When I selected the anthems for November, I decided that I would go with recent favorites, given October had its share of unfamiliar pieces. And I was surprised by what I found: our three stewardship anthems include the word “blessings” in the title. How appropriate for our congregation! As we focus on the gifts we […]
Staff
Miraculous Giving
Dear friends, A few weeks ago, in worship, Karen Nell told our young people the story of Jesus changing water into wine. One girl asked, “Was it magic?” “No,” Karen Nell replied. “It’s not magic. It’s a miracle—God working through Jesus with the power of love.” And then she turned their attention from the biblical […]
Pennies
“Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” –2 Corinthians 9:7 Dear friends, There is an old folk tale about sharing, the story of “stone soup.” Three strangers enter a town where the towns folk are hungry and afraid, everyone […]
Choir Collaborations
The choir gets to celebrate a few special collaborations this month. We will sing (for only its second time) the beautiful anthem “Grace Alone” which features guest cello and our own Jane Ezbicki on violin, each of whom will join Susan for some of the other pieces at the service. We will also collaborate with […]
Endless Song
“My life flows on in endless song; above earth’s lamentation I hear the sweet, though far-off hymn that hails a new creation… Through all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing; It finds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing?” from “How Can I Keep from Singing,”Anon, in […]
Associate Pastor Candidating Weekend
The Associate Pastor Search Committee is delighted to invite you to meet and hear our associate pastor candidate, Karen Nell Smith, in preparation for a congregational meeting to vote on calling her. Friday, Sept. 6, at 6:00pm in Sue Dickerman Hall Youth, children, parents, Church School teachers and Board of Christian Education members are invited […]
Choir Returns!
As you can imagine, I’m overjoyed with the number of exciting fall services and programs that I’m sure are covered extensively elsewhere in this Steeple. As I have thought over the worship themes I’ve come up with a series of wonderful anthems, many of which will be familiar to those who have worshiped with us […]
Summer Music
In our bidding farewell to the choir this summer we left our music program in the expert hands of Susan and Cheryl until just after Labor Day. Would you be interested in providing special music at some point in July or August as a prelude, offering, or postlude? Summer is a great time to do […]
Search Committee Update
We are still meeting several times per month. We have had a variety of candidates sending their profiles to us and have had many interviews. Some candidates are looking for a call for ordination, some are already newly ordained, some have been in ordained ministry for some time. We feel we have met with several […]
A Fourth of July Reflection
Dear friends, One of my most vivid memories of the Fourth of July is an evening spent on the National Mall in Washington DC. It was 1987, and I was doing a summer internship at First Congregational Church in Washington, D.C. The church was deeply committed to living out our faith in the wider world. […]