VERITAS, CARITAS, ET RISUS

A new year has dawned, as we embark upon the 100th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of the First Church. This happened on April 10, 1910, so I might be somewhat overenthusiastic, but it is never too early to consider the meaning of such matters (and, more importantly, it serves my rhetorical purposes).

Between now and the beginning of Lent in February, there are seven Sundays. This is fortuitous, because I will be undertaking a series of seven sermons on, of all topics, the Seven Virtues. This should serve as healthy fodder for any waning commitments to New Year’s resolutions. I will be following the lectionary, as always, but I rightfully might be accused on some Sundays of rather broadly interpreting a few of the readings. I do not believe I manhandle the scriptures in this regard, for what vice can it be to shoehorn in a bit of virtue? Pride, perhaps, but toward the Lord’s good work.   

For those of you whose catechism is rusty, or nonexistent, the Seven Virtues are Prudence, Justice, Restraint or Temperance, Courage or Fortitude, Faith, Hope, and Love. This list may vary from some of your Sunday school memories, but I have used this particular formulation because the other choices do not include the familiar virtuous trinity of Faith, Hope, and Love. These three are, in my thinking at least, the cornerstones of virtue, with love serving as both the solid foundation and soaring ceiling of a Christian church.

I announce these topics in advance with some trepidation. I recall the story of a minister who noted church attendance fluctuated from Sunday to Sunday without clear reason. He asked a parishioner about the phenomenon. The man said he could not speak for the others but that he did, once in a while, skip a Sunday when the sermon title seemed less than interesting. The minister promptly forbade the printing of sermon titles. 

I do not assign titles to my sermons at First Church. I prefer to ascribe my title-less sermonizing to a desire to have the spirit of the week, and God if I am so fortunate, move me in my writing. I have indeed chosen the particular virtues I am using week to week, but I will be withholding this information. I do so for a reason similar to that of the puzzled parson: We are respectively the last people to judge which of our personal virtues need tuning up. As always, with love. . . .

God bless,                                                                                                                   Mark

 

OUR SCRIPTURES FOR THIS SEASON

January 3:       Jeremiah 31:7–14; Ephesians 1:3–14; John 1:1–18; Psalm 16.

January 10:     Isaiah 43:1–7; Acts 8:14–17; Luke 3:15–17, 21–22; Psalm 48.

January 17:     Isaiah 62:1–5; Corinthians 12:1–11; John 2:1–11; Psalm 92..

January 24:     Nehemiah 8:1–3, 5–6, 8–10; 1 Corinthians 12:12–31a; Luke 4:14–21; Psalm 119.

January 31:     Jeremiah 1:4–10; 1 Corinthians 13:1–13; Luke 4:21–30; Psalm 146.         

 

FIRST CHURCH FORUM JANUARY 10

Everyone is invited to the first in our new series of discussions and lectures. Following the service on Sunday, January 10, Rev. Caggiano will lead a sesson on the topic Communion, Baptism, and Marriage: Do Unitarians Have Sacraments? There will be refreshments and time for conversation.

 

ALTAR FLOWERS FOR JANUARY 2010 

January 3:        The flowers are given in loving memory of Lisle and Mary Elizabeth Baker by Sally and Lisle Baker.

January 10:      The flowers are given in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Thornquist by Karen and John MacDuffie and Caroline, Dan, Wiley, and Emma Chapman.

January 17:      The flowers are given in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Philip R. Morss by their family.

January 24:      The flowers are given in loving memory of Jane Ewell Dane by the Dane family.

January 31:      The flowers are given in loving memory of Amelie Rochonnat Veiller and Marcel Veiller by their granddaughter Isabelle Cazales-Evans.

 

 

BIBLE STUDY

Bible study, an informal discussion group addressing a wide range of topics, meets in the parish hall at 10:00 a.m. each Thursday.

 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

“The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).

When Advent arrived, the Sunday school temporarily suspended studying Moses and Exodus to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Weekly, we lit the candles of the Advent wreath and learned what each week represented; hope, love, joy, and peace. We collected nonperishable food items to donate to the Brookline and Newton Food Pantry. And, of course, we rehearsed and presented the annual Christmas pageant. I extend a heartfelt thank you to the many adults who helped us and to the children who did their typical wonderful job!

This month I will begin using FaithWeavers, a lectionary-based Sunday school curriculum. Weekly lessons will be from the Gospels of Luke and John. I look forward to teaching them, and I believe the children will enjoy learning them as well!

