ANDOVER — Like many of you, we are saddened by the decision to end distribution of The Beacon. As Christians, we understand life brings us “from glory to glory” and there are seasons for just about everything under the sun (see Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, also sung by The Byrds). Still, we will miss our monthly connection with each of you.

That being said, we have some catching up to do! Last month we hosted a group of men from the Manchester’s Adult Teen Challenge (an addiction recovery program founded by Pastor David Wilkerson). It was a powerful time of story-telling from former addicts who have turned to Christ in their addictions. The church gave substantial offerings to this vital ministry.

A second highlight marked the end of Lent with the beginning of Holy Week and Easter. 

It all began with a celebration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, with shouts of “Hosanna!” in the parking lot, waving palm branches, singing joyfully, and being led into the church by Fr. Bill dousing us with holy water and blowing an ear-piercing shofar (rams horn)! On Good Friday we observed a dramatic presentation of the Stations of the Cross, with ever growing darkness as candles were extinguished after each reading. 

Easter morning began with the first rays of resurrection at Taunton Hill on the property of Sandra Graves, where 40 worshippers gathered to celebrate the New Day. Celebrations continued with a community breakfast and a festive church service complete with the flowering of the cross, upbeat music, worship, and, you guessed it, more blowing of the shofar! On the church calendar, the current season of Easter continues until Pentecost Sunday, June 8.

Have you noticed a newly painted building where the old church used to be? We are delighted to show off our new “digs” of a completely painted Grange Hall and church building. Coming up Chase Hill Road it would be hard to miss — red doors and all! 

Heartfelt kudos to Connolly Restoration and Painting for taking on the project, as well as for all the donations and private contributors who gave to the cause. The church grounds are absolutely lovely and will be so for generations to come. Come on by and check them out.

Speaking of which, donations continue to pour in through bake sales at The Andover Hub, rummage/bake sales at the Grange Hall, and the Andover Coffee House. These gatherings — as well as the St. Pauly Textile clothing shed, where nearly $900 has been collected to help the folks in North Carolina rebuild after the hurricane season last year and, also, the victims of the wildfires in California — are gratefully received as gifts from God and distributed as such. 

Some may ask, “Now that you have the buildings painted, what’s next?” The answer is . . . windows. That’s right, from here on out, all donations, gifts given, and monies received from fundraisers will be going toward the purchase of energy-efficient windows for the Grange Hall for continued church and community use.

 We will have a booth at Franklin Days, and at the Andover Fourth of July celebration on the Town Green. Stop by and say Hi! To hear more about what’s happening at your Andover Community Church, swing by our website at andovercommunitynh.org. May you have a happy, fulfilled, and blessed summer!