VOLUME LXXXIII, No. 3

January 23, 2018

Sunday, January 28, 2018 One Service of Worship Rev. Dr. Robert Leroe

Sermon Title: The Offering of Isaac

Calendar for Sunday, January 28, 2018

10:00 am Prayer in the Chapel 10:30 am Sanctuary Worship (Infant and toddler care provided)

Sunday School follows the Children’s Message Noon: Annual Meeting Luncheon

Annual Meeting Following Luncheon

Memorial Flowers

The flowers will be given in loving memory of

loved ones by the D’Agostino family.

The flower arrangements will be given in memory

of Edward E. (Ned) and Edyth K. (Dee) Lynch by

their son Ned.

Greeter: Tom & Judy Gordan

Ushers: Joe D'Agostino, Barbara Flynn, Michael

and Linell Nestor, Dexter Wheeler and Linda

D’Agostino (Captain)

Coffee Hour Host: Callaghan’s

Sunday, February 4, 2018 Communion Sunday

Rev. Dr. Robert Leroe Sermon Title: I Ran Away but I Couldn’t Stay

Calendar for Sunday, February 4, 2018

9:00 am Chapel Service 10:00 am Prayer in the Chapel 10:30 am Sanctuary Worship (Infant and toddler care provided)

Sunday School follows the Children’s Message Coffee Hour follows 10:30 service

Memorial Flowers The flowers will be given in memory of Agnes M.

Morrison from the trust fund given in her name.

Greeters: Elaine Sciascia

Ushers: Sarah Bacci, Jayna Hatheway, Chloe

Powell, Sophia Laboy and Linda Byam (captain)

Coffee Hour Hosts: needed

Prayers for healing:

Becky Fosnock, Baby Samuel, and

Alwyn Van Cor (home), Kenneth Sullivan

Please continue to keep us in your prayers:

Barbara Costas as she and her family mourns the

loss of her son, Peter, Ed Foley’s family as they

grieve his loss, Donna Nicolai, The Hopwood

Family, Stephanie Apitz (Bob Blaser’s niece),

Robert Blaser (Bob’s dad), Ed Courier, Tammy

Desrosiers, MaryAnn Doherty, Mark Ganong, the

Laboy Family, Kathryn Millheim, Richard Pratt,

Peter Rearick and his parents, Warren Reeves,

Albert Simkins, Barbara Sullivan, Stephen Taylor,

Angelique and Pastor Nick Toroni, Pat Weisenbach,

Marjorie & Matthew Willard (Ken Wood’s sister &

nephew), Jerry Wilkinson, Irene Whitehead

Our missionaries around the globe:

Please contact the church office if you know of

someone who could benefit from receiving a

prayer shawl.

Prayer is the most powerful tool! Would you like our First Parish Prayer Team

praying for your needs? Please fill out a prayer

request. You will find the prayer cards in the back

of the Sanctuary on the Williams Table. Our Prayer

Box is also there to drop in your prayer request. The

Prayer Team will gather them up each week, and

they will pray for your needs.

CHURCH ATTENDANCE

Chapel Sanctuary Sunday School

Total

Jan 14 N/A 115 N/A 115 Jan 21 21 111 ? 132

SNOWSTORMS Regarding Worship Services

If there is a snowstorm on a Saturday, please call the church office. The outgoing message on the office telephone will be updated to inform callers of any cancellation. You may also check the website www.fpccwakefield.org The 10:30 am service will usually be conducted. If the 10:30 service must be canceled in the event of a severe storm, the cancellation will be announced on the WBZ Storm Center (TV Channel 4 in Boston).

THANK YOU

Dear First Parish Friends, I am one month into my recovery from surgery for bladder cancer and am so grateful for your caring support. I have felt the Lord's peace as I negotiate this new path and look forward to return of energy in the coming month. You all are in Rich's & my hopeful prayers as well,

Pat Weisenbach ☺

My thanks for the beautiful sparkling winter white

bouquet. I took a picture of it and so I will be

enjoying it for a long time. Thank you FPCC for thinking of me.

Ethel Wallace

We would like to thank the local St. Vincent

DePaul Society for finding housing, at their

cost, for all of our homeless friends during

the recent, terrible cold spell.

Ken Wood and Steve Gates The flowers Heather Hulse and her son, Eli delivered to me last week were lovely. Thank you Heather and Eli and I enjoyed our visit also. And, thank you to the church family as well.

