Carrying the Cross

This year we incorporated something new into our Holy Week Events.  On Good Friday, we took a life size cross and carried it just as Jesus did.  We then planted it in the ground on the shores of Harvey Lake, in the same spot that we hold our Sunrise Service.

Here are some pictures of us carrying the cross and then planting the cross in the ground.

Easter Sunrise Service

Just a few pictures of our youth leading the Easter Sunrise Service at the edge of Harvey Lake. 

 

Lent and Holy Week

Palm Sunday - March 20  
Blessing of the Homes
We will travel to your home, car or garden and offer an Easter blessing.  This is a tradition from Spain where they lay palms across their walkway to indicate a blessing is desired.  Here in Northwood and in the digital age, send an email to ncc@myfairpoint.net to request your blessing.

Maundy Thursday - March 24  
Soup and Bread Dinner 6:00 pm 
Join us for a simple soup and bread supper.
Tennebrae Service and Communion    7:00 pm 
We will re-create a garden in the room under the Sanctuary for communion service and a very powerful retelling of the betrayal and death of Jesus.

Good Friday - March 25  
Carrying Jesus' Cross    7:00 pm
New to us this year, we will take turns carrying a life-size cross from the church through the playing fields of Coe Brown, ending with a brief service as the cross is planted in the ground.  Be prepared with outdoor clothes and shoes.

Scripture Reading for the Fourth Sunday of Lent

Luke 12:29-34

And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
 ‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

source: http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=323925344

Mid February Restoration Update

 

First of all we are excited to see the temporary supports removed. The posts in this picture are permanent and will be surrounded by the beautiful columns which are being restored off-site. The pediment has been raised a little over an inch. The framing for the deck has been completed as well. The final deck boards are still curing.

 

Though not obvious, a tremendous amount of time and effort has gone into restoring the framing in the tower. 

 

The floor leveling aspect has begun as well. All is going well with few surprises (thankfully).

 

Special Musical Guests today at our service

 

Redeeming Grace Band | This Little Light Of Mine 

This was a very welcome addition to our service!

Sanctuary Restoration Project Mid-October 2015 Update

Sanctuary Restoration Project

Mid-October 2015 Update

Northwood Congregational Church UCC

First of all, thank you to all who have made our sanctuary rehabilitation project possible; there are far too many to list.

Over 5 years ago the trustees of Northwood Congregational UCC decided it was time to fix the front deck of the church. The closer we looked, the more evident it became that this was more than a project for the weekend warrior carpenters within our congregation. In fact, it was quite clear that this remarkable sanctuary’s post and beam frame was desperately in need of repair and preservation.

As we examined the 1840 structure, we knew that we needed professional help and needed to raise money to do the work properly. We researched funding sources. NH has a program called LCHIP (lchip.org) which matches funds for projects which help to preserve our state’s heritage. Using their guidelines, and with the assistance of a grant from them, we contracted with an architect to generate a report to provide guidance with our restoration plans. Our congregation voted to maintain our listing on the National Register Of Historic Places (http://www.nps.gov/nr/) and that would dictate how we approached the repairs.

 

Thankfully, we have a congregation that is both generous and adequately blessed to help raise over $250,000 with a thoughtfully directed capital campaign. With that successfully achieved, we qualified for a $200,000 LCHIP grant.

Well, it’s 2015 and the project has started. Preservation Timber Framing (http://www.preservationtimberframing.com/) was selected to provide the frame and foundation repairs desperately needed to preserve this structure which is regarded as one of the best preserved examples of this architecture in New Hampshire.

The sanctuary has been gently lifted in order to repair decaying sills. The portico on the north side will be supported and the beautiful columns have be removed for careful restoration off site. A new reinforced foundation system will be constructed and the building’s frame will be straightened as much as practical. The deteriorated framing members of the bell tower will be replaced and the parapet seen in older photographs will return to grace the top of the bell tower.

Concrete frost supports have been poured to ensure the firm foundation we promised you! Very little, if any, new concrete will be readily visible when we the work is finished.

In addition, the entire exterior of the sanctuary will have any loose and flaking old lead paint safely scraped clean the remaining paint edges slightly feathered with a sander. The building will then receive two coats of primer as well as two coats of high-quality finish paint. Some of that work has already been completed.

 

The excavation firm has greatly improved the drainage around the entire church to minimize water problems which cause decay on the wooden portions.

So far the weather has been particularly cooperative. At this point, it seems very likely that the project will be quite complete before winter sets in.

We are in the final stretch of what has been a long process but with our faith in God, and ourselves, we know that this sacred place will stand strong for many generations to come.