January First Parish Church on the Village Green Manchester-by-the-Sea. Pageant Church Bell

Transcription

1 First Parish Church on the Village Green Manchester-by-the-Sea Pageant 2014 January 2015 The Newsletter of the First Parish Church Congregational Church Bell

2 PAGE 2 CHURCH BELL JANUARY 2015 Christian Ministry Coordinator Priscilla Duda Well here we are in January 2015, the pageant was perfect, the Christmas services wonderful, packages are unwrapped and put away, the tree is down, we have rung in the New Year, kissed relatives goodbye and are finally relaxed and returning to our normal schedules! I look forward to 2015 and all of the wonderful moments we will all share. Sunday school resumes on January 4 th and all of the classes will learn about Epiphany, we will head over to the church early that day to participate in a Children s Service led by Rev. Hughes. On January 11 th the Pre k k class and 1-3 grade class will all look at the Parable of the Sower while the 4 th and 5 th graders will look at the Parable of the Good Samaritan. On January 18 th there will be no Sunday school in observance of the Martin Luther King holiday. January 25 th the Pre k k and 1 st 3 rd grade classes will look at the Parable of the Good Shepherd and the Parable of the Mustard Seed. Looking to spring we will begin our Frist Communion class for our 4 th and 5 th grade students. Here is a look at the schedule for planning. First Communion Schedule for /08/15 Good Shepherd and World Communion Jen/Sarah 2/11/15 Ash Wednesday participation Church 3/01/15 Help prepare and observe Communion Church 3/08/15 Bread video Rev. Hughes 3/11/15 Catacomb Rev. Hughes 3/15/15 Apostles Creed/ General Confession Jen/Sarah 3/22/15 4 scriptures that examine and define Communion Rev. Hughes 4/01/15 Prepare Passover meal Priscilla 4/02/15 Passover meal/thursday service Priscilla 4/03/15 Good Friday Service Church 4/05/15 Easter Sunday Church 4/12/15 1 st Communion Sunday Church Happy New Year! Priscilla

3 PAGE 3 CHURCH BELL JANUARY 2015 Adult Education As we look towards 2015 I am planning to run Adult programs that are spiritual, social and educational. Would you take a brief moment and look at the suggestions listed below and send me a message back noting what you would find interesting and making any additional suggestions. Would you be interested in? Pot Luck Dinners Series on Parenting (raising a spiritual child, transitional times in a child s life, helping your child make good choices, ACT /SAT figuring it all out, choosing colleges, etc ) Series on examining the Bible Creating a tradition based family Book Group Financial discussions (debt free life, planning for college, scholarship advice, raising a money smart child etc ) Progressive Dinner Parties Dining out nights Seasonal events (crafts, cooking lesson ) Outings (NSMT, Red Sox, Euro stoves, Wine tasting/class Historic churches) Please respond to this and let me know what you are interested in, add comments, suggestions etc and I will do my best to set up some amazing programs! Thank you all for helping me! Priscilla Friday afternoon 4:00 PM in the Conference Room of the Chapel led by Rev. John Hughes Contact us Phone: Ext. 1 Website: office.fpchurch@verizon.net

4 Youth Director Emelia Attridge Middle School Youth Group Solace (grades 6 8) meets Sundays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and High School Youth Group Teen Cafe (grades 9 12) meets Sundays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. will meet on 1/4, 1/11, and 1/25 Community Service Opportunity Monday, Jan. 19 is when we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In honor of his work in social justice, many organizations devote time on this Monday holiday to give back. If you are interested in community service on 1/19/2014, please RSVP with Emelia Attridge at youthdirector.fpchurch@verizon.net. A local organization and time will be announced by and on Facebook. Jam with us Do you sing or play an instrument? We re forming a musical group that will begin meeting in January. Contact Emelia Attridge at youthdirector.fpchurch@verizon.net if you re interested!

5 Mission Years Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Isaiah 58:66 Beginning in 2015, Mission Years seeks to empower students to discover their personal call to serve through the following: Discover one s own personal ministry in how they may be able to serve with a certain skill set or a desire to work with a certain population. Engage students in education on issues of social justice. Form relationships with community members who regularly serve by practicing their own call. Provide students with the tools to serve others and to understand issues of injustice, poverty, oppression, and struggle within our own local and global communities. During the years between First Communion and Confirmation, Middle School youth are challenged to complete 10 service learning opportunities. Each category will include opportunities for students to learn from a community member involved in that area of service, and to perform a related service project (from Hunger and Homelessness to Environmental and Literacy projects). Service projects will be performed on Cape Ann and through local organizations. Once all 10 are completed, students will then become eligible to attend a Mission Trip. Four categories will be offered each program year on a rotational schedule. Adult volunteers Interested in becoming involved with our Youth Group? Volunteer a Sunday morning or chaperone an event. Contact youthdirector.fpchurch@verizon.net to find out how.

6 PAGE 6 CHURCH BELL JANUARY 2015 What is it?? Vital- vi-tal (adjective) crucial, needed for life, lively Vitality...liveliness, energy, strength, life Come join us to brainstorm, join in with what you want from our Church! The Vitality group would like to thank the following people for their stories this past month: My Story- Steven Newman Deirdre Henderson Tyler Duda John Hughes Lester Strangman If you are interested in telling your story in seconds, please call Mary Ellen Cook at or call the church office. Our Vitality coach, Rev. Paul Nickerson came and preached on January 4th. He had a meet and greet following the service; and made a small presentation. Paul is very excited to be working with his home church; and eager to meet our congregation. A Spiritual Gifts Inventory evening, led by Rev. Hughes and Allison Moir-Smith, is planned for a small group of members and guests. If you're interested in learning more about the inventory tool and your own unique "spiritual gifts," please contact the church office or Allison at , allison.moir.smith@gmail.com The Hour of Tranquility has started at our church. Wednesdays evenings from 6:30-7:30 our sanctuary is open for quiet prayer and reflection. Our Vitality group is open to everyone. We love your input and new ideas. We are excited about our vital church in Happy New Year! Mary Ellen Cook, Vitality

7 PICK, CHARLOTTE 01/01 7 LINCOLN ST MANCHESTER PETERSON, MEGAN 01/ CHEBACCO ROAD SOUTH HAMILTON MA POLLOCK, MARK 01/02 7 ANCIENT COUNTY WAY MANCHESTER WALKER, DEREK 01/03 3 SALT MARSH LANE GLOUCESTER MA ATTRIDGE, EMELIA 01/ HERMIT ROAD MANCHESTER NH WALKER, LANCE 01/04 3 SALT MARSH LANE GLOUCESTER MA FRANKLIN, MARA 01/07 17 NORWOOD AVENUE MANCHESTER COLBERT, MICHAEL 01/08 9 SEA STREET MANCHESTER CALANDRA, REBECCA 01/09 7 WINDEMERE PARK MANCHESTER COLBERT, JAMES 01/10 9 SEA STREET MANCHESTER HOSMAN, TESS 01/11 7A ARBELLA ST MANCHESTER MCLAREN, ABIGAIL 01/14 28 BENNETT ST MANCHESTER CICALA, EMILIA 01/ PINE ST MANCHESTER MA MCCLAIN, THOMAS 01/19 54 RIVER ROAD KENNEBUNKPORT ME BLODGETT, SOPHIE 01/20 40 CHASE ST. DANVERS MA COLBERT, BETHANY 01/21 9 SEA STREET MANCHESTER DOLAN, MARLENE 01/24 19 WOODCREST ROAD MANCHESTER GREENSLET, KATHRYN 01/24 41 LINCOLN STREET MANCHESTER MULVEY, JIA LI 01/25 5 KNIGHT CIRCLE MANCHESTER HUGHES, JOHN 01/27 28 ROCKWOOD HEIGHTS ROAD MANCHESTER COOK, MARY ELLEN 01/30 23 HAROLD ST MANCHESTER

