February 15, 2018 • First Week of Lent
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The Third Pillar of Wisdom: Enlightenment
Do you like fortune cookies?
Honestly, who doesn’t enjoy some free wisdom inside a cookie?!
Like the Corinthian church years ago, we are prone to settle for “fortune cookie wisdom”—pithy sayings, shiny new perspectives and prudent-sounding adages. The culture is hungry for wisdom and many feel confident to offer it in self-help literature, greeting cards, daily planners, memes, and even, fortune cookies.
But what is genuine wisdom?
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Pastor Tom will be preaching this Sunday on the fourth “Pillar of Wisdom,”
Taking the Long View.
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Announcements and Upcoming Events
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Prayer Vigil Next Thursday, February 22, for Cheryl Alexander
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Cheryl Alexander reports that recent scans show the chemo is working and the tumors have shrunk. Blood tests show that the cancer cells have decreased dramatically! Praise the Lord! She has just started her fourth cycle of chemo and will have 2 more, which takes her through March.
As Cheryl continues to battle this cancer, we want to pray that the Lord give her and her family the hope, the strength and the courage they need each and every day. Please join us in prayer by signing up to be part of a prayer vigil that we have set up for next Thursday, February 22. To sign up, click here or go to
bit.ly/tccprays.
“The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:5&6, (ESV)
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Grief Group Begins February 27
A new Grief Group begins on February 27 and will meet weekly on Tuesday nights, 6:30 - 8:00p, for 12 weeks. We will use the book “Understanding Your Grief” by Alan Wolfelt as a format for discussion.
If you are in need of support, encouragement and understanding around the death of someone you love, please consider joining this group. One recent group participant expressed “this group provided a safe place to process my grief through the lens of faith with those who understand.” Perhaps this group could be helpful to you in your grief journey.
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Girl's Night Out - 2/27 @ 7-9p
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Women of all ages are invited to join Girl’s Night Out for Game Night. We’ll be gathering at Sue Wiggill’s home in Weston for games, snacks, fun and laughter! And feel free to invite a friend. Please RSVP to Cathy Koerwer at [email protected].
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Men's Fellowship Group - Brainstorming session 2/28 @ 7pm
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Building men's fellowship and discipleship is a top priority for TCC and for Tom, Adam and many of us; we are blessed with a multigenerational group of men who lean on Christ as their Lord and Savior. We are inviting you to a brainstorming session on Wed 28th Feb. 7-830 to brainstorm about how we can move forward with different ideas. We are thinking of many ideas - dinners. retreats, discipleship, community service. Would you please come and brainstorm with us?
Please sign up here!
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Sundays and Winter Weather
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It's winter! When snowstorms happen leading into Sunday morning, we will update the church
by 7p on Saturday Night via the following channels:
Church Voicemail: 508-358-7717
News: WBZ Radio and CBSboston.com
On Sunday mornings, we may potentially cancel the 9:30 service (along with all LTA and Student Ministry Programming) and just have the 11a service. In this case, there would not be any Student Ministry or Children's Programming at the 11a service.
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As always, please use your own discretion before traveling in any questionable weather. If you are scheduled to serve on a Sunday morning but are unable to safely travel to church, please contact your ministry leader.
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Free lectures on the Christian faith, theology, and culture.
This week:Feb 16th
Skills for Being Human in Pornified Culture
Joshua Chestnut
Lectures start at 8pm
49 Lynbrook Road
Southborough, MA 01772
Other upcoming lectures include:
Feb 23 Anna Friedrich- Creative Devotion
March 2 Linny Dey- Humanity's Rush toward Self-destruction as Described in C.S. Lewis's The Abolition of Man
March 16 Dave Friedrich- Is God a Social Construct?
