Services - The Federated Church of Ayer

SERVICES

The Federated Church of Ayer is located off Main Street at 21 Washington Street. It is handicapped accessible from the rear. Parking is available in the rear, in front of the church, or any of the side streets.

Sunday Service: 10:00 AM
All are Welcome!
Church Office Hours: Tuesday -Friday 9AM - 12PM

January 2012 Message from the Pastor

From the Pastor:

As we have been blessed with a new year, it just seems right to talk about new years' resolutions. We promise ourselves and hopefully those around us that we are going to do some things differently so that this next year can be better than the last. This year New Years' Day, of course, just happened to fall on a Sunday - it was a good reminder that our New Years' resolutions need to include some promises we make to and for God, too. I presented those who gathered for worship that New Years' Day a list of resolutions we can make to God this year; the list is actually the abridged words of a poem (written by Howard Thurman) that have been turned into a new hymn. The hymn is called "I am the Light of the World." These are the words and really a wonderful list of New Years' resolutions.

"I am the light of the world! You people come and follow me! If you follow and love you'll learn the mystery of what you were meant to do and be," says Jesus.

When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone,

When the sages and the shepherds have found their way home, the work of Christmas is begun:

To find the lost and lonely one, to heal the broken soul with love,

To feed the hungry children with warmth and good food,

To feel the earth below, the sky above!

To free the prisoner from all chains, to make the powerful care,

To rebuild the nations with strength of good will, to see God's children everywhere!

To bring hope to every task you do, to dance at a baby's new birth,

To make music in an old person's heart, and sing to the colors of the earth!

"I am the light of the world! You people come and follow me! If you follow and love you'll learn the mystery of what you were meant to do and be, " Jesus says.

Jesus makes it clear. Follow me, do these things, love, and you'll discover your own purpose. When we resolve to follow Christ and to really try to live by His example it helps us find peace and hope as we bring peace and hope to others. We live with so many expectations put on us: expectations at work, expectations from family, personal expectations. It can feel as though we'll never meet them all. Ultimately, as God's children all we really need to do is to try to follow Christ and love and then to trust in God's love, forgiveness and grace to get us through. If we really try to do this, all the other things have ways of miraculously falling into place. Others will feel cared about by us, we'll have energy to do what we must do because it won't be a chore but an act of love for God, and we won't find ourselves so exhausted because we'll begin to rely on God's grace and not just our own efforts.

Resolve, this new year, for yourselves, for God, and for all around you, to work harder to follow Christ , to love, and to trust God more and resolve to have a really good year!

Onward in faith into the new year,

Pastor Hannelore

Children's Day

The All Church Picnic which followed.

This series of pictures helps us see Jesus in our world today...

These first two pictures put Jesus more in the role of an observer. Jesus knows the divine plan. What must He be thinking as He looks at our world today, on the streets of Afghanistan or the mean streets of our own nation?

In these two pictures Jesus is shown as a person directly involved in the affairs of this world. Jesus puts on the protective gear needed by emergency personnel to reach out a truly helping hand to the people in Japan.

Jesus stands in an unemployment line feeling the desperation and anxiety of those without jobs and families to provide for.

Our Christmas Pageant December 2011

Our Active Church

Our September 11th service celebrated our 80th year as a Federated Church which joined three denominations into one church (please see our history page). It was also Rally Day for our Sunday School and Church.

This summer we started the season with Children's Day and an All Church Picnic on the lawn. We then took part in the July 4th parade with a float telling the community about our church. We also had a family day at Sandy Pond and finished off the season when we visited Parlee Farm.

We had a Family Movie Night in both July and August. This night benefits Loaves and Fishes with donations for the local food bank.

We also folded 1000 cranes for the people of Japan and made 28 blankets for Project Linus.

We invite you to visit us on any Sunday. Church starts at 10 a.m. and after the Children's Circle the children go to Sunday School.

You are also invited to join in on the Bible Study which is held on Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the Church Chapel.

Pastor Hannelore became Coach Hannelore as she coached the congregation through a group of Spritual Exercises.

A Program for Spiritual Calisthenics so that you can present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1)

First - warm up! Clear your hearts and heads of all that stuff that's running through your mind and taking your energy and focus. Let go of those things that are preoccupying you right now, the worries you have, the questions you want answers for right now. Spend even 10 minutes on letting that all go: concentrate on your breathing and prepare your body, your mind, your spirit to listen for God, to better be able to really accomplish

what God is asking you to do, to go the distance God requires.

Imagine yourself in that place that makes you feel most alive, where you feel content and at peace. Imagine all that's possible, all of the promise and potential that God is filling that one moment with. You're happy, you're alive, you're at peace.

You're stretching your spiritual muscles. You're stretching beyond what you can see and believe at the very moment to what God might just be doing in that moment. You're stretching beyond your worry to try to place your trust more in God. You're stretching beyond your limitations to look for what God can do in any given situation, not just yourself. You're letting go of things so that you have the energy to live for God.

Now, you're warmed up. It's time to build some muscles. We can serve God with all parts of our body. We can walk. In some parts of the world, children walk miles with empty stomachs simply to get one glass of clean water that won't make them sick or one bag of rice to feed their family. They walk and so we can walk in solidarity. Build up those leg muscles. Go out walking and ask for sponsors. Raise money for an important cause. Work together with God to change the world. Or, maybe walking isn't your thing. Maybe you're really good with your hands. Knit blankets or prayer shawls for children in need. Paint a picture that inspires. Help build a house for Habitat for Humanity. Make a point of building and keeping muscles strong by using your body to serve God in this world.

And, don't forget your cardiovascular workout to keep your heart strong and healthy and help you go the distance. What's better for the heart than a sense of peace and well-being that comes from knowing God loves you and that the God Who loves you is in control? Say that several times to yourself: God loves me and God is in control. God loves me and God is in control. Doesn't that feel good? Isn't it just a little easier to breathe? Doesn't your heart feel a little lighter? Now your heart is stronger and you'll be able to go the distance.

By the grace of God, you will be able to go the distance.

Worship Services - Sunday morning at 10:00

On going:

Bible Study, Tuesday afternoons at 1 pm in the Chapel

"The Gospel 0f John"

All are welcome!

EASTER 2011

AT THE FEDERATED CHURCH

The Children's Circle

The children had an Egg Hunt after church...

And finally, the pinata broke!

Sunday Service: 10:00 AMAll are Welcome!Church Office Hours: Tuesday -Friday 9AM - 12PM

Sunday Service: 10:00 AM

Sunday Service: 10:00 AM
All are Welcome!
Church Office Hours: Tuesday -Friday 9AM - 12PM