Fill us, God, with Hope
Restore us, O God; let your face shine,
that we may be saved.
Psalm 80:3 (NRSV)
that we may be saved.
Psalm 80:3 (NRSV)
Dear friend,
At the beginning of Advent 2020, we hear the voice of the psalmist saying
“Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.”
Thousands of years after those words were written they have never felt timelier.
Current statistics concerning our Covid-19 crisis are sobering. Over 1.4 million worldwide
deaths, over 263,000 American deaths, over 10,600 Massachusetts deaths, over 4,900
Connecticut deaths, over 90,000 Americans hospitalized, over 17,000 Americans in
Intensive Care units, 2,092 American deaths on November 24 and medical staff across
our country emotionally, spiritually and physically exhausted as cases surge everywhere.
Yet, there is also abundant good news. Inspired and emboldened by our God of many names,
by the life of Jesus and other courageous daughters and sons of God and countless followers of
the revolutionary love they bring to the world, for the transformation of the world, we know when
we work together, anything is possible. Vaccines are on the way in record time. Scientists and others,
working collaboratively, create miracles. Amidst the pain, despair and disconnection due to physical
distancing there are miracles of connection as people work together to make life better for everyone.
Years from now, along with the grief and despair, this is what we will remember,
those who worked together to bring us hope.
As we remember this hope it will help us walk through the next set of daunting challenges affecting
all of humanity, as many catastrophic circumstances looming close on the horizon need addressing now,
climate change, nuclear proliferation and other global health emergencies among the most worrisome.
Yet, there is hope.
This week within our church building, a candle will be lit for hope. I encourage you to do the same within your home.
Simply light a candle and name it hope, helping you remember, hope is not defeated, indeed it is alive, healthy and well.
As we begin to approach tiny baby Jesus in the manger, there is hope. That face is made real though only through the faces of
you and me and all of us together, doing our best with the skills we have, bringing hope to babies, creatures and earth alive now.
The baby in the manger is Prince of Peace, Savior and Healer of all.
We are those who choose to make this peace, this saving and healing real.
In this is our hope.
Advent Blessings to you all,
Pastor John
At the beginning of Advent 2020, we hear the voice of the psalmist saying
“Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.”
Thousands of years after those words were written they have never felt timelier.
Current statistics concerning our Covid-19 crisis are sobering. Over 1.4 million worldwide
deaths, over 263,000 American deaths, over 10,600 Massachusetts deaths, over 4,900
Connecticut deaths, over 90,000 Americans hospitalized, over 17,000 Americans in
Intensive Care units, 2,092 American deaths on November 24 and medical staff across
our country emotionally, spiritually and physically exhausted as cases surge everywhere.
Yet, there is also abundant good news. Inspired and emboldened by our God of many names,
by the life of Jesus and other courageous daughters and sons of God and countless followers of
the revolutionary love they bring to the world, for the transformation of the world, we know when
we work together, anything is possible. Vaccines are on the way in record time. Scientists and others,
working collaboratively, create miracles. Amidst the pain, despair and disconnection due to physical
distancing there are miracles of connection as people work together to make life better for everyone.
Years from now, along with the grief and despair, this is what we will remember,
those who worked together to bring us hope.
As we remember this hope it will help us walk through the next set of daunting challenges affecting
all of humanity, as many catastrophic circumstances looming close on the horizon need addressing now,
climate change, nuclear proliferation and other global health emergencies among the most worrisome.
Yet, there is hope.
This week within our church building, a candle will be lit for hope. I encourage you to do the same within your home.
Simply light a candle and name it hope, helping you remember, hope is not defeated, indeed it is alive, healthy and well.
As we begin to approach tiny baby Jesus in the manger, there is hope. That face is made real though only through the faces of
you and me and all of us together, doing our best with the skills we have, bringing hope to babies, creatures and earth alive now.
The baby in the manger is Prince of Peace, Savior and Healer of all.
We are those who choose to make this peace, this saving and healing real.
In this is our hope.
Advent Blessings to you all,
Pastor John
STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE
2021 Stewardship Letter –
Click 2021 Stewardship Letter
2021 Stewardship Pledge Form –
Click 2021 Stewardship Pledge Form
To securely fill out your Pledge online, please click
Stewardship 2020 Online Pledge Form
Click 2021 Stewardship Letter
2021 Stewardship Pledge Form –
Click 2021 Stewardship Pledge Form
To securely fill out your Pledge online, please click
Stewardship 2020 Online Pledge Form
Advent & Christmas 2020 -
Please click Advent / Christmas 2020
for the annual letter from Pastor John listing all the events
and giving opportunities of this season.
