Burlington Presbyterian Church

Souper Bowl of Caring

bflynn — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:38:58 +0000

Hey BPC!

Join the Youth and me in collecting canned goods for the annual Souper Bowl of Caring.

Check out the details here: http://www.souperbowl.org/

We’ll be collecting items prior to Chuch on the morning of the big game – Feb. 5th.

We typically look for canned goods, but any non-perishable items are helpful. In the event you forget, we’ll certainly take cold, hard cash .

What ever you can donate to the effort would be greately appreciated.

Thanks,
Brian and the Youth

February 2012 Crossroads

bflynn — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:37:26 +0000

News of our Church Family
Remembering two special men…

The new year opened with a season of sorrow for two families and our church community. But we are grateful to God for the life among us of Nick Horeanopoulos and Jay David, who were welcomed into God’s peace on New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, respectively.

We hold their wives, Lee and Sheila, and the rest of their families in our prayers.

Both men lived and served with faith and grace, and will be missed greatly by the BPC family.

Called to Serve

As we enter a new year, there are still opportunities for service on all our boards! Please contact the Nominating Committee (Brenda Flynn) if interested, or with your suggestions.

Thank you from Jena Horeanopoulos Day

Dear Rod & friends in Christ,

My family is so very grateful to each and everyone of you for your kindness and support after the death of my father. Your presence brought great comfort to us. The memorial service was the perfect opportunity to witness to unsaved family members. We were overwhelmed by the extent of your caring exhibited by the luncheon you prepared for after the service.

Thank you does not begin to express how appreciate we are to all of you. May God richly bless each of you as you continue to show his love to those around you. Thank you, thank you. God Bless you.

Jena Day

Deacons Corner

We would like to thank the deacons who are leaving the board this year: Trish Briggs, Linda McCusker and Dayse Doliver, our coordinator. Thanks for all your hard work!

We would also like to thank everyone who helped with the memorial service for Nick Horeanopoulos, especially Sally Morrison.

Stewardship and Mission

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Christmas Joy Offering. The offering totaled $1,853.74. This money will be used to help active and retired church workers in times of crisis and enable young men and women to receive a good education at some of the schools and colleges supported by PC(USA).

Ash Wednesday Service
February 22, 7:30 p.m.

Quiet reflection, music and prayer will be the focus of this service to assist our meaningful entry into the season of Lent. The Worship Committee is planning a Taize style service this year, which will provide a time of peaceful renewal in the midst of our challenging days.

Join the church family, and help us welcome others, to this traditional service marking the start of Lent. There will be ashes and an opportunity for placing them on our foreheads as the sign of our humility and dependence upon God’s grace (use of ashes will be voluntary).

This can be an important start, in the right spirit, to the journey of Lent toward Holy Week. Please plan to make it part of your life.

One Great Hour of Sharing

The Presbyterian Church (USA) is one of eight denominations supporting this offering. Each denomination decides how the money will be used. In PC(USA), the offering is divided among three programs. Self-Development of People and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance each receive 32% and the Presbyterian Hunger Program receives 36%. The additional 4% is used for the Hunger Program’s work on homelessness and affordable housing.

During Lent, the children will receive the usual fish banks for their part of the offering and there will be envelopes in the pews. A Sharing Calendar will be available for those interested in a daily reminder of what our gifts can accomplish. For more information on this program, check www.pcusa.org/oghs. Our offering will be received on Palm Sunday, April 1.

Beth Denier

Save the Date(s)!

The 50th Anniversary Planning Team announces the following events to celebrate BPC’s 50th Anniversary:

Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

Sixties Theme Party for all adults

Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.

International Potluck Dinner & food
raffle-all ages

Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 10:30 a.m.

Worship Celebration & Anniversary
Reception

Put them on your calendar and plan to come.

Stay tuned for exciting details of all events to come.

John Gloucester Memorial Presbyterian Church Scholarship

College students from Presbyterian churches may be eligible for this scholarship established in 2000 at the time of the closing of Gloucester Memorial Presbyterian Church in Roxbury.

Contact Rev. MacDonald for more info.

Hosting Coffee Hour

Thanks to all of you who hosted in 2011. Members and visitors alike look forward to this time of fellowship and refreshment following worship each Sunday.

Nurturing Nest Preschool
Registration Event

The Nurturing Nest Preschool has classes in full swing from September through May. We have started enrollment for the 2012-2013 school year. The following programs will be offered:

3-day Program (4 year olds)  9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

(Tuition $2,650.00 per year)

2-day Program (3 year olds)  9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Thursday

(Tuition $1,550.00 per year)

There is a non-refundable registration fee of $85.00

Our Open House will be held on February 13, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is a chance for families to experience the school with their children.

If you know someone who is looking for a quality, yet low-cost preschool experience for their
3 or 4 year olds, we would appreciate your spreading the word! There are several spots open for both programs. Interested families should call registrar Linda Benson at 781-272-0081, extension 2 for more details. Church members should invite anyone who might be interested and also spread the word (post a flyer) in their local grocery store, library, or other public place.

