First Congregational Church of Chatham United Church of Christ
508-945-0800
650 Main St.
​At the Rotary
Chatham,MA 02633
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Loving our neighbors on the streets

2/18/2015

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One of the suggestions as to how we spend our time during Lent is in service 
to others.  This season as a church we will be focusing on the issue of homelessness.  It is important that as people of Christ, we remember our “neighbors” and extend the gift of compassion and hope.  Alan Burt, of Homeless Not Hopeless, will be joining us.  We will also be using his book “Blessings of the Burden” for discussion in some of our Wednesday night midweek services.  He writes, “Clearly we should not scorn and judge those who fall to the streets.  Our Creator wants us to love and help our neighbors in need.  Like lifeguards, who simply pull people out of the water because they have fallen into the water, we should be pulling people out of homelessness because they have fallen into homelessness”.  Alan will help give us a better understanding of homelessness of Cape Cod.  Beth Wade, our former Christian Ed director and current Director of Champ Homes, will also be joining us to tell us more about that organization which provides and maintain a safe, supportive and nurturing home environment for formerly homeless youth and adults.

Our young people will be educating our congregation with “Moments for Mission”.  J2A will be working with Beth Eldredge on homelessness awareness.  Our confirmands will be shooting a documentary on the issue.  Our young friends will be looking at the books “Fly Away Home” and “Benjamin Brody’s Backyard Bag”, both about homelessness.  They will present one of them in dramatic form for our intergenerational service on March 22nd.  And, on March 25th, we will host a The “Cardboard City” Overnight Retreat for middle - high school students, and adults to raise awareness about homelessness in America. The overnight will include activities, group discussion, prayer, building “houses” out of cardboard and sleeping in the cardboard houses on our front lawn.

A Prayer for the Homeless

God of compassion,

your love for humanity was revealed in Jesus,

whose earthly life began in the poverty of a stable

and ended in the pain and isolation of the cross:

we hold before you those who are homeless and cold

especially in this bitter weather.

Draw near and comfort them in spirit

and bless those who work to provide them

with shelter, food and friendship.

We ask this in Jesus' name.

Amen.
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Lent 101

2/11/2015

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What is Lent?  Lent is the season of the Christian Year where Christians focus on simple living, prayer, spiritual reflection and deepening to grow closer to God.

When is Lent?   It is the forty days before Easter, excluding Sundays (because every Sunday is like a little Easter).  It begins with Ash Wednesday, a service in which we recognize life as a precious gift from God and re-turn our lives towards Jesus Christ.

Why ashes?
  In Jewish and Christian history, ashes are a sign of mortality and repentance.  The ashes are traditionally from the palms used in the previous years’ Palm Sunday service.  They are burned and mixes with a little water (like tears) or oil.

10 Things to Try this Lenten Season:
  1. Try an electronic fast (give up TV, electronic games, social media).

  2. Start a prayer rhythm (say a prayer every time you brush your teeth, at a stop light, before you call someone)

  3. Read one chapter in the Bible each day.

  4. Forgive someone (perhaps even yourself).

  5. Give up soft drinks, fast food, tea or coffee.

  6. Create a daily quiet time.

  7. Cultivate a life of gratitude.

  8. Be kind to someone each day.

  9. Pray for others you see.

  10. Volunteer an hour or more each week.



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