Comments for First Trinitarian Congregational Church UCC, Scituate http://ftccscituate.org Wherever you are on life's journey, you're welcome here. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:43:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Our Vision – Christian Faith Formation by Dorothy Sime http://ftccscituate.org/discussions/our-vision-christian-faith-formation#comment-877 Dorothy Sime Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:43:26 +0000 http://ftccscituate.org#comment-877 The belief that Jesus Christ is our teacher and guide in life is just a part of being Christian. His death and resurrection are what makes him what he is to us. With Lent and Easter coming up it is a good time to go deeper into who Jesus Christ is and what he means to us as Christians. This is not to put down any other belief . I believe God loves us all. But if we profess to be followers or disciples of Jesus than faith and belief in him is what will lead us to him. And it has been my experience that if we truly want to have God direct our life we have to ask him. He will not force his way upon us. His way is not our way so it also takes trust in him that he will show us his way even if it is not the way we thought it should be. God is good and his never-failing love can be counted on. The belief that Jesus Christ is our teacher and guide in life is just a part of being Christian. His death and resurrection are what makes him what he is to us. With Lent and Easter coming up it is a good time to go deeper into who Jesus Christ is and what he means to us as Christians. This is not to put down any other belief . I believe God loves us all. But if we profess to be followers or disciples of Jesus than faith and belief in him is what will lead us to him. And it has been my experience that if we truly want to have God direct our life we have to ask him. He will not force his way upon us. His way is not our way so it also takes trust in him that he will show us his way even if it is not the way we thought it should be. God is good and his never-failing love can be counted on.

]]> Comment on Discussions by Les Ball http://ftccscituate.org/discussions#comment-864 Les Ball Sun, 19 Feb 2012 20:23:33 +0000 http://ftccscituate.org#comment-864 Folks: Below is a fairly long article from yesterday's Wall Street Journal. It is written by Alain de Botton who on March 6th will publish "Religion for Atheists: A non-Believers guide for the Uses of Religion." It is a wonderful article about the secular world can draw useful lessons from religious life. I hope that you find it useful.. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204883304577221603720817864.html?KEYWORDS=religion+for+everyone Folks:

Below is a fairly long article from yesterday’s Wall Street Journal. It is written by Alain de Botton who on March 6th will publish “Religion for Atheists: A non-Believers guide for the Uses of Religion.” It is a wonderful article about the secular world can draw useful lessons from religious life. I hope that you find it useful..

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204883304577221603720817864.html?KEYWORDS=religion+for+everyone

]]> Comment on Our Vision – Christian Faith Formation by Dorothy Sime http://ftccscituate.org/discussions/our-vision-christian-faith-formation#comment-844 Dorothy Sime Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:48:47 +0000 http://ftccscituate.org#comment-844 Hi Peter, That is all so true but do not forget we are all on this journey and all in a different place. What Stott says can not be attained by most today. All it can be is a goal. And then it can seem so overwhelming .For me personally I have learned to keep it simple and the bottom line is always love. So the two things Jesus said we should do .....to love God and our neighbor as our self. This is a base reference of all we do as far as I can see. Hi Peter, That is all so true but do not forget we are all on this journey and all in a different place. What Stott says can not be attained by most today. All it can be is a goal. And then it can seem so overwhelming .For me personally I have learned to keep it simple and the bottom line is always love. So the two things Jesus said we should do …..to love God and our neighbor as our self. This is a base reference of all we do as far as I can see.

]]> Comment on Our Vision – Inviting-Welcoming by Tom Hall http://ftccscituate.org/discussions/our-vision-inviting-welcoming#comment-832 Tom Hall Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:01:05 +0000 http://ftccscituate.org/?page_id=431#comment-832 Roy, I like your idea of the random selection each week of someone to introduce themselves, most would like it, though I imagine some might feel uncomfortable, so Mike need to pick extroverts in the beginning until it gets rolling. T Roy, I like your idea of the random selection each week of someone to introduce themselves, most would like it, though I imagine some might feel uncomfortable, so Mike need to pick extroverts in the beginning until it gets rolling. T

]]> Comment on Our Vision – Christian Faith Formation by Dorothy Sime http://ftccscituate.org/discussions/our-vision-christian-faith-formation#comment-820 Dorothy Sime Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:07:54 +0000 http://ftccscituate.org#comment-820 What you all are saying sounds good. We are working to be not just followers of Jesus but true disciples. It took the first disciples time to do this. Jesus was on his way to the cross when Peter denied him three times. And it took Thomas until after Jesus' resurrection because of his doubts. He felt the wound in Jesus side before he said" My Lord and my God". To follow the best that we know is what we should do. Jesus put aside the most important job one could do, telling the people about God's new plan that would come through him, but took the time to heal the sick, cure the disabled, feed the hungry, and etc and etc. So while we bring our attention to becoming diciples let's welcome strangers, no matter who they are. They might not fit in and make things easier but that does not mean we can not continue to treat them as children of God. What you all are saying sounds good. We are working to be not just followers of Jesus but true disciples. It took the first disciples time to do this. Jesus was on his way to the cross when Peter denied him three times. And it took Thomas until after Jesus’ resurrection because of his doubts. He felt the wound in Jesus side before he said” My Lord and my God”. To follow the best that we know is what we should do. Jesus put aside the most important job one could do, telling the people about God’s new plan that would come through him, but took the time to heal the sick, cure the disabled, feed the hungry, and etc and etc. So while we bring our attention to becoming diciples let’s welcome strangers, no matter who they are. They might not fit in and make things easier but that does not mean we can not continue to treat them as children of God.

