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VOLUME LXXXIII, No. 26
December 11, 2018
Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 16, 2018 Aaron Wolgamott, Associate Pastor of
Youth and Family Ministries Sermon: Step of Faith
Key Passage: Matthew 14:22-33
Calendar for Sunday, December 16, 2018
9:00 am Bible Study of the Gospel of John
9:00 am Chapel Worship
10:00 am Prayer in the Chapel
10:30 am Worship Service (Infant and toddler care provided)
Sunday School follows the Children’s Chat
Coffee Hour follows the service
Noon: Junior Choir Rehearsal
Memorial Flowers The flowers will be given in loving memory of my
Grandfather, Ralph Scott Wheeler, and my Mother,
Phyllis Reed Wheeler on their birthday,
December 16, by Dexter Wheeler.
Greeter: Claire Atwater
Ushers: Joe D’Agostino, Steve Gates, Richard
Jackson, Linell & Michael Nester, Linda
D’Agostino (captain)
Coffee Hour Host: First Baptist Church/CE
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Christmas Sunday
December 23, 2018
One Service of Worship Rev. Dr. Robert Leroe
Sermon: An Unlikely Christmas Card
Key Passages: Revelation 12:1-6, 13-17
Calendar for Sunday, December 23, 2018
9:00 am Bible Study of the Gospel of John
10:00 am Prayer in the Chapel
10:30 am Worship Service (Infant and toddler care provided)
Sunday School follows the Children’s Chat
Coffee Hour follows the service
Noon: Junior Choir Rehearsal
Memorial Flowers Poinsettias will adorn the sanctuary given in
memory of loved ones.
Greeters: Linda Govostes O’Neil and Chloe
Ushers: Joe D’Agostino, Steve Gates, Richard
Jackson, Linell & Michael Nester, Linda
D’Agostino (captain)
Coffee Hour Host: First Baptist Church
Church Office Hours Monday - closed
Tuesday 10 am – 4 pm
Wednesday 10 am – 4 pm
Thursday 1 – 7 pm
Friday 10 am – 4 pm
Variations may occur from time to time
The Church Herald FIRST PARISH CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH Rev. Dr. Robert Leroe, Interim Minister
One Church Street, Wakefield, MA 01880-
2301
(781)245-1539/1644
www.FPCCWakefield.org Conservative Congregational Christian Conference
www.ccccusa.com
Our Mission is to reflect the Love of God by welcoming all people into
a life-changing, ever-growing relationship with Jesus.
Prayers for healing:
Prayers for healing: John Bohn (Nancy Jackson’s
brother), Trefina Fox, Janet Manning, little Samuel
(Kellie’s cousin), MaryAnn Doherty, Lenny and Julie
Hart, retired CCCC Navy Chaplains, Ken Winters
(cancer diagnosis)
Please continue to keep us in your prayers:
Bonnie and Gene Mullen as they grieve the loss of
Bonnie’s dad, Harvey Spector, Betty Inco as she
grieves the loss of her mom, Theresa Inco, Chaplain
(CPT) Scott McGowan, MA Army National Guard
– deployed to Kosovo, Julia Mores (cancer treatments),
Evangeline Brown, Barbara Costas, Charles and
Maria Arthur, The Laboy Family, Stephen Taylor,
and Steve Wallace
Our missionaries around the globe:
“Praise the Lord” for the healing of Alexandria
Brennan, recovered from hip surgery, she is back to
work. Thank you Lord for the healing of the bones
of Ali Wolgamott and Thank you, Father, for the
safe arrival of Samantha Fuller born on December 3
to Joy and Jamal Fuller. Samantha is the Lisa and
Brian Carpenter’s new granddaughter.
Please connect with our church family, with a call,
a note, or even a visit!
Kathryn Millheim, Albert Simkins, Barbara
Sullivan, Richard Pratt, and Irene Whitehead
When you know of a prayer need that has been met
and no longer needs to be on our prayer list, please
let the Church Office know.