Kathryn Millheim

Lisa Carpenter would like everyone to know that

between-service prayer time will continue

at 10 am in the Chapel.

FPCC presents January 2018

Girls’ Night Out

Hosted by Deborah Allen and Jeannie Nielsen

Located @ Jeannie’s Craft Room (right off Main Street)

7 Heritage Lane, Lynnfield, MA 01940

Come fellowship and have fun stamping! I have a beautiful birthday Designer Paper pack that looks

just like real pictures of party items: balloons, confetti, candles, bows etc. Come make 8 simple birthday cards – they’re perfect for you to send to

friends and family! Never stamped before? No problem!! Deborah

and Jeannie will help you, plus these stamps are photopolymer, meaning that they’re see-through,

making the perfect card easy to master! Cost: $25, which includes all of your supplies

including adhesive to borrow, cardstock, Designer Paper and envelopes. Also includes cupcakes

and water, coffee and tea. Limit: 12 people so RSVP ASAP!

Date: Friday, January 26th, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. RSVP by Tuesday, January 23rd, 2018 at 9 p.m.

Deborah Alley, dahorn4j@hotmail.com

Space is limited. Sign up in the Vestry after Church.

A Winter Weekend Treat for Women

February 16th – 18th

Please join us for a weekend of relaxation and

fellowship to refuel your spirit at our annual

Women’s Winter Retreat at the Linden Tree Inn

in Rockport. It’s a great time together with new

and old friends alike. Whether you’ve been with

us before or have never been, come along.

Enjoy delicious meals prepared by Tobey and

John. Stroll to downtown Rockport for a day of

shopping or just find a quiet spot to sit and read

in the cozy Inn. Settle in and watch a movie, or

play a game or two. We are looking forward to

seeing you at this sweet retreat. The price for

the full weekend is $165. If you have any

questions please contact Jennifer Byam at 781-

245-0830 or jen2179@msn.com.

2018 TWEEN GIRLS’ BIBLE STUDY All girls in grades 4 through 7 are invited to join! The Study will include a lesson, a game, a craft, a puzzle and a snack. We will do a variation of these activities at every meeting (but always a snack!). Please reach out to Nancy Kunz at 339-203-0174 with any questions.

Where: Fellowship Room When: Last Sunday of the month (February – June) Time: 4 PM - 6 PM

Pledge Envelopes If you have already returned your 2018 pledge

card commitment, you may pick up your box of envelopes in the back of the vestry.

Please note that a new pledge card needs to be

submitted each year even if you have done one in

the past. You will find one in the back of the Chapel

and/or Sanctuary.

May you be able to step out in faith and increase

your pledge in response as a sign of trusting the

Lord for your provisions. Our God is amazing. I see

His hand everywhere. I hope you see Him too.

Thank you for your faithfulness,

Ruth Ross for Stewardship

THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE

UPDATE

We want to thank all who have offered to help

already. How blessed we are that you have stepped

forward! We still have positions available in the

areas below.

Officers needed are Assistant Treasurer

of Trust Funds, and Auditor; committees

with openings are Antique Show, Music,

Fair, and Usher. If you would like to more information about any of

these openings, please contact me at church or call

at 78l-245-0243. Any help is always greatly appreciated!

Linda D'Agostino,

Chair of Nominating Committee

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

In a few weeks, the congregation will be voting on

the proposed 2018 budget. The total expenses,

including outreach, is $430,780. The budget

includes a pledge amount of $300,000, which is the

amount needed for 2018. With this amount, we will

not need to use reserves or trust funds to balance the

budget. We are counting on your support to achieve

this goal.

To date, we have received pledges in the amount of

$172,520. Please consider making your pledge as

soon as possible, so we can minimize the amount of

reserves needed. If our pledge goal is not achieved,

severe cuts to the budget may be needed.

From the Trustees, Joe D’Agostino

FINANCIAL UPDATE

As the new year begins, may we thank our Lord for

His faithfulness to First Parish, and trust in His

plans for 2018. God is so good, all the time!

Here is a (rounded) summary of our Church’s

General Fund finances in 2017:

Income from:

Pledge and Plate Giving: $ 270,000

Other Gifts & Building Use: 74,000

Trust Funds and Fundraising: 37,000

Total Income $ 381,000

Expenditures for:

Missions & Outreach $ 29,000

Salaries & Personnel 225,000

Ministries & Committees 21,000

Building/ Ins. / Utilities 94,000

Office Expenses 10,000

Total Expenditures $ 379,000

God’s provision (thank you!),

a surplus to begin 2018: $ 2,000

Please pray that God will guide our committees,

volunteers, and leaders this year; that we will seek

His will in every decision, and use every gift to

please our Lord and fulfill our Church’s mission.