PJ says: Members of our Board of Deacons have decorated
our sanctuary as usual for the advent/Christmas season, so
whether you join in-person or on YouTube, you’ll be able to see that
decorated space. And, even though you might not be with us
in-person, you can still have an ornament placed on our tree,
either in memory of someone who has died, or in honor of someone
living. You may either create an ornament using construction paper
and yarn, writing in the names you want remembered then mail this
to the church at 135 Center Road, Dudley, MA 01571…or, you can
send in your names to one of our senior deacons who will create an
ornament for you. You may e-mail Carol Shelsy by clicking Carol Shelsy
or Pat Mezynski by clicking Pat Mezynski
Special thanks to Sue Mix for creating the
ornaments for Carol or Pat to write on.
You may send in ornaments or e-mail names for ornaments to be created
before November 29, so they may be included during the blessing I annually
offer at that time. Ornaments received after November 29 yet before December 24,
will still be added to the tree and I will offer a blessing for them privately.
Blessings and Love,
Pastor John
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please click Advent / Christmas 2020
for the annual letter from Pastor John listing all the events
and giving opportunities of this season.
PJ says: Members of our Board of Deacons have decorated
our sanctuary as usual for the advent/Christmas season, so
whether you join in-person or on YouTube, you’ll be able to see that
decorated space. And, even though you might not be with us
in-person, you can still have an ornament placed on our tree,
either in memory of someone who has died, or in honor of someone
living. You may either create an ornament using construction paper
and yarn, writing in the names you want remembered then mail this
to the church at 135 Center Road, Dudley, MA 01571…or, you can
send in your names to one of our senior deacons who will create an
ornament for you. You may e-mail Carol Shelsy by clicking Carol Shelsy
or Pat Mezynski by clicking Pat Mezynski
Special thanks to Sue Mix for creating the
ornaments for Carol or Pat to write on.
You may send in ornaments or e-mail names for ornaments to be created
before November 29, so they may be included during the blessing I annually
offer at that time. Ornaments received after November 29 yet before December 24,
will still be added to the tree and I will offer a blessing for them privately.
Blessings and Love,
Pastor John
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sign Up for PJ's Place
If you wish to receive Pastor John's weekly e-mail, known as PJ's Place, please contact
Pastor John at jwhite3646@charter.net with a request to be put on the mailing list.
_______________________________________________________________________
If you wish to receive Pastor John's weekly e-mail, known as PJ's Place, please contact
Pastor John at jwhite3646@charter.net with a request to be put on the mailing list.
_______________________________________________________________________
Suspended, Canceled or Closed
until further notice:
MOST meetings within our church building.
LIMITED GATHERINGS:
In-person worship within our church building is now taking place,
following CDC, state and church guidelines for reopening.
Adult Study is now able to meet again in Jacobs Hall, following
CDC, state and church guidelines for meeting.
Senior High Youth Fellowship is now able to meet in Jacobs Hall
following CDC, state and church guidelines for meeting.
For more information, email Michaela.
AA is now able to meet again in Jacobs Hall, following
CDC and state and church guidelines for meeting.
(Conversations continue about when and how to
reopen for all other meetings and gatherings)
Open
(Always)
Our collective heart, which continues to be a beacon of light beyond the
hill on which our church building stands, extending throughout our communities.
Our collective prayer
which continues to be a beacon of hope beyond the hill on which our
church building stands, reaching beyond ourselves to all people.
Our collective seeking after God who is always seeking after us...
Our collective financial giving, which continues to be a beacon of sustaining resources on
which the work of our church family depends, reaching beyond ourselves to all people.
Please... continue to give financially to your church family.
Checks can be made out to First Congregational Church of Dudley (UCC).
If you use church envelopes, please include that
in the envelope you send to your church at
135 Center Road - Dudley, MA 01571
Our Deacon's Fund reaches out to those, within our church family, in
financial distress. Please, if your financial situation allows, give to our
Deacon's Fund at this time. Simply send a check to
The First Congregational Church of Dudley (UCC)
135 Center Road
Dudley, MA 01571
in the memo write "Deacon's Fund."
