General Information Email List

The Cahills are coming!

2014-07-15T20:14:44Z

Subject:

Hello Friend,

Wednesday nights are Barbecue Nights at First Church. This Wednesday we have a special guest! One of our Wycliffe missionaries, Mike Cahill, is in town! Come at 6:30p.m. and enjoy the friendship and food. Bring something to grill and something to share. Then Ginia, Stephen and Laura will also be joining us Sunday morning! Everyone is welcome to join the Men's Sunday School class at 9:00am for a combined class with Mike. Their daughter, Deborah, and her family (also missionaries) will be with us at the end of the month.

James & Abby are in need of housing for a family (a couple) on Friday night, August 1. It would just be for the night before their wedding. If you have a guest room available for that night would you please call Abby at 978-810-5217 or James at 805-223-1539. Thanks for your consideration, help and hospitality.

Gordon College has several full-time job opportunities in their Center for Technology Services (CTS) department. The positions are: Administrative Assistant to the Director of CTS, Network Administrator, System Developer for Admissions and System Developer for Student Life. If you know of anyone looking for a great place to work, please have them contact Carl Kuczun at 617-835-4020. You can view these job descriptions (and all Gordon's job postings) at www.gordon.edu/jobs.

Finally, it is Lou Gould's 95th birthday on the 25th of August. It'd be great to send her a card, note or maybe a call or short visit.

Carl for Pastor Ron

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Pastoral Search Committee Survey 2014

2014-05-14T12:36:32Z

General Information Email List

Subject:

Hello Friend,

We thought we would help make it easier to complete our survey that has been in the bulletin for the past two Sundays, by making it a digital form. It is attached with this email. If you prefer, just print it out and fill it in longhand.

If you haven't already filled out the survey, please take a moment to complete it so that we have your input. You may complete the survey, save it to your desktop and then attach it to an email addressed to Gerri White (g2teach@live.com). The surveys are due by May 25th.

If you have any questions, problems, etc. with this attachment, please contact the First Church Office.

Thank you,

First Church Pastoral Search Team

FCCB 456 Cancelled this Week

2013-12-18T13:03:26Z

General Information Email List

Subject:

Hello Friend,

With all of the craziness of Christmas travel, family visits, and extracurricular activities, we don’t have enough student leaders available to have 456 this week. So, we will be cancelling. If you have any questions please contact Chris Adkins (chris@firstchurchboxford.org). We will begin again in January. We have some great things coming your way, and more info will be sent out after our 2014 plans are finalized.

In Christ,

Christopher Adkins
Minister of Youth
Contemporary Worship Leader
First Church Boxford

Sunday Worship Service

2013-12-14T15:57:32Z

General Information Email List

Subject:

Hello Friend,

If you decide not to go out into the snow storm tomorrow, you can still worship with us live by watching the service on your computer at 10:30am by going to www.firstchurchboxford.org and selecting the "Resources" page. Look for the link to "Live Worship Service." As long as we have power, we will be broadcasting our service to our website.

You can also click the following link. The service will start playing automatically at 10:30am.

Live Worship Service

Carl

FCCB News from the Pews December 2013

2013-12-03T09:25:59Z

General Information Email List

Subject:

Hello Friend,

O Come, All Ye Faithful! It is News from the Pews time. Please find attached the News from the Pews December 2013 issue.

Thank you,

Rick Denton

FCCB Outreach Prayer Update

2013-11-14T13:04:23Z

General Information Email List

Subject:

Hello Friend,

As we enter into a season of Thanksgiving, let's not forget to give thanks to the Lord for the work of our missions.

Dr. Clement and Sathya:
The television ministry is going very well and gaining more viewers each week. Give thanks to God for the provision of Brother Clement's ability to share the Gospel throughout his country. Praise that tax exemption has been granted to Sram Ashram. Pray for wisdom in addressing the divisions of states that has caused political turmoil. Pray also for wisdom in dealing with a nuisance caused by a neighbor with well meaning intentions.

The Ohlin's:
Give thanks for their radio ministry and the classes that they have been able to offer as part of their ministry.

The Martens:
Pray for their grandson with special needs.

