Prayers of the People - October 28 - November 3

Thanks and Praise

Let's thank and praise God for our Ministry interns, Rachel Freeman and Wren Collé. This Sunday, as they preach and lead us in worship, we also say goodbye and thank them for their two years of faithful service to us. We ask the Lord's continued blessing on their lives, and hope to see them again in the future.

We're grateful to God for Emma Jane's return to us. Since her pulmonary embolism on September 28, she has regained strength during a season of rest and rehabilitation. Welcome home, Emma Jane!

Autumn's peak is here at last! Praise the Lord who made "all things bright and beautiful," and let's get outdoors to revel in Creation's stunning colors while we can.


Needs and Concerns

The wildfires that still rage in Southern California have claimed hundreds of homes and businesses. May God protect those who battle the inferno, those giving aid, and those having to evacuate. Lord, have mercy!

The recent bombings in Pakistan and the Philippines killed and wounded hundreds of innocent civilians. May these cruel and cowardly acts only serve to strengthen the resolve of those who labor for justice and peace.

The deaths of so many thousands of Iraqi civilians: men, women and children, as well as the mounting casualties among U.S. and Iraqi troops, testify to the evils of this war, and to the urgent need for measures beyond military might: negotiation, protest, and above all, fervent prayer.


Announcements

OUR PREACHER TODAY is Rachel Freeman, who has served our church as a Ministry Intern for the past two years. A member of Jubilee Christian Church in Mattapan, Rachel will complete her M.Div. degree at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary this January, and is currently applying to Ph.D. programs in her home state of Virginia.

THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION will be celebrated during worship next Sunday, November 4. 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.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS time begins NEXT SUNDAY, November 4. When you go to bed Saturday night, November 3, be sure to set your clocks and watches BACK one hour.

THE POETRY EVENING is this Saturday, November 3! Look for your invitation to this event in the mail, and please RSVP to Alicia (781 756-3457) by Wednesday.

WANTED: Old photos and memorabilia of our pastor's -- and church's --past 25 years. Items will be displayed at Rev. Kelso's retirement dinner Dec. 2. Beverly will organize the display of these materials for the dinner.

FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S UPDATE: Thank you for your regular, committed giving; for your hard work at fundraisers, such as the yard sale; for your extra gifts to meet happy, but unexpected, expenses such as
the piano movers. We are on track to meet the budget!

VISITOR'S HANDOUT: New to the church? Learn about our church and the opportunities to get involved by picking up a copy of our handout for visitors, located on the table in the back of the sanctuary.

YOUR NAME IS . . . ? As we begin a new school year, and welcome visitors, it will help us to get better acquainted if we wear our nametags. Please pick yours up (or make a new one) at the door. Thanks!

Image of t-shirt that helps us pray for our Red Sox is from The Red Seat.

Work Party!

Hey you! Come to our work party on Saturday October 20! It starts at 9am and you can come any time until we pack it in, usually around dinner time. Free pizza for you! Bring your work clothes and any tools you have laying around - all skill levels are welcome. This is a great opportunity to mix it up with your neighbors at FUPC, so be ready to learn about someone you may not have had a chance to talk to on Sundays. See you there!

Image of work-intensive pizza courtesy of the Taipei Times

Prayers of the People - October 14 - 20, 2007

Thanks and Praise

Today at 3:00 p.m., the Rev. Jean Southard and the Rev. Rob Mark will be installed as co-pastors of the Waltham Presbyterian Church. The service and reception, at 34 Alder Street (off Moody Street) in Waltham, are open to all. Praise God for this new team ministry.

On September 28, Emma Jane suffered a pulmonary embolism, and was taken to Cambridge City Hospital. After a night in intensive care and a few days of rest, she is now at Neville Center for rehabilitation. Let's thank the Lord for his mercy to Emma Jane and to us, and pray for healing and strength for her.

Friday, October 5, was the 30th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Webster Brower to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament. That service took place here in this sanctuary. Let's rejoice in Web's years of faithful service, and pray for him and for Marilyn, now in Illinois, as they seek a new call.

In this new academic year, Priscilla is thankful for ministry opportunities among international scholars. She is attending three conferences this month and will be at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government with Christian campus leaders. This year the graduate and faculty groups at MIT and Harvard are being led by Christian international scholars from Chile, China, Kenya, Uganda, and the Netherlands.

The courage of thousands of Buddhist monks in the streets of Rangoon, Burma, as they protest the harsh policies of their country's military rulers, is an inspiration to all oppressed peoples. Pray for them and for Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's "democracy icon," still under house arrest for speaking out.

Needs and Concerns

The deaths of so many thousands of Iraqi civilians: men, women and children, as well as the mounting casualties among U.S. and Iraqi troops, testify to the evils of this war, and to the urgent need for measures beyond military might: negotiation, protest, and above all, fervent prayer.


Announcements

A HOUSE BLESSING will be held next Sunday, October 21, at 3:00 p.m. at the home of Wren and her husband Don, at 33 Haskell St., Fitchburg, MA 01420. All are invited; please R.S.V.P. to (978) 400-5185 (home) or wren.colle.04@post.harvard.edu Directions will be made available, and carpooling is encouraged, as parking is limited.

YOUR NAME IS . . . ? As we begin a new school year, and welcome visitors, it will help us to get better acquainted if we wear our nametags. Please pick yours up (or make a new one) at the door. Thanks!

FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S UPDATE: Thank you for your regular, committed giving; for your hard work at fundraisers, such as the yard sale; for your extra gifts to meet happy, but unexpected, expenses such as the piano movers. We are on track to meet the budget!

VISITOR'S HANDOUT: New to the church? Learn about our church and the opportunities to get involved by picking up a copy of our handout for visitors, located on the table in the back of the sanctuary.

POETRY READING -- We invite you to share in an evening of friendship, laughter, poetry, song, good food, small gifts, lovely words and the Word: everything that Bart and Priscilla Kelso, our guests of honor, will enjoy. It's a poetry reading and more! --- Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. --- Home of Alicia and Hall, 5 Ravenscroft Rd., Winchester.

WANTED: Old photos and memorabilia of our pastor's -- and church's --past 25 years. Items will be displayed at Rev. Kelso's retirement dinner Dec. 2. Beverly will organize the display of these materials for the dinner.

Image of old Harvard shield is from the Harvard GSAS Christian Fellowship's website - if it looks different to you, listen to Rev. Kelso's sermon this week for more information!

Small Group at Trembly's - rescheduled

Please note that the small group held at the Trembly's home has been rescheduled (just for this week) to 7 p.m. Monday Oct. 8.