First Parish Church

on the Village Green Manchester-by-the-Sea

January 2016

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Youth Group

Pageant

Sunday School Welcome back and happy New Year – I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and welcomed the New Year with joy and happiness. I am still smiling when I think back to “The First Christmas” our exceptional pageant this year – so many from the congregation commented on how wonderful it was. The children were great and their parents should be very proud of what they presented – it was perfect! Thank you to everyone who helped – the children, parents, teachers, and youth group, Jessica, Nancy K, Mrs. Greenleaf and Mr. Price – what a team! Now that December is behind us we look forward to celebrating Epiphany on January 6th. The Sunday school children will visit this special lesson on January 3rd and will enjoy learning all about the prophets, the Holy Family, the shepherds, Magi and the birth of Jesus. This is one of my favorite stories so I look forward to sharing it with our students. Our schedule for the month is: 1/3/16 Epiphany 1/10/16 Parable of the Sower 1/17/16 No SS Martin Luther King Holiday 1/24/16 Parable of the Good Shepherd 1/31/16 Parable of the Good Samaritan The Sunday school is always looking for extra help so if you would like to come to one of our classes and help, share a story or craft please let me know and we can arrange it. Happy New Year to everyone! Priscilla Confirmation The 14 members of the 2016 Confirmation class will meet on January 3rd to prepare the Epiphany service that they will present on January 6th. The children have learned the story of Epiphany and will be taking on different roles to make this a very special service. Please join them on the 6th for the sharing of this very special story. Rev. Maren Tirabasi will join the class on January 24th to look at how to pray and will offer ideas on how to start prayers. This is the repeat of a program held last year during a three part series and is wonderful and very educational. I look forward to seeing the student’s response to the session. Save the date – Confirmation Sunday will be June 5th 2016!

JANUARY 2016 CHURCH BELL PAGE 2

Christian Ministry Coordinator Priscilla Duda

Adult Education First Parish Church Book Group continues to grow and become more fun with each meeting. The next time we will meet is Monday January 11th 7pm at the lovely home of Martha Gubbins. The book we are reading this month is “The Boys in the Boat “by Daniel James Brown. This is the story of nine Americans competing for gold at the Berlin Olympics in 1936. Please join us for wonderful fellowship, laughter, great food and yes wine! Martha’s house is at 16 Highwood Avenue here in Manchester. We open our sanctuary doors on Wednesday evenings for an Hour of Tranquility starting at 6:30 – I have mentioned it to so many that it is a wonderful experience. Come for the time that you have and I promise you will leave refreshed and ready to face any challenges. Soup and Conversation will resume on January 31st immediately following the service at 11:30 when the wonderful Barbara and Richard Smith will present “Courage and Light” Exploring Passion, Renewal and Creativity with Jim Brandenburg (Nationally acclaimed writer and educator) and Parker Palmer ( National Geographic photographer) it is a rich filmed dialogue between them. It brings to us a life changing project Brandenburg undertook when he was at the peak of his career yet felt drained of his creative passion for his work. This is a beautiful presentation that will help us all renew, strengthen and nurture our purpose. I will be looking for soups, salad and desserts soon! This spring we will offer additional programs so stay tuned for information and save the dates. I am in the process of booking Jen Powers to talk on “Growing up in Saudi Arabia”, The Manchester Historical Society speaking, a specialist in the art of chanting and more. If you have any topics you would like me to look into please let me know - if I can do it I will!! Rev. Hughes offers his Bible study on Friday afternoons from 4:00 – 5:30. I highly recommend that if you have not participated that you ask one of those attendees what it is like. You will find that it is open, friendly, and very educational and is a Bible study that leaves you waiting for the next time you will meet. I am always looking for more programs for adult education so I welcome and appreciate all suggestions. Happy New Year! Priscilla

Youth Director Jessica Skidmore

Hello All! What an exciting month we have had over the course of December! We got together with the Missions’ committee and made delicious Gingerbread cookies! We tried not to eat all the yummy candies and spent the morning decorating cookies, some of which we later handed out after church and also when we went caroling around town. Our youth group has been growing steadily which of course I love to see! The kids are always encouraged to invite their friends and it is so special when we get new kids. We have been really been digging into the Bible and exploring some tough questions about how the Bible was written and why the Bible contradicts itself in some places and we have really been learning and discussing a lot. We have also taken in the 5th grade students to our youth group gatherings on Sunday mornings and it has been such a joy to have them! They bring with them lots of fun energy and thought provoking questions. We also had our Christmas Pageant on the third week of advent which was just so precious to watch the kids did such an amazing job! We also had a movie night where we watched only Christmas movies. The kids have requested we do more movie nights so we will probably begin to do these at least once a month. There was A Night in Bethlehem on the 19th that had lots of singing, hot cocoa, and a miniature donkey named Buddy! It was a cold night but so special to be a part of and the actors and singers all did such a great job. Looking ahead to January we have some fun things coming up! We have The Epiphany service on Wednesday January 6th that I believe the Confirmation class will be helping to set up/run. We will be helping to serve another meal at The Open Door and we will have some more fun events coming up for those cold, boring Winter days! I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! See you in 2016!

