Reaching Heights February 2021
Reaching Heights February 2021
Links to this month’s news:
WORSHIP AND STUDY
Worship – for February incl. Ash Wednesday
Lenten Theme – Again & Again
Adult Studies – First Hour on Sunday
Prayer Meeting – Ways to Pray – Tues. mornings
FROM THE STAFF
Along the Path – from Pastor Roger
Kate’s Cogitations
OTHER NEWS AND EVENTS
Education Ministry Team – Help Needed
Outreach Committee – Week of Compassion
Music Ministry – Chancel Choir
Steering Committee – Update
Renewal Works – Fellowship Events
Thank you!
Prayer List Requests – Power of Prayer
See the Serving Schedule
February Worship
Feb. 7 – Raising the Widow’s Son – Luke 7:1-17 – Pastor Roger preaching – Lauren Wright, soloist
Feb. 14 – Transfiguration – Luke 9:28-45 – Rev. Allen Harris preaching
Feb. 17 – Ash Wednesday – Ashes to Go and Zoom Worship from the Sanctuary – (Details below)
Feb. 21 – Lent 1 – Again & Again, God Meets Us – Mark 1:9-15 – Pastor Roger preaching
Feb. 28 – Week of Compassion – Lent 2 – Again & Again, We Are Called To Listen – Mark 8:31-9:81 – Pastor Roger preaching
Ash Wednesday Service
6:30 to 7:15 pm – Since we cannot gather in person we will be doing “Ashes to Go” from the circular drive on Winslow Road. Pastor Roger will be there masked and gloved to provide the mark of the cross. The first 15 minutes are reserved for those who live some distance from the church so that they can get back home in time for our 7:30 Service. If you live in Shaker plan to arrive close to 7:00 in case there is any backup. Pastor Roger will have to stop at 7:15 to be prepared for worship.
7:30 – Worship from the Sanctuary, on Zoom.
2021 Lenten Theme – Again and Again
In Lent, we’re reminded that, again and again, suffering and brokenness find us. We doubt again, we lament again, we mess up again. Again and again, the story of Jesus on the cross repeats—every time lives are taken unjustly, every time the powerful choose corruption and violence, every time individuals forget how to love. With exacerbation we exclaim, “Again?! How long, O God?” And yet, in the midst of the motion blur chaos of our lives, God offers a sacred refrain: “I choose you, I love you, I will lead you to repair.” Again and again, God
breaks the cycle and offers us a new way forward
Adult Study
The Sunday morning 1st hour study (Early Christians You May Not Know) will meet for 3 weeks beginning January 24 at 9:30 am. We will be looking at three New Testament figures that you may not know much about. You can join via the morning worship Zoom link. Led by Pastor Roger and Dr. Kate.
The Midweek Bible Study (Ancient Messages for Our Time) will meet 3 Tuesdays beginning January 26 at 1:00 pm and delve into some of the lesser known prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures. Led by Jane Troha, Pastor Roger and Dr. Kate. Zoom link is below.
The participant guides for both studies are available HERE!
From your computer: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84531177511?pwd=RkVITUpEZXkxOHJuZUxOM1N1SFdlQT09
From any phone: 301 715 8592
Meeting ID: 845 3117 7511
Passcode: 497825
Adult Study for Lent
Sunday morning – beginning February 21st we’ll be using a study entitled Jesus Sees Women. Look for more details in the Weekly Update.
Ways to Pray
Tuesday mornings 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. on Zoom (link below)
Led by Kate Gillooly
There are so many ways to pray. Join us for an experiential Lenten study of different methods of communicating and communing with God. We will use our eyes, ears, hands, and hearts to try some new ways of being with God.
