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The Messenger: MCC's Monthly Newsletter
Volume 6, Issue 11
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Pastor's Letter
"On the seventh day, God had finished all the work of creation, and so, on that seventh day, God rested."
- Genesis 2:2 (from The Inclusive Bible)
It always amazes me to see how hard you work for this church.
On July 4th, we had a great opportunity to show Sudbury that MCC's is a great community - and it took your hard work to spread our message.
Many thanks go out to those who designed and created our parade float and to the marchers and riders who accompanied it along the route.
Through your hard work, we were able to give the town a glimpse of the Gospel as we understand it.
The creative, award-winning mini-MCC (complete with steeple and actual church carpet!) caught the town's attention and was followed by signs echoing the "Be The Church" banner on our front lawn.
All along the route,
parade-goers recognized the church and made many positive comments about our statements that included "Care for the Poor," Protect the Environment," and "Forgive Often."
Our message seemed very well-received.
The love that was represented in motion was also being lived out at the church.
Thanks to the work of the Growth and Development committee, our annual picnic was well attended and enjoyed by all.
It was another way to represent the fun and fellowship of our congregation.
It always amazes me to see how hard you work for this church.
For many of us, the summer months represent one long "seventh day" of rest.
Choir members, musicians, deacons, ushers, coffee makers and others work hard each
Sunday to provide a space for Sabbath worship.
It's understandable that summer is often a Sabbath rest from the Sundays that are more "work" than "Sabbath."
If you are one who feels called away from church for a bit, please know that you are in our prayers and I hope you will keep us in yours.
We'll still gather each
Sunday and
Wednesday to offer rest and renewal for anyone who would like to join us.
On
September 11, we'll gather again for another program year.
That day will kick off Discovery Kingdom with our progressive Sundae
Sunday tour of the classrooms and students are invited to bring backpacks to receive a blessing during worship.
Our congregational portrait will also be taken that day.
We'd love to have everyone present on
Sept. 11 to be a part of the picture.
It always amazes me to see how hard you work for your church.
I hope you are able to find rest as well.
I look forward to seeing you soon - either during the summer or in September.
As always, I pray that God is with you 'til we meet again.
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From Down the Hall...
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
- Matthew 18:20
The above passage was our final memory verse of the year in Discovery Kingdom as we explored the history of the early Christian church, wondering "What happened after Jesus?" This past week at our summer program It's a Mystery led us to unveil the banner outside the church - the Church is a mystery. (Let's explore together!) As I let the dozen PreK kids on that last day, their favorite activity was marching around the ENTIRE church saying, "WE ARE THE CHURCH!" Maybe we all need to do that more often...
What the author of Matthew is telling us through the words of Jesus, is that Church does have to happen in a church. As in, the gathered body of the followers of Christ are not bound to a building - Church is where we are gathered in the name of Jesus living in to what it means to be Christians. Since my passion is local church ministry, I by no means am suggesting that we dismantle our buildings, but I will invite us to wonder and imagine together this summer ways that we can be Church together. Where can two or more of us gather, intentionally, together to continue the relationships we build during the school year? If you have an idea, please let us know so that we can help be the Church this summer! For example, if your kids need a change of scenery, e-mail Sandra to set up at time to hang out at the Church for something different to do!
Blessings,
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Summer Worship
SUNDAY, JULY 3
Deacon: Dave Pendleton
Music:
Jeannette and Dave McLellan
SUNDAY, JULY 10
Deacon: Meridith Palmer
Music: Beth Quirk and
Carole Pendleton
SUNDAY, JULY 17
Deacon: Lorraine Davis
Music: Beth Quirk
SUNDAY, JULY 24
Deacon: Meridith Palmer
Music: Beth Quirk
SUNDAY, JULY 31
Deacon: Rick Hilperts
Music: Beth Quirk
SUNDAY, AUGUST 7
Deacon: Betsy Nikula
Music: Jeannette McLellan
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14
Deacon: Kasey Rogers
Music: David Marshall
SUNDAY, AUGUST 21
Deacon: Bobbi Fisher
Music: Dan Pettengill
SUNDAY, AUGUST 28
Deacon: Debra Pratt Peckham
Music: Jeannette McLellan
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Upcoming Events
SUNDAY WORSHIP
10:00am
"THE WELL" WORSHIP AND CONVERSATION
7:00 pm Wednesday
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Monday, July 11
7:30pm Church Council
Thursday, July 21
7-9:30pm
Family Promise Training
Tuesday, July 26
3:15pm Rosie's Place
Tuesday, August 23
3:15pm Rosie's Place
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"The Well" Worship and Conversation - Wednesday, 7 pm
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Join us at 7pm for our Wednesday worship service.
The Well is a small group time of conversation and worship. We'll meet in the air conditioned meeting room to pray together and talk about our faith. Bring your insights and your questions! Everyone is welcome to participate as much or as little as you'd like. Communion will be shared.
