Volume 3, Issue 17, January 12, 2017 www.hillschurch.org ...

Volume 3, Issue 17, January 12, 2017

www.hillschurch.org OPPORTUNITIES

PLEASE SAVE THESE DATES Stewards Open Forum (2017 Budget Review) Sunday, January 22 WHCC 2016 Annual Meeting Sunday, January 29

HAVEN’T PLEDGED YET? If you have not yet submitted your 2017 pledge, please take a minute to complete your pledge card and mail it back to the church today. Thank you.

Would you like to become a member of the Hills Church? The next Joining Sunday will be February 12, 2017. Please join clergy and church members in the Reception Room for a series of two Membership Classes – the first is this Sunday, January 15, and the second is on Sunday, January 22. Both classes will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will finish in time for participants to attend the 10:00 a.m. Worship Service. These classes will cover 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. RSVP to the church office at 781-235-4424, ext 210 or via email to [email protected].

MARTIN LUTHER KING WEEKEND OF SERVICE JANUARY 14-16 Hills Church is planning a weekend of service in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. THIS SATURDAY: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BUILD

Habitat for Humanity gives low-income families a chance at homeownership, providing them a “hand up, not a hand out.” As part of our Weekend of Service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. the next WHCC Habitat workday is this Saturday, January 14. We will leave the church at 7:30, returning by 5:00 p.m. The work varies – from building and insulating walls – to clearing debris and painting. Construction is limited to ten folks (16 years old and older), and this Saturday’s roster is full – but keep Habitat in mind for your next service commitment. If construction is too much for you, we are also sending a group to ReStore, the Habitat warehouse of used furniture and building supplies. Proceeds from this store pay for two houses annually. Our group will work in the warehouse; sorting, moving stock, etc. We will leave the church at 9:00 a.m. and return by 1:00 p.m. THIS SUNDAY: ALL CHURCH HOUR OF SERVICE

Wear your work clothes to church this Sunday and join us for an hour of concentrated, hands-on community service after worship. We’ll have the opportunity to: • Make cards and care packages for people in need of love • Re-vamp the third floor Youth Room • Assemble dining room tables for families coming out of the shelter system • Bake for the Wellesley Food Pantry • ...and more! THIS MONDAY: MLK DAY OFF, DAY ON Make fleece scarves and blankets for homeless children and adults. Make Valentines for elders and veterans. Sort food, winter clothing, books and toiletries for people in need and more. Don’t come 2 empty handed! Bring a can of food, gently used winter clothing or a children’s book for someone in

need. All ages welcome! Leaving the church at 1:00 p.m., returning by 6:00 p.m. All ages of helping hands welcome! Please sign up for these opportunities now by calling the church office or emailing [email protected].

FOOD AND CLOTHING DRIVE FOR MLK WEEKEND

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:35)

This Sunday, January 15, we’ll have a variety of opportunities to share and to serve. Please consider bringing with you to church donations for the homeless and hungry in our community: • Canned goods and hygiene items • New socks and underwear (preferably men’s, all sizes) • Used outdoor weather clothing, gear, and backpacks COME FOR A LAY-LAY WORSHIP SERVICE AND DINNER – NEXT WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18 The Lectionary readings for our next Lay-Led Service are from the Old Testament book of Micah and the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. The reading from Micah contains perhaps the most familiar verse of the Old Testament, if not our entire Bible. “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God.” Despite its familiarity, it is a verse I need to contemplate every day. In the words of Paul, I sometimes have a tendency to get just a bit “puffed up” even though, as most of you know, I have very little to be puffed up about. I have become convinced that during our last election campaign many of us became a little puffed up, and we certainly experienced a bursting of our bubble. Since the election, I have been reading the book Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance and next Wednesday evening, January 18, I would like to explore some lessons about humility I have taken from that book, from my experience with the recent election, and from both the Prophet Micah and the Apostle Paul. Join us for dinner at 6:00 p.m. – and stay for the service at 7:00 p.m. CHILDREN’S BOOK COLLECTION The church is collecting children’s books throughout the month of February for the benefit of The Grow Clinic at Boston Medical Center. Collection bins will be inside the church entrances for your new and gently used children’s books. At the end of February, all books collected will be donated to The Grow Clinic – where they will be given to children who are either receiving treatments at the Clinic – or waiting for a sibling who is in treatment. This picture was taken after our donation last year. For more information about the Clinic, visit www.bmc.org/pediatrics-growclinic.htm. Questions? Contact Donna McCabe [email protected]

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SUPER SUBS ARE COMING! Sunday, February 5, Hills Church will take part in a tradition two decades in the making: putting together sub sandwiches for our Super Bowl parties and for our neighbors experiencing hunger and homelessness. This year, the organizing team is taking on apprentices. If you’re interested in a high-impact, shortcommitment way to serve your church and the community, e-mail Katherine Blaisdell – [email protected]. WOMEN'S MINISTRY NEEDS KNITTERS! As we welcome with joy the many new babies in our midst, we need to restock our supply of baptismal blankets. These blankets are given as a symbol of the care and love that we as a congregation promise to these new members of our church family. Women's Ministry will be happy to provide you with yarn and a pattern, if you'd like to knit one (or more!) of these blankets. Contact Laurie Otten at [email protected]. BEING A HILLS CHURCH GREETER IS SURE TO PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE! Join a Greeter Ministry Team and greet regularly – or just once a year! It's up to you! As a greeter, you can help us set the tone for worship, as a place where all are warmly received. The task involves being at one of the doors by 9:40 a.m., with a name tag and a welcoming smile - ready to offer handshakes and greetings to members and visitors arriving for worship. We especially LOVE children and youth greeters. Your responsibilities end when the worship hour begins. If you would like to join the Greeting Ministry, please contact Becky Williams ([email protected]) or Jeff Thomas ([email protected]) 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-toperson 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 to usher at an upcoming service, please CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK or contact Cindy Jaczko – [email protected].

