Service Cancelled for New Years Eve

Because of the snow storm, the service is cancelled.  

Please join us for our regular Sunday service at 10am.

Snow Storm Cancelation

The service is canceled for Sunday, December 21, 2008.  

This Wednesday night at 7pm, we will have a Christmas Eve service.  All are welcome to come and worship at the celebration of our Savior's birth.

9/13/08 Church-Wide Yard Sale

First United is hosting a yard sale on Saturday, September 13, starting at 9:00 am on the church lawn. All proceeds will benefit local and global missions regularly supported by the church.

Blood Drive on August 4

You can click on the image to make it larger (and more legible).

Presbytery Day

Be sure to mark your calendars for the upcoming Presbytery Day, "Many Voices, One Body: Multicultural Opportunities & Challenges in Our Churches," on Saturday, October 25, 9am-3 pm, at The Presbyterian Church in Needham.

Many Voices - One Body

Multicultural opportunities & challenges

in our churches

Boston Presbytery Day 2008



Saturday, October 25

9:00 a.m.  3:00 p.m.

The Presbyterian Church in Needham


Registration: $10.00


Ours is a faith of immigrants, ever since God’s call to Abraham and Sarah


*

Is your church hoping to begin a welcoming ministry with newcomers to the area?


*

Are you wondering how best to respond the legal, physical and spiritual needs of immigrants?


*

Are you experienced in multicultural ministry and eager to share with others?


Come to Presbytery Day ’08 for:


Stimulating worship with Rev. David Malone and Rev. Young Ghil Lee


Keynote and Q&A with David Malone


(former pastor, Eliot Presbyterian Church, Lowell  amazing multicultural congregation)


Informative workshops:


Focus on multicultural ministry in the congregation (Robert & Peg Ferguson)


Legal and technical issues in immigration (Ruth Bersin, Director of Refugee

Immigration Ministry  RIM)


Discussion with David Malone


Family relationships (Presbyterian Women)


Exchanging stories (Alice Hageman)


Immigration Task Force ( TBD )


...and a delicious multi-ethnic lunch!


Free will offering to support RIM

Announcements for July 13 -19

Announcements

FASTING AND PRAYER MEETING about the future of the denomination will be held today from 6pm-8pm at Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Hispana de Boston, at 445 Arborway Street, Jamaica Plain. They suggest fasting from the morning service until the prayer meeting and they will feed us after the prayer.

COME TO THE THANK-YOU COFFEE HOUR for Rev. Cary Young, which will be held on July 20 after the service.

FELLOWSHIP AND GAME NIGHT on July 19th – bring a favorite board game to the church, and enjoy snacks with other church families! We will be celebrating Rev. Young's time with us.

WELCOME MARCIA AND REV. ROGER LIER at our welcome luncheon, to be held after the service on July 27th.

YOUTH DELEGATE NEEDED: We need a Youth Advisory Delegate (YAD), aged 17-23 and active in the church, to represent us at the Synod Assembly on Oct 17 and 18, at Stony Point, NY. There is more information at the Synod of the Northeast's website: http://www.synodne.org. Please contact a Session member if you are interested, or if you would like to nominate a young person for this exciting and challenging position! (NOTE: the YAD position to GA has been filled).

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Mission at the Eastward (MATE) is looking for volunteers for a week this summer July 27-Aug 1. If you are looking for refreshing, purposeful volunteer work to support rural churches in Maine, please contact Alex Wei.

Primera Iglesia Presbiteria Hispana

There will be a fasting and prayer meeting about the future of the denomination at Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Hispana de Boston, at 445 Arborway Street, JP on Sunday, July 20, from 6-8. They suggest fasting from the morning service until the prayer meeting and they will feed us after the prayer. There will be similar meetings on the Sundays before the next few Presbytery meetings.

Cameroonian Christian Women's Fellowship

Enjoy these photographs of the Christian Women's Fellowship that worshipped with us on May 11!

Infinite Grace Conference for Women of Faith

There will be an Infinite Grace Conference for Women of Faith at TD Banknorth Garden from July 25-26. People present include Sandi Patti and Sheila Walsh. They can be contacted at http://www.womenoffaith.com or at 888-49-FAITH.

