The Evangel The Congregational Church of Westborough, United Church of Christ Westborough Massachusetts 1724-2018 "Open Doors - Growing Faith!" Volume 38, Issue 2 Feb 28, 2018 WORSHIP SCHEDULE SUNDAY, MAR. 4 TH COMMUNION SUNDAY THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT We will celebrate the Sacrament of Communion today, and Pastor Paul will be preaching on John 4:4-24. SUNDAY, MAR. 11 TH BAPTISM SUNDAY FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT We will baptize Samuel Albin this morning, son of Jennifer and Luke, and Pastor Paul will be preaching on II Corinthians 5:17. SUNDAY, MAR. 18 TH FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT We will continue our journey through Lent this morning, and Rev. Elaine S. Gaetani will be preaching on Psalm 80. ________________________________ SUNDAY, MAR. 25 TH PALM SUNDAY We will gather those who wish downstairs in the Fellowship Hall or Vestry right before the service to then have a Palm Sunday procession upstairs! Pastor Paul will be preaching on Luke 19:29-40. MAUNDY THURSDAY, MARCH 29 TH 6PM for meal, 7PM in Sanctuary We will gather for a simple meal of soup and bread prepared by our Deacons downstairs in the Fellowship Hall or Vestry before the service at 6 PM, and then head upstairs at 7 PM to remember Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples and walk to the cross. Pete Graham will be preaching. Cont’d on next page PASTOR’S COLUMN I wanted to draw your attention to a couple of new things that we are doing this Holy Week. On Maundy Thursday, our Deacons will be inviting us to share in a simple meal before we join together in our service. What more appropriate thing to do when we are about to remember Jesus’ Last Supper? It is at this Maundy Thursday service where we especially remember Jesus’ new commandment for His disciples, “Love one another, as I have loved you.” I hope you can join us. And then on Saturday, the day before Easter, we will once again be doing our Easter Egg Hunt to share with the community. But instead of doing it at the church, we will be doing it at the Bay State Green at the Commons in Westboro Center! Please invite any families with kids to come on down at 2 PM and join us for what should be a really fun event! We will have lots of eggs there! Faithfully yours, Pastor Paul Regular Office Hours Monday, Closed Tuesday, Wednesday , Thursday 9am – 2pm Friday 9am – 1pm
Transcript
The Evangel The Congregational Church of Westborough, United Church of Christ
Westborough Massachusetts
1724-2018
"Open Doors - Growing Faith!"
Volume 38, Issue 2 Feb 28, 2018
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
SUNDAY, MAR. 4TH
COMMUNION SUNDAY
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT We will celebrate the Sacrament of Communion today,
and Pastor Paul will be preaching on John 4:4-24.
SUNDAY, MAR. 11
TH
BAPTISM SUNDAY
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT We will baptize Samuel Albin this morning, son of
Jennifer and Luke, and Pastor Paul will be preaching
on II Corinthians 5:17.
SUNDAY, MAR. 18
TH
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT We will continue our journey through Lent this
morning, and Rev. Elaine S. Gaetani will be preaching
on Psalm 80.
________________________________
SUNDAY, MAR. 25
TH
PALM SUNDAY We will gather those who wish downstairs in the
Fellowship Hall or Vestry right before the service to
then have a Palm Sunday procession upstairs! Pastor
Paul will be preaching on Luke 19:29-40.
MAUNDY THURSDAY, MARCH 29TH
6PM for meal, 7PM in Sanctuary
We will gather for a simple meal of soup and bread
prepared by our Deacons downstairs in the Fellowship
Hall or Vestry before the service at 6 PM, and then head
upstairs at 7 PM to remember Jesus’ Last Supper with
His disciples and walk to the cross.
Pete Graham will be preaching.
Cont’d on next page
PASTOR’S COLUMN
I wanted to draw your attention to a couple of new
things that we are doing this Holy Week. On Maundy
Thursday, our Deacons will be inviting us to share in a
simple meal before we join together in our service. What
more appropriate thing to do when we are about to
remember Jesus’ Last Supper? It is at this Maundy
Thursday service where we especially remember Jesus’
new commandment for His disciples, “Love one another,
as I have loved you.” I hope you can join us.
And then on Saturday, the day before Easter, we will
once again be doing our Easter Egg Hunt to share with
the community. But instead of doing it at the church, we
will be doing it at the Bay State Green at the Commons in
Westboro Center! Please invite any families with kids to
come on down at 2 PM and join us for what should be a
really fun event! We will have lots of eggs there!
Join us at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on West Main
St. in Westborough for an ecumenical Good Friday service.
EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 1ST
, 9AM & 11AM Join us on Easter Sunday! Our 9 AM service will be
especially for families with young children, and Pastor Paul
will be preaching at 11 AM. Both services will have brass
and special music.
