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Tower Notes Centre Congregational Church We Welcome Everyone: An Open and Affirming Church Phone: (781) 334-3050; Fax: (781) 334-6463; Email: Office@Centre-Church.org The Rev. Dr. Dennis C. Bailey, Pastor - Pastor@Centre-Church.org |
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Tower Notes Centre Congregational Church We Welcome Everyone: An Open and Affirming Church Phone: (781) 334-3050; Fax: (781) 334-6463; Email: Office@Centre-Church.org The Rev. Dr. Dennis C. Bailey, Pastor - Pastor@Centre-Church.org |
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Opportunities for YOU to Make a Difference
Inside this issue of Tower Notes you will find many ways through which you can learn, make a contribution, and share in our wonderful ministry at Centre Church. Therefore, I solicit your attention to and attendance at the programs that your leaders have planned for us over the next three weeks. We not only worship God at Centre Church, but we listen, pray, even play, but also seriously, act as One Body of Christ.
Week 1
January 25
Free Estate Planning Seminar - 11:30 a.m.
Your Planned Giving Committee has been working hard to establish a program in our church that will occasionally offer educational programs to help you learn about how you can support Centre Church through your estate, as well as better take care of yourself in your retirement. It is my hope that even if you already have a will, you will attend this seminar to show your support for the Planned Giving Committee, listen, learn, and ask questions of our guest, Atty. Roland Gray. Plan to join us in Todd Hall for a light lunch as we discuss some basic estate planning documents such as: Wills, Power of Attorney, Medicare eligibility, Health Care Proxy/Living Will, etc. Please call the church office (781-334-3050) to let us know you can attend.
January 25
Consider Sponsoring 30 Hour Famine Youth Participants
in the Narthex after church. These young people will go without food for 30 hours January 30 and 31 to help feed children who are without.
Week 2
February 1
The Documentary “Renewal”- 11:30 a.m.
DATE CHANGE: Outreach Ministries is proud to present this inspiring and powerful film on February 1. “Renewal” is a series of short, beautifully filmed stories showing the steps being taken by various religious groups to care for the earth. This film ran last year at the Museum of Fine Arts. So, please, take your cup of coffee, have a seat in the Fireside Room, and be ready to be surprised by how I wish for you to support our Outreach Ministries. Plan to come and watch some or all of this 90-minute film.
February 1
Souper Bowl of Caring
The Middle School Youth Group will be on hand after church to collect $1.00 from each parishioner. All money raised will be sent to a local soup kitchen.
February 1
Boy Scout Troop 48 Clothing Drive
Collecting new winter hats, warm socks, gloves, mittens, and scarves for the needy.
February 7
Wine Tasting Three - 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Come enjoy a time of fellowship in the Fireside Room and Narthex with your friends at Centre Church.
Week 3
February 8
Presidents’ Brunch – 11:30 a.m.
Postponed from January 11 due to a snow storm, the menu will include pancakes, eggs, juices and coffee as well as other festive and hearty selections. Join us for this time of fellowship and fundraising as we zero in on our Supplemental Stewardship Campaign Drive. Show your patriotism by wearing something red, white or blue as we also celebrate the beginning of a new Presidency. Thank you to Chris Gehret and Mike and Barbara Nickerson for being our hosts.
February 8
Troop 48 Clothing Drive
Collecting new winter hats, warm socks, gloves, mittens, and scarves for the needy.
I bring these things to your attention, as your Pastor, because if our ministry is to be effective, we all need to work together, each of us doing our part. Even if we feel that we play only a small part, every part is important to the whole. Your physical presence in these things, as well as your material support, helps to encourage those who have and are giving themselves to one or more of these aspects of the ministry of Centre Church.
Your support encourages our youth, our leaders, our staff, and creates a welcoming and exciting atmosphere in our unique and valuable Family of Faith. Your presence makes for a more strongly knit together Family of God.
In this, we walk together in God's ways!
Yours in Christ,
Dennis
IN THE SANCTUARY
January 25, 2009
Jonah 3:1-5, 10 and Mark 1:14-20
10:00 A.M. Morning Worship
Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Dennis C. Bailey
“A Whale of a Message”
Children may worship with their families before going to Rotation Workshops.
The Nursery is open in Room 14.
Rotation Sensation News
Nursery: Our Nursery continues to be open each week for infants through age 3 in Room 14. Experienced staff and volunteers are on hand to welcome your child for story time and play. Pagers are available for all parents.
Workshops: We start our new unit on the 23rd Psalm on Sunday, January 25. Be part of the Rotations as we experience the 23rd Psalm through stories/games, computers and puppets/video. It is a rotation unit not to be missed.
7th-8th Grade: Your class will meet on January 25 in the Pastor's Outer Office. You will have a chance to work on a new service project that will coincide with Valentine's Day. Hope to see all of you then.
Youth Group News
We are going tubing at Nashoba Valley this coming Sunday, January 25. Reservations MUST be made in advance. If you forgot to RSVP by the deadline (Jan. 16), call Barbara Langill or Jill Couillard. The cost is $25.00 (exact change is appreciated). This includes the cost of the ticket, bus and snacks. Meet in the church parking lot at 4:45 p.m. Brownies, water and hot chocolate will be provided. Bring money if you wish to purchase your own food at the snack bar. Parents should pick up their youth promptly at 9:00 p.m. in the church parking lot. Scholarship money is available in confidence for anyone who wishes to participate, but is finding the price somewhat challenging.
