December 4, 2022

This Sunday


Christian Education

10:00-10:50am: Sunday School, for four-year-olds through Fourth Grade

(downstairs and on Zoom)


10:00-10:50m: Sunday School, for youth Fifth Grade and older (church office and on Zoom)


10:00-11:00am: Adult Forum

(library and on Zoom)


Worship Services

9:00am: Worship Service with Communion

(In Person)


11:00am: Worship Service

(Hybrid)


Fellowship

Following the 11:00 Worship Service:

  • Coffee Hour
  • Young Adult Brunch Bunch

Artwork by permission from Jan L. Richardson

Worship This Sunday

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 11:1-2

Matthew 3:1-8, 11:2-6


Rev. Mitch Hay will be preaching at the 9:00am and 11:00am worship services:

"Second Thoughts, and Third"

A Message from Rev. Mitch Hay

This Advent season, I re-learned something about Christmas:  I am not responsible for it! 


Let me clarify: As one who is privileged to co-pastor here at Harvard-Epworth Church, I have, of course, some responsibilities this season to help create Christmas worship services that are meaningful and won’t put people to sleep unnecessarily. But I rediscovered an important reality-- Christmas itself will come despite anything I do or don’t do! Ultimately, the whole Christmas process is entirely God’s doing!


As I've been reading the biblical Christmas stories this season, I've been struck by how quietly un-busy Mary was, how few projects she was frazzled with while participating in the incarnation of Love in the world. With the exception of going “hurriedly” to be with her cousin Elizabeth, her preparation for Jesus’ birth seems to move with the slow purposefulness of bread rising. While young Mary gave a heavenly messenger a courageous "Yes!" to God's unexpected movement in her life, the rest of the Christmas process was entirely God's doing.


So this has made me wonder-- perhaps everyone’s Christmas process is entirely God's doing as well? 


Could it be that Christmas will come even if we don't host the perfect party? Could it be that Christmas will come even if we don't scurry for the perfect gift? Could it be that Jesus will be born even if the pastor isn't complaining about the commercialization of Christmas? After all, even the Grinch (speaking of secularizing influences!) found he couldn't stop Christmas from coming– "it came just the same."


Loretta Ross-Gotta wrote these challenging words for us harried post-modern folk: 

Jesus observed, "Without me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). Yet we act, for the most part, as though without us God can do nothing. We think we have to make Christmas come, which is to say we think we have to bring about the redemption of the universe on our own. When all God needs is a willing womb, a place of safety, nourishment, and love. 


So, if I have any pastoral advice for the season, it is just this:


Be. 


Simply be. 


Take time each day, like Mary, to feel God's presence grow and kick inside you. Sing a quietly out-of-tune Christmas carol to Jesus. Pray not as a duty but as a gift. Read the Christmas stories in Luke and Matthew. 



Perhaps, come Christmas Eve (and it will come!), we can each give birth, not to holiday exhaustion, but to a renewed presence of Jesus in our lives and in the world.


Wishing you a Most Meaningful Advent,

Pastor Mitch


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Advent Happenings at Harvard-Epworth

advent 4

In the weeks approaching Christmas, Harvard-Epworth will make this holy season with several different opportunities. 


Wednesday Advent Reflections: Katelyn Robbins will lead Advent Reflections each Wednesday evening on Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/92617849023), Nov 30 and Dec 7, and 14 at 7:00 pm.


Advent Adult Forum: Pastors Barb and Mitch will lead Advent/Christmas based Adult Forums at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays, Nov 27 and Dec 4 and 11, in person and on zoom (https://zoom.us/j/94407800555). 

Christmas Poinsettias: Please consider donating a poinsettia plant in memory of a loved one to decorate the altar for Christmas. The cost is $20 per plant and can be paid for by clicking Give Now at https://harvardepworthchurch.org/giving/ or by check. You can add your dedication to the “Note/memo”. The donor may take the plant home after the Christmas Eve service.


Join Us for Christmas Decorating: December 10

We’ll be decorating the church building with greens and poinsettias on Saturday, December 10 at 9:00 a.m. There will be tasks for all ages, and families are welcome!

Community Carol Sing: December 11!

