Dear Friends,

As we begin 2008, I'm aware that it won't be long before this church completes its
interim time and moves into the future with a new settled pastor. So perhaps this is a good
time for a "State of the Union" assessment.

I'm happy for you that so many good and hopeful things are happening in the church. Our worship attendance is, on our best Sundays, double what it was when t came in fall of 2006; often now we're seeing 150-170 at worship. We've also taken in 14 new members in the past year, and new people are visiting almost every week. Also, some of the young people who grew up in this church are now having children of their own and other young families are joining.

In addition, the building is looking so much more inviting than a year ago, with completion of many repairs and replacements - including a wonderful reworking of the kitchen/parlor (thank you, Trustees). The presence of children is also celebrated in our halls (thank you, Pat Rogers and teachers I), and the Children's Choir (led by April Goss-Baker) is enjoyed by alt. Classes and groups for young people are being served with dedication by Deb MacEachern, Barbara Daverin and Brent Davis, and Katie and Jeremy Verrocchio. Also, many, many of you are putting energy into missions, music, and other areas of church life. The Ministerial Review Committee is back up and running, reaching out to those who need to feel better heard.

And meanwhile, the Search Committee is working fervently, prayerfully, and harmoniously, paying close attention to the wishes of the congregation and listening for God's will as well. For this and more, thanks be to God!

There are, of course, areas in which you face continuing challenges - among them, the need for a clearer vision, spiritual growth, stewardship, music program needs, and continued work on peaceful resolution of differences. May the God of new beginnings go with you into a faith-filled future!

Blessings, Sharon

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Check Out These Seminars and Workshops .

Sat., January 5, 2008, Framingham, *How to Get More Members for your Congregation. *(For teams of at least three lay leaders. + Pastor). Sign up by Dec. 1.

Sat., March 1 2008, Martha Grace Reese will present a workshop based on her acclaimed book, Unbinding the Gospel, a study of mainline Protestant evangelism. We're invited to build a team of five or more people to read the book and attend the Workshop.

March - Lift up Your Voice: Blending Ancient & Contemporary Worship; Wollaston (See Deacons bulletin board.)

April 12-13, 2008, Concord, Being a Blessed Church, featuring Graham Standish.

May 2, 2008, New Ways to Worship.

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Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home

Want to enrich your prayer life? Using Richard Foster's inspiring book, Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home, Rev. Goss is offering a three-week class on learning how to pray. Sign up on the Pastor's bulletin board.

Possible class times are Sunday mornings at 8:45-9:45 a.m. or on a Monday or Tuesday evening, 7-8 p.m. The book can be ordered through the office.

P.S. Interested in re-establishing a prayer chain? Speak to the Pastor or one of the Deacons.

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Confirmation Class To Begin

This year Confirmation class will begin in February and conclude in April. Classes will be held on Sunday afternoons, on days yet to be arranged. We expect to have four or five young peop1e attending. Parents will receive notice of dates following the holidays.

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January Worship Schedule

January 6: Epiphany Service

The Children's Pageant, original1y scheduled for Dec. 23, is rescheduled for Jan. 6. This year's program is based on the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas. This is also Communion Sunday.

Januarv 13: Feast of the Baptism of Jesus

In keeping with the day, we will baptize two children from the Risher and LeDoux families.

Januarv 20: What's a prophet anyway?

We will honor MLK Sunday with a look at prophets, past and present, and the sacrifices they made for God's justice.
Annual Meeting Sunday

Januarv 27: Grand Sweep of the Bible Resumes

We have reached the New Testament in our Grand Sweep of the Bible and now begin with the Gospels - what they are, why they were written, how they came to be, and why there are "lost gospels."

JOIN US EACH WEEK FOR WORSHIP. WHEN YOU'RE ABSENT, YOU'RE MISSED!

January 21: Monthly Prayer Service Begins

Need Rest for Your Soul?

Sometimes we need a simple, quiet service where we 'can find rest for our souls - perhaps because we're ill, grieving,' concerned about a loved one, or otherwise experiencing a struggle. On January 21 at 1:00 PM Rev. Goss will introduce a monthly prayer service designed to meet such needs. The service will consist of silence, healing prayer, music conducive to meditation, and a simple sharing of God's Grace through the Sacrament of Communion.

This service is open to anyone in the community who wou1d benefit. 1f you'd like an evening service, let the Deacons know.

Outreach Opportunities

Watch the bulletins for opportunities to share with those in need and see the request for volunteers to help a fellow member below.

