the wisdom of job - sermon series november 5-19
TRANSCRIPT
Volume 3, Issue 53, November 16, 2017
www.hillschurch.org
SAVE THE DATE AND DECK THE HALLS! Saturday, December 2
10:00 a.m. to Noon All are Invited
Fun for All Ages Bring Your Whole Family
Transform the Sanctuary into a Winter Wonderland
Make Christmas Tree Ornaments Decorate the Sanctuary Christmas Tree
Set Up the Advent Wreath Hang Bows on the Pews
Sing Christmas Carols Enjoy Seasonal Refreshments
Have a Wonderful Time Details to follow.
THE WISDOM OF JOB - SERMON SERIES NOVEMBER 5-19
November 5 Questions Demand Answers November 12 A Faithful Complaint November 19 God is There in the Storm
Faithful people have long struggled to reconcile our belief in a loving and powerful God with the existence of suffering in the world. In our scriptures, Job is a book of poetic wisdom written to address the intersection of grief and faith.
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ADVENT GROUPS 2017 – SUNDAY EVENINGS AND TUESDAY MORNINGS This year’s Advent groups will be reading N. T. Wright’s brand new devotional: Advent for Everyone: A Journey with the Apostles.
In this daily devotional, Wright, a leading British New Testament scholar, Pauline theologian, and retired Anglican bishop, selects passages from scripture, and then offers a brief reflection on key themes for the Advent season: patience, thanksgiving, humility, and joy.
Sunday evenings in Advent December 3, 10, 17 from 7:30-9:00 pm Co-Facilitators: Kelly Ford and Robin Swanberg Location: At the McKinney’s on December 3 and the Anthony’s on
December 10 and 17
Tuesday mornings in Advent, December 5, 12, 19 from 9:30-11:00 am Facilitator: Rev. Judy Swahnberg Location: Church library
A limited number of books will be available from Judy. You may also order a copy online directly from Westminster John Knox Press or your favorite bookstore.
To register for a group email [email protected] or call the church office. PRAYERS FOR THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, TEXAS All are invited to share their messages of condolence and Christian love with the congregation of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Texas following the tragic events which unfolded there on Sunday, November 5. Note paper and pens will be available during Community Hour this Sunday.
This year's Stewardship Campaign is drawing to a close. We want to thank the 160 individuals and families who have already
pledged almost $755,000 toward this year's goal of $900,000 and over 200 pledges.
If you have not yet pledged, please take a moment to pledge today.
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CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES ~ AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE OTHERS
For many years members of this congregation have generously provided Christmas gifts for low-income families in Waltham that are identified by Early Intervention clinicians. All of the families on our list have at least one child under 3 years old who has developmental challenges due to identified disabilities or whose development is at risk due to certain birth or environmental circumstances.
The need is great…you can help! Sign up to shop for an individual, or a family (or more) at Community Hour on November 19 or November 26. We’ll provide gift suggestions and instructions. Wrapped gifts should be delivered to the church on, or before, December 10. Questions? Call Sue Spencer at 781-893-2972. Thanks! AN ADULT ED. OPPORTUNITY - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18 – 8:30 to 12:00 p.m. CELEBRATING THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REFORMATION As part of a larger event sponsored by the Northeast Association and the Metropolitan Boston Association of the United Church of Christ, on Saturday, November 18, at the Centre Congregational Church, 5 Summer Street, in Lynnfield, Rev. Dr. Mary Luti will share a presentation she is calling, “Conscience and Credit Cards, Rockstars and Revolution: Living with the Reformation Today.”
