27 Church Street, PO BOX 284 Mattapoisett, MA 02739 (508) 758-2671 mattapoisettcongregationalchurch.org mattcong@verizon.net MARCH 2017 Inside this Issue Pastor s Page 2 News & Notes 3-4 Lift Update/Pics 4 Missions 5 Christian Education 6 Shrove Tuesday Pics 7 March Calendar 8 Pastor The Rev. Amy Lignitz Harken e-mail: mccpastoramy@verizon.net Director of Music Michelle Gordon Christian Education Director Patricia Berry Administrative Assistant Christine Schaefer Sexton David Smarowski Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:30 am 12:15 pm
As we enter the Lenten season, I share this true story: There once was a young man who had a reputation among his neighbors for his wayward ways. (I don t know what those ways were. Maybe he cussed. Maybe he drank too much, or got into trouble with the law. Given this was the 19 th century, it could have been just about anything!) One Sunday morning he happened to go to into a church. He heard the story of Jesus, and was cut to the heart. So this wayward young man went up the aisle (I image him clutching his hat in two sweating hands, his boots echoing on rough-hewn planks as ladies in bonnets watched him with great curiosity). Standing (or maybe kneeling) before the preacher, he made a confession of faith, and that same day was baptized. The church was thrilled! The community outside the church was shocked and outraged. The townspeople thought all of Christendom was scandalized by the addition of such a bad seed! He d never repented of all his wayward ways, they said. According to the report of this incident, These good people, it seems, supposed the value and genuineness of repentance depended on the length of time consumed in repenting. The author who recorded this incident was T.P. Haley, and the book in which it is recorded is Historical and Biographical Sketches of the Early Churches and Pioneer Preachers of the Christian Church in Missouri, published in 1888. Mr. Haley goes on to cite the many Biblical examples of same-day conversion and baptism. We explored many of those same-day baptisms in Bible study, when we read the Book of Acts. We are a far removed in time and space from the American frontier of the 19 th century, but the human heart is the human heart. It doesn t take much for us to imagine this scenario happening among our staunch New England Congregationalist ancestors, or maybe even today among our friends. During this season of Lent, we would do well to mull the concept of the value and genuineness of repentance. What do we mean by repentance, anyway? What makes it valuable, and how do we know if it s genuine? Can we even tell if it s genuine in another person? How do we know another person s heart has been changed turned irrevocably toward God? How do we know if our own repentance is genuine, if our own heart has been turned irrevocably toward God? Can we ever know for sure, or do we have to constantly work on it? We would also do well this Lent to mull the notion of the length of time consumed in repenting. The young man recorded in that ancient book went to church on a Sunday morning, heard a sermon, and his life was completely changed. Apparently it can take no time at all or at least only as long as a sermon. In the 19 th century may have taken a couple hours, but that s still only a relative blip in time. On the other hand, some people spend years in concentrated effort at prayer, devotional reading and scripture study. Some people make it their life s work to draw ever closer and closer to God. Some of these good people fairly glow with the grace of God, and we admire their serenity and peace. But, we have to admit, not everybody who prays a lot carries that glow. So, does the quality of our spiritual life depend on how much effort we put into it? Well, yes, it does. Lent is a time set aside by the church to think about repentance, and renew or refresh those efforts turning to God through confession and contrition, through sacrifice and prayer. These are soul-deep efforts. But, while we are at it, we can spend some time cogitating about why we repent in the frst place, and how we know it s real. CENTERING PRAYER/MEDITATION TUESDAYS, 7 A.M. Get your week off to a good start with a time of prayer. The Centering Prayer group meets every Tuesday morning at 7 a.m. in the Living Room/Prayer Room downstairs for 20 minutes of quiet meditation. Park in the church lot, and enter through the Barstow Street entrance. All are welcome! Questions? Talk to Rev. Amy Lignitz Harken or Nancy Perry.
