Forgiveness

Last week in the Friday morning Scripture Class we talked about the tragedy and violence that took the lives of 5 Amish school children in Nickels Mine, Pennsylvania. We talked about forgiveness and how amazing it is that the Amish community could extend forgiveness immediately.

Martin Luther wrote, “Forgiveness is not an occasional art, it is a permanent attitude.”

Corrie ten Boom, “Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hate. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.”

“As far as the east is from the west, so far (God) removes our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12

Is it easy for most of us to forgive like the Amish community forgave Charles Carl Roberts? No, it is not. In fact many of us would say that it would be impossible to deliver such forgiveness. I have sometimes had a hard time getting over a store clerk who accidentally charges me the wrong amount for an item and I don't find out about it until I get home. Some of us will never forgive Bill Buckner for his error in game 6 of the 1986 World Series. Yet, we take for granted how Jesus forgave those who crucified him. We take it for granted when we pray the Lord's Prayer, asking God for forgiveness as we forgive the sins of others toward us. I mean, I think we sometimes forget the second half of that sentence as we drive out of the church parking lot and someone cuts in front of us.

Forgiveness is such an important issue in our spiritual lives. It is mentioned over 50 times alone in the 4 gospels.

Rev. Dr. Douglas K. Showalter, pastor of the First Congregational Church, UCC, Falmouth, MA, poses the following statements on forgiveness. See where you stand. Do you agree or disagree with each of these statements?

1. A Christian should always try to forgive and forget.

2. A Christian should forgive even if the person who hurt them does not repent.

3. A Christian should always be willing to be reunited with the person he/she forgives, as if the injury never happened.

4. A Christian should try to forgive others quickly and completely.

5. A Christian should abandon all ill will toward the person they forgive.

6. A Christian should never hate those who wrong them.

7. Over time, a Christian's forgiveness of another will usually come about by itself.

8. To forgive completely, a Christian should try to make everything go back to the way it was before the injury.

Feel free to email me your questions on forgiveness. I will give you some of Rev. Dr. Showalter's responses next week. The Scripture Class will begin study on forgiveness Friday, October 27th. You are welcome to attend.

See Matthew 18:21-22

God bless you all,
Dennis

IN THE SANCTUARY

Service of Remembrance

Centre Church will be the location of All Care Hospice’s Fall Service of Remembrance on Sunday, October 22 at 3:00 p.m. All are invited to join in this service of music, readings and meditations to honor the lives of their loved ones. There will be a time during the service when anyone who has lost a loved one can “name” them. A reception will follow.

5^th-8^th Grade Walk for My Brother’s Table

Permission slips are due on or before the night of the Walk for My Brother’s Table – Sunday, October 22. The 5^th-8^th grade group will meet promptly at 5:30 in Todd Hall. All walkers must have a permission slip to participate as well as their medical history form on file.

Senior High Youth Group

Regular Meeting

Sunday, October 22 6-7:30 p.m.

Please be sure to let Mrs. Langill know if you are interested in the trip to Taize by Sunday, October 22. We are busily planning fundraisers to help with the cost of this trip.

Flea Market November 3 and 4

Keep the contributions coming!! Jewelry and Silent Auction Items may be left in the church office. All other items should be stored on the stage in Todd Hall.

There is a signup poster on the easel in the narthex. We hope that you will be able to find a job that you would like. We need your help!

Water bottles will be on sale Friday evening. Saturday morning coffee and donuts will be available, and at noon, you can enjoy a hot dog or a piece of pizza. Cider and tonic will be available also.

The next planning meeting will be Monday, October 23 at 6:30 p.m. in Richards Hall.

Special Contribution to Bread and Roses

Our thanks to Megan White for her generous contribution to the Bread and Roses meal fund. Megan raised an amazing $90.00 at her lemonade stand this summer. Bread and Roses’ primary purpose is to ease the hunger of people in the Greater Lawrence area. Anyone who is hungry or in need is welcome. They serve up to 200 people per night. Centre Church has provided beef stew, bread, fresh fruit and brownies each first Wednesday of the month for many years. The cost of the meal is about $250.00. Contributions of any size are welcome – you can join with your family, your pew-mates, or donate in honor of someone – to continue this effort. In addition to those who continue to contribute generously to this program, we also thank all those who shop for, prepare and deliver the meal each month.

Altar Ego

Here is my quote of the week:
 

“A cheerful heart is a good medicine,

but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.”

(Proverbs 15:13, RSV)

Get Real and Keep the Faith!
Rev. Dr. Calvin B. Kool

Cradles to Crayons

The 5^th-8^th grade youth group will be working at Cradles to Crayons in Quincy on Saturday, November 4 from 9:00-12:00. Parent drivers are needed for this event. If you are able to volunteer to drive, please call Jill Couillard in the church office. Clothing donations for infants through age 12 are being accepted at this time. A drop off box is located in the narthex.

Cradles to Crayons is a non-profit organization that is committed to providing poor and homeless Massachusetts children, from infancy  to age 12,  with great everyday supplies. Through community partnerships with neighbors, schools and companies, as well as civic and faith-based organizations, Cradles to Crayons generates the supply of products and labor needed to expand its services. Through distribution partnerships with shelters, health centers, schools, parenting programs and day cares, Cradles to Crayons can directly reach the children who are most at-risk and in-need. In 2005 alone, 25,000 local children received high-quality children's goods to keep them warm, safe at home, and ready to learn at school. Please remember to bring in your donations before the 4^th of November.

From the Mailbox

Dear Friends,

We at the Haven from Hunger would like to thank you for your continued support and generous donation of canned goods and school supplies to our organization. The need for additional assistance for our clients is still on the rise. Due to your kindness, you are helping us reach our goal of feeding our clients and their children good, nutritional food so they will not go hungry, together with relieving the burden of purchasing school supplies for their children.

We are very grateful that you have taken the time to remember the Haven. We sincerely appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Thank you very much,
Trudy MacIntyre, Executive Director

Knitting Group

Those who enjoy getting together to knit squares for the Peabody Red Cross are meeting each Tuesday evening from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. You are encouraged to join in this effort even if you can’t be with us on Tuesday evenings. The pattern for the squares is simple:

• Use 4 ply acrylic yarn

• Size 8 needles

• Cast on 30 stitches

• Knit each row until you have a

• 7 inch x 9 inch block.

See Chris Gehret for yarn and patterns for a hat, children’s sweater, or baby afghan. All items are given to those in need.

OUR OPPORTUNITIES

Our thoughts and prayers are with Priscilla Kress at Salem Hospital; Helen Miller in the Meadows Unit, Edgewood; Hal Holappa at the Veterans’ Hospital, 200 Springs Rd., Bedford, 01730; Mildred Lisi at SunBridge, 134 North St., N. Reading, 01864; Catherine Newman at Oosterman’s, 93 Laurel St., Melrose, 02176; Jack Turner, at Arnold House, 490 William St., Stoneham, 02180; and Ed Vancor recuperating at home.

We also remember in our prayers, Dana Robinson in Kuwait and Michael Propeck and Michael Blute in Iraq.

Sunday, October 22, 2006
Head Usher: Chris Lambe.
Lay Reader: Sue Gustavsen.
Coffee Hour: Laurie Timmons.
Flower Delivery: Karen Harrington and Margaret Markham.

New People Books (directory of members and friends) are available on the table in the narthex and in the church office.