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 First Congregational Church of Hamilton 

 

Exalting His Glory 

Enjoying His Fellowship

Proclaiming His Name

 

 

   

December 2017 Newsletter

 
In this issue
 
   


 
Dear Church Family,
As many of you know, this past week  Ken Swetland concluded his time serving our church as Pastoral Associate. We are exceedingly grateful to Ken and the ways in which he supported our community through a crisis period.  His pastoral care, coupled with his practical experience and training in helping churches through times of crisis, all proved to be a tremendous blessing. Ken and Anne love FCCH and they will continue to be engaged in the life of our beloved church, so if you see the Swetlands, be sure to express your thanks to them for how they have faithfully served!
 
Dr. David Horn begins today as our part-time Interim Senior Pastor. David is committed to supporting our pastors and staff, along with the congregation, through the next steps as we look to the future together.

Additionally, the Elders anticipate that an announcement will be made in the upcoming weeks regarding our Search Committee members and next steps.

I cannot express enough how exceedingly blessed I feel to have had the opportunity to serve FCCH.  I have never encountered a more intentional and loving community. Our church walls hold an assembly of people who are devoted to each other and committed to the Lord's leading.  It is this spirit that will allow our church to look to the future with great hope.  I believe that God is doing a mighty work among us.  It is my prayer that we would be able to discern His leading and in confidence respond to the work that lay ahead.

Pam
Pam Heintz
Elder Board Chair

 
Advent, Christmas and New Year's Eve Services


 

Sunday, December 3

  • Advent Procession Service at 6:00 p.m., Church Sanctuary
    We are still in need of a few cookie bakers for the reception
    following the service. Please sign up here
     

Sunday, December 24

  • One Worship service at 10:00 a.m.
  • Family Christmas Eve service at 4:00 p.m., Heritage Hall
  • Traditional Christmas Eve service at 6:00 p.m., Church Sanctuary

 

Sunday, December 31

  • One Worship service at 10:00 a.m.  
 
Winter Adult Sunday School Classes
January 7-February 11, 2017

Meet the Missionaries 
Did you know that many of the missionaries supported by our church are involved in outreach ministry right here in Massachusetts? Would you like to sit down with them for a personal chat and find out how God is changing lives through each ministry? The Missions Committee invites you to attend "Meet the Missionaries," a winter term Sunday school class which will run from January 7 through February 11, to be held in the Chapel. We are looking forward to welcoming the following local partners supported by FCCH:

January 7 - AMIRAH: Heather Thornburg, Program Director

January 14 - YOUNG LIFE: Rachel Steeg, Staff Associate, Boston North Shore

January 21 - INTERVARSITY: Mollie Clark, Campus Staff Minister, Boston North Shore; COMPASS: Bryn Clark, Program Director

January 28 - STRAIGHT AHEAD MINISTRIES: Jason Ludwig, Director of Institutional and Community Outreach

February 4 - WOMEN IN TRANSITION (WIT): Dr. Katherine Horvath, Volunteer WIT Chaplain; Jane Wells, WIT Volunteer; BRIDGE OF HOPE, Aline Wildes, Program Director

February 11 - Feruza Krason, Bible Translator

This will be a unique opportunity to learn together about the good work being done by these outreach organizations and to understand how we can encourage, support and pray for those in the field. Please join us!

Life-giving Relationships for Women
Women of all ages are invited to join us as Sharon Carlson leads us in discussion and activities designed to build life-giving relationships. This is a follow-up to our summer workshop where we learned about organic mentoring and intentionally sharing life together. You can check out the CD in our church library with an audio of the entire workshop and the accompanying slides and notes if you were not able to attend the summer workshop. We look forward to getting to know you!

Soulmates: Friendship, Fellowship, or Something In Between?  
'Community' is a slippery word. It's like stepping on gum on a busy street. You kind of know it is there on your shoe, but you're not altogether sure what it is. For six weeks we will explore the complexities and delights of what it means to be 'community' at First Congregational Church. Is it friendship? Or is it something else? What is required of us to be a true fellowship of believers of Jesus Christ? This class will be led by Interim Senior Pastor, David Horn and Pastor of Congregational Life, Kevin Baird. 

 
Life After 50 (LAF) Christmas Party 

You're invited to come to the home of John Clark at 26 Oakhurst Avenue, Ipswich, to celebrate the joy of the season next Sunday, December 10 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Last names beginning with A-L please bring an appetizer to share and M-Z bring a dessert or fruit to share. Hot and cold beverages will be provided. We will be putting Christmas gift boxes together for the women at Amirah House and collecting items for gift boxes for the women at Women In Transition. In loving memory of our beloved Sue, these boxes will include some of her jewelry and accessories. We will also be collecting the following items to include in these boxes: s hampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bars of soap, hair brushes and combs, body lotion, note paper, paperback books and fun socks.

If you are over 50 and new to our church or haven't attended a LAF gathering before, this is a perfect opportunity to come.  Please RSVP today!

John Clark
978-375-6329 cell
978-356-7301 home
 
Sunday Dinners in December

Sunday Dinners will be held December 10  

If you've brought new friends to the church and want them to connect with others, why not invite them to join you for dinner and some conversation. Or maybe you are looking for a way to meet some different people in our church; Sunday Dinners are perfect for this. We eat together, talk about the morning's sermon, and pray. There is onsite childcare, so bring your kids. Sign ups help us plan, so go here to let us know you are coming!

RSVP below for the December 10 Sunday Dinners

Interested in hosting a Sunday Dinner in 2018? Please c ontact Kerilyn Harkaway Krieger,  kerilyn.harkaway@gmail.com  

 


Important Dates in December

Saturday, December 2
All Church Workday, 9:00 a.m.
 
