Happy Thanksgiving!

On your feet now -- applaud God!
Bring a gift of laughter,
sing yourselves into God's presence.
Know this: God is God, and God, God.
God made us; we didn't make God.
We're God's people, God's well tended sheep.
Enter with the password: "Thank you!"
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank God. Worship God.
For God is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.

- Psalm 100, The Message

May your Thanksgiving be filled with good food, people you love, and gratitude that overflows into action.

Parkside Neighborhood Block Party

This Saturday, Oct. 17
12:00 noon - 2:30 pm
on Sherman Street, adjacent to Sacred Heart - St. Dominic Catholic Church

It's going to be a great event, with live music, a bounce house, three neighborhood dance groups performing, pizza, hot dogs, apple cider, homemade pie, face-painting, kids' games, a clothing give-away, and more!

Want to volunteer? Show up at 9:30 am to help with set-up, or sometime before noon to volunteer during the event.

We're collaborating with Immanuel Baptist Church, Sacred Heart - St. Dominic Catholic Church, PROP's Parkside Neighborhood Center, Parkside Community Policing, Parkside Neighborhood Center, Wayside Soup Kitchen, SPIRAL Arts, and several local businesses to make this happen. Be part of this movement that's transforming Parkside neighborhood!

Introducing a new resource: GPS

Introducing a new resource: GPS
Grow through Prayer and Scripture

As we enter the fall season, we're refocusing LIFE Groups a little bit and putting together some new resources and experiences that we hope will help you grow deeper in your faith, primarily through reading and reflecting on Scripture and prayer.

Starting this Sunday, we'll be e-mailing out a brief Scripture passage each day, along with a thought-provoking Question of the Day. We hope you'll pause for a few minutes sometime during the day to read and reflect, and then to spend some time in prayer. Most weeks when we come together in LIFE Groups, we'll explore more deeply one of the passages that came up in the daily reading. We hope this continuity between the daily reading and the discussions in LIFE Groups will provide a forum for deeper reflection and sharing.

If you are not currently active in our community, but would like to receive our GPS e-mails each day please send Erica an e-mail at erica@newlightportland.org, and she will gladly add you to the list!

New LIFE Groups Starting this week!

Summer is over, and here we are in the first days of fall. It's time to transition into our fall schedule for LIFE Groups. You've been waiting... you've been wondering... and here are the details!

Tuesday LIFE Group: 5:30 pm - hosting: Allen Ewing-Merrill & Dean Richardson

Wednesday LIFE Group: 6:00 pm - hosting: Michael & Maire Trombley

Thursday LIFE Group: 5:30 pm - hosting: Erica Tobey & Sara Ewing-Merrill

Please take a minute and let us know which group you're planning to join.

The Tuesday & Wednesday groups start this coming week (Sept. 29 & 30). The Thursday group will start one week later: Oct. 8.

Here's to fall, with cooler nights, beautiful colors and crunching leaves!

Apple Picking and Worship Photos!

Members New Light had a great time this weekend picking lots of apples, making apple crisp, eating delicious pizza, and worshiping together. Check out this pictures!

Daily Devotional Readings

Guide to Daily Devotions
September 14-21, 2009

S – Scripture: Read the assigned passage slowly and carefully.
O – Observation: Record observations on the passage… What is the lesson for you?
A – Application: How do these words apply to you in your own life?
P – Prayer: Write a prayer to God concerning this passage and your life.
Y – Yield: What do you need to surrender to God for this lesson to become alive in you?

Daily Exercise:

• Read the assigned Scripture passage.
• Using the SOAPY guide (above), record thoughts and reflections in your journal.
• Pray the Covenant Prayer .

Daily Readings:

Monday, September 14: 1 Corinthians 1:1-19
Tuesday, September 15: 1 Corinthians 1:20-31
Wednesday, September 16: 1 Corinthians 2:1-13
Thursday, September 17: 1 Corinthians2:14-3:15
Friday, September 18:1 Corinthians3:16-23
Saturday, September 19:1 Corinthians 4:1-7
Sunday, September 20: Acts 9:1-10
Monday, September 21: 1 Corinthians 4:8-21

Online Registration for 2009 Retreat - In|Out

Arts Sunday

Many Gifts, One Spirit: Creating in Community
Sunday, September 20 ~ 9:30-3:00
at Hope.Gate.Way.

