Staying Connected to Your Church Community

STAYING CONNECTED TO YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Contact our Church Administrator HERE!

View our full calendar of events HERE!

Church Mouse Chatter

Our administrator works from home, typically in the church office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This schedule changes depending on work load and meeting vendors. Susan will be "truly remote" (from Florida) on April 26, 27, 28, so she will be unavailable to come to the office.

Last Sunday's Worship Service Available

A technical difficulty caused a delay in the availability of the virtual worship service on Sunday, April 18, which prevented many people from viewing it. The worship service was posted Sunday afternoon, and is available at the link below. Rev. Matt Wooster preached on a scriptural message from 1 John about what we can and cannot know about the future, a message for all the times of transition in our lives.

VIEW 4/18/21 SERVICE HERE

Our front lawn has always been a gathering spot for conversation, ice cream, lemonade, cookouts, Blessing our Animals, and, of course, pumpkins! Our central location offers us a unique opportunity to signal Christian hospitality and love through activities, and symbolism and signage. And so as we approach our ten year anniversary of voting unanimously to become an Open and Affirming church (ONA), we wonder . . .

How is our welcome being communicated to those who don’t know us yet?
And how about those who don’t tune in on-line, but just drive by?
How can we reach out to others, “for the glory of God”?

Please email the church office or Mimi D'Angelo with your ideas/suggestions, as we engage in discussion, to consider options for signage and ways our congregation can be more welcoming. Your input is appreciated by May 2.

A Cup of Morning Prayer

Begin each week in the quiet presence of God, joining with others in prayer on Mondays at 7 am. Weather permitting, sessions are held in the sanctuary of nature, via Facebook LIVE. Find your special outdoor space, and practice an ancient form of prayer known as breath prayer. If you can't make it to the LIVE session, visit our Facebook page, or ask to have the recordings sent to you. Please share your prayer requests in advance to Anne Marie. Your personal prayers of celebration and concern will be lifted up each Monday morning and held in gentle care by our virtual small and private Facebook LIVE group.

Morning Meditation

We gather via Zoom every Tuesday morning from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. Whether you are new to meditation or practice it daily . . . please join us and be restored during this time together. Questions? Email Mary Hill Canavan or Judy Swahnberg.

Noon Prayers from the Hills

Tune into our Facebook page at noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays for a brief time (5-15 minutes) devoted to reflection and prayer. Although we are not regularly in our offices at the church these days, please stay in touch!

Tuesdays: Anne Marie Holloway

Wednesdays: Matt Wooster

Thursdays: Judy Swahnberg

Sunday Worship By Video

Worship services, are creatively composed by worship leaders recording their parts from various locations. They are available early Sunday mornings, by CLICKING HERE. An invitation with a link to the recorded worship service and the printed order of worship will be sent early Sunday.

Invitation to Participate

Welcome to our weekly roundup of goodness focused on links related to faith and family, inspired articles, books, and activities to encourage your faith journey @ home. Whether you are 2 or 92, there is something for you . . .

@ Weekly Newsletter for Kids (and grownups, too!) Daneen Akers (of Holy Troublemakers and Unconventional Saints book fame) recommended this newsletter THE WEEK JUNIOR for kids. It takes the week’s news and breaks it down in ways that are digestible for young and old alike. A good tool for family discussions on current topics.

@ Parent Book Study

I’m often getting questions for recommendations for a good study for parents. With all of the anger and polarization happening in our country right now, raising kind children who feel empowered to create justice in their spheres of influence is a huge priority. Cindy Wang Brandt’s book PARENTING FORWARD: HOW TO RAISE CHILDREN WITH JUSTICE, MERCY, AND KINDNESS is the book for this time. Note there’s a FREE STUDY GUIDE for groups. Maybe get together and read this with some church friends.

@ Prayer for the Nation:

Read this beautiful PRAYER FOR THE NATION.

Hills Church Weekly Calendar

THURSDAY

Staff Meeting (Zoom)

Noonday Prayers with Rev. Judy (Facebook)

New Beginnings (Virtual)

FRIDAY

AA Meeting (Reception Room)

SATURDAY

SUNDAY - Printed Order of Worship HERE

Coffee Hour (Zoom)

Worship Service (Online)

Middle School Faith Formation (Zoom)

Record/Practice - John (Sanctuary)

Confirmation Class (on-site)

AA Meeting (Reception Room)

MONDAY - Susan away

Cup of Morning Prayer

Clergy Pastoral Care Meeting (Zoom)

Food Pantry (Assembly Room)

TUESDAY - Susan away

Morning Meditation (Zoom)

Noonday Prayers with Rev. Holloway (Facebook)

Food Pantry (Assembly Room)

WEDNESDAY - Susan away

Noonday Prayers with Rev. Matt (Facebook)

Nursery School Staff Meeting (Reception Room)

Food Pantry (Assembly Room)

Choir Rehearsal (Zoom)

THURSDAY

Staff Meeting (Zoom)

Noonday Prayers with Rev. Judy (Facebook)

New Beginnings (Virtual)

"Events at the Hills" Newsletter Publications

Need to spread the word about an activity or event?

ARTICLES DUE MONDAY BY 5 PM

EMAIL // WEBSITE // 781-235-4424