Sometimes our Abundance feels just a bit too….abundant. Whether we are collecting, maintaining or lessening our possessions, our relationship to the ‘stuff’ of life is complex.

On Sunday Kelly Clark (Rip Jackson’s cousin from Georgia) will be the guest singer for the service. He will join Rip in singing duet versions of “Abide with Me” and “Bringing in the Sheaves.” Kelly will also sing Charles Gounod’s iconic “Ave Maria” (adapted from J. S. Bach’s “Prelude in C Major”). For the centering music and postlude, J. S. Bach’s joyful “Preludium and Fuga in G Major, BWV 557” and Chopin’s “Raindrop Prelude in Db Major” will be played on the piano and organ.

Rev. Anne Mason, Worship Leader

The event this Thursday, November 9^th,  is going to be an exciting dive into the history of this congregation, and we are hoping to offer a warm welcome to all who attend.

We could use some help with a few things:

• Ushers/Greeters: (5pm – 7pm) OR (7pm – 9pm)
• Welcome participants at either the front and back of the church.  You get to wear a period hat! And dress up if you would like!
• Cider/Donut Handler:  (5pm – 7pm) OR (7pm – 9pm)
• Stand at the kitchenette and help ensure that cups of cider and donuts are available (provided)
• Camera monitor:  (5:30 pm – 7:30 pm) OR (7pm – 9pm) – Camera will be on tri-pod.  Just aim it at the speaker in case he moves during his presentations (Q&A, Lecture).
• General support: (5pm – 7pm) OR (7pm – 9pm) – Available to the FP 325 committee to do small tasks to make the presentations run smoothly.

Please use this ONLINE SIGNUP LINK  or EMAIL me directly if you would like to volunteer.

There are TWO MORE events coming up: Washington/Madison debate on NOVEMBER 16^th, and the December 3^rd Celebration that includes events from Lunch through a dramatic presentation written by Don Cohen.  Volunteer sign up (Greeters, Task Support, Lunch Set up) coming SOON!

Contact Elisabeth Jas if you can help.

Thank you for all of the donations of gently used or new fall and winter outerwear for children, women and men. The box has been overflowing!

The clothing will be donated to immigrants supported by WATCH in Waltham, which serves families with limited resources. (See http://watchcdc.org/index.php.)  Families particularly need winter jackets, coats, snowsuits, snow pants, hats, gloves or mittens, and boots. Rugged outdoor coats for men are especially appreciated (most of these guys have outdoor construction jobs).  Men’s sizes tend to be smaller (M and L, not XL usually), but WATCH can find a home for everything. Stylish coats for women are also a hit.

The outerwear needs to be clean and in good condition, so it can be distributed without delay.

Donations will continue through Sunday, December 3rd. Items may be brought to the Collection Center outside Jane’s office.

Questions? Contact Marty Kvaal…and thanks!

It’s time to update the congregational photo! This Sunday, please gather on the front steps immediately following the service, smile, and then head to social hour or children’s choir. Please look for Lew Counts in front of the church.

An evening of storytelling, poetry, dance, and music to raise awareness about refugee issues will take place at Cary Hall this Saturday, November 11th at 7 pm. Emceed by Regie O’Hare Gibson and with readings by Don Cohen of interviews he has had with refugees and asylum seekers. This event is sponsored by Munroe Center for the Arts and LexRAP (Refugee Assistance Program) and will be a fundraiser for LexRAP.  For tickets and to make a donation, visit http://www.munroecenter.org/msn-refugee-event.html

Poinsettias for the Sanctuary

It’s time to plan for a festive sanctuary this holiday season! First Parish will be accepting orders for poinsettias from Wilson Farm beginning on Sunday, November 12th.

The cost is $10.00 for a 6 1/2″ pot, with proceeds going towards the purchase of greens and other items for holiday decorating of the church. Order forms and payment (cash or checks made payable to First Parish in Lexington) are due on Wednesday, November 30th. Orders will not be accepted without payment. If you’d like your plant to be in honor or in memory of someone special, please include a message.

Please fill out a form at the piano during social hour or contact the church office with any questions. Thank you!

Wreaths for Sale 

Ethan Showalter from Lexington Boy Scout Troop 119 (Pieter Svenson’s former troop) will be selling wreaths during social hour over the next few Sundays. The wreaths are $15 each. If interested in placing an order, please see him at the wreath sale table. Wreaths will be available for pickup or home delivery.

SOUL MATTERS at First Parish is a curriculum of monthly spiritual themes, used throughout the denomination, that our congregation is exploring, both in our worship services and in our chalice circles/covenant groups.

November’s focus is “What does it mean to be a people of ABUNDANCE?”

When it comes to abundance, our culture and our religion are clearly at odds.

Our culture cries, “Accumulate!” Our religion counsels “Appreciate!” The mantras couldn’t be more different: The commercials tell us to “Go out and get what you want!” The pulpits plea with us to “learn to want what you have.”

Here are some examples of  questions we are considering this month in the groups:

• Does time no longer feel abundant? Is that being forced on you? Or might you have a choice?
• Are you a swamp or a stream? Do you collect and hoard abundance or let it flow through you?
• For many of us autumn is abundant with leaves blazing full of color. But if you blink, they are gone. What temporary blaze of abundance do you need to pay attention to before time runs out?

If you are interested in participating in a group, please contact Lisa Maria Steinberg, Rev. Anne Mason, or Debbie Armstrong.

For more information, click here:  Soul Matters Participant Guide

On November 5, First Parish enjoyed a wonderful Music Sunday! The sanctuary choir, joined by guest singers and instrumentalists, performed pieces expressing the joy of music in our lives, the life of the church, and the world. The program ranged from mystical a cappella pieces to powerful songs with brass and African drumming. The brass players contributed a beautiful prelude and thrilling postlude with organ and percussion. Sunday was also the world premiere of the new hymn, “When Music Fills This Sacred Space,” with music by Rip Jackson and lyrics by Helen and Don Cohen, commissioned by Anne and Omar Khudari for the 2016 Great Fall Auction. Thank you, everyone, for your tremendous support for music at First Parish!

Click this button to benefit First Parish when you shop at Amazon.