Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Starts January 18

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The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an international initiative where Christians worldwide are reminded of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples that “they may be one so that the world may believe” (John 17:21). Locally, UniteBoston is coordinating seven consecutive evening gatherings of prayer and worship from January 18-25.

On the occasion of the 500th anniversary year of the beginnings of the Reformation, the theme “Reconciliation – The Love of Christ Compels Us” (2 Corinthians 5:14-20) has been chosen by the World Council of Churches.

Here is a schedule of local gatherings. Please join in as you are able!

Wednesday, January 18, 7:00 pm at River of Life Church, 440 Centre Street, Boston MA 02130: Jamaica Plain Churches, including River of Life Church, Heart Change Fellowship, Bethel AME Church, and the Community of St. Egidio

Thursday, January 19, 7:00 pm at St. Mary Orthodox Church, 8 Inman Street, Cambridge MA 02139: Orthodox Churches, including the Coptic Orthodox Church of Boston and St. Mary’s Orthodox Church

Friday, January 20, 7:00 pm at Congregation Lion of Judah, 20 Reed Street, Boston MA 02128: Pabellon de la Fe Church, and churches involved with Bless the City Boston

Saturday, January 21, 12:00-4:00 pm at Holy Name Church, 1689 Centre Street, West Roxbury MA 02132: Theme: Joint Ecumenical Gathering, hosted by the Archdiocese of Boston and many local partners – Facebook event link

Sunday, January 22, 8:00 pm at MIT Chapel, 48 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge MA 02139: Taize prayer in the MIT Chapel, including MIT Lutheran/Episcopal Ministry

Monday, January 23, 7:00 pm at Symphony Church, 971 Commonwealth Ave (3rd floor), Boston MA 02215: Brookline/Brighton churches, including Symphony Church, City Church, and Abundant Grace Church

Tuesday, January 24, 7:00 pm at the Paulist Center, 5 Park Street, Boston MA 02108: Catholic/Lutheran joint gathering, including the Paulist Center and University Lutheran

Wednesday, January 25, 5:45pm at Trinity Church, 206 Clarendon Street, Boston MA 02116: Episcopal Boston/Cambridge Mission Hub gathering, including Trinity Church

Prepare a Shoebox of Gifts for a Child

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ICC will be part of Operation Christmas Child this year, preparing shoeboxes filled with gifts that will be distributed to children in more than 100 countries, where they will be distributed by pastors and community leaders who want to share the gospel and bless children.

The ICC community will prepare shoeboxes and will also serve as a drop-off location for others in the community who want to participate. 

Here are some suggestions for preparing a box.

Include a "wow” item

Start with a medium to large item that will capture the child’s attention the instant he or she opens the box. Ideas include: soccer ball with pump, stuffed animal, toys (puppets, trucks, etc.), doll, musical instrument, outfit, or shoes. 

Other suggestions

Toys: Include items that children will immediately embrace such as toy cars, yo-yos, jump ropes, balls, toys that light up and make noise (with extra batteries), etc.

School Supplies: pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons, markers, notebooks, paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

Non-liquid Hygiene Items: toothbrushes, bar soap, combs, washcloths, etc.

Accessories: T-shirts, socks, hats, sunglasses, hair clips, jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries), etc.

Crafts: Make your own items such as hair bows, finger puppets, and friendship bracelets. Download instructions here.

A Personal Note: You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself, your family, or group. If you include your name and an address, the child may be able to write back.

Do not include

Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.

Candy specifications: During 2016, the following types of candy can be included in shoebox gifts: hard candy, gummy bears, caramels, taffy, and gum—as long as its expiration date is at least six months after National Collection Week: Nov. 14-21, 2016. Starting in 2017, no type of candy can be included in shoebox gifts.

Toothpaste specifications: Toothpaste can be included this year as long as its expiration date is at least six months after National Collection Week: Nov. 14-21, 2016. Starting in 2017, toothpaste cannot be included in shoebox gifts, but a child’s oral hygiene can still be improved by regular use of a toothbrush alone.

Missions Update from Burkina Faso

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Joel and Karen Gray, ICC-supported missionaries in Burkina Faso, report that they had a close call with violence. Several terrorist attacks resulted in missionaries being killed or kidnapped. They report:

"Yesterday evening about 25 SIM missionaries went out to dinner together at the invitation of friends from Messiah College. As we finished our meal several people received phone messages describing a terrorist attack happening on the same street about 7 blocks away. We quickly exited the restaurant and hurried home. Men used car bombs and machine guns to to take over a hotel and a restaurant often frequented by Westerners. Many people died, including apparently, a missionary friend of ours who serves with another organisation.

"Earlier that same day another attack occurred in a small town to the north. Again several people were killed. A third incident the same day involved the kidnapping of an elder missionary couple: Dr. Ken and Jocelyn Elliot who have served in northern Burkina for many many years." Read more

Difficult Fight, Easy Fight

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David Jun preached today on the well-known story of David and Goliath from 1 Samuel 17. Here is an excerpt:

I don't mean that there are two kinds of fights, some easy and some difficult. What I mean is that each fight has two parts: a difficult part and an easy part. The difficult part requires you to put in a lot of effort. The easy part is easy as long as you have won the first, difficult part.

The main point is this: God is my stronghold. If I am in the stronghold, I am already fighting the easy fight. But for this, first, I should occupy the stronghold. This is the difficult part. Why? Because the stronghold is at a very strategic and impregnable point, almost impossible to subdue. Where is it? It is my heart.

It is extremely difficult to occupy my heart and give it to God so that he may be my stronghold. This is the difficult fight. But, once I have won this battle and my heart is steady in God, the stronghold, then the rest is easy.

God is with you

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When you dedicated your life to Christ, spiritual warfare starts and the attacks are nonstop. These attacks are designed to make us feel powerless and out of control. Defeat and failure become our outlook on life. Satan catches you when you are unaware, when you are vulnerable, when you have doubt.

I want you to have unshakable faith—and I want you to understand that, even through you may experience failures in your lives, you are not a casualty of war. That’s because the battle is not yours—it’s the Lord’s.

I don’t want you to begin to think that God is not with you. He has not left you powerless and unprotected. God has left you with power and has given you his protection. He has given you the armor you need to protect you from the forces of evil and hatred.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:14–18)

—Pastor Doris Hooks