Month: February 2014

Last week we ordained and installed some of our leaders for the next few years.  Kevin Kim and Jennifer Herzig were ordained and installed to the office of Deacon, serving for one year.  Also to be installed as Deacons for a one year term of service are Anne Camelio, Val Donovan and Salam Lebbos.

Joshua Herzig was ordained and  installed to the office of Elder, serving for a three year term.  Ruth Allen agreed to another three year term of Elder.  She was installed again.  Currently serving elders on Session include Liz Cavano, Craig Milanesi, Ellen Schemerhorn and Randy Winchester.  We heartily thank Jill Auger for her six years of service on Session.

Sermon:  “Weapons of the Meek”

Scriptures:  Mathew 5:38-48;  Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18

The lectionary readings this week keep us focused on Matthew’s version of the Sermon on the Mount. These passages have sometimes been used to characterize the Christian life in a rather passive way — justifying domestic violence even!   To live in the ways that Jesus is suggesting is anything but passive!

Join us for worship on Sunday, February 23rd at 10:30 a.m. and for coffee and fellowship after the service.

The Men’s Bible Study Group
will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Panera Bread at Porter Square on Wednesday, February 26th. (Please note the date change.)  Please contact Kevin, Josh, Solimar or Pierre for more details.

Ash Wednesday Service
There will be an Ash Wednesday service at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary on March 5th.  Join us as we begin our journey in to Lent.

March 8th CHPC Quarterly Potluck
Save the date (think spring!) and more details to come.

Session Meeting
The Session will meet on Monday, March 10th at 7:30 p.m.

Copies of the Clarendon Hill church directory are available.  You can find them on the table at the back of the sanctuary. If you would like an electronic copy of the directory, please contact Ellen. (ellends1313@gmail.com)

 

Sermon — “Seeing God”

Scriptures:   Deuteronomy 30:15-20;  First Corinthians 3:1-9

The church is not always an easy place to be.  Through our church gatherings, we are reminded that God cares for us, and also for others who are unlike us, or who worship God in different ways.  The Apostle Paul reminds us of how we are so limited in our understandings of God, and calls us to a path of unity — even when we disagree.  How does this make a difference for how we are to be and to act in the world?  How do we treat our fellow Christians?   How do we relate to those we may be close to but have such difficulty getting along?   I think the passages today offer us some guidance for these kinds of questions.

Join us for worship on Sunday, February 16th at 10:30 a.m. and for coffee and fellowship after the service.

Session Meeting
The Session will meet on Wednesday, February 19th at 7:30 p.m.

Men’s Bible Study
The Men’s Bible Study Group will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Panera Bread at Porter Square on Wednesday, February 26th.  Please contact Kevin, Josh, Solimar or Pierre for more details.

CHPC Potluck
March 8th CHPC Quarterly Potluck – Save the date (think spring!) and more details to come.

Clarendon Hill Church Directory
Copies of the Clarendon Hill church directory are available.  You can find them on the table at the back of the sanctuary. If you would like an electronic copy of the directory, please contact Ellen. (ellends1313@gmail.com)

Scripture:   Isaiah 58;   Matthew 5:13-16

Sermon:  “When It Pours, It Restores”

The last part of the book of Isaiah has always been intimately connected to our understanding of the life and ministry of Christ in the world.  What does it mean to worship God in the light of our relationship with Christ?  As an answer to that, we are asked by Jesus in our gospels this week to consider the meaning and importance of being salt and light for others.  It is good to remember that we are part of the great call of God to be agents of transformation and healing.  Our world needs it, we need it.  Note in the scripture the various places where the notion of restoration is present.

Join us for worship on Sunday, February 9th at 10:30 a.m. and for coffee and fellowship after the service.

Prayer Group
Our monthly prayer group will meet in the Green Room after coffee hour on Sunday, February 9th. 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 to attend.

International Student Potluck!  
Sunday, February 9th, 6-8pm – Whether you’re a current student, recent grad, work with international issues or want to join the fellowship of CHPC’s international community, we will gather on Sunday, February 9th at 6pm at the manse (50 Curtis Street, 1 block from church).  A great time to invite friends from school to meet the CHPC family!   Please bring a dish to share.  Street parking on Curtis Street is open on Sundays, or you can use the lot at the West Somerville Neighborhood School (entrance at 177 Powderhouse Blvd or via Raymond Street, off of Curtis). If you have any questions or would like a ride, please contact Ruth ruth.rhoads.allen@gmail.com or talk with Allen at church.

The Men’s Bible Study Group 
Meets at 6:30 p.m. at Panera Bread at Porter Square on Wednesday, February 19th.  Please contact Kevin, Josh, Solimar or Pierre for more details.

CHPC Quarterly Potluck
March 8th  – Save the date (think spring!) and more details to come.

The Clarendon Hill Church Directory
A draft copy of the Clarendon Hill church directory is available.  You can find it on the table at the back of the sanctuary.  Please take a look at it, and let us if there are corrections or additions that are need.  Once we have it updated, we will print copies for distribution. If you would like an electronic copy of the directory, please contact Ellen. (ellends1313@gmail.com)

Sermon:  “Keeping the Faith:  Living a Storied Life” 

Scriptures:  Micah 6:1-8;  Matthew 5:1-12

We have in our passages for this Sunday a couple of sermons, one by the prophet Micah and the other by Jesus the Christ.   These words have been important markers for what it means to be a people of faith.  What is especially interesting to me is how they are meant to speak to people who are not doing so well; people who are feeling in despair about the world and their place in it.   Maybe there’s a Word to us in the midst of our personal stories, and also our common stories.

Join us for worship on Sunday, February 2nd at 10:30 a.m. as we celebrate Communion,  and for coffee and fellowship after the service.

The Men’s Bible Study Group
At 6:30 p.m. at Panera Bread at Porter Square on Wednesday, February 5th.  Please contact Kevin, Josh, Solimar or Pierre for more details.

Horizons Bible Study 
At 3:30 p.m. on Friday, February 7th at the home of a member.  For more information, please contact Salam (salamlebbos@hotmail.com)

Prayer Group
Our monthly prayer group will meet in the Green Room after coffee hour on Sunday, February 9th.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 to attend.

International Student Potluck
Sunday, February 9th, 6-8pm – Whether you’re a current student, recent grad, work with international issues or want to join the fellowship of CHPC’s international community, we will gather on Sunday, February 9th at 6pm at the manse (50 Curtis Street, 1 block from church).  A great time to invite friends from school to meet the CHPC family!  If you have any questions or would like a ride, please contact Ruth ruth.rhoads.allen@gmail.com or talk with Allen at church.

Session will meet
Monday, February 17th at 7:30 p.m.

CHPC Quarterly Potluck
March 8th – Save the date (think spring!) and more details to come.

Clarendon Hill Church Directory
The Clarendon Hill church directory is available.  You can find a copy on the table at the back of the sanctuary.  If you find anything that needs to be corrected, or if you would like an electronic copy of the directory, please contact Ellen.  (ellends1313@gmail.com)