Month: December 2013

Sermon:  “Try, Try, and Try Again” 

Scripture:  Matthew 2:13-23; Hebrews 2:10-18

The scripture in Matthew tells us of the story of Jesus’ first encounter with power and sin in this world.  And Matthew works hard to show that the birth and early life of Jesus is something of a “new exodus” from the reign of oppression/sin that is so common in perhaps every dominant social order.  God is trying once more, this time through the work of incarnation, to save us from our sinful and broken world.  This scripture tells us something essential about the nature of God in this world, and also suggests to us about what it means to be on board with God’s redemptive work in the world today.

Join us for worship on Sunday, December 29th at 10:30 a.m. and for coffee and fellowship after the service.

Prayer Group
There will be a prayer meeting on Sunday, January 5th right after coffee hour in the Green Room.  Jesus said, ‘When two or three are gathered in my name, I am there.” Bring your prayers about whatever joys or concerns you may have on your mind and in your heart. All are welcome.

Men’s Bible Study
Wednesday, January 8th:  Men’s Bible Study at 6:30 p.m. at Panera Bread at Porter Square.  Please contact Kevin, Josh, Solimar or Pierre for more details.

January 12th – Boston Food Justice Young Adult Volunteers presentation at CHPC
Boston Presbytery is in its first year as a site for the Young Adult Volunteer program of the PC(USA). Four talented “YAVs” are spending the year working with area congregations and non-profit organizations on the theme of “Food Justice” and will visit CHPC on Sunday, January 12th.  In addition to participating in worship, they will make a presentation after the service about the YAV program in general and specifically their food justice work – from local food banks to global food security issues.  Lunch will be provided, so please plan to come, invite friends and learn more about the combined efforts and important ministry of the YAVs.  For any questions, please contact Ruthruth.rhoads.allen@gmail.com

Session will meet
at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, January 13th.

The Annual Meeting is coming!
Mark your calendars now, for Sunday, January 26th (with a snow date of February 2nd.)  We will hold our congregational meeting in the basement, immediately following the service.  It includes a potluck lunch.  This is the time to hear reports from our pastor and from various committees about the work of the church during the past year, as well as having a chance to elect elders, deacons, and officers of the congregation.

If you’d like to have a box of offering envelopes for 2014, please contact Ellen (ellends1313@gmail.com).  Remember that all of your donations to the church are tax deductible…

Sermon:   “Reconnecting, Actually”

Scripture:   Matthew 1:18-25;    Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Focus this week on the idea that Jesus is saving the people “from” their sins.   What does it mean to be saved from our sins?   Are we being saved from our sinful impulses?   From the effects of the sins of others?  From the sins of the Roman elite on the people?   What does it mean to actually “be” saved from sin?   How does it change how we see the world, how we live our lives, and how we relate to others?

Join us for worship on Sunday, December 22nd at 10:30 a.m. and for coffee and fellowship after the service.   We will celebrate the fourth and final Sunday of Advent.

Christmas Joy Offering
Sunday, December 22nd:  During worship we will collect the Christmas Joy Offering.  We’ll tell you more about the offering on the Sundays in December leading up to the 22nd.  Also, please remember to bring your poinsettias to decorate the sanctuary for the fourth Sunday of Advent and for our Christmas Eve service.

The Advent Meditations Booklet are here.
Every year we look forward to reading the meditations written by members and friends of the church as they reflect on the daily scriptures during Advent.  Make sure you get your copy!

Christmas Eve Service
Our Christmas Eve service will be in the sanctuary at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24th.  Children are welcome to attend the service, but child care for infants and children 5 and under will be available.

January 12^th – Boston Food Justice Young Adult Volunteers presentation at CHPC
Boston Presbytery is in its first year as a site for the Young Adult Volunteer program of the PC(USA). Four talented “YAVs” are spending the year working with area congregations and non-profit organizations on the theme of “Food Justice” and will visit CHPC on Sunday, January 12^th.  In addition to participating in worship, they will make a presentation after the service about the YAV program in general and specifically their food justice work – from local food banks to global food security issues.  Lunch will be provided, so please plan to come, invite friends and learn more about the combined efforts and important ministry of the YAVs.  For any questions, please contact Ruth ruth.rhoads.allen@gmail.com

The Annual Meeting is coming!
Mark your calendars now, for Sunday, January 26th (with a snow date of February 2nd.)  We will hold our congregational meeting in the basement, immediately following the service.  It includes a potluck lunch.  This is the time to hear reports from our pastor and from various committees about the work of the church during the past year, as well as having a chance to elect elders, deacons, and officers of the congregation.

Sermon:  “Earn This”

Scripture:   Matthew 11:2-11;   James 5:7-10

The strange question from John the Baptist about the identity of Jesus can be difficult to comprehend.  How could John not know?  Didn’t he baptize Jesus himself?   Not surprisingly, this passage is about faith — enduring faith — and living up to one’s best self in the light of God’s great gifts.  How is our faith being challenged in personal ways these days?  How closely are each of us living up to his or her best self?

Join us for worship on Sunday, December 15th at 10:30 a.m. and for coffee and fellowship after the service.   We will celebrate the third Sunday of Advent.

Wrap Around Sale
Each November, the Nave Gallery hosts the Wrap Around Sale, a sale of handmade knitted/crocheted/sewn goods to benefit the Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC). The sale runs from 1-5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and this Sunday is the last day of the sale.

Wrap Around is a great way to buy some unique and handmade gifts, and support a wonderful local organization.

Last year they raised almost $3,000 for SHC. Can they raise $5,000 this year?

