Dear Friends,

Writing in Christian Century magazine, Sam Portaro once described the day Jesus died as "a holy mess." He notes that on the day of Jesus' death, political rulers were struggling with volatile politics, the religious community was in a dither, and bedlam was at their doorsteps due to an unruly and unpredictable crowd come to town for the Passover. In the background, Judas was rushing from betrayal to suicide, and Peter was careening between cowardice and bravado. Even nature itself grew stormy and eerily
dark.

What we now so blithely call "Good" Friday was, for those who witnessed it, anything but good. It would have seemed at the time "a climate of emotional explosiveness," writes Portaro, one in which events were spinning out of control. Think in terms understandable to modern folk: staring into the ovens of Auschwitz, viewing the bullet-ridden body of a young President, or witnessing a fireball over Hiroshima.

We can relate to a world out of control. Massacres on campuses...brutal wars in Kenya and Chad...the killing of Bhutto in Pakistan...insurgencies, nuclear threats, and renewed terrorism. On Good Friday 2008, we might well ask: Is it enough to say Jesus redeemed us from our personal, petty transgressions? Or does the word "salvation" have to entail saving the world from its own worst self? For me, the goodness of Good Friday is that it points toward Easter. It tells us that even in the worst of Circumstances God is trying to work with us. May the power that was revealed on Easter yet save us from our own unholy messes and bring order into our chaos.

Peace, Sharon

*********************************

Ecumenical Lenten Series Continues

This year FCCB is again hosting the ecumenical Lenten lunch and worship series that has been popular for many years. Each program begins with lunch at 11:45 a.m. in Dale Hall, followed by a short service in the Sanctuary.

A couple of changes have been introduced this year. One is that there will be no ecumenical program during Holy Week. The other is that each participating congregation will do its own setup and cleanup, with help from Rev. Ed Bacon of N. Billerica Baptist Church, who has graciously agreed to help each week.

Lunches are held at 11:45 AM with Worship Service at 12:30 PM.

The dates of the remaining services in March and the sponsoring churches are as follows:

March 5 - Hosted by St. Mary's Catholic Church with Rev. Frank Sullivan, Pastor
March 12: Hosted by First Parish, Unitarian Universalist, with Rev. Tony Lorenzen

Those attending the lunches are invited to make a contribution toward the cost of paper goods, which is a significant amount. The Billerica Clergy Association has voted to make a donation to FCCB to offset the costs of providing space.

*********************************

Schedule of Services for Holy Week

March 16, Passion/Palm Sunday 10 A.M. Worship

Today we hold a special service of readings and music, retelling the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, his arrest, his passion, and his death. This is a repeat of the service we did last year, which was well received by the congregation.

Wednesday, March 19 - No Ecumenical Lenten Program

The Bi11erica Clergy Association decided not to hold an ecumenical Lenten lunch and service during Holy Week.

Thursday, March 20 - Maundy Thursday & Tenebrae 7:30 P.M.

We begin this service with a reading of the Passover story and a celebration of the last Supper. Following Communion, the altar is stripped and then we move into the solemn and moving Tenebrae Service, a service of readings and gradual extinguishing of candles. In the balcony, a cross is hung behind a curtain to dramatically remind us of Christ's dying. This 4th century service is one of the congregation's favorite liturgies.

The word "Maundy" means commandment. It refers to Christ's command to love one another, which according to the Gospel of John Jesus gave to his Disciples as he prepared for his death. The word "Tenebrae" means shadows. It reminds us of the flight of the Disciples at the time of Christ's suffering. Twelve candles represent the twelve Disciples.

Sunday, March 23 - Celebration of the Resurrection

8 A.M. Flowering of the Cross Service

8:45- 10 A.M. Easter breakfast in Dale Hall. Tickets will be on sale after the service on March 9 and 16. 3.00 per person, $10.00 maximum per family.

10 A.M. Easter Worship. Children's Choir and Adult Choir

*********************************

Notes from the Diaconate on the Holy Week Calendar

Have you taken note that this year Holy week arrives earlier than usual?

Holy week begins on the sixth Sunday in Lent, Palm Sunday. This Sunday service celebrates the story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where people spread palm branches and clothing before Him. During services on March 16, our Church will distribute cut palm leaves. As part of our observance of Holy week, Deacons will visit shut-ins and bring them flowers for Easter. Click here for the Order Form, if you'd like to contribute a flower or order one for yourself or a mend.

On Thursday, March 20, Maundy Thursday will be observed by a solemn service at 7:30 in the evening. This service is to remind us of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles. This leads us toward Easter, the most important religious feast in the Christian year.

This year on March 23, Easter Sunday, our first service will begin at 8:00 A.M. This first service includes, in accordance with our congregation's long-standing practice "The Flowering of the Cross," led by our Pilgrim Fellowship. Rev. Dr. Goss will lead a second service starting at 10:00 A.M. This year, there will be a breakfast between the two services.

