Lilies adorn altar on Easter
Lilies purchased in honor of or in memory of loved ones adorned the Newton Highlands Congregational Church altar on Sunday, April 5, 2026. The flowers were arranged by Deacons Joy Huber and Tann Scott.
Misty weather doesn’t dampen Easter Sunday traditions
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:6 The April 5, 2026, Easter celebrations at Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC, began with a 6:15 a.m. service overlooking Crystal Lake and led by the Reverend Dr. Ken Baily for about a dozen parishioners. …
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A message from the pastor
I’ve come to view Jesus the way I’ve come to view Elvis. I love the guy, but some of his fan clubs terrify me. John Fugelsang Dear Friends in Christ, If you read this before Good Friday, forgive me my quoted levity. Our Tenebrae worship with Taizé chants has sufficient gravity and darkness, as do …
Pledge Sunday cards get church two-thirds of the way to budget goal
Twenty families turned in their pledge cards on Pledge Sunday, March 29, 2026, as the first chapter of the church’s 2026-27 stewardship campaign came to a close. Congregants celebrated during a festive fellowship time with refreshments made by Alex Bezdek and Sally Brickell. According to Treasurer Jim Harper, pledges to date total $160,000, about …
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Palm Sunday meets Pledge Sunday
Jesus was willing to give his life to reveal his commitment to non-violence. The Reverend Dr. Ken Baily Energetic children assembled in the narthex at Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC, on Sunday, March 29, 2026, to gather fistfuls of palms. To the tune of “All Glory, Laud and Honor,” they made their way down the …
Easter provides community and hope
He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:6 Welcome! Easter is the first Sunday in April. This holy day is a profound celebration of joy and resurrection. Come to church school this month and find hope, gratitude, community, and new beginnings. Here …
Was Jesus offensive?
On March 15, 2026, in worship we explored a series of scriptures regarding the meaning of blindness in our Gospels. On the fifth Sunday of Lent we held up a variety of texts where Jesus is offensive. Maybe even insulting. These are inspired by Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 1, where he calls the Christian …
All are invited to Holy Week events
Holy Week 2026 at Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC, will include a tenebrae service on Friday, April 3, and a neighborhood egg hunt on Easter Sunday. All are welcome!
Dedicate Easter flowers by April 2
Celebrate the season or honor loved ones with beautiful Easter flowers that will decorate the chancel at Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC, on Sunday, April 5, 2026. When asked for payment information, activate the Gift Note field and fill in your dedication; the dedications will be printed in the Easter bulletin. Flowers may be taken …
Congregants consider blindness in the Bible
Blindness is a metaphor for not seeing what God does and what God asks. The Reverend Dr. Kenneth Baily Blindness in the Bible was the theme of worship on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC. The hymns included “Be Thou My Vision” and “Open My Eyes That I May See.” In …