Author: kevinskim

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!

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)

Sermon:  “Help!”     Scripture:   Matthew 4:12-23

When Jesus went back into “Galilee of the Nations”, it was to a place of oppression and risk.  John the Baptist had just been arrested, and Jesus goes right into the area ruled by Herod to begin his ministry. This was an area filled with oppression.  Into this “darkness”, the scripture tells us a great Light appears to help the people gain new perspectives and to be healed.   That Light, as we learn throughout scripture, helps us to see new perspectives and healing perspectives on whatever challenges we are facing, and how to address those challenges in empowering and powerful ways.

Join us for worship on Sunday, January 26th at 10:30 a.m. and for coffee and fellowship after the service.

Annual meeting this Sunday! 
We will hold our congregational meeting in the basement on January 26th, immediately following the service.  It includes a potluck lunch.  Please plan to bring an appetizer, soup, salad, side dish, main dish, dessert or beverage to share.  This is the time to hear reports from our pastor and from various committees about the work of the church during the past year,  look at the budget for the upcoming year, and electing elders, deacons, and officers of the congregation.  All are welcome to attend!

Nave Music Series – Bards, Gazelles, Squirrels, and Sonatas: 
New Music by Jim Dalton, Karl Henning, Nancy Rexford and Charles Turner. Music for clarinet, guitar, mandolin, flute, piccolo, piano, shakuhachi, bass, violin and voice. February 1st at 8:00 p.m. at Clarendon Hill.  For more information, please see https://www.facebook.com/events/1383292031930197/.

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.

Horizons Bible Study 
At 3:30 p.m. on Friday, February 14th at the home of a member.  For more information, please contact Salam (salamlebbos@hotmail.com)

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

Do you like to knit or crochet? 
Here’s an opportunity to use your skills to help further marriage equality!  More Light Presbyterians is once again calling for knitted or crocheted scarves to be given out at this year’s General Assembly, which will be held in Detroit in June.  For more general information, see:http://www.mlp.org/2013/10/23/call-knit-crochet-pray-way-ga/.  If you’d like a pattern for a simple two-sided scarf, or a simple cowl/infinity scarf, or more information about Clarendon Hill’s contribution to this effort, contact Ellen (ellends1313@gmail.com).

Sermon:   “Going for a Walk:  Bring Your Tent” 

Scripture:   John 1:29-42:   The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Comments:  Notice the “action” in the scripture.  For example, the author of John intentionally has John the Baptist not just see (the “see” in Greek is more like discernment) Jesus, but sees “Jesus walk by”.   Let me say, it is hard to follow someone who is standing still, and I think this is why the Greek is used this way.  Jesus is not a Messiah who stands still, if you will.  And neither should we be standing still.

Join us for worship on Sunday, January 19th at 10:30 a.m. and for coffee and fellowship after the service.

The Building Committee 
will meet after fellowship time on Sunday, January 19th to discuss building issues for 2014.  For more information, contact Craig (craze@mit.edu).

The Outreach Committee 
will next meet on Monday, January 20th at 7:30 p.m.

The Men’s Bible Study Group 
will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Panera Bread at Porter Square on Wednesday, January 22nd.  Please contact Kevin, Josh, Solimar or Pierre for more details.

The Annual Meeting is coming! 
Mark your calendars now, for Sunday, January 26th (with a snow date of February 2nd.)  We will hold our congregational meeting in the basement, immediately following the service.  It includes a potluck lunch.  This is the time to hear reports from our pastor and from various committees about the work of the church during the past year, as well as having a chance to elect elders, deacons, and officers of the congregation.

Nave Music Series – Bards, Gazelles, Squirrels, and Sonatas: 
New Music by Jim Dalton, Karl Henning, Nancy Rexford and Charles Turner. Music for clarinet, guitar, mandolin, flute, piccolo, piano, shakuhachi, bass, violin and voice.February 1st at 8:00 p.m. at Clarendon Hill.

Scripture:   Isaiah 42:1-9;  Matthew 3:13-17 

Sermon:   “Now!  Now!   Now!” 

Have you ever felt like you heard a “voice from the heavens” giving you some much needed sense of direction, or a sense of peace and understanding?   Have you ever felt like some action you have taken has put you “right with God” in some special, deeper, eternal way?   As you prepare for this week’s lessons, try to imagine Jesus, in his full humanity, taking this step with John as an act of trust.   He knew the  time was now.

