From the Minister
"We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly
so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you
has for each other is increasing." (2 Thessalonians 1:3)
Grace and peace to each of you,
What a joy to have us back together again as a worshipping, learning, teaching,
praying, serving body of Christ! We have celebrated the wonderful ministries
of the summer and are unrolling the plans for the program year. Come, connect
with old friends and make new friends. Settle into worship, sing in the choir,
come to Bible study, join a Spirituality Group, volunteer for ministry opportunities,
attend a Wednesday night discussion group. Come, grow in faith and discipleship.
This is the year to grow in faith. It's been said that you can teach religion,
but you can't teach faith - faith is caught. It is the love and passion known
through Christ Jesus that ignites our hearts and minds, and it's contagious.
Share your love and passion by following God's call to serve. Let Christ's light
shine through you by being Christ's heart and hands for the world. Reach out
in love and watch your faith grow.
This is the year to grow in discipleship. Take some time to study Jesus' teachings.
Pray about the "least of these." Consider Jesus' commandment to love
one another. Practice forgiveness as you have been forgiven. Practice Jesus'
teachings and you will grow as a disciple. This spiritual growth will encourage
you to "seek first God's kingdom and righteousness, and all the other things
will be added unto you." When grounded as a disciple, life takes on a deeper
meaning.
This is the year to rise above the hustle and bustle and seek a life with greater
meaning by growing in faith and discipleship. Come, and find ways to feed and
nurture your soul.
Grace upon grace, Katherine
Continuing
& Special Events with Katherine & Office Schedule:
Wednesday Morning Worship with Communion
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!) More
Info.
Bible Study
6-7 PM on Tuesday evenings
10:30 AM on Thursdays
Christian Life Series
7 pm, 3rd Wednesdays, October-June
Spirituality Groups
7-8:30 PM, 4th Wednesdays
Confirmation Class
Confirmation Class resumes September 26, 6 PM.
Book Table/Music
A book table will be available in Dale Hall each Sunday through June, where
a selection of Christian books and music are available for sale. Leather Bibles,
devotional aids, Christian nonfiction for men, women, and teens, Christian
fiction, kids' books, kids' music, worship music, hymns, and contemporary
music are all available. These items are available for your edification. This
is not a fund raiser. Free Bibles are also available outside Rev. Adam's office.
If you would like to volunteer to help run the table, please stop by the table.
More Info.
Church Office Hours
The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 1 PM.
At Home Bible Study
For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself
alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the
Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he
might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why
do you judge your brother and sister? Or why do you look down on your
brother and sister? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.
It is written:
As surely as I live,' says the Lord,
'every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God.
So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore
let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your
mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's
and sister's way."
(Romans 14:7-13)
|
Paul is writing to the church that Peter founded in Rome. It
is Paul's most theological letter, and asks us to think about our relationships
with others in light of our relationship with God. It is clear in this writing
that we are not created to live in isolation, but in relationship.
Ask yourself:
-
-
How do I judge my brothers and sisters?
-
When do I judge my brothers and sister?
-
Do I have trouble letting go of my desire to be in control and submit
to the Lord?
-
Do I bow before God and confess my sins?
-
What stumbling blocks do I put in the way of my brother or sister?
-
What do I need to pray so that I am able to live in closer relationship
with God and my brothers and sister?
Christian Life Series
How do we live our faith? This series helps us grow in faith and discipleship.
Rev. Katherine Adams and guests will lead discussions that explore what it
means to be a disciple of Christ in our daily living. Developing and strengthening
relationships will be central to our discussions. Parents are especially encouraged
to attend. Childcare will be provided.
Discussions will be on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, October through
June, at 7:00 pm
Oct 20 Teaching Our Children Faith
Nov 17 Adding Prayer to Your Life
Jan 19 Parenting 101
Feb 16 Talking with Teens about Drugs and Alcohol
Mar 16 Strengthening Your Marriage
Apr 20 Caring for the Caregiver
May 18 Christian values, morals & ethics
Jun 15 Finances and Faith
Notes from the Diaconate
Fall has arrived and the Diaconate is focusing on making worship
and the sacraments meaningful and fulfilling for you. We have had a series
of communion education workshops with Reverend Katherine and are trying new
ways to make this sacrament a deep spiritual connection between you and Christ.
