The Good News The Pastor s Perspective

Transcription

1 FEBRUARY/ MARCH 2019 UPCOMING EVENTS SATURDAY FEBRUARY 2 ND 8:00 10:00 AM PANCAKE BREAKFAST SUNDAY FEBRUARY 3 RD SUPER BOWL SUB PICK-UP FRIDAY FEBRUARY 8 TH 6:00 DINNER 7:30 CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT The Ahn Sisters THURSDAYS FEBRUARY 14 TH & 28 th NOON STONE SOUP LUNCH SATURDAY, MARCH 2 ND 8:00 AM PANCAKE BREAKFAST FRIDAY, MARCH 8 th 7:00 PM CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT Matthew Savage THURSDAYS, MARCH 14 th & 28 TH NOON STONE SOUP LUNCH SUNDAY MARCH 17 TH PIE SUNDAY The Good News The Pastor s Perspective It was pretty cool! I was sitting at home one evening a couple of weeks ago and received a message from a friend of mine. She wrote, I just saw your pretty church on HGTV! For those of you who do not watch a lot of television, HGTV is the Home and Garden network. She had been watching a program called My Lottery Dream House which is about people that win the lottery and then use a portion of the proceeds to purchase their dream home. The title is pretty self-explanatory. In an episode from 2017, a local family won the lottery and one of the potential dream homes was in the little town of Norfolk! The show s announcer described the town of Norfolk as being a picturesque New England town, and as he said it there was a fly-over shot of the church. Our church was on national television! (Granted, it was on a cable channel on a program that I had never heard of until that moment, but we were on national television!) That is very exciting! If we had known that they were filming, we could have had the congregation stand on the front steps and wave to the camera. Hello America! Welcome! I was proud of our little church when I saw it on television, but I am always proud of this church family. As I watched the video I thought, If only we could tell people about our ministries. If only the camera crew had stopped and come inside. We are a pretty, little church. We gather and worship in the quintessential New England church building. And we are so much more than just a lovely building. We are a community that loves God and loves our neighbors with all of our hearts, and souls, and strength. We worship, we teach, we learn, we sing, and laugh, and pray. We raise our children and celebrate the blessings that we enjoy. We also wrap our arms around those who are struggling and lift them up, we console one another in our grieving, and we comfort those who mourn. Two hundred years of love and faith could not possibly be captured in a three-second fly-over shot. In the end, the family did not purchase the dream home in Norfolk. I wonder if someone that saw the program will stop by and ask to take a look around. I saw your church on TV! In the meantime, we will continue to sit in the center of town and serve as a beacon for our community. We will worship, teach, and share what it means to be the Beloved Children of a loving God.

2 2 DEADLINE IS MARCH 24 th!! Easter Flowers ORDER DEADLINE: March 24 th The Altar Guild is now taking orders for Easter plants to be placed in church on Easter Sunday, April 21 st. You may select either tulips or lilies, and may take the plant(s) home following Easter Services. I would like to order Easter lilies and /or tulips at $8 each. (Please state number of each) I would like the bulletin to read: GIVEN BY: IN MEMORY OF: IN HONOR OF: Please check the following: I will pick up my plant(s) Please deliver my plant(s) to a shut-in. Any plants not picked up by the Monday after Easter will be distributed to shut-ins or the elderly. If you are unable to pick up your plants by Monday, please contact Carol Hansell or another Altar Guild member to set them aside for you. Enclosed is payment of $ to cover the above gifts. Please make check payable to Federated Church of Norfolk. Return the check and order form to the church office and please be sure to mark it Altar Guild. Date : DEADLINE FOR ORDERS IS March 24, 2019 Name: Phone: (Please Print)