]]> Comment on Our Vision – Inviting-Welcoming by Dorothy Sime http://ftccscituate.org/discussions/our-vision-inviting-welcoming#comment-817 Dorothy Sime Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:26:38 +0000 http://ftccscituate.org/?page_id=431#comment-817 Your comments sound workable. I would say to invite people to our church is something we do that will be benificial to both them and us. And to welcome them is to pay attention to them until they feel comfortable being new and get to know other people. Invitations come from the head, welcome comes from the heart. Your comments sound workable. I would say to invite people to our church is something we do that will be benificial to both them and us. And to welcome them is to pay attention to them until they feel comfortable being new and get to know other people. Invitations come from the head, welcome comes from the heart.

]]> Comment on Discussions by Dorothy Sime http://ftccscituate.org/discussions#comment-815 Dorothy Sime Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:07:41 +0000 http://ftccscituate.org#comment-815 Hello all, This should work well in helping us to get to know others. Hello all, This should work well in helping us to get to know others.

]]> Comment on Our Vision – Inviting-Welcoming by Roy Manns http://ftccscituate.org/discussions/our-vision-inviting-welcoming#comment-763 Roy Manns Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:21:36 +0000 http://ftccscituate.org/?page_id=431#comment-763 "Whose job is it? " this question I have heard a few times , if inviting or welcoming to new members is a job" then it should be the Membership Team member or the Pastor. BUT I feel it is our Christian duty to welcome new and and old members we do not know. “Whose job is it? ” this question I have heard a few times , if inviting or welcoming to new members is a job” then it should be the Membership Team member or the Pastor. BUT I feel it is our Christian duty to welcome new and and old members we do not know.

]]> Comment on Our Vision – Inviting-Welcoming by Roy http://ftccscituate.org/discussions/our-vision-inviting-welcoming#comment-762 Roy Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:08:52 +0000 http://ftccscituate.org/?page_id=431#comment-762 Tom, I agree with your perspective, while we are welcoming and even warm with new visitors, I often think we do not mix and mingle as much as we should and could during coffe hour with not just new members but even old members that are still New to members that have joined in the last 3 years. e.g. Kelly who was interviewed by Bob Dowdy this sunday. I only vaguly remember his face, but never heard or saw his name. I like the constant encouraging of name tags, but it occurs to me if every Sunday, Our Pastor could select at random or in some order couple of members and ask them to stand and say few words e.g. I am Charlie, Retired Bean counter married to Helen , we live in ****** and have been members/coming for 33 years . This way one of us might type him/her during coffer hour and get to know them a bit more! Tom,

I agree with your perspective, while we are welcoming and even warm with new visitors, I often think we do not mix and mingle as much as we should and could during coffe hour with not just new members but even old members that are still New to members that have joined in the last 3 years. e.g. Kelly who was interviewed by Bob Dowdy this sunday. I only vaguly remember his face, but never heard or saw his name.

I like the constant encouraging of name tags, but it occurs to me if every Sunday, Our Pastor could select at random or in some order couple of members and ask them to stand and say few words e.g. I am Charlie, Retired Bean counter married to Helen , we live in ****** and have been members/coming for 33 years . This way one of us might type him/her during coffer hour and get to know them a bit more!

]]> Comment on Our Vision – Christian Faith Formation by Adam Naylor http://ftccscituate.org/discussions/our-vision-christian-faith-formation#comment-743 Adam Naylor Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:40:41 +0000 http://ftccscituate.org#comment-743 Hi all. Just wanted to drop some summary notes from the Christian Faith Formation luncheon. The food was good, the conversation even better - here are the common themes from the day's discussion: A Christ-Centered Church and Life-Long Christian Faith Forming One is: - A motivated congregation - Scholarly – reflective – studious - Educating - Has God-Christ at the center of discussions - Has connectedness with God and with those around them - A community - Enthusiastic and celebratory - Faithful and trusting - What should we “look like”: - Diverse and inclusive - Knowing of one another - Continually striving - Storytellers - Witnessing and encouraging our kids in action - A church of many teachers As we look at and consider these we can challenge ourselves to continue our good efforts and add a few actions towards each theme on a regular basis. Stay well - Adam Hi all. Just wanted to drop some summary notes from the Christian Faith Formation luncheon. The food was good, the conversation even better – here are the common themes from the day’s discussion:

A Christ-Centered Church and Life-Long Christian Faith Forming One is:

- A motivated congregation
- Scholarly – reflective – studious
- Educating
- Has God-Christ at the center of discussions
- Has connectedness with God and with those around them
- A community
- Enthusiastic and celebratory
- Faithful and trusting
-
What should we “look like”:

- Diverse and inclusive
- Knowing of one another
- Continually striving
- Storytellers
- Witnessing and encouraging our kids in action
- A church of many teachers

As we look at and consider these we can challenge ourselves to continue our good efforts and add a few actions towards each theme on a regular basis.

Stay well – Adam

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