Join us for worship on Sunday, January 12th at 10:30 a.m. and for coffee and fellowship after the service.

Also on January 12th – Boston Food Justice Young Adult Volunteers presentation at CHPC
Boston Presbytery is in its first year as a site for the Young Adult Volunteer program of the PC(USA). Four talented “YAVs” are spending the year working with area congregations and non-profit organizations on the theme of “Food Justice” and will visit CHPC on Sunday, January 12th.  In addition to participating in worship, they will make a presentation after the service about the YAV program in general and specifically their food justice work – from local food banks to global food security issues.  Lunch will be provided, so please plan to come, invite friends and learn more about the combined efforts and important ministry of the YAVs.  For any questions, please contact Ruth ruth.rhoads.allen@gmail.com

On Friday, January 10th, Horizons Bible Study 
will meet at the home of a church member, at3:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Salam (salamlebbos@hotmail.com).

The Porpentine Players have been rehearsing in our building, and are generously offering a special “Friends of the Cast” price to us.  There are limited amounts of these, so if a date is sold out, another must be chosen.

The link is : http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/469058
 Enter a Password or Discount Code
enter: PricklyPartners
and click on Show Available Tickets

The Porpentine Players Announce Their Inaugural Production
Robert Bolt’s A Man For All Seasons, January 10 ‐ January 25, 2014 at the Factory Theatre, 791 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02118
A Man for All Seasons is the story of Henry VIII’s friend and Lord Chancellor Thomas More and his resistance to the King’s divorce. Bolt’s More is the ultimate man of conscience, who pays with his life for staying true to his beliefs.
The cast is led by Ronald Nelson Lacey (Elliot Norton-‐nominee, Outstanding Actor 2012) as More. Phil Thompson (All My Children, Boston’s Finest) plays Cromwell. Floyd Richardson (founder of Koinonia Theatre) is Norfolk. The cast also include Rob Noyes (founder of Post‐Meridian Radio Players) as Common Man, Conor Burke as Richard Rich, Jenny Gutbezahl as Alice More, April Singley as Margaret More, Geoffrey Pingree as Chapuys and Cranmer, Anthony Dangerfield as Cardinal Wolsey and Chapuys’ Attendant, Christopher Davis as William Roper, Jonathan Fisher as Henry VIII, and Mary Driscoll (founder and artistic director of On With Living and Learning Theatre) as Woman. The show is directed by Jon Taie (Winner of SlamBoston 2010), with sets and graphics by Sharon Lacey.
Tickets are $14 each through Brown Paper Tickets (www.brownpapertickets.com/event/469058). Performance dates and times:
January 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25 at 7:30pm; January 12 and 19 at 3pm
For more information, visit porpentineplayers.com or contact porpentineplayers@gmail.com.

Nave Music Series – The Yiddish Art Trio
will be performing at The Nave Somerville, Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church on Saturday, January 11 at 7:30pm. Fresh from their performance last week at The Kennedy Center, the Yiddish Art Trio is not to be missed!  For more info, seehttps://www.facebook.com/navemusicsomerville.

Session will meet 
at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, January 13th.

The Men’s Bible Study Group 
will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Panera Bread at Porter Square onWednesday, January 22nd.  Please contact Kevin, Josh, Solimar or Pierre for more details.

The Annual Meeting is coming! 
Mark your calendars now, for Sunday, January 26th (with a snow date of February 2nd.)  We will hold our congregational meeting in the basement, immediately following the service.  It includes a potluck lunch.  This is the time to hear reports from our pastor and from various committees about the work of the church during the past year, as well as having a chance to elect elders, deacons, and officers of the congregation.

Do you like to knit or crochet?
Here’s an opportunity to use your skills to help further marriage equality!  More Light Presbyterians is once again calling for knitted or crocheted scarves to be given out at this year’s General Assembly, which will be held in Detroit in June.  For more general information, see:http://www.mlp.org/2013/10/23/call-knit-crochet-pray-way-ga/.  If you’d like a pattern for a simple two-sided scarf, or a simple cowl/infinity scarf, or more information about Clarendon Hill’s contribution to this effort, contact Ellen (ellends1313@gmail.com).

