immersed in creative learning. Our children are our future: a sacred blessing to our church.

Have you met our youth and teens?

With the guidance of our Youth Ministry Director, they’re discovering the power of faith in changing lives. They are  valued, encouraged and challenged to explore the talents within themselves. We rejoice in our ability to provide a place for them to develop their faith journeys. How wonderful to see them reaching out in support of one another and in service to others. They work with other church youth groups and demonstrate their collective values working at local soup kitchens. They share their gifts of music at special events, and willingly assist whenever and wherever they are needed. Our youth are valued and we are blessed.

Where do we find our women – How do they serve our faith?

We find them everywhere: in the Memorial Garden planting flowers to honor souls no longer with us. They’re in the  Board Room providing leadership for our endeavors. They are teachers in our classrooms, and both participants and leaders in our book and Bible studies. They put the ‘fellowship’ in Fellowship Hall – planning, decorating, cooking and welcoming all who come for church suppers, Christmas Fair, wedding receptions and end-of-life memorial  gatherings. They organize art classes, Christmas Shoe-Box packing sessions, seniors’ exercise classes and ladies’ time-out sessions designed to share our faith, our joys and our burdens in an environment of love and trust. Together in true friendship, we develop and bring out the best in each other. And the joys we share bring peace and comfort to our  hearts. Each woman is a blessing to our lives.

Will you join the vibrant journey our men now chart in faith?

Always the protectors of our church edifice, our men have expanded their mission to embrace the personal and shared exploration of their spiritual walk and relationship with God. Leaning into their vulnerabilities, they’re developing a welcomed sense of trust in each other. And at the same time, they’re discovering a growing strength within themselves. They are pillars of support for one another. Make no mistake here, these men are still EOCC’s watchmen, but now they also focus on the development of their inner gifts – the realization of the best each has to give. The gifts-of-self they share with their church family are treasured blessings.

Too many blessings to count?

How fortunate we are to have this sacred home. A place where truth, grace, forgiveness, charity and love abide. God gave us the ultimate gifts of forgiveness-of-sin and the promise of eternal life. He sacrificed His son for us. Let us consider the measure of our gratitude. Do you have time to share? Do you have talents to give? What part of your treasures, however large or small, will you commit to the work of God at East Orrington Congregational Church? Our work is not done. The need to bring light and love to a weary world grows larger every day. The need is here. The need is now. Please join us with your weekly, monthly or annual pledge of support. God, our Heavenly Father, guides and blesses all of us.

Let us count our blessings. Let us consider our gifts that we all have, may we continue to share.

To my church family with love, Nancy Dysart.