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First Congregational Church of Hamilton
Exalting His Glory
Enjoying His Fellowship
Proclaiming His Name
September 2017 Newsletter |
Autumn is famous in New England as a time of beauty and transition, and so our church enters this season also deep in transition, but with some of us searching for the beauty that's normally such an integral part of our congregational life.
The resignation of Dori Little has shaken our church family. For two decades, Dori led our congregation with compassion, steadiness and insight. But he ends his ministry with us acknowledging mistakes. The suddenness of his departure leaves a void we can't immediately fill. Pastors are there in our small moments of despair and weakness, as well as for the most memorable days of our lives. We weren't prepared for the absence of a man who has been with us through so many of those, and we feel it.
But our church has never been about one man, one board, one committee or the mistakes we all make as we try to live by Christ's example. In the early days of this transition, the Elder Board has been struck by our church's commitment to unity over division, and to carrying on the work to which God has called our congregation. God's faithfulness to FCCH has been on vivid display throughout our 300 years, and that continues now. We move forward leaning on the strength our Lord offers in abundance, and confident of the love and protection Christ has promised us, His church, His bride. There is real beauty there.
The Board of Elders
Pam Heintz, Chair
Doug Birdsall
Sharon Carlson
Jennifer Drake
David Horn
Jay Linsday
"In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
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Fall Worship Schedule & Sermon Series
On Sunday, September 10, we return to our regular schedule of two worship services at
8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in the church sanctuary. Sunday school for nursery through grade 8 begins as well. Adults and high school students are invited to the Welcome Back Coffee at 9:45 a.m. in Heritage Hall.
Fall Sermon Series: "Trouble, with Wisdom: A Journey with Job"
This fall, we will be journeying together through the book of Job in a twelve part sermon series. Set amidst a background of cosmic conflict between God and Satan, Job is the story of a righteous man who suddenly loses everything he holds dear, and struggles to make sense of what has happened to him. He and his friends push against the limits of wisdom as they debate the nature of humanity, the mysteries of creation, and the justice of God -- until at last God breaks his silence and speaks the final word. It is a journey through intense suffering to a hard-won hope.
On Sunday, September 17, Sean McDonough will begin the preaching series with a message entitled,
Job's Uprightness - The Reality of Innocent Suffering.
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Adult Sunday School Begins September 17
- The Gospel of John
led by Eckhard Schnabel
- The Life of David
led by Paul Edwards
- What is the Church
led by Kirsten Sanders
- Acts: Missions and Spiritual Disciplines
led by Doug Birdsall and Brian Diehl
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Reformation Celebration Conference
Consider attending the
Reformation Celebration Conference, a free conference to be held at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, October 26 - 28th.
The
Reformation Celebration Conference is on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, and is open to all. Given the profound Church and history shaping nature of the Protestant Reformation, the opportunity to attend a conference of this significance, with its many stimulating and enriching lectures, is a privilege right on our doorstep. In addition, the conference features more than a few members of FCCH as speakers!
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Serving our Community
Home Mission Groups return this fall as we
partner with three organizations to meet needs in our local communities. Home Mission Groups combine two fundamental catalysts for spiritual growth and maturity: Service and Scripture. Groups will serve with their ministry partner one week and meet for a Bible study the following week. This basic structure will continue throughout each session. These groups are high commitment with a specific duration.
We continue our service commitment begun last year with:
- Blueberry Hill Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
Two sessions offered: October to January, February to June
- Amirah House
One session offered: October to June
New this fall ~
Prison Ministry in Middleton
Prayerfully consider joining a group. Sign ups will begin next week.
Lifebridge Bible Study
Consider becoming a part of the Friday evening Bible study led by members of our congregation each week beginning at 6:45 p.m. Lifebridge is a homeless services organization serving the North Shore. Contact Pastor Kevin if you would like to be part of the team, kbaird@fcchamilton.org.
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| Watch this video to learn more about Lifebridge |
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Arts @ FCCH
Fellowship Foyer Gallery
As we return to worship in our church building, we are seeking artists who would like the opportunity to share their work with our church family in our Fellowship Foyer gallery.
Carmela Martin
carmelamartin@comcast.net
Worship Ministry Team Lunch
Join us in the Ministry Center Café after the second service on Sunday, September 17 for a lunch hosted by the Worship Ministry team. Whether you're in the choir or in the pews, your participation in the worship service each week means you're an active part of the Worship Ministry here at FCCH! As such, we invite you to come and learn more about upcoming events and plans for the fall; hear about opportunities for getting involved with music and the creative arts; and ask questions about the Worship Ministry at FCCH.
Greg Lowther
Worship Ministries Director
glowther@fcchamilton.org
Come Raise Your Voice With the Choir this Fall
If you have a gift for music, or just enjoy singing, then join us in ministering to the congregation through song. If you would like to sing but have limited availability, be assured that long term membership is not required. Simply speak with me or any other choir member after the service, and let us know you are interested. There is a place for your voice, and we want to hear you! Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings from 7:15-8:30 pm. Choir resumes this week.
