Ken Baily
Dear Friends in Christ, Annual Meeting, D-Day, Village Day, Circle of Blessings… well, it’s June and there is still a lot going on. If you were there for Annual Meeting you know, first, that our Moderator Sally Brickell organized it very well. Thanks to many others also, especially Rich Bryden who ran our visuals, and …
Dear Friends in Christ, You’ve heard this from me before (and it bears intermittent repetition). It’s an old church joke. How do you cause God to laugh? Make plans. But, what’s the difference between vision and plans? Or between prophecy and promise? What is the work of justice if not setting “the head of the …
Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity… Second Step, Alcoholics Anonymous Dear Friends in Christ, On Easter morning this year a disciple-sized group met for sunrise at Crystal Lake. (That means twelve people.) A party-sized assembly (about 80?) gobbled up about 800 eggs in under three minutes on …
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth… and I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with humankind… (I) will wipe away every tear, and death shall be no more… Behold, I will make all things new.” Rev. 20:1-5 Dear Friends in Christ, There is a …
We have seen his star in the East, and we have come to worship him. Matthew 2:2 Dear Friends in Christ, Do you ever wonder about hot debates from the mid-300’s? Or what Tiffany has to do with Jesus? Please read on, even if you don’t wonder! Because the twelfth day of Christmas, January 6th, Epiphany, …
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and… Romans 12:15 Dear Friends in Christ, Let’s ponder some good news, worthy of rejoicing. We had our first infant baptism since before Covid in worship on Reformation Sunday. We have more to come! Due to gifts given graciously by folks like you (dear reader), our Council sent $2,250 to …
Are you interested in joining a Bible study group? Book studies are great and mission projects are our call, yet they all evolve from the faith we form as we learn scripture together. During Covid it was difficult to gather a regular group. A recent survey revealed the same. So here is an invitation: if …
The story of our parish and that of Newton Highlands’ growth and character have long been connected. Of course our parish and this community are all on the intersection of what is historically Massachusett and Pawtucket land, not to be forgotten. In recent times, just over 150 years ago, as the area was evolving anew, …
Stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. Mary Theresa Bojaxhiu (Mother Theresa) Dear Friends in Christ, Summer is arriving. Schools are commencing and adjourning. Schedules are changing. And darkness definitely does not overcome light, …
Prelude Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, mvt. 1 (Camille Saint-Saëns) Congregational Welcome Choral Introit Hymn to the Trinity (Paul Sjolund) Responsive Call to Worship Leader: Christ is Risen! All: He is risen indeed! *Opening Hymn #461 God is Here! *Unison Prayer of Eastertide One Voice: Hear the words of Luke, from Acts: “Peter and the …