Happy 2025!
Blessed New Year to all the members and friends of the United Church of Chester! I hope this year is filled with grace and gladness for all of us, and that God continues to bring us new and surprising ways of fulfilling the mission and ministry to which every one of us is called.
This Sunday brings our annual Remembrance Tree service. Through the season of Advent we have been hanging on the tree names of passed family and friends whom we wish to honor and remember with prayer and reflection. This is always a meaningful service, and you are invited to join us, in person or online, as we celebrate those whose lives have impacted our own.
Speaking of remembrances, United Church of Christ pastor The Rev. Ruth Duck passed away the day after Christmas. You may recognize the name: Ruth was a prolific hymn writer and author of a good deal of UCC litanies, including many that we use on Sunday mornings. “Now Bless the God of Israel (The Song of Zechariah)” which we sang three weeks ago is one of her hymns, as is “Diverse in Culture, Nation, Race” which we sing regularly – all told Duck composed or contributed to no fewer than eleven hymns in our hymnal. She served churches in Illinois, Wisconsin and Massachusetts. Her creativity, grace and musical inclusivity will be celebrated and appreciated for years to come.
Links to this week’s bulletin and service are here: