Gorham Congregational Church

05/28/2026

05/24/2026

What is the most precious thing God has given you?

05/20/2026

In 1886 when Daniel B. Towner, the composer of the music, was leading worship at one of Dwight L. Moody’s big revivals in Brockton, Massachusetts. Towner shared the story in Ira D. Sankey’s biography, My Life and the Story of the Gospel Hymns.

He recalled that one night, during a testimony meeting, a young man stood up and said, “I am not quite sure—but I am going to trust, and I am going to obey.” That simple, honest statement stuck with Towner. He jotted it down and sent it, along with a little note about the moment, to his friend Rev. J.H. Sammis, a Presbyterian minister.

Sammis took that phrase and turned it into one of the most well-loved hymn refrains of all time:

“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

The hymn first appeared in Hymns Old and New in 1887, and it’s been in hymnals ever since.

Sammis himself had quite a journey to ministry. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he started as a successful businessman in Logansport, Indiana. But through his work with the YMCA, he felt called to ministry, eventually attending McCormick and Lane Seminaries and becoming a Presbyterian minister in 1880. He pastored churches across Iowa, Indiana, and Minnesota before joining the faculty at the Los Angeles Bible Institute.

Like so many gospel songs, this hymn is built on the simple truth that trusting God’s word and obeying His will is the surest path to lasting peace and joy. And in the final stanza, Sammis captures the ultimate promise of our faith—that one day, we will sit at His feet.

05/20/2026

My Hope is Built Hymn Story time

Edward Mote (1797–1874) was a master cabinetmaker, a hymn writer of over 100 hymns, and eventually a Baptist minister at age 55. In 1834 on his way to work one morning, he thought about writing a hymn on the “Gracious Experience of a Christian.” He had the chorus written before he got to work. By the end of the day he had the first four verses written. Later that week, he visited a woman who was very ill. She wanted to sing a hymn, but they couldn’t find a hymnal. He pulled out the new hymn from his pocket and sang it for her. She loved it so much she asked for a copy. Mote finished the hymn adding two more verses then sent it to his publisher. It immediately became popular and is still a popular hymn today.

05/20/2026

🍎 Calling All Local Foodies & Farmers! 🌽
The Berlin Community Market is gearing up for an incredible 18-week season, and we are officially narrowing our search for vendors!

To ensure our community has the best access to fresh, local nourishment, we are exclusively looking for food vendors for the 2026 season. We are no longer accepting applications for crafters or artisans at this time.

👩‍🌾 We Want You!

If you produce or sell any of the following, we want to hear from you:

Local Farmers & Growers: Fresh produce, fruits, and herbs.

Protein & Dairy: Fresh eggs, meats, and dairy products.

Baked Goods: Breads, pastries, and sweet treats.

Specialty Foods: Honey, sauces, jams, coffee, and prepared meals.

Food Trucks & Pop-ups: Ready-to-eat local favorites!

🗓️ Market Details:

When: Tuesdays | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM (June 9th – Oct 6th)

Where: The Fenced-In Lot (North of 112 Pleasant St, Berlin, NH)

Early Bird Deadline: Register by May 15th to secure the best rates!

Fees: $7.50 (Basic) | $10 (With Electric)

Help us grow the local food economy and keep Berlin fed! 🥖🥦

Ready to join? 📧 Contact us today at: [email protected]

05/04/2026

We've been thinking of Paula Southard. Miss her and praying for her good health.
Paula, if you see this comment, please call Victoria Dziedzic McGillicuddy .
Vicky has left a message for you on your cell phone and on Heidi's phone.

05/01/2026

01/23/2026

It will be cold Sunday but the heavy snow shouldn't come down until the evening.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at worship and the Annual Meeting.

TGIF NH! An extreme weather weekend on the way. Brisk winds this afternoon along with any scattered snow showers/brief squall will the leading edge of bitterly cold air from tonight through Sunday AM. Wind chills will be in the double digits below zero for that entire time. A fluffy snow falling heavily at times will follow it Sunday PM & Monday. Incredibly tough travel is expected Sunday night into Monday with snowfall rates over 2" per hour at times. The latest here: www.wmur.com and on Daybreak until 7am. Today is the day to prepare for the cold and the snow...take care! --Kevin

01/04/2026

Paula Southard brought in some of Johanna's cookies this morning (Paula is her mother).
So beautiful and tasty.

This Cookies item is sold by TheBusyLlama. Ships from Lyndonville, VT. Listed on Sep 27, 2025