We are exploring ways to invite people into Christian life, beginning with
a series of talks once a month on Wednesday nights starting in October. One
way we can invite members of the community in, is to advertise about our events
and activities in the local media. Cindy Tomlin has agreed to be our liaison
with BATV. We are looking for someone who would be willing to be our "print"
media representative.
Reverend Katherine and members of the Diaconate planned some new and different
types of worship this summer on Wednesday evenings. These Wednesday evening
services were well attended and spiritually uplifting. We thank the following
people who helped out with worship planning, worship leading, singing, playing
an instrument and supporting worship leaders:
Bob Miner, Sheila Vitale, Jerry Simmons, Deb Botham, George Simolaris,
Stephanie Norman, Nancy Romanik, Wende Donahue, John Saleyards, Peter Anton,
June Gibelli, Mike Romanik, Helen Carroll, Linda Miner, Diane Hall, Susan
McLay and April Goss-Baker.
- Jean Button, for the Deacons
Additional Diaconate Notes from Senior Deacon Lynne Hildreth
Our next Diaconate meeting is Sunday, 11:15 AM on October 3 and then Sunday,
11:15 AM on October 24. We will then discuss the November and December meeting
dates, as both regular meeting dates (the fourth Sunday) would fall on holiday
weekends.
A BIG THANK YOU for all the help with the N.E. Boiled Dinner, held September
18. It was a tremendous success thanks to all the volunteers and made our
church a profit of $1,528 and the community really had a great time.
Sr Deacon Lynne Hildreth
World Communion Sunday
This year, World Communion Sunday is Sunday October 3, 2010. Churches
around the world celebrate the sacrament of communion with us and we are connected
in this way to Christians around the globe. The Deacons invite you to bring
a loaf of bread to share on this day with the congregation. We will collect
all breads on the communion table during the worship service and share some
of each during our communion service. After church, we will provide dips,
sauces and spreads to share and eat together with the remaining breads. In
this way, we feed each other, as Christ has taught us to do. We invite you
to make or procure any kind of bread that you wish!
Help Wanted: Church Publicity Rep
We are in need of a person who is willing to act as our church's publicity
representative. Duties will include:
-
Submitting church special events and activities to the Billerica Minuteman,
the Lowell Sun and the Billerica Green newspapers.
-
Writing articles periodically about our church for the above publications
-
Arranging for sandwich boards to be posted outside on the front lawn
regarding upcoming events
-
Coordinating publicity with Reverend Katherine and church committees
Hours: As many or as few as you need
Compensation: The warm and satisfactory feeling you get
when you have done a job well and served God and your church as a spokesperson
for your faith!
Contact: Reverend Katherine at the church at 978-663-8433
or Lynne Hildreth at 978-663-4727.
The Photo Directory project will be gearing up again this fall.
If you have not had your picture taken for the Directory, please keep your
eye out for dates this fall when we will be taking photos in church. This
is an endeavor that we are taking on ourselves as a church and we hope you
will support and help us out by appearing for your picture so that all of
us will have names with the friendly faces we see in our congregation
-Deacon Jean Button
Acolyte Meeting
There will be an acolyte meeting on Sunday, October 17 at
11:15 AM in the sanctuary. Anyone interested in becoming an acolyte, please
come to this meeting.
Deacon Barbara Daverin
Trustees
We recently had work done on the roof to repair the leak in the upper hallway
by the sanctuary and to replace two roof turbines (one was not spinning anymore
and the other was missing for almost two years) This work was done by David
Morey Construction & Roofing at a very reasonable cost.
