ChurchPictureLOGO

 

 First Congregational Church of Hamilton 

 

Exalting His Glory 

Enjoying His Fellowship

Proclaiming His Name

 

 

   

July 2016 Newsletter

 
In this issue
A Word from Our Youth Pastor
Cycle for a Cause
Family Promise
Lifebridge
Beach Nights
Important Dates in July
Children's Ministry
Men's Ministry
Missions News
Women's Ministry
Youth Ministry
Along the Way
 
  

For the past several weeks we've been studying the Shema on Sundays, in which the Lordship of the One and Only God is set forth with the corresponding devotion to God by His people. In a similar way, consider the opening of Psalm 42.

Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! 
For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, 
a great king over all the earth. 

"Clap your hands." The phrasing used here usually refers to a formalizing handshake. That is, to agreeing with someone about something - and then shaking hands over it. That's how this particular wording is typically used in the Old Testament. The idea here then is not just that we clap hands together out of joy over the reality of the kingship of God, though that is true... but also, and even more so, that we are in agreement with each other that He is the one and only, great and universal King. Our clap is in effect, therefore, an AMEN! In this sense, Psalm 47 is creedal - it is a statement of theological affirmation. Oh yes, this is what we believe about God.
 
He is Yahweh. The Most High.
Unmatched. Superlative in every way.
He is the Great King. The only King.
Ruling over Israel, yes. 
And over all the nations, equally so!

Thus we acknowledge His universal sovereignty in all its authority. That's what Psalm 47 asserts, and with which we are called to agree and proclaim in word and deed.
Reinforcing this, the Rabbis note something interesting in verse 5b. They comment that in the exact center of the psalm is the word "Lord/YHWH" . In the Hebrew of the psalm, thirty-six words precede the divine name YHWH, and exactly thirty-six follow it. The point is that the covenantal name and nature of God are at the center of all things! Thus overtly and even subtly, stylistically and theologically, the psalm underscores this point! God is at the center. Always!
 
Pastor Dori
Dorington Little
Senior Pastor 
 
A Teenager's Perspective On Having Adult Friendships at Church
Last month The Gospel Coalition published a blog post about teenagers by a teenager and I just have to share it with you. This young writer is refreshing and insightful in her perspective on how adults can serve teenagers in the church. This is not to say that students can't or shouldn't also serve adults, of course. But as we think about helping youth and children to see their value as members of the Body, wouldn't it be remarkable if they felt the most known, the most loved, the most necessary amongst their church family? Dear church, our summer worship lends itself perfectly to your reaching out to students in the ways this young blogger mentions. I am praying for your boldness and your joy as you engage our church's young!

With love, 
Chelsea
Chelsea Erickson
Youth Pastor
 
Cycling for a Good Cause
If you can ride a bike or are a serious cyclist and want to help alleviate homelessness, join Mike Sweeney to ride in Cycling for Shelter supporting Emmaus House in Haverhill. Mike is organizing a team of riders to join him in raising money and riding on July 24. His team is "the church team" and he would love participants from our church and other local churches to join together. 

This is an easy way for people with a love for Jesus and a shared interest in cycling to work together. There are routes for all skill levels. Contact Mike for all the details, michaelfsweeney@mac.com.

 
Family Promise
Our second session, in support of Family Promise, starts July 24 and continues through August 6. This is a practical way to serve and get involved in helping our local community. We still have opportunities for everyone to bring meals, as well as for those who have been trained to host and serve overnight shifts. Please consider signing up to help end homelessness on the North Shore one family at a time.
Thanks in advance for your participation. 
 
Lifebridge
If you have not helped serve a meal at Lifebridge in Salem or come to our weekly Friday night Bible study, you are missing out! We invite men and women to come and get involved. Contact Bob Cummings to help out on the first Friday of the month in preparing and serving a meal to homeless guests of Lifebridge. If you are interested in coming to the Bible Study contact Pastor Kevin at kbaird@fcchamilton.org. These are great opportunities to serve and grow as part of our church as we seek to reach out in word and deed to the North Shore. You will form new friendships, have good conversations, and be reminded that the body of Christ is comprised of people of all ages and experiences. Come join us!
 


Beach Nights are Back!
Come join us Wednesday nights from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea. This is a great way to connect with our church family and bring friends and neighbors as well. We often play volleyball, swim, walk, or just sit and talk. 
 
Important Dates in July

Tuesdays July 5, 19, & 26
Women's Summer Something,
9:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m.,
 Church Chapel

Tuesday, July 5
High School Red Sox Outing, 
4:30 p.m.
 
Wednesday, July 6, 20, & 27
All Church Beach Nights,
Singing Beach, 6:00 p.m.

