https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oWAnKpksvqKtbtKPPtmeOknzyjKeVjRz/view
Directly above is the internet link to our recording of worship from Sunday 1/25/26.
To view the recording, copy the link and place it into your browser.
You can also view the recording on our Facebook page: The Grafton Church
This coming Sunday February 1st is Communion Sunday.
Hope you can join us.
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(Note 1: Directly below this order of worship is the Zoom Link to the Recessed Annual Meeting to be help January 25, 2026 following worship & social time).
(Note: 2: At the very bottom of this Order of Worship is the link to our 2025 Annual Report, new changes are in the new Recessed Annual Meeting noted in Note 1.)
Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 01-25-26 FINAL
Bill Watson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Grafton Community Church Worship
Time: Meeting – 9:45 a.m. January 25, 2026
Join Zoom Meeting
*Password: 099540
*You may need to enter this to join. Write it down; so, you have it when/if your computer/phone asks you to enter it. It may keep you out of the “waiting room.”
Meeting ID: 235 223 715
It helps to download the FREE Zoom app ahead of time.
Please mute your computer or phone microphone! Make sure there is a red slash through the microphone icon in the lower left-hand corner of your screen.
This will make the service more enjoyable for all.
** For those with health concerns, masks and safe social distance are suggested within the sanctuary, especially so, when singing or responding in prayer! Masks are available at the rear of the sanctuary.
Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 01-25-26 — 3rd Sunday of Epiphany —
Prelude – Amy Cann
(After entering Zoom or the Sanctuary, please use mute or observe silence to allow all to prepare for worship. Thank you & Blessings)
('Tis Winter Now -- S. Longfellow, R. Vaughan Williams)
Tis winter now; the fallen snow has left the heav’ns all coldly clear;
Through leafless boughs the sharp winds blow, and all the earth lies dead and drear.
And yet God’s love is not withdrawn; God's life within the keen air breathes;
God's beauty paints the crimson dawn and clothes the boughs with glittering wreaths.
And though abroad the sharp winds blow, and skies are chill, and frosts are keen,
Home closer draws her circle now, and warmer glows her light within.
O God who giv’st the winter’s cold as well as summer’s joyous rays,
Us warmly in Thy love enfold, and keep us through life’s wintry days.
Welcome and Announcements (Linda Robertson, Council Chair)
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
*Please observe a moment of silence; so we may each offer our prayers and praise to Creator, Christ & Holy Spirit.
*Hymn #284 “Gather Us In” ©
1 Here in this place new light is streaming, now is the darkness vanished away.
See in this space our fears and our dreamings, brought here to you in the light of this day.
Gather us in, the lost and forsaken; gather us in, our spirits inflame.
Call to us now and we shall awaken; we shall arise at the sound of our name.
2 We are the young, our lives are a mystery; we are the old, who yearn for your face.
We have been sung throughout all of history, called to be light to the whole human race.
Gather us in, the rich and the haughty; gather us in, the proud and the strong;
Give us a heart so meek and so lowly; give us the courage to enter the song.
3 Here we receive new life in the waters; here we receive the bread of new birth;
Here you shall call your sons and your daughters, call us anew to be salt for the earth.
Give us to drink the wine of compassion, give us to eat the bread that is you;
Nourish us well, and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true.
4 Not just in buildings small and confining, not in some heaven, light years away,
here in this place the new light is shining now is God present, and now is the day.
Gather us in and hold us forever; gather us in and make us your own;
Gather us in, all peoples together, fire of love in our flesh and our bone.
* Call to Worship (from “Prayers for the World & Its People,” Iona Abbey Worship Book)
One: Believing that God made and loves the world,
Many: we gather.
One: That it may be reshaped to fulfill God’s purposes,
Many: we pray.
One: To seek a wisdom deeper than our own thinking,
Many: we listen.
One: To honor God who gave us voice,
Many: we worship.
* Unison Prayer
Perfect Light of revelation, as You shone in the life of Jesus, whose epiphany we celebrate,
so shine in us and through us, that we may become beacons of Your truth and compassion,
enlightening all Your creation with deeds of justice and mercy. Amen.
*Response: (Hymn 284, Verse 1)
Here in this place new light is streaming, now is the darkness vanished away.
See in this space our fears and our dreamings, brought here to you in the light of this day.
Gather us in, the lost and forsaken; gather us in, our spirits inflame.
