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GOD’S GRACE RECEIVED ~ GOD’S GRACE SHARED
 
WORSHIP SERVICE AT 10:30 EVERY SUNDAY
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VERSE OF THE DAY
Be joyful always;
pray continually;
give thanks
in all circumstances,
for  this is
God’s will for you
in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
 
 
 
BOOK STUDY

Our study of the Design for Discipleship Series has started. It is held on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM at the church.

NOTE: There will be no class on Feb. 5th.

All are welcome

 
PASTOR MARILEE HARRIS
New Sermon Series:
The Book of Genesis
 
Latest sermon:
 Genesis 9:18-28
“Generational Baggage”
 
See below right for links to recent sermons or click on “Sermon Series” above for links to all sermon series.
 
Services are available
on YouTube:
 
Link to 1/26 service: 
AA CLASSES
Tuesday 6:30 – Beginner’s
Wednesday – 6:30
Thursday – 6:00
Friday – 6:00
Saturday – 6: 00
 
OTHER NEWS:
CHILDREN’S CHURCH:
Starting today, Feb. 2nd, we will be having Children’s Sunday School starting at 9:45. Our regular Sunday service will follow. After the Children’s Moment, they will be able to go to the nursery area for additional activities.
 
FELLOWSHIP TIME:
After our worship service on the first Sunday each month, we will enjoy Fellowship Time. There are always lots of light snacks and friendly faces!
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PASTOR’S PONDERING

How should we handle the text today?

You can preach against alcohol abuse, but I think that’s missing the central point. If you do, you should also consider including the goods of wine as a drink to bring and typify rest, when well used—this is part of the reason we drink wine together each Sunday at the Lord’s table.

The grand story of the snake and the woman is lurking in the background again, which begs for telling (and applying!). You can also speak of authority (which is a good thing even if often misused) and submission (which when given to good authority is a virtue), as well as how usurpation is not the way to respond to even the worst abuses of authority (think of David in the cave with Saul). God does not bless usurpers.

https://nuakh.uk/2023/12/18/noah-and-the-curse-of-ham/

Joyfully,

Marilee 🙂

 

 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Stepping Stone Housing is sponsoring a free showing of the new documentary film, “BUILDING HOPE” to be shown at the Lincoln Theater, on Monday, February 24th at 6 PM. The film is about the housing crisis in Maine. Following the screening, filmmakers Richard Kane and Melody Kane-Lewis will be leading a talkback, moderated by Melody, with special guests: Legislator Holly Stover of Boothbay, who serves on the Appropriations Committee, a representative of Tedford Housing and Rob Nelson who has recently begun a new affordable housing development in Newcastle.
 
Here’s a review by Jane Field, Executive Director of Maine Council of Churches:
The new documentary film, BUILDING HOPE, brings a compelling message to audiences around Maine and beyond: there is hope for ending the suffering of homelessness. BUILDING HOPE tells these stories with compassionate honesty, acknowledging how hard it is to imagine there could be hope amid so much trauma and against seemingly insurmountable odds. But there IS hope, the film boldly asserts. As the title suggests, the film introduces us to individuals who find the courage to build hope and make a difference. Their examples inspire viewers to believe that we can ALL make a difference. We can all build hope. 

 

A note from Ann and Bill Clemmer through Court Street Baptist Church:

It seems like yesterday when we were with you….and much has transpired since our return to Congo a week and a half ago. 

We’re writing from Rwanda, where we had to evacuate from the border town of Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo where thousands of militia soldiers overpowered the UN and government forces overnight and have taken the town amidst constant gunfire and great uncertainty. 

We are in constant contact with colleagues at the HEAL Africa Hospital this morning (which is currently without fuel, electricity, or water) and the Sunday School and Tuungane School and EBA (Street Children center) next door to the hospital where Ann works. The Hospital CEO sent us a WhatsApp message earlier this morning saying that they are in the direct path of constant gunfire, “unimaginable” he exclaimed!    Ann also received a message that soldiers have scaled the wall and entered the school where a number of her teachers have taken shelter.  They threatened them and stole their phones and other items.   Street children have been running in from the street to take shelter after hovering outside in fear all night. The teachers initially put the children in classrooms on the top floor of the Sunday School building, but after bullets pierced the ceiling and windows, the teachers moved them into an overnight shelter that Ann built last year with gifts from our ABC churches.   The gunfire is lessening , and the children are sleeping in beds and even on the floor, wherever they can find space.   We would be amiss to not share this news and pictures with you. 

Ann and I have had our share of evacuations in our 33 years as missionaries: Haiti during the blockade in 1994, Zaire following a coup in 1997, Congo during a civil war in 1998, Goma in 2022 when the volcano erupted leaving behind over 50,000 burned homes. We have remained during other crises where we felt our presence was needed; Cholera in Haiti, Ebola in Congo, ethnic war in South Sudan and even relief efforts in Somalia.  We’ve been working in the town of Goma in the DRC (Congo) for nine years and have become accustomed to the challenges, adept at meeting needs, and very attached to the people.  This is our most difficult evacuation yet.  

We are well, though it is hard to find rest, even in a small hotel room with all the chaos and worry just across the border.   We know however that God is in control, and He has given us a peace that none of this escapes him, and that He still has a plan and need for us when things are stable.   We ask for your prayers for the staff at our Christian hospital (HEAL Africa),  schools, and shelter and that the heaviness we feel in our hearts will be filled as God makes clear how and when we can return.  

Bill and Ann 

https://www.dw.com/en/congo-rwanda-border-shut-as-m23-rebels-claim-goma-capture/a-71421575

 

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CONTACT INFO
 
Pastor Marilee A. Harris
Damariscotta Baptist Church
4 Bristol Road
P.O. Box 248
Damariscotta, ME  04543
 
Phone: 207-563-3587 (church)
 
Emergency phone for pastor:
207-504-2393
 
Email: 
     pastor@dbcme.org (pastor)
 
CHECK US OUT ON
OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
 
 
 
WELCOME TO OUR WEBSITE
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WE ARE HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE
 
RECENT SERMONS
 
February 2, 2025
 
January 26, 2025
 
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January 12, 2025
 
January 5, 2025
 
November 24, 2024
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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