Please...regardless of when we gather again for worship, do give to HANDS.
(Helping Address the Needs of Dudley's Seniors / Heating Assistance)
The organization needs extra help this year to rebuild its funds
for the next heating season. Donations have been down due to
COVID 19 and fundraisers have had to be canceled.
You may make your check payable to: HANDS
and mail it to:
HANDS
PO BOX 343
DUDLEY, MA 01571
No amount is too small!
Thank you, on behalf of the HANDS Board!
until further notice:
MOST meetings within our church building.
LIMITED GATHERINGS:
In-person worship within our church building is now taking place,
following CDC, state and church guidelines for reopening.
Adult Study is now able to meet again in Jacobs Hall, following
CDC, state and church guidelines for meeting.
Senior High Youth Fellowship is now able to meet in Jacobs Hall
following CDC, state and church guidelines for meeting.
For more information, email Michaela.
AA is now able to meet again in Jacobs Hall, following
CDC and state and church guidelines for meeting.
(Conversations continue about when and how to
reopen for all other meetings and gatherings)
Open
(Always)
Our collective heart, which continues to be a beacon of light beyond the
hill on which our church building stands, extending throughout our communities.
Our collective prayer
which continues to be a beacon of hope beyond the hill on which our
church building stands, reaching beyond ourselves to all people.
Our collective seeking after God who is always seeking after us...
Our collective financial giving, which continues to be a beacon of sustaining resources on
which the work of our church family depends, reaching beyond ourselves to all people.
Please... continue to give financially to your church family.
Checks can be made out to First Congregational Church of Dudley (UCC).
If you use church envelopes, please include that
in the envelope you send to your church at
135 Center Road - Dudley, MA 01571
Our Deacon's Fund reaches out to those, within our church family, in
financial distress. Please, if your financial situation allows, give to our
Deacon's Fund at this time. Simply send a check to
The First Congregational Church of Dudley (UCC)
135 Center Road
Dudley, MA 01571
in the memo write "Deacon's Fund."
Please...regardless of when we gather again for worship, do give to HANDS.
(Helping Address the Needs of Dudley's Seniors / Heating Assistance)
The organization needs extra help this year to rebuild its funds
for the next heating season. Donations have been down due to
COVID 19 and fundraisers have had to be canceled.
You may make your check payable to: HANDS
and mail it to:
HANDS
PO BOX 343
DUDLEY, MA 01571
No amount is too small!
Thank you, on behalf of the HANDS Board!
Would you pray with me?
O God,
this year,
moving towards the hope, peace, joy and love of this season
feels like more than a routine exercise.
This year,
this movement feels like a necessity,
an exercise for survival,
so be with us, God. Please.
Be with us,
like you’ve never been with us before.
Be with us in ways which
deepen our prayer
strengthen our resolve
inspire our creativity
heal our depression
motivate our compassion
cultivate our kindness
nourish our weariness
quiet our fear
increase our wonder
sharpen our vision
hone our talent
soften our hard heart
raise our voice for justice
transform our thoughts and prayers
into actions of hope.
Hope.
Today, we pray for hope
for ourselves, for others, for opponents
for children, parents, grandparents and greats,
for the worn out still trying to give more,
for the light we begin to see,
at the end of the tunnel,
in the line for a vaccine,
and here, now, as we begin our walk,
to a manger, to a child,
to the unlimited possibility of hope which could be made real,
birthed through us.
May it be so. May it be so.
Amen.
O God,
this year,
moving towards the hope, peace, joy and love of this season
feels like more than a routine exercise.
This year,
this movement feels like a necessity,
an exercise for survival,
so be with us, God. Please.
Be with us,
like you’ve never been with us before.
Be with us in ways which
deepen our prayer
strengthen our resolve
inspire our creativity
heal our depression
motivate our compassion
cultivate our kindness
nourish our weariness
quiet our fear
increase our wonder
sharpen our vision
hone our talent
soften our hard heart
raise our voice for justice
transform our thoughts and prayers
into actions of hope.
Hope.
Today, we pray for hope
for ourselves, for others, for opponents
for children, parents, grandparents and greats,
for the worn out still trying to give more,
for the light we begin to see,
at the end of the tunnel,
in the line for a vaccine,
and here, now, as we begin our walk,
to a manger, to a child,
to the unlimited possibility of hope which could be made real,
birthed through us.
May it be so. May it be so.
Amen.
