Wednesday, November 25, 2009

I mispoke on Sunday morning about what's happening this evening.  Sorry!  We will not have our regularly scheduled Wednesday Evening activities as the annual Hingham Community Thanksgiving Service is at 7:00 PM.  Everyone is invited to come and be thankful together.  The service is at the Old Ship Church at 107 Main Street, Hingham. 

Did you know that that crazy word we use to refer to communion ("Eucharist") actually means "to give thanks"?  Remember that when Jesus first celebrated at the Table with the disciples on that Holy Thursday, it says that it was only "after he had given thanks" that he shared the cup and the bread. 

We sure have a lot to be thankful for this week, don't we?  But our greatest gift is God himself, in Christ.  While we'll celebrate this gift "officially" in exactly one month from today, we can for sure be thankful each and every day for Christ.

May he be with you as you give thanks this week.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Greetings in Christ!

First off, don't forget our Wednesday activities tonight: community dinner at 6:00 and Bible study at 7:00.  Tonight we'll look at the Colossian hymn as we head for Christ the King Sunday.

Speaking of Christ the King Sunday (November 22), this is the last Sunday of the church year!  That means that the Sunday after (November 29th) brings the beginning of Advent.  Can you believe it?!

This will be a special Sunday for a number of reasons:

• In the morning (10:30 AM), we will celebrate Christ as King together with a gathering around His table.  Come prepared for a bit of a different gathering of worship than we're used to on Sunday morning, as the team from The Remembrance will be leading us.  We will also be handing out our next Community Scripture Way, as the readings begin on Monday for the first week of Advent.
• In the evening (6:00 PM), we will have a "Hymn-Sing."  Come prepared to sing and don't forget to think about what hymn you'd like to "request."  We haven't done this in a while; should be fun.  Pastor Jeremy will also be bringing a little bit of history of hymnology.
• After the hymn-sing, we'll eat some ice cream together and then "Hang the Greens" in our church building (AKA decorating for Advent).  We need some volunteers to bring a tub of ice cream and everyone else to bring one topping (e-mail Pastor Jeremy to volunteer to bring the ice cream).

The church board met on Monday, and we began our meeting with the Serenity Prayer.   Make it your prayer today:
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

See you soon!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

TONIGHT!!!
We have Community Dinner (6:00 PM) and Bible Study (7:00 PM).  Everyone is invited to come tonight for a special reason: John Walsh has been worshiping with us for the last several months (he brings his adorable little daughter with him, and usually sits with Toni Kulak).  He is packing up for Iraq on Saturday to drive trucks and will be coming tonight to have us pray for him.  Even if Wednesday nights are not a regular thing for you, perhaps you'd be able to come tonight to pray with John? 

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American Idols Series Wrap-Up

Well the series on American Idols is complete.  I want to take just one more week to wrap-up some loose ends.  Many people have asked some questions or given some insight, and I want to respond in part to these.  I'd also like to invite any and all to send me more questions you might have about any of the topics (to refresh your memory, you can click on the link above to see them all or even listen to them again).  Please e-mail me with questions.   - Pastor Jeremy

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Faith Promise 2009
We had a good Faith Promise Weekend.  As you pray about Faith Promise giving this coming year, you can place the response cards in the joy boxes around the sanctuary.   We also promised to send you information about how you can stay aware about what the Church of the Nazarene is doing throughout the world.  For general news, you can subscribe to a weekly e-mail through NCN News.  For more specific prayer needs, visit the prayer site for Nazarene Missions International.  There is a "prayer mobilization" line that you can subscribe to there as well.

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The Remembrance Over Pizza

Join us for The Remembrance at 6:00 Sunday night this week as we'll gather in the Newell Gathering Room this week (no music!).  We'll eucharistically share in pizza together (so bring what you can to contribute to pay for the pizza and drinks) and share in fellowship, games, or whatever else people want to do. 


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Men's Breakfast "For All" and Work Day
The Facilities Committee has planned a work day for Saturday, October 24th.  But we surely can't work without a full breakfast, so the men will be preparing and serving breakfast for everyone.  We'll eat at 8:30 AM and work together around 9:15 AM or so.  There are plenty of needs, so the more hands, the better!

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Halloween Hot Apple Cider and Game Night

Halloween falls on a Saturday evening this year (October 31st).  We will be handing out hot apple cider to those who are walking past the church building that evening.  And while we're at it, we're making it a game night.  We'll begin handing out the cider around 6:00 (I can't find official Hingham trick-or-treating hours, if anyone knows them, feel free to clue me in).  Come and join us!