The Community Carol Sing will be held on Sunday, December 11 at 4:00 in the Harvard-Epworth sanctuary. It will also be live-streamed. 



There will be a reception in the Vestry after the service; if you would like to bring Christmas cookies, please free to do so. Please contact Sarah Bailey (sarahbailey202@gmail.com) for more information.

This promises to be a joyful and musical celebration of Christmas. Please invite family and friends and neighbors to share this season’s joy!

Blue Christmas Service: December 21

The holiday season is one of joy, and yet it can be especially difficult for those who’ve experienced a significant loss or who are having a hard time, especially as the days get shorter and the nights grow longer. On December 21, on Winter Solstice’s longest night, we will gather for a Blue Christmas Service at 7:00 pm (in person and livestreamed). If you are experiencing grief, or just want to experience a quiet and meditative worship this holiday season, please join us.

Advent Calendar 2022

Sign Up for Email Advent Devotions

Advent begins on Sunday, November 27. These four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day, are a time of preparing our hearts and lives for Jesus’ entry into our world. This year we’re offering a simple Advent Calendar, created by two New England pastors, Rev. Merry Watters and Rev. Thomas Mousin, for your daily devotion. Here is a pdf of the calendar: https://thomasmousin.com/



Tom sends a daily email that connects with each day’s topic and scripture. You may subscribe to his Advent Devotion here: https://thomasmousin.com/subscribe/

Additional Advent Devotion Resource

Pastors Mitch and Barb have often shared the poetry and reflections of Rev. Steve Garnaas-Holmes in liturgy, sermons, and newsletters. This year Steve is inviting folks to sign up to receive a daily Advent reflection; email him at pastorstevegh@gmail.com. Here are an examples of what he’s sent this week:


Coming

“One who is more powerful than I is coming…”  Matthew 3.11

How easy to think this is the world

and there is no more,

that life will never be more or other

than what I see.

God, help me trust

you are not done yet;

there is more that is unseen;

it is coming,

already it is unfolding.


“I Love to Tell the Story” 

2023 Pledge Campaign to Support Harvard-Epworth’s Ministry

This fall’s Stewardship campaign, “I Love to Tell the Story”, explores the many ways we tell the story of Jesus and God’s love, here at Harvard-Epworth. We were blessed to hear the stories from four lay speakers — Beth Rosenquist, Diana Eck, Sarah Bailey and Hector Montesino — who shared how Harvard-Epworth has ministered to them and been part of their faith development, and they plan to be contribute to Harvard-Epworth’s story in the year to come.


On Pledge Sunday, November 13, we received approximately $204,000, about 2/3 of our goal for the year. Thanks to all who have been part of this campaign so far!


 We are seeking to add at least 13 new pledges this year, and an anonymous donor has agreed to add $250 (about $5/week) to each new pledge we receive! If you have any questions, please be in touch with Tom Akbari, chairperson of the Stewardship Committee (thomasakbari@yahoo.com).


You may make a pledge online at www.harvardepworthchurch.org/giving, or filling out a pledge card at church. or by printing out this pledge card and mailing it to HEUMC, 1555 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge 02138. If you would like us to mail you a pledge card, please contact the office at office@harvardepworthchurch.org.


(Painting below by Carol Aust)

Women's Potluck

All vaccinated women of the church are warmly invited to our annual end-of-year Women's Potluck at the parsonage on Thursday, December 8 at 6:45pm. Bring what you'd like to share (if you can) and know that you are guaranteed to feel welcomed and enjoy great food and company. The parsonage is located at 27 Avon Hill St, just a few blocks from the church. Contact Pastor Barb if you need a parking permit or have questions (pastor.barb@harvardepworthchurch.org).



Christmas Angels

H-E UMC is again partnering with Our Place, a daycare center for homeless children, to provide gifts and clothing to children in need this Christmas. This year, you can participate in several ways:

Gifts should be returned by December 18. Email Ashley Hedberg (ashley.hedberg@gmail.com) with any questions or to volunteer.


Brunch Bunch this Sunday

All university students and young adults are invited to join in Brunch Bunch, rescheduled from last week! After the 11:00 service, we will head to brunch together. The cost is only $5 and the church will cover the rest!