Jonathan VanderWoude
Choir Director
woudey@gmail.com
Join FCCH Artists Group
This group of artistically interested people meets monthly. Please email Pastor Kevin to join the email list to be informed of upcoming meetings.
Kevin Baird
Pastor of Congregational Life
kbaird@fcchamilton.org
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Library News
The Church Library will reopen Sunday, September 10 with a display of books that our own church members have written. These books will also be available to check out so please stop in and see who the distinguished authors are among us. If you checked out any library resources last spring, and came across them over the summer, now is the time to return them so others can enjoy. We are still looking for several people to help in the library either from 9:30 to 10:00 am or 12:00 to 12:30 pm on Sundays. Duties include book check in and check out and help with finding materials. It's a great way to visit with our members! Please contact me by email if you would be interested in volunteering one Sunday a month.
Jane Johnson
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FCCH Prayer Chain
We thank Nelia Brooks for her years of faithful service as our prayer chain coordinator. We are grateful that FCCH member, Jane Robinson, will now be assuming responsibility for prayer chain communication.
For those not familiar, the FCCH prayer chain is a ministry that enables our congregation to share prayer requests, via e-mail, for health concerns and other life-impacting issues with our church family. The sharing of praises and answers to prayer is also welcome.
We ask that requests be limited to one or two paragraphs that are pertinent to the issue and may be subject to editing for clarity and length.
Please be aware that when you reply by e-mail to a prayer chain request in your in-box, your reply goes to the prayer chain coordinator, not to the person who originated the request. Our church directory contains the e-mail addresses of most church attendees, if you wish to contact the original requester.
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Important Dates in September
Sunday, September 3
Prayer Gathering, 10:45 a.m.,
Heritage Hall
Thursday, September 7
Choir Practice Resumes,
7:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Friday, September 8
Lifebridge Meal, 5:00 p.m.
Lifebridge Bible Study, 6:45 p.m.
Lifebridge, Salem
 Saturday, September 9
Men's Breakfast, 8:00 a.m.,
Heritage Hall
Sunday, September 10
Worship Services at 8:30 a.m.
and 11:00 a.m.
Church Sanctuary
Welcome Back Coffee,
9:45 a.m., Heritage Hall
Sunday School,
Nursery-Grade 8, 9:45 a.m.
College Lunch,
12:15 p.m., Meet at
Welcome Desk
Tuesday, September 12
SonLight Leadership Training,
9:00 a.m., Café
High School Youth Group,
6:45 p.m., Barn
Wednesday, September 13
Middle School Youth Group,
Sunday, September 17
Adult Sunday School Begins,
9:45 a.m., Ministry Center
Worship Ministry Luncheon,
12:00noon, Café
Tuesday, September 19
SonLight Women's Bible Study
Begins, 9:15 a.m.,
Ministry Center
Thursday September 21
Women's NightLight Bible
Study Begins, 6:30 p.m.
Potluck dinner, Café
Friday-Sunday, September 22-24
Men's Retreat,
Alton Bay, NH
Saturday, September 30
Front Porch Stories,
7:00 p.m. , Barn
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Children's Ministry
COMING SEPTEMBER 10 ...Fall Kickoff and regular Sunday Schedule
8:30 a.m. - Worship Service with Nursery, Little People's Church (LPC) and God's House
9:45 a.m. - Sunday School classes for all ages
11:00 a.m. - Worship Service with Nursery and LPC+
Only 14 to GO!
Be a part of helping children understand the awe and po
wer of God, challenge them to get to know Him more deeply, and serve Him daily. Fall Kick-Off Sunday is September 10 !
Here's where you can help.
- 8:30 Little People's Church (LPC) (1)
- 9:45 Nursery (2)
- 9:45 Toddlers (2)
- PreSchool (1)
- 11:00 LPC+ (1)
- Kindergarten (1)
- 1st Grade (2)
- 2nd Grade (1)
- 8:30 God's House (3)
Christine Hendrickson
Early Childhood Director
Kathy Lindsay
Elementary Children's Director
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Men's Ministry
Sign up now: Men's Fall Retreat
Time is almost up! Our annual Fall Men's Retreat is scheduled for September 22-24, 2017 at the Alton Bay Christian Conference Center in New Hampshire. Pastor Dan Szatkowski will be speaking on
What is Man?
Dan will focus on four big topics from a biblical perspective:
Man's Design, Man's Demise, Man's Deliverance and Man's Destiny.
It will be a great time of worship, fellowship, teaching and relaxing.
You won't want to miss it!
Sign up here
Men's Potluck Breakfast Saturday, September 9
Men, mark your calendars: Our next Men's Potluck Breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, September 9 from 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. in Heritage Hall. Have you ever wondered what goes on at the Men's Saturday Morning Bible Study? Come and find out! Join us for a great breakfast and an open Bible study led by Steve Jamison in the Gospel of Luke. Sign up with a "Clipboard Man" after the church service. You can either pay $5.00 or bring a hot breakfast dish to share.