Make another visit to our website, www.firstcongo.org. If you've misplaced last month's Lantern, you can find it there. Not going on-line? Extra copies of the Lantern are available in the Church Office.

"For I was a stranger and you welcomed me" Matthew 25:35

*********************************

Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home

A three-session class on prayer is being offered during Lent on Monday evenings. The class is based on Richard Foster's book Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home and at the next class, we will be discussing Chapters 8-14. (For ordering information see Rev. Goss.)

Foster addresses prayer in three modes: Moving Inward: Seeking Transformation, Moving Upward: Seeking Intimacy, and Moving Outward: Seeking Ministry. Additional sessions will be held on March 3 and (tentatively) March 17.

These chapters relate to prayer forms aimed at creating intimacy with God. These include Prayers of Adoration and Rest, Unceasing Prayer, Meditative and contemplative Prayer, and others.

Rev. Goss is leading this three-part series of classes. If you have other ideas for an adult class, please let her or the Deacons know.

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

*********************************

Check Out These Seminars and Workshops .

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 11-13, Worldwide Marriage Encounter, Four Points Sheraton at Meriden, CT (contact Lynne & Bruce Hildreth @ 978-663-4727 or Hildreth@comcast.net).
More Information.

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

April 25-27, Worldwide Marriage Encounter, Four Points Sheraton at Meriden, CT (contact Lynne & Bruce Hildreth @ 978-663-4727 or Hildreth@comcast.net)
More Information.

May 2, 2008, New Ways to Worship.

*********************************

Confirmation Class Continuing

This year Confirmation class began in February and will conclude in April. Classes are held on Sunday afternoons.

*********************************

Outreach Opportunities

Watch the bulletins for opportunities to share with those in need.

*********************************

Missions Committee Report

March 2008

THE ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

Our gifts to "OGHS" carry God's message of love and hope throughout this country and in more than 80 countries around the world. In 2006 UCC members gave over 3 million dollars to this cause. These gifts support disaster response (Katrina, etc., and with international partners we're providing clean water, food, health care and small business micro credit. Only 3% of the money we give goes to administration.

Jesus said to the Disciples "truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers, you did it for me." Sometimes the "least" are found right in our own community, and sometimes we find them in Nicaragua or Darfur. It doesn't matter! That we reach out to help ... that matters.

The OGHS provides a wonderful vehicle for doing this. In keeping with our practice of bringing a Mission Moment to the congregation on the last Sunday of each month, Jenny Carmichael spoke on this topic on February 24th.

On Sunday, March 2, please consider a generous contribution to this cause.

BILLERICA FOOD PANTRY

Thank you for continuing your support for the Billerica Food Pantry. In January, we collected 78 items and in February 82. Our "goal" is to average 85 items/month which would bring our annual contribution to just over 1,000 items. Keep up the good work on March 2nd.

PALM SUNDAY DINNERS

On Palm Sunday, under the leadership of Nita Owin, we plan to bring fully cooked dinners along with salads, rolls and dessert to our shut-ins. We've been doing this for 3 (or more) years, and it has proven so popular that it simply must continue..

THE CHRISTMAS FUND

We added $135.00 for the Mission budget to the $365.00 collected from the congregation and sent $500.00 to the Christmas Fund (formerly named Veterans of the Cross) to supplement the pensions provided to retired clergy.

MISSION FUNDS

We continue to be generous but careful with the funds you provide the Missions Committee. Every request is quite thoughtfully and cautiously evaluated, as we try to make the best decisions possible.

GIFT CARDS

Have you ever found yourself struggling to buy the perfect gift or a gift for somebody who already has everything? Maybe its time to stop giving gifts not needed to people not in need. Here's an idea. The Chacocente Project in Nicaragua has produced a series of gift cards. If you would like to purchase one for a minimum donation of $10.00, you receive a beautiful gift card that you can give to your loved one, and the Project receives needed funds to further its goal of bringing families to the point where they are self-sufficient. . When you open the card, one side has information about the program and the other side has room for your personal inessage. What a wonderful way to honor someone for Mother's Day,Father's Day, any special day.

See Bob Miner to examine the cards and pick the one(s) you'd like.

*********************************

Key Giving Principle #1, Give Reverently

The word reverent means respect, to treat with dignity, a place of honor.

To give reverently means that you value your relationship with God and you give of your time and your resources as a sign of respect for all that God has provided you and your family. You give not from a sense of obligation.

The following monies were collected in the month of January:

Thank you to all you contributed towards the church's missions and programs.

The Stewardship Committee recently received approval to change our monthly meeting from the first Tuesday of the month to the third Wednesday of the month. Anyone interested in joining the discussion of the evening, or if you just want to learn more about the Stewardship Committee, may join us on March 19th for our next meeting.

*********************************

One Great Hour of Sharing

"Together we make a world of difference."

"One Great Hour of Sharing" is improving lives in more than eighty countries, as the United Church of Christ works with local mission partners and with highly effective international ministries such as Church World Service and Action by Churches Together.

