Jackson Community Church

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lent

Beatitude Devotional: Wed, Feb 17 – SAW

By jacksonnhccPosted on Posted in Home, Lent & Easter, Weekly MeditationsTagged , , ,

WEEK 1: Scripture from Matthew 5: When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them …

Reflection on words from Beatitudes

Wed, Feb 17 (Ash Wednesday):  SAW

         To see. To be seen.

Today we burn palm leaves from last year’s Palm Sunday celebration. We burn away the innocent cheerfulness and euphoria — the ‘pomp and circumstance’ — of last year’s Hosannas. Truthfully, we may have a tough time remembering hosannas from last year — it has been a long twelve months. Symbolically, we burn away outer layers, veils and masks, and the external armor that hides us.

As we burn the leaves, we let go of something. We also reveal something.

The green leaves have dried and yellowed. They are only the memory of some portion of our lives that we’ve clung to — preserved for a year — now released by flames. In the flames, they curl and shrivel. Grow black and gray. Change to charcoal, soot and ash.

Today we gather up whatever is left, whatever didn’t go up in smoke. We scoop ashes. Combine them with the oil of anointing, and wear them.

Today is a confession. It’s a submission. It’s a surrender.

Today we bow our heads or fall to our knees, so we can rise again. Rise: known, named, claimed. Rise: beloved.

Oh, to be sure, we don’t become suddenly perfect as we confess. We’re as imperfect as ever. We’re as messy and broken as before, and also as beautiful and possible, as before. Yet we are also accepted and forgiven.

In this moment, we drop our guard. Look into the face of God, or ask God to look upon our faces. Doing so, we invite the experience of being fully seen, fully known.

Afterward, sooty leftovers grace our skin as thumbprints, crosses, or circles. We wear Christ’s fingerprints. Mark ourselves. Allow ourselves to be marked.

Thus, at our best, we are honest in these moments when we bare ourselves to holy Love. After all, what’s the benefit of hiding from Godself? We’ve been seen and known all along. The only ones from whom we really hide are ourselves, and maybe other people. God knows us, whether we choose to be known or not.

Yet it makes a difference, when we choose to participate, and to offer ourselves to the Love that sees us. Especially when we then turn toward the world, bearing the mark of being seen and known, and loved. — Rev Gail

Meditations:

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. ― Confucius

The eye through which I see God is the same eye through which God sees me; my eye and God’s eye are one eye, one seeing, one knowing, one love. ― Meister Eckhart

Challenge: Look in the mirror. And with kindness, with compassion, meet your own eyes and tell yourself you are loved. If you have the chance, look someone else in the eye, and hold that gaze for 10 seconds, and at the end of it, tell the other person, “You are loved.”

LENTEN PROGRAMS

By jacksonnhccPosted on Posted in Education & Faith Formation, Home, Lent & EasterTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

MINDFULNESS for INTENTIONAL WELLBEING
with Anjali Rose
Sundays: Feb 28 & March 14
3-4:15pm • Zoom

The deacons at JCC have crafted this two-part series with Anjali Rose to provide a free self-care and mindfulness experience for our faith community. This experience is open to all. Friends and members welcome.

What is Mindfulness and how better might we use this technique to create well-being in our community and lives? 

During this Mindfulness for Intentional Well-being (2 part series),  Anjali Rose, MEd. 500 RYT, RMT will guide us in exploring the nuances of mindfulness, focusing on the subtle differences each of us can attain in creating awareness for healthy living.   Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment with openness and curiosity.

It has a variety of research-backed impacts, including reduction in stress, and improvements in job satisfaction, emotional regulation, and focus.Mindfulness is a state, a trait, and a practice.

Mindfulness can be thought of a “state,” a “trait” or a “practice.” You can have a moment of mindfulness, which is the state of your mind. You can also have a sustained experience that is more like a habit or strong tendency to be mindful, a trait. Or you can engage in a more intentional practice of mindfulness by using different forms, postures and activities, such as seated mindfulness meditation, mindful walking, and mindful eating. (Mindfulschools.org)

To join us on Sunday February 28 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. and Sunday March 14 from 3:00 to 4:15 p.m. to explore Mindfulness within this workshop series, simply register here.

—

A FATHER’S KADISH
Sun, March 21
4pm • Zoom
Event is free, registration will be required.

Documentary Screening and Q&A with
Artist/Potter Steve Branfman & Director Jen Kaplan.

Co-sponsored by Mt Washington Valley Chavurah & Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation

A Father’s Kaddish tells the story of how Steven Branfman used the art of pottery to help him work through his grief after the death of his 23-year-old son. The film is a potent and moving journey through the universal experience of loss, mourning and rebuilding a life. To learn more about the film, please visit: afatherskaddish.com.

Join us for a live Q & A with the director Jen Kaplan and the film’s featured artist, potter, instructor and subject Steven Branfman.

STUDY GROUP
The Walk by Adam Hamilton
Tuesdays during LENT

  • Zoom link and password required. Email the church for this information: jcchurch@jacksoncommunitychurch.org
  • Join Sue Davidson for a bible study focused on The Walk by Adam Hamilton. It helps participants develop five spiritual practices that allow us to walk closer with God.
  • A few copies of this book will be available to borrow (sign them out please) as of Wed, Feb 17 at noon, inside the front doors, on the Lent-Easter library shelves.