March 23 Ben Keyes- Gratitude Part II. The Tug-of-War between Entitlement and Thankfulness
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Winter Seminar at L’Abri, “To Live in Peace in a World with Conflict”
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The apostle Paul wrote, “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18). Conflict between people is important to God. Some of that conflict is either avoidable or resolvable. Some of that, in turn, depends on us to be the ones to make peace. We will be working on the great challenge of how to do this in our relationships with each other.
Friday night March 9th: Dick Keyes-
How Important is Interpersonal Conflict? – A God’s Eye View
Saturday morning March 10th: Dick Keyes-
Can Conflict be Outmaneuvered Before it starts? – Early Peacemaking
Saturday afternoon March 10th: Dick Keyes-
The Challenge of Conflict Resolution – Confession, Forgiveness and Reproof
49 Lynbrook Road
Southborough, MA 01772
*If you would like to join us for the day on Saturday, please email us your reservation NO LATER THAN Thursday, March 5th to [email protected]. The seminar is free, although there is a suggested donation of $5.00 to offset the cost of lunch on Saturday.
*The Saturday portion of this seminar is being given in conjunction with our lecture on Friday evening, March 9th. Attendance both days is not required.
*Limited overnight accommodations may be available at L'Abri on the evening of Friday, March 9th. Please email [email protected] if you would like to add your name to the waiting list for overnight accommodations, and you will be notified if/when space becomes available.
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Music and Worship Ministries
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Just two more evensong services this lenten season:
- March 14
- March 21
Join us!
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Sacred Music Concert with Westgate Church
May 19, 2018
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It's back! After an amazing program in 2016, we're gearing up for a fantastic new concert
with original music by Adam Kurihara plus classical and contemporary works for choir and orchestra. Drew Halberstat and Adam Kurihara conduct.
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Family Movie Night!
February 23rd, 5p-8p
Join us for a family movie night. We will be watching Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.
We will be providing the pizza, popcorn and drinks. Bring your blankets and favorite stuffed animals. Feel free to wear your pajamas!
Bring your friends and neighbors too!
Sign up at the CM check-in desk!
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No Mom and Me Play Day Next Week, Monday, February 19!
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It’s school vacation!
The last Play Day of the season will be Monday, February 26th. Consider bringing your infant - preschool children, your friends and neighbors and their preschool children to TCC for a play date. We’re opening the gym and one preschool room for free play on Mondays between 9-11a. Contact Gail Hughson with any questions.
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On Call Children’s Ministries Workers Needed!
We are blessed to have so many babies and children in Children’s Ministries on Sundays. Sometimes we have two babies and sometimes we have eight! We are in need of “on call” Children’s Ministry Staff that would be on call once a month for the crib room and grade 2-3 boys. Just show up to work before service begins, and if you are not needed, you can go to service! Would you consider serving? Please contact Gail Hughson for more information and to sign up.
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Due to the Guatemala trip, there will be no Student Ministries Programming from Sunday, February 18 – Monday, February 26.
This means:
1. NO Student Ministries Worship Service THIS SUNDAY or Next!
2. NO HS Small Groups This Sunday...
3. No MS Midweek Next Wednesday....Enjoy School Vacation!
Our Guatemala Team Heads Out Tomorrow Night!
Our High School Mission Trip is heading to San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala with Promised Land Ministries (PLM) from Feb 16-25, 2018. This year our team consists of 22 students and 4 leaders:
Kyle & Christie Smethurst
Jen, Morgan & Abby Calverley
Mia Mazakopos
Emily & Miranda Pomphrett
Michael & Qian Long
Will Munroe
Ben Clifford
Rachel Crane
Phoebe Felopulos
Sam Wolff
Ian & Megan Armstrong
Dan, Griffin & Jeff Williams
Leilan Bennett
Allie Nunn
Darcy Foreman
Hartley Peck
Grace & Luke Johnson
On Sunday (Feb. 18) our group will be facilitating a neighborhood soup kitchen in the morning. During the afternoon we will be sharing the Gospel through “God Conversations” with local residents. In the evening we will be worshipping at a local church service.
