To mark the one year anniversary since worship and church programs became remote, we invite you to a service of prayers for a year of Lament & Hope, on Thursday, March 11 @ 7 pm. The last worship service held at the church was a Wednesday Lay-led service in Wallace Chapel on March 11. In the next two days, local schools went remote and Sunday worship services, classes, and meetings moved to a virtual format. JOIN ZOOM MEETING

March 7: Love’s Reflection -- 1 Corinthians 13

March 14: Love Transforms -- Matthew 5:43-48

March 21: Love is Embodied -- John 14:15-21

March 28: Palm Sunday: A Love Supreme -- Mark 11:1-11

April 4: Easter Sunday: Love Endures -- 1 John 4:7-12

The Very Rev. Randolph “Randy” Marshall Hollerith, Dean of Washington National Cathedral, reminds us: “The point is, God wants us – not our religious practices. So, find what works for you, and remember that religion is only useful to the extent to which it connects us to God, the ultimate source of life, love, and hope.” 

This Lent, our meditations will focus on Love at the Center, using scriptures selected for the Lenten sermon series. We welcome all to to join us and listen for God’s word in prayer and then twenty minutes of silent meditation on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 to 10:30 am. To receive the Zoom link email Mary Hill Canavan or Rev. Judy Swahnberg. 

Please join us as we hold "Love at the Center" of our lives,

Tired of the toxic messages of judgment made in the name of Christianity today, which stand against the clear ethic of Love described by Jesus in the gospels? Join us for a small group Zoom experience of the acclaimed work of Rob Bell, an electrifying, unconventional pastor whom Time magazine calls “a singular rock star in the church world, one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.” Bell is the author of several New York Times Bestsellers, including What We Talk About When We Talk About God, and Love Wins. He’s been profiled in the New Yorker, toured with Oprah, and a podcast that regularly makes "best of the year" lists on iTunes. In this five week program, we will gather via zoom to view beautiful, imaginative short videos written by Bell, followed by invigorating conversation led by Rev. Anne Marie and Rev. Suzanne Bossert. No advance reading is needed--come to one or all Nooma Nights as we seek to deepen our faith during the holy season of Lent. A ZOOM link will be provided.

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO REGISTER!

The Reopening Task Force has continued to follow the Covid-19 monitoring data from the MA Department of Public Health ( COVID-19 Response Reporting | Mass.gov ) which shows that the holiday surge, which surpassed the first wave of the pandemic last Spring, is at last abating with decreasing numbers of new infections, hospitalizations and deaths. The percentage of positive tests is down to 1.73% as of 2/27/21, a rate we haven’t seen since last November. All of this is good news.

A Prayer Walk is an innovative and delightful way to enjoy reading about, and praying about, our community, God, and ourselves. Prayer walks provide a way to be both outdoors and connected to our church at the same time. On the front walkway leading up to our church steps you will find laminated prayer prompts guiding you towards LOVE at the center of it all. Visit church this season of LENT and pray - it is open for visits!

Join Rev. Anne Marie Holloway every Monday morning at 7:00 am to participate via Facebook LIVE. Send prayer requests in advance via email.

@ Dead Sea Squirrels! — Wonderful, adventure based, fun faith based animation books for your elementary aged child. Mike Nawrocki, co-creator of VeggieTales, is back! With this hilarious new chapter-book series.Ten-year-old Michael and his friend Justin sneak into the Dead Sea caves near the archaeological dig where Michael’s dad is working. Michael finds two 2,000-year-old squirrels petrified in sea salt. Michael tries to bring them back to the U. S., hidden in his backpack. What Michael thinks are just cool souvenirs may turn out to be something much more! The Dead Sea Squirrels series is humorous, fun, and filled with character-building and Biblical lessons. 

@ Light Tracker — Rev. Traci Smith Facebook mentioned this as a brilliant spiritual practice. How much more light is there today than yesterday? Make a habit of CHECKING and recording (or just noticing.) As we move into Spring I thank God for more light!

@ Talking about light... Light a Candle and Say A Prayer — My favorite spiritual practice of all time. I do it almost daily. No link because it’s just that simple. Light a candle. Say a prayer. Amen. I know spiritual practices are very individual, so what works for me might not work for you, but that one, in its simplicity, means a great deal to me. 

@ Death, Through a Nurse’s Eyes — Content warning: death, sickness, ICU, Covid. THIS video is really hard to watch. That said, having watched it, I cried some cleansing tears and prayed a long time. It’s really hard for our brains to wrap around all of the death of Covid, and I think we need time to grieve and name the heavy losses all around as we mark the high number of this past week. Light your candle.  (Preview before showing family members)  

Did you know that you can now view the church calendar on our website? Click on the above link to see if a day and time is available, and then email Susan MacDonald in the church office to have your event reserved.

Tune in to our Facebook page at noon for a brief time (5-15 minutes) of reflection and prayer with clergy.

Hills Church is collecting gently used children’s books throughout the month of March for the benefit of The Grow Clinic at Boston Medical Center. Books are given to children while receiving treatments or when waiting for a sibling, to occupy the child’s mind during a bad situation, offering them a glimmer of hope. Collection bins will be on the porch of Donna & Gary McCabe’s home at 124 Washington Street, Wellesley. Their house is just east of the church with a circular driveway and a large covered porch. Questions? Contact Donna McCabe or May Persson.



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