If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.
Mark 9:42
The rite of Communion on Sunday, October 7, 2024, at Newton Highlands Congregational Church, featured seven languages in addition to English.
The Communion leaders were as follows:
- The Reverend Ken Baily (English)
- Les Barnstone (Hebrew)
- Diane Basemera (Luganda)
- Gary Li (Mandarin)
- Yevgenia Semeina Maroyan (Russian)
- Yumiko Matsuoka (Japanese)
- Emma Oliphant (Danish)
- Liz Simpson (Swahili)
The chancel table and Communion table, purchased recently and given in memory of Deacon Paula Pui Yee Wong, were dedicated; John Yu, Ms. Wong’s husband, was in attendance.
In his meditation, the Reverend Ken Baily spoke about relying on the Bible for ancient wisdom, not for current behavioral guidelines. He explained that the days’s scripture (Mark 9:38-50) teaches the need to support the powerless, sharing resources and enlarging the circle of community to include more people.
An offering was taken for UCC effort Neighbors in Need. Children and youth made sandwiches for Community Day Center of Waltham.
Organist Yevgenia’s postlude was Fantasia on “Wachet Auf” (M. Ellis).
The Bird family hosted fellowship time on behalf of the Christian Education Committee.