8 Diaconate During their last meeting the deacons discussed the various services coming up in December their busiest month. The deacons also discussed how to transition to a new financial secretary. We were happy to learn that John Feuerbach stepped in. John and Jeff will meet to make sure the transition goes smoothly. We are grateful to both for their contributions past, present and future. In September the Deacons got inspired by a service at a church in Germany: bookmarks with a landscape photo on the front, and a contemplative quote along with our church s web address on the back. These bookmarks reflect our church well and can serve as a welcome gift to old and new members. At the last meeting we reviewed the first batch of bookmarks. We decided to present the Fall and Winter Landscape bookmarks in the pews every Sunday before Christmas, and from then on every Communion Sunday throughout the rest of the church year. Parishioners are welcome to contribute their own favorite short quotes from the bible or other sources (to be included on the Spring and Summer bookmarks) by ing them to christiane@alsop.com. Would you like to read or greet during worship? Let a Diaconate member or the office know. ACOLYTE-BELL RINGER The Candle Lighting Ritual remembers Jesus words, Wherever 2 or 3 gather in my name, there I am in the midst of you. As we gather to worship, our faith becomes our burning reality. The bell is struck 3 times for the Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. At the end of the service, the flame does not remain on the altar, but goes back out into the world, into our very lives. Only when what we have read, what we have sung, what we have reflected upon becomes acted out is our faith a true reality. To volunteer contact youthdirector.fpchurch@verizon.net Would you like to donate flowers to grace our altar? Flowers can be given in memory or in celebration and you can take them after the service or ask that they be given to a friend. Please call Penny Lapham at

9 PAGE 9 CHURCH BELL JANUARY 2015 Ten Best Ways to Live: The Ten Commandments for Today s World, led by Dr. Judy Haley has started. Far from an outdated code of do s and don ts, the Ten Commandments still offer God s expansive perspectives and anchoring practices that bring life and joy to families and communities. Combined with Jesus incisive enactment of them, they provide a framework for making decisions, guiding children and living a vibrant life together. The program will be offered once a month in two different formats with the same topic s discussed: Friday s Group Session we will meet at 6 PM in the conference room at 1 Chapel Lane (light refreshments will be served starting at 5:30 PM) Monday s Virtual Session starting at 8:45 PM from the comfort of your home. Contact the office or office.fpchurch@verizon.net to sign up for the virtual session and to receive important information that will help you set up Google Plus and get you ready to go live! Connections January 9 & 12 So often the best and the worst parts of holidays are the family dynamics. Heightened expectations meet human realities. How does the fifth commandment s call to honor help us negotiate our connections with and dislocations from the people of our past and our future? Sessions will include discussions of issues raised by the Ten Commandments, contextual information about them, and practices related to them that people have found helpful for living, working, and parenting. Sign up for either session here (Contact cedirector.fpcchurch@verizon.net for more information on this or other programs offered at FPC When When Commandments Topic January 9 & 12 5 Connections February 6 & Vibrant Life March 6 & 9 8 Possessions April 10 & 13 9 True Speech May 1 & 4 10 Desires

10 Worship Schedule Wed. Jan. 7 th Hour of Tranquility [6:30 p.m.] Thurs. Jan. 8 th Merger Bylaw Discussion Essex Association [7:00 p.m.] Sunday, January 11 th Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5 Acts 19:1-7 Mark 1:4-11 Sermon: The Up and Down of Baptism Hymns: O Radiant Christ, Incarnate Word Crashing Water at Creation Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness Wed. Jan. 14 th Hour of Tranquility [6:30 p.m.] Sunday, January 18 th Scripture: 1Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20) John 1:43-51 Sermon: Hearing the Unheard, Seeing the Unseen Hymns: Fairest Lord Jesus O Jesus, I Have Promised Jesus Calls Us, O er the Tumult Wed. Jan. 21 st Clergy Luncheon Essex Association [noon] Wed. Jan. 21 st Hour of Tranquility [6:30 p.m.] Sunday, January 25 th Scripture: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Mark 1:14-20 Sermon: An Invitation to Be Great Hymns: Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken Be Now My Vision Lift High the Cross Wed. Jan. 28 th Hour of Tranquility [6:30 p.m.]

