February 2020 Steeple Sounds 2

From the Desk of Rev. Beth

Rev. Elizabeth Stotts, Pastor

In our Weekly Bible Study this week we had a talk about the difference between the 10 Commandments and Jesus’ Commandments. The 10 Commandments were given to Moses and were/are followed by those in the Jewish faith. You know them. They’re the one’s that say “Thou shall not…”. Jesus’ Commandments, even though there are only two, are much more difficult. “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)

So who is your neighbor? Do you know the people who live around you? Do you know the people who ride on the same train as you in your commute? Sometimes people feel guilty about Christ’s command to love our neighbor because some of us don’t even know our neighbors. Furthermore, sometimes we know our neighbors, but maybe it’s hard to love them. I was thinking that perhaps regardless of the situation surrounding our relationships with our neighbors, here are some things we can do to “love” them, just as Jesus would ask us to:

1. PRAY
Pray specifically for your neighbors by name. Pray that they would know Christ by knowing you, and pray for the opportunity to develop relationships with them. Don’t know their names? Read #2...

2. LEARN
Learn about your neighbors. You might have to have that embarrassing conversation when you say, “I’m so sorry. I should know your name since we’ve been neighbors for 20 years, but I don’t recall it. Could you tell me your name again?” Keep a list of your neighbors’ names, addresses, their dogs’ names, what you talk about, when you met, any tidbit of trivia you can follow up on later. Sometimes being a follower of Christ makes us uncomfortable.

3. GIVE
A little gift is an instant ice breaker. It doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate— maybe some brownies or a plate of cookies, a children’s drawing (involving your children is a beautiful way to teach them to love their neighbor!), or even a handwritten note saying “Thinking of you”.

4. SERVE
Intentionally serve outside your typical circles to meet more people. Volunteer at the food pantry, work with children at Horizons in Brockton, become trained to be a hospice visitor, groom animals at an animal rescue, share a meal at a soup kitchen, visit a nursing home, or pick up litter in your neighborhood park.

5. CALL
One in four of the homes on your street is occupied by one person living alone. Call one of your single neighbors using one of these conversation starters—
   “I haven’t seen you for a while and wondered how you’re doing.”
   “I really enjoy talking to you. What have you been up to?”
   “I’m going to the store, what can I pick up for you?”
   “Are you ready for the [upcoming storm, holiday, etc.]?”
Ask your elderly or shut-in neighbors specific questions during extremely cold weather:
   “Is your heat working?”
   “Are you warm enough?”
   “Do you have enough food to get through the next few days?”

6. HELP
Do a neighbor a favor. Carry your neighbor’s trash cans back to her house, help carry in groceries, rake leaves, or shovel snow. Scrape the frost off the windshield or help with a home improvement project. Or simply listen...listen long and hear your neighbor’s heart.

7. EAT
I mean seriously, this is what we do best here at CSCC. Invite a neighbor to join your table at the Mission Dinner (March 21st) or for breakfast on a breakfast Sunday (1st & 3rd Sunday of every month, through May). Sharing a meal with someone is one of the most spiritually intimate acts we can do and Jesus models it for us so beautifully.

You don’t have to do all of these to “love your neighbor”, but challenge yourself to pick one and make it a point to actively engage in neighborly love. If you’re having a hard time loving your neighbor right now, give me a call or make an appointment to come talk to me. I’m always here for you.

Yours In Christ,
Rev. Beth
csccpastor@hotmail.com, 508-697-6016

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers that make our after-worship time welcoming and delicious. If you are able to help one of our dedicated committees with this ministry on one of the dates below, contact Mike at mm.bundock@comcast.net, or Gail at wershing@ptd.net.

Feb. 2—First Sunday..................Board of Christian Outreach & Board of Stewardship
Feb. 9—Second Sunday (Annual Meeting).................CSCC Officers & Women’s Guild & Fellowship
Feb. 16—Third Sunday...........................Growth Committee & History & Memorials Committee
Feb. 23—Fourth Sunday............................Board of Trustees & Board of Christian Education

The Talking Information Center

A wonderful program entitled The Talking Information Center or TIC Network was presented at the January Women’s Guild & Fellowship meeting. It is a radio station that broadcasts for people who are visually impaired. Two hundred volunteers read the daily newspaper, short stories, books, poetry, and more to an audience of people throughout Massachusetts who would not otherwise have access to news and information or the joy of hearing a book read to them. How can a person access the TIC Network? They can listen on the TIC website (www.ticnetwork.org), call and inquire about a receiver, or listen by phone. They can call for availability on their local channel or download a free app available for both Apple and Android. Another source is Alexa or Google. Just say, “Alexa (or Hey Google) play radio station Talking Information Center” on your Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, or Google Home devices. The reason this information is being shared with you, is because you may know someone who is visually impaired and could take advantage of this wonderful program. Any questions please see Beth Basler or Terry Reynolds.
Co-Presidents: Beth Basler, bethbasler@rcn.com and Terry Reynolds, terryr0647@hotmail.com

