107 Concord Road, Wayland Massachusetts 01778

 

Detail of Christ The King, 6th Century Icon, St Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai

The church year ends this week, the Sunday of Christ the King. On the Sunday of All Saints we gathered, in our memories and in our liturgy, the saints of heaven and earth. Sunday we all stand together before the gracious king of kings.

Election chaos rings in our ears. Loud promises shouted by those who would reign over us were cheered by large crowds.

The kings and leaders of the nations of earth rise and pass away in time. At the end of this election year it will be good for us to affirm again the gracious, eternal kingship of Christ, to confess our final allegiance to his word, and to help one another hold on to the life-giving, peace-affirming promises that have been spoken to us, Christ’s people, to other people of earth, and to the creatures of the earth.

The choir rehearses at 8:45 am.

During the service members of the council will make a presentation about the ministry of Peace. We have a faithful, outward-looking church together. Your pledges pay the bills. On Sunday take a pledge envelope from the basket near the font. Return your pledge in the offering plate.

As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.  Luke 21: 6

In these last days of the church year, the Sunday lessons turn sober and reflective. They seem to remind us that all we have built and accomplished will be dust one day. This is not a threat from an enemy. This is a mere fact of the effect of time on our lives, and on all life on earth. Our scriptural faith invites us to face this fact, not with dread, but with joy. The works of our hands will turn to dust someday, but the work of God’s word is eternal. So, as people of faith, we turn our hearts and minds to things of the spirit, to the things that last through the generations.

The word of God that we hear is not an artifact. It is alive when one of you reads it aloud on Sunday morning and the rest of us listen. The work that we do together as a Christian congregation is of lasting value. We are building and repairing a faith tradition that is passed on through generations of Christians.

Sunday we will think together about stewardship as caring for things that last.  Pledge cards are on the table near the font, reminding us that our pledges help house and maintain our church community as we, the people of it, cherish scripture, sacraments, music and prayer, look out for one another and serve those in need.

Family Promise host weeks end Sunday. We will hear how things have gone. High school and confirmation youth are asked to help wash sheets and blankets at the laundromat in Maynard. Quarters will be collected after church.

The choir rehearses at 8:45 am.

Confirmation and high school students are invited (asked, actually) to help with Family Promise laundry Sunday after coffee. You will be invited to contribute quarters to the fish bowl after church Sunday.

Please remember to bring in winter coats, boots, school supplies and non-perishable food items for the people in Native American communities in Maine.

The council meets Monday at 7:30 pm.

If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.  John 8: 32-33

Protestant Reformation principles will occupy some of our time on Sunday morning. We’ll celebrate our Christian heritage and think about how the church needs to be reformed today. What are the reforming resources available to us as Christians?

During these months please try to invite a friend, neighbor or family member to church. If you have invited someone, please let me know. Invitation cards are on the table in back of the church. Thank you.

It will be a day of celebration at Peace.

It is always a special Sunday when Bruce Goody and Jonathan Moretz return with their flute and guitar music. Sunday they will play music of Mendelssohn and Mozart.

Colby McDonald, Toby Mueller and Catherine Toomey will receive their first communion. Kyle Viola and Madison Stefancik will receive their first communion later in the year. The Confirmation students have been helping the younger students prepare for the day.

Family Promise Host weeks begin Sunday. Coordinators Kim Ho and Kim Canning will tell us the names of the guest who will arrive Sunday evening, we’ll recognize our volunteers, pray for them and bless everyone who will be involved in the upcoming Family Promise weeks. Our intern Allen Simon has volunteered in the in the Family Promise Day Center Friday mornings.

Then Jesus looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Luke 6:20

Imagine coming to a time in your life when God requires you to surrender everything you hold dear, everything that makes you who you are, everything you’ve earned, everything you’re proud of, everything you’ve achieved, all your degrees and titles, all your money and possessions, your talents, your accomplishments, your family, everything you love, everything. It’s just you, a child again, a child of God. What hope would you have?

You would have nothing, but you would be loved. That is the promise of baptism.

Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. We can only enter the kingdom of God when we have left behind everything we possess and enjoy. We come to God not as achievers, but as learners. Not as go-getters, but as searchers. Not as loud-mouth advocates but as humble supplicants asking for forgiveness, betting on grace. There are boasters and bigshots all around us, not only in the media and in public life, but all around us, even in the church (imagine that!). Our faith rests on promises made to each of us in baptism. Faith accepts the gifts of God and says, I don’t deserve this, but thank you, I’ll accept the wonderful life you’ve given me.

Our in-gathering for the month of November will be clothing and food for the Native American people on reserves in Maine. Bring in non-perishable food, warm coats, boots and other winter clothing and school supplies. If you would like to donate cash, write a check to UNACC (United Native American Cultural Center) and give it to Heather this Sunday or next.

Family Promise host weeks continue. Coordinators Kim and Kim will give us an update on how things have gone to the half-way mark. The high school youth and confirmation students will wash the sheets and towels at the coin laundry in Maynard a week from Sunday. They will collect quarters from you this Sunday and next. Check your pockets and under your car seats and bring in your quarters, please!

Intern Allen Simon has been working at the Family Promise Day center and will be making home and nursing home visits with Pastor Johnson. A week from today Allen will be one of the Family Promise overnight hosts.

November is thanksgiving and stewardship month. Pledge cards will be available next Sunday.

The choir rehearses at 8:45 am Sunday.

At the coffee hour we will recognize Dick Stitt as he celebrates his 90th birthday!

Faith formation at 11 am.