Call to us now and we shall awaken; we shall arise at the sound of our name.
Scripture:
Matthew 4: 12-23
Now when Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.
He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali,
so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
"Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the gentiles--
the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishers.
And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fisher of people."
Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them.
Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Jesus went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.
*Hymn #337 “Jesus Calls Us O'er The Tumult”
1 Jesus calls us o'er the tumult of our life's wild restless sea,
day by day his sweet voice soundeth, saying, "Christian, follow me";
2 Long ago apostles heard it by the Galilean lake,
turned from home, and toil, and kindred, leaving all for his dear sake.
3 Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world's golden store;
from each idol that would keep us, saying, "Christian, love me more."
4 In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease,
still he calls, in cares and pleasures, "Christian, love me more than these."
5 Jesus calls us! By thy mercies, Savior, may we hear thy call,
give our hearts to thine obedience, serve and love thee best of all.
Reflection: “ Importance of Light ” Pastor Bill Watson
Synopsis:. Throughout the Gospels, light signifies our relationship with – and our constant seeking for – the Way of God and Christ. Where are you looking for light in these times? Where are you finding it?
*Hymn #469 “I Am the Light of the World” (v. 1 – 3) ©
[Refrain]
“I am the light of the world! You people come and follow me”
If you follow and love you’ll learn the mystery of what you meant to do and be.
1 When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone,
when the magi and the shepherds have found their way home.
the work of Christmas is begun.
[Refrain]
2 To find the lost and lonely one, to heal the broken soul with love.
to feed the hungry children with warmth and good food,
to feel the earth below and sky above!
[Refrain]
3 To free the pris –‘ner from all chains, to make the powerful care,
to re-build the nations with strength of good will,
to see God’s children ever ’ry-where!
[Refrain]
All lyrics © 1995 Chalice Press
Used by Permission. CCLI License #21383697
Offerings of the People
You can present your offering for the work of Grafton Community Church, using the “Donate Now” button on our Facebook page at The Grafton Church, or on our web site www.graftoncommunitychurch.org (The button may actually say “Shop Now,” but it has the same function.
Offertory: — Guest Musician Amy Cann
(I Will Make You Fishers of Men -- H.D. Clark)
Response: Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God all creatures here below – Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God above the source of gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts.
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit – Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Offertory Prayer of Dedication
The Benediction & The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,
For ever and ever. Amen.
Postlude: — Guest Musician Amy Cann
“You'll Never Walk Alone” -- Rogers and Hammerstein
Please greet your neighbors on Zoom or at a “Safe Social Distance” in the sanctuary, as the postlude ends. On Zoom unmute your mikes, share greetings and the peace of this virtual space.
Masks are optional but available in the sanctuary for those with health concerns,
Grafton Prayer List:
Our Planet Earth * Immigrants experiencing or facing detention or deportation in their loneliness and fear *Transgender people and their families *Those enduring times of stress *Those with PTSD & their families *Beloved pets of Grafton *Mary Karam, & the Humes family *Arlene & Ron Carey *Gaelle McLoud *The Rowley family *Carol Bason *Arthur Park *Nancy Merrill *Dick Warren *Cecile Fisher Smith *Dennis Scharback *Todd Baker (Pastor Watson’s friend) *Linda Preziosi *Christine Tattersall *Gayle Arbuckle *Jim Webb (Angela Moulton’s Father) *Karen Hunt *David Lambert *Sophie Field *Irene Rice *Max Brown *Dick Desrochers *Ben Williams (Pastor King’s husband) *Patricia Donatelli *Lorrie Young *Sherry Brown & Family *Ed Gruelich *Lisa Cashetto (Lorrie Young’s sister-in-law) *Flo & Tim Bosch *Ross Ludeman
Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones
*Irene Rice & family *Family & friends of Liam Parker (Michele Chickering’s son) *Family & friends of Jerry Goldlust (Christine Tattersall’s close friend) *Family & friends of Bob Wright *Family & friends of Barbara Andrews (Meg Gonzalez’ mom) *Family & friends of Bob Haseltine *Family & friends of Donald F.M. Bolton *Family & friends of Denize Schemm *Family & friends of Helen Lanoie (mother of Andre Lanoie) * Family & friends of Bernard “Pete” Haley *Family & friends of Donna Rice *Family & friends of Galen Pinkham *Family & friends of Susan Lathrop *Family & friends of David James Smith (Cecile Smith’s brother in law) *Family & friends of David Fischmann (partner of Katherine Brown) *Family & friends of Estelle Pieth *Family & friends of Dave Robinson *Family & friends of Debbie Wright *Family & friends of Stephan Fitzsimmons (Caidin Domeracki’s grandfather) *Family & friends of Norm Robertson *Family & friends of Ginger Ludeman
Extended Care:
*Dottie Royal, Bromley Manor, 2595 Depot St., Manchester, VT 05255
*Addie Hall Vogel. Equinox Village, 49 Maple St. Manchester, VT 05255
*Judy & Chuck Dickinson, Equinox Village, 49 Maple St. Manchester, VT 05255
*Rev. Catherine Cadieux, Sterling House, 33 Atkinson Street, Bellows Falls VT 05101
Grafton Community Church, 55 Main Street, PO Box 158, Grafton, VT, 05146, United States
(802) 843-2346 Graftonchurch@gmail.com
Our Website: www.graftoncommunitychurch.org
On Facebook: The Grafton Church
Celebrate the Joyful Promise!