Christmas and Holiday Concerts featuring Harvard-Epworth members!

Several people in Harvard-Epworth’s congregation are involved in holiday and Christmas concerts during the coming month. Here are some opportunities to hear their music:


Back Bay Ringers (Ashley Hedberg)

This year's Back Bay Ringers Christmas concert season features both classical and contemporary favorites, including a new arrangement of "Carol of the Bells" and our beloved transcription of Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride." Performances are on Dec 3, 4, 9, and 11 across Greater Boston and New Hampshire. Tickets are available at https://backbayringers.org/events.


Kuumba Singers (Barb Lemmel)

The Kuumba Singers are a gospel choir begun at Harvard 52 years ago to celebrate black creativity and spirituality. The Dr. S. Allen Counter Winter Concert will feature traditional spirituals, African music, and Christmas songs on December 2 and 3 at Memorial Chapel. Admission is free; tickets may be obtained at Kuumbasingers.org (a processing fee will be charged) or at the Box Office at the Smith Center. Open seating (for those without tickets) will begin at 7:45 each night.


Vox Lucens (John Nesby)

"O Wondrous Mystery!” Celebrate with motets both festive and contemplative by Josquin, Victoria, Sweelinck, Lassus, Palestrina, and more!

Saturday, December 3, 8 pm

Park Avenue Congregational Church, 50 Paul Revere Road, Arlington

Sunday, December 11, 6 pm

Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, 838 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge

Masking is highly recommended. Suggested donation, $20

www.voxlucens.net


A Seraphim Christmas (John Nesby)

A joyful celebration of the season with gorgeous choral works old and new, a carol sing with Seraphim, and our annual clothing and food drive to benefit the homeless and those facing food insecurity.

Saturday, December 17 at 4 PM

Church of Our Saviour, 25 Monmouth St, Brookline

Sunday, December 18 at 3 PM

First Church in Cambridge, 11 Garden St, Cambridge

General: $22 Advance | $25 Door; Senior: $17 Advance | $20 Door; Students: $10

We have a voucher program for first-time attendees and those who can't afford our ticket prices.

In-person and virtual ticketing and voucher information: www.seraphimsingers.org/upcoming


Musica Sacra (Terry Halco, accompanist)

"An American Christmas" Come explore the rich traditions of American holiday music—from spirituals to shape note singing, from the hills of Appalachia to the naves of churches. Highlights include the Nativity Madrigals of Cambridge’s own Daniel Pinkham and Caleb Burhans’s Magnificat.

Musica Sacra is requiring that all performers, volunteers, and audience members wear masks at all times. Audience members will be spaced apart in the sanctuary to allow for social distancing.

musicasacra.org

December 10, 7:00 pm

First Church Congregational

11 Garden Street

Cambridge, MA


The MIT Women’s Chorale (Kathy Hess)

"Our World Through Poetry: Songs of Nature and Humanity” Directed by Nhung Truong-Lustig, featuring Craig Hella Johnson’s The Dorothy Poems and texts by Langston Hughes, Francisco Silva, Robert Frost and others.

December 10, 7:00 pm

First Lutheran Church, 311 Broadway, Cambridge. Free admission.

Seasons of Light Service at Harvard Divinity School: December 6

The Office of the Chaplain and Religious and Spiritual Life at Harvard Divnity School invites the whole community to Seasons of Light on Tuesday, December 6, 5:30–7:00 PM in the James Room in Swartz Hall. As the nights grow longer and the days shorter, this beloved annual multireligious service honors the interplay of holy darkness and light in the world’s religious traditions, including choral and instrumental music, readings by HDS students, the ritual kindling of many flames, and communal prayers and songs. All are welcome! 

Mantram Repetition: Spiritual Talk on December 8

On Thursday, December 8, at 8:00pm, our neighbors at Harvard Alumni for Mental Health are hosting UC Berkeley School of Public Health professor Dr. Doug Oman to provide an overview of Mantram repetition, a spiritual practice that has been used for thousands of years across cultures. Dr. Oman will be joined by Dr. Ngozi Okose, the HAMH Director of Culture, Diversity and Inclusion. For more details on the event, please see the poster below.

