Events at the Hills 02-18-21

STAYING CONNECTED TO YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY

Thursday, February 18, 2021

This year, the season of Lent follows a full year of dislocation, disorientation, and disruption. It is time for a re-centering focus on love, at the center of our scriptures, our faith, and our lives. The ministers will present a Lenten sermon series on the theme of love, and invite you to join a congregational read, Love Is the Way, a new book by Bishop Michael Curry.

SERMON DATE

February 21

February 28

March 7

March 14

March 21

March 28 -- Palm Sunday

April 4 -- Easter Sunday

SERMON TOPIC & SCRIPTURE

Love Comes from God -- John 13:34-35

Love as Covenant -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 & Luke 22:14-20

Love’s Reflection -- 1 Corinthians 13

Love Transforms -- Matthew 5:43-48

Love is Embodied -- John 14:15-21

A Love Supreme -- Mark 11:1-11

Love Endures -- 1 John 4:7-12

Morning Meditation Lent 2021

What if . . . for Lent this year we give our hearts and our priorities and our time over to God?

For Lent 2021, we invite you to consider following a spiritual practice that will bring you closer to God. While there are traditional practices like fasting or “giving up something,” maybe this pandemic year your heart yearns to notice God in nature by taking long walks in quiet places? Or journal and write every day, reconnect with an old friend, or carve out more time to read and reflect on the riches of the Bible.

And here is an added fun part . . . We then invite you to write a sentence or two (and email it to Susan at the church office), sharing what you chose for your Lenten practice. Each week in our newsletter, we will feature different stories, encouraging others to embrace this idea!

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 am to 10:30 am, via Zoom. Sharing the fruit of our prayers is often spiritual sustenance for our faith journeys. So come as you are able, just as you are. To receive the Zoom link email Mary Hill Canavan or Rev. Judy Swahnberg.

Have you been on a Prayer Walk? 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 that will guide you towards the LOVE at the center of it all. Visit church this season of LENT and pray - it is open for visits!

Family Ministries at the Hills delivered at home Lenten “LOVE at the Center” Care Packages this Monday and Tuesday ready for Lent. These care packages contain faithful activities that everyone across all ages can focus on from home. It is our hope that everyone will be able to receive a care package to be enjoyed during this Lenten Season ahead. If you did not sign up in time for delivery there are extra care packages at church in the rear RAMP ENTRANCE COLLECTION BOX. Drive up the ramp behind the church and you will see it by the back door.

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

by reflecting upon the good news of the gospel!

Rev. Suzanne Bossert & Rev. Anne Marie Holloway

invite you to

Tuesday NOOMA Nights: Lenten reflections with Rob Bell!

February 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 7:00 to 8:15 pm on ZOOM!

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 !

Tuesdays with Rev. Judy Swahnberg

March 2, 9 and 16, 11 am to noon

Wednesdays with Rev. Matt Wooster

March 3, 10, and 17, 7 to 8 pm

Sundays with Rev. Anne Marie Holloway

March 7, 14, and 21, 6:30 to 7:30 pm

Lenten Book Groups

Love is at the Center of our 2021 Lenten journey.

We invite you to read the book and join any group that fits your schedule for conversation and reflection.

Order your book from the library, Kindle, or your favorite retailer.

All groups will meet on Zoom, and a Zoom link will be sent later.

Please review available slots by clicking on the link below. We look forward to spending Lent with you!

30's to 50's

Wednesday, February 24 @ 7:30 pm

This virtual Men’s Group for members and friends of the church ages 30’s to 50’s, focuses on building friendships and growing together in faith.

RSVP to receive Zoom information

Today’s words to ponder:

“The sooner you can become comfortable with seeking what you don’t know, as opposed to proving what you do, the more you will learn and the more effective you’ll become as a racial justice advocate.”

To further our Lenten theme, "Love At The Center," we invite you on a journey toward racial justice. Each week we will provide readings, videos, and prayers to help you explore your feelings, understandings, and knowledge about your role in moving toward racial justice in our church community and beyond. Please choose which resources you feel are most helpful to you, think about and pray over them, and when you are ready, continue on to the next items. The important thing to focus on is that we are all moving forward together for the common goal of creating racial justice and equality for all. It is our hope that these devotionals will reach those of you who were unable to participate in our monthly Racial Justice Workshops from this past Fall and Winter. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Hills Church Children, Youth and Families 2020

Racial Justice Workshop:

Youth Anti-Racism Leadership

On Sunday February 28th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm our teens are invited to attend a ZOOM workshop that will be focused on ways our teens can serve as racial justice leaders in our community! Rev. Anne Marie Holloway and the members of the Racial Justice Working Group invite Hills Church teens (and their friends) in grades 7 through 12 to join us for this important work! This is a YOUTH only workshop that will be led by diversity, equity, and inclusion trainers, Guimel DeCarvalho and Amy Hogarth, from Wayside Youth and Family Support Network. Please register at the link above. A ZOOM link will be sent along the day before the workshop.

MLK Day of Service Follow Up

Thank you to all of you that participated in our MLK day of service. It was fun to bake together on zoom, making yummy treats to share with others. We collected over 100 bags of cookies for two organizations. They were delivered to Common Cathedral and our own Wellesley Food Pantry. The much needed diaper collection was also delivered to two food pantries, Wellesley and West Roxbury. We don't have to go far to see that the need is great. Once again, thank you for your giving spirit.

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, so THIS ARTICLE is a great meditation on what it all means. The crosses on our foreheads, the smudged mixture of oil and ashes, are a sign that we are of the ground. “Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.”

YOU ARE STARDUST connects the same point as the above article for children. You Are Stardust begins by introducing the idea that every tiny atom in our bodies came from a star that exploded long before we were born. Good to read alongside the Creation story.

Coloring App — Recently, I’ve been listening to a lot more audio books and drawing, I find it so relaxing. If you like coloring during meditation or a form of relaxation, color with the HAPPY COLOR app. Coloring while listening to an audio Bible is a perfect practice for LENT.

Good for the kids but we all can do this. 40 Moments is taking some time through Lent to enjoy the things around us, connect with nature and God. Simple ideas which can be done whenever you want, it doesn't have to be one a day. But spending purposeful and intentional moments and taking time to listen to what God may be whispering.

Cup of Morning Prayer

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

Noon Prayers

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

* NEW * Supply Drive!

Hills Church families and friends are invited to drive-by the church from February 20 to 27, to drop off donations and supplies for this new ministry, "Presence Beyond Words" that supports the homeless population of Boston. Items can be left in the storage container located at the North ramp entrance to the sanctuary (the entrance behind the church).