The rest of the week our group will be helping build homes, eco-stoves and a fence which will secure PLM’s new feeding program site. Please pray that God would bless the Guatemalan people with the grace of the Gospel and the needed material provision.
Each day, our group will gather at 4:45PM (EST) for “Porch Time Conversations,” a 15-minute message and intensive debrief discussion. We desperately need to hear from God as we strive to better understand God’s Word and faithfully process our experiences. Please pray that God would transform our hearts and minds to treasure Jesus more deeply and discern his will more clearly.
They will return on Sunday, February 25 and will share their experiences with TCC in the service on Sunday, March 11.
The 2018 Sports Outreach Trip is happening this Summer, July 6-14, 2018! Don't miss this chance to compete against high school basketball and soccer teams in the Solola Region of Guatemala. This trip is for current Juniors/Seniors and College-Aged Students.
Click here for a Trip Overview. If you would like more information and an application, please email [email protected]
Berea Summer Camp 2018
Our Group is headed back to
Berea this Summer for Jr/Sr High Session #3, July 29th-Aug 4th! Register at Berea.org for this amazing week of Wacky Ball, Blobbing, Worship, Amazing Meals, Gaga, Inspiring Messages and More. Please email [email protected] to let us know that you've signed up!
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Volunteers Needed for Student Ministries!
Pancakes Cooks Needed
Help students start Sunday mornings with full bellies! You can serve AND make it to worship service on time-begin cooking at 8:55a and finish by 9:30a. All supplies are provided.
Midweek Meals
On Wednesday evenings, before Middle School Midweek, our Student Leadership meets for fellowship and to prepare for the activities of the evening. Since they meet during the dinner hour, we need meals to feed 10.
Please contact Jen Calverley or Nancy Griffin at 508-358-7717 or email [email protected] to sign up!
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Adult Ministries and Bible Studies
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Men’s Evening Bible Study – Wednesdays 7:30-8:30p
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Join us for a Men's Bible Study in the Book of Daniel. This will be a 6-week study of the life of Daniel with a focus on his wisdom in navigating the treacherous cultural waters of Babylon (Ps 137) that were hostile to anything remotely God-centered. How did he survive and even thrive in this context? How do we survive and thrive in our Babylonian setting of a sophisticated, digital world which seemingly has no room for God and His laws? Come and join us for a winter blast of ancient wisdom!
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Knit Together (K-Tog)
Mondays at 10a-12p & 7p-9p in the parlor.
People of all ages and experience levels invited to this informal knitting group.
Questions: Susan Foster 508-358-5852
With Thanks:
K-tog and Westgate Church knitters/ crocheters created over 60 hats!!!! The fellow at the Heart Association said last year they received 1,000 hats. THIS year - over 4,000!!!!! What a blessing for the mothers and babies!
The Little Hats will be distributed to Boston area hospitals, as well as hospitals all over Massachusetts! Such a wonderful opportunity to serve and gift others!
We knitters and crocheters are gifted also by sharing our talents with others.
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LIFE Groups
The new year is a great time to join a LIFE Group! New groups just kicked off last fall and there are still a few spots open. Contact
Pastor Kyle to get plugged in today!
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Saturday Morning Saints
Men’s Bible Study
Light breakfast and Bible Study from
7:30a-9:00a. All men are welcome to join us!
For more information, contact:
or
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Wednesday Morning Bible Study Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30a
This class is taught by Rev. Allan Baldwin. Join us as we explore John’s Gospel and its focus on knowing, serving, and enjoying Jesus Christ.
Wednesday Bible Study Podcasts
Visit
http://tccspecial.podbean.com/ to hear our Wednesday Bible Study teachings. You can also find the link to the recordings on our website; on the bottom of the TCC Sermons page is a "Special Event Recordings" link.
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Mom to Mom
January 5 - May 11
Friday mornings, 9:30a - 11:15a
"Mom to Mom makes me a better mom as it 'gives me support' along the way...