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DECEMBER 2007 MISSIONS COMMITTEE REPORT

DECEMBER 2007

In Nov./Dec. we collected money to provide vouchers to be given to clients of the food pantry who have fallen on hard times. The vouchers are used to purchase holiday dinners. Carol Lazot took the leadership role on this issue & in 5 weeks, we collected $740.00. We are enormously grateful to Carol for her energy & example to make this happen. Additionally, in those 2 months, we collected 235 food items to be delivered to the pantry. What a tremendous effort from First Congregational Church!

December giving on your behalf included $300.00 to Lowell Transition Living Center & $300.00 (additional) to the Billerica Food Pantry.

The make-up of our committee for 2008 will be:
Dennis Blanchette
Jenny Carmichael
Nita Owin
Bob & Linda Miner ( who will serve as co-chairs)

We've begun establishing a calendar of our activities for 2008 & while we want to stay focused on just a few events, we will still entertain suggestions from the congregation.

Did you know that National Grid says "Replace just 5 traditional light bulbs with energy star bulbs & yon can save $9.00/mo. on your electric bill." O'Connor's frequently has these bulbs on sale. What are we waiting for???

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Religious Education

There were no Sunday school classes or nursery care on December 30. The children joined their parents in worship that week. Sunday school and nursery care will resume on January 6.

We have been busy reviewing the Sunday school curriculum for the following year. A Sunday school survey was enclosed in the church bulletin this month. We want to thank everyone who has taken the time to participate in the survey. Your comments and suggestions will be very helpful and taken into consideration as we revise the curriculum. Additional copies of the survey are available in the preschool kindergarten classroom for anyone who did not get any opportunity to fill one out and would still like to do so. If you didn't get a survey, click here to see one and print it out.

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JR & SR High Sunday School Class

Thank you to all who supported the PF Angel Tree and wreath sale. We were able to help nine children from Billerica as well as some children from a sister church in Lowell.

The Senior PF will be sponsoring a family movie night on Friday January 11th at 6:00 pm; the cost is $5.00 per person and will include hot dog, drinks, and popcorn. Tickets will be on sale January 6th after church. Tickets at the door are $7.00.

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Senior-High Sponsored Pancake Breakfast - Free!

January 13, 2007, 8:30-9:30 AM, Dale Hall

The Senior High group is sponsoring a free pancake breakfast to celebrate their Mission Trip. You absolutely cannot pay. We won't let you. This is a fun and informational event only.

Come for all the pancakes you can eat and to learn about the Senior High Mission.

FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE!

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Senior High Mission Trip Event

The Senior High Class Presents
the First Annual No-Show Masquerade Ball
to benefit the Sr High Class Mission Trip

Not to be Held
On Sunday, the Twenty-Seventh of January
Two Thousand and Seven
Anywhere at All
At
Any Time Whatsoever
So Please Don't Come

R.S.V.P.

Sponsored by the Senior High Class
First Congregational Church in Billerica
18 Andover Rd.
Billerica, MA 01821

Black Tie Optional

___Count on me! Here's my contribution for the mission trip in place of the new outfit I don't have to buy.

___Thank you for inviting me. I'd be glad not to come so the senior high class can receive funds to help with its mission trip.

Bless you for your support.

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An Invitation to Become a Church Member

Joining a church isn't a matter of paying dues to obtain benefits, as with most other organizations. For us membership is more like getting married - i.e., making a commitment to become part of something larger than yourself - in this case, the Body of Christ, with its invitation to discipleship.

What's required to join? An affirmation of faith or letter of transfer from another church and completion of a brief class for prospective members.

We'll soon be offering a New Member class (an hour or so on a Sunday afternoon) for those who might like to join the church or just have questions about us or our denomination, the United Church of Christ.

If interested, please contact Rev. Goss or one of the senior Deacons, Jenny Carmichael or Bruce Hildreth.

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The Diaconate

• Christmas Eve service times have changed. A service planned for younger families will be held at 5:00 PM and regular Christmas Eve service at 7:30 P.M. with a passing of light during both services. Come and enjoy one of these services.
  
  
• If you have something that you would like to see on the church's website, let Glenda Lovegrove know so it can be reviewed and considered. The site is www.firstcongo.org.
  
  
• Request for helping Donna Bailev. Please consider volunteering some time each week to help with transportation for Donna Bailey. Donna has multiple medical and other appointments each week and sometimes struggles to find transportation, especially when her medical needs require that appointments be made without much notice.
  
