From the Minister
Greetings and blessings to you my friends,
We embark together on a new path, working to discern God's vision for our future.
The future is full of hope and possibilities, and yet there is a tremor of tension,
a bit of anxiety, as we strive to set our path in the right direction. Henri
Nouwen reminds us that there will always be enough light for the next step even
when the whole path is not illuminated. Faith is believing that God will provide
light for the next step, and the one after that.
And so we walk in faith, daring to dream dreams about the future while we do
the work set before us day by day.
Jane MacIntosh greeted me cheerily last Sunday, saying, "It's snowing
so it must be Sunday!" And indeed it snowed enough the last two Sundays
that we were one of the few churches that didn't cancel. Our plan is to be open
for worship and to encourage those who are comfortable driving, and able to
dig out, to join us and to ensure those who feel safer at home that we will
keep them in our prayers. We will practice "where two or three are gathered
in my name, I am there among them." (Matthew 18:20)
Our annual meeting was scheduled for this past week, and we held the meeting
in part. The new committees were voted in and Brendan Kenney, our new organist,
was approved by the congregation. We have continued the meeting until Sunday,
February 1 at 11:30 am so that we can discuss our finances and approve committee
reports with a larger body of the membership.
I have deep concerns about our financial situation. I am praying that we come
together and discern God's will for the stewardship of our congregation. Our
investments have suffered this year, and we cannot look to our endowment to
support the operations of our church much longer. It is important that we understand
that this is Christ's Church, and that we are called to be the caretakers, the
stewards, of this congregation. By living a sacramental life, and treating all
of our resources as the gifts from God that they are, we will be able to support
our congregation. Please pray about how God calls you to use your time, talents,
and treasures to support this congregation. If God calls you to support the
church financially please pledge so that the financial folks can make forecasts.
I pray that God makes our way clear to us, and that in our support of this congregation
we reap the blessings that God promises to the cheerful giver.
Please continue to pray for the church as I continue to pray for you.
Blessings, Katherine
Events with Katherine :
Wednesday Morning Worship with Communion
Wednesday morning worship continues! Come and be uplifted as we gather in
the Chapel to worship God, hear Scripture, and celebrate Communion. The service
will run from 7 to 7:30 am, followed by a light breakfast (or at least a cup
of coffee to go!)
Bible
Study and Specialty Groups
It's not too late to sign up for Bible Study or a Covenant Spirituality Group.
Please look for yellow sign up sheets in your bulletin or call the office.
Groups will be gathered in the next few weeks.
Sabbath Space
Sabbath space continues! Rest and relax. The chapel has been prepared as
a sanctuary from the noise and the haste. You are invited to stop and breathe
deeply of the Spirit and be renewed. The Chapel is open anytime Katherine
is in the building.
Sabbath means "to cease." Take the opportunity to cease the hectic
pace and experience rest in the hope, peace, love and joy of Jesus Christ.
To encourage and support our cultivation and deepening of our spiritual practices,
the chapel has been prepared as a space that soothes our senses, inviting
meditation and uplifting reflection.
May Christ's blessing and peace be with us in each moment; in the hurry and
the slowing, the waking and the sleeping, and the doing of things and the
doing of nothing. May the Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us.
Note from the Moderator:
Annual Meeting Continues on February 1st
Due to the inclement weather which resulted in low member
turn- out, the annual meeting will be continued on February 1st at 11:30
AM. The budget and reports will be discussed at that time.
- Ed Reinecker, Moderator
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Notes from the Diaconate
February brings a change to the Diaconate. We welcome Lynne
Hildreth and say good-bye to Andrew Jennings and Christa Brown. Thank you,
Andrew and Christa for your service and commitment!
Rev. Adams, is working on plans for a women's retreat and men's retreat during
Lent. Keep your eyes peeled for more information and upcoming dates! We look
forward to being spiritually fulfilled with our brothers and sisters in Christ
in Tewksbury.
We are looking for people who are willing to volunteer to answer the church
phone on Sunday mornings from 9-10 AM. This is a busy time here at church.
If you are unable to join a committee, but want to commit to your church in
other ways, this is your opportunity! Please let Bob Slack know if you can
help out.
The Deacons would like to inform everyone about the use and availability
of the Deacons' Fund. The money in the Deacons' Fund is available for people
who are having a hard time financially. Have you suffered a job loss? A sudden
increase in your heating costs? If you are feeling that you don't know where
to turn, please contact Rev. Adams about your need. Each situation is individual
and the decision to disburse funds will be based upon your need.
