Sermon: “Got Milk?”
Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46
There are 2 images being drawn upon by Jesus in telling this story of the “final judgment”… The first relates to the notion in the book of Leviticus of the sins of the people being confessed and placed on the head of a goat that is sent into the wilderness — the scapegoat in our modern culture. There are 2 goats in Leviticus, one is offered as a purity offering to God, and the other is sent out. The second image has to do with a shepherd separating the sheep and goats in order to shear the sheep and milk the goats. In this case, the goats obviously did not provide “milk” / nourishment, etc., for those in need. Both allusions are present in this story told by Jesus. Questions: Is Jesus/Matthew in this scripture suggesting eternal damnation for those who don’t practice (what we would call) charity? I want to say, “not exactly”. Thus, I want to explore this week the notion of “sin” (exemplified by the list offered by the “king” to the “goats”) as a sign. What evidence (or signs) do we show that Christ is present and alive in our lives? What kind of people has God made us into if we practice the sorts of actions listed in this scripture? What is happening at the final judgment to all the “sin” in the world?
Join us for worship on Sunday, October 12th at 10:30 a.m., and for coffee and fellowship after the service.
Potluck and Program: “Grief and Loss: A Spiritual Challenge”
Sunday, November 16th – We’ll have a potluck meal after the service and then a presentation from Melissa Kelley. Melissa M. Kelley is associate professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling and the faculty director of the Professional Ministry Practicum at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. Mark your calendars!
Prayer Meeting
Sunday, November 16th: We will meet in the Green Room after our potluck and program. 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.
Make-a-Wish Benefit Concert featuring The Cambridge String Quartet!
Sunday Nov. 16th, 2pm – Come see CHPC’s own violinist Jenny Herzig perform with her quartet and support Make-a-Wish of Massachusetts and Rhode Island! The event will take place right here at Clarendon Hill! Tickets are $14 for adults and $4 for kids. There will also be a raffle and reception afterward. 80% of net ticket sales and 100% of raffle sales will all go to Make-a-Wish. The quartet will perform a Beethoven string quartet and some tango, samba, and mambo music! For more information and to purchase tickets please visithttp://www.cambridgequartet.com/events.html or contact Jenny Herzig.
What a blanket can do!
CHPC’s annual support to Church World Service, November 23rd
For the third year in a row, CHPC is raising funds to support the work of Church World Service through their “Blankets and Tools” initiative. Contributions mean Church World Service will be ready to help families here in the U.S. and around the world recover from disasters and displacement by providing blankets, as well as the tools and training to rebuild sustainable communities. CHPC joins over 8,000 congregations and groups across the U.S. in holding “Blankets and Tools” events and we can’t do it without your support. Please join us during worship on Sunday, November 23rd in giving generously to this important mission. For more information, visithttp://www.cwsglobal.org/get-involved/cws-blankets/ Have questions or can’t be there on November 23rd, but want to contribute? Please talk with Ruth or email Ruth.rhoads.allen@gmail.com Thank you!
The Advent Meditations are coming…
As part of our tradition at Clarendon Hill, we will be producing another booklet of Advent Meditations from members and friends of the church, based on the Advent season lectionary. Craig Milanesi and Jaja Kumpa will be seeking volunteers to sign up for a 1 – 3 paragraph reflection or some creative artwork relative to the reading, this Sunday, November 16th, during fellowship. If you won’t be at church on the 16th, but would like to participate, please contact Craig. (craze@mit.edu) The deadline for submissions will be Sunday, November 23rd (and last minute submissions no later than Wednesday, November 26).We hope to have the printed versions on Sunday, November 30th.