Please contact the church office if
you know of someone who could
benefit from receiving a prayer
shawl.
Stephen Ministers provide
confidential, one-to-one
Christian care to people
experiencing a crisis or going
through a difficult time. Stephen
Ministers meet weekly with
their care receiver for around an
hour to listen, care, encourage,
pray, and provide emotional and
spiritual support for the person.
Caring relationships last for as
long as the person’s need
persists.
Stephen Leaders: Pam and Ken Hodgson
Stephen Ministers: Barbara Flynn, David and Susan
Frey, Judy Gordon and Donna Woodland
Diaconate: Andy Black, Jen Byam, Angela Faylor,
Barbara Flynn, Susan and David Frey, Jacob
Jackson, Doug Jackson, Rodrigo Illanes, Janice
Jones, Bruce Londino, and Ruth Ross
Council Members at Large
Barbara Flynn and Heather Hulse
If you would like to have positive feedback, a
question or concern brought before the Church
Council on your behalf, please contact either
Barbara or Heather.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE Chapel Sanctuary Sun. School Total
December 2 21 103 Not taken 124
December 9 25 87 Not taken 112
2018/2019 Family Sunday Dates
On family Sundays, Sunday School for children grades 3 and
up will not be offered, instead we welcome the whole family
to use this opportunity to worship together during our service.
Childcare will be available in the toddler and baby rooms for
all children in grades 2 or younger.
December 30th
New Year’s Weekend
March 10th
Daylight Savings
January 20th
Martin Luther King Weekend
April 21st
Easter Sunday
February 17th
President’s Day Weekend
May 26th
Memorial Day Weekend
Prayer Needs with Lisa after the 9 am
service in the Pastor’s Office.
Two members of the Diaconate/Stephen
Ministry Team will remain in the front
of the Sanctuary after the 10:30 am
service for those who need prayer.
Please join us.
SETTLED PASTOR SEARCH
UPDATE
Important dates coming up:
Sunday, January 6th Following fellowship time,
The Search Committee will be holding a Q&A.
Saturday, January 12th There will be an opportunity to meet
and greet the candidate.
Sunday January 13th The candidate will be preaching.
There will be a meet and greet opportunity before the worship service.
Active members can look forward to an email
that will give more insight into our search
process and information on our chosen
candidate, including a Redacted Resume.
Yours in Christ,
Search Committee: Rhonda Brown, Teddie
Fitzpatrick, David Frey, Mark Hatheway, Doug
Jackson, Russ Porter and Kellie Roden
Shepherd’s Table
For those in need in our community.
Hosted by the First Baptist Church
FPCC Dining Room
2nd Monday of the
month @ 6p
FOOD PANTRY: If you or someone you know is in
need of a little help from the FPCC Food Pantry, please
contact Jim Fosnock at 617-680-4986.
If you have seasonal clothing to donate, it is appreciated
to supplement our monthly clothing closet.
Fall Clothing is now needed.
Blankets and towels are welcome as well.
HOSPITALITY/FELLOWSHIP TIME: Check
out the blank dates on the board in the vestry. If you
would like to host a Sunday to pour coffee, supply
cream for coffee and Goldfish crackers and apple
juice for the children, please see what
date may be best for you or get a
group or your committee to sign
up. Please be mindful that we
share fellowship time with the
First Baptist Church. If you can
add to the hospitality table, please
do.
Save the Date! Friday, December 14, 7:30 pm Please plan to attend our annual Community
Messiah Sing, held in our sanctuary with a 15-piece
orchestra (thanks to the Upham Fund) and
professional soloists. In this event, the audience is
the chorus, and we want you to join in singing the
choruses of the Christmas section of this marvelous
work of George Frederic Handel, finishing with the
well-known Hallelujah Chorus; scores will be
provided, so borrow one and sit with other people
singing your part. Although we’d love for everyone
to sing, you’re also welcome to just come and
listen. Admission is free, but an offering will be
taken to pass on to the charity Housing Families, as
we recognize the fact that Handel wrote this work
as a benefit for a Dublin orphanage. A reception in
the vestry sponsored by the Music Committee
follows. If you can provide baked goods, please
leave them on the table in the vestry Friday
afternoon or evening.