Here is Rev. Dr. Luti's description of her presentation: The Protestant Reformation of the 16th century is 'history'-one of those things that happened so long ago that it doesn't seem relevant today. So much has changed since Martin Luther composed 99 debating points and posted them on a church door. But the Reformation isn't in the distant past. We live with it every day. Thanks to John Calvin's thoughts about lending, for example, we have credit cards. And thanks to the image savvy Martin Luther, the world got its first social media rockstar. More importantly, the Reformation still shapes the way we read the Bible, how we handle questions of faith, doubt, and diversity; why we do church in a 'democratic' way; how we view the Christian's work in the world; the vital role of conscience and protest; and the value we place on marriage and family. In this morning event, we'll discuss some of these vital genes in our DNA-their upsides, downsides, and their continuing challenge. Registration is required on the Facebook page of 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
The Hills Church Adult Education Ministry Team hopes you can attend!
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Would you like to become a member of the Hills Church? The next Joining Sunday will be January 14, 2018.
Please join clergy and church members in the Reception Room for a combined Membership Class this Sunday afternoon, November 19 from 3:00 to 5:00.
This class will cover include information about our Educational Programs, Service Opportunities, The United Church of Christ (UCC), Baptism, Communion and Confirmation at the Hills Church, and Community Life. We will also discuss the Order of Worship, Church Governance, the Membership Covenant and Stewardship.
You do not need to have made a decision to join the church to attend. So whether you have already decided you would like to join – or you would just like to know more about the church, please plan on joining us on the 6th. Please RSVP to the church office at 781-235-4424, ext 210 or via email to [email protected].
WHCC ALTERNATIVE GIFT FAIR - DECEMBER 3, DURING COMMUNITY HOUR Puzzled about how to select meaningful gifts this holiday season? Consider supporting the church’s Christian Service international ministry outreach teams through our Alternative Gift Fair. Your purchases will advance the work of the church's partnerships with the African Indian Alliance and Honduras Hope.
• African Indian Alliance will sell handsome gift cards of varying amounts to support the education of disadvantaged Siddi students in SW India.
• Honduras Hope will sell beautifully handcrafted baskets to support its work with economically and politically marginalized families in Honduras.
Can you think of special individuals in your lives who would appreciate these gifts of love? If so, please join us during Community Hour on December 3! For further information, please contact Sarah Pedersen ([email protected]) about the African Indian Alliance or Sue Spencer ([email protected]) about Honduras Hope.
HONDURAS HOPE Participants will be commissioned and sent to Honduras in June to work with our mission partner, Honduras Hope. Mission Trip applications are available outside the church office or by email. The application deadline has been extended to November 30, and the fee has been lowered to $200 per participant, with scholarships available, thanks to excellent fundraising and generous donations! Email [email protected] or [email protected] for more information. DON’T MISS THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL COAT DRIVE!
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Coats for the Boston homeless shelters will be collected during November. Clean outerwear in good condition is accepted. All sizes are appreciated.
As you clean your closets, please set aside the warm clothes you don’t need. The gray collection bins will be by the church doors throughout this month. Questions – contact Donna McCabe, [email protected].
OUR NEXT FAMILY PROMISE HOSTING WEEK BEGINS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10!
Thanks to all who helped our guests last month! And now it’s time to mark your calendars for our next hosting: December 10 –17. You can register, and then sign up for volunteer opportunities on CERVIS http://cerv.is/m?0002.
If you are interested in becoming involved with Family Promise, some volunteer opportunities require training. Upcoming training dates follow – and all training
classes begin at 7:00 p.m. and last approximately one and a half hours:
St. Paul’s Church 38 East Central, Natick Thursday, November 30 St. Andrew’s Church 3 Maple Street, Framingham Tuesday, December 12
Contact Tricia Frank @[email protected] with any questions. BREAKING NEWS - NOT FAKE NEWS! FROM THE HILLS CHURCH WOMEN’S MINISTRY TEAM THE RUMMAGE SALE WILL BE BACK! SAVE THE DATE (AND YOUR RUMMAGE!) On Saturday, April 7, 2018, the Hills Church Rummage Sale will be back, thanks to Carol Cole and Monica Garfield, who have volunteered to serve as co-chairs of this wonderful event. This time, the Rummage Sale will take place in April, not May, on the Saturday after Easter. So drop offs will begin Monday, April 2. Do mark your calendars now! Also coming soon: the annual Women’s Ministry Bake Sale. This year’s sale will be held Sunday, December 17. (Please note – this is later than in previous years). More info to follow! BIBLE AND THE NEWS – WEDNESDAYS AT 10:00 A.M.
