MEDITATIONS AND MUSIC

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OUR MEDITATION AND MUSIC VIDEOS

First Church in Jaffrey reaches out each Friday with video meditations including music to sing along with, scripture readings by Lisa Bostnar, a meditation offered by Pastor David Felton, and music with visuals. Below please find our latest 6 videos. Click the button below to view all of our Meditation and Music Videos.

NURTURING “COMMUNITY”
IN NEW WAYS

Our weekly meditation videos bring First Church friends and members together, even while we are apart…. Here we share some of the comments received about this new way of connecting and keeping in touch.

Comments:

“My girls would usually be off at college now.  But they’re home with us.  We plan a specific time on a Sunday morning to sit together and watch the First Church YouTube for the week, sing along with the hymn if we know it, listen to the Scripture and David’s comments, and enjoy the special music.  Afterwards we share thoughts about what we’ve just heard and what these mean to us.  Thank you for giving us this opportunity to be together as a family, both the wider one and our own.”

“What a surprise and pleasure to encounter our ‘summer friends’ as readers for the beautiful Lessons-and-Carols video!  Even though I didn’t get around to looking at this until several days after Christmas, the time didn’t matter.  The Lessons-and-Carols was so meaningful, and beautifully done, I shared the link with a good friend who is one of the Trustees at the church I attend in winter.  Will see you all again this summer!”

“The Taize video you created back in the fall has become part of my meditation time each day, even now.  Thank you!”

“Putting an arrow on the line of the hymn so we can follow where ‘we’ are is a great idea.  I’ve started doing that for the Zoom broadcasts we send out from our church.”

“Our videos are so professional compared to what I see coming from other places.  Bravo!”

“David’s message was ‘Just What I Needed’ once again… all the time!”

“Look at all the coverage we’ve received because of these videos:  not just the local paper but Keene and even a picture on the front page of the Concord paper, with advisory to read the article on page 3.  Wow!  Maybe other people will look us up, with their feet, once we get past this virus????”

“Is there anybody else who might like to contribute in some way?  We’ve discovered at Christmas we can record a Zoom conversation.  Ideas are welcome!”  

“Bible study and other meetings are taking place with Zoom.  It’s not quite the same as being together in one room, but it works.”

Our Most Recent Meditaions and Music

Third Sunday in Advent 2021 – The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge

 

2nd Sunday of Advent – Look to the East

 

The FIRST Sunday in Advent 2021

 

Decorating a New England congregation’s church for Advent and Christmas

Thanksgiving at The First Church in Jaffrey NH

Late Fall Southwest New Hampshire

 

SUMMER AND FALL MEDITATIONS & MUSIC

Since the middle of Lent, First Church in Jaffrey has not been offering live Services. The church has been closed, but we have created video meditations with music weekly. You can see and hear these meditations and music by clicking on the underlined links below.

Twenty Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Twenty Third Sunday After Pentecost

Twenty Second Sunday After Pentecost

MEDITATIONS CONTINUED

Twenty First Sunday After Pentecost

Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost 

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost 

Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost

Tenth Sunday After Pentecost

Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

Eighth Sunday After Pentecost

Seventh Sunday After Pentecost

Sixth Sunday After Pentecost

Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

Third Sunday After Pentecost

Second Sunday After Pentecost

First Sunday After Pentecost

Pentecost

SEASON MEDITATIONS & MUSIC

The Seventh Sunday of Easter

 The Sixth Sunday of Easter

MEDITATIONS CONTINUED

The Fifth Sunday of Easter Mothers’ Day

 The Fourth Sunday of Easter

 The Third Sunday of Easter

 Second Sunday of Easter 

 Easter Meditations and Music

Rev. Steve Miller

The Rev. Steve G. Miller started his ministry at The First Church in Jaffrey in January 2022, after a unanimous vote of approval by the congregation in October 2021 when he visited and conducted worship. Prior to moving to New Hampshire, Miller was the senior pastor at the United Church of Christ-Congregational in Vermillion SD for 26 years.
Steve Miller graduated from Springfield College in 1981. He began studying at Yale Divinity School and transferred to the Pacific School of Religion, where he received his Master of Divinity degree in 1987. He served churches in Bethlehem, CT and Gilman, IA before going to Vermillion in 1995.

During his long tenure in Vermillion, Steve studied the Lakota spirit, language and music and invited the Lakota community to hold sacred ceremonies at the UCC church. He was also involved in community theater productions and the Vermillion Youth Baseball Association for players. The title of teacher also belongs in Steve’s repertoire, as demonstrated by his popular “World Religions” course at the University of SD

Starting Anew at First Church
Steve came to First Church during the pandemic and brought new energy and ideas to First Church as the congregation emerged from the isolation imposed by COVID. Working with the Minister of Music Gene Faxon and a growing list of volunteers, worship life not only fills the congregation with spirit but offers vision for the future. Late summer and fall showed a distinct increase in attendance, culminating with a full house on Christmas Eve 2023.

Steve has applied his teaching skills to an ongoing faith study series (usually 4-5 weeks) that has become a hub of learning and fellowship for members, neighbors and new friends. Topics explored in these sessions have included the character of faith, a mini course on world religions, a history of church music, and an examination of Christmas carols.

Steve offers pastoral care to members, neighbors, and friends in homes and care facilities. He’s committed to youth work for the New Hampshire Conference UCC - especially camping at the Horton Center in the White Mountains; serves on the board of Jaffrey’s Shelter from the Storm; and supports Jaffrey Adult Day Care by leading monthly singing events. Other community relationships include worship leadership at Cathedral of the Pines and serving as chaplain of the Scout Troup 33, who now call First Church home. Rev. Miller has also been involved with Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality in Oak Park, IL for more 30 years through retreats, conferences, and classes.

Steve’s wife, Dr. Jill Tyler, joined him in Jaffrey the First Church after she retired in May 2022 as professor and chair of the University of South Dakota (USD) Communications Department. They have five children and three grandchildren.

Gene Faxon
Minster of Music

Gene brings his experience with teaching music and his expertise on the organ, piano, and harpsichord. He leads the choir as well as organizes special musical worship and other church events. Gene is also an accomplished recorder player.  During the pandemic Gene and three ladies have become a harmonious quartet.  We enjoy their offerings on multiple occasions during our services.  The congregation joins this group in singing Taize chants and hymns selected from the Pilgrim Hymnal and the New Century Hymnal.

Judy Lessard
Administrative Assistant

Judy brings her corporate experience. Working with our pastor and music minister, she creates the worship bulletins, sends out e-blasts, and monitors phone calls and church email. Working with our treasurer, she maintains the QuickBooks database and generates financial reports. Working with the communications team, she creates, prints, and distributes the church newsletter.

Officers

In late January 2022, First Church heartily welcomed (bottom row)  Roy Lake, Pam Hill,  David Bliss and Janet Grant as new Trustees.  Nancy Elder-Wilfrid is the new Clerk and in the top row is Ann St. Cyr Gordon (Treasurer) and Sam Greene Moderator.

Officers:

Sam Greene, Moderator
Ann Gordon, Treasurer
Nancy Elder-Wilfrid, Clerk

 
Trustees:

David Bliss
Janet Grant
Pam Hill
Roy Lake
Tom Warren
Dan Wilfrid