Sermon: “Taking Off Our Cloaks”
Scripture: Luke 19:28-40
Why did the people on the Mount of Olives take off their cloaks for Jesus? At one level, it may simply have been an ancient way of showing respect for a king. At another level, however, I believe Luke is telling a story that suggests that taking off our cloaks as Jesus passes by is much more than showing respect for him as a “king”. We will explore this dimension, this opportunity for becoming truer selves, in the message this Palm Sunday.
Join us for worship and the celebration of Easter on Sunday, March 27th at 10:30 a.m., and for coffee and fellowship after the service. Fellowship will be held in the Nave Gallery, adjacent to the church sanctuary. All are welcome!
If you would like to bring a sweet or savory snack to supplement our coffee hour spread for Easter Sunday, we would love to have you share them with us. Due to serious allergies, we have to ask for NO NUTS in your treats. Unless it needs to be refrigerated, the dish can be left in the Nave Gallery.
Publicity!
Check out http://somerville.wickedlocal.com/. There’s an article about Scot Bennett’s artwork, an interview with Allen, and a pictures of the Palm Sunday walk that shows members of our congregation!
Special Offering for Francis Situma
A former and beloved member of this congregation, Francis Situma (from Kenya), lost his wife in a tragic accident several months ago. Many of our members who remember him (he has also visited twice in recent years) have wanted to find a way to support him during this time. NOTE: Rather than try to select out only people who remember him, and possibly miss people, this financial request is going out to our larger church list. Those who did not know him should feel no obligation to support this request (it is not a regular offering of the church).
We have determined that it would be helpful to Francis and his family if we wired them a contribution (Western Union) directly to him in Nairobi to assist him and his family in paying for various hospital bills, and to help do something in his wife’s memory (possibly through their church, St. Andrews Presbyterian, in Nairobi).
If you wish to contribute to this, please either bring a check/cash this Sunday or send a “pledge” e-mail to Ellen Schemerhorn (ellends1313@gmail.com) with a particular amount. There will also be pledge cards available this Sunday. We are hoping to write a check from the church this coming week and wire the money.
Pastor Allen Regular Office Hours
He will be in the church office during the following times unless called away:
Mondays and Thursdays: 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
1st and 3rd Monday evenings: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday afternoons: 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Rev. Fairfax is generally available for pastoral concerns or other church business at most other times as well, so don’t hesitate to contact him outside of these office hours.
Please drop by the church or contact him in our Contact Page
– – – Upcoming Events – – –
CHPC Bible Study
Bible study meets at Porter Square Panera Bread every other Wednesday. For details on dates, time, place, and more information, please contact Kevin. (kevin.sungwon@gmail.com)
Lenten Study
For our Lenten study this year, we will be reading and discussing the book, “If God is Love” by Pastors Philip Gulley and James Mulholland. Copies of the book are available; contact Pastor Allen if you would like a copy. The book is easy to read, and the topic is interesting and relevant. We had such a great discussion at our last meeting that we decided to extend it for one more session. We will meet next on Sunday, April 3rd, in the Green Room, after coffee hour, to finish our discussion. After we finish our Lenten study, we will choose a fiction book for our next discussion. If you have suggestions for a fiction book, let us know.
Upcoming Fellowship
Our next fellowship event will be on Saturday, April 9th. Save the date and stayed tuned for details!
Opening Reception
Claire Roll welcomes you to the Boston University MFA Thesis Exhibition. The Opening Reception is on Friday, April 8th from 6-8 p.m. The exhibit runs from April 8th to April 24th. It’s located at the 808 Gallery, 808 Commwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215. The exhibit hours are Tuesday to Sunday from noon- 5:00 p.m., and Thursdays from noon – 8:00 p.m. Open Studios will be on April 23rd and 24th from 1-6:00 p.m., at 808 Commonwealth Avenue, 3rd floor.
Fundraiser for the Boston Food Justice Young Adult Volunteer Program
Join us for an evening of lively and uplifting music with The Porch Party Mamas, and support the Boston Food Justice Young Adult Volunteer Program! The Porch Party Mamas are an engaging and magnetic group of 5 musically dynamic artists. They perform unique arrangements of original songs, have 4 strong lead vocalists, and back it up with sweet 3 & 4-part harmonies, guitar, bass, accordion, fiddle, and percussion.
This coffee house style event will feature delicious desserts and beverages, great music, and an opportunity to learn more about the work of the Young Adult Volunteers and the programs and churches in which they serve. Your ticket price will support the work of the program and it will be a fun evening out with friends from the Presbytery of Boston and beyond.
Join us on Saturday, April 30th from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., at the Presbyterian Church in Needham, located at 1458 Great Plain Avenue, Needham, MA.
For more info, and to purchase tickets, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clappin-and-toe-tappin-with-the-porch-party-mamas-tickets-22130756689
– – – Deacons News – – –
Prayer Request Email
The Deacons are in the process of setting up an online prayer request list. This will be a closed group (to insure privacy.) If you would like to be a member of the group so that you can ask for prayers, and have others pray for you, please send an email to Ellen (ellends1313@gmail.com). Once we have everything set up, we will share information about the group with the congregation, so that others can join.