Sunday School and "Godly Play”

This fall, we are blessed to have Ann Haywood-Baxter, Nancy Akbari and Warren Brown leading the children’s Sunday School class. They will bring the Godly Play circle to life, offering a creative, experiential approach to Bible stories that will enable the children to engage and understand God’s love and call in their lives. Godly Play is based in the Montessori principles, and you can learn more here: https://www.godlyplayfoundation.org/get-started


The classes will be for children from 4 years old through 4th grade, 10:00 - 10:50, in the Sunday School room (at the end of the hall, in the church basement). 


Pastors Mitch and Barb are leading a video series for youth 5th grade and older at 10:00 -10:50. We’ll meet in the classroom next to the church office upstairs for a hybrid class, in person and at this Zoom link:  https://zoom.us/j/98192451222


We are looking for additional volunteers and welcome your help with Sunday School; each Sunday a volunteer will serve as “door person” and assist the primary “storyteller” with that week’s experience. This is a terrific way to assist the children in their learning; it is also a terrific way to build your own familiarity with and understanding of scripture. If you would like to volunteer, please email education@harvardepworthchurch.org or watch for sign up opportunities. Please reach out with any questions or information that you would like to share.

Serve God, Have Fun, and Be Healthier... Try the Adult Choir

Everyone knows that singing is good for the soul, but did you know that singing is good for the body as well? Singing regularly improves breathing and posture, tones the abdominal and intercostal muscles and the diaphragm, and stimulates circulation. Singing releases the body's natural endorphins, helping to relieve aches and pains. Researchers at the University of Frankfurt in Germany found that singing in a choir strengthens the immune system and notably improves the singer's mood.


These are just a few reasons to give the Adult Choir a try. We meet on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. to prepare wonderful music for the worship of God. You don't have to read music or have a beautiful voice. You don't have to commit to singing every Sunday -- many of our singers participate on a part-time basis. All you need is the ability to match pitch and to come to rehearsal on the Sunday morning you wish to sing. Our Choir is a warm and welcoming group, open to all levels of musical skill. 


If this sounds intriguing, and you would like to give the Adult Choir a try, please contact Terry at terryhalco@gmail.com, or just come to the vestry at 9:45am on a Sunday morning. 


We do ask that Choir singers be fully vaccinated, and we will continue to wear masks during rehearsals and worship services.

Friday Cafe

We joyfully celebrated the opening of Season 9 at the Friday Cafe after Labor Day! This is our sixth year of volunteering at the Friday Cafe. It will continue to be a hybrid affair. We will serve hot food to our guests in the hall, who will then eat the food on the church lawn.


Harvard-Epworth will send a team of volunteers to the Opening Shift of the Friday Cafe on the third Friday of each month. Several positions are available during the Opening Shift. 


Our next volunteer day of Season 9 is Friday, December 16. Please join us! Your thoughtful presence is welcomed.


Please visit https://signup.com/go/VfFWmvv to sign up. If you have questions, please contact the church office.


.

Outdoor Church Sandwich Ministry

On the third Saturday of every month, a volunteer team from Harvard Epworth brings sandwiches to homeless neighbors in Harvard and Central Squares. Harvard-Epworth will join this ministry on Saturday, December 17.


Interested in bringing sandwiches? Thank you -- 20 is a good number. The homeless like meat (roast beef, ham and turkey), as well as chicken, egg and tuna salad. White, oat and whole wheat breads are all good. You can add a bit of mustard and lettuce for the meats. We avoid mayonnaise for safety reasons, but it's okay for the salads.


Interested in joining the sandwich distribution? We gather at the church at 2:30 on the third Saturday of the month. For more details, email Lane at jamaicaplainlane@gmail.com.

Be a Part of Sunday Altar Flowers

If you would like to donate altar flowers for Sunday’s worship service, please click the following link and fill out the form. You may also call the church office to make the arrangements to donate flowers. Please include the text of the dedication for the bulletin.

We will contact Coady Florist, who will deliver the flowers to the church on Sunday morning. The cost is $50. You may send a check to the church, or donate online through Tithe.ly at the church website (choose “Sunday Flowers).


