Month: March 2014

Sermon:  “This is Not a Dress Rehearsal?”

Scripture:  John 3:1-17

When Nicodemus, the teacher, comes to visit Jesus, he learns something about what it means to live in this world.  The notion of life as not being a dress rehearsal is always meant to remind people to take their lives seriously/intentionally — implied is that we don’t get another chance.  While I appreciate that perspective, and there is truth in it to be sure, I think the conversation that Jesus has with Nicodemus adds something, and deepens our understanding of what this life is about.

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

Begins on this Sunday, March 16th – Lenten Season Adult Education:   “Deepening Our Faith” – Led by Rev. Fairfax
During the Lenten season, we will gather in the Green Room at 12:15 p.m. for a 3 session focus on enriching and deepening our faith.   I am drawing on a Lenten study from 2008 by Paula Gooder (“Lentwise  Spiritual Essentials for Real Life”), but I will be adapting her work for our needs and expanding on her offering.  Materials will be available for class preparation (read as you can), and will include various sermons that can be found online (e.g. youtube, watch as you can!) and that relate to the scriptures and topic for the week.  The sessions do not “build on each other” in a direct way, so please attend any (or all) that you can, and enjoy the richness of faith that we share with one another!

First Gathering (March 16th):   “Finding Direction”                     John 14:1-7
Second Gathering (March 23rd):   “Keeping Going”                   John 6:25-35
Third Gathering (April 6th):  “Living Water”                               John 4:5-18

Listening and Discerning Fellowship
Mark your calendars!  The Elders and Deacons of CHPC are inviting the church community to a Listening and Discerning Fellowship event after church on March 30th, with a potluck lunch.  All are welcome. We will finish up by 1:00 p.m. that Sunday.   More details to follow!

Church Nursery News
We are very pleased to announce that we have hired two young women to work in our church nursery (for infants to age 5) on Sunday mornings throughout the year.  Please introduce yourself to them!

Sarah Bahn is a freshman at Tufts University, where she hopes to major in Peace and Justice Studies.  She is a member of the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church in Mercer Island, WA.  She has extensive experience as a nanny and a tutor in addition to leadership positions in teaching at her home church.

Isabelle Milanesi grew up at Clarendon Hill, and is a recent graduate of Bryn Mawr College.  She is currently working as a 5th grade teacher at the Prospect Hill Academy Charter School, located in Somerville, and is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Special Education at Boston University. She also has extensive experience as a day camp counselor and babysitter.

March 8th Spring Potluck
Sstarting at 6pm at Ruth and Parke’s house – All welcome! (Please note change of location!)

What could be finer than an evening of good friends, good food and good fellowship?!  Please join us on Saturday, March 8th anytime after 6pm at the home of Ruth Allen and Parke Rhoads in Somerville (see email for the address).  We’ll have several games there, or bring your favorite to share!  And please bring a dish or beverage to share (no nuts please!).  All friends and family are most welcome.  For any questions, please contact Ruth at 617-571-3621 orruth.rhoads.allen@gmail.com

Sermon:  “The Road to Joy”

Scripture:   Matthew 4:1-9

What is it that drives you?   Where are you trying to go with the time you have left on this earth?  Is the Spirit saying anything interesting or joyful to you about where you are in your life?   Focusing on these questions may help us understand something about what our passage this week is saying; in particular, what it is saying about what is important and meaningful to do and to be in this life.

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

Prayer Group 
The Prayer group will meet in the Green room right after fellowship on Sunday, March 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.

Lenten Season Adult Education:   “Deepening Our Faith” – Led by Rev. Fairfax

During the Lenten season, we will gather in the Green Room at 12:15 p.m. for a 3 session focus on enriching and deepening our faith.   I am drawing on a Lenten study from 2008 by Paula Gooder (“Lentwise  Spiritual Essentials for Real Life”), but I will be adapting her work for our needs and expanding on her offering.  Materials will be available for class preparation (read as you can), and will include various sermons that can be found online (e.g. youtube, watch as you can!) and that relate to the scriptures and topic for the week.  The sessions do not “build on each other” in a direct way, so please attend any (or all) that you can, and enjoy the richness of faith that we share with one another!

First Gathering (March 16th):   “Finding Direction”                     John 14:1-7
Second Gathering (March 23rd):   “Keeping Going”                   John 6:25-35
Third Gathering (April 6th):  “Living Water”                               John 4:5-18

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

Session and Deacons Retreat 
There will be a Session and Deacons retreat on Saturday, March 15th.

Listening and Discerning Fellowship
Mark your calendars!  The Elders and Deacons of CHPC are inviting the church community to a Listening and Discerning Fellowship event after church on March 30th, with a potluck lunch.  All are welcome. We will finish up by 1:00 p.m. that Sunday.   More details to follow!

Sermon:  “Knocked to Your Knees” 

Scripture:   Matthew 17:1-9; Exodus 24:12-18

The scripture from Matthew this week offers us some insight into the Word of God as a divine encounter with us ordinary folk.   God speaks in many ways, and we are asked to listen, but we are not always good at hearing God’s Word.  As you prepare for worship this week, it is good to focus on how the disciples “fell to the ground and were overcome by fear” at the sound of God’s Voice.

Join us for worship and the celebration of Communion on Sunday, March 2nd at 10:30 a.m. and for coffee and fellowship after the service.

Ash Wednesday Service 
There will be an Ash Wednesday service at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary on March 5th.  Join us as we begin our journey in to Lent.

Prayer Group
The Prayer group will meet in the Green room right after fellowship on Sunday, March 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.

Lenten Season Adult Education:   “Deepening Our Faith” – Led by Rev. Fairfax
During the Lenten season, we will gather in the Green Room at 12:15 p.m. for a 3 session focus on enriching and deepening our faith.   I am drawing on a Lenten study from 2008 by Paula Gooder (“Lentwise  Spiritual Essentials for Real Life”), but I will be adapting her work for our needs and expanding on her offering. Materials will be available for class preparation (read as you can), and will include various sermons that can be found online (e.g. youtube, watch as you can!) and that relate to the scriptures and topic for the week.  The sessions do not “build on each other” in a direct way, so please attend any (or all) that you can, and enjoy the richness of faith that we share with one another!

First Gathering (March 16th):   “Finding Direction”                     John 14:1-7
Second Gathering (March 23rd):   “Keeping Going”                   John 6:25-35
Third Gathering (April 6th):  “Living Water”                               John 4:5-18

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

Session and Deacons Retreat 
There will be a Session and Deacons retreat on Saturday, March 15th.

Listening and Discerning Fellowship
Mark your calendars!  The Elders and Deacons of CHPC are inviting the church community to a Listening and Discerning Fellowship event after church onMarch 30th, with a potluck lunch.  All are welcome. We will finish up by 1:00 p.m. that Sunday.   More details to follow!