First Congregational Church of Hamilton 624 Bay Road Hamilton, MA 978-468-1940, www.fcchamilton.org |
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Exalting His Glory
Enjoying His Fellowship
Proclaiming His Name
May 2013 Newsletter |
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Greetings!
We are pleased to begin an ongoing series of forums (Spring, Fall, Winter) entitled Engaging Our Culture. Through these we seek to address topics and issues we face in our increasingly complex world. Typically, these forums will be held during the Sunday School hour in Heritage Hall so that as many as possible can attend.
The first forum will be in Heritage Hall during the Sunday School Hour this Sunday, May 5, when Patrick Smith (GCTS) will present, Science & Theology: A Necessary and Always Ongoing Dialogue. Subsequent forums will feature speakers addressing a broad array of topics such as how Christians might reflect upon and engage contemporary culture in the arenas of art, literature, music, science, technology, political currents, education, etc.
The Elders extend special thanks to Jonathan Wells and to Pastor Robert Tansill for getting this series started and in motion. We are looking forward to these timely and interesting sessions!
Pastor Dori
Dorington Little
Senior Pastor
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Sanctuary Renovation Update
On April 21, about 40 people joined Paul Hendrickson for a tour of the current Sanctuary renovations- the final phase of construction begun many years ago- which will improve our primary gathering space as a congregation. Those attending the tour heard that functional improvements include new handicap access to the rear of the platform and options for flexible seating. The existing handicap access ramp to the sanctuary will be widened 18 inches. Finally, we will be installing new carpeting and refinishing existing pews and flooring.
 Thus far, the work has focused on the platform area. The front part of the platform is gone and the back wall is being carefully dismantled in order to extend the platform area 12 feet to the rear. This extension will provide space for the choir and options for concerts or other programs. Although the building was constructed in the early 1800s, it is believed that some of the timbers were reused from earlier structures and might date from the 1700s or possibly even earlier! They definitely show signs of age and insect damage, similar to discoveries during earlier phases of renovation. The construction team is currently assessing new structural supports in the front wall, necessary to ensure stability after finding two gaps in the main beam.
As much as possible, the work will be executed in a manner reflecting faithfulness to the original 1843 period and providing continuity with our past, together with usability for the future. The sanctuary is truly the crowning piece of our church; there is redemptive history here, representing 300 years of God's faithfulness in this community. We will celebrate this history together as a church in fall 2013. Wouldn't it be wonderful to complete the entire project before then? As we move into our fourth century of worship and ministry, please pray that God will act for His Name's sake to establish our church in Hamilton for generations to come.
The Vision Team
For Such A Time As This Capital Campaign
Philip Best Doug Birdsall
Campaign Co-Chair Campaign Co-Chair
bestpa@msn.com doug.birdsall@gmail.com
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Reception for the Tansills, Sunday, June 2
We hope you will join your FCCH family on Sunday, June 2 at
5:30 p.m. as we celebrate the Tansills! As you know, the Lord is calling Pastor Robert to serve at a church in Alabama. Before he and his family head out for this new ministry, we want to bring everyone together for a special reception in their honor.
Beverages will be provided and we ask that those with:
- Last names A-D bring fruit
- Last names E-R bring an appetizer
- Last names S-Z bring a favorite dessert
Please bring food plated and ready to serve. We also need 10 people to help with set-up and clean-up.
Thank you for lending a hand as we celebrate all that the Tansills have brought to our church community.
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On April 21 many members of our church gathered with several members of Christ Church for a training session for volunteers who are going to help serve meals and provide hospitality to area homeless families this summer. This meeting helped us to understand more completely the needs of these families. It is exciting to hear the stories of those whose lives have been transformed with the help provided by Family Promise North Shore. If you signed up to help with Family Promise North Shore this summer and you could not attend the April 21 session, there will be a special Make Up Training Session on Sunday June 9 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the First Parish Church, 225 Cabot Street in Beverly. Family Promise North Shore requires that all summer volunteers attend one of the training sessions. On Sunday, June 16, there will be a special dedication of all the volunteers from our church during our morning worship service. We ask that all volunteers be present for this important time as we pray and ask for God's blessing as we begin our ministry to demonstrate the love of Christ to these homeless families. Please be thinking about which evenings you can help. Our church family will be providing meals to these families the weeks of:
- June 23 - July 6
- July 14 - July 20
- August 18 - August 24
Soon we will have available sign up lists so that you can pick the date that you wish to help out with providing a meal or sharing an evening meal with a family. If you have any questions please contact: Bob Cummings bobandkarrencummings@hotmail.com John Tobey JohnTobey@aol.com
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Important Dates in May
Friday, May 3
Men's Pizza & Movie Night,
6:30 p.m. Heritage Hall
High School Youth Summer Serve Meeting,
7:00 p.m., The Barn
Sunday, May 5
All Adult Sunday School Class,
Science & Faith, 9:45 a.m., Heritage Hall
High School Girls LaVida,
10:00 a.m. Gordon College Ropes Course
Youth Summer
Serve Training, 4:00 p.m.,
Ipswich Presbyterian
Sunday Night Sharing Group
at the Rox's Topsfield
home, 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 9
Women's NightLight Bible Study
Potluck and Praise Service,
6:00 p.m., Café
Saturday, May 11
Youth Senior Banquet,
6:00 p.m., Café
Thursday, May 16
Women's Salad Supper,
6:30 p.m., Café
Saturday, May 18
All Church Work Day
"Spring Cleaning", 8:00 a.m.