Sermon:   “Going Camping” 

Scripture:   John 1:1-18;   Ephesians 1:3-14 

Note in the Gospel passage where v.14 typically is translated as “dwelt among us” or “made his dwelling with us”.  The more literal, and suggestive translation from the Greek, would use the English words tenting or camping — an image meant (intentionally used by the author of the Gospel I believe) to evoke images of Jesus as “God with us” — while also reaching back to the work of God with the people of Israel in the wilderness, etc.  The Gospel of John, written later than the Synoptic Gospels, brings to the fore through the narrative the fullest expression of the continuing work of God through the Spirit in our lives.   What does it mean that God has tented among us (and with each of us individually still) through the presence of the Spirit?  Think about our vulnerabilities in this life …..

Join us for worship on Sunday, January 5th at 10:30 a.m. and for coffee and fellowship after the service.

There will be a prayer meeting,
on Sunday, January 5th right after coffee hour in the Green Room.  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.

Men’s Bible Study
Wednesday, January 8th:  Men’s Bible Study at 6:30 p.m. at Panera Bread at Porter Square.  Please contact Kevin, Josh, Solimar or Pierre for more details.

Horizons Bible Study
On Friday, January 10th, Horizons Bible Study will meet at the home of a church member, at 3:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Salam (salamlebbos@hotmail.com).

January 12th – Boston Food Justice Young Adult Volunteers presentation at CHPC
Boston Presbytery is in its first year as a site for the Young Adult Volunteer program of the PC(USA). Four talented “YAVs” are spending the year working with area congregations and non-profit organizations on the theme of “Food Justice” and will visit CHPC on Sunday, January 12th.  In addition to participating in worship, they will make a presentation after the service about the YAV program in general and specifically their food justice work – from local food banks to global food security issues.  Lunch will be provided, so please plan to come, invite friends and learn more about the combined efforts and important ministry of the YAVs.  For any questions, please contact Ruth ruth.rhoads.allen@gmail.com

Session Meeting
Session will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, January 13th.

Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting is coming!  Mark your calendars now, for Sunday, January 26th (with a snow date of February 2nd.)  We will hold our congregational meeting in the basement, immediately following the service.  It includes a potluck lunch.  This is the time to hear reports from our pastor and from various committees about the work of the church during the past year, as well as having a chance to elect elders, deacons, and officers of the congregation.

Sermon:  “Try, Try, and Try Again” 

Scripture:  Matthew 2:13-23; Hebrews 2:10-18

The scripture in Matthew tells us of the story of Jesus’ first encounter with power and sin in this world.  And Matthew works hard to show that the birth and early life of Jesus is something of a “new exodus” from the reign of oppression/sin that is so common in perhaps every dominant social order.  God is trying once more, this time through the work of incarnation, to save us from our sinful and broken world.  This scripture tells us something essential about the nature of God in this world, and also suggests to us about what it means to be on board with God’s redemptive work in the world today.

Join us for worship on Sunday, December 29th at 10:30 a.m. and for coffee and fellowship after the service.

Prayer Group
There will be a prayer meeting on Sunday, January 5th right after coffee hour in the Green Room.  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.

Men’s Bible Study
Wednesday, January 8th:  Men’s Bible Study at 6:30 p.m. at Panera Bread at Porter Square.  Please contact Kevin, Josh, Solimar or Pierre for more details.

January 12th – Boston Food Justice Young Adult Volunteers presentation at CHPC
Boston Presbytery is in its first year as a site for the Young Adult Volunteer program of the PC(USA). Four talented “YAVs” are spending the year working with area congregations and non-profit organizations on the theme of “Food Justice” and will visit CHPC on Sunday, January 12th.  In addition to participating in worship, they will make a presentation after the service about the YAV program in general and specifically their food justice work – from local food banks to global food security issues.  Lunch will be provided, so please plan to come, invite friends and learn more about the combined efforts and important ministry of the YAVs.  For any questions, please contact Ruthruth.rhoads.allen@gmail.com

Session will meet
at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, January 13th.

The Annual Meeting is coming!
Mark your calendars now, for Sunday, January 26th (with a snow date of February 2nd.)  We will hold our congregational meeting in the basement, immediately following the service.  It includes a potluck lunch.  This is the time to hear reports from our pastor and from various committees about the work of the church during the past year, as well as having a chance to elect elders, deacons, and officers of the congregation.

If you’d like to have a box of offering envelopes for 2014, please contact Ellen (ellends1313@gmail.com).  Remember that all of your donations to the church are tax deductible…