The Cahill's:
How much we give thanks that Ginia recovered well enough to see her grandchildren in Cameroon, and particularly to meet their newest grandchild, just a few months old. Pray for their continued translation work in Texas. Also, pray for the work in Cameroon.

Alison Gill:
We give thanks that we have recently come to know Alison, who will soon be ministering among the Muslims in Northern India with a team that is particularly concerned with the treatment of women. Pray for this new ministry.

Short Term Missions:
Thanks that Steve King has agreed to join a team of eleven, departing December 28 for Thailand with E 3 Partners on an Expedition. Not only will they be evangelizing door to door, but they also will be working to reverse the tide of human trafficking in that area of the world. Pray for their safety and their opportunity to share the Gospel.

Jews for Jesus:
How grateful that we had Karol Joseph back as visitor recently to hear more about Christ being shared within the Jewish community, allowing us to become better educated on Hanakkuh, this year celebrated at Thanksgiving. Pray for the ministry of reaching God's chosen people. Karol asked us to pray for Jessica, a woman she has been ministering to from God's Word. Pray that the dialog will continue.

Ward and Joan Coleman, Josh McDowell Ministries:
Pray for ongoing missions in South America, particularly in Uruguay and Paraguay. The Coleman's send wishes for Thanksgiving blessings to all of us!

Place of Promise:
We give thanks for the impact that Place of Promise has had on the area, as well as the opportunities for our fellowship to join them from time to time. Pray for strength for Beth Kidd and her marvelous energy.

Pregnancy Care Center:
Pray for the "Giving Tree Program" that will provide gifts for new babies and mothers this Christmas Season.

Serenity House:
We give thanks for their generous gift to our outreach at Thanksgiving. Pray also for our Christmas Luncheon with residents on December 18.

The Mutchler's:
Pray for continued safe passage as they journey to share love from the Master.

Blessings at Thanksgiving,

Your FCCB Outreach Team

FCCB November Elders Communication Letter

2013-11-07T13:09:58Z

General Information Email List

Subject:

Hello Friend,

This is the first Elder communication letter since last spring. The purpose of the Elders communication letter is to update the congregation Elders are addressing with the body so they can pray for specific issues and offer input on important issues. Time to get back on track! Rick Denton with Nancy Gill’s assistance continues to share the heartbeat and activities of the church in News from the Pews. I know many people really appreciate it.

First, I wanted to share with you some insight into what goes on at our Elders meetings. FCCB moved to the Elder-led model in June of 2012. The current Elder Board has taken on issues that previously would have been discussed at three different board meetings. Since we presently address a broad variety of issues as one board, we decided to begin meeting two time per month in September. This will allow us to have ample time to address administrative, leadership and spiritual matters of the church. We are blessed to have a group of Elders who are devoted to their roles and are willing to invest time at the meetings in addition to spending significant time outside the meetings addressing issues with their supporting Deacons. I am also thankful for the integrity and spiritual maturity of my fellow Elders.

The personal relationship between the Elders has deepened tremendously since the inception of the board sixteen months ago. The meetings can be challenging as we often need to address difficult issues. However, I am amazed by the unity and mutual respect that has grown over timethrough personal and group prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit. Because of the close relationships, we are able to challenge each other appropriately and have confidence that our fellow Elders share a common vision and commitment. Each meeting begins and ends with prayer focused on seeking the Lord’s will for the church along with the needs of the Body. But I don’t want to give you the impression that we don’t have fun. God has blessed each of us with a sense of humor (some more than others!) and we are able to laugh every time we are together. Each one of the Elders have become my friend and I enjoy the time with all of them.

I do want to stress that we desire your continued prayer support. We are always encouraged when someone from the body tells us they are praying for us. We are only able to lead the body by the grace and wisdom from our Lord Jesus Christ and his Holy Spirit at work through us. Please continue to share your concerns and your thoughts of where you feel the Lord is leading us. I will remind you of the Elders names and their areas of responsibilities:

Doffy Falk Membership and Body Life
Rich Smith Worship
Ron Giovannacci Facilities
Art Havey Moderator
Rick Denton Outreach
Tom Cable Finance
Taylor Robinson Congregation, Christian Education

One of the specific issues that we have been addressing together since late September is to define our church’s“identity”. Pastor Ron has stressed that we need to gain consensus on our identity so that when we begin the search for the settled pastor, we are able to clearly and accurately articulate who we are now as we have changed over the past several years in many ways. Pastor Ron has been leading us through a series of challenging questions regarding our current strengths, weaknesses, limitations, church make-up and several other angles. At last week’s meeting, one of the discussion questions that really struck me was – “What do we value?”

