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Central UCC
Central Congregational
United Church of Christ
 
IN THIS ISSUE
Sunday Worship: Feb 3
Church Chat
Potluck: THIS Sunday
Sunday Ed: Chidren & Youth
Sunday Ed: Adults
Special Sunday Adult Ed. Classes
Midweek Offerings
Ash Wednesday: Feb 13
New! WiFi at Central
Lenten Daily Nourishment
Spiritual Direction
Fellowship of the Grape
Congratulations!
Banners on Clairmont
 
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United Church of Christ 






Sunday, February 10, 2013

TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY

LECTIONARY READINGS

Exodus 34:29-35 - Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 - Luke 9:28-43a 

 

WORSHIP NOTES

Text:  Luke 9:28-43a

Rev. Michael, preaching

8:30:  Communion

11:00 Music with the Sanctuary Choir (see note from Leona below)

 

Transfiguration Sunday is a "transition day":  we finally move out of the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany season and are days away from the beginning of Lent-Easter-Pentecost.  Yes, love it, lump it or ignore it, Lent is just days away. 

 

As odd as it might seem, as a liberal, progressive Christian, I invite you to take a careful look at Lent and consider some form of engagement that is nourishing for you.  I'm audacious enough to still believe in transformation of self, relationships and communities.  I believe in new and renewed life; I believe the Light still shines.  And, yes, I believe in a need to retool, refocus, renew,  rediscover, and reconnect with the core of who I am.  These are days that invite us to consider our journey. 

 

From Leona:  our hymnal and anthem repertoire is a musical legacy of the Christian community's journey of faith. For Transfiguration Sunday, the introit and benediction responses reflect the mystery and awe of the early Greek church.  The anthem reminds us of God's presence in the lives of African-American slaves, for whom the promises of God were often the only resources for hope.  The offertory anthem weds the Latin version of a very old text, Psalm 150, a celebration of music in worship, to a contemporary (1993) Brazilian rhythm and melody.  The Prelude, played by Joe Crabb, will establish a mood of mystery on with the first movement of a two-movement work for trumpet by the late Romantic composer, Guy Ropartz; the celebratory second movement of that work will close the service.  

 

Be sure to wish the Rev. Bill Scott, Senior Minister Emeritus, congratulations on the anniversary of his ordination.  Ask him how many years! 

Love is Patient, Love is Kind
Love is Patient, Love is Kind

 

Sunday, February 10, 9:45 AM 
Church Chat (Fellowship Hall) 

 

Relationships, regardless of how small and intimate or large and complicated, generally do better with regular "check-ins."  At Central, we try to communicate in numerous ways (E-News and bulletins) and through the Pastoral Relations Committee; however, a communiqu� or committee cannot take the place of a conversation.  On Sunday, February 10, Rev. Michael and the Council will lead a "church chat" to share information about "the comings and goings" at Central and to receive questions/comments from the congregation.

POTLUCK: THIS SUNDAY

 

Join the Plymouth Harbor Board and Trustees for a Valentine's Potluck this Sunday, February 10 after the 11:00 Worship Service.  Please bring a "heart"y salad or lunch item to share.  The boardS will provide a special Valentine's dessert and drinks.  

Sunday School: 
Children & Youth
 

Children's Sunday School (Room 201-202)

There is childcare for 2 year olds and younger.

The pre-school children (Room 205) will play, build community together and learn Bible stories.      

 

The Kindergarten to 3rd Grades (Room 207) will use the curriculum, Godly Play. There are stories of the Bible and liturgical stories such as Communion and Baptism. This Sunday they will hear the "Parable of the Sower".

 

Following the 9:30 AM singing, the 4th to 6th Grade class (Room 208) This Sunday they will the story of Isaiah.

 

Youth Sunday School (Room 102, 103)

The 7th to 12th Grades will meeting for Youth Worship and Gathering.
 
Ongoing Sunday Education: Adults   

Practical Theology: A Just Peace Covenant Community Class (Room 204) 

 

Practical Theology explores current issues. Books written by biblical scholars, the Bible, and material from the National UCC Office are utilized. We will study the subject of Gun Control/Culture of Violence for 3 weeks - 1/27, 2/3 and 2/17. There is a Church Chat scheduled for 2/10. We love to have new members. Questions? Contact [email protected]

 Questions? Contact George and Jackie.

 

Sacred Journeys (Fellowship Hall, Library)  

You are invited to join in wide ranging conversations around beliefs, prayer, and spiritual growth. The class will do a series of conversations around the topic of "Inspiration" for the next several weeks. Questions? Contact Gary Carson.

Special Sunday Education Classes for Adults   

LUKE BIBLE STUDY (Window Room 2)

January 27 to April 28, 9:30 to 10:30 AM 

Dr. Ron Joyner will teach a Bible study class for 12 weeks, beginning January 27.  This class will focus on the Gospel of Luke. Luke's gospel presents the life of Jesus as the opening of an historical process toward a universal faith, progressing toward Paul's missionary efforts with Jews and gentiles (in the sequel known as Acts). Luke's message includes a more clear focus on women and the poor than other gospels. Luke's parables are particularly focused on reversing normal social order.  There are special characters introduced only in Luke (the angel Gabriel, Elizabeth and Zechariah, Simeon, Anna, Zacchaeus, etc).  Want to know more? We'll find drama, history, geography, theology, and, as always, lots of humor. If you would like more information, please contact Ron Joyner. 