A Weekly Study with Rev. Matt Wooster Wednesdays, 10:00-11:00 a.m. in the Church Library
Discussion on how the scriptures relate to the news of the day and the news of our lives. Each week will be stand-alone discussion of the Biblical passages to be read in worship. Come every week or drop in when you can. PLEASE CONSIDER TEACHING DURING THE WINTER OR SPRING MONTHS We need teachers in 2018. Please consider teaching our children about God.
• Are you new to the church and are unsure about what to do? We train and support you! • Are your children grown up? Then please come share your well-earned knowledge.
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Each Sunday we need twelve volunteers to run the school, could you be one? • Cuddle a new born • Sing with the Under 5’s • Grow with a Kindergartner • Discover with an elementary school age child • Mentor a pre-teen
We need your caring support, your time and your grace. Sign up sheets are available on each Church School floor. For more information, please contact: Sally Tomasetti - [email protected] or visit the church website. SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING AT ROCHE BROS. Dwin and John Schuler will once again be conducting the Salvation Army Red Kettle bell ringing at Roche Bros.in Wellesley starting Friday, December 1 through Saturday, December 24. Volunteers from the Hills Church are invited to ring the bell in front of the store for one hour any time between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. There is always a chair available to rest that ornery knee or back!
This one bucket has collected over $30,000 for the past several years and the Salvation Army, which is known for its efficiency in using charitable funds, is able to convert this money into day care, meals, housing, job advice and more, for the less fortunate right here in our area.. Please call Dwin at 781-235-5615 to sign up for this worthwhile project. USHERING IS A GREAT WAY TO SERVE YOUR CHURCH The mission of the Ushering Committee is to provide a staff of ushers who serve and support the Congregation before, during and after the worship service each week. To paraphrase a quote from Rev. Lacy Scott, “An usher … is so much more than a seat finder. They are the meeters and greeters to our service … the people who meet our guests and our members alike on a person-to-person basis when they first arrive at church. They are the ones whose smiles and warm welcomes help to set the tone for our worship.” To volunteer, please contact Rich Sweeting – [email protected].
NOW IS A PERFECT TIME TO JOIN THE BELL CHOIR! If you have ever played a musical instrument and can follow the notes on a piece of music, consider giving bell ringing a try. The bell group would welcome high school and middle school students, and adults alike. We will provide introductory lessons to anyone who is interested. To learn more about The Hills Bells, please contact Martha Stowell at [email protected] or the Church Office. SHARE YOUR GIFT OF HOSPITALITY AND WELCOME
Consider sharing your gift of hospitality and welcome by volunteering to help! Five or six people are needed each week to ensure that each Sunday there are beverages, pastries and fruit waiting for our members and guests to enjoy after worship – while they catch up with friends (old and new).
The Community Hour Ministry Team already has a Team Leader in place for each week – to guide, help or train anyone interested in helping – and
is seeking volunteers to fill out each of its weekly team rosters. Call or e-mail Anne Leland for more information or to volunteer - 617-669-6512 or [email protected].
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ENJOY A THANKSGIVING COMPLETE WITH GOOD FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP
For the past few years my family has had Thanksgiving dinner with members from our church family. It has always been a true moment of thankfulness. The feast and festivities began through a conversation and realization of just how many of us spend this time without extended family, as we do.
This year we are opening our home to all who would otherwise spend the day alone or who would, for many reasons, not be able to have a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal. Whether it’s just you or your family unit, we would love
to share this holiday with you.
