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National
Association of Congregational Christian Churches, P.O. Box 288,
Oak Creek, WI 53154
414-764-1620
Email:
naccc@naccc.org
Web Site: http://www.naccc.org |
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MODERN TENT MEETING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE! |
Three summers ago, we
were offered the free use of a 75’ by 50’ tent for our Extreme
Faith Rally, a week-long teen event held on the Church green in
August. Prior to that first event, we held our worship service
under the “big top,” an experience of worship enjoyed by all,
despite the constant flow of vehicles circling the green on
their way to the recycling center. Two summers ago the event was
repeated, but last December the lending church (a Pentecostal
church in nearby West Lebanon, New Hampshire) gave us the tent,
so last summer we set it up in early August, and in addition to
the youth rally, we held worship under the canvas the entire
month of August, ending on a very cold and windy Labor Day!
Having a contemporary style of worship necessitated the worship
team arriving at 7 am to set up the instruments for the 10 am
service. Each Sunday morning there was a parade of drums,
electric and acoustic guitars, keyboard, amps, speakers, etc.,
crossing Route 4 to take their place under the tent. Though our
regular services tend to be informal, the sight of youth
sprawled on blankets and the pastor dressed in Hawaiian shirt,
shorts, and boat shoes became customary as the month progressed.
We noticed that people who would hesitate to come through the
church doors for a worship service found it much easier to
casually stand or sit under the edge of the tent to check out
the situation before committing themselves to actually taking a
seat in one of the folding chairs.
Next summer, we are planning for bigger things. As some of you
may know, New Hampshire in mid-June means Motorcycle Week,
during which time thousands of bikers from around the country
converge on our quiet corner of the world. A former pastor, who
is now one of our youth leaders as well as an avid biker, plans
to man the tent during that period to offer free food, a place
to rest out of the sun or rain, and as the Lord leads, a
testimony to God’s saving grace.
So if you are passing through central NH next summer, be sure to
look us up, but remember to bring your lawn chair or blanket –
the coffee’s on us!
Rev. Tom Warner, pastor of Grafton Christian Church, Grafton, NH
WHERE’S MY NA NEWS?
If your church leaders are asking this question,
remind them that with this issue, the NANews has been mailed to
every church and to those few individuals who have requested to
be on the mailing list. There are two ways to read the News
(besides taking the Minister’s copy!). The first is to go to
www.naccc.org, and highlight “Publications.” Then point to
either Current Issue or Archives, to access the full text. The
second way is to call 1.800.262.1620 or email naccc@naccc.org to
receive a printed copy of the February issue of the NANews. |
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