Coming Up:
February 25 - Ash Wednesday Services: 7:00 AM and 7:30 PM
April 9 - Maundy Thursday Service: 7:30 PM
April 12 - Easter Services: 7:00 & 10:00 AM
The Deacons
Jean Button, Secretary
Trustees
The
abbreviated Annual Church Meeting held on January 18th has voted Steve Burton
as a new Trustee for a three (3) year term. Steve has been on the Trustees
in the past and will prove to be a great asset to the Board which remains
one (1) Trustee short. If you are a member of the church and have an interest
in the direction your church is going, please contact anyone of the Trustees,
the Nominating committee or the church office. Your help and interest is greatly
appreciated
The church has a busy year ahead with a direction to get back on track by
reducing the current deficit without deteriorating the churches assets which
have suffered greatly this passed year due to the current economy.
Current projects to be completed within this church year are:
-
Coke machine to be stocked and proceeds used for the building fund.
-
A continued review of the church areas such as the stage to identify
surplus or abandoned items no longer used to be donated or disposed of.
-
Church rental fee agreements to be reviewed to help define active members
and friends of the church family regarding the rental fees charged.
-
New church security key & keycard system.
-
Moving name tag board to first floor across from mailboxes to promote
use.
-
Runners to be installed in Chapel.
As always, those people who have ideas for a project and, more importantly,
if you can assist in completing that project, you are urged to bring it to
the attention of the Trustees by placing a written note in the Trustees mailbox.
Wayne Thompson
for the Trustees
Mission
Committee Report
We Missed
For the first time in two years, the weather forced a cancellation of the
Outreach' Committee meeting. However, you all benefit because it keeps our
report much shorter.
Recycling/Conservation
Along with the Trustees, we met with National Grid to review their energy
audit of the church. The trustees constantly search for ways to improve our
energy efficiency and we are delighted to accompany them on this journey.
Recent Thank You's
We received a letter from Jedidiah Mannis, lead pastor of the Outdoor Church
of Cambridge thanking our church for a December contribution.
A letter was also received for the Save Darfur Coalition, one of the few groups
defying the chaos and bringing help to the victims of the genocide still going
on in that region of the Sudan.
Refugee Work
We attended our 1st meeting of the area interfaith group that works to assist
legitimate asylum seekers. We became the 5th church in the area to participate
and are moving into this ministry . . . deliberately and incrementally.
Billerica Pantry
Feeding the hungry is an opportunity for the church and individual Christians
to put their faith into action (James 2:14-17). In January we collected 60
items, well below our average but understandable considering everything that
was going on that Sunday. Please remember the hungry on Sunday, February 8th.
Did You Know That:
In 2008, the Grameen Foundation, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning micro-finance
organization granted loans to nearly 7,000,000 of the world's poorest families
in 27 countries. They have lifted millions of people out of extreme poverty
in 32 years with initial loans ranging from $9.00 to $250.00.
Vegetable gardens in the U.S. produced 1.4 billion dollars worth of food last
year. Lets raise that amount in 2009.
- Bob Miner
The Senior High Sunday School Invites you to a......
Disaster Dinner*
March 1st, 5-8 PM
Dale Hall, First Congregational Church
18 Andover Road
(*Note: Not a dinner that's a disaster but a fundraiserfor
disaster.)
We all see the news reports showing the devastation caused
by natural and man-made disasters as they disrupt and change the course of
people's lives, but we rarely see reports of what is happening with those
people a year or two or three or yes, even four or five years later…..these
events don't last just for the time we see them on the news….they are long
lasting, life changing and extremely difficult to live through.
The Senior High Class is inviting you to a Disaster Dinner
in order to share what they have learned about the impact of disasters on
people and communities in our world today…and what you and I can do to work
with others to bring relief to those affected - long after the news teams
and politicians have gone home.
Please join us! The proceeds will benefit the Senior High
Class Mission Trip.
Tickets: Adult $8
Child (under 12) $5
Family (2 adults, 2 children) $20
Tickets can be purchased from members of the Senior High Class as well
as their advisors, Brent Davis and Barbara Daverin, 978-663-3115.
Sweethearts
for your Sweetheart
The Senior High Sunday School Class will also be selling church-made valentine
candies on Feb 8th in Dale Hall as a fundraiser for the 2009 Mission Trip….all
prices and sizes for your special valentine!!
Choose a special candy for your special someone and support the Bridge
to Hope Mission Project!
