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The Union Church in Waban
Friday, February 24, 2017
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Bible Discussion at 8:00 a.m.
Bible discussion continues this Sunday in Pastor Stacy's study. . All are welcome!
Choir Rehearsal at 9:00 a.m.
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Singing the Psalms
at 9:35 a.m.
Join us to sing Psalms together before worship on Sunday mornings. We gather at 9:35 a.m. in Memorial Chapel (the side chapel off the sanctuary),where we sing and pray t
ogether for ten minutes each week. Feel free to arrive a few minutes early for quiet centering prayer.
(Detai
ls here.)
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Worship at 10:00 a.m.
This is the last Sunday before we enter into the season of Lent. The Scripture passage brings us to the top of the mountain where Jesus appearance is transfigured and the disciples following him see something in Jesus they had not seen before. Pastor Stacy wonders if Jesus this new vision was not just for the disciples but most importantly for Jesus.
Bell Choir Practice: 11:15 a.m.
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Congregational Conversation Exploring Worship
This Sunday -- February 26th, at 11:30 a.m.
(Last of Three)
Our next and last conversation will take place on February 26th. Through facilitated congregational conversations we hope: to hear how the congregation is currently experiencing worship; to identify any changes that might be appropriate or desired with respect to the various components of our worship service (music, children's time, prayer, sermon, communion and how it is celebrated); and to learn of any experiences in worship people may be looking for that we are not currently providing.
We also hope that these conversations may help our congregation think more broadly about worship as an experience we share. Worship is best experienced not as a performance by a few, but for the participation of all who are gathered. While some may have specific roles to play, worship is something experiential that we share. We would like to hear from as many people as possible, so if you have not yet participated in one of these conversations, please plan to do so this Sunday. If you are not able to attend, please be in touch with Alan Cody, Diane Tillotson or Pastor Stacy. We want to be sure we have an opportunity to hear from everyone.
Go here to view the questions that will guide our conversation.
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Lent at the Union Church in Waban
"Creating the Beloved Community - A Lenten Journey of Communion"
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Lent is a season in the liturgical, church year that begins on Ash Wednesday, March 1st and ends at sunset on Maundy Thursday, April 13th. Lent is a season of renewal, a time of growing through repentance, fellowship, prayer, and the embrace of our covenant with each other and with God. Lent is not so much about giving up something but rather about trying to be intentional about opening up to the renewing work of God's grace. Just as the bulbs planted deep in the ground begin to stir to new life as the days grow longer in the coming of spring, so too does this season encourage a kind of germination of God's spirit in us, calling us to new life and new beginnings, of which we will celebrate in the mystery of the empty tomb on Easter morning.
In the very early church, this season was one of intentional formation where those who wished to join in following the Way of Jesus would undergo a concentrated period of study and preparation which would culminate with their baptism and welcome into the church during the Easter Vigil, Saturday service. The liturgical color for Lent is purple which you will remember is also the color for Advent, which is si
milarly a season of preparation.
Ash Wednesday Services
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This Wednesday, March 1st, at
6:00 (Children's Service) and 7:00 p.m.
Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent. It is a time to put aside the ways that we may have fallen short of being the people God is calling us to be and to stand in the Grace of God's renewing Spirit. Whether you chose to receive ashes (a cross of ash marked on your forehead) or prefer instead to receive a blessing, the Ash Wednesday service is a quiet, contemplative, and prayerful space to mark the beginning of our Lenten journey.
This year we will have TWO Ash Wednesday services. One at 6:00 p.m. that will be geared specifically to children and then our regular service at 7:00 p.m. Child care will be available for the 7:00 p.m. service.
6:00 p.m. Service for Kids
In the hour before our full Ash Wednesday worship service (which begins at 7:00 p.m.), kids and families are invited to an interactive service that will explore, in an age-appropriate way, the meaning and rituals of Ash Wednesday and Lent. We will also have childcare and activities in the Littlehale room during the 7:00 p.m. service.
Food for the Journey
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Wednesday Evening Worship at
7:00 p.m. Throughout Lent
Come be nourished each week as we journey towards Easter! Each Wednesday night, we will share bread and cup as we are nourished for our pilgrimage. Each worship service will be unique, and there will also be some ongoing practices that we include each week. Come walk the labyrinth, pray with paint, hear a story, sing a song. There will be many opportunities to be renewed with each other!
Memorial Chapel (the side chapel off the sanctuary). Wednesday nights at 7:00 p.m., starting March 8th. Childcare will be provided.
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Featured:
NICA Service Trip 2018
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Information for Potential Travelers
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NICA Service Trip
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Introduction
The City of Newton became a strong supporter of Nicaragua after the controversial US policy backing the Contra Rebels in the 1980's. By 1988 the small fishing town of San Juan Del Sur became Newton's Sister City. The Union Church spent many years in the late 1990's supporting Nicaragua with donations of supplies and prayers of healing but we knew we wanted to do more.