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Missions
 InterVarsity Christian Fellowship: Bakers Needed
FCCH along with other local congregations are coming alongside local IV staff member, Mollie Clark, in a new initiative known as the InterVarsity Partnership Network. One of our first opportunities to assist Mollie at Endicott College involves baking cookies. We are looking for five people who would be willing to bake two dozen cookies each to be delivered to the church office this Thursday, September 7. If you don't have time to bake but are able to donate a bag of pretzels, chips, or chocolate candies that would also be appreciated. If you are able to bake, please contact me today!
Missions Emphasis Week is Coming!
October 15-22
What can you do to spread the knowledge and love of the Lord both on the North
Shore and around the world? Mark your calendars and plan to
participate in any or all of the opportunities throughout the week of
Oct 15-22. More details including speaker's names to follow in the coming weeks so stay tuned!
Sunday, Oct 15 ~
Sunday Morning Worship - Missions Emphasis Week Kick-Off
Tuesday, Oct 17 ~
Morning Missions Prayer Time
Thursday, Oct 19 ~
Evening Missions Prayer Time
Friday, Oct 20 ~
LifeBridge in Salem
Saturday, Oct 21~
- Morning Evangelism Workshop - Brian & Malisa Ellis (CRU)
- Afternoon Service Activities
Sunday, Oct 22 ~
- Sunday Morning Worship - Missions Theme
- Adult Sunday School Hour, Heritage Hall - Missions Theme
- Sunday Evening Dinner & Program - Asian cuisine and a few short presentations
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Looking Back on Our Summer
We learned that God has great use for our brokenness. Ann Voskamp's 'The Broken Way' video series led the women of our Summer Something into meaningful, real discussions about facing the brokenness in our own lives. Ann's sharing of her own personal hardships were laced with hope in God's promises in His Word. Acknowledging the brokenness is a way to draw us to Him and to lead us to help others with the comfort and grace God gives us. 'Loss always leads to growth.' 'Love is embracing inconvenience, allowing interruptions.' 'Scarcity is a myth, God is always enough.' These were some of the thoughts that led our Tuesday evening group ranging from 31 women to 11 women into some great personal sharing. We closed each evening with prayer for our own personal struggles, and on a few occasions felt the support in a practical way. If you missed a session or would like to read the book, the DVD and book can be found in our church library.
Krisie Brown
 SonLight Bible Study
Join us this year as we journey through the book of Matthew with a study guide by N.T. Wright. We will get a compelling eyewitness account of Jesus as Messiah, Teacher, and Son of Man.
We meet weekly on Tuesdays from 9:15 - 11:30 a.m. in the Ministry Center beginning September 19. Childcare is available. The fee for the study is $12 (full or partial scholarships available). It is imperative that all women register. Register online at fcchamilton.org or pick up a registration form in the Ministry Center foyer.
NightLight Bible Study
We begin our year examining what the Scriptures say about Busyness: Finding God in the Whirlwind, and then we will continue the year as we discover God's faithfulness in a study of the book of Isaiah.
We meet weekly on Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the Ministry Center Café. Our first meeting is September 21 which will meet at 6:30 p.m. so we may enjoy a potluck dinner together.
Sign up here let us know what you are bringing to the potluck.
The fee for the study is $9 (full or partial scholarships available). Register online at fcchamilton.org or pick up a registration form in the Ministry Center foyer.
Tierzah Faulkner
Soup Supper
Save the date Friday, October 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Ministry Center, to join with the Women's Leadership Team as we share how God has drawn us to Him through prayer. You've read the books, heard the talks, been challenged to follow a set path to succeeding in your prayer life. If it is that easy why do we still struggle? It is important to thrive in our walk before the throne of God and we want to encourage you to see that there are a myriad of ways to connect to God and develop a deeper relationship with Him. Soup Supper sign ups will begin mid-September.
Margot Rox
Director of Women's Ministry
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Youth Ministry
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Sunday, September 10: Middle School Sunday School
6th grade class meets in Room 11
7th & 8th grade class meets in the Café
(High School Sunday School Class will attend the Welcome Back Coffee)
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Tuesday, September 12: High School Youth Group
High schoolers, j
oin us for free snow cones from Fancy's Snowball truck, games,
and fun as we kick off High School Youth Group. Bring a friend! This year we'll be studying Acts and talking about community (
6:45-8:45 p.m. in the Barn).
- Wednesday, September 13: Middle School Youth Group
The best night of the week is back! 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! (6:45-8:45 p.m. in the Ministry Center).
- Sunday, September 17: High School Sunday School
9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Barn
Students serving in Nassua this summer
Happy campers because Rich O was part of the Nassau team!
Fun with Middle School Explore this summer
Students serving locally in Portland, ME with friends from
the Emmanuel Baptist Church
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!
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| 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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