3 3 STONE SOUP LUNCH The dates and menus for February and March are as follows: Thursday, February 14: Cheeseburger Soup, Beet Soup (vegetarian), bread, salad and dessert. Thursday, February 28: Rustic Sausage Soup, Garlic Soup (vegetarian), bread, salad and dessert. Thursday, March 14: Irish (beef) Stew, Wild Rice & Mushroom (vegetarian), bread, salad and dessert. Thursday, March 28: Corn Chowder, Roasted Asparagus (vegetarian), bread, salad and dessert. We begin serving at noon, but you are welcome to stay as long as you like. All are welcome to join us for lunch. Invite a friend and come on down. ANNUAL REVIEW PROCESS Upcoming Annual Review Process for Church Staff We Would like to Hear From You! It is that time of year, when we review the impact that our church staff has on our congregation and celebrate the wonderful contributions that they are making and reflect upon where there may be opportunities for even greater impact. To that end, we would like to hear feedback from the church family to incorporate in the annual review process. If you have accolades and/or constructive feedback that you would like to share, please reach out to Martha Sanford, Church Moderator. Martha can be reached via at marthaday_sanford@mckinsey.com or cell # Martha will be sure to pass along the feedback to the appropriate executive committee member performing the annual review. Church staff included in the annual review process are Scott Cousineau - Pastor, Renee Kaufman Christian Education, Sue Ditmore Office administration, Barbara La Valley - Sexton, and Daniel Dickinson Music Director. Thank you for your thoughtful input! DISCOVER US! The Discover Us! Committee was created after discussions at a Deacon s meeting in early Fall of 2018 to explore options and opportunities to reach people in the surrounding community with the good news of the Federated Church of Norfolk. The scope of Discover Us! is to bring more people to Christ and grow our church congregation family. Through a specific four-part action strategy, our objectives are: 1. How do we reach people? 2. Identify who are these people 3. Establish activities/actions to reach people 4. Emphasize we are all Everyday Evangelists To date, we have accomplished the following: 1. Purchased a new sign board placed in front of the church to inform all of the church activities 2. Recorded the Chamber Music concerts which are now up on the NCTV web site and will be linked on our church web site 3. Advertised the Chamber Music Series in the Norfolk & Wrentham newspaper, Charles River Chorale program, notices in the schools. 4. Purchased a video monitor and associated equipment that will be placed in the entranceway from the parking lot telling all visually what we are doing and what we are all about. 5. Organized a Christmas caroling party this past December 6. Exploring a documentary film for young people slated for this Spring Our work has just begun and we are exploring many more options to accomplish our goals, as Together We Grow! in Christ. ANNUAL MEETING AND REPORT DEADLINE Per the Federated Church of Norfolk bylaws, the Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, May 5, following the 10:00 AM worship service. All reports from staff, boards, committees and fellowship groups are due by Sunday, March 31. Federated Church of Norfolk, 1 Union Street, P.O. Box 315, Norfolk MA Phone: (508) , mail@fcon.org

4 4 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! PIE SUNDAY Sunday, March 17 Pie Sunday will take place after worship on Sunday, March 17 th. Last year, the Children s Sunday School classes hosted Pie Sunday as a fundraiser for the Foster Care Bags for the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. This year the proceeds from Pie Sunday will go to Bright Hope Animal Rescue, created and run by Amanda and Jason Hopson. This rescue is an allbreed, NO-KILL animal rescue located in East Tennessee. Their mission is to reduce the number of animals euthanized by their Animal Control Facility. They promote spaying and neutering programs by educating their community. The Hopsons foster more than twenty dogs in their home, many who are elderly and have health issues. The Hopsons also provide transportation of animals from the south to adopted homes in the north. Twice a month they deliver more than one hundred dogs to their new forever homes. On Sunday, March 31, Amanda and Jason will be our special guests during the Sunday School hour. They will be sharing with the Sunday School students about their special mission of rescuing animals. We are looking for volunteers to provide pies for this fundraiser. Some pies will be used for sampling while other pies will be sold whole. If anyone is willing to donate one or two pies, please contact Pastor Renee. And be sure to join us on March 17 for Pie Sunday. PYF Happenings Saturday, February 2, Noon 2:00 PM: Combined PYF. Sub Sale prep. We need lots of helpers to slice cold cuts, chop and slice vegetables, etc. to get ready for our super sandwiches. Sunday, February 3, 8:30 AM 11:00 AM: Combined PYF. Then we need you bright and early the next day to make the subs, and then distribute them to our happy customers. Friday, February 8, 5:30 7:30 PM: Members of the Senior PYF group will be our servers for the Sweetheart Dinner before the Chamber Music Concert. Please wear black and white outfits. Saturday, February 16, 8:30 AM 12:30 PM: The service opportunities continue for the Senior PYF. It is the beginning of school vacation week. Those who are able, please come a hand as we feed our neighbors. Sunday, February 17, Noon 3:00 PM: Junior PYF Lunch and Movie Sunday, February 24, Noon 3:00 PM: Senior PYF - Bowling Sunday, March 10, Noon 3:00 PM: Junior PYF Sky Zone Sunday, March 17, Noon 4:00 PM: Senior PYF. Movies Sunday, March 24, Noon 3:00 PM: Combined PYF Service Project Sunday, March 31, Noon 3:00 PM: TBD CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS As Spring approaches, so does Summer. Families may be making their Summer plans and some of those plans may include going to camp. The Board of Christian Education has funds available to provide scholarships to Federated Church families. If your child or grandchild is interested in attending summer camp, please speak with Pastor Renee or a member of the board for a scholarship application.

