Sunday Service
Sermon – “Longing for Food, Longing for Life”
Luke 16:19-31; First Timothy 6:6-19
The lectionary brings us this week to the gate of a rich man where we find another man named Lazarus (whose name means “God has helped”). In the New Revised Standard Version, the translation reads that Lazarus “longed to satisfy his hunger” from the leftovers at the rich man’s table. Luke uses this same Greek phrase to describe the hunger of the prodigal son in Luke 15:16, and both phrases and contexts suggest Jesus is certainly talking about real physical hunger, but something else as well. What is it that all of us, even those of us who are well fed, “long to satisfy” in our daily lives – be it emotionally, spiritually, physically, etc? What kind of life does God want us to engage and embrace, both as individuals and in our common life together? Why is the sharing and consumption of food such an important way of enacting and celebrating God’s presence?
Join us for worship on Sunday, September 29th at 10:30 a.m. and for coffee and fellowship after the service.
World Communion Sunday
On Sunday, October 6th, we will celebrate Communion with other Christians around the world on World Communion Sunday. We will also collect the Peacemaking Offering. This year’s verse for the offering is from 2 Thessalonians 3:16 “…Peace in all times in all ways.” During the next few weeks, the Mission Focus time in the service will show how your gifts to the offering are used in a variety of peacemaking efforts at all levels of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Fred Bahnson Spiritual Book Talk
At noon on Sunday, October 6th we will host Fred Bahnson, the Director of the Food, Faith and Religious Leadership Initiative at the School of Divinity at Wake Forest University. He will do a short talk on his book, SOIL AND SACRAMENT: A Spiritual Memoir of Food and Faith, followed by brief reading, then a question and answer session. Copies of his book will be available for sale. Join us for this lively and informal gathering to hear more about the intersection about faith and food in our lives. All are welcome – invite you friends and neighbors!
String Theory Benefit Concert
Come hear Clarendon Hill’s Jennifer Herzig play with her string quartet, String Theory, as they perform a benefit concert, along with Hanna’s Hearts of Hope. All net proceeds go to Make-A-Wish Foundation (Massachusetts and R.I.) The 2:00 p.m. concert on Sunday, October 6th, in the church sanctuary, will be followed by a silent auction and a reception. They will be performing Ravel’s String Quartet, jazz arrangements by Chris Welch and will have duets with Hanna. Tickets for adults are $12.00 in advance ($15.00 at the door) and $5.00 for kids. For advance tickets, please go to www.jenaestarikov.com.
HONK! Parade
Sunday, October 13th after worship – HONK! Parade for social justice. Grab your coffee hour treats and join the CHPC community as we walk from church to Davis Square and cheer our own Randy Winchester, performing with his group in the annual HONK! Festival parade for social justice. Fellowship and entertainment for all, so invite your friends for the service and to join us for the event! More info on the multi-day HONK! Festival activities, music and justice issues is at http://honkfest.org/
6th annual Wrap Around
Attention all Knitters, Crocheters, and Stitch-makers!
The Nave Gallery is seeking knitted, crocheted, and sewn donations of gloves, hats, bags, blankets, decorative pieces, etc., for the 6th annual Wrap Around, our sale of affordable handmade goods to benefit the Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC). Last year we raised almost $3,000 for SHC. Can we hit $5,000 this year? Please include your name and contact info with your donation so that we can thank you, and a list the materials used (e.g. wool, cotton, etc.).
If you have any questions, contact Tori Costa at tori [dot] costa [at]gmail.com. Items not sold during the sale will be donated to the Somerville Homeless Coalition.
Installation Service of Rev. Fairfax
We have a date for the installation service of Rev. Fairfax, so mark your calendars! The service will be at 3:00 p.m. in the sanctuary on Sunday, November 3rd, with a reception to follow. We’ll be looking for help, so please consider saying yes when you are asked. The installation service marks the official beginning of Allen’s ministry with us. It will include members of the Presbytery of Boston, as well as those who have been important to Allen in his faith journey and his pastoral career. All are welcome and we hope you will join us!
Thanksgiving for Veterans Dinner and Concert
Save the Date! Saturday, November 9th, 6-9pm – A Thanksgiving for Veterans dinner and concert. This is a collaboration between CHPC, the Nave Gallery and the Volunteers of America veterans support organization currently housed at CHPC. Please mark your calendars and we’ll get more details out soon!