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Year B Community Scripture Way - A Guide To Prayer for All People
Believe it or not, the end of the liturgical church year is quickly coming!  Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of the year, is November 22.  So that means our Community Scripture Way is also coming to an end for the year.  This next year, we will be using a bit of a different format for the CSW.  A Guide To Prayer for All People is a great little book with scripture readings (that follow the lectionary), prayers, and short readings for reflection.  It is very adaptable and will allow for us to choose individually each day how much time is put into prayer and reading.  The book usually costs $16, but with more of us buying it, we can get them for $13.  Those who can are encouraged to give a little bit more to help pay for those who can't.  Couples and families are welcome to share a book (or not!).  If you would like one, please e-mail stating so.  We will hand out the books on November 22.
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This year.  November 1st, All Saints' Day falls on a Sunday.  We will have pre-lit candles in the sanctuary recognizing those who've impacted us in Christ. If you would like to have a candle lit for someone specific, send an e-mail with his/her name and date of death.  If you are able to help cover the expense, $3 per candle would help (but please don't let this amount be a hindrance from sending in names for remembrance!).  Remembering the faithfulness and lives of those who've gone before us is a great way to be challenged today in the continued revealing of God's Kingdom.

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As always, use the online calendar to keep up with our gatherings.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009 - FAITH PROMISE EDITION!

Greetings in Christ!

Our Faith Promise Weekend is in two days!  For more information about Faith Promise, click here.  Our speaker is Cisca Ireland-Verwoerd, who lived in Taiwan for five years.  We're looking forward to hearing from her.  Jason Parker and a friend of his will be making authentic Chinese food for us.  You won't want to miss it!  Everyone is invited to bring desserts and drinks to share.  We'll gather at 6:00 and eat around 6:30.  And then on Sunday morning, Cisca will speak to us again in our morning gathering to worship.

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Remember to continue praying for David Restrick and his work in Mozambique.  He continues to update us through his online weblog that you can see here.

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In addition, Jonathan Ardrey continues to teach at Africa Nazarene University.  You can read his updates and experiences at his blog here.

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Speaking of overseas, our prayer continues for EJ & Keri Lewis' and Sara Miller's brother Greg who is deployed in Iraq.  This Saturday (October 10th) there will be a car wash fundraiser at Eastern Nazarene College (23 E. Elm Ave, Quincy, MA) to send personal supplies and needs to Greg and his comrades.  Here are some details from Keri:

Car Wash for Our Troops

Saturday, October 10^th

9:00am- 2:00pm

The money raised will go toward buying supplies and shipping overseas to my brother and his Army Infrantry platoon. They are now deployed in northern Iraq. We are also taking donations at the car wash or I will be happy to accept them at church. Some useful items are:

AA batteries

Advil

Baby wipes

Black Sharpie Markers

Books (new or used)

Chapsticks or lipbalms

CDs and DVDs (new or used)

Duct Tape

Hand sanitizer

Magazines (current and used)

Munchies (no chocolate)

Powered drink mixes in packets

Sunscreen

Writing pads & envelopes

Ziploc baggies

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We continue to gather each Sunday evening for The Remembrance at 6:00.  We've been focused lately around the them of reconciliation, re-membering the Church (the Body of Christ), and healing.  Here is our video from last week:



(If you're reading this in e-mail and can't see the video, click here.)

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Lastly, the calendar gives us a unique occurrence this year.  November 1st, All Saints' Day falls on a Sunday.  Last year, we recognized the day by lighting candles for those who've gone before us just prior to receiving communion together.  We'll have candles again this year, but will take a bit more of an intentional and personal approach.  If you would like to have a candle lit for someone specific who has died in Christ, e-mail me with his/her name and date of death.  If you would like to help cover the expense, $3 per candle would help (but please don't let this amount be a hindrance from sending in names for remembrance!).  Remembering the faithfulness and lives of those who've gone before us is a great way to be challenged today in the continued revealing of God's Kingdom.

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As always, use the online calendar to keep up with our gatherings.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Hello, North Street Community!

The recordings from our American Idols series are finally up to date. Sorry for the delay. This week we'll look at the family. While the American "family unit" (two parents, 2.5 kids, and a dog/cat...or so) can be an expression of the Body of Christ, it is not the expression of the Body of Christ. We'll look together from story, tradition, and scripture at how the Body of Christ supersedes the American family unit.

In addition, as a wonderful expression of the Body of Christ, we will gather in community to dedicate Benny Ambler.

And of course, after we worship together, we'll have our annual Lobster Fest over at the Newells'. Click here for all the details and a few other needs (we need drinks!).

Peace in Christ...and see you Sunday!