Category: Events & Activities - FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH of HATFIELD, UCC

season of lent

2/23/2020

This Wednesday, February 26th, is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Season of Lent. Lent's 40 days draw us back to Jesus' 40 days in the desert after His baptism by John.

During this period of solitude, Jesus confronted His temptations and emerged stronger in His conviction to be and to do what God intended.

Lent is our opportunity of introspection and examination. It is our chance to re-focus our lives and to give them a more profound spiritual grounding and direction.

The whole of the season is in front of us. This is our opportunity to make the most of it.

I invite you to journey with us at Hatfield Congregational Church. Please feel free to join us at worship, at Bible study or at our Lenten Discussions, the schedule of which is below.

A crucified Saviour is a daunting task to contemplate, but one well worth these coming 40 days.
Rev. Randy

Youth group spaghetti supper

2/8/2020

Thank you to the Youth Group members and their families for this evening's Spaghetti Supper. They volunteered their time and even some of the ingredients.

Thank you also to Stop and Shop Supermarket in Northampton, Big Y Supermarket in Northampton, Hatfield Beef and the Texas Roadhouse Restaurant in Hadley for their very generous donations.

Thank you to Sue M. for her famous hot fudge sauce, and to Carol and Joann for taking care of dessert prep., and to all those who baked brownies for us.

The profits from this evening's supper will allow our young people to plan more activities, so thank you also to the 80 of you who supported our efforts this evening. Much appreciated.

Rev. Randy

Annual Lenten discussion series

2/1/2020

UCC General synod resolution endorsed

1/19/2020

"Back from the Brink"
A resolution calling on the United States to pull back from the brink and to prevent a nuclear war

On August 18th, Rev. Dr. Peter Kakos joined us for worship and shared a few words of greeting. At that time, he mentioned the resolution that he had presented at the 32nd General Synod of the United Church of Christ that was held in Milwaukee from June 21st - 25th. The five principles of the “Back from the Brink: The Call to Prevent Nuclear War” campaign are:

*Renouncing the option of using nuclear weapons first;
*Ending any U.S. President’s ability to authorize a first strike nuclear attack;
*Taking U.S. nuclear weapons off hair-trigger alert;
*Canceling the plan to replace the nation’s arsenal with new, enhanced weapons; and
*Actively pursuing a verifiable agreement among nuclear states to eliminate their arsenals.

On November 10th, Dr. Ira Helfand of the Nuclear Weapons Abolition Committee and of Physicians for Social Responsibility’s (PSR) Nuclear Weapons Abolition Committee and of PSR’s global federation, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), addressed our congregation, bringing with him the organization's Nobel Peace Price.

With the information presented in the resolution and after Dr. Helfand's informative address to the congregation, we decided to put the Resolution on the agenda of our Annual Meeting, which was held today after our morning Service.

I am pleased to announce that the Annual Meeting voted unanimously to support the resolution.
Rev. Randy

Week of prayer for Christian unity

1/18/2020

The World Council of Churches calls on Christians to observe annually the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It begins today. Tomorrow we will come together as a congregation and include this prayerful occasion in our worship.

The two themes that are prominent this year are "They showed us unusual kindness" from the Acts of the Apostles and Jesus' prayer "that they all may be one" from the Gospel of John.

In the spirit of this Week of Prayer, whoever you are you are welcome to come and join us in worship at 10AM tomorrow.
Rev. Randy

Annual congregational meeting

1/14/2020

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Pure church democracy in action this Sunday!
We gather for worship at 10AM, and then we continue our worship by coming together at our Annual Congregational Meeting to discuss and decide the plans and projects of our church for 2020.
Everyone in attendance has voice. We have the Spirit's freedom to create the church we want to be. This privilege and responsibility is at the heart of the United Church of Christ model and we invite you to come join us if this is something that speaks to your faith.
Rev. Randy

Beyond Gun laws panel discussion

1/9/2020

This panel discussion is sponsored by HEADS Up - Hatfield Embraces Acceptance and Dismantles Stigma. This is a timely and important discussion. Please think about attending and entering the conversation.
Rev. Randy

January 08th, 2020

1/8/2020

Youth group Spaghetti supper

1/8/2020

Saturday, February 8th, 5 - 6:30pm

Tickets are now available for purchase for the Youth Group Spaghetti Supper at the church on Saturday, February 8th from 5 - 6:30pm.
The cost is $12 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under.
The meal is spaghetti (gluten free is available), meatballs, salad, bread, dessert and beverage.
Ticket purchases may be made at church on Sunday mornings or arranged by emailing randyc1897@gmail.com.
Thank you for supporting this Youth Group fundraiser.

Incorporation day | May 31, 2020

1/7/2020

Hatfield's 350th Anniversary

The Town of Hatfield and Hatfield Congregational Church both celebrate their 350th anniversary in 2020 (although the church is 3 weeks older than the town).

Incorporation Day, May 31st, is the actual date that the town was incorporated as distinct from Hadley. Below is the flier published by the 350th Steering Committee noting their plans for the day, a Sunday quite fortunately.

Invitations are being shared with elected federal and state officials.

Events will be at the church and on the lawn adjacent to the church, behind the library.

Please make sure to mark your calendars. It should be a fun and informative day.
Rev. Randy

YOU ARE WELCOME HERE
First Congregational Church of Hatfield
United Church of Christ
41 Main St - Hatfield, MA 01038
Reverend Randy (413) 824-1630

SERVICE TIMES
Sunday 10-11am (9:30am July + August)
Children Sunday School 10-11am
Nursery care available during worship

FOLLOW

COPYRIGHT ©2020 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH of HATFIELD, UCC

POWERED BY ROCKET