Hymn Sing - June 15

COME TO THE HYMN SING after church June 15. Let's keep the music
going -- we remember the spirited singing of the choir from the Cameroon! This will be the grande finale to our Sunday School year. Adults and children welcome!

Companions in Christ Meeting

COMPANIONS IN CHRIST small group will next meet
Sunday, June 1, at 2:30 p.m. at the home of Lila
Hexner.

Items for week of April 27

Volunteers Needed: We need two or three people to review the church's financial records for the past year. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Japa Pallikkathayil (617-767-6523, pallikk@fas.harvard.edu).

Aaron and Holly Hicks are asking for prayer for a few items: flexibility in obtaining their visas for working in Spain. They are needing additional money for financial support, one factor being the declining value of the dollar compared to the euro. They are also praying with other church leaders re. planting an international church in Granada, with Aaron being the lead pastor.

Pray for peace in areas experiencing political upheaval, including Zimbabwe, Tibet, and Kenya. Pray for a peaceful resolution to conflicts in Afghanistan, Darfur and Iraq.

COMPANIONS IN CHRIST small group will next meet Tuesday, May 6 at the Trembly's.

PLEASE GIVE TO THE DEACONS FUND - this fund enables the Deacons to provide for those church members who unexpectedly find themselves in need of financial assistance, to pay for child care during services, and to buy flowers for Christmas and Easter services. Please put your donation in a green pew envelope and include it in the collection of tithes and offerings.

ASCENSION/PENTECOST HYMN SING: Our Easter morning hymn sing was such a joyful opportunity to worship the Lord that we are now planning another! Please join us on May 4^th after church, to celebrate Ascension and Pentecost!

MOTHERS DAY DIAPER DRIVE: From now until Mother's Day, 5/11, the Deacons will be collecting baby products such as diapers, baby powder, and wipes for the YWCA Family Shelter here in Cambridge. Please leave your donations in the side room.

PASTOR SEEKS APARTMENT IN BOSTON AREA: Euksu Kim is the pastor of the Korean congregation meeting in our church on Sunday afternoons. He is looking for a one- or two-bedroom apartment in the area. Please call Pastor Kim at 978-578-6987.

YOUTH DELEGATE NEEDED: We need a Youth Advisory Delegate (YAD), aged 17-23 and active in the church, to represent us at the 218th General Assembly. in San Jose, CA, June 21-28, 2008.The expenses for the trip will be covered by the church.
Please contact a Session member if you are interested, or if you would like to nominate a young person for this exciting and challenging position!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Mission at the Eastward (MATE) is looking for volunteers for a week this summer July 27-Aug 1. If you are looking for refreshing, purposeful volunteer work to support rural churches in Maine, please contact Alex Wei.

Puddle photo is from Flickr.

Pray for the Hicks in Spain

Aaron and Holly Hicks are asking for prayer for a few items: flexibility in obtaining their visas for working in Spain. They are needing additional money for financial support, one factor being the declining value of the dollar compared to the euro. They are also praying with other church leaders re. planting an international church in Granada, with Aaron being the lead pastor.

Upcoming Presbytery Events

Safe Child Policy Event

Still not have a Safe Child Policy? Or wonder if it is up to date? Or need help implementing it? After a flurry of requests for help after the Trustees requested a copy of
each church's Safe Child Policy, we have scheduled a Saturday morning workshop to help you. This is for: Pastors, Christian Ed folk, Elders, Youth leaders and Trustees.

At this workshop there will be a major presentation by a trained representative of Guide One (the Presbytery's insurance company). There will be sample Safe Child Policies for you to examine and discuss. And there will be time to ask questions of the Trustees of the Presbytery about the need and implementation of this policy.

When? Saturday, April 19.
Where? Needham Presbyterian Church
Time? 9 AM until 12:30 PM
Cost? None
Registration: Let Sally Newhall know (so we know how many to expect) at 508 853 5439 or revnewhall@aol.com

Spirituality and Stewardship Event
Has your church got a team of folks coming to the foremost stewardship event in the continental US? It will be right in our neck of the woods in Worcester. This is an ecumenical event which we have had a big hand in planning. The date is coming up fast (April 4-5) and only a few of you have signed up. The registration deadline has been extended so it's not too late! You can sign up for either Saturday or Friday or both! East Boston Fund Leadership and Education Scholarships are available. For more information and registration: go online to www.umfne.org and click on the link for the Spirituality & Stewardship Event. If you can't get online easily (or even if you can and just want to talk
to a person) call Sally Newhall at 508 853 5439 for more information.

