Forest Street Union Church 15 Forest Street Methuen, MA 01844 (978) 683-8523 [email protected] www.foreststreetucc.org

Forest Street Footprints

January 2011

FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK......

Friends in Christ,

Here is something I stumbled upon which seems worth sharing and pondering, especially as we begin a new year.

Einstein argued that at the speed of light there is an eternal NOW. He suggested that time and space are relative to the speed of light; but light is the constant. When Christ said, "I am the light of the world", he was saying that he is the universal constant and all of life is to be lived relative to him.

Perhaps if more of us lived relative to the light which has come into the world Christ could truly become the Prince of peace, the Messiah. Just a thought!

Yours in the power of that light,

Scott

Mission Statement

Forest Street Union Church is a family of believers in Jesus Christ, who through Christian love, encourage continued spiritual growth for ourselves, our children and all who enter here. We are a caring church, blessed with a rich heritage, seeking to share our faith in God through acts of service to the community and the world.

ANNUAL MEETING Sunday, January 30, 2011 at 11:30AM SNOW DATE: Sunday, February 6, 2011 at 11:30AM Deadline to submit reports is January 16, 2011 Please submit committee reports to the secretary’s office in Times New Roman, 12 point font.

The 2010 Annual Report will be printed and assembled for distribution on January 23rd.

Sign-up sheet is posted in the Vestry for finger-foods for the annual meeting coffee hour. (sandwiches, chips, light desserts)

Council Meetings 2nd Monday of the Month

Monday, January 10, 2011 at 7:15PM Nancy Pollock at 978-681-8976 or [email protected]

Liturgists… are needed to read at Sunday service. Please sign up on the sheet on the board in the vestry. We need your voice!

To our December Liturgists Mary-Ann Thibeault-Vandette Mark Apkarian Rev. Scott Raeburn Trudi Driscoll

a sincere Thank You!

SCOTT SEZ……………..… Many thanks for your kindness shown to me this wondrous season through all the gifts, cards and expressions of good will, a special thank-you for the generous gift presented to me on Christmas Eve. MISSIONS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER

With your generosity Missions was able to donate a total of $450.oo to the following worthy organizations last month.

$100 Women’s Resource Center $250 Lawrence Boys & Girls Club $100 TIP

Friendship Circle

at Joyce Barden’s home Thursday, January 20, 2011 56 Poor Street, Andover at 2:00PM All are invited! WORSHIP WATCH

Sunday, January 2 COMMUNION – FOOD CART – BEST WISHES Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14 Sermon: “A New Master”

Sunday, January 9 Epiphany Sunday Scripture: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 Sermon: “Aha! An Epiphany”

Sunday, January 16 Second Sunday of Epiphany Scripture: Psalm 40:1-11 Sermon: “Love Lifted Me”

Sunday, January 23 Third Sunday of Epiphany Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23 Sermon: “Healing Touch” 3PM ORDINATION of Mary-Ann Thibeault-Vandette

Sunday, January 30 Fourth Sunday of Epiphany Scripture: I Corinthians 1:26-31 Sermon: “Foolish One?” ANNUAL MEETING

Deacons of the Month: Trudi Driscoll and Sean Davis

Hospitality

We care for each other and share the responsibility for coffee and treats! Please sign up!

Thanks especially to those who served in December:

December 5 Friendship Circle 12 Pot Luck 19 Hospitality Committee 26 Hospitality Committee

A Little Note on Music History

A “Note” of Hymn History Carol for Epiphany: We have now been through Advent – waiting, anticipating, preparing for our Christmas season and as a fleeting 12 days pass we come to Epiphany, the season of light, the time “of the Magi in search of the Christ Child”. One of the most familiar carols of this season is “We Three Kings of Orient Are” This carol also known as “the Quest of the Magi” was written by the Rev John Henry Hopkins, Jr. who was born Oct 28, 1820 in Pittsburgh, Pa the son of John Henry Hopkins, an Episcopal bishop. He graduated from the University of Vermont in 1839 (BA) and received his MA in 1845. After a short stint as a journalist in NY, where he had intended to prepare to become a lawyer, he attended and graduated from the General Theological Seminary in 1850. He was then ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church as well as an author, illustrator and designer. He was the seminary’s first music teacher from 1855 to 1857, composing several hymns and editing the “Church Journal” (a publication).1 He wrote both the lyrics and the music to We Three Kings in 1857. It is said that he wrote the carol for his nieces and nephews Christmas pageant. It did not appear in print until his book “Carols, Hymns and Song” was published in 1863. It is known that he was instrumental in organizing an elaborate holiday pageant (which featured “We Three Kings”) for the students of the General Theological Seminary in New York City while serving as the seminary’s music director.1 Among some of the works he is credited with writing the music for “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God”, words to “Hail to the Morning When Christ is Born”, and “Gather Round the Christmas Tree” and both words and music to Bethlehem in Wintry Cold.2 In 1872 Hopkins was ordained an Episcopal priest, serving at Trinity Church in Plattsburg NY and later as rector at Christ Episcopal Church Williamsport, PA He eventually followed in his father’s footsteps becoming the Bishop of Vermont.1 He delivered the eulogy at the funeral of President Ulysses S. Grant in 1885. He died August 14, 1891in Hudson NY and was buried next to his father at Bishops House, Rock Point Burlington Vermont.1

