Housing Needed: Maria Abregu just came from Argentina and is working here. She is an accountant and looking for a room to rent around Cambridge/Boston area ASAP. She will pay for her room and food. If you have an extra room or friends that might have a room for her, please reach out to Frida Bonaparte (fridabon2018@gmail.com).
Moliere
Moliere St. Surin, a friend and faithful attender of CTK, has been undergoing dialysis treatments for over a year, and he is in need of a new kidney. He is on a list to receive a transplant which, as you can imagine, is quite long. The alternative is for him to receive a transplant from a living donor, which would expedite his treatment. The deacons would like to ask the congregation to pray for Moliere's health and pray that the Lord may raise up a kidney donor for him in the coming months. deacons@ctkcambridge.org
Deacons' Fund
The January Deacons' Fund offering will be taken up (online) this Sunday, January 23, rather than the 30th. For information on giving to and disbursements from the Deacons' Fund in 2021, please see the year-end report here.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Elizabeth and Gabe Pajares, the proud new parents of their son John Gabriel Pajares born on January 12th.
If you have plans to move or other important life announcements you’d like included in the Reader Community section, please email Laura at office@ctkcambridge.org.
Men's Bible Study
The new men's Bible study meets Friday mornings 6-7am here on Zoom. There were 15 men at our first meeting last week, and we'd love for you to join us! We're studying the Gospel of Mark, one chapter per week. No preparation required -- come as you are at 6am for fellowship, reading, reflection, and discussion. Contact Andy (astuntz@gmail.com) with questions.
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
The Women’s Wednesday Evening Bible Study is starting Wednesday, January 19th from 7 to 8:30p at the church, and meeting every other Wednesday after that. Having finished Luke in the fall, they will be studying Acts in the spring. For more information, contact Morgan Crago (mcrago@bu.edu).
Meals Ministry
The CTK Meals Ministry provided 102 meals to 13 individuals and families in 2021. Meals were provided following the birth of a baby, the loss of a family member or during a move or medical difficulty. Many thanks to all the volunteers who made this possible! If you are interested in volunteering with the Meals Ministry in 2022 or if you are in need of meals, please contact Erin Ward at meals@ctkcambridge.org for more information.
PSC Updates
This weekend, Travis Drake and his family will be visiting Cambridge! We are also expecting a significant snow storm on Saturday — what better way to welcome the Drakes to New England!
In light of Saturday’s storm, we are rescheduling several of the events we had planned for this weekend. The current plans are listed below, but please check the website calendar for the most up-to-date information.
In particular, the all-church Zoom Q&A with Travis has moved from Sunday to Saturday, and the Saturday meet-and-greet at the Russells is moving to Sunday evening. All meet-and-greets will be indoors. There will be light refreshments served, but we ask that masks be worn insomuch as possible.
Important Upcoming Dates:
Sun, January 23 - Sat, January 29 :: Invitation to a Week of Prayer and Fasting :: Various
Please be praying especially for safe travel for the Drakes on Friday and Monday.
Sat, January 29 - Sun, January 30 :: Candidating Weekend :: Various
Saturday, Jan 29
9a - 12p: Meetings with Ministry Leaders (on Zoom)
7:30p - 9p: All-Church Zoom Q&A with Travis
Sunday, Jan 30
10:30a: Travis preaching in service (register here)
2p - 4p: Meet-and-greet in Cambridge (sign-up online**)
7p - 9p: Meet-and-greet in Melrose (sign-up online**)
Sun, February 6, 7p :: Congregational Meeting and Vote :: Zoom Link
Regarding Sunday’s Service:
Due to Saturday’s snow storm and the foreseeable parking issues it may cause on Sunday morning, Sunday school and Adult Ed classes will end at 9:30a this Sunday to give more time to get to church and find parking.
For information regarding Cambridge’s snow policies and any parking restrictions on Sunday, please visit cambridgema.gov/snow . If there is a snow emergency, some major streets don’t allow street parking (see this map, parking not allowed on streets marked in orange during snow emergency). You can check for parking on other streets or in public lots or parking garages.
Fall Events
For a full listing of upcoming Fall events, click here.
Sunday Livestream (Copy)
The Sunday livestream link is available by request only. If you need the link, please email laura@ctkcambridge.org by Saturday evening at 5pm.
Building Renovations
Building renovations and all-virtual worship
Sunday worship is all-virtual through March during renovations to our sanctuary.