Monday-Friday July 11-15
VBS & Explore
9:00 a.m.-Noon

Tuesday, July 12
High School Bonfire,
6:45 p.m. , Fraser's house


Wednesday, July 13
VBS Family Picnic,
5:00 p.m., MC Lawn

July 16-23
High School Missions Trip,
Nassau, Bahamas
 
Tuesday, July 26
High School Game Night,
6:45 p.m., Barn

Sunday, July 31 - August 5
Youth Missions Trip,
Portland, Maine

 
Children's Ministry

 
VBS Countdown!
We covet your prayers for our week of outreach before VBS opens on July 11. Next Sunday, we will reset the gym after the service. Can you help us set up? We will need some muscles to help reset the stage and set up the stage curtain as well as reset the chairs. Kindly let Christine or Kathy know if you can help us next Sunday.
 
VBS Staff T-Shirts, Volunteer Teams and Items Collection
VBS Staff t-shirts are in. Kindly pick yours up in Room 11 across from the Caf�. If you would like to meet other team members serving in your grade level, plan to finish decorating your room, or have baskets, woven rugs or artificial plants to loan us, kindly let Christine or Kathy know. We'll be happy to assist you.

Summer Junior Ushers
Calling all 4th, 5th, and 6th Graders (Fall 2016)!  We would love to have your child serve as a Junior Usher for one or two Sundays this summer. Our church family will love the warm greeting on Sunday mornings. It is a wonderful opportunity for the children to be able to serve and nurture an understanding that they are an important part of our church family. Please click on this link to sign up today 
or e-mail Kathy Lindsay at klindsay@fcchamilton.org Thank you!

Summer and Fall Nursery Volunteers Needed 
Have you considered serving in the Nursery?  We're looking for new volunteers to care for little ones during summer and fall services. Serve once or twice this summer, or once every 5 weeks during the year, or choose your own dates. You can be a model of God's love to the youngest members of our church family! Please contact Lauren Sager, Nursery Schedule Coordinator, at lbmeitzler@comcast.net . 

 
Christine and Kathy

Christine Hendrickson
Early Childhood Director
 
Kathy Lindsay
Elementary Children's Director

 
Plan Now to Attend the Fall Men's Retreat
The Men's Ministry is pleased to announce that our annual retreat has been planned for Friday night through Sunday afternoon, September 23-25, 2016 at the Alton Bay Christian Conference Center in New Hampshire. David Horn will be our speaker on the topic, The Other Side of Dread: Facing our Fears through Faith. Join us for a wonderful weekend of worship, fellowship, free time and biblical teaching. The total cost is $130 for a shared room or $200 for a single room. Plenty of scholarship money is available! Download the Men's Retreat Brochure and register today or contact David Rox for more information, david.rox@gordon.edu.

Saturday Morning Bible Study
The Men's Saturday morning Bible study continues throughout the summer. Please join us at 8:00 a.m. in the Ministry Center Caf�. Newcomers and friends always welcome!
 
Missions News: Amy Ketcham is getting married! 
Amy Ketcham, one of our dear missionaries who works with Rafiki in Ethiopia as the director of a Christian school, shared some exciting news with us during her home visit a few months ago. In early August, she is getting married to a wonderful Christian man, Tekle Kumera, from Ethiopia who teaches grade four students at the school. Some of you have wondered how to send a wedding gift to Amy since the wedding will be in Ethiopia. Sending gifts or money directly to Amy is difficult due to government regulations and delays. The Missions Committee recently met directly with Amy's mother, Marnie, to determine the most appropriate way to send gifts and recommends that gifts be given in the form of cash or check. Checks can be made out to Marnie Ketcham and given to her directly at church or mailed to her home. Marnie will collect all monetary gifts and send them to Rafiki. Rafiki will then wire the money directly to Amy in Ethiopia. Please make sure Marnie receives all gifts by July 19 to ensure arrival in time for the wedding.
 
Women's Ministry 

Summer Something
Come join us this summer for a Bible study in the book of Philippians. We will be watching a DVD series by Karol Ladd called A Woman's Passionate Pursuit of God on Tuesdays in the chapel behind the sanctuary. We will have a morning group at 9:00 a.m., and an evening group at 7:00 p.m. Come as often as you can as we explore Paul's letter to the church in Philippi. Sharon Carlson and Margot Rox will lead the weekly discussions and prayer. Below are are upcoming dates and lesson titles. 