Gospel Fest 2008!

Greetings. My name is Cyrus-Charles Weaver and I am the Event Chair for Gospel Fest 2008, a greater Boston multi-college gospel music concert.

On Saturday April 5th, 2008, nine local college gospel groups will come together in concert for the first time in Boston's history. I would like to share some information about the event with you and discuss with you how we can potentially inform your church community about this event.

This first Gospel Fest will be held on the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. One of our major goals is to share the soulful sounds and inspirational message of gospel music with members of the greater Boston community. We hope to share this event with a diverse audience consisting of people of various ages and backgrounds.

Gospel Fest will be a wonderful event for the whole family and would be great for your youth or young adult ministries. In the times that we are living in, it's not every day that almost 300 students from nine different colleges come together to do something positive for the Lord and the community. Gospel Fest will inspire many, from your college-bound high school students, to your older members who may sometimes wonder if college students have anything positive to offer. Gospel music enthusiast and those that love the inspirational and uplifting message of gospel music will be equally touched by this concert.

Thank you very much for your time in reading this letter and considering how we can form your church community about Gospel Fest 2008. If there is a specific person from your church that I should contact about this matter, please let me know how I can reach him or her. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me via email at ccweaver@mit.edu or via phone at (914) 557-5203.

Youth Advisory Delegate Needed

The Nominating Committee of the Presbytery of Boston is looking for a Youth Advisory Delegate (YAD) to the 218th General Assembly.

The general requirements are for someone active in the life of the church and willing to make the commitment of spending the necessary time for preparation, meeting(s), and follow-up. The GA meets in San Jose, CA, June 21-28, 2008.

The YAD should count on a total time commitment of two to three weeks and a report to Presbytery. His or her age should be 17-23 on the day the GA convenes.

The expenses for the trip will be covered by the church.

Please contact a Session member if you are interested, or if you would like to nominate a young person for this exciting and challenging position!

HYMN SING

Let's sing praises to our Lord Jesus --
He is risen indeed!

Easter Sunday morning.

HYMN SING --- 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
March 23, 2008

First United Presbyterian Church,
1418 Cambridge St. Cambridge MA

Light breakfast provided.

...

He is Risen! image from http://www.heqigallery.com/GALLERY/gallery2/pages/TheRisenLord.html

Pastor Kelso's last service

Hello, these are pictures from the last sermon Pastor Kelso preached.

Pray for John and Anna

John asks for continued prayer for Anna and himself, especially for Anna as she seems depressed. Please pray for patience for John, and clarity for Anna.

Lord, bless their marriage and surprise them both with a renewed capacity to love and understand one another.

Mission at the Eastward

Mission at the Eastward is looking for volunteers for a week this summer July 27-Aug 1. If you are looking for refreshing, purposeful volunteer work to support rural churches in Maine, please contact Alex Wei.

Mission at the Eastward cooperates as a parish of congregations and ministries located in West Central Maine bound together in Christ to witness and work by reaching out both locally and globally to individuals, congregations and communities by creating a place where God's gifts and graces are multiplied and exemplified.

Donations Needed for YWCA Shelter

The YWCA shelter for women and children in Cambridge called, saying they're in need of new or used (in good shape) twin sheets, pillow cases and mattress pads. Apparently, they have a new group of mothers that just came in, and they need to replenish their supply of bedding.

We will be collecting these items for the next couple of Sundays. We would appreciate it if you could help us fulfill this need.

Bart and Priscilla's Farewell Book Now Available!

The Earth is the Lord's and Everything In It, which many of you will recognize as the book presented to Bart and Priscilla as a farewell present by Liz Creasey, is now available for purchase!

The book is available to order priced at $29.95 for a hardcover and $22.95 for a softcover. You can order via the website, but because shipping prices get much lower if you combine orders, you can email orders to Liz at flyingibis@gmail.com to reduce the shipping costs.

Click on the link below to learn more:

The Earth is t...

By Elizabeth Creasey ...

