Gilford Community Church
  • Home
  • About
    • Our History
    • Our Mission
    • Our Staff
    • News Releases
    • Employment
    • GCC 2022 Annual Report
    • Livestream
  • Giving
    • 2023 Pledge Campaign
  • Youth Programs
    • 2023 Mission Trip Interest Form
    • Gilford Youth Center
    • GCC Youth Group
    • Confirmation
    • Sunday School Program
    • Scholarships
  • Ceremonies/Special Services
    • Baptisms
    • Weddings
    • Funerals
  • Become a Member
  • Programs/Events
    • One Community Project
    • Daniell Fund
    • Gilford Got Lunch
    • Gilford Village Nursery School
    • Clean Electricity Project
    • Summer Music Series
    • Old Home Day/Summer Fair
    • Guys' Night Out
    • Gal's Night Out
    • Adult Book Study
  • Contact Us

Annual Summer Mission Trip Delivers More Than Fun For Youth

8/16/2022

0 Comments

 
​Recently, 7 youth returned from Gilford Community Church’s Summer Mission Trip, an annual one-week excursion that saw the group visit Pennsylvania to assist families with repairs to their homes among other related tasks. The experience, according to youth participants, was overwhelmingly positive.

“I really enjoyed the challenge of learning new skills, working together to finish a task, and meeting new people,” said Jack Carder. “It felt good to be able to help others in need.”

During the week, highlights of the work performed by the youth (and two adult chaperones) included helping a thrift store organize donations, painting, landscaping, building steps, and basic home repairs. Gilford Community Church (GCC) Youth Director Scott Hodsdon said their annual summer mission trips are designed, however, for much more than just work.

“The trip is meant for attendees to reflect on and have an impact on their own lives,” he said. “Every night, we talked about life, family, choices, and our own abilities to make a difference…I believe everyone on the trip learned how capable, talented, and important they are to their community, friends, and family.”

GCC’s annual Summer Mission Trips also provide opportunities for participants to mingle with youth from other churches, an experience Carder found “pretty interesting.” “I got to learn how other people worship,” he said. “Even though we don’t share the same ways of worship, I respect the differences we have and enjoyed meeting some really nice people.”

Fellow youth participant Klava Worthen said she also enjoyed the social aspects of the trip. “I thought all the other people were going to be quiet, but they weren’t,” she said. “They were really cool to be around. I kind of wish it was 2 weeks.”

Expressing appreciation for Hodsdon’s mentorship of the youth during the trip, Pastor Michael Graham said GCC’s Summer Mission Trips excite the entire congregation. “We can’t all go on the trip with them, but we followed along on Facebook, which was fun for all of us,” he said. 

It was ‘fun,’ added Hodsdon, with a deeper purpose. “The group worked hard, shared a lot of special moments with each other, and learned a little more about themselves,” he said. “Overall, it was a fantastic trip.”

Located in Gilford, NH, GCC is an inclusive, open community with a broadly ecumenical spirit that welcomes people from all denominational and cultural backgrounds. Sunday service takes place at 10 a.m. at 19 Potter Hill Rd., Gilford, NH and is also available on a livestream feed on GCC’s  Facebook page. 
0 Comments

Gilford Community Church to Host Annual Summer Fair as Part of Gilford Old Home Day

8/11/2022

1 Comment

 
PictureMagician during Gilford's Old Home Day celebration
On Friday, August 26 (4:30 p.m.) and Sunday, August 27 (9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.), Gilford Community Church (GCC) will host its annual Summer Fair. Held in conjunction with the Town of Gilford’s Old Home Day on August 27, GCC festivities will include music, chuck wagon, hot dogs, ice-cream, refreshments, and silent auction with proceeds to support the church’s philanthropy.

“So many businesses and individuals donate all kinds of items to help make this fair really an incredible experience for anyone who attends,” noted Pastor Michael Graham. 

Examples of auction items include overnight get-aways, gift baskets, and gift certificates to area restaurants, businesses, and area attractions. “The fair routinely raises between $12,000 and $18,000,” added Graham, who said GCC’s Summer Fair also includes gently used items “priced to sell.”

PictureOld Home Day Movie Night at GCC
Other activities that take place as part of Gilford Old Home Day on August 27 include a road race that begins at the nearby elementary school, pancake breakfast at GCC, and book sale at the library next door. Fireworks at 9:00 p.m. followed by a dance at 9:30 p.m. conclude the day’s festivities.