Guild Auction: February 5

All women of the church are invited to attend the February meeting of the Women’s Guild & Fellowship on Wednesday, February 5. We will be having an auction to raise funds towards our favorite causes. Sandy Alley, Janet Colford, Phoebe Hogg, & Bev Mitchell will be our auctioneers. Members of the Guild are asked to bring one or more items to be auctioned. For an uproarious evening led by these funny women, come to the auction. You never know what to expect.

Any youth going on the mission trip (and at least one parent each) should plan on attending the meeting on Sunday, February 2 at 11:30(ish), following the Superbowl Appetizer sale at coffee hour.

1. MISSION DINNER: All youth going on the trip are required to work at the mission dinner, this year on March 21. We will go over all the details at the meeting—make all the final decisions, talk about schedule, be briefed on the auction/raffle and your responsibilities regarding it, and more. All church youth (grades 8-12) are invited to participate in the dinner, whether they are going on the trip or not.

2. TRIP PAPERWORK: Also, Youth Works has switched to a paperless system this year. We will go over the details of the online system where your paperwork will need to be filled out. Or you can get started on it by going to the church website (www.csccucc.org), and clicking on “Ministries”. Then just scroll down to the mission trip part. There’s a link there to the Youthworks paperwork system. ALL ONLINE FORMS MUST BE COMPLETED BY MAY 17.

Questions? Contact Jess Stearns at jessicastearns1231@gmail.com or contact the church office.

At the January “Sunday Stories with Rev. Beth”, she sang with them a special song, with lyrics she had composed, to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”. We thought we’d share the song with you to enjoy with your little ones.

Nursery Song
Sung to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”
Lyrics by Rev. Beth Stotts

Gather round and sing with me
Of a love eternally
God with us, in us, we pray
Making friends while we play
Gather round and sing with me
Of a love eternally

Reading books and singing songs
Play with friends all morning long
Church is where we come to say
God loves us each night and day
Reading books and singing songs
Play with friends all morning long

These small commitment/big impact roles are available throughout the year, and youth and families are welcome to volunteer as well. Whether for one Sunday, or once a month, ushers, greeters, and acolytes are needed to create a helpful and welcoming experience for all who come through our doors. Contact the church office, or speak to someone in one of those roles on Sunday for more information about how you can participate.

Acolytes have traditionally been 3rd-6th graders, but anybody is welcome to take on this important job of leading off worship by lighting the altar candles. Be the one who brings the light of Christ into our presence at the beginning of Sunday service!
For more information, contact Ellen at office@csccucc.com or 508-697-6016.

On 12/11/19 members of the HCRC appeared before the Community Preservation Committee at the Bridgewater Town Hall and submitted our completed CPA grant application. Because there are so many members on this committee, they asked if we could also submit our notebook application electronically, which they did.

The review process could take up to two months, which means we’re hoping to have an answer to our request by this month, February 2020.
Repairs are scheduled to begin in the spring. Most, or all, of the work should be completed by our 200th anniversary celebration in the Fall of 2021.

Your HCBC
Barbara Morey, Rachel Lawson, David Sheibley, Carol Chaffee, Gloria Weinrebe, Terry Reynolds

Lent, which begins this year on February 26, is a time of spiritual transformation, of releasing negative thoughts and feelings.

Thich Nhat Hanh acknowledges that because suffering can feel so bad, we try to run away from it or cover it up by consuming. We find something to eat or turn on the television. But unless we’re able to face our suffering, we can’t be present and available to life, and happiness will continue to elude us.
Join Rev. Beth in reading "No Mud, No Lotus," and discover Hanh's practices and inspiration transforming suffering into finding true joy.

Available from Amazon Smile in Kindle or paperback formats. Click HERE to purchase or learn more.

TO ALL MEMBERS: Please be advised that the Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 9, 2020. Following worship, complimentary lunch will be served, and the Annual Meeting will follow immediately afterward.

The purpose of the meeting, according to the our Constitution, Article X, Church Meetings, Section 2: The Annual Meeting of the Church shall be held on the second Sunday of February for the purpose of receiving/hearing reports of all Officers, Boards, Committees and Organizations and to transact any other business that may legally come before it.

This is a celebration! Please come and let us celebrate together the people and ministry of Central Square Congregational Church, United Church of Christ!

