Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church Events – December 12, 2014 Sunday, December 14, 2014 Sermon: Shocked and __________ In Marys song about God, she is shocked in so many ways by what God has promised to do through her, and what she sees about Gods actions and presence in the world. Many commentaries link this passage to the theme of Christianity and the great reversal scriptures that fill the pages of Lukes gospel. Mary is overwhelmed, shocked by what is happening. I am realizing as I work on this passage this week that the term shock gets linked with all kinds of words in the press and in the general culture. One can think of shock and awe as a military strategy during the first Gulf War, for example. Marys shocked feeling is connected to joy and rejoicing at what she saw that God was doing with her and for her community, etc. Can we capture some of that sense of joy and rejoicing for ourselves this Christmas? What is it that would bring us to a state of rejoicing? Scripture: Luke 1:46-555 And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord,] and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever. Join us for worship at 10:30 a.m., as we celebrate the third Sunday of Advent! All are welcome to join us for coffee and fellowship after the service. The Advent Meditations are here... Pick up your copy in the narthex, or check our Facebook page to read them daily! The second meeting of the Nominating Committee will be on in the Green Room on Sunday, December 14th, after the coffee hour. Somerville families need our help - Christmas gifts for Early Head Start For several years, CHPC has partnered with the Somerville Early Head Start to sponsor families for Christmas, purchasing presents for them. This year Early Head Start is experiencing a 25% increase in the number of local families requesting support, making our help vital for our neighbors to enjoy the holiday. Starting on November 23rd, please look for the mini-tree in the back of the sanctuary and choose one or more slips of paper with gift requests/suggestions. We will collect the gifts at church and have a wrapping party during coffee hour on December 14th. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Val (mabel312@aol) or Ruth (ruth.rhoads.allen@gmail) The Christmas Joy Offering will be collected on Sunday, December 21st. A gift to the Christmas Joy Offering helps provide financial assistance to current and former church workers and their families and also enables deserving students to attend Presbyterian-related racial ethnic colleges and schools. Please give as generously as you are able. Our Christmas Eve Service will be on Wednesday, December 24th at 4:00 p.m. Childcare will be available, and we invite you to join us for cookies, beverages, and fellowship in the Nave Gallery (next door to the sanctuary) right after the service. Upcoming Events: Epiphany Study: (Please note change of dates and times) An Exploration of Frederick Buechners Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy and Fairy Tale. Buechner, a Presbyterian minister, has written many books that have influenced both lay and clergy over these last few decades. He has an engaging way of helping us to see the extraordinary aspects of our ordinary lives. In this volume, we can explore the gospel through the lenses of tragedy (of Gods seeming absence), comedy (of Gods unpredictability and unexpectedness), and of fairy tale (of Gods too good to be true truth). During the seasons of epiphany, when we seek to be intentionally open to the ways that Gods Light is present for us, let us use Buechners offering here to deepen our ability to see God at work in our too often humdrum, humbug lives. Book Availability: A few books will be ordered. Please let Allen know if you would like one of these books or will be finding your own copy. After coffee hour in the Green Room on the following dates: Sunday, January 4 Sunday, January 11 The Mens Bible study will meet at Panera Bread in Porter Square on Wednesday, January 7th at 6:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Kevin, Josh, Solimar or Pierre. The Session will meet on Wednesday, January 14th in the Green Room at 7:30 p.m. We hope to soon have name tags available for members of our community. The name tags will have a first name and the first initial of the last name only. If you dont wish to have a name tag, please contact the Deacons at [email protected]. The Deacons are collecting greeting cards to send to church members/friends in need. We can especially use sympathy cards, and friendly thinking of you cards. We would like to create a collection so we can respond to needs more immediately. Please bring in unused cards and leave them in the container in the copy room if you would like to donate. Want to be a greeter or a reader? Eager to bring coffee hour treats or support the nursery? Please let Ellen know how you would like to share your time and talents (ellends1313@gmail). Need a Ride? The deacons would like to ensure that everyone who wants to worship with us can. If you need a ride for worship (just once or every week), please contact the deacons ([email protected] or find our phone numbers in the church directory). Please tell us your address and how often you need a ride. Then we will match you with someone nearby. If you need a ride for any other church event, please notify the contact person for that event. Have an announcement for the bulletin? Send it to ellends1313@gmail by Friday for inclusion on Sunday. Visit us on Facebook at: facebook/pages/Clarendon-Hill-Presbyterian-Church/373782233485 Visit our website at: clarendonhillchurch.org Nave Gallery Events Last chance to see this exhibit! Illuminated: A Photographic Essay of Holiday Lights LOCATION: Nave Gallery (Teele Square), 155 Powder House Blvd, Somerville, MA EXHIBITION DATES: November 15, 2014-December 14, 2014 Closed Thanksgiving weekend GALLERY HOURS: Saturday and Sunday, 1:00-5:00 pm Closed Thanksgiving Weekend ARTISTS: Jim Baab Jr., Zsolt Bátori, Kelly Burgess, Greg Cook, Melissa Eder, Ileana Doble Hernandez, MaryAnne Hinkle, Bill Kouwenhoven, Rachel Mello, H.D. Motyl, Lenny Rigione, Robert Thurlow, V Van Sant, Jill Waterman For more info, see https://facebook/events/1489532434651656/?pnref=story Last chance to do some holiday shopping and support a great cause! Wrap Around Sale: A sale of handmade knitted, crocheted, and sewn goods to benefit the Somerville Homeless Coalition. Sale Dates: November 15-December 14, 2014, Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving weekend For more info, see navegallery.org/wp/wrap-around-sale/. THE EIGHTH ANNUAL GOOD CHEER FESTIVAL DATE & TIME: Sunday, December 14, 7 PM LOCATION: Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church (Teele Square), 155 Powderhouse Blvd, Somerville, MA ADMISSION FEE: Free $5-$10 suggested donation benefits the Nave Gallery WHAT’S HAPPENING: Now in its eighth year, the Good Cheer Festival returns to Boston. Hosted in the beautiful Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church, home to the Nave Gallery, this is a heartwarming event for the whole family. There will be carols, stories, cookies and nog. Come ready to sing, smile and, please, dress the part; there is a prize for the best holiday sweaters!
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 23:27:17 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015