Book Preview

Message from Bart Kelso in the Philippines

Following is a message to the church emailed this morning (January 31) from Bart Kelso, our man in the Philippines!

How I hope this message gets through! For several days after our Jan.14 arrival in the Philippines, one of our neices tried without success to send my "Dear Church Family" letter to a couple of you from her workplace in town (no computer on the family farm), but a major cable in Manila was down for about a week. Rachel reached us by phone, however, and so I hope there was an announcement in church on Jan.20 that we had arrived safely. Mercifully, Priscilla's mother is still with us, very weak but still able to take food, to laugh, and to converse in both Cebuano and English.

Since recovering from jet-lag I've been active, yet not overly busy. I preached Jan.20 & 27 for a local fellowship where my brother-in-law Rey is an Elder, but there's still plenty of time to relax. That's good, as I'll need time and stamina to fulfill a major commitment March 7-8. Rey and his Pastor want me to lead a seminar for church leaders on the dual themes of Administration and Pastoral Self-Care. I said yes to them, as it's congruent with my mentoring. I figured we'd have 12-15 people that Fri.-Sat. Pastor Jerry, however, expects 60-70. Whatever the number, please pray for that gathering.

Since the 28th we've been staying with a cousin in Dumaguete City, near Silliman University. This Sun. I'll preach at the early service of the SU Church, where I was Pastor-in-Residence for the Summer of '96. Next Tues. & Thurs. Priscilla and I have been asked to co-lead discussions with graduating Seniors and with new faculty and staff, as part of the university's Christian Emphasis Week. I said in my letter in the Dec.30 bulletin that "I don't think God will let me lie fallow for long," but who could have guessed all of this? Obviously, I won't begin to know what a "typical" month of retirement is like until we get back to the U.S.

There are so many people to visit with here, both relations and friends. And so many stories to tell: of our travel adventures, of God's provision during the trip here, and of you, our church family, whose love and generosity enabled us to be here, and to return home. That, we expect, will be on March 19, during Holy Week. Meanwhile, Priscilla and I are praying for you, confident that the Lord has good things -- and choice people -- in store for Cambridge Church. Please share this letter, in some way, with the rest of the church family. We love you all! Yours and His, BART

Please Pray for Emma Jane

Emma Jane was hospitalized Monday night with pneumonia. She's at Cambridge City Hospital, Rm 422. She's still tired and breathing hard. Short visits are welcome, and definitely prayers.

Ash Wednesday Service

Please join the Burlington Presbyterian Church this year for the Ash Wednesday service--Feb 6, 7:30 pm. We will also be sharing this service with folks from Waltham. It will be much in the style of previous Ash Wednesday gatherings, with ashes for those who choose, and service of communion. The Burlington church would also be glad for the name of someone who might participate in a reading or other portion of the service.

Longwood Area Prayer Group

Longwood area faculty, staff, and students:

Consider yourselves invited!

Informal lunchtime prayer
12:30pm every Thursday at the
Brigham & Women's Chapel

We are a non-denominational group of Christians from
Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel, and beyond.

All are welcome!

We usually wind down by 1pm,
but you are welcome to come and go as your schedule allows.

The Brigham & Women’s Chapel is right next to the Tower 1 elevators.
Here is a map of BWH. The Chapel is right at the number 1 on the map.

For more information, email Trustees@CambridgePres.com

We hope to see you there!

Financial Secretary's Update

Financial Secretary's Update: Thank God for your generous hearts. We are on track to meet budget this year.

December contributions were enough to bring us to 100% of our budgeted income for the first 6 months of this fiscal year.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Prayer Concern

John and Anna would appreciate prayer as they
enter into marriage counseling.

Please email any prayer concerns/celebrations to Trustees@CambridgePres.com

Open Positions at FUPC

Little Folks Fellowship Board Member needed: The nursery school associated with our church needs another board member to fill the vacancy left by Priscilla Kelso. If you think you might be interested and would like more information, please contact Mara Bradford or Japa Pallikkathayil.

Treasurer Needed: We traditionally elect new officers at our annual meeting in June. This year, we will need to elect a new treasurer. Since it would be useful for the new treasurer to be able to work with the old treasurer for a transitional period, we are looking to fill this position sooner. If you think you might be interested and would like more information, please contact Japa Pallikkathayil.