It’s a Wrap! party…
Sunday, December 15th – It’s a Wrap! party…Please remember to bring the gifts that you purchased for our Somerville Early Head Start families this coming Sunday.  Thank you for those who have already sent in their gifts…join us during coffee hour after the service, as we wrap Christmas gifts for the families that we are sponsoring from Somerville Early Head Start.

The Advent Meditations Booklet are here.
Every year we look forward to reading the meditations written by members and friends of the church as they reflect on the daily scriptures during Advent.  Make sure you get your copy!

Men’s Bible Study
Wednesday, December 18th:  Men’s Bible Study at 6:30 p.m. at Panera Bread at Porter Square.  Please contact Kevin, Josh, Solimar or Pierre for more details.

The Longest Night Service
Thursday, December 19, 7:00 p.m. A spiritual-but-not-necessarily-religious service for those who are lonely or in grief. In partnership with faith communities from around Somerville, it ends with the kindling of holy fire and hot cider.  Held at First Church Somerville (UCC), located at 89 College Avenue.

Open House: Pastor Allen, Melissa and Masebo
Saturday, December 21st: Open House: Pastor Allen, Melissa and Masebo will host an open house at the church Manse on Saturday the 21st between 6 and 8:00 p.m.  All are welcome to attend for some holiday goodies and good fellowship!   The Good Cheer Festival begins at the church at 8:00, so make a night of it!  8:00 p.m.: Nave Gallery Music Series:  Jason Anderson presents the 7th Annual Good Cheer Festival.

Christmas Joy Offering
Sunday, December 22nd:  During worship we will collect the Christmas Joy Offering.  We’ll tell you more about the offering on the Sundays in December leading up to the 22nd.  Also, please remember to bring your poinsettias to decorate the sanctuary for the fourth Sunday of Advent.

Christmas Eve service
Our Christmas Eve service will be in the sanctuary at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24th.  Child care available for infants and children 5 and under.

Sermon:  “Crossing the River” 

Scriptures:   Matthew 3:1-12; Romans 15:4-13 

In this week’s advent focus on “peace”, our Gospel lesson focuses on the prophet John baptizing in the river Jordan, re-enacting the crossing of the Israelites into the “promised land”.   It’s a powerful image of being called back to our spiritual roots as we engage in a renewal or re-direction in our journey homeward toward a God of infinite love — and therefore a perfect image for us to embrace during this time of advent waiting.  What about our lives needs renewing or redirecting?  How is God calling us to live lives of internal peace and to work for peace among those with whom we differ — both theologically and politically?
Join us for worship on Sunday, December 8tht at 10:30 a.m. and for coffee and fellowship after the service.   We will the second Sunday of Advent.

Wrap Around Sale
Each November, the Nave Gallery hosts the Wrap Around Sale, a sale of handmade knitted/crocheted/sewn goods to benefit the Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC). The sale runs from 1-5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, through December 15th (closed Thanksgiving weekend.)

Wrap Around is a great way to buy some unique and handmade gifts, and support a wonderful local organization.

Last year they raised almost $3,000 for SHC. Can they raise $5,000 this year?

Advent Meditations Booklets!
 Every year we look forward to reading the meditations written by members and friends of the church as they reflect on the daily scriptures during Advent.  Make sure you get your copy!

Sponsoring Two Families for Christmas
We will once again be sponsoring two families for Christmas, purchasing presents for them.  Our families this year are living in a shelter.  Look for the mini-tree in the back of the sanctuary this Sunday, which will have slips of paper with gift suggestions, along with instructions.  If you have questions, or need more information, contact Ellen (ellends1313@gmail.com).

Prayer Meeting
on Sunday, December 8th right after coffee hour in the Green Room.  Jesus said, ‘When two or three are gathered in my name, I am there.” Bring your prayers about whatever joys or concerns you may have on your mind and in your heart. All are welcome.

Session will meet:
at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, December 9th.

Horizons Bible Study
will meet on Friday, December 13th at 3:30 p.m. at the home of a church member.  For more information, please contact Salam (salamlebbos@hotmail.com).

Advent Fellowship Potluck
Please join us on Saturday,  December 14 for a trip to Zoolights at the Stone Zoo followed by a potluck dinner. Zoolights is a winter wonderland of tree lined paths decorated with holiday lights. In addition to being able to see some of the animals of the Yukon Creek section of the zoo, there is also Santa’s Castle, along with fairy tale characters and dancing plush animals.

Tickets cost $7.00 for non-members and $6.00 for zoonewengland members. Children under 2 years old are free. Tickets can be purchased online athttp://www.zoonewengland.org/StoneZoo or at the zoo. It is recommended to avoid long lines buying tickets online.

We will meet at the Stone Zoo, 149 Pond Street, Stoneham, MA at 5pm. After enjoying Zoolights we will travel to the home of church members for the potluck portion of the evening. Feel free to attend one or both parts of the evening. For those who are attending the potluck only please meet us at the home of church members  at 6:30pm and bring a main dish or appetizer. For those attending Zoolights first, please bring a dessert or item like a salad that will be ok sitting in a car.  For more information, or if you would like to carpool, please call Ruth at Ruth.rhoads.allen@gmail.com. See you there!

Sunday, December 15th – It’s a Wrap! party
Join us during coffee hour after the service, as we wrap Christmas gifts for the families that we are sponsoring from Somerville Early Head Start.

Men’s Bible Study 
Wednesday, December 18th at 6:30 p.m. at Panera Bread at Porter Square.  Please contact Kevin, Josh, Solimar or Pierre for more details.

Saturday, December 21st, 8:00 p.m.: Nave Gallery Music Series:
Jason Anderson presents the 7th Annual Good Cheer Festival.