- Kevin Button - Trustee
FCCB by the Numbers
Attendance:
| 8/8 |
Worship |
93 |
Sunday School |
na |
| 8/15 |
Worship |
51 |
Sunday School |
na |
| 8/22 |
Worship |
64 |
Sunday School |
na |
| 8/29 |
Worship |
75 |
Sunday School |
na |
| 9/5 |
Worship |
82 |
Sunday School |
na |
| 9/12 |
Worship |
95 |
Sunday School |
na |
| 9/19 |
Worship |
212 |
Sunday School |
86 |
Offerings:
| Date |
General Fd |
Outreach Fd |
Deacons Fd |
| 8/8 |
$1624 |
$122 |
$70 |
| 8/15 |
$2679 |
$279 |
$50 |
| 8/22 |
$2093 |
$110 |
$5 |
| 8/29 |
$2065 |
$189 |
$23 |
| 9/5 |
$1830 |
$132 |
$22 |
| 9/12 |
$2185 |
$168 |
$57 |
| 9/19 |
$5451 |
$378 |
$168 |
Our Average weekly General Fund expenses are $4307. The Yankee Doodle New
England Boiled Dinner contributed $1528 to the general fund the week of September
19. Thanks to all who contributed! Thank you for your continued prayers of
support and financial stewardship to support the work of the Church.
The
Outreach Committee Report
The Billerica Food Pantry
Our Congregation donated 128 items this past month--a great # for a holiday
weekend! Thank you! Also, this past June, a church member gave the Outreach
Committee a $25 donation to the Food Pantry--which we appreciate and we know
the Food Pantry appreciates.
Thank you for continuing to help feed the hungry! Our next collection will
take place on Sunday, October 3rd.
Neighbors in Need
Neighbors in Need(NIN) is a special mission offering of the UCC that supports
ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third
of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry(CAIM). Two-thirds
of the offering is used by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries(JWM) to
support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service
projects. Don Lovegrove, a member of the Outreach Committee, will be giving
an Outreach Moment on September 26th regarding NIN. Collection envelopes will
be available in your bulletins on October 10th and 17th. October 17th will
be the collection date for Neighbors in Need.
The Navigators
At our September meeting, we voted to send $200 to The Navigators, to support
campus ministries, a group that Janeen Davis is an active member.
Other
We are now current with all of our previously pledged commitments and will
continue to review the requests that have been sent at our October 10th meeting.
Thank you for all the ways you support our group.
-Ginny Carmichael - The Outreach Committee
ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS MARKET
Our 3rd annual Alternative Christmas Market will take place on Sunday,
November 28th in Dale Hall from 11AM to noon. The 4 groups that will be
represented are: our local Billerica Food Pantry, Church World Service, Equal
Exchange, and the Middlesex Transitional Living Center. More information on
each of these caring groups will appear in the next Lantern and in later Sunday
bulletins. Please keep these services in mind as you think of the gifts you
might give to family and friends.
- Bob Miner
Stewardship Committee
Is the glass half full or half empty?
When we answer this question, we do not learn anything more about the how
much is in the glass, but we learn a lot about our attitudes and our perceptions.
Our answer does not change what is in the glass, but what becomes clearer
is how we are looking at it.
As we approach the annual stewardship campaign, we are looking at a lot
of glasses that are neither full nor empty. The glass that is the overall
financial picture of this congregation can be characterized in opposite
viewpoints. The pessimistic one is "We have been drawing large amounts
out of our investments in the last few years which is not sustainable."
The opposite view is, "There is a strength and vitality in this congregation.
We have run deficits in the past (although not as large as in recent years)
and as we grow, the deficit, as it has in the past, will go away."
But whichever way we characterize the financial condition, the dollars and
cents are the same.
I do not have to characterize the glass of the overall economy of our nation,
our state, and our town. Every talk show and op-ed page does that. But intelligent
people looking at the same facts do have opposite spins on them.
And I do not know what the financial facts are for the individual families
in the congregation. I do know that there is a great range within the congregation
from incomes well above the average in the US to incomes that are so small
that choices between food and medicine are being made. But for each set
of financial facts, I know that they can be viewed with opposite viewpoints.