Somerville families need our help – Christmas gifts for Early Head Start
For several years, CHPC has partnered with the Somerville Early Head Start to sponsor families for Christmas, purchasing presents for them. This year Early Head Start is experiencing a 25% increase in the number of local families requesting support, making our help vital for our neighbors to enjoy the holiday. Starting on November 23rd, please look for the mini-tree in the back of the sanctuary and choose one or more slips of paper with gift requests/suggestions. We will collect the gifts at church and have a wrapping party during coffee hour on December 14th. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Val (mabel312@aol.com) or Ruth (ruth.rhoads.allen@gmail.com)
Advent/Epiphany Study
“An Exploration of Frederick Buechner’s Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy and Fairy Tale.”
uechner, a Presbyterian minister, has written many books that have influenced both lay and clergy over these last few decades. He has an engaging way of helping us to see the extraordinary aspects of our ordinary lives. In this volume, we can explore the gospel through the lenses of tragedy (of God’s seeming absence), comedy (of God’s unpredictability and unexpectedness), and of fairy tale (of God’s “too good to be true” truth). During the seasons of advent and epiphany, when we seek to be intentionally open to the ways that God’s Light is present for us, let us use Buechner’s offering here to deepen our ability to see God at work in our too often humdrum, humbug lives.
Book Availability: A few books will be ordered. Please let Allen know if you would like one of these books or will be finding your own copy.
Times: From 7 to 8:15 p.m. In the Green Room
Wednesday, December 3rd (focus on chapter 1)
Wednesday, Dec. 17th (focus on chapter 2 — tragedy)
Wednesday, Jan. 7th (focus on chapter 3 — comedy)
Wednesday, Jan. 21st (focus on chapter 4 — fairy tale)
Advent Fellowship Event/ Potluck
Please join us on Saturday, December 6th for a trip toZoolights 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 or $6 for Zoo New England members. Children under 2 years old are free. Tickets can be purchased online athttp://www.zoonewengland.org/engage/zoolights or at the zoo.
We will meet at the Stone Zoo, 149 Pond Street, Stoneham, MA at 5pm. After enjoying Zoolights, we will travel to Josh and Jenny’s House for the potluck (~6:30 PM). Feel free to attend one or both parts of the evening. For more information, or if you would like to carpool, please email Jenny at jnherzig2@gmail.com. See you there!
Wrapping Party during Coffee Hour
December 14th – Join as we wrap gifts for the members of the families we are sponsoring through Somerville Early Head Start.
Christmas Eve Service
December 24th- 4:00 p.m.
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NAVE GALLERY EVENTS
Wrap Around Sale: A sale of handmade knitted, crocheted, and sewn goods to benefit the Somerville Homeless Coalition.
Dessert Reception: Kick off our annual sale on a sweet note! Live music by Amy Kucharik, on Sunday, November 16th, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Sale Dates: November 15-December 14, 2014, Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving weekend
Midnight Madness at Davis Square:
Thursday, December 4, 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
For more info, see navegallery.org
Illuminated: A Photographic Essay of Holiday Lights
EXHIBITION DATES: November 15, 2014-December 14, 2014 (Closed Thanksgiving weekend)
GALLERY HOURS: Saturday and Sunday, 1:00-5:00 pm (Closed Thanksgiving Weekend)
ARTISTS: Jim Baab Jr., Zsolt Bátori, Kelly Burgess, Greg Cook, Melissa Eder, Ileana Doble Hernandez, MaryAnne Hinkle, Bill Kouwenhoven, Rachel Mello, H.D. Motyl, Lenny Rigione, Robert Thurlow, V Van Sant, Jill Waterman
The Eighth Annual Good Cheer Festival
DATE & TIME: Sunday, December 14, 7 PM
LOCATION: Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church (Teele Square), 155 Powderhouse Blvd, Somerville, MA
ADMISSION FEE: Free ($5-$10 suggested donation benefits the Nave Gallery)
Now in its eighth year, the Good Cheer Festival returns to Boston. Hosted in the beautiful Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church, home to the Nave Gallery, this is a heartwarming event for the whole family. There will be carols, stories, cookies and nog. Come ready to sing, smile and, please, dress the part; there is a prize for the best holiday sweaters!