Light of God Blog – CCU Lowell

Summer 2009 Reaching Out

Newsletter of Christ Church United, UCC, in Lowell, MA

PASTOR’S MESSAGE

Nothing is Impossible With God
Luke 1:37

As the summer months begin, and we await summer sun and fun and the air of relaxation which accompanies summer evenings, please pause — now — and give thanks to our Creator God.  Our God — Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer — is with us and watches over you and me, through all seasons of life.  By God’s mercy and grace, we are becoming faithful, helpful, and caring.  We have accomplished so much in these trying times.  Nothing is impossible with God!

I lift up to God with thanksgiving the recent vote of this congregation to support creating five units for homeless families.  This vote came after many months of discernment and open conversation.  The decision is based on our congregational stand to be LOVED BY GOD, LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR, AND WALK THE WAY OF JUSTICE.  We are living into this vision for a vibrant future with faith and conviction.  Nothing is impossible with God!

We are currently seeking a partner with experience in developing and managing such programs (CTI? House of Hope?), as well as legal counsel.  I anticipate being involved in the development of a fundraising strategy for costs associated with the new entrance, kitchen, classrooms, etc…  I look forward to a day when we can proudly host families in a building that is safe, energy efficient, handicap accessible, welcoming, AND “the pride and joy” of the three congregations who call CCU home.  Nothing is impossible with God!

Christ Church United, by virtue of its location and time in history, has a compelling story that many of us, including people who’re looking for a new church home, find appealing.  I trust each of you will continue learning about his project, pray for all our leaders, and join in sharing our unique story with friends and family.  If we can do this — TELL OUR STORY — I have no doubt that we’ll be able to raise adequate financial support for this project.  Nothing is impossible with God!

This summer will be busy with Vacation Bible School, ChristCare Group meetings, weekly worship services, community group meetings, and more.  We’re planning for an autumn to focus on small group ministries, relevant worship themes, and Intergenerational Sundays that sparkle with life.  If there is anyway I can help you on your life’s journey, I hope you will contact me.  Nothing is impossible with God!

Pastor Peter

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Spring 2009 Reaching Out Newsletter

Christ Church United, UCC, in Lowell (WeWelcomeAll.org)

Message from the Pastor

Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?

Luke 9:23-25

We are living in trying and turbulent times, a time of “great disruption” writes one commentator. This is no ‘bump in the road; we’re hitting a wall” (Thomas Friedman). Many of the ideals and expectations that have fueled our way of life for generations - good jobs, clean air, health care, education, a “level playing field” – have proven false. The foundation of our democracy has a crack, made evermore glaring by the meltdown of the entire financial system. There is no one person, party or group to blame. The institutions we place our trust in – educational, political, religious and business – must share the blame. Our biggest enemy today is impatience and a failure of objectivity. The time needed to solve the wide-ranging problems we face will not be solved by the “chattering class” of radio and television commentators. Balanced reporting is an oxymoron. (Wall Street “owns” and writes the news you tune in to hear.) Hitting a wall is more severe than hitting a bump in the road. There are broken parts of our “way of life” strewn across the landscape. We’ve got to roll up our sleeves and work, collectively, to triage the injured, protect the vulnerable neighbor, and project cautious trust and optimism, until a brighter future arrives.

No one owns Jesus Christ! Jesus was never bought, nor did he ever sell out to the “highest bidder.” His love, his example is pure as the heart. He is our constant companion through the twists and turns of life. No matter what the burden, we have “a friend” in the one who teaches, “take up your cross and follow me.” Following him is not the easy path, and we are reminded of this truth during the events of Holy Week. Yet, as Lent gives way to the promise of Easter, just as Winter flows into Spring, we live in the assurance that God will triumph in all times and places, and that, because of our faith in him, we will also be grasped and sustained by the power of God’s wondrous love.

Live with faith, hope and love. These days demand it!

