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Exalting His Glory

Enjoying His Fellowship

Proclaiming His Name

 

 

   

 

 

September 2014 Newsletter

 
In this issue
300th Anniversary News
Ministry Fair
Engaging Our Culture Series
Adult Sunday School
Church Library
Christians in the Visual Arts
September Events
Children's Ministry
Young Adults Ministry
Marriage & Family Ministry
Men's Ministry
Women's Ministry
Youth Ministry
 

 
Dear Church Family,

As we begin the fall, we will support one another, prod each other, and grow together in our lived-out faith in Jesus. Near the end of Romans, Paul is addressing different disputes that arose and he writes the following, "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5-6

We are the church together, bound by the work of Christ Jesus, so that we can proclaim God's glory with one voice. Even as we are separated throughout the week, we are the church assailing the lies of our enemy and our world-focused culture with the truth of the gospel. This newsletter is packed with a lot of different opportunities to get involved in being the church; serving together, learning together, and extending a hand of service and welcome to our neighbors no matter what their background. Let's resist the idea of "going to church" and discover anew the privilege of "being the church together".

Thank you for all the ways you demonstrate this principle and keep up the good and godly work.

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Kevin,

 

Kevin Baird 

Pastor of Congregational Life  

 

We Are Still Here: A Day In A Life Of Our Church (with chowder and pie)
A lively rehearsal
If you have not yet signed up for this great FREE family event, please do so today by clicking here: RSVP. September 7 will be an exciting day of history at the church. Starting in the afternoon at 4:00 p.m., the entire congregation and guests are invited to walk through the history of our parish via a three-act moving play entitled, We are Still Here: A Day in the Life of Our Church (with chowder and pie). The production will conclude in Heritage Hall with chowder and pie. We invite you to bring a homemade pie.






FCCH History Book
On September 7 we are also excited to unveil the wonderful history book
A Story of God's Faithfulness: The History of the First Congregational Church of Hamilton 1713/14-2013/14, which has been written by David Horn, with Patricia Anders. The cost of the book is $25. Be sure to get your copy!




Upcoming events
  • Saturday, October 25 - Our final celebratory concert will be an evening featuring the talented musicians of the Gordon College Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band under the direction of David Rox.
  • Sunday, November 2 - A culmination of our year long celebration as we observe the 300th Anniversary of the first worship service held in the newly constructed meeting house at our Sunday worship service followed by a "Groaning Board" feast for our church family.
  • Bonus event:
    On Saturday, September 20, the Hamilton Historical Society will be our guests as they hold their annual luncheon meeting in the Caf�, featuring a presentation by Raymond Whipple on the Whipple family history. Members of this family were leaders in the pivotal events that established this church 300 years ago. History buffs from the church and the surrounding community are invited to attend as well. Contact Linda Coonrod, at 978-468-1481 or
    [email protected], if you are interested in attending.

 
Ministry Fair

Don't miss this reboot of our typical fall kick-off! Meet in the Ministry Center, September 7, starting at 9:45 a.m. We have made some changes to our usual Ministry Fair including ample time to hang out together, streamlined sign ups and an "Idea Station" to share some of your great ideas. We'll have food, coffee, tea, and some other surprises!

 
 Engaging Our Culture Series
As a part of our ongoing Engaging Our Culture series, we are pleased to welcome Eddie Byun, Lead Pastor of Onnuri English Ministry in Korea and author of, Justice Awakening. On September 14, Pastor Byun will help us think about the issue of human trafficking in the U.S. and around the world. He has a passion for engagement in three great causes: abortion, adoption and abolition. His call to the church is to engage in the fight for the unborn, seek homes for every orphan and bring an end to modern-day

slavery around the world. He will be preaching at both worship services and at an all church forum during the Sunday school hour at 9:45 a.m. in Heritage Hall. Please join us and invite local friends who might want to grow in their understanding of this important issue.

   

 

September 21 - December 14, 2014 

 

21st Century Perspectives on the World Mission of the Church
This class will be taught by five missionary couples in our church and will deal with some of the greatest mission challenges and opportunities that are before the church today. The purpose of the class is fourfold. First, we will deepen our understanding of the biblical and theological mandate for missions. Second, we will deal with contemporary issues in missions from both a global and local perspective, wrestling with the realities of Islam, pluralism, global migration/immigration, religious liberty and the basics of personal evangelism. Third, we will use "Operation World" as a tool to equip our church to more effectively pray for the witness of the church around the world. Finally, we will open a doorway to an easily accessible opportunity for personal engagement in cross-cultural mission in the greater Boston area.