Thank you and do join us!
Christmas Choir As we do every year, the Sanctuary Choir invites
interested singers to join us for our festive
Christmas worship services on December 23
(Christmas Sunday) and the 11 pm Christmas Eve
service. Although you’re welcome to attend any
rehearsals in December, the only requirement is to
attend our choir rehearsal on Wednesday, Dec. 19,
at 7:30 pm. If you’re unable to commit to choir
“full-time” right now, this is a great opportunity to
do some singing and see what choir is all about!
And hopefully you’ll have some fun too, while you
help our choral music to become even more of an
enhancement to our Christmas worship! Any
questions, please talk to Director of Music
Ministries Don Hodgkins.
You’re invited to a Christmas band
“concert!” The Wakefield Retired Men’s Club Band (which
actually includes many women too!), one of the
groups FPCC sponsors, invites anyone and
everyone to an “open rehearsal” in our dining room
downstairs on Monday, December 17, from 10-11
am. The band will “play through” their Christmas
music informally, and maybe even invite the
audience to sing along for a few of the selections.
What a nice way to spend a Monday morning a
week before Christmas! Please join us!
Poinsettia Sign Ups
Our sanctuary will be beautified on the Sunday before
Christmas, December 23 with poinsettias, due to the
generosity of our church family who give donations to
purchase these beautiful flowers in memory of loved
ones. Contributions will be received through
Wednesday, December 19. After that date, any names
received may not appear in the worship bulletin.
Please do not remove poinsettias from the sanctuary.
The plants will be distributed by the Flower
Committee, members of our Diaconate and other
volunteers.
I/We wish to contribute memorial poinsettias in
memory of:
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Amount enclosed: $_____________
Donor: ___________________________________
Please enclose $5 for each name (Mr. & Mrs. counts as two
names). Make check payable to “First Parish
Congregational Church.” Checks may be mailed to: One
Church Street, Wakefield, MA 01880-2301 or
left in the church office. Linda D’Agostino will also be in
the vestry after church on December 9 + 16 to receive your
contributions.
The Gospel of John: The Word, The Messiah,
The Son of God Starts Wednesday, December 12th at
7:00pm
Starts Sunday, Dec. 16th
in Library at 9:00am
John refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus
loved.” He writes with simplicity in the original
Greek, which makes this Gospel a good book for
new believers. However, below the surface of
John’s writing are layers of rich and profound
theology.
Week 1: The Incarnation of the Son of God
Week 2: The Presentation of the Son of God
Week 3: You Must Be Born Again!
Week 4: The Living Water
Week 5: Unheeded Miracles
Week 6: Reactions to the Son of God
Week 7: The Resurrection and the Life
Week 8: The King Enters Jerusalem
Week 9: With Christ in the Upper Room
Week 10: With Christ in the Garden
Week 11: Execution of the Son of God
Week 12: Resurrection of the Son of God
The Diaconate: Bruce Londino, Andy Black,
Jennifer Byam, Angela Faylor, Barbara Flynn,
Susan & David Frey, Doug Jackson, Jacob
Jackson, Janice Jones, Rodrigo Illanes and Ruth
Ross
If you are
looking for a
great Bible for
studying…
Check out
the
MacArthur
Study Bible at
CBD
Searching for the
Ad Hoc Worship Team Are you passionate about Worship?
The Diaconate is putting together a team.
The purpose of this team is to
determine the needs, substance and
logistics of a traditional and a
contemporary worship service.