 

GREAT DECISIONS

January 27 to March 24, 9:30 to 10:30 AM

(Room 206, Education Wing)

This eight-week course is designed to help citizens be better informed about major world and national issues. It is sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association. The Great Decisions book (written by experts in the different topics) will be available this Sunday for $25 at the church office. Make checks payable to Central UCC (Memo: Adult Ed) Questions, contact Mary Ellen.

Mid-Week Offerings

 

COMPASSION MEDITATION: An On-Going Practice (Fellowship Hall, Window Room 2)

Tuesdays in February 12, 19, 26, 6:30 to 7:30 PM 

Beginning Tuesday, February 12, Rev. Lou Kavar will facilitate Central's Compassion Meditation experience from 6:30 to 7:00 PM.  This half hour time of meditation will be an on-going opportunity to gather in silent meditation.  On Tuesdays in February, Lou will engage in conversation about the experience of compassion meditation and consider how other forms of meditation, guided imagery, and breathe work are similar to and different from Compassion Meditation.  This conversation about meditation will begin at 7:00 and last for about 30 minutes.  

 

TABLE TALK

Tuesday, February 19 - 6:30 to 8:30 PM

(Home of Joan and Bill Harrison)

Table Talk is a monthly gathering, hosted at the gracious dining table of Joan and Bill Harrison and facilitated by Rev. Michael. Folk come and go as they are able and no advance reading is required. Please bring a dish to share, if you are able, but there is always a gracious plenty of food. For more info, contact Rev. Michael.

Pancakes & Ashes: February 13
ASH WEDNESDAY:
6:00PM (Fellowship Hall * 7:00PM (Sanctuary)

 

The Advent-Christmas-Epiphany season finally closes with the celebration of Mardi Gras ("Fat Tuesday," also called "Shrove Tuesday") and the season of Lent-Easter-Pentecost opens with Ash Wednesday. On February 13, there will be a pancake supper sponsored by the youth at 6:00 PM followed by a 30- minute contemplative service at 7:00 PM. During worship, communion and the imposition of ashes will be offered.

"WIFI" at Central

Wednesday Suppers start Feb. 20! 

 

Wednesday Intergenerational Families and Individuals  (WIFI)- having supper and fun at Central. No cooking; just make a reservation and show up, by yourself or with all or part of your household. 

  • 5:30-6:30 Supper in Fellowship Hall. Casual food from a local restaurant.  (Donation invited.)
  • 6:30-7:30 An intergenerational activity, different each week -  from crafts to forest walks to games or a hymn sing. Join in or simply visit . You can even do homework; there really is WIFI.

WIFI happens every Wednesday for six weeks,  February 20 through March 27. Reservations are strongly encouraged so we can have enough food. Send an email by midnight each Tuesday to:  [email protected].

Lenten Daily Nourishment

If you are looking for daily nourishment and reflection during Lent, you have several options:

  • The United Church of Christ publishes an online daily devotional (not just during Lent); you can sign-up to have them emailed to you (a link is on the sidebar of every E-News).
  • Rev. Ginnie has purchased 40 copies of the Stillspeaking Writers group daily devotional booklet; please see her for a copy.
  • Rev. Michael will be posting daily thoughts, quotations, reflections, prayers and articles on his Facebook page (Shannon Michael Pater); he will also cross-post them on his blog:  www.whereheartandmindmeet.com.
  • You can join 10,000+ Twitter followers in flocking to Rev. Lou's daily tweets (@LouKavar).
  • You can follow Central Lent events and read postings on Central's Facebook page (Central Congregational United Church of Christ).  This is also a great place to post your own thoughts and reflections during the season.

Spiritual Direction with Rev. Lou, Minister-in-Covenant


Are you looking to explore the role spirituality plays in your life? Do you find that beliefs you once held no longer work for you?  In the midst of transitions, do you wonder how your values and beliefs come into play?  Working with a spiritual director may be helpful for you. 

 

Spiritual direction is a process through which an individual explores, develops, and deepens the spiritual dimension of life with the aid and guidance of a director or coach. It is a process whose focus is to better integrate the spiritual dimension of life with other life dimensions, including relationships, work, and leisure interests.

 

The Rev. Lou Kavar is available to you as a spiritual director.  For more information, contact Rev. Lou (Click here).

Saturday, March 2, 7:00 PM: Fellowship of the Grape
 

Fellowship of the Grape is not meeting this February. Look for details soon about our March 2nd gathering.

WELCOMING A 4th GENERATION

 

We are celebrating a fourth-generation birth at Central, twins born to Jim Stewart and his wife Amy on January 23. Jim grew up in Central;  he and Amy were married here.  The babies' grandparents, Liz and Wayne Stewart were lay leaders for decades. And great grandmother Catherine Johnson is here every Sunday (minus summers in Colorado). The twins' middle names honor Catherine and her husband: Margaret Catherine and Henry Harold Stewart.

Banners on Clairmont
We have banners for display at the end of the drive on Clairmont. We would like to rotate the banners every week or two. Would you like to be part of a team that share in the banner rotation? Please contact Rev. Ginnie.