Religious
Education
The Children's Christmas Pageant was delayed again this year due to snow,
but was a great success. The children did well and seemed to have a lot of
fun at Jesus' birthday party held after the pageant. The RE Committee would
like to thank all of those who dedicated their time to help make the pageant
take place and for making it fun for the children.
Lent will be beginning soon. This year, the children will again explore the
meaning of Lent through discussion and hands on activities to help the children
feel more connected with God instead of focusing on a fundraising activity.
Listed below are some of the activities that the children have done in the
past during Lent. They will be participating in similar concepts this year.
Further information will be given to the children in Sunday school class.
What is Lent? Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009 and lasts
40 days until just before Easter. It is a time of prayer, meditation and reflecting
on the meaning of Easter. "The heart of Lent is inner penitence and reconciliation
with God", sorrow for sins, spiritual growth, commitment, perseverance.
Common practices were fasting (giving up something), special commitments (reading,
studying meditating, helping others), good deeds, prayer and reflection, Christian
study (reading Bible), Church activities. (From Channing Bête company
materials).
February 22nd
Theme: Jesus cares for each of us. Story of the lost sheep
Project: send cards to classmates that haven't come in a couple
weeks. Invite a friend to come with you.
March 1st
Theme: Food and more, Generosity, Jesus feeds us feeding the
5,000
Project: bring in food for the food pantry
March 8th
Theme: Kindness/ welcome Jesus blesses the children
Project:Do a kind deed, come back next week and put on the bulletin
board what you did. Invite someone to come to Sunday school.
March 15th
Theme:Jesus the Healer
Project:Pray for sick and hurting people. Put their names on
a prayer list.
Optional; make cards for prayer list people and shut ins
March 22nd
Theme:Patience, story of the mustard seed
Project:help someone, pray for them, read other parables in
Matthew 13. Draw a picture of the parable to share.
March 29th
Theme:Self-discipline/prayer Sermon on the Mount
Project: Write down your worries, crumple up the paper and put
them in a container to give them over to God. And/or prayers of thanks, read
the Bible story again at home
April 5th
Theme: Palm Sunday- celebrate, praise God
Project:Read the story of Palm Sunday and Easter with your parents.
Matthew 21:1-11, (Matthew 27:32-66 edit for younger or sensitive children);
Matthew 28:1-10, Palm Sunday Procession
Dawn Salter
From the Jr. and Sr. Pilgrim Fellowship Advisor
Jan 25 Movie, 11:30-2:00
Feb 1 Tailgate Dance Party, 11:30-3:00
Feb 8 Pick sermon for Easter service, 11:30-1:30
Feb 15 Plan Lock-in, 11:30- 1:30
Feb 22 Chunky's Family movie day, ??????
Feb 28 Lock-in, Snow Tubing (Bridgewater Church) 11:30-1:30
The PF and the families we helped would like to thank the congregation
for their support with the Angel Tree, Christmas Wreath sale, and Chunk's
tickets. Please join us for a dance party on Super Bowl Sunday; we will be
doing group dances like the hokey-pokey, Bunny Hop, YMCA, and more....
We will provide the food and entertainment for the family. Get
off the couch and join us! We will have SOME FUN!!
Yours in Christ,
Deb MacEachern - Jr & Sr PF
Stewardship
Notes
The holiday season is over, and most of us are thinking
about our new year's resolutions and filing our Income Taxes. We've also completed
the Annual meeting here at First Congregational Church and have been advised
of our shortfalls in both financial commitment and committee staffing. As
members, we each have an obligation to consider what we can do. I suggest
you look at the vacancies in the several committees and consider if you can
fill one of those vacancies. As you consider your family budget for the year
can you increase your pledge? As you file for your tax refund, can you donate
a portion of it to the Church?
Speaking of committees, we can definitely use more help on the Stewardship
committee. We meet once a month after the Sunday Service and will once again
this year focus on both time/talent and financial contributions. We especially
look forward to the energy and creativity that our new minister, Katherine
Adams, will provide. Our first meeting of the year was held on January 25
and our next meeting is on February 15th, at 11:15 am, after church.
Join us at the meeting if you want to see what we do.
As you consider what you can do to help our church to fulfill its Christian
mission, we hope you keep in mind the definition of Christian Stewardship
- "What I do with all that I have, after I say I Believe."
For the Stewardship Committee,
Don Lovegrove
Aim Hi
NEXT MEETING:
FEBRUARY 19TH. NO MEETING IN JANUARY
.