This team will be comprised of the
FPCC Pastor: Pastor Leroe: Chair of
Diaconate: Bruce Londino; Chair of
Music: Gene Mullen; Music Director:
Don Hodgkins; Cornerstone Lead: Doug
Jackson; Chair of CE: Nancy Kunz and
3 additional church members.
If you are interested in submitting your
name to be considered for this
important task, please see Bruce
Londino or Ruth Ross for an
application. You will need to return
your application to the office by the
January 6th deadline. Diaconate will
notify the members selected after the
Diaconate meeting on January 8, 2019.
Thank you for your consideration.
Stewardship and Year-end Giving The new 2018 tax law did not change tax benefits
for charitable giving. Here are some FAQS on the
subject:
1) Are charitable donations still tax-deductible?
Charitable giving (up to 50% of income) is still
deductible. However, you may not need to itemize
charitable giving and other deductions to get the
same tax benefit for 2018, because the optional
“standard deduction” is almost double the 2017
amount.
2) Can I pay my 2019 pledge in calendar 2018?
Yes. If you want to pay part or all of your 2019
pledge before January, just indicate “2019 pledge”
on your check (or in a text box, if you give online)
so the Collector can apply it to your pledge. Prepaid
pledges are included on 2018 Giving Statements
(for tax purposes), and they are treated as 2019
income by the Church.
3) What is an “IRA Charitable Rollover”?
For those over 70 who receive RMDs (required
minimum distributions) from IRAs, this tax benefit
provides that RMDs paid directly to a church or
charity are not reported as income.
Donations from IRAs can be applied to a pledge or
any other fund; just let our Collector know about an
expected payment from your custodian (a bank,
Fidelity, Schwab, etc.).
IRA custodians need the following information to
arrange charitable IRA distributions:
First Parish Tax ID: 04-2108360
FPCC Brokerage Acct: Charles Schwab #4512-
0726
Schwab Tax ID: 94-1737782; DTC Clearing
#0164, Code 40
As we give to our Church this year, may we trust in
God’s faithfulness and promised blessings – better
than any tax benefit, any day!
Gratefully,
Lynn Arena
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so
that in all things at all times, having all that
you need, you will abound in every good work.
-2 Corinthians 9:8
Christmas Special Collections Each year a special collection is taken on Christmas
Sunday and Christmas Eve. This year the donations
on Christmas Sunday will be sent to Samaritan’s
Purse Disaster Fund earmarked for the recent
storms in Florida and the Carolinas and the
California fire devastation.
The Wakefield Salvation Army will receive the
gifts from the Christmas Eve offering that will be
earmarked for their Fuel Fund. This money is used
locally for those families who need help with
heating their homes this winter.
Christmas Drive My Brother’s Table (MBT), the North Shore’s
largest soup kitchen, is in need of NEW sweatshirts
and sweaters to distribute to its guests on Christmas
Day. Men’s and women’s adult large and XL
sweaters/sweatshirts are needed the most. MBT is
also seeking new gloves, mittens, socks and thermal
underwear.
Unwrapped items can be dropped off at My
Brother’s Table, 98 Willow St., Lynn during
office hours Monday-Friday 9:00-5:30pm, or call
to schedule a time. Please try to drop items off by
December 19th to allow time for sorting/wrapping.
Since 1982, My Brother’s Table has served over 3
million meals to people in need. The Table receives
no government funding and is not a United Way
affiliate. Instead, it relies on the generosity of
individuals and local businesses.
For more information, please call My Brother’s
Table at 781-595-3224.
Online Giving is available on the FPCC website,
and the mobile phone app GivePlus. You can
choose from several funds to support, including the
General Fund (Budget), Building Improvements,
and current needs.
OUTREACH NOTES
A Great Gift to Give
To celebrate our
upcoming 375th
Anniversary, we are
offering these
beautiful, illustrated
cards and
ornaments. The
note cards can be
used to send love
and encouragement to a loved one or are ready to be
framed to be placed among your family photographs.