We will prepare together, eat together, feel full together, watch children play, and if you so wish, drink a beer and watch football together.
In order to make it easier for guests without transportation, we will arrange pick up.
Please come with a special family dish to share. Of course we’ll have pumpkin and apple pie, my favorites, but before I devour taste those, I hope to have the chance to sample traditional family recipes of yours too. We can never have too much turkey, or can we? And we mustn’t leave out corn, so important when celebrating. And there’s always squash… We will supply the turkey and coordinate the menu; we look forward to an open full table- and the nap that follows.
To be held at the Tomasetti home or at church – depending on the number of RSVP’s received. Thanksgiving Day - Appetizers @ 2:00 p.m. Dinner @ 3:00 p.m.
Please RSVP to Bob and Sally [email protected]
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THURSDAY, November 16 9:30 a.m. Clergy Meeting 10:30 a.m. Staff Meeting 6:30 p.m. New Beginnings FRIDAY, November 17 7:00 p.m. AA Meeting 7:30 p.m. Connections – at the home of Judy Marth, 236 Grove Street, in Wellesley SATURDAY, November 18 8:30 a.m. Rev. Dr. Mary Luti’s presentation on The Reformation SUNDAY, November 19 – Thanksgiving Sunday 9:o0 a.m. Lectionary Bible Study 9:15 a.m. Children’s Handbell Choir 10:00 a.m. Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Community Hour 11:30 a.m. Children’s Choir 11:30 a.m. Confirmation Class 3:00 p.m. Membership Class 4:00 p.m. Hills Bells Rehearsal 5:00 p.m. Youth Group 7:30 p.m. AA Meeting MONDAY, November 20 7:00 p.m. Pastor Parish Relations 7:30 p.m. Stewards Support Board TUESDAY, November 21 6:30 p.m. Caring for the Caregivers 7:30 p.m. Search Committee WEDNESDAY, November 22 10:00 a.m. Annual Red Cross Blood Drive in Memory of Dan McCabe 8:00 p.m. Chancel Choir THURSDAY, November 23 – Thanksgiving Day (Church Office Closed) FRIDAY, November 24 – Church Holiday (Church Office Closed)
HILLS CHURCH CALENDAR
This Sunday’s Scripture Readings Job 38:1-11; Job 42:1-6
John 11:32-36
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YOUTH MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
NOVEMBER YOUTH GROUP INFO: WHO AM I?: A SERIES ON IDENTITY We all want to know who we are — what we’re good at, what we’re not-so-good at, what makes us unique, and why we matter.
Unfortunately, we spend a lot of time (especially as teenagers) creating identities based on all the wrong things. In this series, we’ll help teenagers discover that they will never fully understand who they were created to be apart from the God who created them. We know a God who knows us, who gives us a place to belong, who helps us understand ourselves, and who helps us become everything S/He has created us to be. From 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SPRING YOUTH LEADERSHIP INTERNS! Looking for something awesome to put on your college application? Want to make church a better place to be and bring your friends to? Apply now to be a Youth Leadership Intern. Here are the basics:
• Come to church • Help plan youth group and special events • Help get other folks there • Grow as a person
This is a 4-ish hour per week commitment. You can apply for a full year, or for a season (winter/spring) between sports or extracurricular commitments. Ivy League tip: Leadership experience looks great on college applications! DECEMBER 17: CHRISTMAS CLICK, GRAB, AND GET HUNT This December, we're hosting a night packed with scavenger hunting, prize giveaways, and fun. We hope you can make it! Regular youth group time – from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. DECEMBER 17: PARENT CHRISTMAS PARTY Yes, that's right -- it's at the same time as the scavenger hunt! Join other parents of Hills Church youth in the reception room for wine and hors d'oeuvres while your kids run around the church. 5pm to 7pm. Let us know if you need childcare for younger kids!
HILLS CHURCH PUBLICATION DEADLINES
Need to spread the word about an activity or event?
