"Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve" MLKjr. In the spirit of MLKjr., and with the added emphasis on service that our new president is calling our nation to, we got the chance to bring a wonderful group of Harvard students (grad and undergrads) to serve lunch on Martin Luther King Day to our guests at the Community Day Center. Carol also faithfully joined us! Here are some photos.
Friends, As a member of our church Larainne reminded us today, as we celebrate the new hopes for CHANGE in our country this day, let us remember to pray for the entire Obama family - that they would find peace in this new transition and roll as leaders. May we all respond to this call to collective service and sacrifice together. And I pass along this clip also shared with me today of Obama speaking at the UCC convention back in 2007. In God's grace, yes we can!
Friends,
Due to the beautiful fresh snow falling today, our morning service and WATERSHED at First Presbyterian are canceled today. Waltham's snow emergency and parking ban makes it impossible for us to park and have a gathering. We'll be sorry to miss each other tonight - but hopefully back together next week. Enjoy the snow today! (we highly encourage making snow angels and/or snow caves as is possible... :)
We have our Annual Meeting next sunday 1/25 at 12:30pm. It is a potluck - so please let Rob know if you can bring something. If you can't, no worries - just show up and find out more about how our congregation makes decisions and hear reports from 2008 and help envision 2009 together! If it is snowing again and we have to cancel morning service - the annual meeting will be changed to Sunday Feb. 8th at 12:30pm.
Enjoy the snow!
"Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve." MLKjr.
The Waltham Ministerial Association is sponsoring its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Service at 7pm tomorrow, Monday 1/19 at the Covenant Congregation Church in Waltham, 375 Lexington Street (I'll be taking part in worship leading, and Rev. Tom Maehl will be preaching the sermon). Especially in light of the historic occasion of Tuesday's inauguration - this MLK service should be one not to miss. There will also be a day of service at the Community Day Center tomorrow - where Harvard Students will be coming out to make and serve a lunch at 1:15. Please join us if you'd like.
And on Tuesday, please take a moment to pray for the Obama family. Pray for their health, safety and spiritual formation as they begin this new journey. And pray for our nation - for humilty, a new direction, hope, and a conversion to the workings of peace in our world.
As you enjoy the snow - today's lectionary psalm is 139 - take a look at it and contemplate how God knows you, and what that means to you.
And finally - some gifts to you. I strongly urge you to take a few minutes to click on these links, and be inspired anew with the prophetic words of our saint for justice, in the spirit of Christ, Martin Luther King, especially as we move together through this historic week:
1. Up to the Moutain speach (night before his death) 2. Vietnam, anti-war speach 3. How Long, not long! 4. Up to the mountain - Patty Griffin's song in the spirit of MLKjr.
“A genuine revolution of values means in the final analysis that our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. Every nation must now develop an overriding loyalty to mankind as a whole in order to preserve the best in their individual societies….This call for a world-wide fellowship that lifts neighborly concern beyond one's tribe, race, class and nation is in reality a call for an all-embracing and unconditional love for all [peoples].”
– Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. peace on earth, Rob (PS - a longer video clip i've not yet watched)
Friends - we are on tonight at 7pm - parking can be found at the school at Alder & Moody (as of 3pm there is still a no-parking rule in waltham due to snow). peace,Rob
When I wished one of our Iraqi friends happy new year at watershed last week, she replied "Qul aam wa antoum bi khair" which in arabic means "every year and you are well". I like that focus on wishing us peace not just this year - but every. We especially wish peace for the Middle East right now - may there be a cease-fire and lasting peace agreement. This THURSDAY at 5-6pm please drop in as we hold a time of prayer in support and solidarity for Pastor Jean - who is our prophetic voice into the way of equal rights and justice for all God's people. Feel free to drop in for just a few minutes, or the entire hour. If you can't make it - please pray for her and for justice wherever you are. Let's continue to follow those epiphanal stars this new year (and subsequent new years), Rob
1. A gathering of all waters in a defined area due to land forms and topography. 2. A critical point that marks a division or a change of course; a turning point. ------------------------------------------ A contemplative worship service of First Presbyterian Church of Waltham, 34 Alder Street, Waltham, MA, 02454.
See upcoming events at bottom of page - scroll down
Come. Rethink Church with us...Watershed: A Contemplative Worship Service Rediscovering Christianity's Roots Who: You! ALL are welcome - we are an inclusive community and hope to meet you.What: A unique service and a place where you can find a new community.Where: This is a new service of the First Presbyterian Church of Waltham, 34 Alder Street, Waltham MA 02454When: Sunday evenings at 7:00pm (come at 6:30pm for fair trade goodies & snacks. PEACE be with you!Contact: Rev. Rob Mark, robfirstpres@gmail.com, 781-893-3087
Posts
.JPG)