These beautiful cards are $5 each or a pack of six for
$20.The ornament is not just for the Christmas tree!
Hang this in the home year-round as a remembrance
of your beloved church, cherishing the memory
throughout the years. ($15 each)
You may order your cards or ornaments by emailing
[email protected]. Shipping is available for
$1.50 per item.
All proceeds go to the 375th Anniversary Fund.
A Cup of Gratitude Thank you to all who donated food, set up,
cut up and served pie, greeted our guests
warmly, cleaned up. The Pie Social
was a grand success because of you.
Thank you,
Barbara Flynn
Dear Church Family, I stood
before you weeks ago asking
for help. And I am so grateful for
the outpouring of love and help I have
received. Many people thank me for the Nativity
and I don’t deserve a bit of thanks, it all the
collective folks that came and helped. We had
roughly 150 people watching us, folks in their cars,
on the sidewalk. Lots of faces that weren’t from the
church, which is exciting because our purpose was
to reach out to the community and we did. I wish to
thank all the folks herein.
Ruth Ross, Ken wood, Dom Mercurio, Judy Gordon,
Steve Gates, Rose Porter, Amy Jean & John McKeown,
Barbara Donavan and family, Sarah Bardet and the
Robertson family, Teddy Fitzpatrick, Heather and Elijah
Hulse, Black family, McGee family, Roden family, Jim
and Becky Fosnock, Barbara Flynn, Doug, Nancy
Jackson and Jacob, Jessica Jackson, Cornerstone, Diane
Deminski and Linda Sabatula and all those that baked.
Mark Hathaway and his family, Jo Lynn foster who
generously brought me a chair and blanket. Will and
Claire Barden and their beautiful baby Jesus and Lamb,
All my angels, shepherds, wise men, soldiers, My
siblings: Preskella, Rhoda, Phil and Mark, My sons
Andrew and Matthew, My wonderful husband who
worked for a few days grabbing the stuff and driving me
around to get stuff to make the costumes better. Pastor
Leroe who has been a great supporter! And please
forgive me if there are other names that I didn’t include.
You are all a precious gifts.
Most of all my thanks to the Lord. To Him be the
Glory.
In Christ, Trefina
Gift of Service…Soon it will be
time to think about the year 2019 and we still
have openings on various committees for 2018. The
openings include Assistant Treasurer of Trust
Funds, Auditor, Advisory Committee on Trust
Funds, Antiques, Fair, Music and Usher
committees. If I can be of help to answer any
questions, please get in touch with me. Thank you.
Linda D'Agostino, (H) 781-258-8867 or (C) 781-
245-0243
SNOWSTORM POLICY: If there is a snowstorm
and our 9 am service needs to be canceled, the outgoing message on the church office answering machine will inform callers of any service cancellations. The 10:30 am service will usually be conducted. If the 10:30 service must be canceled in the event of a severe storm, the cancellation will be announced on the WBZ Storm Center (TV Channel 4 in Boston). You may also check the WBZ website: boston.cbslocal.com.
Love gift for Aaron from FPCC
Deadline December 21st If you would like to do your own words of
Love or gift, please feel free to spread love.
A basket will be available on Dec 16
during Fellowship time.
•Pastoral Perspective•
On the Trinity -Pastor Bob Leroe
St Peter opens his first epistle with these words:
“To God’s elect, strangers in the world…who have been chosen
according to the foreknowledge of the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to
Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood.” Peter reveals the basis of our salvation and the multi-faceted
nature of God.
The Trinity is a theological doctrine most Christians accept but do not understand; it is a unique mystery in
that we believe it, yet we have trouble grasping how 1 + 1 + 1 = 1. We are taught in Scripture that God is
both one and three. Three persons does not undermine God’s oneness. God is infinite and boundless, not
limited in any way, and because of this, He is incomprehensible. We understand part of who God is, but not
the whole. God is beyond number, or we can say He is three in oneness, not in number. He is the source of
all plurality. His creativity implies internal distinctions and functions, which implies the Trinity.