_____________________________________
All of our Sunday services are at 10 AM, and there is
nursery care and Sunday School for kids up through
the 8th
grade. The kids are in church for the first 10
minutes or so, and then they go to their special session.
Everyone is invited to join us for coffee hour after the
service downstairs in the vestry (or fellowship hall)!
PLEASE INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS
TO JOIN US HERE FOR WORSHIP!
PRAYERS & CELEBRATIONS
Bereavement: Family & friends of Alice Hoogasian who passed away February 19th; Family & friends of Parker Uhlman who passed away February 21st. New Prayers: Dick Birch; Marketa’s friend Continued Prayers: Jessica (friend of Bonnie Rossi); Joan Clancy (friend of Paula Davis)Lois Gray & family (sister-in-law of Betty Gray); Michael Newton; Andrea Domeij (Ina Donahue’s daughter-in-law in FL); Pari (friend of Cathie Achorn and Angela Caron)
Coleman House: Jean Hall Beaumont: Shirley Foss Kindred Health Care: Bea Ladner
You can place prayer concerns on the church’s email distribution list at [email protected]. To add or renew an ongoing concern, please call the church office 366-2000 or [email protected]
CHURCH OFFICE TO CLOSE ON MONDAYS
The Trustees have decided to close our church office on Mondays as Bonnie Rossi’s hours have been cut, beginning on Monday, March 5th. It will continue to be open Tuesday through Friday.
All during Lent, we will be inviting you to take a piece of sea glass and put it in the mosaic that will be at the center of
our worship on Easter!
PASTOR PAUL AND IRENE AWAY MARCH 15TH-23RD
For their 30th wedding anniversary, Pastor Paul and Irene are going to Florence, Italy! They will be away on Sunday, March 18th, but will return in time for our all-church retreat and Palm Sunday.
ALL CHURCH RETREAT MAR 23-24TH IN NEW BEDFORD!
We as a church family will be heading down to the seaside city of New Bedford on Friday, March 23rd for a time of fellowship, service, worship and FUN! We will return Saturday night March 24th! (Read more under the Christian Ed section)
EASTER EGG HUNT, MAR 31ST AT 2PM! AT BAYSTATE COMMON
GREEN
This Year, we are moving our Easter Egg Hunt to a new location! We have gotten permission to have it outside in Westborough Center at
the Bay State Green on the Saturday of Easter weekend at 2 PM! Everyone is welcome, and please bring a friend! We will have plenty of eggs! (See more details under Christian Ed)
We as a church will once again be volunteering at the Interfaith Hospitality Network family shelter in Worcester. We are looking for people to both make supper and overnight hosts from Sunday, March 18th through Saturday March 24th. Please look for the sign-up sheet downstairs on the Missions Table. Be in touch with Suzanne Arpante at [email protected] for more information.
DISMAS HOUSE DINNER
Dinner with the residents at Dismas House is on the first Thursday of every month. Our next dinner is Thursday, Apr 5th.
How can you get involved? 1. Help prepare a meal for 15 to 20 people. 2. Donate a grocery card that can be used to help
shop for food. 3. Come along and join us as we share great food
and fellowship with the residents! For more information please contact Karen Hutchinson at 508-870-1782, [email protected] or chat with her during fellowship hour!
TREASURER’S REPORT
There will be no Treasurer’s report for March and April, but financial updates will continue with the May Evangel.
Please take a look at the back of the Evangel for the report submitted by Steve Swets, Church representative to the Pastoral Counseling Centers Board of Directors. It was read by Moderator Rich Lord at the February 11 annual meeting. The check and letter accompanying the donation by The PCC Board was received last week. (see page 8)
Lastly, I would like to share a letter we received from the President of the Board of Directors of the Pastoral Counseling Centers of Massachusetts:
February 14, 2018
Mr. Robert Petersen
Treasurer
The Congregational Church of Westborough
57 West Main Street
Westborough, MA 01581
Dear Mr. Petersen:
Enclosed you will find a check for $1,000 to serve
as a contribution to the Church’s 2018 Operating
budget.
This money was raised by the Board of Directors
of The Centers, outside of our own contributions
to The Centers Operating budget, to show our
appreciation for the support The Church has
continually provided to The Centers. We are
grateful for the fact that The Church continues to
SERMON BIBLE STUDY Every Sunday at 9:00AM Please join us every Sunday morning at 9AM in the Chapel downstairs for a Bible Study focused on the sermon Scripture of the day! We always have a great conversation!
