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Weekly Update
Friday, December 22, 2023
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Advent 4, Morning Service (In Person Only)
Sunday, December 24, at 10:00 a.m.
Our fourth Sunday of Advent worship will be held in the Memorial Chapel. We’ll light the Advent wreath, discuss scripture, celebrate the gift of God’s love, and prepare ourselves to come to the manger later in the evening. Join us for a quiet and contemplative time of worship.
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PLEASE NOTE: There will not be Sunday School or childcare for this service, but the Prayground will be available with Christmas books, arts, and crafts.
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CHRISTMAS EVE, EVENING SERVICE
(In Person and on Zoom!)
Sunday, December 24 at 6:00 p.m.
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We hope everyone will join us for this special service for all ages of lessons and carols, with a candle-lit singing of Silent Night, and interactive elements for little ones.
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Zoom Link: HERE
Meeting ID: 826 8730 1128
Passcode: 386028
Dial in only: 1 646 558 8656
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The bulletin is available HERE
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Pastor's Blog
Megan - 12/22/2023
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“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others.”
Matthew 5:14-16a
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For nearly four weeks, we’ve celebrated the gifts of God promised to us, made manifest in Jesus, and shining forth in our lives. But God’s hope, peace, joy, and love aren’t about the destination of the manger; when we arrive on Sunday evening and celebrate the birth of the Christ child, it’s truly meant to be the start of something. The start of new life. The start of Christmastide (Day 1 of 12!). And the start of welcoming Jesus’ presence, and the gifts of God, into every single day and every single corner of our lives. This new start is meant to change us, so that we might change the world in turn.
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So, beloved ones, I invite you to take those gifts of the Advent season – God’s hope, peace, joy, and love – and to find new ways to shine them out into the world and into the lives of others. You, yes you, are the light of the world, the hands and feet and heart and light of Christ, walking around. Let Christ’s presence in the world change you, and let that light shine.
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Gracious God, you came into the world a humble and fragile baby, and by living among us, you let us know that our every concern and our every joy, no matter how large or small, and indeed our whole lives, matter to you. Accompany us anew, and hear our prayers:
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- We pray for peace all throughout the world. For the people of Israel and Palestine, the people of Ukraine, people in every part of the world whose lives are threatened by war and violence. Teach us to beat our swords into plowshares, O God, and to sow wisdom and reap peace, justice, and joy for all people.
- We pray that our beloved Jenny would experience your love and peace, God, as she prepares to return to you. Free her from her pain and discomfort. Strengthen her, her family, her whole community, and all of us who love her, that all may feel your presence among us in this tender time.
- For all in our UCW community who are ill, or who are caring for loved ones. For all who grieve, God, we ask for the comfort of your presence.
- For people in our community and everywhere for whom the holidays bring pain rather than joy. May they, too, be comforted by you.
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We pray in the name of Jesus, as we make room in our hearts and homes for him. Amen.
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If you have other prayers of concern or celebration you
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would like lifted up in community, please email
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All-Church Gatherings & Adult Formation
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Caregiving in the (Multi-Layered) Sandwich
This group will resume again in January
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More and more members of our community find themselves caring for loved-ones across the generations -- caring for aging parents, as well as for children, adult children, grandchildren, and others. All are invited to gather for guided discussion, mutual support, and prayer once a month through the holidays and into Epiphany.
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We met twice in December, and will poll interested members to find dates for January and February.
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Please let Pastor Amy ([email protected]) know if you are interested.
We will gather in-person in Pastor Amy's Office.
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SAVE THE DATE !
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Greater Boston Interfaith Organization Meets at The Union Church on Jan. 29, 2024.
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For more information about the meeting contact:
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For mor information about the GBIO Housing Justice Campaign go HERE
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Intergenerational Community
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Youth Group and Exploring Our Faith
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Youth Mission Opportunities
January 26-27 - CityReach
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With Coat and Clothing Collection
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Our participation in the CityReach Overnight is confirmed! We'll join our siblings on Boston Common who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Over the next month please check your closets for warm and sturdy clothing to donate, and let Pastor Amy know if you can participate.
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June 22-29 - Mission trip to Puerto Rico
We are in the process of planning our summer mission trip to Puerto Rico and would love to have you join us! We'll be purchasing plane tickets in early January, so please let us know if you can come! Speak to Pastor Amy or David Spertner to learn more or confirm your participation.
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Next Exploring Our Faith meeting will be in the New Year!
Sunday, January 7, 5:00 -7:00 p.m.
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UCW Volunteer Opportunities
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Sunday Reception Sign-Up
We are still looking for hosts for January 14, 28 and most of 2024. Sign up below today to support one of the most impactful ways we build connections and community with each other after worship.
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(Simple guidelines listed here also.)
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Scripture Reader Sign-Up
If you are joining our Sunday worship, please consider signing up as a Scripture Reader for any of our upcoming services.
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Scripture Reader Sign-up: HERE Thank you!
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Pastoral Care Connections
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Please don't hesitate to reach out to Senior Pastor, Rev. Megan Berkowitz, or Associate Pastor for Youth & Families, Rev. Amy Clark Feldman for prayer or pastoral support.
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and her phone is 617-965-3893
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Pastor Megan will be out of the country between Christmas and New Year, so please reach out to Pastor Amy via her cell phone at any time in the case of an emergency.
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Friday is a day of Sabbath for Pastor Megan; Monday is Pastor Amy's day of Sabbath.
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We, the members of The Union Church in Waban, true to our founding principle of being an inclusive church, covenant together to nourish and to sustain in our common life and practice a fully welcoming and affirming church for all persons. Welcoming all persons who seek to join with us in a commitment to love God and our neighbors, affirming the inclusive love of Jesus, we are open to all, without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, nationality, ability or economic circumstance. We invite all to full participation in our worship, membership, leadership and life of this church.
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