As we prepare for 2018, please know that the

support of faithful givers in our church family is so

important, and very much appreciated!

Our 2018 budget includes “Pledge & Plate Giving”

of $342,000, since a portion 2017 income was from

one-time building use payments. Please consider

contributing to another year of growth and worship,

“welcoming all people” at First Parish.

Thank you for your faithful support,

Lynn Arena, for Church Council

Flowers needed for the month of February….

Would you like to donate the flowers for a Sunday

in the month of February on either February 4, 11,

18 or 25, either in honor of or in remembrance of

someone?

Hospitable People

Needed!

First Parish has

received the honor of

hosting the annual National Summit for First Place

4 Health in summer 2018.

The leadership and authors are asking host families

to house them for two or three nights in July. They

are coming from as far away as Hawaii!

If you are willing to put up one or more of our

honored guest for the nights of July 26th and 27th,

please contact Ken Hodgson, Massachusetts

Network Leader, at 781-492-1792. We would

appreciate your response as soon as possible.

In addition, volunteers will be needed before and

during the event. Please let Ken or Pam know if you

would like to help us make this an

OUTSTANDING event!

Clothing Closet Need: Winter clothing and

bedding. Please look to see if you can part with

some of these items for someone in need.

VOLUNTEER TO USHER OR GREET

The usher committee is in need of people to usher

or greet on a given Sunday. It's not a difficult task

to do. You would be one of the people to welcome

others into our church. A very simple job and doing

a good deed at the same time.

Please talk to Linda D'Agostino after church or call

at 78l-245-0243.

Thanks for your help.

Souper Bowl Sunday

Please support our Food Pantry.

On Sunday, February 4, Outreach is

sponsoring our fourth annual Souper Bowl

Sunday collection of canned food. Your

donations will support our FPCC Food Pantry.

Please bring a can or two of hearty soups,

stews, baked beans or pasta products. We will

have a table in the vestry. Thanks in advance for

supporting.

If you know of a low-cost room to

rent, please contact the

Church Office.

For the Love of

Our Church

The 375th Anniversary Committee is excited to

sell you CB Stuffer chocolates!

You can order during

fellowship hour January 28th and February 4th.

Pickup will be February

11th

Or you can order online at: http://cbstuffer.com

Please reference coupon code ‘FPCC’ to benefit

FPCC.

Donations from sales will be going toward the FPCC 375th Anniversary Fund. Thank You Carlo & Erin

Bacci!

Please consider becoming a

Stephen Minister

With the support of Pastor Bob, we will be

revitalizing the Stephen Ministry program in the very

near future. Previous Stephen Ministers will be

encouraged to enroll in a one-day refresher course.

New Stephen Minister trainees will attend a training

program over a number of weeks. (Details to follow)

We welcome all who are interested. In the past, there

have not been enough male Stephen Ministers. So

men, please take advantage of this opportunity!

We will announce dates soon and would be honored

to have you join this caring ministry. We are so

grateful to have Pastor Bob’s encouragement.

For more information, please check out the website

at www.stephenministries.org.

Also, please feel free to contact us with any questions

and for more information.

Thank you,

Ken and Pam Hodgson

Stephen Ministry Leaders

The cost includes two nights’ accommodations at the

Gurney’s Newport Resort and Marina in Newport,

RI, breakfast and dinner on Saturday, breakfast on

Sunday, and all sessions, workshops, and materials,

so be sure to sign up soon.

Please see Jen Black

if you are interested in attending.

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

2 - Pamela Major 6 - Vanessa Gebhard, Leith Jones, II 8 - Judith Gordon, Judson Hopwood 10 - Alexander Kennedy 11 - Charlene Flint 14 - Derek Foster 16 - Linda Govostes O’Neil, Jessica Jackson, Sharon Covell 18 - Albert Simkins, Jr. 21 - Brendon Hildreth 22 - Mary Marchant, Stephen Taylor 24 - James Fosnock, Kate Wolgamott 25 - Jeanne Nielsen, Kenneth Parsons 27 - Brandon Grinnell, Linda Driscoll 28 - Benjamin Roden, Brian Roden

PASSION PLAY 2018! Would you like to direct, act, or help?

