Sermon: “Self-Doubt”
Scripture: John 5:1-9
In this passage, Jesus asks an ill man a question about whether or not he wants to be made healthy. His answer reveals something to Jesus about him; many commentators point out that he is expressing some sort of self-doubt about himself in his answer. Perhaps so. I am confident that the Spirit works with us in our self-doubt, and all of us can find ourselves in situations (and maybe for long periods) when our self-doubt can immobilize us (or threaten to immobilize us). This passage gives us an opportunity to explore this aspect of the human condition, and to consider what it means to hear the call to “rise”.
Join us for Worship at 10:30 a.m., and for coffee and fellowship after the service. All are welcome!
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 – – –
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
Fellowship Event – Great Brook Farm
Join us for an afternoon of fun at Great Brook Farm in Carlisle, MA on Saturday, May 14th from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. (Rain date on Saturday, May 21st.) Bring a picnic lunch if you like. The ice cream stand will be open, and there are farm animals to see. Take a walk in the woods, or take a tour of the barn. For questions or more information, contact Val (mabel312@aol.com).
Session Meeting
The Session will meet on Monday, May 16th at 7:30 p.m.
Presbyterians for Pride
Presbyterians for Pride will once again be marching in the the 2016 Boston Gay Pride Parade, held this year on Saturday, June 11th, from noon – 3:00 p.m.
We have one person who has volunteered to be a parade marshal – we need two parade marshals in order to participate. Marshals are the coordinators between the marching groups and the parade organizers. You need to be there for the entire parade, and attend a one hour training session (the sessions are held on various dates and times in May.) If you are interested in participating in the parade, would like to be a marshal, or would like more information, please contact Ellen (ellends1313@gmail.com).
– – – Nave Gallery Music Series – – –
Almost A Cello Recital! With Rachel Berringer and Friends
May 1st, 8:00 p.m.
The last time I played an actual cello recital was at Longy in 2008 (meaning difficult solo stuff / difficult chamber music featuring the cello), so this is kind of a big deal for me! I’m very excited to be playing with my incredibly talented friends. The only reason it’s “almost” a cello recital is because there is one piece sans cello. But here is the lineup:
“The Jet Whistle” by Heitor Villa-Lobos (cello/flute)
“Cendres” by Kaija Saariaho (alto flute/cello/piano)
“Reve en Noir” by Paul Elwood (flute/piano/electronics)
“Sonata” by Elliott Carter (cello/piano) –this piece I am SO EXCITED ABOUT!!
Performers: Andrea Lieberherr-Douglass (alto flute), Trevor Berens (piano), Kristen Dye (flute), and Emilio Carlos Gonzalez (piano) !
Viscosities – A Night of Pure Improvisation
Saturday, May 7
Suggested Donation – $10 to $15
Turbulence – 8:00 pm – Sheer Stresses
PEK – clarinets, saxes, double reeds, metal, voice
Steve Norton – clarinets, saxes
Todd Brunel – clarinets, saxes
Bob Moores – trumpet
Bill Lowe – trombone, tuba
Josiah Reibstein – tuba
Leap of Faith – 8:45 pm – Tensile Stresses
PEK – clarinets, saxes, double reeds, metal, voice
Glynis Lomon – cello, aquasonic, voice
Steve Norton – clarinets, saxes
Yuri Zbitnov – drums, metal, voice
Leap of Faith Orchestra – 9:30 pm – Viscous Stress Tensors
Everybody
– – – Mission News – – –
PCRF (Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund)
We recently received this email from the PCRF (Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund). This past Palm Sunday, we hosted a presentation about the organization. Some folks were interested in finding out more about how they could help. If you would like to help with any of the things listed below, please contact ellends1313@gmail.com, and we can get you more information.
Dear friends and supporters of the PCRF,
I hope you are all having a good weekend. This is an update on Yousef’s news and information about children coming to Boston for treatment:
As you recall, Yousef is the 17 years old boy who came to Boston from Palestine through the PCRF for a life changing surgery. He is currently undergoing physical therapy and a list of tests in preparation for his surgery and post surgery days. His next important appointment to discuss the surgery details is on May 2nd. If you would like to meet Yousef and spend some time with him before the surgery that would great. This would be in the form of picking him up and sharing your day with him then returning him to his host family. You can contact his host family to coordinate this day out with Yousef; they live in Westwood.
The Boston chapter will also be hosting two more children who are coming for treatment from Palestine this summer:
1. Abrar: 10 year old girl from Gaza who is a return case, she is a burn victim and will be treated at Shriners in Boston. Abrar’s host family is secured.
2. Waed : Is a 15 year old boy from Gaza who lost his leg as a result of being shot by Israeli soldiers who’s bullets landed in his leg which could not be saved and had to be amputated. He will be fitted for a specialized prosthetic leg at a prosthetics clinic in Burlington MA. We will be looking for a host family once more details become available.
Best regards to all.
– – – Deacons News – – –
Do You Have a Prayer Request?
We, as a congregation, have always felt that our time during the service for sharing celebrations and concerns is one of the most important pieces of our community. But often, those celebrations and concerns come in the midst of our busy lives. We may really need to have someone praying for us on a Wednesday night- and maybe by the time Sunday morning comes, that prayer request is no longer on our minds. Or maybe, for whatever reason, we don’t feel comfortable announcing our prayer request aloud during the service. The Deacons begin to think about this a while ago, and we have decided to begin a try a few things to help with these issues.
If you would like to have the Deacons and others in the congregation pray for you, you have two ways to ask for prayers: We now have an online prayer request list. You may email any prayer request, at any time, to prayers@clarendonhillchurch.org. This is a private list. If you’d like to help the Deacons pray for others, please send an email to Ellen (ellends1313@gmail.com).
Perhaps you don’t have email. Or you are visiting our congregation, but have an important prayer request you need to share. So, in the back of the sanctuary, we have set up a prayer request box, with prayer request cards that you can fill out and leave in the box. The Deacons will monitor the box, and share those prayer requests also.
We hope you find these helpful. If you have questions, concerns, or would like to give us feedback, feel free to email the deacons at deacons@clarendonhillchurch.org. Thank you!