This Week at MCC – Eighth Sunday in Epiphany

"God makes room for quantum mechanics. ... and regular ones, too."

February 27 is the Eighth Sunday of Epiphany.  Reverend Tom O’Brien returns from vacation this week, and continues the final section of the MCC nine-part Epiphany series of scriptures and meditations that began on January 9 continues, “New Kingdom – Promised Land”.  The last section realizes the arrival of the promises of peace and the coming of God, ending on March 6, when MCC prepares for Lent.

In the scriptures that inspire this week’s meditation, a peaceable kingdom is described.  From the Hebrew Bible, the book of Isaiah, Chapter 2, Verses 2-4, describes nations whom the Lord will draw together.   From Verse 4: “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.  Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”

In this week’s passage from the New Testament Gospel according to John, Chapter 4, Verses 7-26, Jesus speaks with a Samaritan woman who is surprised that he addresses her, asking for water.   She resists, but then listens to his teaching that “… Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, (v14) but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Director of Music Cathy Meyer’s organ music and choir selections celebrates the promises of the New Kingdom.  The organ prelude I am Bound for the Promised Land by Buckner Gamby is followed immediately by the Introit on the same tune, sung by the MCC Senior Choir.   The Choir sings Deep River, a traditional spiritual. 

Rev. O’Brien’s series of nine meditations began on the First Sunday in Epiphany on January 9 and continue until March 6.  Part One, “New Genesis – Creation” concentrated on the beginnings of faith and the new beginning with the teachings of Jesus.  Part Two -- “New Exodus – Liberation” ran from January 30 through February 13, telling the stories of the evolution of the old and new faiths.  Rev. O’Brien reflects on the series: “The preaching series was inspired by a theme that was introduced during discussions of MCC's fall book club selection Brian McLaren's A New Kind of Christianity.  By studying selections of Hebrew scripture, we have been examining how the Gospels tell the story of Jesus' understanding of God through Jewish eyes.  When we take the time to understand the biblical message within its original context, we can hope to better grasp how God is still speaking to us today.”

Faith discovery for children from pre-school through eighth grade begins with the Children’s Moment, where Rev. O’Brien calls the children to the chancel for age-appropriate message of the New Exodus lesson.  The children then proceed to church school with their regular teachers.  Church school will be held throughout the weekends of the public school winter break.

MCC closes the week with the Candlelight Concert on Friday March 4 at 7:30 PM.  The annual musical show of MCC members and friends began in the 1970’s (using real candlelight), featuring the Sudbury Bell Ringers, MCC Gospel Choir, MCC worship band Covenant and many other guests.  Admission is free.

Early registration for MCC’s summer program Pandamania! is now open.  Registration forms may be picked up at MCC at 26 Concord Road in Sudbury, or may be downloaded from the church website at http://mccsudbury.org/?subtab=823 (or visit www.mccsudbury.org, click tab “For the Kids” and the “Summer Program 2011” on the left pane).  Online registration will be available later in February, 2011.  The early registration fee, effective until May 27, is $50 per camper (up to grade 6), or $40 per counselor (grades 7 – 12) with a family maximum of $100.   After May 27, registration is $60 per camper, $50 per counselor, with a family maximum of $125.  The Extended Day program cost is $25 per day for children 6^th grade and under.  Counselors participate in Extended Day at no charge.

Quotes from Bible passages in this article are from the New International Version and printed with permission granted by www.biblegateway.com, Copyright: “THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2010 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.”

Memorial Congregational Church is a member congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC).  MCC has an open and affirming ministry to all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability or financial situation.  All areas of the building are handicapped accessible. Sunday worship service begins at 10 am, and childcare for infants and toddlers is provided from 9:00 AM until 11:30 AM.

Information on MCC worship services, music programs, Christian education, Outreach, and teen programs may be found at the church web site on the Internet at http://MCCsudbury.org. Watch for ‘This Week at MCC’ columns in most Metrowest area community newspapers.  Find us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/mccsudbury.  Follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/MemCCEvents.  For weekly worship news at MCC, visit http://mccsudbury.org/?tab=400.

You can reach the church office and staff by phone at 978-443-3885, or by email at office@mccsudbury.org.   The church is located at 26 Concord Road in Sudbury. Directions to the church may also be obtained from the church website.  Click on the “About Us” tab and then click “Directions/Map”.