  The Deacons hope to create a list of volunteers and the times at which they can be available each week. Donna can then use the list to call people as her needs require.
  
  If you can help, please see one of the Deacons in church or call Glenda Lovegrove at 978-667-3596 or Helen Carroll at 978-667-5504. Volunteering even a couple of hours a week would be a tremendous help.

  As we move forward into the next year may the presence of God be with us as we continue to grow and heal. The future is very bright for our church with all the new changes coming our way. We are very excited and nervous at the same time. With God's help and guidance, 2008 will be a wonderful year.

Respectfully, Deacons

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PASSAGES: Baptisms, Weddings, and Memorial Services

Baptisms:

Dec. 6 - Dyllon Pratt, son of Doug Pratt and Tracey Milliken (baptized following the Service).

Dec. 23 - Samantha Raworth, daughter of Sandy and Rkh Raworth. Samantha is the granddaughter of Jackie and Harold 'Phippen.

NOTE: All donations made in thanksgiving for baptisms are donated to the FCCB's Religious Education program.

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So What's Your Excuse?

The Diaconate is trying to make it easier for everyone to wear a name tag And we want to eliminate as many of the excuses that for not wearing them as possible.

For example:

"I don't like putting a pin through my clothes."
Ask and your holder will be changed to one with a clip or one that hangs over your head.

"I lost mine."
Ask and you will receive a new one.

"The color clashes with my tie"
Let us know what color you want and we will make one of that color.

"I want one that expresses my individuality"
We have some other designs that you can choose from, or supply us with what you want as a background and we will make one with that background.

"I forgot and left it on my bureau"
You can fill out a temporary one, and we will make a second one. Eventually the pile of name tags on the bureau will get so high that you won't forget!

Remember: Wear your name tags for others as you would want them to wear one for you.

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Trustees

With regret and sadness, we accepted Liz Wetherbee's resignation. She has been employed by our church for 27 memorable years. We will miss her and wish her well in her new endeavors.

We met with the search committee to discuss a salary and housing range for our new pastor. We agreed on a range of $68,000 to $74,000. We will need to use the endowment to pay a portion of this salary. We also will need to fund moving expenses, transportation expenses, postage, mailing and other expenses for a potential candidate. We may need to loan the new pastor the down payment for a house. We will budget $10,000 for these expenses but are aware that this may not be enough.

We developed a food and furniture policy as, some renters have already spilled juice on the new carpet in the parlor. We ask that anyone renting the parlor limit liquids which stain to the tiled area.

We are investigating a standalone card key lock set that does not have to be hardwired to a computer. It uses a laptop with programming capability to add new users and to retrieve information on who has opened the door. We can have a key override on the doors. We can re-key all of the doors and give a master key which can not be duplicated to staff and trustees. The card key system would be on two doors - the back door and the side door with the overhang. The basement and the kitchen would use a different key.

Gene Guild will serve on the Ministerial Review Committee. We decided to buy a new snow blower.

Best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year.

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Search Committee Update

The Search Committee has been working on our church profile. We have used the church survey and cottage meeting notes to complete this task. At this time we need additional information from our congregation on the following questions.

Please complete these questions and place this survey in the collection plate during our service. It is not necessary for you to place your name on this information. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this surveyor any matter involving the process we are using for hiring a new minister please don't hesitate to contact any Search Committee member. Thank you.

Please complete the following questions to the best of your ability and place this information in the collection plate during our church service.

Reflections on Congregational Life

1. Identify the three most important faith experiences or events in the history of our church and the year each took place:

a.

b.

c.

 

2. Identify the most challenging faith experience or event in the life of our church in the last three years and what the church learned from it.

3. What is God calling our church to do/become over the next few years?

4. Describe how our church expects our new minister to help our church reach these goals:

Thank you for your help with this important piece of information.

Sincerely,

The Search Committee

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LAY SHEPHERDING

Next Meeting Monday, January 14, 1:00 P.M.

A NEW YEAR AND NEW RESOLUTIONS!

We hope one of your resolutions is is to help serve others.

One way this could be achieved is joining the Lay Shepherds. If you like to visit and chat with some of our homebound members or write cards, or just make a friendly phone call, come to our next meeting or speak with any of our present shepherds.

The present shepherds are Donna Bailey, Betty & Dennis Blanchette, Christa Brown, Alberta Hamilton, Pat Hefler, Mildred McCauley or call Audrey Schwartz 978-663-3239.

