celebrating rev. pash obeng's ministry this sunday, october 29

Volume 3, Issue 50, October 26, 2017

www.hillschurch.org

CELEBRATING REV. PASH OBENG’S MINISTRY THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29

During this Sunday’s Worship Service, we will honor the ministry of Rev. Pash Obeng, who has served as a minister of the Hills Church for over twenty-eight years. Pash will be preaching this Sunday – and the worship service will include the liturgy of farewell as the Hills Church releases Pash from his covenantal vows. At the same time, we will welcome him as a Missionary of the Hills Church. In this new role, Pash will serve the church’s mission through his continued involvement in the African Indian Alliance, including helping to maintain the AIA’s presence in India. He will also be returning to the Hills Church on occasion to preach and to speak about his missionary work. This Sunday’s Service of Farewell will also feature The Hills Bells, and the church’s Children’s Choir and Chancel Choir – each of which has prepared music to give thanks for Pash’s ministry. After worship, we will continue to give thanks for Pash and Vida at a special reception in the Assembly Room. NOTE ABOUT THIS SUNDAY’S WORSHIP SERVICE FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF MUSIC Pash has chosen four wonderful hymns for the congregation to sing on Sunday, October 29. Three are very familiar; one of them, "Ancient Words" may be new to many of us. We'd love for everyone to join in the singing of "Ancient Words," and if you'd like to become familiar with it before October 29, here's a link to an excellent recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK8wYnG7jBY. You can also find many other recordings of it by searching for "Ancient Words" on YouTube.

ALL SAINTS SUNDAY On Sunday, November 5, we remember those who over the past year passed from this life to the larger life in the nearer presence of God, by reading their names aloud in our worship service. If you’d like the names of your loved ones included, call or email the church office by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31. ANNUAL COAT DRIVE BEGINS NOVEMBER 1 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 during the month of November. Questions – contact Donna McCabe,

[email protected].

Are you interested in learning more about the Hills Church? Please join us at an Inquirer’s Gathering Sunday, November 5 After Worship in the Reception Room Please RSVP to the church office TODAY

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 on 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].

THE PUMPKIN PATCH TEAM COULD REALLY USE YOUR HELP! Halloween is now virtually upon us and this coming weekend should be a REALLY BIG WEEKEND when it comes to pumpkins flying off the front lawn – so we could definitely use your help with this year’s final sales push. And don’t forget – staffing the Patch is a great opportunity to meet new

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friends and catch up with old ones – and a great family activity! So, please hop onto SignUpGenius and VOLUNTEER NOW! Thanks to everyone in advance. The Patch Team (Dave Thornton, Rob Andrews, and Gintas Vildzius). THE BOOK OF JOB AND THE PROBLEM OF SUFFERING: A THREE-PART SERIES All are invited to join Rev. Dr. Matthew Wooster, Senior Minister, for this three-part series on Job. Offered by the Adult Ed. Ministry Team, this series begins on Wednesday, November 1, at 6:00 p.m. and continues on Wednesday, November 8, and Sunday, November 12 – at 6:00 p.m. and 11:30 a.m., respectively. Each session will include both a presentation and discussion. Session 1: The problem of suffering – Why belief in God and the reality of suffering are difficult to reconcile. Session 2: The book of Job - An answer from the “wisdom writings” of our scripture. Session 3: Jesus Wept - The grief of Job and the grief of Jesus as models for us in the face of suffering. This event is co-sponsored by the Adult Education Ministry Teams COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES This Sunday evening, October 29 Hills Church youth will once again be assembling and decorating care packages for our friends in college and boarding school as they recover from mid-terms and prepare for finals. What we need from you now is your child's name and current mailing address, so we can get them their packages. It would be helpful if you could also send us their email address and cell phone number, so we can update them on other upcoming events. If you have a college or grad student or a high school boarder in your family, send us their info, too! Please email the appropriate information to [email protected] or fill out this form: http://tinyurl.com/churchcares.(The sooner, the better; but please no later than October 25.) JOIN JOHN FINNEY ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, AFTER THE WORSHIP SERVICE; LEARN ABOUT THE MUSIC THAT WILL BE PERFORMED DURING WORSHIP ON DECEMBER 10 Join John Finney in the Reception Room after worship on Sunday, November 5, to explore the music which will be performed during the worship service on Sunday December 10. We will learn about the composer, its historical context, and anything else John deems pertinent to enhance our understanding and musical appreciation of the piece we will hear. This event is co-sponsored by the Adult Education and Music Ministry Teams 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.

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SIGN UP TO TEACH CHURCH SCHOOL Teaching in the Church School is fun and rewarding – and it’s NOT HARD! It is a four week commitment, and full job descriptions for each role are available on the church website. If you are new to this role, the Children’s Ministry Team will teach you everything you need to know, pair you with an experienced teacher, and cover for you if you need to miss a Sunday. To sign up, go to the Children and Youth page on the church website or e-mail Sally at [email protected]. HONDURAS HOPE Participants will be commissioned and sent to Honduras in June of next year to work with our mission partner, Honduras Hope. Mission Trip applications are available outside the Church Office. Applications are due next Tuesday, October 31. Email [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.

