Chime Notes - February 2025

Chime Notes news & updates

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February 2025 | Issue 122

Upcoming Events

Sunday Worship this month

February 2-9-16-23

Guest preachers

2/16 Debra Adams

2/23 Amanda Grant-Rose

President's Day Holiday

February 17, 2025

Ash Wednesday

March 5

LENT BEGINS

In addition to our in-person worship, we will continue to use ZOOM to broadcast the 10 AM Sunday Worship Service, which is also streamed to Facebook Live.

Coffee hour is after worship, in Clarke Hall, with fans moving the air.

Great thanks to our team of ushers and coffee hour hosts.

Coffee and Conversations is run by lay leaders, and is a time of discussion and reflection about the day's scripture. We meet at 9:10 on non-Communion Sundays, and finish by 9:55. Meeting dates for February are:

February 16 and 23

Winter Walk

On Sunday, February 9, 2025, hundreds of walkers braved

the cold and snow

to support the

2025 Winter Walk!

For those of us who were unable

to walk on February 9,

we will gather at First Church

at 9 AM on Monday,

February 17

to walk the sidewalk

along Lynn Beach!

There will be a community breakfast after the walk at the church at 10 AM.

Please join us!

The passing of our friend,

Rita Brusket

On February 13, 2025, our friend, Rita Brusket, died peacefully.

Over many years, Rita's presence was felt at church through Communion preparation, helping with Sunday coffee, offering a gentle hug and warm conversations.

Services and a celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Godspeed, sister Rita!

California Wildfire

Benefit Concert

On Sunday, February 2, 2025, the Riverside Renaissance Swing Band performed at First Church to an engaging crowd of more than 120 people!

We used every chair we could find!

The event raised more than $2,500

to support the

2025 California Wildfire victims.

Thanks for all of your support!

We hope you enjoyed this fantastic show!

The Christmas Offering

The First Church Missions Team gathered this year's Christmas offerings through January 15, 2025. A $3,000 donation was made to the Massachusetts Interfaith New Neighbor Coalition* to support their work in aiding new immigrants coming to the U.S. This year's donations also included a number of Welcome Baby bags and other clothing donations.

Thank you to all for your generosity!

*The Massachusetts Interfaith New Neighbors Coalition includes the following partners: Massachusetts Council of Churches, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, UniteBoston, Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston/Ten Point Coalition, Capuchin Mobile Ministries, UU Mass. Action Network, Episcopal City Mission, Boston Faith & Justice Network, SEND Relief Boston, Worcester Area Mission Society, Circle of Hope, Jewish Family Services (JFS) MetroWest, and the MIRA (Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy) Coalition.

Upcoming Missions Opportunities

Only a few short weeks until

the International Food Fair to support

Habitat for Humanity is happening!!!!

Please join the fun on Saturday, March 8, 2025

from 11 AM to 2 PM for this fantastic event

to enjoy foods from around the world,

a wonderful Silent Auction,

and to learn about the current building projects

happening in our communities!

Please contact Debbie Nutter, Food Fair Chairperson,

with your questions about ways to engage

with the food tables and Silent Auction!

Volunteers are needed for set up and

helping on the day of the Food Fair and clean up.

There is a Volunteer Sign Up sheet on the Opportunities Table.

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.

For fear has to do with punishment,

and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."

1 John 4:18

We are back doing the work of the church, from weekly worship to meetings to activities! Come join us!

This issue of Chime Notes has been prepared by Sharon Thomas.

Please reach out to me via email if you have suggestions for future editions!

The First Church in Swampscott (MA) | [Website]