Feb. 23 Visio Divina
Mar. 2 In our own words
Mar. 9 Body Prayer
Mar. 16 Taize and Chant
Mar. 23 Praying in Color
Mar. 30 Lectio Divina
From your computer: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87351465381?pwd=STVYQWVvUjR1MnMrcFhWbnFXTGc2dz09
From your smart phone: +13017158592,,87351465381#,,,,*418726#
From any phone: +1 301 715 8592
Meeting ID: 873 5146 5381
Passcode: 418726
Along the Path:
In the midst of a snowy January day during a pandemic with ongoing concerns over domestic terrorism and as we have just listed our church building with a realtor, I am finding myself buoyed by a cautious hope for the future. Vaccines are being distributed (though in fits and starts), a new administration is beginning the process of reversing inhumane policies, and there are fewer voices suggesting that there are “good people” on both sides of the problems of racism, religious bigotry and other social justice issues.
There is always much work to be done and progress is always fragile, but we are a people who believe in resurrection and so we must approach the future with hope, because we know that we are not alone. There is a greater power at work, and as Dr. King once said “the arc of the universe bends toward justice.”
We too can have hope for our future as a community of faith, because that same God is at work in us and through us. The way forward is not yet clear, but through much prayer, hard work, and a willingness to stay open to God’s leading, we will find a way.
Glad to be with you on the journey. In peace – Pastor Roger
Kate’s Cogitations
As part of my continuing work with Bexley Seabury seminary, I am sitting in on a class called “Making Mission Possible in Tough Times.” We are learning about the dynamics of change for the church in the midst of societal challenges. We spent an entire day on “liminal times” – those in-between times when things are not like they used to be, but are in transition and are not yet fully formed into a new way. The most obvious for us right now is the pandemic, and the talk of whether we return to the way things were or move to a new normal. There are examples of liminality in scripture (wandering in the desert, hiding in the upper room) and in our own lives (engaged to be married, graduated and job-seeking). Liminal times are sometimes wanted and planned for, and other time thrust upon us with no warning or choice.
It seems as though HCC is in some interesting liminal time as well. In addition to the pandemic, we wonder what our future holds, what we will be able to hold on to (or return to) and what we must let go of in order to receive what may be waiting for us. It is a time of uncertainty, a time to trust. Liminal times can be “thin places” where God seems to come close to us, or where we realize God has always been right beside us. It can be a time to consider new possibilities, and to prepare for a different future, even without knowing exactly what that future looks like. I invite you to join in the trusting, the listening, and the dreaming that are given to us in this liminal time.
Intergenerational Moment Volunteers Wanted
The education team is looking for people who are willing to read a picture book during the intergenerational moment. Suggestions for the book are provided, all we ask is a willingness to read on sunday morning and possibly a trip to the library. If you are interested please contact Carolyn Troha, cetroha@gmail.com or Kate at kate@heightscc.org. Thanks in advance!
“Nobody hungry, nobody thirsty, shade from the sun, shelter from the wind, for the Compassionate One guides them, takes them to the best springs.” — Isaiah 49:10
Week of Compassion Special Offering
This Special Offering is traditionally taken the last week of February but, especially in these days of pandemic, you can make your gift anytime. Add Week of Compassion to the memo line on your check or make an online donation via Givelify here and select “Week of Compassion” from the list.
When you give to Week of Compassion, you deploy resources to people in need all around the world. Through sustainable development projects, our partners help provide life-giving water and other critical resources that help communities reinvent and reimagine what is possible. When water comes to a village, people are safer, healthier, and more free to pursue learning and growth opportunities. Let love flow, and share more than just water.
Heights Chancel Choir is back… virtually!
Please join us on Zoom on Thursday evenings at 7:30PM to continually sing and praise God.
For more information, please contact Ying at musichcc@sbcglobal.net.
From the Steering Committee
Progress on Our Nesting Future
The Steering Committee has continued to move forward on our nesting in another location. After looking at several firms, we have contracted with a real estate firm to sell the building. The firm is FASS Real Estate Services, a minority business located in Shaker Heights. The agents are Akil Hameed, a Shaker Heights High graduate and Stephanie Turner, formerly of Shaker. The firm has recently sold a church in Richmond Heights. The contract specifies that current renters need to stay through June and that there will not be a for sale sign. After taking a break during the Christmas season, we have resumed talks with other churches interested both in our nesting and as well as one interested in buying the building. Nothing specific has been firmed up.