Peace,                                                                                                                         Elizabeth

 

READING GROUP

We are reading The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid.  On Thursday, January 14, we will gather at Molly Batchelder’s (303 Goddard Avenue, Brookline) at 7:15 p.m. (please note new time) to discuss the book. Everyone is cordially invited to join us.

 

ALLIANCE NEWS

On a cold Monday morning in December, six members of the Alliance visited the Women’s Lunch Place on Newbury Street to serve the noon meal and to present our check to Sharon Reilly, Executive Director. Inside, the dining room was warm and full of guests of all ages, listening to Christmas music sung by members of the Boston Conservatory. The Women’s Lunch Place, whose motto is “Dignity Is Everything,” is a daytime multiservice shelter open six days a week. With the recent rise in unemployment, there has been a 24 percent increase in the number of meals served. As we left, we reflected on the mission of the Women’s Lunch Place and its vital service to the Boston community.

Looking ahead to January and February, we encourage attendance at the first of the church forum series after church on January 10 (see notice above). Then on Sunday, February 7, there will be Super Singing (it’s Super Bowl Sunday) at 3:00 p.m. by pace (Park’s Adult Community Ensemble) in the sanctuary. Please mark your calendars and bring friends of all ages to listen to inspirational music—audience  participation for some pieces—and share refreshments in the parish hall, and then go home to watch football (if so desired).

Also please keep in mind that we are counting on donations of china, glassware, small working appliances, collectibles, etc. for our May 1 Jumble Sale. As you downsize your household or review your cabinets, remember to save items that would be appropriate. Here’s an opportunity to recycle and support the church!

                                                                                            Sally Baker, Alliance Coordinator

 

COFFEE HOUR AFTER THE SUNDAY SERVICE

After the morning service each Sunday there is a coffee hour with light refreshments. All are welcome, and setup and cleanup volunteers are warmly invited. To lend a hand call Dorothy Baldini at 617-566-5876, and thank you!

 

USHERS

January 3:        Sally Baker                       January 24:    G. West Saltonstall                

January 10:      Lewis S. Dabney             January 31:     G. West Saltonstall                      

January 17:      Susan Farist Butler                                                 

 

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Music for JANUARY 2010

 

January 3 (Second Sunday after the Nativity)

Preludes:                 “Two Miniatures”                                               ― Peeters

                                “Aria”                                                                  ― Peeters

Anthem:                 “Lo, a voice to heaven sounding”          ― Bortniansky

Response:               “O Lord, we pray”                                              ― Drozdov

Anthem:                 “Hail, holy light”                                                 ― Kastalsky

Choral Amen:         “Fourfold”                                                          ― Bortniansky

Postlude:                 “Andante con moto e maestoso” ― Peeters

 

 

January 10 (First Sunday after Epiphany)

Preludes: “Chorale Prelude”                                                              ― Buxtehude

                                         “Ciacone in E Minor”                                ― Buxtehude

Anthem:                          “Laudate dominum”                                 ― Mozart

Response:                         “God is our refuge and strength”            ― Mozart

Anthem:                           “Ave verum”                                             ― Mozart

Choral Amen:                  “Twofold”                                                  ― Traditional

Postlude:                          “Fugue in C Major”                                   ― Buxtehude

 

January 17 (Second Sunday after Epiphany)

Preludes:                          “Espressivo” (Sonata II)                             ― Arne

                                          “Variations on a Dutch Chorale” ― Bull

Anthem:                           “Rejoice in the Lord alway”                     ― Redford

Response:                         ”I sought the Lord”                                   ― “The Revivalist”

Anthem:                          “God is living, God is here”           ― Bach

Choral Amen:                  “Twofold”                                                  ― Ramsey

Postlude:                          “Agincourt Hymn”                                   ― Dunstable

 

January 24 (Third Sunday after Epiphany)

Preludes:                          Variations on “What God ordains is always good”         ― Pachelbel

Anthem:                         “O for a closer walk with God”                             ― Scottish Psalter, arr. Stanford                                                               

Response:                       “What God ordains is always good”                      ― Bacb

Anthem:                          “These are they which follow the Lamb”            ― Goss

Choral Amen:                  “Twofold”                                                              ― Anonymous

Postlude:                          “Toccata in G Major”                                            ― Pachelbel

 

January 31 (Fourth Sunday after Epiphany)

Preludes:                          “Jesus I will never leave”                           ― Walther

                                         “Toccata in D Minor”          ― Froberger

Anthem:                          “Praise to the Lord”             ― Distler

Response:                         “Jesus I will never leave”     ― Bach

Anthem:                           “He hath done all things well”     ― Bender

Choral Amen:                  “Threefold”                          ― Traditional

Postlude:                           “Praise to the Lord”            ― Walther