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Church of the Advent

Announcements

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8:45am: Choir Rehearsal

If you're interested in joining the choir, let Eric know.

9:15-11:15am: Nursery

Children always are welcome in worship, but for caregivers who prefer it, the nursery is available for children 4 and under. Please register your child here for the new program year.

9:30am: Church School

PreK-3rd Grade will meet with Ms. Donna and explore this week's lesson.

Please register your child here for the new program year.

All future dates can be found here.

9:30am: Holy Eucharist

Join us for a service of Holy Communion as we worship God, celebrate the love of Jesus Christ. The altar is God's table, and all are welcome.

See the bulletin.

Watch online.

Inquirers Class: 

Walk in Love—Discovering the Episcopal Way

Tuesday, Sept 29th

Curious about the Episcopal Church? Whether you're new, returning, considering confirmation or reception, or simply interested in learning more, you're invited to our Inquirers Class: Walk in Love—Discovering the Episcopal Way.

In this three-session class, we'll explore Episcopal beliefs, worship, the sacraments, and what it means to live as followers of Jesus. Grounded in the book Walk in Love, the class is open to everyone—newcomers and longtime members alike.

The Inquirer's Class will take place on the following Tuesdays from 5:30 pm - 7 pm and dinner will be included:

• Sept. 29: Who We Are and Where We Came From
• Oct. 6: How We Worship and Mark Sacred Time
• Oct. 13: Sacraments, Rites and the Christian Life

Register using the link below or visit our website to sign up. We'd love to have you join us! You do not need to attend each class.

Holiday Bazaar: Wednesday Craft Nights

Please join on Wednesday nights in the Parish Hall from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm to work on one of the many items we'll be selling at this year's holiday bazaar. We provide the instructions and supplies along with some really great company. It's also a relaxing way to unwind from the workday's stress. Your support will help us make this year's bazaar a great success! For more information, you can contact Janet Rossi (rossi.jet@gmail.com).

Join us as we celebrate St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, with a brief outdoor prayer service and Blessing of the Animals. Bring your pets on leashes or in carriers, along with stuffed animals or photos of beloved pets who can’t be with us. And yes—a horse will be joining us, too! All are welcome for this special time of prayer and blessing.

The results of the hymn survey taken last spring have been tabulated. 18 surveys were returned. The surveys asked for respondents’ first, second and third choices, with space for additional favorites. Giving weight to hymns according to their ranking, with five points for first, four for second, three for third and one for others, here is a list of the top hymns by points:

      I sing a song of the saints of God (16)

      Morning has broken (15)

      I want to walk as a child of the light (14)

      In the Garden (14)

      How Great Thou Art (12)

      Here I Am, Lord (11)

      One bread, one body (10)

      Be thou my vision (9)

      Jesus Christ is risen today (8)

      Hymn of Promise (8)

      Amazing Grace (5)

The following hymns were mentioned more than once:

      I sing a song of the saints of God (5)

      Morning has broken (4)

      Be thou my vision (3)

      How Great Thou Art (3)

      In the Garden (3)

      Here I Am, Lord (3)

      Jesus Christ is risen today (2)

      Amazing Grace (2)

      One Bread, One Body (2)

      Hymn of Promise (2)

Four hymns received two first place choices each: “I want to walk as a child of the light,” “In the Garden,” “Here I Am, Lord” and “One bread, one body.” No hymn received more than two first place choices.

See the full results here

Please join us for an evening of Family Fun and Fellowship in the parish hall. We will have Pumpkin Carving, Pumpkin Painting, Pumpkin Bowling and more!

Please bring either a main course, side dish, or dessert. Pumpkin-themed foods are preferred but all are welcome. Also BYOB and BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin). Halloween costumes optional.

Hope to see you there! Questions? Contact Tim Davis

Church School and Advent 427 have both started and we’re looking forward to another year of learning, growing, and building community together.

If you haven't already, please remember that children and youth need to be registered each year, even if they participated last year. Take a moment to complete the registration form for your young ones so we can make sure we have their current information.

Unfortunately, due to severe inclement weather, Medfield Day has been cancelled.

The latest forecast is calling for heavy, driving rain and wind gusts potentially reaching 50 mph during the morning and early afternoon.

We're (almost) halfway there . . .