WALK TO EMMAUS PROGRAM Thursdays from 7-8:00PM Saturday: Retreat Apr. 28 from 9AM-2PM Led by Pastor Paul, Lori Fox & Rebekah Tregger (Kerygma Room upstairs) The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. This a 10 week program with a culminating retreat for all participants. For those that wish to participate in this moving experience or have any questions about the program, please contact Lori Fox at [email protected]. (Starting Mar. 1
st, no class
Maundy Thursday)
LENTEN DISCUSSION GROUP Wednesday nights 6:30-7:30 PM (Chapel downstairs in the church) Led by Rev. Elaine and Judy Powell. Explore the meaning of Lent, its importance in spiritual formation, its significance in the preparation of Easter, and the holy season of Easter itself through the book “God for Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Lent and Easter”
HOPKINTON BIBLE STUDY Sundays at 2:00PM (Nancy Reimann’s home, 255 Wood St., Woodville, MA) Please join with Nancy Reimann and Mary McLeod as they lead a Lenten Bible Study.
GREAT MARRIAGES – WHAT DOES IT TAKE? Friday Evenings 6:30-8:30PM (Chapel downstairs in the church) Building and sustaining a great marriage isn't easy. Join us as we explore this topic together, utilizing several books and the Alpha Marriage course. All are welcome, regardless of your age or stage of your relationship. If you were a part of the last marriage small group a few years ago, you are also welcome! Questions? Brenda and Rich Lord [email protected] and [email protected]. Let us know if you need childcare at the church. Starts Friday, Mar. 9
th.
MEN’S GROUP Monday nights at 7:00 – 8:30PM Join Clif Newton and other leaders downstairs in the Chapel for a night of challenging and in depth discussion that will challenge you and help you grow in your daily life and walk with Christ.
PARISH LIFE
Upcoming Events & Dates….
*March 4th – Deadline to sign up for Progressive Supper, Sunday after church!
*March 10th - Progressive Supper – If you’ve never been to one of these suppers, it’s a really wonderful evening – we hope you will join us.
_______________________________________
*April 8th – Special “fun” coffee hour after church
*May 12th – Fun Night (TBA)
*June ? – Stay tuned (TBA) Please note: Always check your enews or church calendar for changes in this schedule that might occur do to church conflicts.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
As we travel our Lenten Journey together once more, we focus on our personal relationship with Jesus. In Faith Formation we are reading scripture and researching Jesus’ ministry and friendships. We are learning what life was like for the people in Jesus’ time and place. We are also discovering how Jesus’ words and actions resonated profoundly with the people He touched, just as they do today. Together, we have talked about what we might “fast” as a way of making room for prayer, reflection and time with Jesus in our lives on a
daily basis. That time each day to prepare ourselves for Resurrection Day. Of course, part of that preparation is caring for others through giving of both gifts and time. Some of the opportunities we have during this Lenten season…
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING
The Super Bowl may not have turned out the way we wanted it to but… The Souper Bowl of Caring did! Thank you to all of the children and youth who helped to decorate, cook, serve and collect donations at our annual tailgate party. It was a great success! We collected HUNDREDS of pounds of non-perishable food and raised $250 in grocery cards, all donations are to benefit The Westborough Food Pantry. Thank you to everyone who came, cooked, ate and donated!
FAMILY FUN RETREAT
On our Family Fun Retreat we will give of our time, talents and finances by volunteering at MERCY MEALS in New Bedford. We will cook, serve, share Christ’s Love (and clean up!) at the Saturday morning breakfast service. Mercy Meals serves breakfast six days a week averaging about 75 people. Usually, it is a walk-through food line selecting what has been prepared. We have an opportunity to host a sit down meal service with an a la carte breakfast offering! We will wait on tables, serve guests, and both provide and prepare the food.
That weekend we also have an opportunity to help our sister church,
Pilgrim United Church of Christ. The church’s vision is to impact and renew New Bedford, Massachusetts and beyond, with the transforming message of Jesus Christ through words and actions. A place where
everyone is welcome. We will be volunteering
by helping with painting, replacing glass, and other small building projects around the church.
4TH ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT SATURDAY, MARCH 31ST 2-4PM
Our Growing & Inviting Team, along with a lot of help from our Youth Group, will once again be hosting our very popular Easter Egg Hunt on Holy Saturday.
This year we are moving to a larger venue – Bay State Green! We will once again have hundreds of eggs, all hidden by the Easter Bunny of course! There will be games, prizes and refreshments. This year we will also be having a very special area for our friends with Special Needs! So please, let all of your friends & neighbors know…The Easter Bunny’s coming to town! If YOU would like to VOLUNTEER at the Hunt, please let Wendy know. We would LOVE your help! Every bunny loves volunteers ;)
LOOKING AHEAD TO SPRING GRADUATION
This year we are planning a very special Baccalaureate Service on May 20th and we want YOU to be a part of it. If you are graduating this spring (high school, college, military, etc.) Please let us share in the celebration of your accomplishments! Please email: [email protected]. We will send you a very brief “STAT” Sheet to fill out and return, and give you some more details about the service!