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. 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]. 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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Adult Education at the Hills Church – Fall/Winter 2017 NOVEMBER 1, 8 AND 12 THE BOOK OF JOB AND THE PROBLEM OF SUFFERING: A THREE-PART SERIES Rev. Dr. Matthew Wooster, Senior Minister Wednesday evenings, November 1 and 8, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, November 12, after Worship, at 11:30 a.m. All sessions in the Reception Room The book of Job is a faithful response to the problem of suffering. The book of Job inspired Archibald Macleish's play J.B., which states the theological problem this way: "If God is God, God is not good; and if God is good, God is not God.” Each session will include both a presentation and discussion. Session 1: The problem of suffering – Why belief in God and the reality of suffering are difficult to reconcile. Session 2: The book of Job - An answer from the “wisdom writings” of our scripture. Session 3: Jesus Wept - The grief of Job and the grief of Jesus as models for us in the face of suffering. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 A CONTEXT TO BETTER ENJOY THE UPCOMING SPECIAL MUSIC John Finney, M.M., Director of Music Hills Church 11:30 am – Reception Room Join John Finney to explore the music which will be performed during the worship service on Sunday December 10. We will learn about the composer, its historical context, and anything else John deems pertinent to enhance our understanding and musical appreciation of the piece we will hear. Co-sponsored with the Music Ministry Team.. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18 CELEBRATING THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REFORMATION Rev. Dr. Mary Luti LOCATION AND TIME: TBD Rev. Dr. Mary Luti celebrates the United Church of Christ’s Reformation heritage by lifting up some of the Reformation’s central claims. There is beauty here. And ugliness too. Inasmuch as ideas can thrill, these ideas are thrilling. Brace yourself. LAY-LED WORSHIP SERVICES WEDNESDAY EVENINGS NOVEMBER 15, DECEMBER 6 Jim McKinney, M. Theological Studies, Harvard Divinity School, Hills Church member Dinner 6:00 pm – Reception Room Service 7:00 pm – Wallace Chapel

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HILLS CHURCH CALENDAR THURSDAY, October 26 9:30 a.m. Clergy Meeting This Sunday’s Scripture Readings 10:30 a.m. Staff Meeting Deuteronomy 34:1-12 6:30 p.m. New Beginnings Matthew 22:34-46 FRIDAY, October 27 7:00 p.m. AA Meeting SATURDAY, October 28 SUNDAY, October 29 – Service of Farewell – Rev. Pashington J. Obeng 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 – A Special Reception in honor of Pash and Vida Obeng 11:30 a.m. Children’s Choir 11:30 a.m. Confirmation Class 4:00 p.m. Hills Bells Rehearsal 5:00 p.m. Youth Group – College Care Packages 7:30 p.m. AA Meeting MONDAY, October 30 TUESDAY, October 31 7:30 p.m. Search Committee WEDNESDAY, November 1 10:00 a.m. Bible and the News 6:00 p.m. Adult Ed. Program – The Book of Job – Matt Wooster 8:00 p.m. Chancel Choir THURSDAY, November 2 9:30 a.m. Clergy Meeting 10:30 a.m. Staff Meeting 6:30 p.m. New Beginnings

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YOUTH MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES IT’S TIME FOR COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES! THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, AT 5:00 P.M. This Month’s Youth Group Topic has been: THANKS FOR SHARING: A Series on Loving Others And now, it is time for us to practice what we’ve learned! So, remember to mark your calendars for College Care Package Night – this Sunday, October 29 – when we come together to make Care Packages for our friends in college! NOVEMBER 4-5: FALL RETREAT We're kicking off this school year with a weekend retreat designed to help you connect with God and with each other. Get the details at https://www.facebook.com/hillschurchyouth/

COMING IN NOVEMBER: 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. on November 12 and 19. 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!

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES NEWS AND EVENTS TEACHERS NEEDED IN CHURCH SCHOOL We still need teachers for the fall months. Please consider teaching our children about God. We will train and support you! Contact: Sally Tomasetti @ [email protected] Or visit our website for more information. HAVE FUN WITH YOUR FAMILY! HELP AT THE PATCH! The Pumpkin Patch could still use more volunteers to staff the Patch between now and Halloween. Some of the hardest to fill slots are weekdays – so, if you are able, we would really welcome your assistance at those times. Working in the Patch is a great opportunity to meet new friends and catch up with old ones. It is also a great family activity! We encourage folks to sign up using SignUpGenius, so please sign up now. COLLECTING HALLOWEEN CANDY Happy Halloween! It is a candy filled day. We all love it a little toooo much, but don't need the overabundance lying around the house for months after. So, we have a solution! Bring it to church for our upcoming service project. Each Sunday during the 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 sing with friends, 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 ([email protected]). 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 in November! If you need knitting lessons or a refresher course, contact anyone on the Women's Ministry team. They would love to help.

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