Rev. Priscilla Dreyman of SPIRAL Arts will be leading a Sunday event offering multiple opportunities for spiritual exploration, creative expression, and deepening of relationships through art. Don't be intimidated: we're defining art broadly and coordinating accessible activities for beginners -- things like printmaking, origami, beginning drawing & watercolors, cooking, music, and more. The time will also include worship, sharing, and lunch, as well as opportunities to form and deepen relationships with Chestnut & New Light friends. We hope you'll participate in this exciting community-building event. If you have questions or suggestions, talk with Allen or Sara.

Supper Bowl Sunday Photos

Our first Supper Bowl Sunday event was a HUGE sucess. Check out the photos below and be sure to stay tunes as we plan another, similar event for mid-October!

First Friday Art Walk

Pattern & Path
A Printmaking Investigation by
Rachel E. Church

Friday, September 4th
5:00-8:00pm (during the First Friday Art Walk)

At Hope.Gate.Way.
185 High Street

Stop by to see Rachel's work, enjoy some snacks and help welcome guests who will be visiting Hope.Gate.Way.

The First Friday Art Walk is a free self-guided tour of local art galleries, art studios, museums, and alternative art venues of the first Friday of every month from 5-8pm. We will be hosting a different exhibit each month during the art walk! Come check it out!!

Picnic and Baptism at Pine Point

Despite the weather we had tons of fun at our beach worship on August 2. Fun on the beach, good food, worship, and Daren and Katrina's baptisms in the ocean!!

Fall Retreat

Hey! We'll be heading out on the second annual New Light community retreat over Columbus Day weekend at the beautiful Rockcraft retreat center on Sebago Lake.

The weekend will include good food, engaging conversation, uplifting music, meaningful worship, fun games, plenty of laughter, quiet space for reflection, and free time to relax and enjoy one another in the beauty of God’s Creation.

The details...

Fri-Sun, October 9-11, 2009
- begins with dinner on Friday (6 pm)
- ends following lunch on Sunday

Rockcraft Retreat Center - Sebago Lake

Retreat Leaders: Ben & Melissa Yosua-Davis
Ben and Melissa are co-pastors in Haverhill, MA at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, and also starting a new faith community called The Vine, which is similar in some ways to New Light. Check out what they are doing at their website.

$100 per person suggested contribution
- includes two nights’ accommodations and six meals
- Do not let financial concerns be a factor in whether to attend — assistance is available (seriously!)
- Reduced rates for children. Childcare provided.

If you want to see some highlights from last year's retreat check it out here!

Questions? Contact Allen or Sara.

Community Worship-September 13th

Sunday, September 13-Apple Picking and Worship

We will meet in the afternoon and go on an apple picking adventure. After apple picking we will return to Allen and Sara's to make apple crisp and have some delicious pizza's.

Following dinner we will share in worship together.

Stay tuned for more information about times and carpooling to the apple orchard, but plan on joining us and as always bring a friend!!

Linnea Good

Linnea Good in Concert

Wednesday, September 23 7:00 pm

at Hope.Gate.Way. - 185 High Street, Portland

Canadian singer, songwriter, and “musical animator” Linnea Good will present a concert of Christian music on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 7:00 pm, at Hope.Gate.Way., 185 High Street in Portland. Acclaimed as a prophetic and contemporary voice of faith, Linnea is a multi-award nominated artist for adults and children alike, known for her unique combination of song, humor and story. Says contemporary hymn-writer Brian Wren, “I appreciate the freshness and care of her lyrics, her theology, her musicality, and her voice. She has a remarkable constellation of gifts."

Check out her website here.

Vacation Bible Camp Photos

Our first attempt at Vacation Bible Camp was a great success with 18 kids coming from Parkside Neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods. Everyone had a great time, and many kids are already asking about next summer!!