February 2012 Newsletter 

Greetings!

The woman in the video said, "I'd spent all my life worrying about appearances!" Her name? Jo.  She's just like any other person that you might pass on the street. And like everybody else, she has a story to tell. For her, it was all about keeping up appearances by doing the things that made people happy, and that made her feel acceptable to them. Yet, beneath the surface was a growing awareness that she wasn't fulfilled. The hole in her heart was huge, which she tried to fill with all types of things; yoga, Middle Eastern religions, etc.. Yet nothing worked.Then she was invited to Christianity Explored. Though she had all kinds of ideas going into the program about who she thought Jesus was, she had never read the Bible for herself. Attending Christianity Explored gave her the opportunity to do just that. She says, "When I was at Christianity Explored I realized Jesus was a real person. He could see me, He could know me, and He loved me. Then I realized I had to make a decision I couldn't ignore any longer. As a result of that decision, I was no longer trying to keep up appearances. I am who God made me to be. He is working in my life, and I know I am still loved." 

This is the hope that we want others to know about. Listen to Jo's story yourself at christianityexplored.org/real-life-stories/jo, and then consider joining us on February 7 in Heritage Hall for Christianity Explored. Bring a friend, enjoy a great meal, watch a video, and join in on the conversation. I promise you, you will be glad you did.

Hope to see you there.

Pastor Robert

Associate Pastor

Robert Tansill

New Sunday School Classes Begin February 26      

 
Work and Faith 
Does God care about your everyday work? We spend the better part of our week working, yet many Christians feel their work has no relation to their life of faith. In this class we will explore both the theology and practice of Christians in the workplace. Topics will include: the meaning and value of "secular" work; the futility of work in a fallen world; relationships in the workplace; a Christian work ethic; work/life balance; and sharing your faith at work. For a head start, you can start reading the online articles available at www.theologyofwork.org.
Facilitators: Ariana and Sean McDonough

"Chores, Consequences and Community Living"
& "Teaching Adults to Lead Their Kids (TALK)
The first part of this two-part class will focus on the role kids play in the family as they live in community. Do you desire peace and

harmony in the home with your children? Do you have very young children? Do you have teenagers? You got some kids in between?

Chores, Consequences and Community Living is a class that allows parents to look at how to begin to shape the mindset of their very young children (or recalibrate the thinking of older children) toward an appreciation of community living and how vital a role they play. Families are community and there must be clear expectations for its members.

The second part of the class, Teaching Adults to Lead Their Kids, will focus on how parents can have open, honest, and theologically rich conversations with their children about sex, even from an early age. Learn practical ways of engaging kids in conversations and thinking through how God intended His good gift of sex to be used.
Facilitators: Pam Heintz and Freddie Jones

   
"The Person of Jesus" Study 
A continuation of our fall study on the person of Jesus. Many Christians are so aware of Jesus' divinity that they have forgotten he's a person. Reintroducing people to their first love through an interactive method of Bible study, "The Person of Jesus" material invites you into the crowd that followed Jesus. See firsthand Jesus' compassion to the widow of Nain, his uncomfortable honesty towards Simon the Pharisee, and how he loves a woman with a reputation. 
Facilitators: Robert Tansill & Jason Schrock

 
Men's Sunday School Class: Study Of "Costly Grace" by Jon Walker
Men, join us for a challenging look at Jon Walker's new book, "Costly Grace," which is a contemporary look at the classic work by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "The Cost of Discipleship." Grace is a central theme of our faith, but it is greatly misunderstood. Grace does not allow for "flabby faith." Come be a part of learning more of what it means to follow Jesus wholeheartedly!
Facilitator: David Rox   

Missions House Happenings

This Saturday, Missions House Work Day We are on a mission to get the Mission House ready for our first guests. We've already installed some new carpeting, refinished all the wood floors, and have done a considerable amount of painting. For our workday from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon this Saturday, February 4, we need volunteers to do some cleaning including all the windows, and some clean up around the yard if the weather remains mild. To help plan for this work day, please contact me if you can participate. We look forward to seeing you there! Phil Best, bestpa@msn.com    

Women's Ministry

Dust Off Your Tea Sets Ladies! It won't be long before we need to put our plans in place for the 2012 Women's Tea, so let us know if you would like to be a hostess for the March Tea on Saturday, March 24 at 1:30 p.m. Put the date on your calendar and contact Carolyn Cassidy, 978-356-5868 to let her know you would like to hostess a table.



Sharing with us this year will be Mary Barth who is an enthusiastic speaker using humorous

Mary Barth

Margot

Margot Rox
Director of Women's Ministries
mrox@fcchamilton.org

Along the Way

Reflections on faith and life from members of our church family 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

In July, I took a trip to the Adirondacks with La Vida, an outdoor education program which sends groups onto different trips which test their character and help them to grow in an encouraging Christian environment. I went as part of the Nehemiah Leadership Program. On the trip, we had devotional time every morning. I decided to start keeping a prayer journal. When I first started, I would sit for a long time before any words would begin to form on the page. I felt silly writing a letter to God, but I knew that I needed something to keep me focused on God every day. Then, little by little, I would write my prayers, my concerns, my thankfulness, my sorrow, my struggles. God used this to work in my life. God used this time to show me my many faults, that He loved me despite them, and that I actually could trust in Him.

Moriah Gross

I had never truly understood what it meant to have a relationship with God. He was always a part of my life, like school is, or sports, but I never knew how to connect with Him. Through prayer, God slowly revealed to me more and more about who He is. By devoting my time to Him, I began to see glimpses of His character. I think there is something extremely profound in self-contemplation. God revealed to me how broken I am. I saw that I struggle with pride and selfishness, two very ponderous faults. As I gave my time to God, I searched for how He wants me to change and where He wants me to go. I really had a difficult time with this. As I looked more and more at my character, I saw more and more how horrible a person I really am. I struggled with how God could possibly love someone like me, who put my Algebra homework before God. Yet, throughout this, He remained faithful.
   

I am starting to understand what a relationship with God looks like. I know that I can talk to Him, when I can talk to no one else. He hears my thoughts and knows my heart. And despite that, He loves me. I know that now. God has a plan for my life, even though I don't know what it is. I have learned to trust in His judgement. It is so hard to see past the fog of anxiety or anger or pain. Yet, I know that God is in control and He will help me through every trouble.
   

When I first started deliberately setting aside time for God in prayer, I had trouble filling out half a page. That half a page took me a long time too, as I sat unsure of the God I was praying to. Today, I am on day 193 of my prayer journal. God has taught me a lot about His character and I have come to find a love for Him, that I honestly did not know was possible before.

Moriah  

Moriah Gross 

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This FCCH Newsletter is e-mailed on a monthly basis. If you would like to submit information for inclusion in the next edition, please e-mail Cece Gough at cmgough@fcchamilton.org.