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WELLESLEY HILLS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH CALL TO ANNUAL MEETING – SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2017

The members of the First Congregational Church in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, qualified to vote, are hereby notified that the Annual Meeting of said church will be held on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at approximately 11:00 AM, immediately following the Sunday worship service, to act upon the following articles: Article I. To choose, if necessary, a chairperson to preside over said meeting. Article II. To hear and act upon the reports of the clerk, treasurer, auditors, Church Council, Board of Deacons, Stewards Support Board, and of such other officers and governing bodies as may be present. Article III. To elect a moderator, clerk, assistant clerk, treasurer, assistant treasurer, deacons, and such other officers and members of governing bodies as the Church may require for the ensuing year. Article IV. To review and act upon the Budget for the Church for the coming year, as presented by the Stewards Support Board and supported by Church Council, to meet the expenses, the benevolences and any indebtedness of the Church, with funds to be raised as indicated. Article V. To transact any other business not included in the above which may legally come before the meeting. Richard J. Sweeting, Clerk 8 January 2017

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YOUTH MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES MARTIN LUTHER KING WEEKEND OF SERVICE

This Sunday, January 15: All Church Service Day and Youth Room Makeover Monday, January 16: Community Service This Sunday, people will be all over the church doing projects for the congregation and the wider community. The special youth project will be a revamp of the youth room, and we want your input! Email Rev. Katherine with paint color ideas, suggestions for table games, etc. On Monday, we'll honor the legacy of Rev. King by serving our wider community. Sign up shortly.

SAVE THESE DATES FOR SPRING

SUPER BOWL SUBS: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5 Wake up bright and early to make superb super bowl sub sandwiches. Meet in the Assembly Room at 8:00 a.m. Please sign up here http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EA4AC2EA3F58superbowl to indicate your commitment to serve -- this is a big youth event! GLOBAL GATEWAY SERVICE RETREAT: FEBRUARY 10-12 Who: Junior High School Youth (Grades 7-8) Where: Heifer Farm, Rutland, MA What: Global Gateway participants experience the daily struggles people in poverty face every day. Participants are given little– just some simple ingredients – and before they can eat, they build a fire and cook their own meal. The challenge continues on into the night as they sleep in simple housing, such as a Peruvian clay house. Participants in the two-night program gain a deeper understanding of sustainable agriculture and life on the farm by participating in evening chores and enjoying a farm dinner on their first night. By living the lessons of poverty first-hand, participants come to understand the complications surrounding hunger and poverty and see their connection in creating change that brings possibility and hope to millions around the world. CONFIRMATION RETREAT: MARCH 10-11 Who: Confirmation Class Where: Prindle Pond What: Join with the confirmation classes of churches in Massachusetts and New England. This year’s theme: “Not That Kind of Christian: Re-articulating Faith for a New Generation.” The mainstream view of Christianity among young people is not very favorable. Many youth and young adults see Christians as hypocritical, judgmental, anti-gay, and out of touch with reality. At our Retreat, we will address some of those stereotypes head on about what it means in our setting to be a follower of Jesus. CITY REACH SERVICE RETREAT: MARCH 24-25 Who: High School Youth (Grades 9-12) Where: Downtown Boston What: CityReach gives young people and adults a chance to learn about homelessness from people who have experienced it, and may be still experiencing it. At CityReach we will also participate in our ministry with poor and homeless people by offering hospitality, food, and clothing to guests on Saturday morning inside the church and/or outside in downtown Boston as a street outreach team.

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HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH RETREAT: APRIL 28-30 Who: Grades 9-12 Where: TBA What: Hills Church Olympics, sardines, great food, and music.

HILLS CHURCH CALENDAR THURSDAY,

January 12

9:30 a.m. Clergy Meeting This Sunday’s Scripture Readings: 10:30 a.m. Staff Meeting Isaiah 49:1-7 1:00 p.m. North Hill Tea John 1:29-42 6:30 p.m. New Beginnings FRIDAY, January 13 7:30 p.m. Connections (at the home of Meg Sweeting, 61 Kenilworth Road in Wellesley) 7:30 p.m. AA Meeting SATURDAY, January 14 – Habitat Build SUNDAY, January 15 – All Church Service Day 8:30 a.m. Membership Class 9:00 a.m. Lectionary Bible Study 10:00 a.m. Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast and Service Projects Kick-off 11:30 a.m. Children’s Choir 4:00 p.m. Hills Bells Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. AA Meeting MONDAY, January 16 – Martin Luther King Day (Church Office Closed) 1:00 p.m. Confirmation Class and Youth Group Service Day TUESDAY, January 17 WEDNESDAY, January 18 6:00 p.m. Lay-led Worship Service and Dinner 8:00 p.m. Chancel Choir THURSDAY, January 19 9:30 a.m. Clergy Meeting 10:30 a.m. Staff Meeting 6:30 p.m. New Beginnings 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 Sunday Orders of Worship Submissions are due Fridays by 5:00 p.m.

Submissions are due Monday by 5:00 p.m.

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