Pastor Peter

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Winter 2009 Reaching Out Newsletter

Christ Church United UCC in Lowell (WeWelcomeAll.org)

Pastor’s Message

A 50^TH BIRTHDAY WISH TO REFLECT A BOLD VISION

One year ago, we began formal meetings to discern a viable path to grow our great church. For seven months, we met to share stories, review our history, and launch a future vision that addresses our current needs of spiritual and numerical growth. Our hope is grounded in our history, and a desire to show God’s love in Jesus Christ.

This winter, the anniversary of our VisionQuest, offers an opportunity to more deeply embed the beliefs we value as well as support of “one of our own”. Long ago, Karen Stairs’ shared a dream that speaks to the essence of our congregational vision. To mark her fiftieth birthday, Karen wants everyone to help re-stock The Open Pantry of Greater Lowell.

The culmination is a “Fifty’s Sock Hop Dance”, February 21. Spurred by her dream, CCU is host to an Interfaith Forum on Homelessness on Sunday, March 1.

Who could’ve guessed that, one year ago, the need for food and shelter would be so great, that so many would be living in fear of not knowing where their next meal would come from. (Neal and Janet Bartlett report they have never seen so many people lining up for so few cans of food.) I hope that each of us will be able to join in these efforts to alleviate the most basic of needs so many are facing this winter. In so doing, I trust we will more fully appreciate how the Word made flesh is truly among us, guiding us as we seek to create a future as a people Loved by God, Loving our Neighbors, and Walking the Way of Justice.

God bless you,

Pastor Peter

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Autumn Newsletter – Christ Church United in Lowell, September 200

PASTOR’S MESSAGE

So don’t be anxious about tomorrow.

God will take care of your tomorrow too.

Live one day at a time.

- Matthew 6:34

I give thanks to God for this time of new beginnings. I have had a fruitful and relaxing summer. July brought Vacation Bible School, ChristCare, and the near conclusion of our VisionQuest. August began with the Pan Mass Challenge bicycle ride and ended with a wonderful week with the family in Williamsburg, VA.

I am grateful to all of you for the way you have cared for one another through worship, prayer and support. I am very glad that school has now begun and routines are emerging.

We have so much to look forward to as we strengthen our household of faith. No doubt, there will be times of stress and disagreement as we forge a new path. However, I’m not worried. We must not allow ourselves to get ahead of ourselves. Implementing our vision will take patience, discernment and…God’s timing. I hope and pray we’re able to live into today – this day - as a people of God. By doing this, we will be able to celebrate God’s blessings and continue as living-vessels for the Holy Spirit, and be true to God’s Word.

Read this newsletter thoroughly, and see what opportunities there are for you to grow your faith.

Faithfully Yours,

Pastor Peter

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REACHING OUT, June/July 2008

Christ Church United in Lowell’s Monthly Newsletter

FROM PASTOR PETER

“The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs so all the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” Mark 4:31

I feel as though we, at CCU, are like this blessed-by-God mustard seed Jesus uses to image the Kingdom of God. Last Sunday, after worship, church continued! In the Chapel more than fifteen folks gathered for VisionQuest #6. Though it sometimes feels like we’re traveling through a strange, unfamiliar wilderness, we have trusted God, listened to one another and, thanks to the wisdom of Rev. Richardson, our efforts are bearing fruit. We now have pathways (plans) to focus our desire for growth: lively worship; dedicated church school space; accessibility, energy efficient building; multicultural congregation; a desire to be known in the neighborhood, etc. There is a “can-do” spirit shaping our mustard seed-like congregational life into a flourishing “shrub”!

With this edition of Reaching Out (June, July, August) you will find “everything” you need to know about life at CCU this summer. And, there are plenty of opportunities for us to stay together and grow our faith, even during the summer months.

In August, I’ll conclude my second year with you. Honestly, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else on my Christian journey than at CCU. We are a special people. I’ve been strengthened by all of you, and I look forward to all that lies ahead. I pray for you. Let us pray for one another and for our church.

Pastor Peter

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