30 Hour Famine: The High School Youth Group will meet at 7 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 30 for a hearty breakfast before we begin going 30 hours without food to raise funds for World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine. The students will head off to school and return to the church at 6 p.m. for an overnight lock-in. We will participate in community service on Saturday morning and break our fast together at 12 noon.
Birthday Wishes: The High School Youth Group volunteered their time at Birthday Wishes in Newton. We helped to make sure hundreds of goody bags were filled and are ready for birthday parties for children living in homeless shelters in Massachusetts.
Let’s Plan an Auction!!
Your Stewardship Committee has been busy working on ideas to help our church family join together to raise much needed funds to keep Centre Church’s wonderful programs financially strong. As we look forward, we have decided to plan a fun-filled social event to kick off the 2009 – 2010 Stewardship Campaign. The date: Saturday evening, March 21st. The place: right here at Centre Church! The event: a delicious dinner, great entertainment, and an auction.
In order to have an auction we need items to auction off. We invite everyone to consider donating an item for the Silent Auction, the Live Auction, or both. Some ideas might include: tickets to a sporting, theater or music event, use of a vacation home for a weekend, a painting, or a hand crafted item of jewelry or clothing. Some might want to provide services – yard work, babysitting, catering a meal. Many people enjoy creating “themed” baskets – gardening, fitness, children’s, etc. Gift cards or certificates to restaurants or stores are always popular (and if you purchase them through our “Shopping with Spirit” gift card program Centre Church will benefit even further!).
So, get those creative juices flowing and contact our Auction Co-Chairs Chris Gehret (781-334-6737 or Gehret@verizon.net) or Mary Ann Parker (781-334-4335 or maparker11@comcast.net). More details about the event will follow.
News From Around the Parish
We extend our love and sympathy to Jack and Donna Marino upon the death of Jack’s father, Robert Marino of Plymouth, MA on January 13.
“Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for the beautiful flowers and poinsettia that you gave to me during my recovery. Thanks also for the kind words.”
Paul Gustavsen
“Dear Friends,
My family and I thank you for all the prayers during the past fourteen months that my son, Peter was ill. I also have been very thankful for Dennis keeping in touch with me while I was in Indiana and when I came home. I will always be grateful for the support.”
Sincerely, Sara Jane Perkins
The Time Has Come To Starve for Food
Assuming it takes you two minutes to read this insert, 36 children under the age of five will have died by the time you have finished. 36 CHILDREN. And those deaths are from hunger, poverty, and hunger-related diseases – all completely preventable. The good news is that our youth group has decided to do something about it: World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine.
The problem is huge, but the solution is not. Just $30 a month –roughly $1 a day – can help feed and care for a child in most developing countries.
As students go 30 hours without food, they’ll get a taste of what it’s like to be hungry, all the while reaching out to others in need. And as they do that, their compassion will grow: for people around the world, and right here at home.
Please help our youth group by:
There will be a table in the Narthex this Sunday, January 25 where you may make your contribution. You may also send your check, made out to “World Vision” directly to the Church Office.
Thanks, and God bless!
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. For more information visit www.30hourfamine.org.
Charitable Gift Annuities
A Trio of Benefits! 1. Income for life for one or two people. 2. A charitable income tax deduction (if you itemize) 3. A lasting legacy for Centre Church through The 1720 Founders Fund.
Phil Johnson 781-598-5678 or Rev. Dennis Bailey, 781-334-3050 for the Planned Giving Committee
OUR OPPORTUNITIES
| Sunday January 25 |
10:00 am 10:00 am 10:20 am 11:30 am 11:30 am 11:30 am 4:45 pm |
Morning Worship - Sanctuary Nursery – Room 14 Rotation Workshops Estate Planning Seminar – Todd Confirmation Class - Kitchen Youth Choir – Choir Room Youth Groups go Tubing |
| Tuesday January 27 |
12:30 pm 7:00 pm |
Get-Together Wheel – Fireside Room Knitting Group – Fireside Room |
| Wednesday January 28 |
7:00 pm | Council – Pastor’s Office |
| Thursday January 29 |
7:30 pm | Senior Choir - Choir Room |
| Friday January 30 |
7:00 am 10:30 am |
30-Hour Famine Starts Scripture Study - Pastor's Office |
| Saturday January 31 |
1:00 pm | 30-Hour Famine Ends |
Our love and prayers are with:
We also remember those who are serving in Iraq: Kristofer Jenkins, Derek Cataldo, Brian Bisacre. We rejoice that Alex Leung (Olive and Carl Wood’s grandson) is home from Iraq.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Head Usher: Linda Ladd
Greeters: Chris and Sue Lambe
Coffee Hour: George and Perry Hayden
Provide Altar Flowers: The Gehret Family
Deliver Altar Flowers: Barbara Ericson and the Holloways
Lights Out beginning January 23: Rick Carey
Cable Broadcasts of Worship
Our Sunday Morning Services can be seen on local access television each week. Below is the schedule:
DVD and VHS recordings of the services can be borrowed from the Church Office at any time.