11 Daily Lectionary Thurs., Jan. 1 Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 Psalm 8, Revelation 21:1-6a Matthew 25:31-46 Fri., Jan. 2 Psalm 148, Proverbs 1:1-7 James 3:13-18 Sat., Jan. 3 Psalm 110, Proverbs 1:20-33 James 4:1-10 Sun., Jan. 4 Jeremiah 31:7-14 or Sirach 24:1-12, Psalm 147:12-20 or Wisdom 10:15-21, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:[1-9] Mon., Jan. 5 Psalm 110, Proverbs 22:1-9 Luke 6:27-31 Tues., Jan. 6 Epiphany Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14, Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12 Wed., Jan. 7 Psalm 110, Exodus 1:22-2:10, Hebrews 11:23-26 Thurs., Jan. 8 Psalm 110, Exodus 2:11-25 Hebrews 11:27-28 Fri., Jan. 9 Psalm 110, Exodus 3:7-15 John 8:39-59 Sat., Jan. 10 Psalm 29, 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12, Luke 5:1-11 Sun., Jan. 11 1st Sunday after Epiphany Baptism of the Lord Genesis 1:1-5, Psalm 29 Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 Mon., Jan. 12 Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36, Genesis 17:1-13, Romans 4:1-12 Tues., Jan. 13 Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36, Exodus 30:22-38, Acts 22:2-16 Wed., Jan. 14 Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36, Isaiah 41:14-20, John 1:29-34 Thurs., Jan. 15 Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, Judges 2:6-15, 2 Corinthians 10:1-11 Fri., Jan. 16 Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, Judges 2:16-23, Acts 13:16-25 Sat., Jan. 17 Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, 1 Samuel 2:21-25, Matthew 25:1-13 Sun., Jan. 18 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, 1 Samuel 3:1-10 [11-20], Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 Mon., Jan. 19 Psalm 86, 1 Samuel 9:27-10:8, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 Tues., Jan. 20 Psalm 86, 1 Samuel 15:10-31, Acts 5:1-11 Wed., Jan. 21 Psalm 86, Genesis 16:1-14 Luke 18:15-17, Thurs., Jan. 22 Psalm 62:5-12, Jeremiah 19:1-15, Revelation 18:11-20 Fri., Jan. 23 Psalm 62:5-12, Jeremiah 20:7-13, 2 Peter 3:1-7 Sat., Jan. 24 Psalm 62:5-12, Jeremiah 20:14-18, Luke 10:13-16 Sun., Jan. 25 3rd Sunday after Epiphany Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Mark 1:14-20 Mon., Jan. 26 Psalm 46, Genesis 12:1-9 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Tues., Jan. 27 Psalm 46, Genesis 45:25-46:7, Acts 5:33-42 Wed., Jan. 28 Psalm 46, Proverbs 8:1-21 Mark 3:13-19a Thurs., Jan. 29 Psalm 111, Deuteronomy 3:23-29, Romans 9:6-18 Fri., Jan. 30 Psalm 111, Deuteronomy 12:28-32, Revelation 2:12-17 Sat., Jan. 31 Psalm 111, Deuteronomy 13:1-5, Matthew 8:28 9:1 Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. commontexts.org. Used by permission. This resource may be reproduced by congregations for their own worship and educational activities. Provided by the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ made possible by Our Church s Wider Mission Basic Support and Fellowship Dues.

12 First Parish Church, Congregational 1 Chapel Lane, P.O. Box 187 Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA Address Correction Requested The Care Team Ministry Have you shared the experience? Our Care Team provides meals, rides, & visits to sustain families in our Church Community through times of illness and loss. If you would like to become involved with this wonderful support system please call; Sheila Kafer , smkafer@comcast.net Or Janet Groth at , janbythesea244@gmail.com Each Wednesday Evening An Hour of Tranquility in our sanctuary 6:30 PM 7:30 PM As a way of giving back to the community, we open our candlelit sanctuary for anyone seeking a place of tranquility to enjoy peaceful music and private meditation. All faiths are welcome to join in this space.