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Join Zoom Meeting to resume recessed Annual Meeting of Grafton Community Church, 11a.m. approx..
*Password: 099540
Meeting ID: 235 223 715
Grafton Community Church
Restored Income Statement and Budget Report
for
Recessed Annual Meeting 2026
Agenda:
Call to order
Opening Prayer
Motion to return from recess
Agenda Item: 6. To receive the Financial Report & Budget
Agenda Item: 7. To act on any other business proper to come before the members.
Adjournment
Closing Prayer
Treasurer’s Report 2025 — approved on 01-18-26 reference only
We carefully review and try to report with full transparency the finances of Grafton Community Church. That is conveyed in detail on the following pages. If you review that carefully you will notice that the balances in our three separate accounts, Operating, Building Preservation Fund and Deacon’s Fund are at slight variance. This a difference between QuickBooks’ analog and TD Bank’s operating system. The numbers are close. Since we began the budget process in December using the checking balances, we continued with those numbers in the budget report. The Balance Sheet speaks for itself.
In 2023, an audit was conducted by Jessica Uhler of Uhler Bookkeeping LLC. This audit suggested a list of process improvements in GCC’s use of QuickBooks. We continue to act on those recommendations with Uhler Bookkeeping. One particular finding that bears repeating for our donors and stewards was: “Great recordkeeping and grant tracking!!” In 2026, we plan a new audit to assure us that we are continuing to maintain that standard
One thing that stands out in preparing this report is the need for a by-law change that accurately portrays the duties of the Treasurer in an age of QuickBooks, where a bookkeeper/accountant are required to provide accurate reports. The Treasurer’s role now is more an administrator and a conduit between the Council and paid personnel. A proposal for those changes is included for discussion at the 2026 Annual Meeting. A consensus vote on that and other By-law revisions, which we use now as an operating model will hopefully support the need for those changes and they can be fully adopted fully in 2027
The Building Preservation Fund is restricted to 85% of the “Occupancy” budget line in any year minus designated capital projects. Total funds available during 2025 were $59,916. Capital expenditures in 2025 for Chapel painting and maintenance at $17,970 are excluded as “capital.” Total adjusted occupancy expense in 2025 was $25,413 with $21,372 in payments applied from Building Fund resources. This is just under the limit at 84%. (Building Fund contributions cannot be applied toward worship, music or outreach by GCC Council resolution.)
2025 ended with a significant balances to carry forward into the new year in Building Preservation and Deacons’ Fund accounts at $46,184. All but $28,130 is restricted from general use. From Building Preservation balance carried forward and pledges pending, we hope to replenish our overall reserve account at Charles Schwab in 2026. It was reduced by capital projects in prior years. Our operating checking account ended the year with a Balance of $11,066. This marks the sixth year in a row of balanced budgets at Grafton Community Church.
The withdrawal from Schwab reserves of $10,000 in 2025 equals 5.98% of the December 31, 2024 balance of $167,161 and is in accord with “best practices” for fund management. The December Schwab balance for year-end 2025 reserve fund balance is: $163,223. This is the impetus for planning to restore funds to the reserve account in 2026
The six-year run of balanced budgets at GCC was possible because of support from Church members and the Grafton community. The community can be pleased with the Church’s continued operating stability.
Deacons’ Fund Report
As noted in the Outreach Report, our GCC Food Pantry continues play a major role in Church support for those in need. This is corroborated from the year end numbers below.