Aim Hi is having "Have a Heart" Sunday,
January 11 and 18. We are asking the children and the congregation to
take a heart and purchase the item that is on that heart. If you wish to include
a note or a card with the item please do so, the servicemen love to receive
mail. These items will be used to fill the "Thank you" packages
that will be sent to the servicemen. Collection boxes and hearts will be located
in the front and back of the church.
There is no meeting of Aim-Hi in January. The next meeting will be held February
19. We always welcome new members.
Aim Hi has been sending our love, prayers, and Thank
You packages to several young people serving overseas. We encourage the congregation
to use the addresses below and send a short note or greeting card to these
young people while they are away from home. It means so much to them and their
families.
|
The current addresses of the service personnel
overseas are:
Cpl Adam N. Cisneros
A Co, 4-64 AR
APO AE 09361
Spec. John D. Terrin
167th CSSB
COB Adder
Tallil, Iraq
APO AE 09331
|
|
Pvt. Joshua Marriott
A Co. 2-8 IN, 2-4 ID
FOB Echo
APO AE 09332
Corey Button
Unit 91st MP Battalion
FOB Rustimayah
APO AE 09390
|
If anyone in the congregation knows of other young people
who are serving our country overseas and feels comfortable providing us
with their addresses, please contact Aim Hi through June Orne at 603-883-6732,
(june62123@aol.com, or call the church
office at 978-663-8433.
Donna Ricarte & June Orne
Notes from the Music Committee
The Junior Choir, under the direction
of April Goss-Baker, has had a great start to the year! All youth are welcome
to join practices each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel. The group
will be singing a variety of music for all ages. Whether you can come for
the next few weeks or the next few months, everyone can join in.
The Senior Choir has grown over the past few months and the Music Committee
thanks Ginny O'Connell and all Choir members (veteran choir members and new
members) for their wonderful contributions each week. We encourage all to
try out a rehearsal, join the group for Lent and Easter, or just on a temporary
basis. The FCCB choir rehearses on Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
The Music Committee welcomes our new Organist, Brendan Kenney. Please
join us in welcoming Brendan by introducing yourselves to him during the coffee
and fellowship time after the worship service each Sunday.
The Music Committee sincerely thanks Jackie Phippen and Larry Bliss for their
service over the past three years. We also wish to thank Andrew Jennings,
the Diaconate's liaison to the Music Committee, for his support and guidance.
This past year has been very eventful. From purchasing a new electronic organ,
to hiring a Music Director and Organist, your dedication and effort throughout
this past year made all of these important decisions possible.
Finally, we're still in search of fundraising ideas to help pay for our new
organ. All ideas are welcome. Please feel free to speak with any member of
the Music Committee to share your suggestions. Thank you!
Musically yours,
Ruthie Boutillier, April Goss-Baker, Phyllis Jennings, Stephanie Norman, June
Orne
Children's
Choir
Expand your child's religious education!!!! Youth Choir meets from
9:30am to 10:00am in the Chapel. Everyone is welcome! We will be learning
hymns, Bible songs, Christmas carols, and Twentieth Century Christian songs.
For more information, please contact April Goss-Baker at 978-670-6035.
Lay
Shepherding 
NEXT
MEETING: Wednesday February 18, 1:00 P.M.
Your Lay Shepherds wish you all grand and rewarding times in this New Year.
We are available for visits, a phone call or to send cards, so if you would
like to receive or know of anyone, who would like to receive any these, please
let us know. We are fortunate to have so many caring members in our community
and it is greatly appreciated.
Please contact any lay shepherd or Audrey Schwartz tel. 978 663-3239 for
further information.
The Pairs-n-Spares Adult Fellowship
Group
Our Annual Christmas Progressive
Supper was postponed to Valentine's Day this year because there were so
many other things going on. We are all sweethearts, single or couples, so
come along for the fun and great food.
It will be held Saturday, February, 14 starting at 6:30 pm. The courses are
Appetizers, Soup, Salad, and Dessert. To volunteer to be a course host or
to help prepare a course, please call us soon. Host homes will be announced
later.
For those wishing to attend, there is a Sign-up sheet on the bulletin board
going into Dale Hall. The cost is $8 per person (well worth it for the delectable
food that is served.) Call if you would like a ride.
Lynne Hildreth 978-663-4727 / Maryanne Durand 978-667-4239
United Church
of Christ
Summer Camps
Star Island off the coast of New Hampshire offers
youth conferences (High school) and family camps. This is a wonderful way
of developing faith while having fun.
UCC Youth camps are Aug.2-8, or Aug. 8-15. Family camps run the same schedule.
