Pastor’s return from Honduras

March 7, 2010

Greetings Christ Church United,

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning for Intergenerational Worship.
Call a friend tonight to invite them to come with you and bask in God’s Light tomorrow morning!

I’m back home tonight from a successful and safe trip to Honduras.
I thank God for the opportunity to both travel to Honduras and return home to a nation of such enormous wealth and blessing, relatively speaking.

I visited many people and projects sponsored by Honduras Hope:
1 Boarding House for students,
1 technical school founded by a UCC Missionary, where a new culinary/business school
addition is being constructed,
2 community centers
1 clinic.

I saw many people, places and saw many sights that remind me of the good fate and fortune of being born in the USA. Believe me, the economic downturn we’re experiencing here is truly GLOBAL. There is more poverty, disease and unfulfilled dreams in Honduras than I remember four years ago.

Truth is, however, so many in USA are disenfranchised by policies that lead to poor education, nutrition, health. The Merrimack Valley Project Assembly – tomorrow – is designed to help “us” gather strength for further action relating to the issue of Home Foreclosure PREVENTION.
While this may not be a problem directly affecting you, it is a very real problem for many thousands in the Valley and beyond. Tomorrow, we will put the names and faces to these troubling stories, and the “deaf ear” response of big banks and mortgage companies – one being CCU’s Bank of America. We truly can change the way banks behave. However, it’s going to take many people.

As a Christian people, Jesus calls us to stand with those who need comfort, support for righteous reasons. And, unlike Honduras, freedom of speech, doesn’t mean putting ones life on the line.

The Assembly is at St Theresa’s Parish, 22 Plymouth Street, Methuen, MA
(Plymouth Street is right off Route 110, East of the 93 rotary, and the YMCA…about 3/4 mile.)

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow for worship, sharing more stories, and assembling for fairness and justice in God’s world.

Pastor Peter

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We hunger for justice, God, and home during Lent

February 27, 2010

Greetings friends, in the name of our lovely & loving Lord!

And, yes Jesus is quite the agitator also!

The Lenten drama details our lovely and loving Lord pushing the authorities on the “here and now” of Shalom (Thy Kindom Come).  We know this, and cringe in remembering how “they” treated Jesus (Palm Sunday, Good Friday).

And, so our theme for Lent this season is HUNGER.  We hunger for the signs of God’s calming and peaceful presence on our journies of faith.  We hunger for the reality of Justice, God, Home.  The next three sermons speak to the HUNGERING theme in that order (2/28, 3/7, 3/14).

This Sunday’s passages – for your “First Fifteen” morning time with God: Psalm 27, Luke 13:31-35.  Ask yourself, “who are the foxes” today?  How would Jesus have us speak truth to the foxes/Herod’s of our day?

Below is one opportunity to speak out:

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28, 4:00pm
MERRIMACK VALLEY PROJECT ASSEMBLY
OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL CHURCH, METHUEN (22 Plymouth Street, Just beyond the YMCA, right off route 110)
(Call me for directions)

PURPOSE: Continue building on our success in preventing home foreclosures.

This is a very complex problem. There are no easy answers.  However, for many, many people, the behavior of the banks and mortgage institutions is unjust.  I’ve pledged to bring ten people from Christ Church United to the assembly on Sunday afternoon.  I have four people. I need six more (duh).  If you can come, even if you need a ride, please e-mail me and let me know.

God’s will be done, on earth as it is in heaven!

See you in the sanctuary on Sunday,

Pastor Peter

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Three Church Unity Sunday! Feb. 21, 4-7pm

February 19, 2010

Below is a plan for Sunday afternoon’s Three Church Unity Potluck.  Read Carefully.  Pray for God’s Blessing!  Come, if you’re able. Bring a friend.   Let’s have some good Christian fun!

THREE CHURCH UNITY POTLUCK…with a Mardi Gras twist

3:30 SET UP

4:00 GATHERING

Bring food to place on tables in Fellowship Hall. We want to eat at 5:00pm.

4:15 INTRODUCTION: JUDIE BRYANT

Judie will speak about the “who is my neighbor” experience in Chelmsford, which inspired her and me to use the mask-making exercise to grow the friendships between and among the members of Lao UCC, Iglesia Hispana, and Christ Church United.

Judie will explain the process of decorating the masks: We are, each of us, part of  The Body of Christ. Everyone will be invited to make a mask of their own face – how they see themselves as a child of God.

4:15-5:00 DECORATE MASKS! MUSIC IN THE BACKGROUND

As youth and adults decorate their masks, Eric W., Lorrie G, Marco T., DiegoT.  (Iglesia Hispana band) will take turns playing/singing/offering background music.

5:00 BLESSING & DINNER POT LUCK STYLE

5-6 EAT, DECORATE, SING, EAT, DECORATE, SING!

6:15 BEGIN CLEANING UP FROM DINNER AND DECORATING STATIONS.

6:30 CLOSING WORSHIP.


Anyone who has items they don’t want anymore – make-up, old glasses, “stuff” which can be added to the pile of items to be used to decorate masks is ENCOURAGED to bring it along and donate it to our growing pile of items.

The main point of our time together: enjoy our time together. Musicians learn new music.  Sing new music. Dance if the Holy Spirit moves us (Elaine is bringing beads to toss our and wear!) Enjoy good food.

Any Questions?

God Bless,

Peter

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CCU’s Annual Report is online

February 17, 2010

Reminder that Christ Church United’s Annual Meeting will be held right after worship this coming Sunday, Feb. 21st, beginning at around 11:30am.  Please come to hear about all things related to CCU and to let your voice be heard and your vote counted.