All data for the article is taken from research on the internet1 Wikipedia 2 Cyber Hymnal FROM THE DEACON'S CLOSET

Highlights from the 19th December 2010 Deacon’s Meeting

We congratulate Cindy Zacharias and Nicholas Griffin on their marriage at Forest Street Church on Saturday – December 18th.

Deacons have open positions to fill for 2011. If you would like to serve your church in this way please let us know. Or if you have questions about the Deacons duties, please ask a Deacon.

Items of business/interest were discussed/voted: --“How to become a member in Forest Street Union Church”. Information to be available to prospective members along with a UCC publication”. --“A policy to allow funeral wakes to be held in the Sanctuary at the request of an individual or family member and under the direction of a funeral director.” --“Active to Inactive Status of members according to the 2009 Resolution on Active Membership

The announcement of a service of Ordination for Mary-Ann Thibeault-Vandette on Sunday afternoon January 23rd at 3PM in the Sanctuary, followed by a reception with a collation in the Vestry to which all members of the congregation are invited.

Our thanks and appreciation are extended to those who assisted in decorating the church for the Christmas season, Robin Latorre, Barry Reich, Shirley MacKenzie, Bill MacKenzie, Barbara Lewis, and Jim Hathaway.

Wishing you all a Healthy, Prosperous, Happy 2011 The Deacons Bill MacKenzie, Ruth Hattore, Jim Elliott, David Vose, Sean Davis, Trudi Driscoll, Barbara Lewis, Cherie Beando Collection of items for our troops continues. Please keep this NEW LIST and refer to it during the year but especially at this time of year. Items can be left in the box in the Vestry.

YOUR donations are appreciated. May God bless you!

Board games, cards, puzzles, DVDs, CDs, books, magazines, comic books, footballs, baseballs & gloves, soccer balls, Nerfballs, dart boards, handheld electronic games with batteries

AT&T calling cards, sunglasses, blank postcards, disposable cameras, blank greeting cards, perfumes/cologne, makeup, letter writing paper, handmade crafts, pens, bandannas, swim goggles, air fresheners

Coffee, non-melting candy & gum, canned fruit, breakfast, protein or granola bars, canned or dry soap, chowder, beef summer sausage, beef jerky, crackers, canned chips, pretzels, tuna in a pouch or pop-top can, raisins, trail mix, nuts, dried fruit, hot sauce in plastic containers, bean & cheese dip, cereals, powdered drink mixes (Gatorade, Kool-aide), popcorn packages

Padded shoe insoles, strong flashlights with batteries, surgical masks, water bottles with straps, bug repellant (non-aerosol), Ziploc bags, batteries, pocket Kleenex, vitamins

Waterless soap, hair care products, combs & brushes, nail clippers, deodorant, foot powder, baby wipes, toothpaste, tooth brushes, dental floss, disposable razors, shaving cream (non-aerosol), hand/body lotion, eyeglass wipes, cotton swabs

Sunscreen, lip balm, no-water aspirin, moisturizing, eye cleaning drops, saline nasal spray, throat soothing drops, Vaseline, aloe vera burn gel, suntan lotion, flexible cloth bandages, blister care oral pain reliever

**Please do not collect or donate pork products, anything in aerosol cans, alcohol, any homemade products or anything not sealed in the original packaging.

Forest Street Fellowship (a.k.a. Youth Group) News Forest Street Fellowship Youth AGENDARetreat 9am - Noon Movie followed by discussion Saturday, JanuarySenior High 29, Only 2011 Noon – 6:30 Afternoon of Learning & Fun Grades 3 through 12 6:30pm – 8pm Board Games and dessert All Ages

Bring: Bagged lunch or money to order subs Your assigned dinner contribution