The Union Church, as part of our mission work, completed our first service project in 2002 and we have never looked back. Clean water, school uniforms and supplies, rehabilitation of schools have made up the 8 completed physical projects to date but that is only part of the story. The love, spirit, connections and hope that crossed intergenerationally between ourselves and by and between our brothers and sisters in Nicaragua has been truly amazing. If you want to find out more about the upcoming trip, please go
here
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C
hildren,Youth, and
Family
Ministries
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UCW Kids and Mini-Missions
Mini-Missions - the new initiative to engage our Rainbows (k-3rd graders) and Stars (4th and 5th graders) in service projects in the community - is well underway! Over the last few weeks, our kids have chosen which of the three organizations they will support (the MSPCA; Newton Food Pantry, or Birthday Wishes), and met for the first time in their 'Service Groups.' You can see the signs they made for their groups on the doors in the hallway near the church offices. If your child hasn't yet chosen a group, there is still plenty of time to join in. During the first three Sundays in March, the kids will work to prepare their presentations to the congregation, which are scheduled for March 26th. Information and a calendar about Mini-Missions has been sent to families, and is available in the Crocker Chapel and online under the Children's and Youth Ministry tab of www.ucw.org. If you would like to learn more, or volunteer to help, please contact Amy at [email protected]. Thank you!
Youth Lenten Series and Sleepover - Beginning in March
We are excited to share a creative new series for our youth that will begin on March 5th, and run through the five Sundays in Lent, and into Holy Week. This hands-on series will explore the mystery of Communion and what it means to live together as beloved community. As part of the series, we'll have a Lenten sleepover at the church (Friday, March 10th - Saturday, March 11th). An overview of the series was sent to parents, and can be found in the Crocker Chapel or online.
Youth Winter/Spring Calendar
Our Youth Ministry Team has an exciting rest of the winter and spring planned for our UCW youth. An updated calendar-of-events is being sent to all youth families, and is available in the Crocker Chapel. It will also be available online at ucw.org under the Youth Ministry tab.
Ash Wednesday - March 1
st - 6:00 p.m. Service for Kids
In the hour before our full Ash Wednesday worship service (which begins at 7:00 p.m.), kids and families are invited to an interactive service that will explore, in an age-appropriate way, the meaning and rituals of Ash Wednesday and Lent. We will also have childcare and activities in the Littlehale room during the 7:00 p.m. service.
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Adult Education, Fellowship, and Spiritual Formation
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A
dult, Small Group Retreat
Toah Nipi
Retreat Center
Rindge NH
Spring is the season when our natural world begins to wake up from its winter sleep and make ready for a new season and summer. It is when the frozen earth thaws; bears and their cousins emerge; tree sap flows. It is when many of our birds return home from their far away travels; and when our lakes and streams rebound with oodles of life. With all this stirring - "mixing memory with desire", the woods and fields become filled and pungent with ancient and new smells and sights and sounds and sensations that trigger and feed our own world and imagination. Let us take up spring's invitation and "Come to our Senses".
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Sun., Feb. 26
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9:35 a.m.
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Singing the Psalms
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10:00 a.m.
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Worship
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11:15 a.m.
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Bell Choir Rehearsal
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11:30 a.m.
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Conversation on Worship Meeting
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Mon., Feb. 27
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10:30 a.m.
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Wednesday Morning Bible Study
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6:00 p.m.
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All Church Retreat Planning Team
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7:00 p.m.
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Choir Rehearsal
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Tue., Feb. 28
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6:30 p.m.
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Pastoral Relations Committee Meeting
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7:00 p.m.
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Book Group
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Wed., Mar. 1
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7:30 a.m.
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Prayer Group
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9:00 a.m.
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Coffee w/Stacy at Starbucks
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6:00 p.m.
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Children's Ash Wednesday Service
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7:00 p.m.
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Ash Wednesday Service
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Thur., Mar. 2
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3:45 p.m.
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Nica Trip Planning Meeting
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Sun., Mar. 5
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8:00 a.m.
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Bible Study
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9:00 a.m.
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Choir Rehearsal
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9:35 a.m.
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Singing the Psalms
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10:00 a.m.
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Worship
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11:15 a.m.
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Bell Choir Rehearsal
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For a complete listing, and details of all upcoming events,
please visit our website calendar HERE
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Help lay the table during fellowship hour
One of the many ministries of UCW is hosting a fellowship hour after worship on Sunday morning. This table, laid with love and a simple spread is (as Adam Hearlson said in his mission moment a few weeks ago) very much a communion table. It not only nourishes our bodies, but it also nourishes the relationships that make us one Body, one with each other and with God. If you would like to share in this ministry and host this time of communion, please go
here.
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Union Church in Waban
Inclement
Weather Advisory
It is the hope of the Union Church to always have our sanctuary open on Sunday mornings for worship and fellowship.
We also realize that conditions may be such that the safest option for staff and congregants is not to travel. We ask that all use their best judgment. As such, in inclement conditions, the church will remain open - however we cannot assure that there will be childcare, Sunday School, professional music or pulpit coverage.
Every effort will be made to keep walkways and stairs clear, although this cannot be guaranteed. Congregants will find an open door, a worship service and sanctuary together with others.
I
n the extreme situation in which the church is unable to open, notification will be on the church website ([email protected]), a message will be on the church phone, and media announcements can be found on WBZ-TV.
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