Barbara George

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AIM-HI

In February Aim-Hi will again have "Have a Heart". Hearts will be available Sunday, January 6th. The heart has one item written on it that will be sent in the "Thank You" packages to the servicemen and women by the Aim-Hi Committee. Please purchase the item on your "Heart" and bring it to church on Sunday, January 13th or 20th.

Collection boxes will be available in the church. Thank you for your support.

There is no meeting in January.

Aim Hi has been sending our love, prayers, and "Thank You" packages to several young people serving overseas. We encourage the congregation to use these addresses 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.

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The current addresses of the service personnel overseas are:

If anyone in the congregation knows of other young people who are serving our country overseas and feels comfortable providing us with their address, 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

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An Invitation to Create A Prayer Journal for Military Personnel.

In the name of the Prince of Peace, whose birth we are celebrating, congregations :in the United Church of Christ are being :invited to jo:in together :in creating prayer journals that offer greetings of peace and hope for military personnel on active duty. A journal book and pens will be placed in our Sanctuary each Sunday through January 13. If you'd like to participate, you can contribute a prayer, or offer a line of inspiring or comfort:ing Scripture, or even draw a picture.

The resulting journal will serve as a gift of faith and hope for those serving in harm's way. The prayer journal will be sent to the DCC Church House in Cleveland and then shipped to a military chaplain serving :in Iraq. Prayers don't have to be long. Here are some examples selected from some already posted online.

God bless you and keep you safe. - Margaret Keene

God's blessings of strength and hope
be with you as we all pray for you and for peace in our world! - Janet Hay

Holy God of the Universe, please protect our military personnel from all harm.
Guide them In their heat-of-the-moment, life-and-death decision making.
By your Spirit, draw them to yourself, that they may live and act as your people - D. Mercel

I pray that each one of you comes home safely to your families and communities
and that the people of Iraq also find peace. In the name of the Prince of Peace. - S. DeWitt

Earlier this month, at the UCC Amistad Chapel :in Cleveland, dozens of worshippers lifted up prayers taken from postings on the denomination's "100,000 for Peace" website supporting U.S. military personnel.

Another part of the 100,000 for Peace effort is the Iraq Humanitarian Appeal to benefit citizens of Iraq affected by the war. The goal is to collect S100.000 by January 6. Contributions can be made to the DCC at 700 Prospect Ave., Cleve1and OH 44115-1100 or online at www.ucc.org.

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Music Notes

.As you know, Liz Wetherbee, our talented Music Director, has tendered her resignation to be effective December 31, 2007. We will host a farewell dessert collation on December 30, to wish her well. If you have sung in the choir over the last 27 years, you are invited to reunite in song on that Sunday. Rehearsal will be held Thursday, December 27, at 7:30 p.m. Please join us after the Sunday worship service for a special dessert collation. We would appreciate any bakers and/or kitchen help. Please call any member of the choir or music committee to volunteer. You are invited to make a contribution toward a gift. Envelopes may be found on the tables at the front and rear of the sanctuary. Please:!se place in the collection plate.

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From the Moderator

MONEY and FAITH

As the Moderator, I normally don't take a lead in discussing money matters of the Church. We have some very good, dedicated people and Committees that are far better at presenting this subject to the congregation. I don't feel comfortable speaking of money and pledges, knowing this is a matter between the individual and God. But I feel compelled to write.

We are a frugal church when it comes to our expenses. We don't go overboard with things. When the budget is presented by the Trustees, it is as lean as it can be and still allow us to operate. I commend the Trustees and the Committees for their efforts to conserve. Unfortunately, this year is a bit frightening so far. We are shorter on meeting this year's annual budget than we normally are this time of year, which means taking more from the assets than we had planned. (We've gotten used to utilizing some of our funds/assets toward paying the General Budget each year. That is becoming common with many churches. (That, however, is another topic for another day!) The need for 2008 is even bleaker, with pledges covering only about one half the amount required to meet the Trustees' proposed budget. Taking more trom the assets for 2007 and then the possible need for a hefty amount for 2008 puts us in a very difficult position. This is the first time our future budget has left me with a knot in my stomach.

As I said, whatever people contribute to this church is their own business - they are aware of their funds and needs. The economy is also a driver, along with family needs. But in this time of searching for a new pastor the money issue is especially critical. Leaders in the church have heard that some people want to take a wait-and-see attitude before they commit their dollars to the church. If they like the new Pastor, then they will contribute. Some others have changed their~
pledge to Missions or the Building Fund instead of supporting the General Fund. Why? Who knows? But now is where our faith in the future needs to take over.