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Contact us Phone: 978 -526-7661 Ext. 1

Websi te: www.f i rs tpar ishchurch.org Email : o ff ice . fpchurch@verizon.net

Have you shared the experience?

Our Care Team provides meals, rides, & visits to sustain families in our Church Community through

times of illness and loss. If you would like to become involved with this wonderful support system please

contact; Sheila Kafer 978-525-3253, smkafer@comcast.net Or Janet Groth at 978-526-8408, janbythesea244@gmail.com

ACOLYTE-BELL RINGER The Candle Lighting Ritual remembers Jesus’ words, “Wherever 2 or 3 gather in my name, there I am in the midst of you.” As we gather to worship, our faith becomes our “burning” reality. The bell is struck 3 times for the Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. At the end of the service, the “flame” does not remain on the altar, but goes back out into the world, into our very lives. Only when what we have read, what we have sung, what we have reflected upon becomes acted out is our faith a true reality. Sunday school (grades 3 and up) and Youth Group students can sign up by emailing the office or online. We always need volunteers!

The Care Team Ministry

The Diaconate is always looking for volunteers to Read and Greet on Sunday mornings. If you are interested in reading the scripture and/or greeting in the Narthex please speak to a

Deacon.

Diaconate

PAGE 6 CHURCH BELL JANUARY 2016

Looking for Knitting Needles and Yarn

The Seaside Parish Knitters are looking for knitting needles and yarn that you might be considering "casting" aside. We continue to knit blankets, shawls, and scarves; and for our military troops: helmet liners, neck gators, and scarves.

We use both 100% wool and synthetic fibers for yarn, and straight and round knitting needles....all sizes. Contact Penny Lapham at 978-526-7128 or laphenpen@live.com Dates for 2016 are currently : January 7 and 21, February 4 and 18, March 3, 17, 31, April 14 and 28, May 12 and 26, June 9 and 23. We welcome anyone wishing to join us.

Do you have a great photo of you or your family for our updated Directory ?

Send it to officeassist.fpchurch@verizon.net

Let us know any address, phone or email changes too!

Offering Envelopes have NOT arrived for 2016,

they will be available in the Narthex as soon as they do.

We can also mail them to you if requested.

Birthday Page

01/01 PICK, CHARLOTTE 27 LINCOLN ST MANCHESTER

01/02 COLLENS III, JOSIAH 2 ICEHOUSE LANE ESSEX MA 01929 josiah.collens@hotmail.com

01/02 PETERSON, MEGAN 111 CHEBACCO RD S. HAMILTON MA 01982 meganpete1@gmail.com

01/02 POLLOCK, MARK 7 ANCIENT COUNTY WAY MANCHESTER

01/03 DOANE, AVA 84 BRIDGE ST MANCHESTER

01/03 WALKER, DEREK 3 SALT MARSH LN GLOUCESTER MA 01930 dw7505@gmail.com

01/04 WALKER, LANCE 3 SALT MARSH Ln GLOUCESTER MA 01930 walkerljw@comcast.net

01/07 FRANKLIN, MARA 17 NORWOOD AVENUE MANCHESTER

01/09 CALANDRA, REBECCA 7 WINDEMERE PARK MANCHESTER rebecca.calandra@gmail.com

01/11 HOSMAN, TESS 7A ARBELLA ST MANCHESTER

01/14 MCLAREN, ABIGAIL 38 BENNETT ST MANCHESTER

01/15 CICALA, EMILIA 114 PINE ST MANCHESTER

01/19 MCCLAIN, THOMAS 54 RIVER RD KENNEBUNKPORT ME 040 tom_mcclain504@msn.com

01/20 BLODGETT, SOPHIE 40 CHASE ST. DANVERS MA 01923

01/24 DOLAN, MARLENE 19 WOODCREST ROAD MANCHESTER marlenedolan@icloud.com

01/24 GREENSLET, KATHRYN 41 LINCOLN STREET MANCHESTER

01/27 HUGHES, JOHN 28 ROCKWOOD HEIGHTS RD MANCHESTER jhughes.fpchurch@verizon.net

01/30 COOK, MARY ELLEN 23 HAROLD ST MANCHESTER jerris01@comcast.net

Christmas Caroling

One Night in Bethlehem

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Sunday, January 3rd – Communion Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46 Sermon: “Do You Know the Time?” Hymns: When Morning Guilds the Skies, Great is Your Faithfulness, When Love is Found Confirmation: Conference Room, Epiphany 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 6th – Epiphany Service (Confirmation) 7:00 p.m. “We Three Kings of Orient Are” “O Sing a Song of Bethlehem”

Sunday, January 10th Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Sermon: “On Getting into the Swim of Things” Hymns: We Worship You, God, I Was There for Your Borning Cry, Stars and Planets Flung in Orbit

Bible Study resumes – Friday, Jan. 15th, Conference Room, 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 17th – Scripture: 1Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 Sermon: “The Best for Last”