No other business matters will be voted on, unless presented in writing to the Moderator prior to the meeting. That business will be added to the agenda ONLY after an affirmative vote by 2/3 of the attending-voting members.

The youth are just about to embark on their project of gathering donations of raffle and auction items for the Mission Dinner fundraiser. If you have a new item, a gift basket, or a gift card you would like to donate, please contact Diane Sheibley at dianesheibley@gmail.com or contact the church office.

If you would like to help out the dinner budget (allowing more of the funds raised to go to the mission trip), your Roche Bros. or Market Basket gift cards would be most appreciated, or cash donations can also be made. Direct all donations to the office, attention ‘mission dinner’.

This is the time to say a huge thank you to all of you for your recent monetary and material donations to the programs of the Board of Christian Outreach!

Through your portion of pledges that are allocated to Outreach, we made a donation to Operation Santa. Our Christmas Eve collection for the Christmas Fund to needy retired and working clergy raised $724. Thank you all so much for your generosity.

We had many wonderful warm clothing items to take to Taunton for our Warmth in Cold Places clothing drive on January 21st. Thank you for donations of hats, gloves, ponchos, coats, sweatshirts, jeans, blankets, and boots.

The food pantry is running smoothly with cash donations from local citizens, and food donations from all of you and BSU students. We are blessed to have so many giving hearts and hands.

This year our congregational life will be centered around monthly themes. These themes will be the topics for our Christian Education during Children’s Spiritual Enrichment, youth group meetings, Sunday Stories with Rev. Beth in the Nursery, and in our weekly Sunday Worship at 10am. They will also (along with the lectionary texts) be a focal point in our weekly Bible Study which is each Tuesday at 7pm in the Fireplace Room.

Upcoming Monthly Themes are:
February - Loving Our Neighbors
March - Questioning
April - Journeying

• Few people know everybody in the church.
• Your nametag is welcoming to a visitor.
• Nametags invite conversation.
• Knowing names makes fellowship more personal.
• Nametags save embarrassment.

If it’s in your car, on your desk or dresser, or in the rack by the front door at church, there is someone on Sunday morning who might not know your name.

Please make an effort to wear your fresh new tag with large clear print so those of us who can't remember your name for a long minute won’t have that embarrassment, and newcomers can get to know you. Thank you!

The Chair of the Board of Deacons (BOD) in conjunction with the Senior Pastor will discuss the need and reason for cancellation of worship service. Upon the decision to cancel worship service the following procedures shall be put into effect:

1. The Pastor will notify the Music Director no later than 6am the Sunday morning of the service in question. The Music Director will in turn notify the choir.
2. The Pastor will notify the Sexton and other staff, including the Congregational Administrator.
3. The Congregational Administrator will update the office answering machine with the cancellation announcement, notify the appropriate television media, send a general church email, and update the website and Facebook page.
4. The chair of the BOD will notify the Moderator and Vice Moderator and the other members of the BOD.

The main factors used to decide a cancellation of
worship are:
1. Excessive amounts of snow
2. Parking availability (or parking ban)
3. Damage to the church
4. State of Emergency
5. Power Outage

Booth Video Productions and BTV Access Corporation team up weekly to bring you live stream productions of our service. The link to watch the service live, as well as an electronic copy of our bulletin so that you can follow along, is available each week on our website homepage, www.csccucc.org.
Central Square Congregational services are available on the go! You can watch weekly sermons live on YouTube courtesy of Paul Holmes and Booth Video (search Central Square Congregational Church) or on Replay on BTV Channel 9, here in Bridgewater. You can also watch replays and download copies, courtesy of the BTV Video on Demand Page, available at btvaccess.com. Services air on Channel 9, weekly on Sunday at 8pm (previous week), Mondays at 1pm, Tuesdays at 10am, and Fridays at 3pm. BTV also airs coverage of church events, when covered by volunteer producers.

Church Administration
Pastor: Rev. Elizabeth Stotts, csccpastor@hotmail.com
Congregational Administrator: Ellen Atherton, office@csccucc.com
Sexton: Rich Sullivan
Minister of Music: Julia Scott Carey, juliascottcarey@gmail.com
Director of Christian Education: Jess Stearns, jessicastearns1231@gmail.com

Nursery Coordinator: Maria Kean, mmkean14@gmail.com
Treasurer: David Sheibley, treasurer@csccucc.com
Office telephone: (508) 697-6016
Website: www.csccucc.org
Facebook pages: facebook.com/csccuccbridgewaterma (main page), facebook.com/groups/801550253194149 (youth page)

Steeple Sounds submissions deadline is the 15th of the month prior to publication.