High School Father/Son Disc Day,
1:00 p.m., Gordon Conwell Field
Monday, May 27
Memorial Day, Church Office Closed
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All Church Spring Work Day
Saturday, May 18
8:00 a.m. - Noon
Thank you to those who helped at the last work day but there is still lots to do! Please help mulch the church property, weed and other "spring cleaning" items.
Your help is most appreciated. Please let me know if you can help.
Phil
Phil Best, bestpa@msn.com
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Children's Ministry
VBS is Springing to Life!
Save the dates for VBS on July 8-12, 2013 from 9:00 to 12:00noon, for kids age 3 years to grade 8. A separate Middle School track is offered with Pastor Kevin. Our theme: Journey with Joseph: From Prison to Palace. Sign up as a volunteer for this exciting week of outreach. VBS reaches over 125 children. Make a difference and join the team!
Opportunities for Fall Ministries
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Grade 6 Sunday School students were presented Youth Study Bibles at the recent Children's Ministries Assembly, in recognition of their "graduation" into Youth Group.
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Children's Ministries fills a large and vital role in the life of our church and community. You can make a difference by serving with us. Fifty-five (that's 55!) teachers work weekly including teachers, assistants and ministry leaders in Sunday School, Little People's Church, God's House, Kidz Klub and our amazing Nursery. Two hundred (that's 200!) children are nurtured and taught God's wonderful plan for us each week. Students with special needs are served 1-on-1 with caring adults. Be part of this team! We are now planning for our fall ministries and we need you. Contact me today to discuss the possibilities.
Christine Hendrickson
Children's Ministry Coordinator
chendrickson@fcchamilton.org
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Men's Ministry
Join Us For Our Next Men's Event: "Amazing Grace"Men, you are invited to join us on Friday, May 3, at 6:30 p.m. in Heritage Hall for a Pizza and Movie Night. We will be watching the movie, "Amazing Grace", about the life of William Wilberforce, and his impact as a Christian on the culture in which he lived. We will also be joined by guest speaker, Kevin Belmonte, who not only wrote the biography on the life of William Wilberforce, but also used to attend our church. Kevin will share with us a little bit about the background of Wilberforce's life before we watch the movie. The cost for the evening will be $5.00 per person. Make your plans now to attend. Come and discover how God can use one man to impact the culture for His glory!  Men's Retreat: September 27-29, 2013  Plans are now in place for our Men's Retreat at Alton Bay, NH, and you will definitely want to be a part of this! Our speaker for the event will be Paul Miller, who will be returning for his fifth men's retreat with our church, and is the Executive Director of SeeJesus.net. The topic for the weekend will be, " Surviving and Thriving In A Collapsing World", which Paul describes this way, "Many Christians are shell-shocked, confused about the disintegration of our culture and values. What's going on? What's happening to our culture? We're usually optimistic about the future, but now it looks worse economically, relationally and morally. The old values of character, hard work, and risk-taking are slipping away. What's God doing in this collapsing world? Is it possible to not only survive but thrive? Learn how to understand better the forces that are shaping our world and where our culture is going. Together we will look at the rise and fall of Christendom and the four dominant world-views that are shaping our world including Old Paganism, Christianity, Islam, and Secular Liberalism. Lord willing, you will walk away, not only with your faith encouraged and with a grid for hope, but with a way to move forward in life that makes you more Christ-like and prayerful. You will not only understand our world but rekindle a passion for Jesus and His kingdom. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!" Consider joining us for this great opportunity to grow in your faith and knowledge of the God we serve.
Robert
Robert Tansill
Associate Pastor
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Women's Ministry
Women's Ministry Salad Supper: Have you ever been the recipient of an act of kindness so timely and sweet that you felt loved? Were you then compelled to pass this love on to someone else? God wants us to share His love like this each and every day with each other. We've been talking about this all year, but now it's time to act! Please join the Women's Ministry team on Thursday, May 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the Café as we plan specific ways to demonstrate God's love creatively with our loved ones and community. There is no cost, but please bring a salad to share and the recipe, too. Sign ups will begin on Sunday May 5 following both services.
"Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." 1 John 3:18 NLT
SonLight Bible Study Lectures Available On-line
 | | Tuesday mornings SonLight Bible Study's new look |
We are pleased to announce that the lectures from the current SonLight Bible Study series, A Woman God Can Use, are available for listening on-line. Find encouragement from Margot Rox's lecture on Eve, Lisa Clay's lecture on Rahab, Tricia Johson's talk on Hagar, Sue Goodhue's presentation on Deborah, and Freddie Jones' talk about Hannah and facing depression.
Coming soon will be talks by Elizabeth Little and Tricia Payne among others. To listen, go to
SonLight Lectures.