 

Teachers: Doug and Jeanie Birdsall (Japan/Lausanne Movement), Todd and Tricia Johnson (Singapore/Thailand, Centre for the Study of Global Christianity at GCTS), David and Feruza Krason (Uzbekistan/Bible Translation) and other guest teachers.  

 

Seasons of Marriage
This class will explore many important topics in marriage including God's plan for marriage, rejoicing in seasons of joy, how to handle conflict and forgiveness, work/life balance, thinking biblically during times of struggle, sacrifice and suffering. Similar to our Parenting Class format, we will hear from a number of speakers, some of whom are Marv Wilson, Sean McDonough, John Szatkowski, Lynn and Tom Marcotte, Karen and Richard Langlais, and Pastors Kevin and Dori. Please bring your spouse or come on your own. This is sure to be an enriching class!

 

Jesus' Parables
A major characteristic form of Jesus' teaching are his parables, which comprise about one third of the material that the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke render in direct speech. As we study the forty parables that we find in these Gospels, we will be better able to understand Jesus' teaching and its relevance for Christian living today.

 

Teacher: Eckhard Schnabel

 

The Divine Excellencies
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9 ESV). This class will consider the excellencies of God, which are also referred to as "virtues," "perfections," or "praises," and are studied in theology as the attributes of God. We will seek to know God more deeply and to proclaim him more precisely by reflecting on divine excellencies such as almighty, eternal, just, gracious, constancy, all-knowing, holiness, and love. We will examine the Scriptures with guidance from the Christian tradition, and the focus of our study will be fixed on Jesus Christ, who is the Self-interpretation of God with us and for us.

 

Teacher: Peter Anders 

 

New Members Class
Are you new to FCCH? Interested in joining or simply in learning more about who we are with the opportunity to ask questions? If so, please come to the New Members classes which will be held on October 5 (Introduction), October 12 (Mission and Vision), October 26 (Statement of Faith), and November 2 (Serving at FCCH).

 

Teacher: Pastor Dori 

 

  

 

 

Church Library to Open September 7
Please visit the new library room Sunday morning. We will be open at 8:00 a.m. before the first service, between services and after the second service. Each family can pick up their library card. We will have a tutorial on how you can use self check out, where to find materials and where to return items. The bookshelves on the other two walls are currently under construction and we will have a grand opening when the room is completely finished. We are asking that donations not be any older than 10 years so that we can have current information available to the congregation.
We will be taking suggestions and requests for material to purchase for the library.
Thank you for your patience as we continue to build a library collection that we can all be proud of.

Jane Johnson
 
Christians in the Visual Arts Exhibit Comes to FCCH
We are pleased to feature the art exhibit, Scribes of Hope II, presented by CIVA, Christians in the Visual Arts, and curated by internationally known calligrapher Timothy Botts. It will be on display in Fellowship Foyer when we return to worship in the sanctuary beginning on September 7. To learn more about CIVA and their work visit civa.org.

Timothy Botts, Requiem (detail)
Scribes of Hope II

All three Abrahamic faiths emphasize the importance of the written word. Following the work of its original authors, generations of scribes faithfully transcribed these words on parchment and paper and honored the text by illuminating it. For today's calligraphers there exists a tension between traditional commitments to create work that is legible and a more contemporary view that emphasizes expressing the spirit of the text. Scribes of Hope II embraces this tension. This exhibit features 31 works across a wide range of approaches including: traditional lettering and illumination; artist books and letterpress work showcasing fresh directions in calligraphic design; and letters created by hand and then scanned in the computer for further alteration.
 


Important Dates in September

 

    

Monday, September 1

Labor Day, Church office closed 

 

Sunday, September 7 

Fall Worship Schedule Begins,

Services at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Ministry Fair, 9:45 a.m.

Children's Sunday School Begins, 9:45 a.m.

Church Library Opening, 8:00 a.m. 

300th Anniversary Event, 4:00 p.m. 

  

Wednesday, September 10

Middle School Youth  

Group Begins, 6:45 p.m.,

Ministry Center 

 

 

Thursday, September 11

Women's NightLight  

Bible Study Begins,

Potluck dinner at 6:00 p.m., Caf

 

   

Friday, September 12-14

Men's Retreat, Alton Bay, NH

 

Sunday, September 14

Engaging Our Culture Series,  

All Adult Sunday School, 9:45 a.m.