5 MISSIONS They are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 2 Corinthians 8:2 SOUP KITCHEN The Missions Team continues to work with Food and Friends Soup Kitchen in Attleboro. Our next Soup Kitchen will be on Saturday, February 16 th. The entrée for the day is Shepherd s Pie. The Soup Kitchen schedule for the remainder of 2019 is as follows: Apr 20, Jun 15, Aug 17, Oct 19, Dec 21. We have started using Sign Up Genius to make the registration process a bit more streamlined. Of course, we will continue to use the paper sign-up as well. CHURCH WORLD SERVICES BLANKET DRIVE We would love for you to help us Blanket the World With Love during the month of February. Your $10 donation will help a mother shelter her children from the cold or keep a homeless person living on the streets warm. A warm blanket is like a warm hug. If you are able, please join us in giving our neighbors a hug. BLOOD DRIVE Save the Date Saturday, March 16 th. We hope that you will join us for the annual Blood Drive. More information will be forthcoming. GIVING TREES Many hands make light work. John Heywood Thank you very much for your generosity during the Christmas season. We were able to provide Christmas for the residents of Haven of Grace, fifteen families at Medway House and the residents of Bachand Hall and Page Apartments. Additionally, we also provided a futon to the Three Rivers Program in Springfield. SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE HOUR We need you! Our fellowship hour after worship services is an important part of our ministry of hospitality. We are looking for individuals that would be willing to be on-call to help with coffee hour from time to time. If you would be willing to help provide goodies, or help serve and clean up, please speak with Carol Hansell or Marilyn Bourque. Thank you for your help! FCON BOOK CLUB Do you love to read? Are you a book enthusiast? Would you be interested in forming a book club here at the church? If so, I would like to hear from you. I spent some time on GoodReads and have found three titles for your consideration: Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger Orphan Train, by Christina Baker Kline The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant The Book Club could meet here at the church or in people s homes. Group members could determine how frequently they would like to gather. If you are interested in being a part of this group, please let me know. If you have any other book suggestions, I would love to hear them. Pastor Scott LENTEN VESPER SERVICES The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6. Lent is an opportunity to slow down, to strip away some of the busyness and activity, and focus upon our faith journeys. As we approach the events of Palm Sunday and Holy Week, we explore how the life and ministry of Jesus informs and directs our lives. During the season of Lent, we will offer vesper services on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 7:30 PM. Join us for a time of prayer and meditation as we focus our hearts and minds upon the Way of Jesus Christ. 5 Federated Church of Norfolk, 1 Union Street, P.O. Box 315, Norfolk MA Phone: (508) , mail@fcon.org

6 6 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN Sharing our Gifts The Federated Church has been blessed by an active and caring congregation for over two hundred years. We have gathered for worship, raised our children, and served our community for generations. In the next few weeks, we will begin our stewardship campaign for the fiscal year. You will receive the annual campaign letter and pledge card in the mail. Please prayerfully consider your support for our church family. SAVE OUR STEEPLE Our church building sits at the crossroads in the center of town, and may be the most visible structure in the community. Federated Church is also the quintessential New England church! However, our steeple needs some attention. You may have noticed that the clock does not keep time. One of the hour hands has fallen off. Our wonderful bell is currently unable to ring, and many people in town miss the sound of the carillon playing from the steeple. We are currently exploring ways to fund the repair and restoration of the clock, bell and carillon. If you have any ideas, or would like to help us raise the necessary funds, please speak with Pastor Scott or one of the members of the Board of Trustees or the Finance Committee. NEWSLETTER NEWS In an effort to be good stewards of our financial resources, we are trying to save money on postage and office supplies. We can save hundreds of dollars each year if we reduce the number of copies of the newsletter that get mailed out. Our newsletter is posted on the church website ( and can easily be accessed there. If you would like to continue receiving a hard copy of the newsletter in the mail, we are happy to do so. Please call or send an to the church office. CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT SERIES Friday, February 8: The Ahn Sisters 6:00 PM Dinner 7:30 PM Concert The Ahn sisters both have degrees from the prestigious Julliard School of Music, and have performed concerts around the world. Friday, March 8: Matthew Savage 7:00 PM Concert Matthew discovered his passion for music at an early age. He has performed on many of the latenight talk shows, and has published twelve albums of solo and ensemble music. CONFIRMATION CLASS For the last couple of years, we have been offering a Confirmation Class every other year. At the end of last s class, we decided that we should redesign the ministry so that it better suits the needs of our youth and mentors. Our desire is that the revised program will make the Confirmation experience more meaningful for the youth and adult participants. On Sunday, January 27, a group of mentors and former confirmands gathered and offered their input. We would like to hear from more of you. If you went through the Confirmation class as a youth or as an adult mentor: What was your favorite part of the Confirmation experience? What was your least favorite part? What should we definitely keep going forward? What should we change? What would you like to see added to the program? Please feel free to submit your answers to any or all of these questions. We plan to assemble a team of Deacons and members of the Board of Christian Education to take your input and use it to resign the class. Pastor Scott