Trinity defined→ We worship one God, Who is manifest in three distinct Persons. In the
tri-unity of the Godhead, these are Three-in-One, of the same substance: God the
Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. They are equally God in their being,
power, holiness, and eternality. God is one in essence and three in Person.
A young woman reflected on her journey of faith. She stated: “I got to know God through the three Persons
of the Trinity. I first encountered God as Father in church, where I learned that God is holy, deserving of my
worship. Later as a teenager, I became acquainted with Jesus, a man I wanted to follow for the rest of my
life. And then—it was almost a second conversion—I became aware of the power of the Holy Spirit, of God
living inside me.”
One of the best descriptions I’ve heard of the Trinity is this: “Three toll-free numbers that are never busy.”
Distinct works of our Triune God:
Father Son Holy Spirit
Election Redemption Comfort
Providence Atonement Sealing
Creation Incarnation Drawing
Sustaining Prophet Indwelling
Judgment Priest Illumination
Forgiveness King Inspiration/Guide
Refuge Teacher Sanctification
Office Hours
Wednesdays and Fridays
10a – 3p
Sermon Series on the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-12
“Suffering Saints” ~Pastor Bob Leroe, First Parish Congregational Church, (9 Dec 2018)
Jesus saved His toughest teaching for last.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of God. Rejoice and
be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were
before you,” Matthew 5:11-12.
We take our religious freedom for granted. Yet in many countries, there are people living daily with religious
persecution…
A few months after I returned from Desert Storm, a Philippine family living in Saudi Arabia was arrested and
sent to prison. Their crime? Conducting a Bible study in their living room. In 1980, I was part of a Military
Police security force for the Cuban boatlift at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. I handed out Spanish Bibles
to refugees, and you’d think I was handing out hundred-dollar bills. One Cuban told me that if he’d been found
with a Bible in Cuba he’d have been executed. A few years later, the Pope visited Cuba, and thanks to his visit,
Cubans were allowed for the first time to celebrate Christmas. This Beatitude is definitely for today.
Jesus lived among an oppressed people. Taxes were exorbitant, freedom was unknown, survival was uncertain.
In this environment, Jesus taught that happiness was still possible. He spoke from personal experience; He
leads us on a path He walked Himself. In John 15:19 Jesus explains, “If you belonged to this godless world,
people would love you. Because I chose you, the world is going to hate you.”
Paul writes in Philippians, “You’ve been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege
of suffering for Him” (1:29). He tells Timothy, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life will suffer
persecution” (II Tim 3:12). We walk the way of the cross.
Today social pressures intimidate people of faith as never before. The world is trying to squeeze us into its
mold. We’re persecuted because we’re different; we don’t fit in. We have a choice--we can conform to the
world, or to Christ. The world is going one direction and we’re headed in another. We’re suffering for
“righteousness.” If we compromise our convictions, we lose our identity and effectiveness as disciples in
proclaiming the Gospel message.
This final Beatitude appears different from previous ones in that it doesn’t describe the Christian life; it gives
the outcome of being a believer. Persecution is a result of living the Beatitudes. For instance…
-The poor in spirit offend the self-reliant.
-Those who mourn over sin are an affront to those who are indifferent.
-The meek aggravate the proud.
-The spiritually hungry upset those who live lawlessly.
-The merciful rile those who demand justice.
-Those who have pure hearts unmask hypocrisy.
-Peacemakers anger people who thrive on conflict.
If we’re living by the first seven Beatitudes, it’s inevitable we’ll experience the last one.
The condition of this Beatitude is “because of righteousness,” for a just cause. A soldier came to see me,
claiming that he was being persecuted for his faith. He was being threatened with non-judicial punishment for
sharing his faith with other soldiers. I called his commander who explained that this soldier was neglecting his
job. Instead of working, he was reading his Bible and preaching to others. I sat down with the soldier and
encouraged him to continue to share his faith…but on his own time.