Launch meeting: Feb 4th after service in the Fireside Room

Contact Jo Lynn Foster if you have any questions.

VOLUNTEER TEACHERS NEEDED The First Congregational Church (CCCC) of Revere

is seeking volunteers for their ESL/English as a

Second Language school. New teachers, assistants,

conversation partners are needed as well as childcare

workers. The schedule is Monday & Wednesday

mornings from 10-12. You are welcome to help one

day a week or two. Prayerfully consider joining this

important ministry to share a Christian witness to

people who want to improve their English. Come and

visit to see the classes in action. The church is located

at 230 Beach Street, Revere.

The contact person is Mike Dempsey,

978-265-5756, mdempsey444@comcast.net

You are invited to the Women's

Council 90th

Anniversary Celebration Benefit Concert

Prayerful Creations: Artistic Gifts to and from Our Creator God

Friday, February 2, 7:30 PM

Kaiser Chapel | Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary 130 Essex St., S. Hamilton, MA

Featuring composer and musician Peter Vantine on the piano along with other instrumental and liturgical dance

accompaniments. Reception to follow.

(Snow Date, Saturday, February 3)

130 ESSEX STREET, SOUTH HAMILTON, MA 01982 (978) 468-7111 | EMAIL: communications.office@gordonconwell.edu | www.gordonconwell.edu

Dear Church Family, I want to thank you all so much for all of the donations, and for all of your well wishes and prayers as I traveled to the Dominican Republic last week. With the help of you all, we were able to reach 500 + people, and send donations to the local hospital and senior center. I can’t wait to share with you more and show you the pictures. Thank you from the bottom of my heart—this means more to me than you know! Love, Victoria Haley

•Pastoral Perspectives

On books…Pastor Bob Leroe

My spiritual growth has been influenced by what I’ve

read. These are some of my favorites, which have had

a profound impact on me as a pastor and person…

How Should We Then Live? by Francis Schaeffer exposes the despair of western culture in

light of God’s revelation, along with the urgent need to embrace a contrasting Biblical

worldview and Christian response to our secular society. Our beliefs determine our behavior

(this book influenced the author of recent best-seller The Benedict Option).

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis, a clever and profound allegory of good and evil, Heaven

and Hell, portraying the consequences of choosing to not be at home with God and holiness.

The God Who Loves You by B.C. professor Peter Kreeft--a subject I thought I knew

thoroughly (I didn’t) that helped me to appreciate the wonder of God’s amazing love.

Reality Therapy by William Glasser--an approach to counseling and supervision, affirming

that while human needs may be legitimate, how we choose to attain them reveals whether we

are behaving maturely or irresponsibly.

Here I Stand by Roland Bainton. An engaging biography of Martin Luther that inspired me

to be faithful in spite of opposition (great illustrations also). This book created in me a

lifelong love of church history, especially biographies.

Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be, by Cornelius Plantinga Jr., offers a clear and thorough

examination of sin and our fallen/broken world, dealing with both theology and

contemporary issues such as addiction and the ruination of personal relationships.

Our Father Abraham by Gordon College professor Marvin Wilson. How ought Christians

respond to Judaism? Wilson helped me appreciate the Hebraic heritage of Christianity.

Decision Making and the Will of God by Garry Friessen, a paradigm-shifting book on how

to use the wisdom and responsibility God gives to choose what is best.

Tactics by Greg Koukl--more than a defense of the faith, this book offers a strategy for

discussing our differences and how to respond to intolerance, with relevant examples.

The Valley of Vision, a profound, substantive collection of prayers that has enriched my

prayer-life and perspective.

Office Hours

Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 – 3p

Please call first, in case I am called out into the Mission Field.

Second notice. Sent out separately in an email dated January 12, 2018 to the Church Herald Distribution List

What a wonderful celebration of God’s Blessings.

CHURCH HERALD First Parish Congregational Church

One Church St. Wakefield, MA 01880-2301

Phone: 781-245-1539/1644

E-mail: fpccx1644@aol.com

Fpccwakefield.org

January 23, 2018

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

DEADLINES

CHURCH HERALD Thursday, February 1, 2018

(Will cover the dates from February. 11-24, 2018)

ORDER OF WORSHIP 3 pm on Wednesdays.

Meeting Minutes for Council The Thursday before Council