So what does this mean when the stewardship campaign begins? Try not thinking
about what is in the glass now, but how we can change what is in the glass
in the long run. If we can move to being a church where we do not have to
draw from investments to meet our daily needs, we can use those investments
for more and better programs and facilities to do God's work here on earth.
Phyllis and I have decided that we will increase our annual financial giving
to the First Congregational Church in Billerica in 2011 and we hope that
you will join us. I am hopeful that I will be able to increase my billable
hours (which are still way below that of 2008). We hope that you will join
us by increasing your pledge. And if after prayerful consideration, you
decide that you can not increase your annual financial contribution, please
know that your contributions of time and talent are treasured. Further,
if you can not increase your annual financial contribution please remember
that there are other ways of giving financially such as donations of surplus
assets or a bequest.
Thank you for your consideration of the stewardship campaign.
Andrew Jennings for the Stewardship Committee
Religious
Education
The RE Committee is in need of a 6-8th grade teacher to teach
every other week. The curriculum is easy to follow and user friendly. We
are also looking for substitute teachers, classroom helpers, hall monitors
and nursery coverage.
Anyone who would be interested, please contact Pat Rogers
978-663-8121 or the RE Committee.
Thank you to the individuals who have volunteered to assist the Sunday school
program this year by teaching or being classroom helpers. Your dedication
and commitment is greatly appreciated. Without your help, we would not be
able to carry out our commitment to support the Sunday school program and
the spiritual growth of our children.
- Dawn Salter
The RE Committee
Note: The next R.E. Committee meeting will be held
on Sunday October 3 at 11:30 AM.
Confirmation
Confirmation Class resumes September 26. We will meet
at 6 PM in the parlor for a pot luck dinner.
Pilgrim Fellowship
Anyone in the 6th-12th grades is welcome to join PF. These
are our meeting times; please feel free to contact me at 978-670-5768 if
you have any questions.
Sept. 26 - Help with the ALS 5K 9:00-12:30
October 3 - Plan Halloween Party 11:30-1:00
October 10 - No PF
October 17 - Family Dinner- (PF families) 11:30-1 PM
October 24 - Start Haunted House
October 29 - Setup for Halloween Party 7-10 PM
October 30 - Setup for Halloween Party 11-3; Party (3:30-6:00 PM).
Looking for kids of all ages to join the PF in celebrating Halloween. We
will be having games, a haunted house, a costume contest, and safe trick
or treating. Also we are looking for a few volunteers to sponsor a trick-or-treat
stations in the hall for an hour. (You can bring the treats or I can.) Please
sign-up for a room on the PF bulletin board.
There will be hotdogs, chips, popcorn and drinks for sale.
Everything else is free.
So come join us for some fun and excitement - 3:30 - 6:00
Saturday, October 30
- Yours in Christ, Deb MacEachern
Aim
Hi
Meetings:
Third Thursdays in except January, 12:30 PM
Aim-Hi will be meeting on Thursday, October
21st.
For those who may not be aware, Aim Hi has been sending thank you packages
to service men and women serving overseas since 2002. We know from the thank-yous
we have received back that our small endeavor is greatly appreciated. Unfortunately
the cost of supplies and postage has risen. One of our members has decorated
a miniature trunk, somewhat reminiscent of a GI footlocker, which we will
leave just outside the sanctuary with the hope that you, the congregation,
will occasionally drop in a small donation in order for us to be able to
continue sending these simple messages of love and support for all their
sacrifices. We thank you for any help you can give us, and we are ending
this informational notice exactly as we sign off on each package we send
overseas.
- God bless you and those serving with
you, the ladies of Aim Hi."
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. - Donna Ricarte
|
The current addresses of the service personnel
overseas are:
Ryan Allen
25 FS
PSC 3 Box 4308
APO AP 96266 - 0043
|
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).
Notes from the Music Committee
Come sing! The senior Choir is rehearsing Friday evenings
at 7 and the youth choir starts Oct. 3 at 9:30 AM in the chapel. All young
singers are invited and encouraged to participate. Questions? Call April
Goss Baker at 978-670-8993 or e-mail goss-baker@womainecoons.us.
