April 16, 2024
It is Day 9 of our 21 Day campaign of prayer. If you are not in the habit of praying regularly, the novelty has worn off. It may not seem as exciting as it did at the beginning. That is the "beauty" of a 21 day plan. It is long enough to reinforce regular practice, or long enough to begin to create one where it did not previously exist. And that is the nature of prayer - it is like manna - it is intended to be refreshed on a daily basis. Our Father already knows what we need, but He craves the daily interaction with His loved ones.
As today's inspiration from Jerry implies, prayer is also for the long haul - a lot more than a mere 21 days. Our church was planted 220 years ago and was sustained in good times and bad by 80,300 days of uplifting prayer. . . and 80,300 days of answered prayers. I would love to show you a photograph of that first meeting, but it took place 18 years before the first successful photograph was invented. And our current building was built 9 years before the first daguerreotype was demonstrated in public.
We have been around a long time - a fact that did not happen by accident.
Day 9 – April 16
Contributed by Jerry Allyn
Praise God for His many blessings given to the United Church of Colchester
Our congregation was formed in 1804, with help from a Connecticut Congregational ministry. Our Brick Church was built in 1838 as a shared effort with the local Baptists. Since then, through a remarkable series of gifts and events, we have arrived at 2024 with a facility and adjoining land without debt, and ready to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to our community and the world.
Praise God for the many gifts we have received over the years that have enabled us to move ahead into the future:
Dedication of our founders who helped form our church from Connecticut missions.
Generosity of the people who gave land for the Town Green that became our church property.
Courage of the two congregations in 1919 that came together as the United Church of Colchester, the original Congregational and the Baptist that built the White Church in 1861. From this combination, we have evolved into an official Baptist congregation.
Courage and foresight of our congregation to sell the White Church and Parsonage to our Town as a big step to consolidate our properties and to prepare for the 21st century of Christian service in 1989.
Courage of our congregation to build our education wing to join the brick church and parish hall with up-to-date facilities in 1990-1992.
Faith and perseverance to continue our ministry during discouraging times.
Several unexpected and substantial gifts that made this possible.
Faith and optimism to perform major church attic structural repairs using some of our endowment funds in 2016-2017.
Faith and optimism to currently proceed with a church steeple repair program, which has resulted in two unexpected matching gifts and a State Historical Structures grant, defraying most of the expected expenses.
The talent, direction, enthusiasm, and hard work we have received from our congregation, pastors, and new membership needed to carry out our Christian mission to our community and beyond.
Whenever we have arrived at a juncture to either retreat or move ahead, God has been there for us. His presence has taken many forms, but He has lifted us up with many blessings.
Thank you, Oh Lord,
for watching over
our congregation,
your children,
for these many years.
Help us to be worthy
of Your love shown to us
as we move forward
in Your name
amen
Looking Back
Public Law 100-307, May 5, 1988 The President shall set aside and proclaim the First Thursday in May in each year, as a National Day of Prayer, on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.
President Reagan signing the bill into law in 1988.
May God continue to bless our prayer journey.
Board of Deacons
United Church of Colchester
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