1

January 2012

The Steeple Light

The Newsletter of the First Church of Christ, Bradford 10 Church Street, On the Common

Bradford, MA 01835

Visit Our New Web Site

www.fccbradford.org

Please visit our new web site. Take a look around.

Let us know what you think!

E-mail us at office@fccbradford.org with your comments and suggestions!

Thanks!

Annual Meeting Preparation

Annual Meeting is right around the corner and there is much to consider and do to prepare.

Budgets: Committee Chairpersons are urged to get their 2012 budgets to Steve Esty ASAP. Please place your budget in the Finance Committee tray in the office or you can send it electronically to the office. If you would like to know what your committee had in income and expenses for 2011, please contact Peter Mills.

Annual Reports: Committee Chairpersons and Officers - please submit your annual reports (in Word format) to the office (Joyce Hooper) no later than January 22nd. Please keep in mind, the annual report is a summary   of   your   committee’s   activity  during the year 2011.

Nominations: If you would like to take a more active part in the life of our church, please contact our Moderator, Martha Kelleher, as soon as possible. Positions need to be filled in the following areas: Diaconate Christian Education Music Christian Outreach Finance Communications Flowers Safe Church Bradford  Children’s  Center Property

Annual Meeting 2012 Sunday, February 12

Lunch following worship

Meeting begins at 12:30pm Annual Reports for 2011 and Proposed By-Law Changes (as well as copies of the existing By-Laws) will be available at the church beginning Sunday, January 29th to give members plenty of time to review the report prior to Annual Meeting. At Annual Meeting, we will vote to accept the Annual Report, vote to accept nominations and fill church officer positions, and vote to accept proposed By-Law changes as well as any other business that comes before the membership. This is an important meeting for our church and we urge members to please attend.

2

FOCUS  2012…The  Storyline  of  the  Bible                       by Danny Ovalle, Pastor With this quote below in mind, we at FCC, Bradford turn our attention this year to a focus of the panorama of scripture, following the storyline of the Bible. 2011 brought about a series of “introductions”.  Introduction  of  a  new  Pastor,  introductions  of  several  other  local  pastors  who  helped us get our bearings back to the Bible, and an introduction to the beginning of the Bible, through  Genesis  1,2  &  3…learning  afresh  how  the  Bible  begins,  and  why  it  is  that  we  need  a  Rescuer to come. How  does  the  Story  unfold…?

The Primary goal of every Christian in 2012

“It  ought   to  be   the  primary  goal  of  every  Christian  to  put  aside  confidence  in  works  and grow stronger in the belief that we are saved by faith alone. Through this faith the Christian should increase in knowledge not of works but of Christ Jesus and the benefits  of  his  death  and  resurrection.” Martin Luther, The Freedom of the Christian

So, now in 2012, we want to see how the rescue mission of God plays out throughout the Old Testament, and who the ultimate Rescuer is! We will learn more of who Jesus is, and how He rescues us from the sin, rebellion and brokenness of our first parents, Adam & Eve. We will soon discover that every Old Testament story whispers His Name! Also, we will begin our new Thursday evening Bible Study, where we will read, talk and pray together as we explore the contents of the Bible, learn how this Book of Books came into its modern state, discover the main plot of the Bible, and behold the One to whom all of it points to. So, please consider joining us for a fun, interactive growing experience. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Warmly, Danny (978)656-1114 pastor@fccbradford.org

3

21st Annual 2011 Valentine Road Race Saturday, February 11th

Runners: If you are a runner and are interested in participating in the Road Race, please contact the Church office for a registration form. Phone: 978-374-1114 or E-mail: office@fccbradford.org. Registration begins at 8:00am. Starting time for Race is 10:00am.

Volunteers: If you would like to volunteer the day of the Road Race, please contact the Church office. Volunteers should be at the Church at 8:00am.

Bible Study meets at 7pm on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month beginning January 5th in the Library. If you missed the first night,  don’t  worry.    Join us on January 19th. Books can be ordered at www.christianbook.com or at www.amazon.com. Please bring to class your book, your bible, a 3-ring binder for hand-outs and notebook. You may bring a laptop if it is more convenient. We look forward to see-

ing you there!

4

Could you volunteer a little time one Sunday to serve your church.? The first Sunday of each month, Communion Sunday, is sponsored by the Diaconate. Greeters, Lay Readers and Coffee Fellowship Hosts are needed for all other Sundays. Please contact the Church Office at 978-374-1114 or office@fccbradford.org to schedule a Sunday.

Serving God on Sundays

GOT BOOKS? Let’s Fill The Bin

You are invited to join us at 10am each Sunday for inspiring worship and fine fellowship. Come and be with family, friends and neighbors to worship our loving God; follow in the footsteps of Christ, His Son; and be filled with His Holy Spirit. Children begin their Sunday in Worship and are dismissed for Sunday School. The church is handicap accessible and assisted hearing devices and large print bulletins are available. Coff ee Fe l lowship follows worship were refreshments are served and worshippers have a chance to socialize and catch up with one another.

5

6th Annual Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday, January 29, 2012

11:45 a.m.

Everyone is invited to join us at First Church of Christ as we continue our tradition of caring and helping to provide relief to those who are hungry.

Come to our Souper Bowl of Caring, purchase a bowl that you can later take home for $10 and sample as many soups, chowders, stews and chili as you like. (Last year we had about ten varieties!) In addition, the cost of the bowl includes bread/butter, dessert and beverage. We have also moved the time up this year to 11:45 a.m. to accommodate our church family so they can enjoy this fantastic event before having to go home after worship. For the past five years, FCC has raised money for the Salvation Army Lunch Program. This year, the Christian Outreach Team would like to be able to expand our giving to include support of our participation in Community Meals and other hunger-related benevolences in our community. If you can assist by making a soup, stew or chowder to feed a minimum of 30 people or by donating a dessert, your help will be very appreciated. In January, there will be a sign-up sheet  on  the  bulletin  board  outside  the  Ladies’  Parlor.      If  you  are  unable  to  help  in  this  way,  please help us by attending and enjoying a warm, delicious lunch!