Hymns: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, Blest Be the Tie that Binds, Shall We

Gather at the River

Sunday, January 24th –

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Luke 4:14-21

Sermon: “Let’s Take a Second Look”

Hymns: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, Glorious Things of You are Spoken,

Lift High the Cross

Confirmation: Rev. Maren Tirabasi (prayer) 11:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 31st – Rev. Paul Nickerson, preaching

Scripture: TBA

Sermon: “TBA”

Worship Schedule

Daily Lectionary

Link for monthly lection-ary- http://www.macucc.org/education/lectionary.htm

Fri., Jan. 1 New Year’s Day

Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 Psalm 8

Revelation 21:1-6a Matthew

25:31-46

Sat., Jan. 2 Psalm 147:12-20

Proverbs 1:1-7 James 3:13-18

Sun., Jan. 3 Second Sunday

after Christmas Jeremiah

31:7-14 or Sirach 24:1-12

Psalm 147:12-20 or Wisdom

10:15-21 Ephesians 1:3-14

John 1:[1-9] 10-18

Mon., Jan. 4 Psalm 72 Isaiah

6:1-5 Acts 7:44-53

Tues., Jan. 5 Psalm 72 Jere-

miah 31:7-14 John 1:[1-9] 10-

18

Wed., Jan. 6 Epiphany Isaiah

60:1-6 Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14

Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew

2:1-12

Thurs., Jan. 7 Psalm 29

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 1

Corinthians 1:18-31

Fri., Jan. 8 Psalm 29

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 1

Corinthians 2:1-10

Sat., Jan. 9 Psalm 29

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 1 Corin-

thians 2:11-16

Sun., Jan. 10 The Baptism of

Christ First Sunday after

Epiphany Isaiah 43:1-7

Psalm 29 Acts 8:14-17 Luke

3:15-17, 21-22

Mon., Jan. 11 Psalm 106:1-12

Judges 4:1-16 Ephesians

6:10-17

Tues., Jan. 12 Psalm 106:1-

12 Numbers 27:1-11 Luke

11:33-36

Wed., Jan. 13 Psalm 106:1-

12 1 Kings 1:1-30 Acts 6:8-

15 Thurs., Jan. 14 Psalm

36:5-10 Jeremiah 3:1-5 Acts

8:18-24

Fri., Jan. 15 Psalm 36:5-10

Jeremiah 3:19-25 1

Corinthians 7:1-7

Sat., Jan. 16 Psalm 36:5-10

Jeremiah 4:1-4 Luke 11:14-

23

Sun., Jan. 17 Second Sunday

after Epiphany Isaiah 62:1-5

Psalm 36:5-10 1 Corinthians

12:1-11 John 2:1-11

Mon., Jan. 18 Psalm 145

Isaiah 54:1-8 Romans 12:9-21

Tues., Jan. 19 Psalm 145

Song of Solomon 4:1-8 1

Corinthians 1:3-17

Wed., Jan. 20 Psalm 145

Song of Solomon 4:9—5:1

Luke 5:33-39

Thurs., Jan. 21 Psalm 19

Isaiah 61:1-7 Romans 7:1-6

Fri., Jan. 22 Psalm 19

Nehemiah 2:1-10 Romans

12:1-8

Sat., Jan. 23 Psalm 19

Nehemiah 5:1-13 Luke 2:39-

52

Sun., Jan. 24 Third

Sunday after Epiphany

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

Psalm 19 1 Corinthians

12:12-31a Luke 4:14-21 Mon.,

Jan. 25 Psalm 119:89-96 Jer-

emiah 36:1-10 1 Corinthians

14:1-12 Tues., Jan. 26 Psalm

119:89-96 Jeremiah 36:11-26

2 Corinthians 7:2-12 Wed.,

Jan. 27 Psalm 119:89-96

Jeremiah 36:27-32 Luke

4:38-44

Thurs., Jan. 28 Psalm 71:1-6

2 Chronicles 34:1-7 Acts

10:44-48

Fri., Jan. 29 Psalm 71:1-6 2

Chronicles 35:20-27 Acts

19:1-10

Sat., Jan. 30 Psalm 71:1-6 2

Chronicles 36:11-21 John

1:43-51

Sun., Jan. 31 Fourth Sunday

after Epiphany Jeremiah 1:4-

10 Psalm 71:1-6 1 Corinthi-

ans 13:1-13 Luke 4:21-30

Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. commontexts.org. Used by permission. This resource may be reproduced by congregations for their own worship and educational activities. Provided by the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ – made possible by Our Church’s Wider Mission Basic Support and Fellowship Dues.

First Parish Church, Congregational 1 Chapel Lane, P.O. Box 187

Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944 Address Correction Requested

Join us for an Epiphany Service,

hosted by the Confirmation Class

on Wednesday,

January 6, at 7 pm.

Zimbabwe Project Update

“Hallelujah! Driver is at the Zim border. ...A few more hurdles but almost there! Photos to come!”