For those of you who have not yet obtained a hard copy of CCU’s 2009 Annual Report, you can view the online version here.  Please do your best to read this report prior to Sunday’s Annual Meeting.  Hard copies of the report are available to be picked up at the church office this week and will also be distributed on Sunday at church prior to worship.

In Peace,

Chris

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Christmastide, 2009

December 26, 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS CHRIST CHURCH UNITED FAMILY
I’m in NH with my dad, and extended family, enjoying winter weather, ample goodies, and relishing the “CCU-WeWelcomeAll good vibes” from Christmas Eve.

Thanks so much to everyone for pitching in to make our Advent preparations and Christmas Eve Pageant such a lovely backdrop to Christmas, 2009. I pray that, for each of us, there is a deeper appreciation for the intimate ways God comes to us – supportive church family/community, the giving and receiving parts of the holiday season, hearts opened and receptive to the movement of God’s mystery and spirit!

What a pagaent! Thanks Jenn, Steph, Rob, the cast!
What an outpouring of love… Thanks to all Santa’s elves!
What a nice feeling to be worshipping with our Laotian Christian friends…yet again.
What a welcoming church…to be visited on Christmas eve by seekers, friends-to-be?

CALENDAR
12/27 The Marvelous Story of our Christmas Hymns, 10:00am
- Come to celebrate and sing! Pick up a poinsettia to deliver to a shut in.
- Budget Committee Meeting, after worship

12/29 NO CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP REHEARSAL (Contemporary Worship Service will be 1/10)

1/2/03 Confirmation Retreat. All day @ CCU

1/3/10 Traditional Worship

1/5/10 Contemporary Worship Rehearsal, 7:00

1/10/10 Contemporary Worship Service, 10:00
- BEGINNINGS (introduction to ChristCare Groups) starts, 8:45am

ATTENTION PLEASE
January is the month to celebrate our small group ministry at CCU, as CCG’s will begin in February. BEGINNINGS is the opportunity for you to learn more about ChristCare Groups.
Small Group ministry is the leavening agent that keeps the Holy Spirit alive at CCU, and which deepens your journey of faith. We’re hoping to add a third group this winter, on Saturday morning. NEEDED: If you would like to offer a “story of faith” in support of our groups (hint, hint Forkin, Macy, Moore, Spicer, Garcia, Kabagambe, Newcome, etc…) please speak with me.

HUMOR
On Christmas night, how many angels appeared to the shepherds and what were their names?
There were two angels and their names were “Lo” and “Behold”.
Doesn’t the Bible say, “Lo and Behold, the angels, appeared to the shepherds?”
OK, kinda bad, but did it make you smile?

Blessings for a peace-filled and joyous Christmastide

Pastor Peter

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Christmas Pageant 2009

December 25, 2009

Christ Church United in Lowell’s Christian Education Program, “The Sunbeams”, run by Christian Ed. Director, Jenna Macy, put on a fantastic Christmas Pageant at CCU’s Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on 12/24/09.  The Sunbeams helped us all to remember the real meaning of Christmas.  View more photos from this memorable night.

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60 Minutes and the D.R. Congo

November 29, 2009

Sunday night (11/29/09) at 7pm on CBS, 60 Minutes will be airing a segment on the violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  As you may know, Roger and his family, Christ Church United attendees for the past couple months, escaped the violence of the Congo by immigrating to Uganda until they were able to come to the U.S. just recently.  I encourage you all to watch this 60 Minutes segment to educate ourselves a bit about the country of origin of one of our newest CCU families.

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Thanksgiving help for families in need

November 13, 2009

As has been tradition at Christ Church United in Lowell, we are again looking to fill Thanksgiving dinner baskets for families in need this holiday season.  This year, we are hoping to fill 40 baskets for Thanksgiving.  You are invited to donate food to help fill these baskets up until November 22nd, at which time they will be delivered to families.  All donations may be brought to Christ Church United through the back door at 1 Bartlett Street in Lowell, MA (978-459-9631).

The donated food items needed to fill the baskets are listed below.  Your generosity of food or money for CCU to purchase the food is much appreciated.

Each Thanksgiving Dinner Food Bag will contain:

10-12 pound Turkey

1 box instant mashed potatoes

1 box stuffing

1 can corn

1 can peas

1 can string beans

1 jar pickles

1 jar olives (black or green)

1 can or jar of turkey gravy (for turkey dinner)

1 can cranberry sauce

1 pumpkin pie or apple pie

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City Park Beautification

October 12, 2009

Come help Christ Church United and the Progressive Christians of Greater Lowell make their favorite city park, Kittredge Park in Lowell, a more beautiful place (Sat., Oct. 24, 9am-12noon). In partnership with the Annual City-wide Parks Beautification Day, our group will plant bulbs, care for planting beds, and clean the park.  Kittredge Park is at the intersection of Andover Street & Nesmith Street in Lowell.  Hope you can join us!  For more information, click here.

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Sunbeams are back!!

September 12, 2009

Christ Church United in Lowell YOUTH AND FAMILIES—

Come One, Come All!!!!

!!! Sunbeams start TOMORROW – Sunday, Sept. 13th for all school-aged children during the 10am church service!!!!

Come and be a part of this exciting, God-inspired Christian Education program, based on the Workshop Rotation Model.

And adults, don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of this energizing ministry, growing in your faith along with our youth.

Please see our Youth Director Jenn Macy to volunteer to help as a teacher (3-week commitment) or as a substitute teacher (as-needed commitment).

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