CONGREGATION NEWS & NOTES WELCOME TO REV. JOHN HART The Board of Deacons is pleased that the Reverend John Hart will be our guest minister on March 19th. Reverend Hart is a professor of Christian Ethics at the Boston University School of Theology. Participating in the service will be our Christian Education Director, and Boston University School of Theology seminarian, Patricia Berry. 2017 MEMORIALS SCHOLARSHIPS The Memorials & Celebrations Committee is pleased to again offer scholarships to students graduating from high school in June who reside in the town of Mattapoisett, Marion or Rochester. Students who live outside the tri-town area but are members of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church are also eligible to be considered for a scholarship. Three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded on the basis of scholastic achievement, community service and financial need. This year the application process will be conducted online. All the information students will need, including eligibility criteria and application forms, is available now at the local public and private schools, as well as MCC s website (mattapoisettcongregationalchurch.org/latest News/Now Accepting Applications for 2017 Memorials Scholarships). If students prefer, this information can be obtained from the Church office via an email (mattcong@verizon.net). The deadline for electronic submission of documents is Friday, April 21, 2017. Students will be notified of their selection by Monday, May 8 via email. Scholarship recipients will be presented in Church on Scholarship Sunday, May 21 during the 10 o clock service. If you are or know of a graduating senior from ORR, Old Colony, Bishop Stang or Tabor Academy and have any questions about the scholarship application process, please contact the MCC office via email at mattcong@verizon.net. NEXT OPEN TABLE AND CHURCH GAME NIGHT FRIDAY MARCH 10 TH We hope you will join us for our Open table Community Dinner on Friday, March 10, Doors open 4:30 Supper served at 5:00 pm. Following Open Table in Reynard Hall, please join us for Church Fun Game Night 6:30pm-8:30 pm. Contact Holly Gordon or Claire Keene if you have any questions or suggestions. Faith, Fun & Followship Thinking Spring?! Thinking Spring Cleaning?! Then think All Church Yard Sale August 12, 2017 Saturday 8:30-12:00pm Contact Lisa Hill for details or to offer help. Many strong backs and trucks make the job easier. Daylight Savings Time begins 2:00 am Sunday March 12
CONGREGATION NEWS & NOTES CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: LIFT UPDATE The 3-level lift project is proceeding well as you have no doubt noticed. The framing, plastering, and electrical work have been substantially completed and the lift itself has been ordered from the manufacturer. Delivery of the lift is now expected to take 6-7 weeks (we had planned for 3-4), and is currently scheduled to arrive shortly after Easter. Though we had hoped to be done sooner, the Trustees are very pleased with the contractor's performance so far. The entryway during demolition (above). A new heating unit has been installed in the entry (below). The Family Room during framing (above). The trim work is completed and painting has begun (below). WHO IN THE WORLD WOULD WANT ONE? As most of you have noticed, the deacons benches have been removed from the front of the sanctuary. These wonderful pieces of history are now waiting for a new home. There are 6 deacons benches that we would like to sell. For certain, the pews date from the original meeting house construction in 1842 or 1843. Three are open on the right as you sit and three are open on the left. For each set of 3, two are about 8' 3" long and 1 is closer to 7' 8". The pews measure 3' 2" in height at the back. The actual seat is 1' 7" from the floor. The seat is 1' 2" deep and the overall width is 1' 6". To create a complete 2-sided pew, all you need to do is acquire 1 right-sided pew and 1 left-sided pew and take the end from one and put it on the other. Although we re not sure about the type of wood, we re guessing cedar with mahogany trim. If that information is important to you, we know people who know their wood who can say for sure. There are cushions for all of them. If you are interested in these benches, please call (758-6271) or email (mattcong@verizon.net) the church office. Arrangements will be made for a showing. Who wouldn t want to own a treasured artifact from our sacred meeting house?
YOUTH GROUP ACTIVITIES Would you like to join us for Faith Night with the Providence Bruins? Every year the Providence Bruins host for a great night of hockey and a special Faith Based concert on the ice after the game. This event is open to all friends and families of the congregation. FRIDAY APRIL 7 th 7:05pm * Great seats together as a group * Free Faith Night Concert after the game presented by local Faith Based Band FAVA! * All members of your group will receive discounted tickets - Up to 50% off! * All kids in your group receive a FREE P-Bruins hat! * All kids in your group receive a FREE popcorn and drink! Please contact Ali Caine or Holly Gordon by March 20 if you are interested. alibcaine@gmail.com hollyannegordon12@gmail.com We are pleased to report that the first graders at both Hayden McFadden and Carlos Pacheco Schools in New Bedford each took home a new book of their own for February school vacation thanks to your generosity. That was 180 books--65 to CP and 115 to HayMac. With your financial support the team at Mercy Meals and More is continuing to provide breakfast the third Saturday of each month. We also have been able to share your donations of socks, gloves, warm clothes and blankets when we go. If you have any interest -- and you're an early riser-- we can use a few more team members. Contact Drew or any member of the mission team for more info. KITCHEN UPGRADES COMPLETED The Trustees report that the kitchen upgrades have been completed. A new stainless steel hood for the kitchen stove., with a chemical fire suppression system and a stainless steel counter-top for the island have both been installed. We are now in full compliance with safety codes. You can see a great picture of the improvements in the Shrove Tuesday pictures on page 7. Community Nurse Home Care Visiting Nurse Hospice Private Care Wellness HOSPICE VOLUNTEER TRAINING Learn the tools to provide compassionate care for a family facing a terminal illness. Hospice Volunteers offer a special kind of respite care designed to provide support to patients and their family members coping with a terminal illness. No medical background is necessary. Saturday, March 25, 2017 Saturday, April 1, 2017 Community Nurse Home Care 41 State Road Dartmouth, MA To register or for more information, please contact Cecile Sanders, Volunteer Coordinator csanders@communitynurse.com 508-992-6278 And if you are more the lunch type there is also the opportunity to help at Market Ministries on the third Thursday. See Ken Stickney if you are interested. We have budgeted for some community outreach talks or discussion groups. If you know of a topic or a speaker that you believe would be of vital interest to our community, please talk to any mission committee member. In these times when division seems to mark much of our discourse, our church should and can be a place where people can truly talk and listen to one another. 2017 COMMITTEE REMINDER Please email your monthly minutes to the office.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS "MY BIBLE" FAITH MILESTONE Children are presented with a Bible from Mattapoisett Congregational Church during Bible Sunday each spring. A Family Bible class/potluck dinner is held in preparation for this Faith Milestone. Children in grades 3-6 who have not received a Bible from the church, and their parents, are invited to participate in this family faith milestone. Each Bible will be signed and include favorite scriptures from family members, teachers and Pastor Amy. Family Bible Class Potluck Dinner Friday, April 7 6:30-8:30 pm Bible Sunday April 30, 10am SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL SERIES Sunday School concluded God Restores the People series last Sunday with a Festival of Booths event. It included games, music, art, Scroll Making, Designing a Sukkot, Scripture Reading and special food for fellowship time. Thank you to all who participated, contributed, and shared their time, talent and food. It was a spirit-filled morning for all ages. A LENT TRAVEL GUIDE FOR FAMILIES To help us with our Journey through Lent, A Lent Travel Guide was created. It is a calendar filled with rotating activities based on the three pillars of Lent- Fasting, Praying and Almsgiving. Copies of The Lent Travel Guide are available on the table outside the sanctuary. 2017 COMMUNION FAITH MILESTONE is offered to children (gr 2-6) to further explore and experience the Communion Sacrament. Through storytelling, symbolism, and hands on activities like bread making, children will gain a new understanding of the meaning and how it is practiced in our faith. Participation in all classes is necessary-one class builds upon the next. Parents are welcome to attend. Participants will receive a Faith Milestone recognition during the Maundy Thursday Simple Supper. This is not a "First Communion," for it is a practice at our church and the United Church of Christ that all are welcome at the Lord's Table. It is a family choice to partake in the sacrament. Teachers: Pat Goss, UCC Church Deacon and Patricia Berry, Certified UCC Christian Educator. CLASSES AND RECOGNITION THIS YEAR: Sunday, Mar. 26, 10:15-12:15 in a Sunday School Classroom; Wednesday, Apr. 12, 3pm-5pm in church kitchen and classroom. Recognition: Thur. April 13, during Maundy Thursday Simple Supper
SHROVE TUESDAY 2/28/17 Great community events need great people! Thank you to all who cooked, cleaned and came out to enjoy food, faith and fellowship with us!
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 4 Deacon of the Month: Bob Field MARCH 2017 6:00 Ash Wed Service 6:30 PM DEACONS 6:30 PM CHOIR 5:30 PM MISSIONS 3 Women s Spirit Overnight Retreat Scouts Pinewood Derby 5 COMMUNION 9:00 AM Deacons 10:00 AM Worship Trustee: Rick Price 6 9:00 AM Worship Team Meeting 4:30 PM Bible Study 6:30 PM CE Cmt 7 7:00 AM Centering Prayer/Meditation 8 5:30 PM TRUSTEES 6:30 CHOIR 9 10 4:30 OPEN TABLE Doors Open, Supper at 5:00 pm 6:30 PM CHURCH GAME NIGHT 11 2:00 PM Funeral Virginia Morgan 12 10:00 AM Worship All Committee Chairs Mtg (conf rm after worship) Trustee: Marc Anderson 13 9:00 AM Staff Mtg 4:30 PM Bible Study 14 7:00 AM Centering Prayer/Meditation 5:00 pm PRC 15 6:00 PM EXEC CMT 6:30 CHOIR 16 Noon: Mattapoisett Woman s Club Mtg 17 18 Mercy, Meals & More Super Saturday 19 10:00 AM Worship Welcome to our Guest Preacher Rev John Hart Trustee: Dave Kaiser 26 10:00 AM Worship Deacon s Retreat (parsonage 1-4 pm) 20 21 27 4:30 PM Bible Study 7:00 AM Centering Prayer/Meditation 28 7:00 AM Centering Prayer/Meditation 22 6:30 CHOIR 29 5:00 PM WOMEN S SPIRIT (prayer room) 23 30 24 25 31 4-9 PM Babysitting Course by Beth Olsen Trustee: Lauren Keene REGULARLY SCHEDULED FUNCTIONS/ MEETINGS IN THE CHURCH BUILDING Catelli Dance School Monday 2:30-6:45 Tuesday 3:00-6:30 Wednesday 3:00-8:00 BS & CS Troop 53 Tues 7:00 pm Pack 53 1st/2nd Thurs 6 pm Pack Night: 3rd Thurs 6:00 pm Mattapoisett Woman s Club: 3rd Thursday at Noon. AA: Thurs, 9:30 am ACA: Mon. 6:00 pm Sat 10:00 am