Dear Friends,
When my grandparents first got married, Grandma didn’t know how to cook.  At one of their first meals she served what you might call, “hockey puck rolls.”  They were hard as a rock.  But, as grandma tells it, you wouldn’t have known it  watching my grandfather.  A young man in love, he ate his dinner, and the hardened rolls, told her how delicious the meal was and discreetly talked with his mother about teaching Grandma to cook.  He affirmed her efforts and helped her improve with gentleness and love.  More than fifty years later, Grandma remembers that meal and Granddad’s affirmation.
I love a good compliment, don’t you?  Personal, professional, parental (I’m Ellie’s favorite mom) I love them all.  And while the best ones are thoughtful and heartfelt, I even enjoy the irrelevant, disingenuous compliments.  Who doesn’t enjoy affirmation?  Humans crave praise and when it’s not forthcoming, it’s all too easy to question our worth.   Am I smart enough, pretty enough?  Am I a good parent, a good cook, a good wife, and on and on and on.     This Sunday, as we continue to explore the basics of Christianity, we see how Jesus interacts with adulterers, tax collectors, and other sinners.
Who is good enough to hang out with Jesus?

I’ll see you on Sunday,

Pastor Heather

Filed under: Weekly Invitations by Pastor Heather
Comments Off

Dear Friends,
This Sunday as we hear the story of Jesus’ baptism, we pause to remember our own. We remember the promises that were made for us, to us, and by us.  We also begin our new series: What’s the Least I Can Believe and Still be a Christian?  Based on Martin Thielen’s book of the same name, we’ll be exploring the most basic of Christian belief.  This week, I hope you’ll spend some time asking yourself, are there some beliefs that can be left behind by faithful Christians?
I’ll see you on Sunday,
Pastor Heather

Filed under: Weekly Invitations by Pastor Heather
Comments Off

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, please put a penny in the Old Man’s Hat.
If you haven’t got a penny, a ha’penny will do.  If you haven’t got a ha’penny then God bless you.

Here we are, the week of Christmas.  How are you feeling?  Joyful, relieved (if you’re done shopping), anxious (if you’re not quite done), frustrated, overwhelmed, stressed, tired?  What about blessed?  Anybody feeling blessed this week?

One of the awesome privileges of my job is playing the part of Santa’s elf.  Sharing the gifts you bring with our Christmas Neighbors.    And every year, you blow me away with  your generosity.   This year, in spite of the recession, our church has helped thirteen families have a little brighter Christmas.  Gifts, toys, gift cards, financial support, it all comes together, and somehow multiplies to become more than enough.  Your generosity touched the lives of fifty people and that is amazing and inspiring.  Thank you for being the body of Christ.  Thank you for sharing what you have, so that others might have too.  Thank you for living the gospel, the good news, the ministry of Jesus.

The Christmas story tells us of young parents who didn’t have much, not even a room in an inn.   And yet, kings brought them gifts.  The Christmas story reminds us to place our trust in God, who loves us enough to become flesh and bone.   Come what may, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, freak snow storms, God is with us, Immanuel.  I’m feeling blessed!

Merry Christmas!
I’ll see you on Saturday and Sunday,
Pastor Heather

Filed under: Weekly Invitations by Pastor Heather
Comments Off

Dear Friends,
What’s your favorite Christmas song?  For holiday cheer, as far as I’m concerned, nothing beats Burl Ives singing, “Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas.”  As for carols, give me “O Come All Ye Faithful” with a packed sanctuary, a choir on fire, and a big, big organ.  But for understanding the power, the absurdity, the impossibility, the deep, deep love of of God made flesh, then I pick, “Mary, Did You Know?” If you don’t know it, or just want to hear again, check out this version, sung by fellow West Virginian, Kathy Mattea.   Mark Lowry’s words get to the heart of the impossible task before Mary.  The virgin birth may have been the easy part.  Mary was called, chosen, selected by God to mother the son of God.
This Sunday we hear again the Angel Gabriel’s message to Mary and her beautiful response.  “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Luke 1: 38  Come leave all the hustle and bustle, the long lines and to-do lists, and just soak in the mystery and the awesome depth of God’s love.

I’ll see you on Sunday,

Pastor Heather

Filed under: Weekly Invitations by Pastor Heather
Comments Off

120 years ago, a group of committed disciples decided that Fairview, the northernmost neighborhood in Chicopee, needed a Sunday School.  The Sunday School grew.  Those that gathered determined that they needed a place to worship, to gather as a community of disciples.  A chapel was built and in time, the building we use today.   Our church has at times flourished and at times struggled.  There have been times of conflict, and times when the community came together to support one another, or meet a pressing need.  Through prayer, faithful discipleship, and sacrificial giving our church has grown and weathered the challenges of the last 120 years.

In 1953, with the appointment of Rev. Tom McKeown, our church had our first full time pastor.  During his ten years here, Tom and his wife Irma’s work with the youth group impacted our church in ways they couldn’t begin to imagine.  That youth group grew and became the leaders of our church today.  This Sunday, after 48 years serving in a variety of ministries, Tom returns to Fairview and Faith Church.  He’ll be preaching and staying for our potluck luncheon.

Come celebrate 120 years of ministry.  Come hear Tom preach.  Come for lunch.  Come home, to your church, for Christmas.

I’ll see you on Sunday,

Pastor Heather

Filed under: Weekly Invitations by Pastor Heather
Comments Off