HOLY WEEK with JCC: April 8-12 (Easter)

By jacksonnhccPosted on Posted in Advent & Christmas, Calendar, Lent & Easter, WorshipTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Do you need support of any kind? We have volunteers ready to assist with errands, access to emergency supplies, and Rev Gail is available for emotional and spiritual companionship. Email the church:  jcchurch@jacksoncommunitychurch.org.

Wed, April 8

Thurs, April 9

  • MAUNDY THURSDAY GATHERING (via ZOOM)
    7pm • ZOOM LINK: zoom.us/j/467763000 (password required).
    Plan to celebrate an after-dinner ritual of washing hands (symbolic of foot-washing), stripping altar, and putting out candles as darkness falls and we enter the Triduum: three holy days of Easter weekend. Option: call in via touch-tone phone: 929.436.2866, meeting ID: 467763000 (password required – contact: jcchurch@jacksoncommunitychurch.org)).

Fri, April 10

  • BREAKFAST with REV GAIL (via ZOOM)
    8am •  ZOOM LINK: zoom.us/j/170985789 (password required)
    Social gathering. Option: Call in via touch-tone phone: 929.436.2866, meeting ID: 170985789 (password required – contact jcchurch@jacksoncommunitychurch.org)
  • WAY of the CROSS
    Live-streaming via  Facebook.com/JacksonCommunityChurch & JCC website
    Virtual contemplative journey through stations of the cross. Share where you would direct your prayers for each station of the cross, Rev Gail will post reflections at different Jackson and Bartlett locations to symbolize each station of the cross. This will take place throughout the week, but we especially welcome your comments during the hours of Christ’s crucifixion and death. We will use Marcia McFee / Design Worship Studio materials to focus. 
  • LAST SEVEN WORDS Holy Friday Event (via ZOOM)
    5pm • ZOOM LINK: zoom.us/j/531729008) (password required)
    Reflect on the events of Holy Friday through the last seven words of Christ. Option: Call in via touch-tone phone: 929.436.2866, meeting ID: 531729008 (password required – contact: jcchurch@jacksoncommunitychurch.org)

EASTER SUNDAY, April 12

  • CHOIR PRACTICE (via ZOOM)
    9:15am • ZOOM LINK: zoom.us/j/142985761 (password required)
    Choir practice with choir director Billy Carleton and music director Alan Labrie. Option: Call on touch-tone phone: 929.436.2866, meeting ID# 142985761 (password required – contact: jcchurch@jacksoncommunitychurch.org)
  • VIRTUAL EASTER SERVICE (via ZOOM)
    10:30am • ZOOM LINK: zoom.us/j/142985761 (password required)
    Join us for worship, special music including flute duet by Lauren Weeder & Jeanette Heidmann, choral performance by JCC’s choir & harp with Dominique Dodge, plus prayer, reflection and interactive transformation of the cross with butterflies on this special Easter Sunday! Service will also be live-streamed to website and Facebook, and afterward, recordings of service will be posted to FB, youtube, vimeo. Option: Call on touch-tone phone: 929.436.2866, meeting ID# 142985761. (password required – contact: jcchurch@jacksoncommunitychurch.org)
  • BUTTERFLY the CROSS
    All Day • Jackson Community Church (outside)
    All day on Easter Sunday, you may add a butterfly to the cross, which will stand outside the church (weather permitting), or take one home, if you need an Easter symbol. If you can’t be here, send us your prayers and we’ll add your butterfly for you.

Palm Sunday Schedule

By jacksonnhccPosted on Posted in Home, Lent & Easter, WorshipTagged , , , , ,

Palm Sunday: April 5
SCHEDULE8am GATHERING

9am CHOIR REHEARSAL

10:30am WORSHIP

POST-WORSHIP VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR: 

  • To give you a chance to connect, we’ll keep the worship Zoom space open for an extra 10-15 minutes as a virtual “hospitality interlude” after the postlude. You are welcome to remain online and chat awhile. Remember to bring your own cup of tea or coffee along.

Other Palm Sunday Notes:

PALMS: We’re inviting people to pick up palms inside the front entrance to the church between Friday and Saturday. The stalks have been separated into individual bundles, so you may take your own palms without touching other bundles. Or simply bring your own available greenery (pine boughs or leafy branches work) from your garden, yard to the Zoom worship. We’ll use the palms or greenery during worship.
      Alternately, you can download a coloring page ( pattern 1 | pattern 2 | pattern 3 ) for a palm leaf and make one out of paper!
      You’re also invited to place some palms or greenery on your front doors as a sign of hope and solidarity for Holy Week. See more about this idea.

SPECIAL MUSIC: Different Jackson and Bartlett families and individuals have been recording music for worship. Expect some upbeat and meditative musicthis week and for Easter.

COMMUNION ELEMENTS: Additionally, this Sunday is communion. Some people have been preparing for worship by lighting a candle (please attend to safety if you do this) or placing flowers and/or Bibles nearby. We also suggest having an offering jar/glass ready, as a visual reminder to continue supporting the church. These details create a worship-centered atmosphere. For this Sunday, if you want to partake of communion,  please have these suggested elements ready:

  • Small piece of toast or bread, crackers, tortilla chips, or cookies (whatever you might have available).
  • Water, juice, or wine in a glass

We will bless the elements during the online worship. And share them together.

SUPPORT & BLESSINGS
Meanwhile, if you need support, you can reach out to the church by email or contact Rev Gail directly!

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