Worship Services

worshipNovember 19th -  Gratitude and Abundance
Rev. Elizabeth Bukey

Our culture teaches us to fear scarcity. But what if there IS enough? On this Sunday we reflect on gratitude, generosity, and abundance.

The Choir will sing "With a Voice of Singing" (1923) by Martin Shaw:
      With a voice of singing declare ye this, and let it be heard, Alleluia...
     O be joyful in God, all ye lands; 
     O sing praises to the honor of his name...Alleluia.

Religious Education
This Sunday, we'll follow up our introduction to labyrinths from last Sunday by making and decorating our own clay finger labyrinths. We will also vote on our final design for our floor labyrinth. Please wear clothes you don't mind getting a little messy!

November 26th - No More of This
Rev. Elizabeth Bukey
We have been living through violence and trauma in our national and community life. On this Sunday, Rev. Elizabeth reflects on resilience and resistance in the context of a violent world.

Our soloist Tim Williamson will join Ellen to sing "Would You Harbor Me?" by Ysaye M. Barnwell.
       ...Would you harbor a Christian, a Muslim, a Jew, a heretic, convict, or spy?
     Would you harbor a runaway woman or child, a poet, a prophet, a king?
     Would you harbor an exile or a refugee, or person living with AIDS?...

Religious Education
We will finish up our labyrinth unit by making a big floor labyrinth we can keep at church. We will be painting so please wear clothes you don't mind getting a bit messy!

As always, nursery care is available for our children 3 and under. 

Sunday Announcements Now Follow Worship

Please also remember to submit your announcements to Marjorie by Thursdays at noon for inclusion in the Order of Service.  For inclusion in the newsletter, please get your announcement to Marjorie by Tuesday at 5:00 PM the week the newsletter goes out. Our next newsletter is scheduled for Wednesday, November 29th. Marjorie can be reached at (firstchurchjp@aol.com).



A time of fellowship in the Parish Hall/Dining Room follows the worship service each Sunday. If you can serve as a host for a Sunday, please contact Paul Miller at pmmille2@yahoo.com.
Volunteer to Help Out at the Holiday Fair

volfairAnnual Holiday Fair - Saturday, December 2nd

Our annual Holiday Fair is scheduled for Saturday, December 2nd and we need help! This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and there are many things to do to make it a success. Please click here to see a list of jobs that we are looking for people to fill, and sign up if you can help out. Many thanks! 

taxplan2November is typically the month most people do some year-end tax planning.  Churches have always suggested members consider accelerating their pledge payments so that more is deductible in current year's taxes.
 
This year First Church recognizes there are valuable tax advantages for members gifting long-term appreciated stocks instead of paying their pledges in the form of check.  Click here for information on how you can gift securities directly to First Church.  Note if you want the gift to occur before the end of 2017, the transfer has to be completed before December 31, 2017 ...so time is short!
 
No matter how and when you financially support First Church, your support is always important and greatly appreciated.
Order Your Holiday Treats

treatsMargaret and her elves are ready to take orders for any of the following treats for the December holidays: 
  • traditional yule log, 
  • french apple tart, 
  • any kind of American style pie, 
  • flan, 
  • or breakfast quiche of any flavor. 
Vegan and vegetarian orders are welcome!  

Desserts are $30 each, payable to First Church as a donation.  All monies go to support the good works of our community. To order please see Margaret after the service on Sundays or email her at:  margaretsuby@msn.com.
Lost and Found

lostDid you lose something and you're not sure where? It might have been at First Church. We've amassed quite a collection of things in the office! Check out the photos below and if something is yours, you can find the Lost and Found box in the Sanctuary under the piano or let us know. Anything that doesn't get claimed by the end of October will be donated or recycled as appropriate.

 ARE ANY OF THESE THINGS YOURS?


Below: Electrical/Speaker Cords?

 

    A nice folding table - is it yours?


    More cords: Electrical?
Rev. Elizabeth's Contact Information

Rev. Elizabeth's Contact Information & Hours elizabeth

Please note: For the week of 11/20, there will be no open church office hours for either Rev. Elizabeth or the Church Admin, Marjorie Kukstis. 

Rev. Elizabeth will be in the office Tuesday-Thursday from 9:30-2:30 as well as other times by appointment. Please reach out to her if you'd like to make an appointment to get to know one another, to share your favorite things about First Church, or if you just need someone to talk with.
email:  revelizabethbukey@gmail.com; cell phone for call or text: (206) 499 3673

cell phone: (206) 499 3673

Please note that Monday is Rev. Elizabeth's day off, a Sabbath from work at First Church. This means that on Mondays, she does not check email and is reachable by phone and text only in emergencies. 
 
BLM
The monthly Vigil for Black Lives takes place in front of First Baptist Church on Centre Street on  Thursday December 7th 
from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.
Join us for song, prayer and silent witness!  
FOOD PANTRY 
CARING COMMUNITY
caringAnne Rogers is the Chair of the Caring Community. Please let her  know if you need help from Caring Community or if you are willing to provide help to those who in need. Thank you.

Phone: 617-285-4472
eventsfcjpUPCOMING EVENTS
at First Church JP


events

 
Upcoming JP Forum Events





JP FORUM 10th ANNIVERSARY
Please invite your friends to the 10th anniversary of the Jamaica Plain Forum of First Church. The event will take place on Friday, December 8th at 7:30 pm at First Church JP UU (6 Eliot St).  Our special guest speaker is Native American environmental activist Winona LaDuke, founder of Honor the Earth.  Advance tickets are available at  https://www.eventbrite.com/o/jamaica-plain-forum-15246228729

About Winona LaDuke: Winona is an internationally renowned activist working on issues of sustainable development renewable energy and food systems. She lives and works on the White Earth reservation in northern Minnesota, and is a two time vice presidential candidate for the Green Party.

Supporter Reception
We are also holding a wonderful advance reception at 6:30 for those who would like to give us a boost by being a supporter/benefactor for the Forum.  Please consider a $100 contribution and join us for the advance reception.
Annual Holiday Craft Fair
December 2nd


Theodore Parker Lecture: 
Islam and the Beloved Community
Sunday, December 2nd


nonfcjpEach year, the Theodore Parker Lecture brings a faith leader to Theodore Parker Church to address a timely social issue from a prophetic faith perspective. Join us this year to hear Samer Naseredden, MAS Youth Programs Director at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center (ISBCC), Muslim Spiritual Advisor at Northeastern University and Muslim Co-Chaplain at MIT speak on, "Islam and the Beloved Community."

For more information, click here.
Benefit Show at the Midway Cafe for the
Bethel AME Sanctuary Project
December 23rd


Get in the holiday spirit of giving by attending a benefit show with a varied lineup of punk-influenced performers! All proceeds will support the Sanctuary project at Bethel AME Church in Jamaica Plain. 

To learn about this project, which the First Church JP and our Social Justice Action Committee are supporters of, please click here.
 
REMINDER TO ALL CHURCH AMAZON.COM USERS:
Please access Amazon.com through the link on this Amazon icon --> 
or through the church website for all your purchases.   www.firstchurchjp.org
  
First Church JPUU receives 4-8% of all your purchases!