“We are excited to be part of Gilford Old Home Day,” said Graham, who said GCC will also show a movie outside at about 8:45 p.m. on Friday, August 26. “We welcome people from all backgrounds and of all ages to this lovely community.”

To learn more about Gilford Old Home Day, click https://gilfordrec.com/activities.

Located in Gilford, NH, GCC is an inclusive, open community with a broadly ecumenical spirit that welcomes people from all denominational and cultural backgrounds. Sunday service takes place at 10 a.m. at 19 Potter Hill Rd., Gilford, NH and is also available on a livestream feed on GCC’s  Facebook page. 

1 Comment

Gilford Community Church Welcomes New Members

8/8/2022

2 Comments

 
PictureNew GCC Member Conniee Ehmann (left) with Pastor Michael Graham
Gilford Community Church (GCC) recently welcomed thirteen new members, including Fred Wernig, Donna Mooney, Annette Auld, Barbara Coons, Peggy Strachan, Jim and Sue Goodwin, Fred and Maureen Clausen, David and Allison Bergstrom, Christine Mathews, and Connie Ehmann.

According to Pastor Michael Graham, GCC’s continued growth validates their community-focused approach to ministry. “My philosophy is a church without walls,” he said, “which is something our congregation has embraced, too, during my past twenty years as pastor. It’s wonderful to see membership growth when many churches are struggling.”

For Connie Ehmann, who began to attend service in December, her experience at GCC has helped to “open [her] mind.” She said Graham’s ability to use ‘conversations’ in his sermons as opposed to ‘preaching’ is a big reason why she joined. “Sunday mornings are a time to reflect, but also to laugh and enjoy the best hour of your day,” said Ehmann, who noted she had been looking for a church environment “to improve her spiritual health.”

Aside from Graham’s sermons, she said “the warmth of the GCC community” has made her feel “comfortable, appreciated, and loved.” “It is a great place to hang out,” she added.

Expressing enthusiasm for the new members, Graham said he hopes more people—locals and those who visit the Lakes Region in the summer—can give GCC a chance. “We are not just a building,” he said. “We are an inclusive, open community that welcomes people from all denominational and cultural backgrounds.”

Sunday service takes place at 10 a.m. at 19 Potter Hill Rd., Gilford, NH and is also available on a livestream feed on GCC’s  Facebook page. 

2 Comments

Rare Book Specialist Ken Gloss to Speak at Gilford Community Church

8/3/2022

0 Comments

 
On Thursday, August 25 at 6:00 p.m., Ken Gloss, proprietor of the internationally known Brattle Book Shop in Boston, will discuss the value of old and rare books at Gilford Community Church (GCC). 

A rare book specialist and appraiser frequently seen on national TV, Gloss will discuss growing up in the book business and share insights into the history of his bookshop (c. 1825) among other anecdotes. Following the presentation, he will answer questions and provide free verbal appraisals of books on-site or at a later scheduled date at his shop in Boston.

“I was destined to work with books,” said Gloss, who became sole proprietor of this business upon his father’s death in 1985. “My parents told me that ‘book’ was the very first word I spoke.”
Picture
Ken Gloss, photo by Jeffrey Dunn
Expressing appreciation for Gloss’s willingness to share his expertise and time, Pastor Michael Graham said the event underscores GCC’s commitment to community. “We want to delight and inspire people with unique programs and events,” he said. “In this day and age of technology, Mr. Gloss’s presentation  is not only timely, but important, as all of us continue to search for meaning in a complicated world…Books, especially old or rare ones, hold amazing insights.”

Ken Gloss’s presentation will take place on Thursday, August 25, 6:00 p.m. at Gilford Community Church, 19 Potter Hill Road, Gilford, NH. Preregistration is not required.

To learn more about Brattle Book Shop, which has received numerous accolades, including recognition as one of North America’s best bookstores, visit brattlebookshop.com.

Located in Gilford, NH, GCC is an inclusive, open community with a broadly ecumenical spirit that welcomes people from all denominational and cultural backgrounds. Sunday service takes place at 10 a.m. at 19 Potter Hill Rd., Gilford, NH and is also available on a livestream feed on GCC’s  Facebook page. 
0 Comments

    Archives

    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.