The 2024 closing balance for the fund was $18,704
Expenditures of $11,311 were recorded, with the Food Pantry expenses contributing $7,263 to that total.*
This was offset by $18,716 in contributions as news of increasing food insecurity and decreasing federal support for food programs in the last half of 2025 were reported.
The year-end balance = $26,109.
This positions us well for the year ahead, but community support is still important. Grafton Community Church is grateful for all of this individual and institutional support in the past year
* Membership in Vermont Foodbank resulted in a net benefit to the Food Panty of $2425.
— Prepared jointly by: Dave Hall, Treasurer; & Maureen Fletcher Bookkeeper with Bill Watson, Minister and Trustee
**Balance Sheet and budget projections are included on following pages**
DEC. 31 Balance Sheet
Grafton Community Church 2026 Budget page 1 of 3
Grafton Community Church 2026 Budget page 2 of 3
Grafton Community Church 2026 Budget page 3 of 3
By-law Revision 2026/27 — Treasurer, Pastor, Emeritus Status:
Current Article V – Officers Section 1 (concerning elections)
Current Subsection C (concerning duties)
C. The Treasurer shall have the custody and care of all funds of the Church. The Treasurer shall keep accurate books of account showing all the financial transactions of the Church. The Treasurer shall, when so directed by the Trustees, have authority to sign and deliver in the name of the church all checks drawn for the disbursement of money actually on deposit belonging to the Church. The Treasurer will prepare financial statements and budgets in cooperation with the Trustees.
Proposed Article V – section1, subsection C
C. The Treasurer shall have overall supervision of Church funds, working as liaison between the Church Council and Trustees and the paid Bookkeeper and an accounting consultant, if the Church Council approves the employment of those persons.
The Treasurer, the Bookkeeper with the advice of a consultant will have authority to sign and deliver in the name of the Church all checks drawn for the disbursement of money actually on deposit belonging to the Church.
The Treasurer will oversee preparation of financial statements and budgets as prepared by the Bookkeeper and/or consultant in cooperation with the Trustees.
The Treasurer and the paid Bookkeeper may be the same individual providing the role of Financial Secretary is an active and a separate, elected member of the Church Council, and the Treasurer is a Church member.
Pastor By-law Revision 2026:
Current Article V – Officers Section 1 (concerning elections)
Current Subsection E (concerning duties)
E. The Pastor shall be a member, ex-officio, of all boards and committees.
Proposed Article V – section1, subsection E
E. The Pastor shall be a member, ex-officio, of all boards and committees. In the event that the Pastor is an active member of the Church and in a volunteer role as Pastor, they may occupy and fulfill the duties of Trustee and/or Officer in an official capacity, if the Church Membership or the Church Council elects them to such a position.
Current Article IV – Administration section 1, Subsection C
Current subsection C. The Diaconate (Concerning Deacons Emeritus)
Faithful service as a Deacon, Trustee or Officer may result in election as Deacon Emeritus by the Church Council. Deacons Emeritus shall continue, as they are able, to fulfill Deacon duties.
Emeritus Revision – Proposed Article IV, Administration section 1, Subsection C
Faithful service as a Deacon, Trustee or Officer may result in election as Deacon Emeritus by the Church Council. Deacons Emeritus shall continue, as they are able, to fulfill Deacon or Trustee duties, whichever is most closely aligned with their prior service.
These revisions to the by-laws are proposed for review and consent of the Annual Meeting in 2026. Since they have not been warned in accordance Article VII – AMENDMENTS “at least two weeks in advance” of this meeting. They will be considered proposed until the next meeting of the full membership. At this point, they serve to offer full transparency to the way the Church is currently operated.
Motion: The Annual Meeting of the Grafton Community Church hereby consents to the proposed revisions of the By-laws as the operating standard of the Church until such time as these By-law amendments can be properly approved by a meeting of the membership (Warned two weeks in advance) in accordance with the By-laws adopted in 1975 and amended in 2008, 2018 & 2020.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z-IruUdSf706GJiRBRAeVW7jVkimwiTk/edit
ABOVE is the link to our 2025 Annual Report which we will be sharing with all assembled on Sunday 1/19/26 following worship.
Feel free to copy this link to make your own copy of the Annual Report.
Paper copies will be available at church on Sunday morning.
Best wishes to you. Hope to see you soon!