North St. News: March 2011

March 18, 2011

1. This Sunday (March 20th)

2. North Street Community Discernment of God's Mission

3. Social Security-What You Need to Know

4. Jars of Clay Concert

5. Interfaith Social Service Walk

6. Other Business

1. This Sunday (March 20th) - We will continue in our Ashes to Fire journey this Sunday by looking at the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3. Plan on staying for potluck!
Also:

Quincy Residents!!! There is a half marathon happening Sunday morning at 9am, there will probably be street closures so plan your trip accordingly. Here is a link so you can view the route to see how it will impact your trip to church.- Thanks Jason for the heads-up/
Potluck- This Sunday is our monthly potluck. No specific theme this month.

2. North Street Community Discernment of God's Mission - For all the info on the discernment journey, click here. If you have not yet worked on a survey, please contact Pastor Jeremy. If you have completed the survey, please sign up for a discussion group (more dates are forthcoming).

3. Social Security - What You Need to Know
The event formerly scheduled for Tuesday March 29 has been canceled.

4. Jars of Clay Concert - A number of people are planning on going to the Jars of Clay concert at Eastern Nazarene College on April 3rd. Pastor Jeremy has a couple of tickets left if you would like to go ($10 each).

5. Interfaith Social Serices' Walk

South Shore Walk, benefits Interfaith Social Services' food, clothing, counselling, and financial ministry. Saturday, April 16, 2011, Pageant Field, Merrymount Pkwy, Quncy 11:30 a.m. regristration, noon walk. for sponsor sheet visit http://www.interfaithsocialservices,.org/ or call 617 773 6203. First time on a Saturday!

6. Other Business

March 11, 2011

1. This Sunday (March 13th)
2. Daylight Savings

3. North Street Community Discernment of God's Mission

4. South Shore Women's Weekend

5. Social Security-What You Need to Know

6. Other Business

1. This Sunday (March 13th) - We being our Sunday morning emphasis in Ashes to Fire this weekend. In addition, we begin weekly gatherings of The Remembrance. We will be in our own sanctuary for it this weekend (6:14 PM).

2. Daylight Savings - Just a reminder to set your clocks an hour ahead this Saturday.

3. North Street Community Discernment of God's Mission - For all the info on the discernment journey, click here. If you have not yet worked on a survey, please contact Pastor Jeremy. If you have completed the survey, please sign up for a discussion group. See the website to see the dates & times for the groups, and email Pastor Jeremy to request a discussion group date.

4. Social Security - What You Need to Know
On Tuesday March 29, 1001 from 7:00-8:30 pm we will be hosting Kristen Alberino (from Metropolitan Public Affairs specialist-social security administration). She will be presenting "Social Security - What you need to know". Social Security is widely recognized as the most successful domestic program in the history of our country. Its importance comes from the fact that it was designed as a financial floor of protection for all of us. During our presentation we will discuss, the role of Social Security in our society, as well as the benefits and services provided by Social Security; how to qualify for benefits; what Social Security offers for online services. For additional information you can contact Ed Disante: Program Director for Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore at 781-659-7741 or at bekasdad@comcast.net

5. Other Business

Reminders:
Nursery (3/13): Becky & Andrew Rankin

The Coming Week

Saturday March 12th
1:30 PM - Visiting New England Friends Home at Thayer House
Sunday March 13th
9:30 AM - Sunday School (adult & kids)
10:30 AM - Worship Gathering
Monday March 14th
6:30 PM -Board Meeting
Tuesday March 15th
6:00 PM- Ladies Craft Night
Wednesday March 16th

6:00 PM - Community Dinner
7:00 PM - Discussion & Bible Study

Future Dates of Importance

March 19th- Game Night
March 20th- Potluck

Use our online calendar for these and other dates & events.

The Beginning of Lent: Ash Wednesday

We're there: at the beginning of the Lenten journey. Again.

Tonight we kick it off with our Service of Ashes. Come tonight and let's walk together through this stark reminder of our humanity and thus, our great need for Christ and the cross. We will receive our Ashes to Fire journals at the end and commit to the journey through the seasons of Lent & Easter together. If you have not yet signed up for one, we do have a couple of journals left. (There will be no community dinner.) We'll begin the service at 7:00 PM. Hope to see you then!