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Spiritual Discovery Center
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Ways to Get Involved Now:
- Join our littlest ones in the nursery this summer by Clicking Here to Sign Up. This helps us maintain our radical hospitality to new and known families of MCC.
- Discern where you want to be involved in the Christian Education Ministries in the Fall. Remember, all lessons are written and materials are provided for you!
- PreK-5th - There will be several trainings/discussions throughout the fall to get you acquainted with the program and where you gifts may best fit. Be watching for more information!
- JR High - We are looking for a core group of 3-4 teachers for the 6th-8th grade Sunday School class. We will watch movies, make movies, and explore Scripture together. The core group would rotate throughout the school year.
- High School - We are looking for a core group of 3-4 assistants for the 9th-12th grade in order to uphold the Safe Church as the High School class meets upstairs. The core group would rotate throughout the school year.
- Youth Group Core - This feels like a broken record... we are looking for a core group of 3-5 folk to help plan and develop Youth Group, as well as serve as regular 2nd Adults for this ministry.
- Mission Trip - Our goal is to have a regional mission trip this spring. We will need at least 1 female chaperone and 2 male chaperones - and happily welcome more! Details to come!
- Intergenerational Activities/Ministries - With Sandra's increased hours, we are looking at providing more spaces and times for intentional gatherings of the whole church. Ideas with planning help welcome!
For any of these amazing opportunities to grow disciples, e-mail Sandra TODAY at youth@mccsudbury.org.
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Save the Date!
- Kick Off Sunday: Sunday, Sept, 11th - During worship, join us for a blessing of the backpacks. Following worship, we will have our annual Sundae Sunday through the Sunday School Wing
- Sandra's Ordination and Installation - *tentatively* October 30th at 3pm: Join us to officially ordain and install Sandra Summers as our Pastor of Youth and Families. More details to come! It will be a service for all ages with the gathered regional body of the UCC. You don't want to miss this special Church event!
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Church Council Meeting - July 11, 7:30pm Outgoing and Incoming Reps should attend
Church Council will meet to begin setting a course for the fall.
Every committee should send representatives to be part of this important meeting.
This meeting - the only in the summer - will help the staff plan for the coming year and help the congregation get off to a quicker start in September.
We'll welcome new Council reps, give our thanks to departing members, and vote on a new Chair.
Please make sure that your committee is represented.
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Volunteer Training for Family Promise
On
July 21st from
7-8:30pm, MCC will host a training for anyone who would like to get involved with Family Promise. Family Promise is a community response to homelessness. MCC serves as a support church to Peace Lutheran/Or Atid in Wayland, providing meals and serving dinner to guests who are in the program about four times each year. Volunteers who have direct contact with guests are required to attend a training. If you have any questions about Family Promise or the training, please contact Jill Baker at
jillbaker7@yahoo.com .
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Support MCC when you shop Amazon
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Shop Amazon Smile AND support MCC!
Make sure to do all of your online shopping through AmazonSmile. When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate to Memorial Congregational Church of Sudbury, Inc. at no additional cost to you.
Start now by going to:
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-4031475
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Electronic Giving is a convenient, consistent way to help MCC year round!
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Consider scheduling a recurring electronic contribution today. It's easy! You'll no longer have to write out check and prepare envelopes every week. Even when travel, illness, or other circumstances prevent you from attending services, your electronic contributions will continue to be received on an uninterrupted basis.
Go to MCCsudbury.org/donate to set it up now! Or, to avoid MCC being charged additional fees, you can set up recurring contributions through your bank. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Carol Hannauer or George Connor.
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PRAYER CONCERNS
Joan Gianfortune;
Ann Saer;
Ken Catlette;
Carmen Irwin, friend of Kellie Marshall;
Elisabeth Rippy, Dan Rippy's sister;
Ray O'Donnell and his family;
Betty Galvin;
Kasey Rogers's father, Wayne Garreis;
Janet Bassett and her family, mother-in-law of Bill Keeney;
Ed Kreutz
;
Evelyn Smith;
Margaret Clark, friend of the Boland family;
Ilene Coburn;
Bruce Wright;
Jim and Sara May;
Back Bay Mission;
Swathi, the orphan with AIDS in India that MCC supports
Please pray for world peace.
The Deacons
want to help! If you would like to have a name added to the prayer list, speak to a deacon. If you know of an illness or loss, or have any comments or questions about MCC, please contact Meridith Palmer at 508-612-3326 or
Meridith628@verizon.net.
To keep our prayer list current, Prayer Concerns will appear in the bulletin for one month unless your concerns are renewed by contacting the office or the deacons.
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MCC Photos
You can view photos of MCC service and events
here!
username:
snapfish@mccsudbury.org
password: mccsudbury
Thanks to Jack, Deb, Vicky, and Dan for great pictures! If you have pictures you'd like to share, please let us know.
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Contact Information
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978.443.3885
reduced summer hours, please call or email.
Senior choir rehearsals resume in the fall.
By appointment.
Elena Bershak, Nursery Attendant
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Copyright © 2013-14. All Rights Reserved.
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