Women's Winter Workshop,
9:00 a.m., Heritage Hall 

Sunday, December 3
Advent Procession Service,
6:00 p.m., Church Sanctuary
 
Thursday, December 7, 14 & 21
Men's Morning Fitness,
6:00 a.m., 
Heritage Hall

Friday, December 14 & 22
Men's Drop-in Basketball,
6:00 a.m., Heritage Hall

Saturday, December 9
Bethlehem Experience, 
10:00 a.m., Ministry Center

Sunday, December 10
Sunday Dinners, 
Hamilton at 5:00 p.m.,
Topsfield at 12:45 p.m.

LAF Christmas Party,
2:00 p.m.,
John Clark's home, 
Ipswich

Sunday, December 17
Children's Sunday School
Christmas Assembly, 9:45 a.m.,
Heritage Hall

Sunday, December 24
One Worship Service at 10:00 a.m.
 
Christmas Eve Family Service, 
4:00 p.m.,  Heritage Hall
 
Christmas Eve Traditional Candlelight Service,
6:00 p.m., Church Sanctuary

Sunday, December 31
One Morning Worship Service,
10:00 a.m.
 
 

Children's Ministry  
 
 






Perfect event to invite family and friends!














Operation Christmas Child
 We want to thank you for the great outpouring of help with Operation Christmas Child this year.  With everyone's help and donations, the children and youth were able to pack, design individual cards, and pray over the shoeboxes during our Sunday School hour on November 19.  There was hustle, bustle, and joy!  In total, Alden Drake delivered 
227 
Operation Christmas Child boxes to the East Baptist Church in Lynn!  Long before the shoeboxes arrive in more than 100 countries, Operation Christmas Child volunteers train pastors and community leaders who want to share the message of the Gospel and bless children.  The leaders learn how to host a child-friendly outreach event and how to implement "The Greatest Journey" follow-up disciple program.  Please continue to pray for each of the children receiving these shoebox gifts during the Christmas season that it will bring great joy and a great message.  Thank you again!




Christine
Christine Hendrickson
Early Childhood Director  

Kathy 
Kathy Lindsay
Elementary Children's Director  

 
  
Men's Ministry

Men's Morning Workout
Come get a workout from 6:00-7:00 a.m. each Thursday in Heritage Hall. We do a variety of exercises and finish our workout in prayer. This group is open to men of all ages and fitness levels, so bring your friends. 
Jim Beville,  jamesjbeville@gmail.com

Men's Basketball
Join us Friday mornings at 6:00 a.m. in Heritage Hall for a drop-in game of basketball. Contact Pastor Kevin for more information, kbaird@fcchamilton.org
 

Women's Ministry
 



Life-giving Relationships for Women Sunday School Class
Women of all ages are invited to join us as Sharon Carlson leads us in discussion and activities designed to build life-giving relationships. This is a follow-up to our summer workshop where we learned about organic mentoring and intentionally sharing life together. You can check out the CD in our church library with an audio of the entire workshop and the accompanying slides and notes if you were not able to attend the summer workshop. We look forward to getting to know you!
 
Margot
Margot Rox
Director of Women's Ministry 
 
Youth Ministry

Youth Group Christmas Parties 
Please join us for our annual High School and Middle School Christmas Parties, during Youth Group December 12 and 13 respectively! These are  lighthearted celebrations with games, food, and Yankee Swap-a great time to invite a friend to join us! 

Registration Now Live for Deep Freeze 2018! 
Sign up today! BIG NEWS! FCC Hamilton Youth Ministry is collaborating with three other churches to rent out our OWN weekend of Deep Freeze at Berea!  The dates are January 26-28, and we want your student to make plans to join us. The cost is $160 for all transportation, meals, lodging, and activities (excluding paintball). Scholarships and payment plans available.   Sign-up here!  


  • High School Youth Group (Tuesdays, 6:45-8:30 p.m.) 
    Join us for a break from the daily grind with games, food, friends, and conversation about authentic faith!  We're on Christmas Break December 18 through January 6! Hope to see you at our special holiday services: Christmas Eve (Dec. 24)-at 10:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.; New Year's Eve (December 31)-at 10:00 a.m.  
     
  • Middle School Youth Group (Wednesdays, 6:45-8:30 p.m.) 
    The best night of the week is at it again! 6th, 7th, and 8th graders and their friends are invited to join us every Wednesday night. Don't miss all the high-energy games, worship, teaching, and small group breakouts as we talk this year about Encounters with Jesus! We're on Christmas Break December 18 through January 6! Hope to see you at our special holiday services: Christmas Eve (Dec. 24)-at 10:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.; New Year's Eve (December 31)-at 10:00 a.m.
  • Youth Sunday School Classes (9:45-10:45 every Sunday!)  We're on Christmas Break December 18 through January 6! Hope to see you at our special holiday services: Christmas Eve (Dec. 24)-at 10:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.; New Year's Eve (December 31)-at 10:00 a.m.
    6th Graders meet in Room 11 on the first floor of the Ministry Center
    7th & 8th Graders meet in the CafĂ© (adjacent to the Ministry Center kitchen)
    High Schoolers meet in the Barn. 
 
 
Because of Christ,

Chelsea
Chelsea Erickson
Youth Pastor 
 

Follow FCCH Youth!
FCCH Youth is on social media! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter at FCCH_Youth for event updates and more!
  

Quick Links...

This FCCH Newsletter is e-mailed on a monthly basis. If you would like to submit information for inclusion in the next edition, please e-mail Cece Gough at cmgough@fcchamilton.org.

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