In the meantime, here are some links answering the question, "What is Lent?"
The Season of Lent - an article by Dr. Dennis Bratcher
Dying to Self - a video by Diana Butler Bass
A Franciscan Blessing - a prayer by World Vision

Also, many of you will remember the "Advent Reflections" daily readings that we had during Advent & Christmas. Many of the same writers (including Pastor Jeremy) are writing for the Lenten Season as well. Here is today's reading by Pastor Jeremy. You can sign up on that page to receive the readings by email. These readings are extra, above and beyond the readings from our Ashes to Fire daily journal (but they will often coincide with the journal).

March 3, 2011

1. This Sunday (March 6th)
2. Lent - Ashes to Fire

3. North Street Community Discernment of God's Mission

4. Women's Prayer Breakfast

5. South Shore Women's Weekend

6. Social Security-What You Need to Know

7. Directory and North St. News
8. Other Business

1. This Sunday (March 6th) - This is Transfiguration Sunday. You'll notice a common theme in all of our scripture passages: ascending to experience the glory of the Lord. What have been the moments in your life where you've been uniquely aware of the presence of God? What was going on in your life at that time? Where were you? What was it that made you feel like God was present? We'll look together at Jesus' time on the Mount of Transfiguration as we consider the presence of the glory of the Lord in our lives.

2. Ashes to Fire - Lent is soon upon us! Ash Wednesday is next week - March 9th. Plan on being a part of our Service of Ashes that evening (7:00 PM) as we kick off the season and our daily emphases through scripture reading, inspirational reading, and prayer (there will be no community dinner/discussion that evening). These emphases will surface in every aspect of our weekly church rhythms: Sunday mornings, Sunday School, and Bible Studies. For more on this journey through the seasons of Lent & Easter, check out the website: www.ashestofire.com. Watch the introductory video again here. Please let Pastor Jeremy know if you would like a copy of the daily journal ($11 for faux-leather, and $8 for paperback).

4. Women's Prayer Breakfast

Women's Prayer Breakfast, 9 a.m. Saturday March 12 in the beautiful new St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church, 119 Common St., Braintree (back way to SSPlaza); speaker a former woman stock broker who has a children's ministry in Tanzania, Africa; half of $15 ticket price benefits Interfaith Social Services. Breakfast by women of the church. Pls e-mail or call Dorothy, 781 331 9390, just4dot@comcast.net by Friday March 4.

5. South Shore Women's Weekend - March 25-27, 2011. Our sisters from South Shore Baptist Church invite any women to come away to be refreshed and strengthened in Christ. Come learn how to live out your faith without fear. Connect with believers who live near you. "Take Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid!" Matthew 14:27 For more information and to register go to Fearless 2011.

6. Social Security - What You Need to Know
On Tuesday March 29, 1001 from 7:00-8:30 pm we will be hosting Kristen Alberino (from Metropolitan Public Affairs specialist-social security administration). She will be presenting "Social Security - What you need to know". Social Security is widely recognized as the most successful domestic program in the history of our country. Its importance comes from the fact that it was designed as a financial floor of protection for all of us. During our presentation we will discuss, the role of Social Security in our society, as well as the benefits and services provided by Social Security; how to qualify for benefits; what Social Security offers for online services. For additional information you can contact Ed Disante: Program Director for Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore at 781-659-7741 or at bekasdad@comcast.net

7. Directory and North St. News

I have been busy working on updating the directory and have added a number of people as well as changing some information. If you have not heard from please let me know so I can add you to the directory. Also if I have sent you an email please email me back confirming the information. In the future we will be asking to share the information with others in the form of a printed directory, but will not do so until receiving your permission. If you are receiving this publication and no longer want to receive it please let me know. Thanks! - Christina Duncan, Communication assistant

7. Other Business

Reminders:
Nursery (3/6): Emily Fish & Ashley Duncan

The Coming Week
Saturday March 5th
1:30 PM - Visiting New England Friends Home at Thayer House
2:00 PM - CDGM discussion
Sunday March 6th
9:30 AM - Sunday School (adult & kids)
10:30 AM - Worship Gathering
Monday March 7th
6:30 PM Finance & Administration Committee Meeting
Wednesday March 9th

7:00 PM - Service of Ashes

Future Dates of Importance

March 14th- Board Meeting
March 20th- Potluck

Use our online calendar for these and other dates & events.