There is also a Laity weekend Sept. 5-7. Information is available at http://www.starisland.org.
In the past our church has offered scholarships if needed through the mission
funds.
The UCC at Craigville on the Cape has also had an adult music camp in July.
Information is not yet on the website.
United Church of Christ and You
Our connection with the UCC provides help with the
bigger things like the process of becoming a minister. Our church has experienced
that guidance in the search process. The UCC has procedures that aid in the
development of a person for ministry as well. When someone thinks they might
be interested in becoming a pastor they discuss the idea with their own clergy
person, family and some church members. They begin seminary classes. As they
move along in their studies, their church should form a group to guide the
student in exploring his/her gifts and interests in ministry.
To further aid the person in discerning what God is really calling them to
be, the person asks to be taken "in care" with the Church and Ministry
Committee of the UCC Association. The committee meets with the student yearly,
talks with him/her about their faith journey and interests and provides an
advisor. The seminary, Church and Ministry, and the local church are all partners
in forming future pastors. All help guide the person to discover what their
best path is, be it a pastorate or other way of serving.
Eventually, if the person does sense a call to pastoral ministry, he/she writes
an ordination paper and comes before an ecclesiastical council for a vote.
The Church and Ministry Committee thoroughly examines their readiness and
fitness for ministry and may recommend them to the council. The council is
made up of ministers and representatives from all the churches in the association.
After a positive vote the person becomes a candidate in the search process.
They can be ordained only after receiving a "call". Installation
into that position follows later.
Phyllis Jennings served a term on the Church and Ministry Committee of the
Andover Association and can try to answer questions about the process.
Phyllis Jennings
MACUCC delegate
Flowers:
February
Feb 1- Given by Harold and Jackie Phippen in loving memory of their
parents.
Feb 8 - Given by Ruth, Annette, Michael and Dave Stanford and Edie
Moser; Marie, Brent, Janeen and Michele Davis; Shirley, Tom, Anthony, Nicholas
and Jessica Fugoni in loving memory of Alberta Hodge.
Feb 15- Given by Isabella Anstey in loving memory of her parents, Mary
and Rae Sutherland.
On the piano, flowers are given in loving memory of Nana Cameron,
Sue Gullage, and George A. Gullage from Scot, Jackie, Gina, and Katia Gullage.
Feb 22 - Given by Mr. & Mrs. Allard in loving memory of Bob's father,
Almon Allard and his mother, Christine Allard and Marilyn's father, William
Mann.
Flowers on the piano are placed in loving memory of Betsy Burton
by Steve, Erin, Kristen, Ken, Lindsay, Samantha and John. Also by Al and Ellie
Melendy
On the lectern flowers are given in of Liza Jollimore on her
third anniversary from her family.
If you would like to donate flowers any Sunday, please call Jeannette
at 978-663-6804.
PASSAGES: Births, Baptisms, Weddings and Memorial
Services
Memorial Service - January 24th, Clara Tingley
Memorial
Service - January 25, George Spering
 The
"Tea Ladies" are at it again….
It's Tea Time!!!
We are planning another tea extravaganza on
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Featuring:
Meryl Galaid
performing
The Best of Broadway and More
With Garland and Minnelli
BUT TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS
It takes many people to have this tea and we are inviting
anyone interested in helping to join us at our kick-off meeting
on Thursday, February 5th at 7:00 at the Church
We will have a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in
Dale Hall for anyone not able to attend our kick-off meeting but would
like to be involved. We will be looking for people to help in the following
areas:
Table Hostesses
Kitchen Help
Decorating and Set Up
Clean-Up
Raffles,
Advertising sponsors
Ticket and program design.
Call Dianne Cornaro (978-621-6824) or Claire Hart
(978-667-2201) for more information
|
Thank
You's
FROM ALISON
THANKS
TO Audrey Schwartz, and Edna McDewell and Barbara George for their help in the
delivery of the January issue of The Lantern!
Thank you and love, Alison
FROM JEANNETTE
Jeanette wants to thank all those who made calls, sent cards, visited
and prayed for her during her recent illness. She is still enjoying the lovely
poinsettia the church sent her.
Jeannette Rohnstock
FROM JACKIE
Dear Friends of First Congregational:
Sincere thanks for all the prayers, cards and kind gestures bestowed
on our family when my mother, Hazel, passed away recently. It is something
we will never forget.
Love, Jackie Phippen
Next Lantern Deadline:
Sunday, February 15
The newsletter written and mailed the week of February 15 will include the
end of February and March news.