Ceiling repairs and painting are nearly complete, and in the coming weeks contractors will be painting the walls, refinishing the floors, and replacing the carpets. Before new carpet can go in, we’re looking for up to 10 volunteers to help reinstall the pews on Saturday, March 27th from 9am-1pm -- if you’re willing to help, email us at deacons@ctkcambridge.org.
You can watch this video from the deacons to learn more about the sanctuary renovations happening over the next month and the building exterior renovations planned for later this year.
Note from Pastor Clyde
Dear CTK Family,
I want to share with you a brief piece by Tim Keller, All of Life is Repentance. It continues to help me know Jesus better. I encourage you to read it daily for 30 days. Ask some key people to pray for your repentance. As we are learning through our study of Joel, God is pursuing our hearts through the continual call to repentance with wholeheartedness.
Shalom,
Clyde
Wagners
We are sorry to say that this Sunday is Frederick and Kathryn Wagner’s last Sunday at CTK before they move. Kathryn has accepted a new job as Director of Academic Programming for the Center for Christianity and Scholarship at Duke and Frederick is continuing to work remotely at Perch. They'll be living in Durham, and they'd love visitors if anyone is traveling to NC!
If you have plans to move or other important life announcements you’d like included in the Reader Community section, please email Laura at office@ctkcambridge.org.
Making Room at Christmas
Do you have room around your hearth this Christmas? The deacons know of individuals who are alone and looking to spend the holiday surrounded by others. If you are staying in the area and willing to open your home to a visitor on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to share food and good cheer, please email the deacons at deacons@ctkcambridge.org or text Mike Poor at 617-733-0023.
Deacon Nominations
The CTK Diaconate is in need of more deacons. We usually call for officer nominations at the end of each year, but in light of the current need, we are issuing that call for deacon nominations now through the end of May. If you are a member of CTK and want to nominate someone for deacon, or deacons’ assistant, please follow these steps:
Read 1 Timothy 3:8-13 for biblical qualifications.
Approach your nominee and ask that you pray together for wisdom.
With the approval of the nominee, please submit the nomination to office@ctkcambridge.org
Cross-Country Skiing
Ladies' XC Ski Weekend in New Hampshire: Do you XC ski, or are you interested in learning how? A small group of CTK women is planning a 2-night trip to Jackson, NH, the weekend of February 11. The trip will include ski lessons for anyone interested as well as a day on the beautiful trails of Jackson (night ice skating is also an option). The cost of the trip is TBD based on lodging (we'll get a VRBO) and group numbers. This is not an official CTK trip -- if you're interested in learning more, please contact Katy Carter (katycar@gmail.com) this week.
Christmas Eve
Join us on Christmas Eve at 6pm with a family-friendly service of Lessons and Carols, in person or livestreamed. Invite friends and neighbors as we read through the Christmas story Genesis through the Gospels and sing Christmas hymns that celebrate the coming of our Lord. As with Sunday morning services, please register to attend. Also, please note, there is no childcare available during this service, but the upstairs nursery and social hall will be open to children and their parents as needed.
Christmas Concert (pic)
Celebrate the Advent season at CTK’s Ninth Annual Christmas Concert! Come join CTK’s talented musicians for an evening of festive performances and rousing caroling on Saturday, December 11 at 6:30p. Please invite neighbors, co-workers, and other friends! The concert will be in person as well as livestreamed on CTK’s You- Tube channel. Registration is not required, but distanced seating will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please see this drawing of the sanctuary to see where distanced seating options are. Contact amanda@ctkcambridge.org for more information.
Asher
Many of you have been praying for the Johnston family and their infant son Asher who is battling cancer. The Johnstons were in the Boston area over the Fall and CTKers from the prayer team and others have been meeting with them and praying during Asher’s treatment. They have since returned home to L.A. and Asher’s mother has sent an update asking for our continued prayers: Asher’s health is declining rapidly and he is likely in his last days. Please continue to lift him and his family up in prayer to the Father of all mercies.
St. Mary's
As we have in past several years, CTK will be partnering with St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, staff members of the former Starlight ministry, and First Lutheran Church of Boston to prepare and serve a Christmas meal for those in need or without housing in the Cambridge area. The event will take place Saturday, December 18, at St. Mary’s. If you are interested in volunteering that day or the evening before, please sign up here or contact Morgan Crago or Mike Poor with questions.