Grand Sweep Readings

Pastor Bart has been leading our church through a "Grand Sweep" of the Bible, as we read God's holy word, in order, from Genesis through Revelations.

Next week's sermon will be on Hosea 4 - Amos 6. Please spend some time reading and reflecting on these chapters during the week, in preparation for next Sunday.

Announcements

The sacrament of Communion will be celebrated during worship next Sunday, June 3. Let us take stock of our relationships, and seek reconciliation with anyone from whom we may have become estranged, due to their wrongdoing or ours, that all may come in peace to Christ's table.

The "Companions in Christ" group will meet here at the church at 7:00pm on Tuesday, June 5 and 19. The last gathering, possibly on July 3, has yet to be confirmed.

Our annual Congregational and Corporation Meetings are Saturday, June 2. We'll gather downstairs beginning at 3:00 pm, with a break for a light supper (provided), and finish by early evening. Attendance is expected of all church members. Others are welcome to attend. These meetings, at which we elect church officers, vote on our budget, and set goals and priorities, are all the more important during this, a transitional year.

Financial Secretary's Update: Our church's financial situation improved in April, thanks to your contributions and a check from the Cambridge Historical grant. This check was in partial payment for the tower roof replacement project. We express our appreciation to former Moderator of Trustees Christopher Quaye for his foresight in obtaining a grant from the Cambridge Historical Commission to help pay for church maintenance projects.

Offering to GFM: Target: Surplus/(Deficit): % of Budget:
April 2007: $17,175 $12,000 $5,175 143%
Year-to-Date: $108,796 $120,000 ($11,204) 91%

We need a lawn mower! No, not a machine, a volunteer. If you have some time to help keep our church's small lawn looking neat, please talk to Betty Trembly (edandbetty86@yahoo.com) or Ben Bradford (trustees@cambridgepres.com).

Image of Daniel is from http://www.ordination.org/Daniel.htm.
Image of Virginia Constitutional Convention is from http://www.vahistorical.org/sva2003/vacc.htm.
Image of bicyle lawnmower is from http://forum.bikemag.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1863.

Needs and Concerns

Wren and her husband Don lost their closest friend on May 19 to a rare blood disease. Charles "Chuck" Carroll worked for Harvard's Division of Continuing Education, and was loved by a great many people. Please pray for Wren and Don, and for Chuck's family in New Jersey.

Let's pray for the two American soldiers still missing in Iraq, their families, those who are searching for them, and the family of the soldier from California whose body was found recently. Lord, have mercy.

Continue to pray for those who have suffered trauma from the shootings at Virginia Tech and from the tornado in Greensburg, Kansas.

As our nation's leaders debate the course of the war in Iraq, may they humbly ask God to grant them insight, moral courage, and a genuine desire for a non-partisan, peaceful solution to the conflict there and here at home.

Thanks and Praise

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ! You sent the Holy Spirit from the Father: to indwell us, to guide us, to empower and sanctify us. Thank you for not leaving us alone; you have come to live among us, just as you promised.

Rev. Aaron Hicks, his wife Holly, and their four children just celebrated their first anniversary! One year ago, they arrived in Granada, Spain, to start working with international students through Great Harvest Mission. We thank God for them, and ask that they and their work will be greatly blessed.

We thank the Lord that Ruth's second surgery, related to her recent hip replacement, was successful. Ask Him to continue to heal and encourage Ruth, and to bring her back to worship with us soon.

Prayers of the People - May 6-12, 2007

Thanks and Praise

Today we give thanks to God for Peter Honan, who died three years ago tomorrow. We remember Peter for his service to the church, for his good-natured friendship, and for the life he now enjoys in Jesus' presence.

Isaiah left for Cameroon on Friday for a visit with his mother and many other relatives. Ask God to richly bless Isaiah's visit, and to keep the family in his care.

Esther reports that her mother Elizabeth is now out of the rehabilitation hospital and will soon be returning home to Cameroon. Praise God for healing and strengthening her.

Pastor Bart spoke to a Pastoral Ministry class at Boston University School of Theology last Tuesday afternoon on the topic "Pastoral Self-Care: Nurturing the Care-Giver." It was well-received. Pray for those 35 "ministers-in-the-making," many of whom are about to have their first ordained ministry experience.

Needs and Concerns

Ruth will require further surgery tomorrow, related to her recent hip replacement. Ask the Lord to guide the medical team, and to grant Ruth His peace.

Violence continues against helpless civilians in Darfur. Pray to God to empower those who are actively seeking to intervene on their behalf, and for the aid workers, as well as for those being oppressed.

Announcements

From Pastor Bart: Many, many thanks to all of you who were able to come to my 65th birthday party at our home recently, and for all your kind wishes, presents and cards. I especially appreciated the church's collective gift certificate to White Flower Farm in Connecticut. I look forward to expanding and beautifying my backyard garden with many new perennials!

"Iron Sharpens Iron:" Men, do you have an area in your life that needs to be sharpened? This Saturday, May 12, a special men's conference is being offered at Grace Chapel in Lexington. Click on the link, and see if this is for you. If so, register here.

Save the Date: Saturday, June 2. That's when we'll gather downstairs for our annual Congregational and Corporation Meetings, beginning at 3:00 pm, with a break for a light supper (provided), and finishing by early evening. Attendance is expected of all church members. Others are welcome to attend. These meetings, at which we elect church officers, vote on our budget, and set goals and priorities, are all the more important during this, a transitional year. Please mark your calendars now.

A "Diaper Drive" is underway, sponsored by our Deacons, to benefit the women's and children's shelter of the Cambridge YWCA. Diapers of all sizes, baby-care products, and care items for moms are needed. Twin bed sheets and crib sheets are also especially welcome. Please contribute what you can between now and Mother's Day, May 13.

Thanks to Liz for her hard work and new plantings in the church garden. The next item that needs attention is the church lawn: would YOU be willing to mow our small lawn? Please talk to Ben (Trustees@CambridgePres.com) or to Betty (edandbetty86@yahoo.com).

TEENS: Thinking about a summer job? You can grow in your faith, help others do the same, and earn $150 a week as a counselor at Camp Wilmot, our Presbyterian camp in New Hampshire. Contact Jlene Root at 603-594-0224.

Photo of squirrel is from Mikeworld's collection at Flickr

Grand Sweep readings for this week

Pastor Bart has been leading our church through a "Grand Sweep" of the Bible, as we read God's holy word, in order, from Genesis through Revelations.

Next week's sermon will be on Ezekiel chapters 1-22. Please spend some time reading and reflecting on these chapters during the week, in preparation for next Sunday.

Boa Vinda, Peniel Baptist Church!

Please welcome the Peniel Baptist Church, which will be worshipping in the FUPC church building on Saturday and Sunday evenings after 6pm. Their are led by Pastors Andre and Ruth Nascimento. They will be reaching out to the Brazilian neighborhood in and around Inman Square, sharing the good news of Christ's love with our neighbors.

Boa Vinda, Peniel Baptist!

(Photo is from flickr!)