Occasionally we will share a few tidbits in Crossroads about this important community service which our church oversees. For now, as you leave Fellowship Hall on Sundays or after week night meetings, remember that there will be a group of preschoolers there the next morning. Make sure that you dispose of your trash, lower the tables, raise the shades, pick up all personal possessions and leave the room ready for action.

And spread the word about registration. We appreciate your help.

Submitted by the Nurturing Nest Board

Nick Horeanopoulos

bflynn — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:49:27 +0000

Dear BPC Family,

By now most of you are aware that Nick Horeanopoulos was called home to God on New Year’s Eve. He lived a full and faithful 87 years, and he will be missed very much. I know that you are keeping Lee and the rest of the family (their children, Mark, Jena and Kyle; grandchildren and great-grandchildren) in prayer.

Here are the arrangements for remembering and celebrating Nick’s life:

Visiting hours this Wednesday (January 4, 2012), 2-4 and 6-8, at Sullivan Funeral Home, Winn Street, Burlington.

Memorial Service this Saturday (January 7, 2012), 10 am, in our sanctuary.

There will be a reception following the service, and more will be communicated soon for those who would like to help. Anyone wishing to bring something to the reception should contact Sally Morrison.

Peace to you as we begin this new year,
Rod

December 2011 Crossroads

bflynn — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:34:32 +0000

Christmas Eve Service
A Family Tradition with Crèche, Carols and Candlelight
Saturday, December 24  7:00 p.m.

It’s a long-lived tradition at BPC. There will be nativity tableaux vivants (or living scenes) featuring young folks in the roles of Mary and Joseph, angels, shepherds and wise men. Choir and congregation will join in many carols. The service will end with a spreading of candlelight throughout the sanctuary. Mr. MacDonald will give a brief message. The Christmas Joy Offering will be received. This service is a wonderful way to introduce friends and neighbors to the church – and maybe to make a difference in their lives.
New Adult Learning
The Characters of Christmas
Sundays, November 27, December 4, 11, 18  9:15 a.m.

Rev. MacDonald will lead these sessions based on the key “players’ in the story of the Nativity – exploring how they are rooted in the Old Testament and shedding light on their meaning in the Christmas story. Each session can stand alone – so come when you can. Coffee will be ready!

Come A-Caroling !
Sunday, December 18  2:30 p.m.
Fun for all Ages

Two-thirty will be the rallying time in the church parking lot. Join a caroling caravan that will take us to various places such as senior residences, nursing homes, and homes of shut-ins. If you have suggestions for places to carol this year, speak to Rod soon! We will finish by 5:00 or 5:30 with a simple but nose-and-toes warming supper. If you’d like to be our host for supper this year, and you live not far from the church, we’d love to have an invitation. Otherwise we will share a meal at the church. It’s a truly intergenerational and heartwarming time. Look for signup on church bulletin board.

Have you pledged for 2012?

A faith commitment is about
our relationship with God first 
with the church, second.

And don’t forget a Time & Talent pledge!
Pledge materials available at church,
or call the office 781-272-9190.

2011 Christmas Joy Offering

This offering, one of four special offerings designated by the General Assembly, has been in existence since the 1930s. Half of the offering is used to assist active and retired church workers in times of need. The fund supplies supplemental income for retirees and emergency assistance grants for workers with special financial needs or emergencies. The other half provides scholarships for minority students who would otherwise be unable to attend the racial ethnic schools and colleges supported by the Presbyterian Church (USA).

In order to continue providing this much-needed assistance, the Christmas Joy Offering depends on congregations like ours. These grants show our faithful response to God’s charge to love one another as Christ commanded. Recipients of the grants say as important as the financial assistance was, the knowledge that the church was standing with them in time of need was even more important. As always, the Christmas Eve offering will be used for the Christmas Joy Offering. There will be envelopes in the pews for those unable to attend that service.

Deacons Corner

There may still be slots available to volunteer at the Wish Tree. Please check the signup sheet in Fellowship Hall if you can help. Our dates to staff the Wish Tree are Thursday, December 1st, Tuesday, December 6th and Saturday, December 10th. If you’d like to help on a different date, see Linda Roscoe.

We will be participating in the pajama and underwear collection for People Helping People. This helps provide clothing for low income families. We have cards showing the items needed. The clothing needs to be brought to church by December 11, and should be unwrapped. Please see Anne Denier if you would like a card.

The deacons will be selling poinsettias. The last Sunday to place your order is Sunday, December 4th. You can give your orders to Trish Briggs or Kim Oey-Rosenthal. We will also be putting envelopes in the pews for the Deacon’s Holiday Offering. The money raised through the flower sales and this offering will be used to purchase clothing for residents of the Life Care Center in Billerica, a nursing home community. If there are funds left over, the money will be sent to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

After the storm in October, many residents lost power. We were able to offer the church as a warming center. We plan to do this during future emergencies. If you are in need, please call before you come so that we can make sure the church is open, turn up the heat, and avoid possible scheduling conflicts.