Sermon: “Imago Dei”
Scripture: Acts 9:36-43; Colossians 3:12-15
What does it mean that we are made in the image of God? For centuries, it was assumed that really it was “man” that was made in the image of God, but now through the work of the Spirit that patriarchal view is being displaced (hopefully, and not soon enough). In this passage from Acts, we read about the life, death and resurrection of a woman disciple named Dorcas This is, in fact, the only time a woman is named and called a “disciple” directly in the New Testament. On this Mothers Day, that in itself is worthy of note. But let us also explore the importance of this event for our understanding the very inclusive dynamic of the “imago Dei” in our life and formation as a body of Christ.
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 – – –
Fellowship Event – Great Brook Farm
Join us for an afternoon of fun at Great Brook Farm (http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-north/great-brook-farm-state.html) 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, or to RSVP (so we know to look for you!) contact Val (mabel312@aol.com).
Gospel Night – First Presbyterian Church in Quincy
First Presbyterian Church in Quincy presents Gospel Night, featuring The Senior Choir and Soloists, with Allen Thomas, Music Director. On Sunday, May 15th at 7:00 p.m. A free will offering will be accepted. First Presbyterian is located at 270 Franklin Street in Quincy. For information, please call 617-773-5575 or visit www.firstpresbyquincy.org.
Pentecost
Sunday, May 15th is Pentecost! We will celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit, coming to the disciples as Jesus had promised. Red is the color for Pentecost (as it represents the flames of the Holy Spirit), so be sure to wear red on May 15th.
Session Meeting
The Session will meet on Monday, May 16th at 7:30 p.m.
Someville Save Our Homes Walk
The 13th annual Someville Save Our Homes Walk (for more info, see http://saveourhomeswalk.org/) is on Sunday, May 22nd, beginning with registration at 1:30 p.m. The 5K walk steps off at 2:00 p.m., beginning and ending at Somerville High School. If you’re interested in helping to organize a team, or helping the church participate, please speak with Pastor Allen right away.
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 – – –
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!