The choirs, April and Brendan, especially need your support
now. Sadly Ginny O'Connell has tendered her resignation in order to deal
with family illnesses. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.
Phyllis Jennings
NEXT
MEETING
WEDNESDAY
September 13, 2010
12:30 P.M.
Members:
Dennis & Betty Blanchette, Ruth Boutilier, Helen Carroll, Alberta Hamilton,
Andrew Jennings, Pat Hefler, Glenda Lovegrove, Wanda Lorden, Audrey Schwartz
& Barbara George
Your Lay Shepherds do meet monthly and our mission is to be
a connection to our home bound church family. We are open to any suggestions
in order to help facilitate this mission. We also welcome new members and
new ideas.
If you are homebound or know of someone who is homebound and
would like a visit, please contact one of our shepherds or call Barbara George,
978-667-7335.
United Church
of Christ News
Several folks are planning to attend Super Saturday workshops on October
2nd to get new ideas for our congregation. They should come back with
ideas to share. Stay tuned and look for Jean Button, Barbara Daverin, Andrew
Jennings, and Rev. Katherine.
On October 16th, faith practices for the whole age
range is the topic of the fall joint meeting of the Andover and Essex associations
of the UCC, entitled "Tools for Vital Congregations". The meeting
is open to all with little or no business portion. Registration is at 8
and the event ends at 12:30 after a communion service. It will be held at
Old North Church, 35 Washington St, Marblehead, MA .
- Phyllis Jennings
From Your Go-Green Task
Force
GO GREEN IDEAS FROM BLOOM AND OTHER SOURCES
Love is a renewable
resource
Plant a tree. Leave a legacy.
When you nurture nature, it returns the favor.
Walk more. Breathe better.
Use it up, wear it out, make it work, or do without.
Your mind is a gift you can open again and again.
Litter means "I don't care" in every language.
A walk in the woods is better than any TV show. It also is healthier
& costs only a few cents for gas.
Use less energy. Have more power.
Don't throw away what you can pass on.
Using a little less can make a BIG difference.
Every ton of paper we recycle saves 17 trees and removes 3.3 cu.
yds. from landfills.
Buy recycled copy paper.
YOUR GO GREEN HELPERS
Please help your Go Green volunteers by putting only CLEAN paper
in a recycling bin not in a regular waste paper basket. The paper
bins are located in all Sunday School rooms, outside the Dale Hall
church exit hallway, and in Alison (your church secretary's) office.
You might wish to thank your Go Green monthly helpers. They are Jenny
Carmichael, April Goss-Baker, Lynne Hildreth, Phyllis Jennings, Thiru
Kanagaraj, Terry Lewis, Jack & Rita McIsaac, Linda Miner, Alex
Montanez, and Phip Phippen. If anyone is interested in joining our
wonderful group, we would love to have 2 more people willing to cover
just 1 month each year so that no one has to cover more than 1 month.
Our next occasional meeting will be held on Sunday, October 31st
in the library at 11:15AM.
- Linda Miner on behalf of your Go Green Task Force
|
Recycling Guidelines
|
|
Material
|
What
to Recycle
|
How
to Prepare
|
Do
Not Include
|
| Paper |
Newspaper
& Inserts
Magazines
Junk Mail
Catalogs
Office paper
Glossy paper, etc.
|
Place
in paper bag or place in recycle bin. |
DON'T
use plastic bags to hold any recycling
NO soiled paper |
| Cardboard |
Corrugated |
Flatten
& cut no larger than 30"x30" & no thicker
than 8"
Tie or tape
Remove all packing & liners. |
NO
pizza boxes
NO soiled material
NO milk or juice cartons |
|
Paper
& Cardboard go together
|
| Plastic |
Containers
1-7
Food & beverage containers
Detergent bottles
|
Rinse
clean & remove lids
Labels OK |
NO
plastic bags or shrink wrap
NO styrofoam |
| Glass |
Jars
& bottles (all colors) |
Rinse
clean & remove lids
Labels OK
|
NO
broken glass
NO Pyrex/ceramics
NO window glass |
| Metal |
Aluminum,
steel & tin cans |
Rinse
clean
Labels OK |
NO
other metal items
NO aerosol or paint cans
NO aluminum foil or pans |
|
Plastic
- Glass - Metal go together
|
|
Flowers:
October, 2010
October 3 - Given by the Phippen family in loving memory of
Laurence and Dorothea Phippen.