Women's NightLight Potluck & Praise Service
The NightLight Bible Study comes to a conclusion on Thursday, May 9 with a potluck and praise service beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Café. Please join us as we share the blessings of this year's study of God's Word.
Margot
Director of Women's Ministries
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Youth Ministry
High School Girls La Vida High Wire Act!
High School girls join us May 5 for a day on the high ropes course at Gordon College, cost is $25. We'll go to the 8:30 a.m. service and then head over for the event from 10:00-2:00 p.m. Bring a bag lunch. Let Kevin Baird or Julie Holladay know if you are interested or check out the Facebook event.
High School Summer Serve 2013 to Mississippi - July 12-20
Please Pray for our Team as we prepare to serve in Mississippi.
Team Meetings
May 3 meeting 7:00-10:00 p.m. in the Barn.
May 5 meeting 4:00 - 5:45 p.m. at Ipswich Presbyterian
June 23 meeting 4:00 p.m. at Ipswich Presbyterian
July 7 meeting 4:00 p.m. at Ipswich Presbyterian
Got Yard Work? Need Help? Want to give to Youth Service Trips?
We have students heading to Mississippi and Guatemala this summer to serve and they would love to help out and raise money for the trip. So if you have some work to be done, contact Pastor Kevin to schedule a time - kbaird@fcchamilton.org or 978-468-1940, x215.
Middle School Small Group Smash
For the month of May we will be competing each Wednesday for a pizza party and bragging rights. We will also be focusing on how to have a great summer with God! Bring friends, make team movies, dress up, whatever it takes. It's going to be a blast. See you at 6:45 p.m. this Wednesday! If you haven't been to youth group in a while, now is the time!
 Father's & Sons Disc Day
High School Guys & Dads, and also our incoming 8th Graders and their Dads, join us May 18 for a fun day in the sunshine for disc golf and Ultimate Frisbee at Gordon-Conwell's big grass field. We'll meet there at 1:00 p.m. Bring a disc if you have one. See you then.
Save the Date for Our Annual Senior Banquet - May 11
High School Seniors we want to celebrate with you and your family. We have a special evening of food, stories, memories, pictures, and prayer. You will be served by the wonderful Junior class and your youth leaders. R.S.V.P. to Pastor Kevin as soon as you can. Please send 10 - 15 photographs from throughout your life, and include a graduation picture, for a slide show we will put together. See you there.
Join our Parent Facebook Group, search for "Awesome FCCH Parent Group". Students should "friend" Pastor Kevin to be invited to the "All FCCH Youth Ministries" group.
Kevin
Kevin Baird
Youth Pastor
kbaird@fcchamilton.org
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 Along the Way
Reflections on faith and life from members of our church family
Summer is rapidly approaching! And in July, with the added heat and frequent ice cream runs, Vacation Bible School arrives, hosted by FCCH. Some people view VBS as merely a day camp - a fun activity for children in the midst of a long break from school. However, I would like to challenge us all to expand that picture. And so, I have been given the opportunity to share an important part of my faith story with you.
In 1976, I was in the first grade. My family was living in a small town in western Massachusetts. Imagine monopoly, neighborhood gatherings, and PB and J, and you will arrive at somewhat of an accurate picture. My parents shared one car and my dad, a pilot, was often away from home. As a result, my mom and I usually were left housebound. That spring, my mom became good friends with Carolyn Black. Mrs. Black invited my mom to her neighborhood Bible study and since it was being held on the other side of town, she also offered to drive her whenever she didn't have access to a car. Summer was coming up and Mrs. Black reached out to me as well. She invited me to attend Vacation Bible School at her church.
I remember that first Monday morning. I waited by the front door, expecting to see Mrs. Black and her two boys pull in the driveway. What I did not expect was the travel van which arrived packed with kids. She'd talked up VBS and invited everyone she met. There were a lot of kids in the van on Monday, or so I thought, until by Friday we were piling on top of one another in the seats. Apparently, she didn't stop spreading the news.
It was a little intimidating as I stepped through the doors the first day to attend VBS, but I soon
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loved it. I loved the activities and I loved learning about Jesus. It was not that I was "un-churched" and hearing about the Bible for the first time. My mom brought me to church every Sunday. It was rather that the message at VBS was fresh for me. We learned the same old Bible stories, but Jesus became a person to me during that week of VBS. On the last morning, my teacher gathered the class for story time. This time, though, she ended by telling us that Jesus wanted a personal relationship with each of us. "He wants to be your friend," she said. I wanted that. I wanted so badly to be His friend! She asked if anyone was interested in committing their life to Christ and said that she would love to pray with us. My hand shot up like it had a will of its own. I prayed that day and accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior.
Yes, VBS undoubtedly changed my life, but the very good news is that it didn't just impact me. I went home as a young evangelist, preaching the Good News of Christ to anyone that would listen. A week later, my mother prayed with her friend Carolyn and committed her life to Christ. Within two years, my sister and brother had also committed their lives to Christ. VBS changed my life, but it also changed my family.
So, this year, as VBS approaches, try to see the bigger picture. It's not just a week at camp. It might be the beginning of someone's faith story.
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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.
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