Email your notice to Cynthia Gordan, Church Administrator,
at [email protected], or call the Church Office at 781-235-4424.
Weekly Newsletters
Submissions are due Fridays by 5:00 p.m.
Sunday Orders of Worship
Submissions are due Monday by 5:00 p.m.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES NEWS AND EVENTS
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JOIN US TOMORROW MORNING - FOR A CLUBNIGHT 3:6 FUN! In observance of Veterans Day, we will have a service project, fun and fellowship while making Virtual Reality glasses! Bring an old friend or make a new one. Snacks, life-sized games, and craziness! TOMORROW, Friday, November 10 – From 10:30 am -12:00 pm in the Assembly room. HILLS CHURCH FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT! – THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18 A small but brave donkey and his animal friends become the heroes of the first Christmas in The Star, a beautiful animated holiday movie from Sony Pictures. Join your church friends at the AMC Framingham Movie Theatre THIS SATURDAY, November 18, for the 5:00 p.m. showing of this wonderful version of the beloved nativity story – told from the animals’ point of view. Please let Sally know if you can make it –[email protected]
COLLECTING HALLOWEEN CANDY Halloween is a candy filled day. So, if you find yourself dealing with an overabundance, bring it to church for our upcoming service project. Each Sunday this month of November, children will decorate and fill bags of candy during Church School. These will then be shared with veterans or elderly members of the local community.
There is a collection box outside the Church Office. Thank you for sharing this precious bounty. JOIN THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR The choir meets every Sunday after worship in the Third Floor Youth Chapel. This is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and have musical fun! All ages grades K + are welcome. Contact Kirsten Oberoi, Hills Church Music Coordinator for Children and Youth, for more information. CHILDREN'S BELLS If you have a child interested in playing Bells, please contact Martha Stowell – [email protected]. The Children’s Handbell Choir meets at 9:15 every Sunday morning in the Third Floor Youth Chapel. GOT YARN? GET KNITTING! Church School will work on a collection of hats, mittens, and scarves for our neighbors at City Reach. Our Youth Group will have the opportunity to deliver them later in the winter season. Look for the Mitten Tree coming later this month!
If you need knitting lessons or a refresher course, contact anyone on the Women's Ministry team. They would love to help. VOLUNTEER FOR THE ADVENT DINNER! If you would like to volunteer, the Advent dinner team are looking for people to help with food prep, event set-up, guest greeters, food servers and the all important clean-up. Contact Martha Cooney, Sally Tomasetti or sign up here. Link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c49a5ae2da46-20141
DON’T MISS THIS YEAR’S –
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ADVENT WORKSHOP AND DINNER!
You are invited… Advent Workshop and Dinner
Sunday, November 26 The Hills Church has a great tradition of starting the Advent Season with Gingerbread House making, Christmas Carols, and Dinner. All are welcome!
Gingerbread House Making 4:30-5:30 p.m.
This is always a huge success, so we’re bringing them back again. Houses can be reserved in advance for $15 each. Buy one for each person in the family, or just buy one for your whole family to decorate together. Every year sees new advances in home
decorating, so bring your ideas, creativity, and extra supplies (frosting, candy, and more will be provided). Gingerbread Houses are $15:00
Carol Singing and Advent Fun 5:30-6:15 p.m.
We move to the Sanctuary for a time of seasonal fun and carol singing led by John Finney.
Dinner in the Assembly Room 6:15 p.m.
Reservations are required for the dinner. Lasagna and pasta dishes from Comella's, fruit, salad, bread, drinks, and more. Each family is asked to bring a finger dessert to share.
Dinner- Adults $8.00, Child $5.00, Under 3 $3.00
Tree Lighting on the Front Lawn 7:00 p.m.
For more information or if you would like to register for the evening: Visit the Advent Dinner sign up table during the November 19 Community Hour, Check the
Events at Hills Church online listing, or Contact Cynthia – [email protected]