State tax benefit added for Massachusetts donors

For 2023 tax returns (those due on April 17), Massachusetts now allows a tax deduction for charitable donations even if you do not itemize deductions on your federal return.   No deduction is allowed for household goods or used clothing, but otherwise the deduction is whatever your federal deduction would have been had you itemized. …

Read moreState tax benefit added for Massachusetts donors

crowd waving hands

Christian education: In Jesus’ name we will serve you!

Reflect on the image of Jesus feeding thousands of hungry people. Where do you imagine yourself in this huge assembly? Are you surrounded by members of your family or close friends? Or are you just a faceless person in the crowd? Thousands were fed by Jesus with only five small loaves of bread and two …

Read moreChristian education: In Jesus’ name we will serve you!

Easter 2024

Easter brings sunshine, egg seekers, festive duet

Newton Highlands Congregational Church (NHCC) Easter events on Sunday, March 31, 2024, included a sunrise service, an egg hunt, and a music-filled worship service. About a dozen hardy early birds met at Levingston Cove on Crystal Lake for a 6:15 a.m. sunrise service led by the Reverend Ken Baily. Deacon Yumiko Matsuoko gave flowers to …

Read moreEaster brings sunshine, egg seekers, festive duet

two glasses of lemonade on tray with lemons

CE: Children to run Love-Thy-Neighbor Lemonade Stand during April

Children who participate in the Christian Education program at Newton Highlands Congregational Church will be hosting a mission-focused lemonade stand each week after worship in April 2024. Proceeds from the Love-Thy-Neighbor Lemonade Stand will be split among three organizations the church school children have selected, as follows: Please help us serve others by giving generously …

Read moreCE: Children to run Love-Thy-Neighbor Lemonade Stand during April

An ink drawing of the Newton Highlands Congregational Church

Easter Worship – 31 March 2024

The Day of Resurrection * Those who are able please stand Organ Prelude “Easter Day” (C. Loret) Easter Welcome, Welcome BackChoral Offering “Rise Up Singing” (Craig Courtney) Responsive Call to WorshipLeader: Christ is Risen!All: He is risen indeed! *Opening Hymn #123 Jesus Christ is Risen Today *Unison Prayer of Gathering and New LifeTriumphant God, humble …

Read moreEaster Worship – 31 March 2024

Colorful chairs to be placed on church lawn

The Reverend Ken Baily and skilled member Mark Johnson assembled chairs on Sunday, March 24, 2024, for placement on the upper lawn of Newton Highlands Congregational Church along Lincoln Street. Five colorful plastic folding Adirondack chairs were purchased for $1000 with the assent of the Buildings & Grounds Committee. The chairs are part of a …

Read moreColorful chairs to be placed on church lawn

Children with palms on Palm Sunday

Children bearing palms recall Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem

Many spread their cloaks on the road and others spread leafy branches that they cut from the fields. Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: “Hosanna! Blessed is he whom comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Hosanna in …

Read moreChildren bearing palms recall Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem

An ink drawing of the Newton Highlands Congregational Church

24 March 2024 — Palm/Passion Sunday

An asterisk (*) invites the Assembly to stand.Words in bold indicate the responses of the Assembly. Prelude “Hosannah!” (J. P. E. Hartmann)Congregational WelcomeGospel Reading of the Palms Mark 11: 1-11*Procession of Palms/Hymn #88 All Glory, Loud and Honor *Unison Prayer of Invocation and New LifeGod of Jesus Christ, who teaches us the way, come and …

Read more24 March 2024 — Palm/Passion Sunday

Preparations underway for Palm Sunday and Holy Week

Children will distribute palm fronds to the congregation as the Newton Highlands Congregational Church worship service begins on Sunday, March 24, 2024. All children are invited to gather in the church entryway at 9:50 a.m. Several events are planned to mark Holy Week, the days preceding Easter, and preparations are underway for the church’s annual …

Read morePreparations underway for Palm Sunday and Holy Week