There is no blessing here for being obnoxious, judgmental, rude, inconsiderate, or pompous (or witnessing
when you should be working). Nor does Jesus want us to have a “martyr complex,” an unhealthy desire to be
bullied. We not looking for trouble, but we accept trouble if and when it comes. Followers of Christ don’t seek
persecution; persecution seeks us because of what we are and Who we serve.
Persecution isn’t always obvious, like being burned at the stake. It can take more subtle forms of resentment,
ridicule, and rejection. These emotional attacks can shake our faith and self-esteem.
What should be our response to persecution? The previous Beatitude: We try to be peacemakers, even when
people refuse to live at peace with us. We need to view persecution as an opportunity to live the Gospel
message.
Another response to persecution is found in verse 12--we rejoice. If we’re suffering for our faith, we’re part of
a noble heritage. Our next response is in verse 44: “Pray for those who persecute you.” We can’t control how
people treat us, but we can control our response…
Viktor Frankel was imprisoned by the Nazis and his entire family was killed in the Holocaust. When the
Gestapo arrested Frankel, they forced him to strip. There he stood, defenseless and degraded. They then
noticed his wedding ring and demanded he remove that too. As he did, Frankel said to them: “You can take
away my family, you can strip me of my clothes and my freedom, but there is one thing you cannot take away
from me, and that is my freedom to choose how I will react to what happens to me.”
A sure way to avoid persecution is to love the world. In Luke’s account of the Beatitudes, Jesus adds this
warning: “Woe to you when people speak well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false
prophets” (6:26).
Are we prepared for persecution? It’s probably the furthest thing from our minds. In 1968, an American Navy
vessel, the USS Pueblo, was captured by North Korea. One crewman was killed in the assault; the other 82
were taken to prison where they were held captive for nearly a year. They were without a Bible, and their
request for one was denied. And so they compiled as many verses as they could recall. How many Scriptures
could we assemble if we were denied God’s word?
Some people discard their faith in times of suffering. They abandon God, figuring that He has abandoned
them. Job was tempted to do just that, but instead he declared in the midst of his intense suffering: “When God
has tried me, I shall come forth as gold…though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (23:10 & 13:15). We need to
cling to God and live by faith when we face the fiery trials of persecution.
But will our faith work in the midst of persecution? Faith works as we walk with Jesus. He tells His disciples,
“In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Few people have understood persecution better than German Lutheran Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He never
wavered in his criticism of the Nazi regime, even though it brought him imprisonment and ultimately death. He
was hanged by direct order of Heinrich Himmler in April 1945 at Flossenberg concentration camp, just days
before it was liberated. Bonhoeffer wrote in his book The Cost of Discipleship: “Suffering is the badge of true
discipleship…it is not at all surprising that Christians should be called to suffer; in fact, it is a joy and token of
God’s grace.”
In the Beatitudes Jesus describes the nature of true happiness. What we do and what we possess are indicators
of happiness, but the Beatitudes describe what we are. These inner qualities determine our attitude toward life
and result in a life that is pleasing to God. Living the Beatitudes brings us true joy: present and eternal
happiness.
Prayer: Loving Father--All too often our happiness is conditional upon our circumstance. Help us to be joyful
no matter what is going on around us. The Christmas season is often one of sadness for many. Whether the
season meets our hopes and expectations or not, help us to rejoice in the Child who came to save and heal us.
We pray in His Name, Amen.
For more information on modern-day persecution of Christians, go to www.persecution.com the website of
The Voice of the Martyrs.