The Search Committee has a daunting task to come up with a candidate to present to this congregation. This is made more difficult by not having a competitive compensation package available to offer. Any Candidate is going to look not only at the compensation package but also at the financial health of the church before accepting an offer. The old saying - "you get what you pay for" would aptly fit this situation. We must fund the Church with our eyes to the future. We need to offer the new Pastor a compensation package they need to live comfortably. Pastors in today's world need to be appropriately compensated. If there is no decent compensation package, we run the risk of getting a Pastor who may not fit our needs or may leave in a few years, or at least a lot longer interim period until the Search Committee can find a candidate. If people want the interim period to be over soon, then taking the "wait-and-see" attitude won't help.

An interim period is designed to prepare us for the new full-time pastor. It is an important time as we focus on who we are and our future direction. Rev. Dr. Goss is doing a fine job preparing us. She can only show us the way; we need to take responsibility for our future now - or it will be too late. We need to be active and contribute to the needs of our Church now, knowing that faith will prevail. Now is the time to take the faith leap and contribute to this Church to show how important a new full-time pastor is to us. Let faith be your guide in this very important time in our Church's history.

God Bless,
Ed Reinecker, Moderator

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Behavioral Covenant for First Congregational Church in Billerica

At our October Congregational Meeting I opened that meeting with the Behavioral Covenant developed from our Walking in the Way of Peace program. This covenant was created over a few meetings by the attendees of this church and reflects what they felt was important for our church, and is not just something handed down from Walking in the Way, the UCC, or other organizations. The tenants presented in this behavioral covenant were first used during the Sabbath Day House issue and served the church well.

Some people had not seen the covenant before our October meeting and they requested a copy. Please keep this and refer to it as you see the need.

Remembering our purpose as a Church and our biblical grounding, we covenant to be peace-makers by

Speaking...

• Speaking only for ourselves, using "I" language
• Keeping our voices as calm as possible, and controlling our emotions
• Encouraging everyone to speak and express their views and making space for all voices by setting time limits and hearing from all before speaking twice

The Truth...

• Acting with courtesy and honesty
• Speaking from facts and differentiating them from memories or opinions
• Recognizing that every opinion is important
• Sharing important information on all pertinent business of the Church
• Delaying decisions until information has been shared

In Love...

• Listening to each other with compassion and understanding
• Being respectful to one another
• Creating a non-judgmental atmosphere so that people feel free to ask questions
• Remaining open-minded even when we disagree with other's opinions and perspectives

As a community of faith...

• Striving to act within the covenant and encouraging others to do the same
• Working together to resolve things peacefully
• Affirming the value in other's thoughts, ideas and concerns rather than "discounting" by putting them down or ignoring them
• Considering our children in all matters of the church

Use these well and God Bless,
Ed Reinecker, Moderator

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FLOWERS FOR January

January 6 - Given in memory of Irma, Warren, Ethel and Harold Wright from Chuck Wright, and Cindy and Larry Dee.

January 13 - Given by Ruth, Annette, Michael, and Dave Stanford and Edie Mozer; Marie, Brent, Janeen, Michele Davis; and Shirley, Tom, Anthony, Nicholas and Jessica Fulgoni in loving memory of Frank Stanford.

January 20 - Given by the Durands in loving memory of Jean, Patrick, Tim Daley and Patty Neuhaus.

January 27 - Are provided by a memorial fund of the late Dorothy Richardson and are placed in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Richardson.
On the lectern, flowers are given in loving memory of Mary A. and Roger T. Elliot by their family.

If you would like to donate flowers any Sunday, please call Jeannette Rohnstock at 978-663-6804.

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THANK YOU'S

From Alison

Big Thank Yous to Edna McDewell, Barbara George, and Audrey Schwartz for their help in the delivery of the December issue of “The Lantern”!

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Lantern Notes

NEXT LANTERN DEADLINE: SUNDAY, JANUARY 20

This newsletter will include all happeningsand events for January.

Newsletter/Bulletin note

When giving me material that does not need to be retyped/rewritten for “publication” but needs to be copied (440 times or 250 times), please be sure it is given to me with black type on white paper. (Colors as yellow, red, blue etc. on colored paper can not be duplicated as our machines do not have color capability)

Thanking you, Alison