As we move forward with our nesting in another setting, you can view that as we are all brothers and sisters in Christ simply sharing a sacred place. Towards that end, the Committee is most interested in hearing from you. If you have any comments, concerns or questions please feel free to call anyone on the committee: Neil Chase – 216-410-0718, Sandy Jones – 216-901-9098, Larry Watson – 216-509-5892, Scott Phelps – 216-308-9711 or Lynda Ackerman – 216-849-7366. We very much welcome your input.
The RenewalWorks Team presents the following activities from January through March.
MEET THE PETS
Sunday, January 31, after worship
“Let’s Meet the Pets!” Sometimes we see a glimpse of a cat’s tail or a dog’s bark, who wants to participate in our Zoom sessions. On January 31st, after worship, everyone is invited to share this after-church social activity.
If you have a pet that wants to participate, we encourage you to email Kate Gillooly (kate@heightscc.org) and provide your pet’s name and species by Friday, January 29th.
GAME NIGHT!!
Friday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 pm
Ready for some fun?
Come and join us on zoom for an evening of games and laughs.
Bring a snack and a beverage of your choice.
We’ll play games everyone can participate in.
Mark your calendar now for 7:30, Feb. 12!
Here’s the Zoom link:
From your computer: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83930309268?pwd=VWJkRlN1UGFPeWNKY0JZMFF5UERIQT09
From your smart phone: +13017158592,,83930309268#,,,,*328936#
From any phone: +1 301 715 8592
Meeting ID: 839 3030 9268
Passcode: 328936
SHOW AND SHARE
Tuesday, March 2 at 7:30 pm
All are welcome to share hobbies, projects, books, etc., during this time of quarantining at home. Everyone is invited, even if you don’t wish to participate in sharing. It will be fun to see what others are creating and reading.
Mark your calendar now for 7:30, March 2!
Here’s the Zoom link:
From your computer: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85711667104?pwd=NmF5dk1nRlRaMkFZdzQvTVZKMllJdz09
From your smart phone: +19294362866,,85711667104#,,,,*153684#
From any phone: +1 929 436 2866
Meeting ID: 857 1166 7104
Passcode: 153684
from Campbell Court:
Hello Rev. Osgood and Heights Christian Church Congregation,
Campbell Court Seniors would like to thank you for the gift cards. It makes our hearts melt with love and kindness the church always shows us. May our God always bless your church!
Thank you,
Seniors at Campbell Court Apartments
Thank you for the gift card. It came in handy and I really appreciate it. May you have a happy and blessed New Year.
Lots of Love,
Geraldine Welch
A great big THANKS to all of you. You are so nice!
Claude Barclay, Jr.
from Donna Zimmerman:
“Please say ‘Thanks’ to all especially enjoyed all the cards I received from the members.”
Prayer List Requests
Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. (Philippians 4:6)
Even in the ongoing pandemic (maybe especially in these times), individual and corporate prayer continue!
Our Hearts Together in Prayer group meets each Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. to share prayer concerns and updates, and to spend time in prayer together via Zoom. (contact Kate or Val for the link if you’d like to join). We begin and end with a set of prayers that change each month and are read by the facilitator, and the time in the middle offers opportunity for everyone to share their own petitions, intercessions, and thanksgivings. All are welcome and encouraged to join us as you are able; praying together is powerful and lifts the spirits. If you have a prayer request, you can use the online prayer request form (https://www.heightschristianchurch.org/prayer-request/) or send an email to Pastor Roger.
These requests will be lifted up on Wednesday evenings and forwarded on to the Elders, and our Prayer Ministry Team.
Social Media outreach
HCC is on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and You-Tube! If you see something you like, share it on your page! This will increase our reach and may draw in our next visitor!