Northwood Congregational Church Easter Observances

Please join us for any or all of our Easter Observances at the Northwood Congregational Church, 881 First NH Turnpike, (Route 4), Northwood, NH. For further information, please call 942-7116.

Palm Sunday, April 5th,  9:00 a.m., Worship, Palms, Communion.

Maunday Thursday, April 9th, 7:00 p.m., Communion, Tennebrae Service (Telling of the Story in a dramatic way).

Good Friday, April 10th, 5:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m., Worship Service.

Easter Sunday, April 12th, 7:00 a.m., Sunrise Service led by our youth.

9:00 a.m., Joyful Worship Service.

Down To The Final Vote

If this year’s voting was a horse race, it was down to a photo finish twice. At the annual school district meeting, held on Saturday, March 7, an amendment to bring the 2009-2010 operating budget to the amount of $11,445,000., a reduction of $374,962. from the budget committee’s recommended amount of $11,819,962. ended in a tie vote. The ballot count was 108/108 and was counted three times before it was announced by Moderator Robertson. A tie vote does not carry, so the amendment did not pass. After a second attempt to amend the motion failed, the original motion was passed 126/85. Before the meeting ended, voters did not pass an article to approve increases to teacher pay (negotiated contract) or to add funds to the capital reserve accounts.

The election of school and town officers was held on Tuesday, March 10 with few contested seats. One vote separated the two contenders for selectmen: incumbent Ken Curley, 203 votes and Bob Holden, 204 votes. Incumbent road agent Jim Wilson kept his position with 216 votes, which was challenged by Daniel McNally who received 162 votes. A six way race for four budget committee seats resulted in the election of Robert Bailey, James Vaillancourt, Nona Holmes and Daniel McNally. The 3 amendments to the zoning ordinance recommended by the planning board were approved by voters. A recount was held on the selectman position and it resulted in one additional vote for each candidate, leaving the end result the same one vote difference: Holden was elected with 205 votes, Curley received 204 votes.

Voters at the annual town meeting held at Coe-Brown Academy on March 14 considered two amendments to the operating budget for the town for 2009 before deciding on a final figure of $2,993,313. This amount represents a level fund budget of the 2008 appropriated budget, a decrease of $68,202. from the budget committee’s recommended amount. Voters rejected warrant articles to purchase a new police cruiser, replace the 25 year old phone system in town buildings and to place money in a number of capital reserve funds which would result in a tax impact. After much debate, voters approved a warrant article to add two full time firefighter/EMT positions and additional hours for the two current positions, to extend coverage during the evening hours.

Northwood Recreation Update

By Kathy Boudreau, Recreation Director
The Northwood Recreation Department is planning many exciting activities during April. Adults can beat the winter blues with Aerobics Classes on Tuesday evenings from 6:30- 7:30.  The cost is only $15 for the 5 week class.

Another activity scheduled is a trip to Mohegan Sun Casino on April 19th.  Board the bus for $30. The cost includes transportation, a $10 food voucher, and a $10 bet.  Good Luck!

The Chesley Memorial Library and Northwood Recreation are offering a free class to learn how to edit your own home movie. By the end of the evening you will leave with a final project that you created.

There are many programs offered for kids too.  Visit the town web site for the details. Registration forms for all of these programs can be obtained at the Town Hall or printed from the Town of Northwood’s web site, www.town.northwood.nh.us.  Return registration forms in advance with payment to the Recreation Department at the Northwood Town Hall.

Call 942-5586 x209 with questions.

Forgiven!

By Pastor Ted White
When we say we have forgiven someone, have we really? To forgive means never to bring the issue up again. It does not mean there is not accountability and consequence for an action. But to forgive is to not bring that incident up again.

Many people cannot understand the concept of God’s forgiveness. When a person truly asks God to forgive them, He does and they will never be eternally condemned. Now, I am not talking about insincerity, but I am talking about being sincere before the God who knows everything and Jesus Christ His Son who took the punishment for all sin—past, present and future—for everyone who comes to Him in faith. This is what the crucifixion and resurrection is all about. We are told that “Jesus Christ came to save sinners” and the Apostle Paul said of which he was the chief of all or worst of all sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).

The Apostle Paul was one of the greatest men of God of all times and yet before he trusted the Lord Jesus, he would seek to trap men to have them executed for their faith in Jesus (Acts 27:11). He gave his approval as Stephen, a servant of God, was killed (Acts 7:54-60). After he trusted Jesus, even the church leadership didn’t believe it and it took Barnabas, another servant of God, to show them that Paul had truly trusted Jesus (Acts 9:27). When the leadership saw that Paul truly had believed they received him warmly. If church leadership found it hard to believe in the change, it is not surprising that those who have not trusted Jesus find it hard to believe it as well. But, just because someone does not believe it doesn’t change the fact that it is true.

Many people cannot forgive because they do not see who they really are. All people have broken the Ten Commandments, all people deserve Hell and yet the Love of God reached down to us in His Son, Jesus, that we could be forgiven if only we truly believe. Remember; when we point our finger at someone with our perception of “justice,” we must consider there are 3 fingers pointing back at us. If we cannot forgive, we will not be forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15), if we do not show mercy, neither will we be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7; James 2:13).

Unforgiveness is really a wrong perception as who we are as individuals before a holy and awesome God. We never see our own sins as great as someone else’s. Yet they are and a person with the most horrendous sin committed, if they truly have trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, is freer than the most self-righteous person who sees no need of coming to Jesus. That person is in a bondage that is darker than the worst dungeon on this planet.

Jesus came to set us free, but you must come on His terms. To find His terms go to www.newhopenorthwood.com or call 942-7729 or to find peace with God http://www.billygraham.org/SH_StepsToPeace.asp or http://www.simplysharejesus.com/

Priscilla F. Anthony

Northwood - Priscilla Frances (Grant) Anthony, 77, died Sunday, March 22, 2009, at home surrounded by her loving family.

The daughter of Russell B. and Dorothy Frances (Kelley) Grant, she was born in Peabody, Mass., on Feb., 10, 1932. She was married to Leonard Sinclair Anthony Jr.. in 1948 and moved in 1950 to New Hampshire, where they co-owned and operated Anthony’s Vegetable Farm.

She was deaconess at the Northwood Advent Christian Church, was a cook at Northwood Elementary School and worked part time at Johnson’s Dairy Bar.

Because she loved being with children, Priscilla raised several foster children along with six of her own. She was a member of the PTA and an avid Bingo player and Red Sox fan who actually lived long enough to be able to watch a World Series win.

She was the widow of Leonard Anthony Jr., who died in 2005 and to whom she had been married for 57 years. She was also predeceased by her sister, Dorothy Shirley Goodwin.

All those she leaves behind will deeply miss her. They include her children, Linda Tuttle White, Steve Anthony and his wife, Judi, Michael Anthony, and Larry Anthony and his wife, Cheri, all of Northwood, Cheryle Sargent and her husband, Bradford, of Strafford, and Christine Averill of Dunbarton; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two brothers, David and Robert Grant of Northwood; and her extended family, Thomas and Claire Foley of Providence, R.I., and Fred Estes of Chichester.

Memorial Services were held Friday, March 27, 2009, at the Advent Christian Church in Northwood.

The Rev. Donald Plummer officiated.

A reception was held at the family home in Northwood immediately following the service.

Memorial donations may be made to the Advent Christian Church, 113 School Street, Northwood 03261; or to a charity of one’s choice.

For more information, go to www.stilloaks.com.