Heritage Hall

 

Tuesday, September 16 

Women's SonLight Bible

Study Begins, 9:15 a.m.

Ministry Center 

  

Friday, September 19

Women's Ministry
Cookbook Potluck, 6:30 p.m.
Heritage Hall

 

Saturday, September 20

Hamilton Historical Society Luncheon,  

12:00 noon, Caf�

 

Sunday, September 21 

Adult Sunday School Begins, 9:45 a.m.
All Church Family Worship, 6:00 p.m.,
The Barn

Sunday, September 28

Newcomers Coffee,
9:45 a.m. and 12:00 Noon,
Fellowship Foyer

 

  
 
Children's Ministry

 

Volunteer Alert! 18 Sunday Roles to be Filled  

One of the most important investments you can make is to teach a child about Jesus' love for them. Serving in Children's Ministries is fun and creates the opportunity to get to know others. Listed below are the open roles and number of volunteer teachers needed in parentheses:

8:30 a.m.  Little Peoples Church (1)

9:45 a.m.  Sunday School
  • Toddlers (2)
  • Preschool (1)
  • Kindergarten (2)
  • 2nd grade (3)
  • 3rd grade (1)
  • 6th grade (1) Special Needs Aid (4)

11:00 a.m. Little People's Church (3)

 

Kidz Klub Wednesdays - October 1 - March 25, 3:30-4:45 p.m.

  • Nursery through 5th Grade (10)

 

Incoming 2nd grade class - this delightful group still needs teachers 

Sunday School Opening Day, September 7

With a full teaching team, we look forward to welcoming you and your children. Opening day is a chance for parents and children to meet their teachers and find out what is in store for the year. Sunday school is an important place where our church partners with parents to help build a child's spiritual foundation.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Young Adult Ministries

Colleg
e Age Ministry
Join us for breakfast at 9:15 a.m. on September 7 in the Wigglesworth Cutler House. We will then attend the church Ministry Fair. At FCCH, we enjoy involving college age students in all aspects of our dynamic church life. Come be a part of what God is doing. For more information, contact Nicole DePue, [email protected]



20s & 30's

If you are post-college and want a place to study the Bible, have great discussions full of laughter and sharing, and get to know some other people in a comfortable environment, you will want to be a part of the 20-30's group hosted by David & Cec Horn, 1 Howard St., South Hamilton. We begin our weekly gatherings October 1 at 7:30 p.m. You'll be treated like a friend and friends are always welcome. For more information, contact Cec Horn, [email protected]

 
Marriage & Family Ministry

Church Family Worship
Night
Join us on Sunday September 21 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. for our first ever Church Family Worship Night. There will be songs for all ages, scripture meditation, and a time to reflect on what worship means to our church. Bring your kids, bring your neighbors, bring the person in the pew next to you. This event is open to the whole church.

Heather Beville, [email protected]
Kristen Broughton, [email protected].
 
Men's Ministry   
 

Men's Retreat: September 12-14
We will be at the Alton Bay Christian Conference Center in New Hampshire from Friday evening, September 12 through Sunday afternoon, September 14. Join us to hear our speaker Dr. Jeff Arthurs from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, as he speaks on Making God Our Fortress: Where is God in Stressful Times? Cost for all expenses is $130 for a double room and $200 for a single room. Scholarship funds are available! Click here to register Men's Retreat. Registration deadline is September 5. 

 David
David Rox
Men's Ministry Coordinator
 

 
Women's Ministry
 
Potluck Supper, September 19

Women's Bible Studies

NightLight Study

Beth Moore digs into God's Word and listens to His voice. As we study the life of the apostle John together may we find treasures to transform our own lives. We meet on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 8:45 pm from September through May in the Ministry Center.

To register click here: Night Light Registration 

  • Opening program in the Caf�
  • BEGINS on September 11 with a potluck dinner at 6:00 p.m. in the Caf�.
  • To sign up to bring a dish click here Pot Luck Sign Up 
  • Childcare is NOT available
  • Fee for materials is $20
  • For more information, Contact Kathy Szatkowski at  [email protected]

SonLight Study

Isaiah is quoted 83 times in the New Testament. Come be part of our study as we examine the words of this remarkable prophet. We meet on Tuesday mornings from 9:15 to 11:30 am from September through early June in the Ministry Center. To register click here:  SonLight Registration  

  • Opening program in Heritage Hall
  • BEGINS on September 16
  • Childcare is available
  • Fee for materials is $8

As we work out the details of our study IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT ALL WOMEN REGISTER. For more information, Contact Jeanne Whitman at [email protected] 



By Design Ministries Birthday Celebration
It's been 25 years since Beverly Weinhold began "Women's Ministries" under the umbrella of Vision New England. Since then, this ministry has grown tremendously both in breadth and depth! FCCH have a long and personal history with By Design Ministries. Beverly Weinhold was part of our church, Maggie Rowe was one of our first Women's Tea speakers, and we use their directory of speakers for many of our other events. We encourage you to join this birthday celebration. The "birthday party" will be held on October 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Immanuel Church in Chelmsford, MA.