This is a wonderful way to share your joys and remembrances with the church community, and brighten up the sanctuary with the beauty of flowers. After the service, you may take the flowers home with you or give them to someone else.


Flowers must be ordered by Wednesday before the Sunday of your donation.

Hurricane Relief

Hurricanes Fiona and Ian have brought torrential rain and damaging winds to the Caribbean, the Canadian Maritimes, and now to Florida. Millions have been left without power and now face catastrophic damage to homes and communities.


UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, is in close contact with disaster response coordinators in al the affected areas, addressing immediate and long-term needs.


Join us in prayer for the communities that have been affected by Fiona and Ian. If you would like to support UMCOR's relief efforts, you can donate through the church site (www.harvardepworthchurch.org/giving and select “UMCOR” in the dropdown menu) or bring/mail donations to the church.


Ukraine Relief Update from the Missions Committee

As the invasion of Ukraine moves past the six-month mark, the Missions Committee continues to collect funds for Ukrainian relieve, distributed through UMCOR and the Kyiv School of Economics. Please give via checks (made out to HEUMC) brought to worship or mailed to the church, or online at www.harvardepworthchurch.org by clicking the "Give Now" button, then choosing "Ukraine Relief" in the drop-down menu. Donations will be sent to these organizations.


Join us for Coffee Hour

Please join us after worship for coffee hour refreshments and fellowship, outdoors whenever possible and in the Vestry in the case of inclement weather. We ask that masks continue to be worn except when eating/drinking, while inside (please see below for a note on mask requirements). 


We'd love your help filling the table on this date and going forward. Please sign up at this link (https://signup.com/go/vLAxKUQ) or contact Sarah Bailey (sarahbailey202@gmail.com or 917 439 1103) if you would like to contribute. 


When inside, we strongly encourage people to wear masks except when eating/drinking; we ask those attending to be fully vaccinated and boosted as allowed.

Connect with us Electronically

Harvard Epworth Church Member Online Directory

Remember that we have a Harvard Epworth Church Member Online Directory.  You can log in to the directory by going to directory.harvardepworthchurch.org by clicking on the link in the menu on the church website (it's next to the live stream link).

Current users can reset their password with the "Need a password" button on the directory login. If you don't have a directory account or access to it, email office@harvardepworthchurch.org  and we will be in touch with login information for you.
Sermon Podcast Update: If you would enjoy listening to the Sunday sermon during the week they can now be found on Apple, Google, and Spotify by searching for Harvard-Epworth Church podcast. You can also still find them on the front page of our church website at www.harvardepworthchurch.org
Help Harvard-Epworth While You Shop: Our Amazon Smile link shares some of the profits from any Amazon purchases with the church: If you shop via this link, a percentage of what you spend is automatically donated to the church.
Prayer Ministry: Each Wednesday morning (from 7:45am to 8am), some of the Harvard-Epworth congregation gather by phone for meditation and prayer. This gathering is a wonderful way to begin the day and to hold the concerns of our congregation in prayer. We would love to have you join us! To join in, dial +1 (605) 468-8016 and type in our access code: 658031#.
Looking Ahead...


  • Sunday, December 4:
  • 10:00am: Sunday School
  • 10:00am: Adult Forum
  • 11:00am: Worship Service
  • 12:15pm:
  • Coffee Hour
  • Young Adult Brunch Bunch
  • 7:00pm: Young Adult/University Student Life Groups
  • Tuesday, December 6: HDS Seasons of Lights Service (5:30pm)
  • Wednesday, December 7:
  • Prayer Call (7:45am)
  • Advent Reflections (7:00pm)
  • Thursday, December 8:
  • Women's Potluck (6:45pm)
  • HAMH Mantram Repetition Talk (8:00pm)
  • Saturday, December 10: Church Decoration (9:00am)
  • Sunday, December 11: Carol Sing (4:00pm)
  • Sunday, December 18: Christmas Breakfast (10:00am)
  • Wednesday, December 21: Blue Christmas Service (7:00pm)
Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church | office@ harvardepworthchurch.org