On the piano, flowers are given in loving memory of the
second anniversary of my beloved late husband, Michael M. Battcock,
Sr., from his wife, Edna, and his loving family.
October 10 - Open
October 17- Given by Mary Pasho in loving memory of her mother.
October 24 - Given by Andrew and Phyllis Jennings in memory of
Natalie and Raymond Ashwell.
October 31 - Given by Jon and Katherine Adams in thanksgiving
for the many blessings in our lives.
If you would like to donate flowers on any Sunday, please contact Jeannette
Rohnstock (978-663-6804)
PASSAGES: Births, Baptisms, New
Members, Weddings and Memorial Services
Baptisms
Gabriel
Thomas Shackelford, June 20, 2010.
HELP WANTED
|
Help!
We
are looking for a few good men and women who might like to help
with one-time or occasional tasks. We know that some people are
unable to commit to a committee, but that they understand the need
for many hands. See if you have some time to offer for one or another
of the tasks below.
- Telephone
duty on Sunday mornings from 9:00-10:00 am to answer any questions
or take messages. Please sign up on Bulletin Board across from
Pastor's office.
- Volunteers
to assist our station leaders
in Vacation Bible School, July 26-30, 9am-12noon. If you are available
to help, please contact Nicole Toner or Rev. Katherine.
- Nursery
room aides during church service.
If you love little ones, the sign-up list is near the nursery.
- Volunteers
to assist with the Sunday school program for next fall.
We are looking for teachers (weekly or every other week),
substitute teachers, classroom helpers, hall
monitors and nursery coverage. Anyone who would be
interested, please contact Pat Rogers 978-663-8121 or the RE Committee.
- Someone
with an SLR digital camera
who is willing to work on the photo directory? Please contact
Susan McLay if you are willing to help.
- Organizational
tasks involving books,cabinets, shelves, bulletin boards, etc.
There is no time limit. This could be done on your own schedule.
See Rev. Katherine for suggestions.
- Providing
coffee/tea/cold drinks for Sunday morning coffee hour. (See
Bob Miner if you'd like to help..)
- Providing
a snack for Sunday morning coffee hour. Sign up on the list
beside the kitchen door for a specific week. Suggestions /directions
are posted.
- Posting
newspaper notices of upcoming events and sometimes articles
in the Religious section of the Lowell Sun and Billerica Minuteman.
This is a job that can be done from home via the Internet. Speak
to Rev. Katherine. See also.
- Membership
Database help. A lot of work is needed to maintain our database
and keep the data current. If you have simple computer skills
and some time to help out, speak to Lynne Hildreth.
Please help.
Alas, there is no monetary reward, but you will have our heartfelt
appreciation and, of course, many stars in your crown.
|
Thank
You's and Notes
FROM ALISON
Thank you to Audrey Schwartz and Barbara for their help in
the delivery of the September issue of The Lantern!
Are you Missing any Dishes?
Have you brought a dish/plate/or whatever over to church for some
dinner or event and then left it/them at the church? If so, please check
the supply room. There are many "orphan dishes" waiting to
be found!
Lantern on the Web
The Lantern is on the web each month in its entirety. To reduce our
mailing costs, if you would like to read it on line at http://www.firstcongo.org
instead of having the newsletter mailed, please let me know.
As of September you can also read the Lantern on Facebook. For information
on accessing it there, please go to
First Congregational Facebook
Page.
Next Lantern
Deadline: Sunday, October 24th, 2010
The newsletter written and mailed the week of October 24th and will
include the news for the entire months of November.