Please give generously. Envelopes will be included in the bulletin of March 2.

Religious Education

Confirmation will be April 13th. It will be here before we know it. The RE Committee, once again, needs your help in providing food for the reception following confirmation for the confirmands and their families. We appreciate any food donations or help with the reception. A sign up sheet for donating food will be posted in Dale Hall in the next few weeks. We would like to thank everyone for their support during past years to help make confirmation memorable for past confirmands. We hope that this year will be just as memorable. Any questions or concerns, please contact the RE Committee.

Dawn Salter

*********************************

Sunday School Lenten Project

During Lent the children are exploring 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 are participating in during Lent.

What is Lent? Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb 6, 2008 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 the Bible), Church activities. (From Channing Bete company materials).

The remaining programs are:

March 2nd
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 9th
Theme: Self-discipline/prayer. Sermon on the Mount.
Project: Write down your worries, crumple up the paper and put it in a container to give them over to God. And/or offer prayers of thanks. Read the Bible story again at home.

March 16th
Theme: Palm Sunday. Celebrate & praise God. 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.

God Bless,
R.E. Committee

*********************************

SR High Sunday School Class

The Senior High class is following the following guidelines for their curriculum this year:

• Understanding the reasons for mission, understanding why Christians do mission.
• Selecting the location and type of ministry our class will support and preparing to support it.
• Experiencing the mutual giving and receiving of gifts of talents and skills on a mission project.
• Experiencing crossing boundaries to meet new people immersed in different social/economic/cultural settings.
• Experiencing God's presence and action in new ways from participation on the trip.
• Participation in an "after trip" witness and action.
  

*********************************

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.

*********************************

PASSAGES: Baptisms, Weddings, and Memorial Services

Funerals:

Our deepest sympathy is extended to the families of:

Frank Lashway, who died February 15th. A funeral service was held at the church on February 18th.

and

Betsy Burton, who also died in February. A funeral service was held at the church on February 26th.

*********************************

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend

"AND TWO SHALL BECOME ONE." Discover God's desire for your marriage on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend! Marriage Encounter is 44 hours where married couples can get away from jobs, kids, chores, and phones and focus only on each other.

If you'd like greater depth, growth, and enrichment in your relationship, you'll like the difference a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend can make! The next Marriage Encounter weekends will be held on April 11-13 and 25-27 at the Four Points Sheraton in Meriden, CT and April 25-27 at Alton Bay Christian Conference Ctr, NH. For more information or to register, contact Lynne & Bruce Hildreth at 978-663-4727 or Hildreth4@comcast.net.

*********************************

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.

*********************************

LAY SHEPHERDING

Next Meeting Monday, March 17, 1 :00 P.M.

During these short winter days, Lay Shepherding is making a special effort to help serve others, which can be achieved by joining our group. If you like to visit and chat with some of our homebound members or write cards, make a friendly phone call, just come to our next meeting or speak with any of our present Shepherds.

The present zdhepherds are Donna Bailey, Betty & Dennis Blanchette, Christa Brown, Alberta Hamilton, Pat Hefler, Mildred McCauley, and Audrey Schwartz ( 978-663-3239)

Audrey Schwartz

*********************************

AIM-HI

Aim-Hi is pleased to announce that the members of the Circle of Friendship will join with us as to become one group. New members are always welcome!

Our March meeting will be held on March 20, at 12 noon.

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:

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

*********************************

Music Notes

Children's Choir

We continue to prepare new songs and will be participating in the worship servicing approximately once a month. We are looking for more children to join choir, boys and girls both. It's great fun, only a half hour each week, before church in the Chapel. Stop by anytime!

*********************************

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

*********************************************

Flowers for March

March 2 - Given in loving memory of John F. Rankin, Jr. from Jane, Paul and Heather Johansen.

March 9- Given in loving memory of her mother by Mary Pasho.
On the piano flowers are given in thanks to the church for its continuous support in the Girl Scouts of Billerica.

March 16 - Deacons provide an arrangement of Palms.

March 23 - Given by John Stephens in. loving memory of his wife, Mary Stephens, and his parents, John and Clara Stephens, and Mary's parents, Alan and Edna Hampton and daughters, Suzanne and June Marie Stephens.
On the lectern, flowers are given in loving memory of Earle Coke from Jeremy and Katie Verrocchio.
On the piano flowers are. given in loving memory of my grandmother, Lillian Lewis, by Diana Saunders.

March 30 - Open

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

*********************************

THANK YOU'S

From Alison

Big Thank Yous to Edna McDewell, and Audrey Schwartz for their help in the delivery of the February issue of The Lantern!

*********************************

Next Lantern Deadline: Sunday, March 30.

This newsletter will include all happenings and events for April.

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

Ultrasound Screening at Church on Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Life Line Screening will be at the church on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, Pre-registration is required. Call 1-800-324-1851. For full description of services offered and pricing, click here to view flyer. Flyers are posted on downstairs bulletin board.