Food Pantry Ministry First Church of Christ has been supporting the efforts of the food pantry at Sacred Hearts right here in Bradford for some time now by collecting food and delivering it to their facility. Please help us in this effort by bringing non-perishable food items to the church on Sundays, to the Ham & Bean Suppers, to meetings or special events held here at the church.

Some suggested items:

Mayonnaise Canned Meat Vegetable Oil Sauces Pasta / Rice Canned Vegetable Soups Sugar / Flour Canned Fruit Baking Mixes Cereal (Hot/Cold) Bottled / Boxed Juice

Community Meals

Each year, First Church of Christ sponsors two Monday evening meals at the Citizen’s   Center   on   Welcome   Street   in  Haverhill through Haverhill Community Meals Program. This year, our first Monday evening meal is February 13th. You can help by volunteering, arriving no later than 4:00pm to help prepare, serve and clean up after the meal.     If   you   can’t   volunteer,   perhaps   you  could donate a dessert. Desserts should be dropped   off   by   4:00pm   at   the   Citizen’s  Center or on Sunday at the church. Our last meal in October was a lot of fun with a good variety of happy volunteers. Please join us in helping this worthwhile program!

6

Church Meetings & Events at a Glance

PLEASE NOTE THESE DATES ON YOUR HOME CALENDAR

Upcoming Events:

JANUARY 1/7/2012: Ham & Bean Supper 5pm 1/8/2012: Diaconate Meeting 11:30am Library 1/22/2012: Standing Committee Meeting 11:30am - Library 1/29/2012: Souper Bowl of Caring 11:45am FEBRUARY: 2/4/2012: Ham & Bean Supper 5pm 2/11/2012: Bradford Valentine Road Race 2/12/2012: Annual Meeting 12:30pm Library

Church Contact Information Phone: (978)374-1114 (please leave a message) Email: office@fccbradford.org

Pastor - Rev. Danny Ovalle pastor@fccbradford.org / 978-656-1114 Moderator - Martha Kelleher 978-352-8390

Communications / Church Office - Joyce Hooper joycehooper@comcast.net / 978-769-5324

Sunday School Superintendent - Darlene Manning darljohn2000@yahoo.com

Ham & Bean Suppers

Mark Your Calendars Now!

You  don’t  want  to   miss a bite!

January 7 - February 4 March 3 - April 7

May 5

Baked Ham & Hot Dogs Baked Pea & Kidney Beans

Potato Salad w/ and w/o Onions Cole Slaw

Home Baked Bread Home Baked Pie

Serving begins at 5:00 pm Adults $7, Children $4

Your are invited to join us for

Fine Food & Fellowship

To donate toward Ham purchases, please make your check out to First Church of Christ   and   write   “Hams”   in   the   memo.  Send it to the attention of the Financial Secretary. Thank you.

INCLEMENT WEATHER CLOSINGS

In the event the governor calls a State of Emergency due to inclement weather, there will be NO activities at First Church of Christ, Bradford. This includes worship, meetings, church events and ALL activities. In addition, the information will be posted on our web site, telephone message and the closures and cancellations listing on WCVB - Channel 5.

7

Our Church Family

Steeple Lights

No Steeple Light requests were received for September. Please help our Steeple Lights shine by sending your dedication and which date/s you would like along with a Good Will Offering of your choosing to the Church, attn: Steeple Lights. Please make your check payable to First Church of Christ, Bradford and write “Steeple  Lights”  in  the  memo.      Thank  you! December 24,25 In honor of Phil Nason

February Issue Newsletter Deadline - January 23rd

Please Remember the Following in Prayer

Those in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living: Hazel Chase; Penacook Place, Haverhill Lillian Chipman; Penacook Place, Haverhill Arthur Gulezian; Rm. 1310, Edgewood, No Andover Jane Mills; Haverhill Crossings, Haverhill Bill Wicks; Penacook Place; Haverhill

At Home: Carl Anderson Ralph Hileman John LaRosa Bob Wicks Bob Forisso Bob & Ethel Kinsman Rose McNeil Rosemary Wilson Bonnie Giampa Ken Lang Larry Taylor

*First  Church  of  Christ,  Bradford  exists  to  be…

Rooted in The Bible: First Church of Christ acknowledges as its sole Head, Jesus Christ, and holds as truth the doctrine of the Trinity: God as Father and Creator, Jesus as the Son and Savior, and the Holy Spirit as Guide and Comforter. It further acknowledges as kindred in Christ all who share this confession. It adheres to the Word of God in Scriptures and in the direction of the Holy Spirit to prosper its redemptive mission in the world.

Connected to the Past: It claims as its own the faith of the historic Church expressed in the ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers. Relevant to the Present: It accepts the responsibility to make this faith its own in the real-ity of worship and in the expression of its mission and ministry locally and into the world. In accordance with the teachings of Jesus, it recognizes two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion. Its very existence is to serve God by providing all people an opportunity for Christian worship, education, fellowship, pastoral care and mission within the spirit of Christian love.

(*FCC By-Laws: Article 4, Section 1.A)

8

FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, BRADFORD 10 Church Street Bradford 01835-7902

Annual Meeting Info Page 1

Pastor’s  Message  

Page 2

Bible Study Page 3

Souper Bowl of Caring

Page 5