"Birthday" Highlights will include...
  • Our Keynote Speaker, Previous Director, Maggie Rowe
  •  A "Through the Years" Photo Presentation
  • Testimonials
  • Inspirational Worship
  • Special Guests
  • Silent Auction
  • Book and Speaker Exhibitors
Join us for this joy-filled reunion of Christian sisters from across New England.
Please sign up with Margot Rox to participate in the group rates.


Ladies Creative Fellowship
Join us every other Saturday in the Caf� from 1:00-4:00 p.m. for an afternoon of fellowship and creativity. Don't have a current project you're working on? Bring your mending, ironing or any half-completed projects you might have lying around the house and enjoy some company and refreshments while you work! We'll even have a few sewing machines set up for projects that might be a bit more involved.

Alice Fraser

Margot
Margot Rox
Director of Women's Ministry

     

 
Youth Ministry

We are gearing up for fall in Youth Ministry.
 
Middle School
Sunday Morning Bible Study - 9:45 -10:45 a.m.
Begins September 7
  • 6th Grade - We will investigate the book of Jonah together and learn God's call to faithful obedience in our lives. Teachers: Cec Horn and Randy Gowman, Ministry Center, Room L7
  • 7th-8th Grade - This semester we'll go through the practical truth in Ecclesiastes and also have some special guests to share how God has worked in their lives. Teachers: Cece Gough and Mike Whalen,  Ministry Center, Room L1
Middle School Youth Group - Wednesdays from 6:45 - 8:30 p.m. Begins September 10
We are excited to welcome all 6th-8th graders for a night of games, music, looking at God's Word, food, and lots more. Friends are always welcome; in fact the more the merrier.

High School
Sunday Morning Bible Study - 9:45 -10:45 a.m.
  • September 7 - High School students are encouraged to be a part of the Ministry Fair 
  • September 14  High School students are invited to attend the forum on human trafficking with our special guest, Pastor Eddie Byun 
  • September 21 - Bible study begins in the Barn. We will be having a large discussion group with various leaders relating the foundations of our faith to everyday topics and questions.
     
Small Group Opportunities
High School Youth Night Starting Sunday Nights in October!
We are very excited to launch a new gathering for High School students and your friends. We will be asking for a lot of student input and leadership and look forward to some great times together. More details to come, but contact Mike & Sue Whalen with your thoughts and ideas, [email protected] or [email protected]

Opportunities to Serve
If you are interested in working on future film projects, would like to use your musical talent in our service and special events, want to know how your painting, drawing, writing, and other skills can be used in how you function as a part of the church contact Pastor Kevin, he would love to get you involved, [email protected]
 
Along the Way 
Reflections on life and faith from members of our church family  

 

 

I was part of this year's Summer Something Women's Bible Study. For me this was special because I just retired and this has been the first opportunity I have had to partake in the Bible studies that the church has been offering for some time now. For me it was especially meaningful that the Summer Something was centered on the book, Crazy Love, by Francis Chan. Let me explain what made the study of this book so special.

 

I like to read the shirts that people are wearing whenever it has writing on it. I think

Nella Coates

that if someone thought it was important enough to buy a shirt with something written on it, then we get a chance to learn a little bit about that person just by taking the few seconds required to read it. That makes sense right? Well a couple of years ago my husband Larry and I were shopping and a woman was wearing a shirt and all I could read was the word "God." So I stopped her and she let me read what was written on the shirt. She then told me what a great book it was and that I should read it. Her shirt said, "Crazy Love overwhelmed by a relentless God." I ordered the book, and started reading it, but did not get to finish it.

 

So when I heard that the Summer Something was going to be studying that book I was very happy because it would give me a chance to see what other women thought of it, too. The Bible study was very informative and the discussions were great! It was also a joy to meet other women that I had never met before and truly added to my overall experience of the entire Summer Something study!

 

Nella 

Nella Coates 

 

Quick Links...

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 [email protected].

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