Last week I mentioned the gracious invitation from our Flower Guild, who are welcoming gifts of bulbs for them to plant and care for in the church's garden. Please keep this opportunity in mind, as well as these ideas:

• Could you gift some bulbs to the church in honor of Creation Month?
• Would you consider purchasing some Swedish Dishcloths to replace single-use paper towels and plastic synthetic sponges, or a really pretty tote bag that you can use for running errands around town? Both of those (and other non-flower items) are available on our fundraising page!
• How nice would it be for our Caring Ministries group to be able to bring some flowers picked from our donation garden when reaching out to a parishioner?

With three weeks down and three weeks to go, we're this close to having raised 50% of our fundraising goal. We're counting on your support to keep spreading the word and encouraging friends and family, near and far to #blossomwithAdvent.

As we head into a new program year, there are plenty of ways to lend a hand and help make Sunday mornings special. Whether you enjoy welcoming people, helping with worship, or making sure coffee hour runs smoothly, we’d love to have you sign up!

Sign up for a Sunday that works for you!

During this Season of Creation, we want to encourage people to be active and engage more in creation care both individually and as part of our church community. Our goal is to help our community change the way we live by including God in the conversation.  

Many of us participate in numerous “Earth Day” like activities. We are given the opportunity to practice connecting those actions and programs to answering God’s call for us to care for creation. As you continue these activities, remember to thank God as the creator in the first place. Thank God for God’s support in helping you, and feel God’s joy in seeing you prayerfully do it.

Respectfully submitted by Christine Babson, Creation Care Ministry Member

Advent and First Parish UU, Medfield invite you to a simple supper at First Parish UU, at 6:30 PM, Tuesday, October 6. Ruth Raichle, co-founder of Bethany House Ministries and two current residents of the program will share the importance of Second Chances and the prison ministry.

Bethany House Ministries is rooted in the Gospel and in the spirit of Blessed Jean Joseph Lataste OP who recognized in his work with prisoners that God’s love has the power to heal, transform, and renew those who may have seemed hopeless to many. Bethany House Ministries fosters a compassionate and just world by being a community that stands in solidarity with those who are marginalized.

For over 30 years during the holidays, BHM has provided gift bags consisting of personal care items and writing tablets. This year, little Bethany House has agreed to provide gift bags for every person in six Massachusetts prisons, about 4000 persons. Because of security, the bags must be purchased through the Prison Commissary and the cost is about $15 per person—a total of $50,000 must be raised by early November 2026!

If you wish to contribute to the holiday bags, please click the button below or make a check out to “Bethany House Ministries” and place it into the offering or mail it to: Bethany House, 1049 Main Street, Millis, MA 02054.

Folks at church can use this link to make donations and share with their network of friends, family, coworkers, and classmates to encourage them to join our team to end hunger.

Interfaith Walk to End Hunger:  Sunday, October 25^th noon at Temple Beth David, 7 Clapboardtree St, Westwood

Did you know a record 40% of families in our local communities are facing food insecurity? That’s up 8% in the last year!

1 in 4 families are facing severe hunger, meaning they regularly skip meals or go hungry because they can’t afford food.

This walk is more than a fundraiser. You are acting to end hunger. Whether you walk part-way or the whole 3-mile route, your presence matters. Bring your family, friends, neighbors.

Let’s walk together for dignity, justice, and change! If you can’t join us that day, please consider donating on our team page.

New Aug-Oct

Forward Day by Day Booklets

The current Forward Day by Day booklets are available on the welcome table. This petite resource has daily meditations inspired by the daily lectionary readings.

These reflections are also available online here.

Church Office Hours

Suzie will be in office on Monday and Thursday from 10:00-4:00 and Friday from 10:00 - 3:00 pm. You can reach her at parishadmin@adventmedfield.org.

Weekly Email Deadline

The deadline for adding something to the weekly email is Wednesday afternoon. Email submissions to parishadmin@adventmedfield.org.

Reaching Rev. Lynn

Please note that Friday is Rev. Lynn's sabbath day, and she takes a break from email and non-urgent texts. In case of pastoral emergency, please call or text her at (774) 469-0420.

September Vestry Notes

The vestry met on September 14th. We celebrated the joyful and rewarding Newcomers' Dinner held this summer. We continued the planning for Medfield Day, the #BlossomwithAdvent fall fundraiser and our annual Holiday Bazaar. We initiated plans for a fall fellowship event, a Pumpkinpalooza Potluck to be held on October 23rd. The next vestry meeting is October 19th. If you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns for the vestry, please reach out to the appropriate vestry liaison

Check out these pictures from Sundae Sunday last weekend! Thank you to all who helped make this a great way to kick-off Church School and Advent 427. A special thank you to the Hill family for the ice cream and toppings!

Please send photos of worship and fellowship to parishadmin@adventmedfield.org