The Voice of the Martyrs is a nonprofit, interdenominational Christian mission’s organization dedicated to
serving our persecuted family worldwide through practical and spiritual assistance and leading other members
of the body of Christ into fellowship with them. VOM was founded in 1967 by Pastor Richard Wurmbrand,
who was imprisoned for 14 years in Communist Romania for his faith in Christ; his wife, Sabina, was
imprisoned for three years. In 1965, they were ransomed out of Romania, and soon thereafter, they established
the global network of missions of which VOM is a part. The Wurmbrands based these missions on Hebrews
13:3, which instructs us to “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since
you yourselves are in the body also.”
October 31, 2018
Dear Church Family,
It is time again to encourage our church family in renewing our pledge commitments for the coming year. James
1:17 tells us: Every good and perfect gift comes from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows. God is always reminding me that everything I have comes from Him.
Even my health is a gift, to be able to work and have a job is a gift and I am very grateful, my family is a gift, my
home is a gift and my finances are also a gift from His hand. The ability to do that which He gave me to do, the
talents and uniqueness of each of us, all Gifts ~ Attitude of Gratitude.
In the Old Testament, the example of giving a portion of our wealth (what we have) is one tenth. One penny from
every dime and ten cents from every dollar—as the examples increase, we seem to have difficulty with the math
equation. Our hands become tighter as we hold on to what He has given to us.
A friend gave me a formula which actually makes me sad because it reveals a lot about our church family and
where we are spiritually in how we may respond to James 1:17. She said if we take a combined family income of
$50,000 (which is low) and use 10% which would be $5,000 per family and we have just over 200 active members,
just take 100 active members, and multiply an offering of $5,000 per year, would result in $500,000 for our
budget! This is possible. Presently, we struggle to reach $300,000. It showed me that we have a problem with
being able to give back to God. Why is that?
In the New Testament, Jesus’ example of giving was sacrificial. In Mark 12:41-44, He used the example of the
woman who gave all that she had when she gave her only coins as an offering. She gave out of her poverty. It
exposed where her trust was, in her Lord and Savior, Jesus. Who or what are you trusting in?
The Lord wants our giving to be from a grateful heart, without compulsion ~ joyful. I experienced this several
years ago at a seminar for Stewardship. The seminar ended with a worship service. They asked you to come
forward with your offering, the song; “The Lord of the Dance” was playing. You were to place your offering in a
basket at the altar. As the music played, I couldn’t wait to get out of my seat to go forward with my offering. This
was new to me. It was truly a joyful experience. The person I went with didn’t want to go forward because they
wanted to be able to get coffee on the way home!!! We were supposed to learn something at this seminar. In the
end, it does come down to the choices we make.
Please take the time to evaluate your giving including thinking about what percentage of your income you are
currently giving, and prayerfully asking God about stepping into 2019 with an increase, perhaps working toward
tithing and sacrificial giving. Let giving have a chance to work in your heart. Let us allow the Lord to work in our
hearts. Please step out in faith in Jesus Name. He wants you to trust Him, completely. $500,000 is reachable.
Please prayerfully think about your response and prepare to commit to trust Jesus even more in 2019. A pledge
card is patiently waiting to be filled out.
Grace and Peace in the journey,
Ruth Ross for Stewardship
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is
at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and
ever! Amen –Ephesians 3:20-21
PLEDGE COMMITMENTS/CARDS ARE NOW BEING COLLECTED FOR 2019
If you have made your pledge commitment, thank you.
If you have not yet made your pledge commitment, please prayerfully consider doing so.
Pledge cards are available in the rear or the Chapel and Sanctuary
Please mail your pledge commitment to First Parish Congregational Church, One Church Street,
Wakefield MA 01880 Attention: Eleanor Elliott
CHURCH HERALD First Parish Congregational Church
One Church St. Wakefield, MA 01880-2301
Phone: 781-245-1644
E-mail: [email protected]
Fpccwakefield.org
December 11, 2018
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
DEADLINES CHURCH HERALD
Thursday, December 20, 2018
(Will cover the dates from December 30 – January 12, 2019)
ORDER OF WORSHIP 3 pm on Wednesdays.
Meeting Minutes for Council The Thursday before Council