July 5:
Living Life with Passion
Philippians 1:12-30
 
July 19:
The Delicous Flavor of 
Humble Pie
Philippians 2:1-18
 
July 26:
Press On
Philippians 2:19-3:21
 
August 2:
Dealing with Difficult People and Circumstances in a Positive Way
Philippians 4:1-9
 
August 9:
The Key to True Contentment
Philippians 4:10-23


Women's Retreat
The time spent at the Women's Retreat was a special weekend for all who participated. The comments on each photo are excerpts from the "Take Away" cards from each retreat attendee. Reach out to the women who were there to find out more about what we learned together.


 
 

 
 
Margot
Margot Rox
Director of Women's Ministry
 
Youth Ministry

High School Summer Fun 
 

  • High School Red Sox v. Rangers Event (Tuesday, July 5)
    **Tickets are limited, sign up online  to reserve your spot!** 
    Join us to see the Red Sox take on the Texas Rangers on Tuesday, July 5 at Fenway Park. We will depart FCCH at 4:30 pm to catch the train from Oak Grove Station. Friends are welcome! Cost is $35 per student and includes the cost of train and game tickets. A great deal! Students should bring money to cover dinner and incidentals.
     
  • Beach Night (Wednesdays from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Singing Beach)
    Please note that Beach Night is a weekly, all-church event! All middle school students must have a parent chaperone at the beach unless rides are arranged with an adult leader. Please let Chelsea, Addison, or Rich know if you need a ride and we will do our best to line one up!
Middle School Summer Fun  
  • Current 6th-8th graders, sign up for Camp Berea with FCCH! We have spots reserved for July 17-23. Email Chelsea for an info packet!
     
  • Join us for "Finding Dori," a scavenger hunt in Manchester-by-the-Sea! July 27 starting at 4:30 at FCCH and concluding with Beach Night. (Pick up at Singing Beach.)


Because of Christ,

Chelsea
Chelsea Kingston 
Youth Pastor 
 

Follow FCCH Youth!
FCCH Youth is on social media! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter at FCCH_Youth for event updates and more!
  
 
Along the Way
Reflections of life and faith from members of our church family

In January I had the incredible experience of visiting Kenya with Kupenda for the Children. My friend, Cynthia Bauer, is the founder and director of Kupenda. Kupenda is an organization that exists, "To enable children with disabilities to achieve their God-given potential. Ultimately we want them to understand, along with their families and communities, that they have value and are deserving of love." Kupenda means "to love" in Kiswahili and this word is used for their work because so many children with disabilities in their focus areas are thought of as cursed leading to neglect, abandonment, abuse, and even murder. Kupenda's work is focused on the coast of Kenya where they accomplish their mission by supporting schooling and medical care of children with disabilities, sponsoring parent support groups, raising awareness about disabilities, and conducting training with local leaders and pastors. 
 
As soon as we arrived on the hot, steamy, coast, we went to the home of Mercy, one of the children supported by Kupenda. Mercy is 15 years old and has cerebral palsy. To make a long story short, Mercy and two other Kupenda children had just climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania along with a group of Kenyan and American climbers to show others what is possible when children with disabilities are given opportunities.  A documentary filmmaker was along for the climb and was now with
us in Kenya to learn more about each of the children, so we visited their homes and met their families.
 
Mercy jumping rope as her mom,
on the left, watches. 
The first thing I noticed at Mercy's home was a strong sense of community. There were several mud huts among the palm trees where the extended family all lived. So many children were running around. We weren't quite sure how they were all related but I loved seeing how they were playing together and how the older children were helping out with the younger children. Of course, everyone young and old gathered around and watched Mercy and her parents be interviewed on camera. One moment that sticks out in my memory is when the children were playing jump rope and Mercy's mom even joined in!
 
My sponsored child Moses.
This sense of community I felt my first day in Kenya continued throughout my trip and was a main theme of my experience (that along with colorful fabrics everywhere). I saw community among the children, including the child I sponsor, at the boarding schools, among neighbors in a small village, and as I watched the friends and family of the Kupenda staff in Kenya. Everything is done in community and life decisions are made together.  It gave me a greater appreciation of the large impact on children with disabilities and their families when they are shunned or ostracized by their communities. This can occur due to societal and cultural beliefs; in Kenya, disabilities are often viewed as a curse or being a result of sin. 
 
I realized this strong sense of community in Kenya is something that we don't often find in the U.S. Here in the U.S. we may know that disabilities are not a result of curses or sins, but we need to work hard at creating a supporting community for all people, including those with disabilities.  In Kenya, the community exists, but they may not realize people with disabilities should be included. So, while we can share our knowledge of disabilities with Kenyans, we can learn from them what it means to live in community.
 
To learn more about Kupenda, please visit www.kupenda.org. 
 

Britta
Britta Magnuson
 

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 cmgough@fcchamilton.org.

Join Our Mailing List