One of the answers that seems have to changed dramatically over the past few years is that we value relationships more than ever. I believe that this change started with the PeaceMakers study that a majority of the congregation participated in two years ago along with following the LifeFlow principle of “Love God, love others and disciple as you go”. The Lord has used that training to start moving us towards these priorities. In my opinion, the decision to have a combined worship service on Sunday morning has drawn us together and provided an opportunity to add new relationships. His Spirit is drawing us to Himself and to each other; it is a wonderful process! We would appreciate your thoughts on how we value relationships at FCCB.

Finally, please be praying for the Christian Education and Youth Ministry as these are areas of ministry that need our attention. Pastor Ron is kicking off an initiative to look for ways to gather more support and resources to build up Christian Education from youth to more adults. These are areas of ministry that the Elders are prioritizing.

In Christ’s love,

Taylor Robinson

FCCB News from the Pews November 2013

2013-10-31T11:50:45Z

General Information Email List

Subject:

Hello Friend,

I have attached this month's News from the Pews with all the First Church goings on...

It is in pdf format for easy computer viewing and printing. If you have a problem opening this month's issue, please let the office (office@firstchurchboxford.org) know, so we can anticipate any technical problems.

Thank you!

Rick Denton
News from the Pews, FCCB

Join us this week at FCCB!

2013-10-23T12:19:52Z

General Information Email List

Subject:

Hello Friend,

We have a great weekend coming up here at First Church.

Saturday, 9:00 - 2:00: Electronics and Metal Recycling in our parking lot. Bring your old electronics, appliances and even bikes for a great way to support First Church

Sunday at our worship service - Turning Point, from Eastern University, lead us in classical, contemporary and traditonal Gospel music.

Sunday at 2:00 have some FCCB Family Fun, as we gather in the Parking Lot to go on a family hike...what a great opportunity for fun, fellowship and a little exercise. Any questions, contact Chris Adkins.

And looking ahead...

Join FCCBers at the Chris Tomlin Concert November 2, 7:30 pm in Lowell. Contact Michelle Robinson for ticket details, to sit together.

It is not too early to think Christmas gifts as we plan to participate in Operation Christmas Child. Be planning to "fill a shoebox" or two or three or more, for needy kids around the world this Christmas. To get an idea of the impact your gift can have...view this video. Our goal at FCCB is 90 shoeboxes! We'll be letting you know the simple things to assemble to help these kids and fill a shoebox in the next week. In the meantime, plan to come to our Family Night Dinner on November 13, and stay to help us pack the shoeboxes to send to Operation Christmas Child. By the way, if you don't have time to shop (and even if you do) each box costs $7 to ship to a waiting child, so you can donate $7 for any number of boxes. For more information, check out the FCCB Bulletin, News from the Pews, or just contact Chris Adkins. Thank you!

In Christ,
Pastor Ron

Join us this week at FCCB!

2013-10-23T12:16:51Z

General Information Email List

Subject:

Hello Friend,

We have a great weekend coming up here at First Church.

Saturday, 9:00 - 2:00: Electronics and Metal Recycling in our parking lot. Bring your old electronics, appliances and even bikes for a great way to support First Church

Sunday at our worship service - Turning Point, from Eastern University, lead us in classical, contemporary and traditonal Gospel music.

And looking ahead...

Join FCCBers at the Chris Tomlin Concert November 2, 7:30 pm in Lowell. Contact Michelle Robinson for ticket details, to sit together.

In Christ,
Pastor Ron

FCCB Update on David Bartlett

2013-10-03T10:23:52Z

General Information Email List

Subject:

Hello Friend,

The Bartlett family is so thankful for your prayers as Dave underwent triple bypass surgery this morning. Post operation, Nancy said the surgeon reported things "went well".

Praise God. Continue to pray for peace and rest for Dave, Nancy, Doug and the family as Dave recuperates and the family encourages and supports him.

In Christ,

Pastor Ron
First Church Congregational, Boxford