Grocery Shoppers: Be sure to have a grocery card in your pocket for those last minute items at Stop & Shop, Roche Bros, and Price Chopper. Purchase a grocery card on Sunday, stop by the Church office, or add your name to our delivery list. We’ll be ready for you! Or contact Karen Hutchinson at 508.870.1782 or [email protected] or Nancy Quimby at 774.249.4431 or [email protected] or Sally Petersen at [email protected] and 366.5169
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Dean & Joanne Arvidson 1 Lyman Street, Apt. 213 Westborough, MA 01581
WORDS OF APPRECIATION
Dear friends, Many thanks to the carolers who serenaded me at my home before
Christmas. It was an inspiring beginning to my holiday season. Thank you also for the lovely poinsettia. It’s beautiful color brightened my home, and added to my Christmas joy
- Eleanor Myers
Dear Members of the Flower Committee,
On Sunday, December 17, 2017, the poinsettias that had graced the chancel during the Church’s morning service were scheduled to be distributed to us older folk. I was away, so Nancy Gage took the poinsettia designated for me and gave it a comfortable home until I returned from my trip. She delivered it to me on Sunday, December the 24th where it graced my home until the last red petal fell off on Sunday, January 7, 2018. This brief note is to thank you for giving me a beautiful holiday plant and to thank Nancy for her thoughtfulness.
Sincerely, Adrianna Baltimore
PCC of MA
The Pastoral Counseling Centers of MA, with a main office at 7 Church Street, Westborough have a long history of providing counseling to all persons seeking healing, wholeness and renewal. We work with individuals, couples and families offering a holistic approach that focuses on all aspects of a person's life. We also offer several support groups including care-giving, divorce and mid-life groups. To inquire further, please call Mary Taber at #508-366-4000.
If you would like to give a plant in memory of a loved one or in honor of a family member or friend, send $10.00 for each plant to the office by March 23rd . Make checks out to: Congregational Church of Westborough, noting Easter Flowers in the memo line
CIRCLE ONE
(In memory of) or (In honor of)
To: ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ From: ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Call Carolyn Bent with questions 508-393- 2625. Also, the committee needs help to deliver flowers after the 11 AM Easter service.
Dear members and friends of The Congregational Church of Westborough:
I write to you as the Church’s representative to the Pastoral Counseling Centers of Massachusetts to report on The Centers recent activities.
First, a bit of history for folks who may not be aware of it. In 1979, the clergy of Westborough decided that their ministries would be strengthened by the presence of a pastoral counseling center in the town and approached the Worcester Pastoral Counseling Center. A satellite center in Westborough was born under the name of the Triborough Pastoral Counseling Center owing to its service to the towns of Westborough, Northborough and Southborough. In 1984, the Westborough office became independent and was renamed the Assabet Valley Pastoral Counseling Center, a name more familiar to most of us.
In October of 2011, a joint board of directors meeting of the now separate organizations agreed to a strategic merger of the two centers. The official incorporation of the new organization was filed in 2011 as the Pastoral Counseling Centers of Massachusetts with a main office in Westborough and satellite offices in Worcester and Hudson.
In the last 10 years we have averaged about 3,500 client visits a year from people in over 90 Central Mass communities. This number was down in 2017 as the result of staff departures. Since then we have hired additional staff members and are interviewing two more professionals this month. If things continue as expected, we will continue to improve our outlook for the remainder of the year. Our efforts and expertise continue to address a broad spectrum of timely issues facing individuals of all ages, couples, families and caregivers. We work with people experiencing grief and loss and dealing with behavioral problems, parenting concerns, youth and teen development issues, anxiety and depression, PTSD, abuse and shame, and bullying among other things.
An important part of our Westborough location on Church grounds, apart from our ongoing relationship with the interfaith community in Westborough, is the fact that our clients tell us over and over again that coming to see us in a warm, home-like setting is an important part of their forward progress. The shared soul of our missions is a large piece of who we are as a counseling service.
Last year we began a program to increase the amount of our annual rent. We paid an additional $100 a month, $1,200 for the year. This year we are paying a second increase of $1,200 for the year.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Executive Director Mary Taber and the staff, I would like to take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation for your support in both the past and current years. For over three decades we have been fortunate to be your partners in faith and your tenants as we served those in the community wo are in need of our services to deal with issues, pain, and loss and who work towards redirecting their lives on a better path.
In God’s love,
Steve Swets Church representative to the Pastoral Counseling Centers of MA and member of the Board of Directors.
9
The Congregational Church of Westborough United Church of Christ NON-PROFIT ORG.
57 West Main St. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Westborough, MA 01581-1928 WESTBOROUGH, MA PERMIT NO. 37