Mom to Mom meets weekly to address issues and needs of women and family, guided by Biblical principles. We offer encouragement, compassion, and support to moms with children of all ages living at home. Any mom, independent of religious affiliation, is invited to join us.
Mom to Mom also offers a wonderful Christian Children's Ministry Program for infants through kindergartners. There are crafts, music, games and Bible stories for toddlers on up. A loving and responsible children's team offers your kids the best!
Please note that moms and children must be pre-registered. Placement in the children's program is offered on a first come, first served basis.
Please register on-line here.
The program registration fee is $55/year and scholarships are available.
The children’s program fee is $75/year and scholarships are available.
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Women's Bible Study
January 4 - April 12
Thursday mornings, 9:15a - 11:00p
Thursday morning Women’s Bible Study (WBS) is currently studying the Book of Acts, taught by Rachael Frase from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. How did Christianity start and spread? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the church? Come enjoy morning coffee and fellowship with friends and learn through the Book of Acts how the gospel turns the world upside down! WBS meets on Thursday mornings from 9:15-11:00A. The Winter/Spring session January 4 - April 12. Cost is $50 for the entire year plus $75 for childcare.
Please register on line here. If you have additional questions, contact Amy Canute at
[email protected].
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Greeting Ministry
Especially important at this time of the year - greeters stand in the lobby and doors to help people into the building safely. Arrive at 9am and help us foster a welcoming community.
If you would like to serve as a Greeter on Sunday mornings, email
[email protected]
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Usher Ministry
Ushers are absolutely critical in helping newcomers form their first impression of TCC. You help set the tone for the worship experience to come. You are representatives of God’s kingdom. You’re not just opening doors, providing information, handing out bulletins or collecting the offering, you are making people feel welcome!
Sunday Hospitality / Coffee Hour
If you enjoy having a cup of coffee while chatting with others during the 10:30 Fellowship time, please sign-up (alone or with your Small Group) to host a coffee hour!
You don’t even have to provide snacks – just make, set up and then clean up the coffee and tea
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(Easy instructions provided – click here to see what is involved!)
Participation gives you and your group an opportunity to serve the Lord and is greatly appreciated by your fellow members
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Counters
Are you accurate and reliable? Volunteers count the weekly offering (mostly checks for deposit) each Sunday, and we are in need of new helpers. Offering counters work in pairs.
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This year we are partnering with three local organizations to help us achieve the greatest impact in serving our community. We believe that working alongside local Christian organizations is the best way to serve our community. We also believe that serving the poor is an essential part of the Christian faith. If you are not yet involved in one of these ministries, sign up yourself and/or your LIFE group today!
For more information, please contact Jen Calverley or Nancy Griffin at 508-358-7717 or email [email protected].
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The Bridge House
The Bridge House, located in Framingham, is a faith-based recovery home for men with substance abuse problems. Their program provides individualized treatment including counseling to support the spiritual, physical, social and intellectual health of each person in recovery. TCC would like to provide a meal for 50 to Bridge House every month.
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Salvation Army/United Way Pearl Street Cafe
The Framingham SA has officially begun their new partnership with the
Pearl Street Cafe & Cupboard
, a program of the United Way. Just like the Miracle Kitchen, this new program provides dinner for 50-100 people every weeknight. TCC will provide 12 volunteers to serve dinner there every 1st and 5th Monday of the month from 4:30-7p.
We no longer need to prepare meals...just serve the ones prepared by the United Way staff.
There is no age restriction on the volunteers. We hope you will join us and serve!
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Open Table
Open Table is a local food pantry located in Maynard. We have short opening and closing shifts on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings to serve. Adults and High School age students can volunteer at the Open Table food pantry.
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The TCC food pantry, "Loaves & Fishes" is well stocked!
Please advise your family and friends that "Loaves & Fishes" is available for those who can use some assistance with non-perishable foods and basic necessities.
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
Luke 12: 48
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