The United Reformed Church - Somerville, NJ

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Latest News

To learn more, please select a topic of interest from the list to the right

CHECK OUT THE LIST OF UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE SPECIAL EVENTS SECTION  --------->
INFORMATION ON "MUSIC AT UNITED" LOCATED IN THE SPECIAL EVENTS SECTION ------>

INTOUCH DEADLINE
 The February, 2012 issue of Intouch has a deadline of Monday, January 23rd. If you would like an article to be included in this issue, please submit it to the church office by noon on the 23rd. Don’t have your news left out. You can e-mail to urcsomerville@verizon.net or place it in the Intouch cubbie in the hall. Thank you!
   
CHECK BELOW FOR THIS MONTHS MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER


Bible Readings for the Month of January
 

First Sunday after Christmas & New Year’s Day, January 1st

  • Isaiah 61:10-52:3;
  • Psalm 148;
  • Galatians 4:4-7;
  • Luke 2:22-40

The Epiphany of the Lord, January 6th

  • Isaiah 60:1-6;
  • Psalm 72:1-7; 10-14;
  • Ephesians 3:1-12;
  • Matthew 2:1-12

First Sunday after Epiphany, January 8th

  • Genesis 1:1-5;
  • Psalm 29: Acts 19:1-7;
  • Mark 1:4-11

Second Sunday after Epiphany, January 15th

  • I Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)
  • Psalm 139:1-6; 13-18;
  • I Corinthians 6:12-20;
  • John 1:43-51

Third Sunday after Epiphany, January 22nd

  • Jonah 3:1-5, 10;
  • Psalm 62:5-12;
  • I Corinthians 7:29-31;
  • Mark 1:14-20

 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, January 29th

  •  Deuteronomy 18:15-20;
  • Psalm 111;
  • I Corinthians 8:1-13;
  • Mark 1:21-28


 

A Message From The Minister

      December is just around the corner – are you making room for Christmas?

Recently I learned the story of a family that shared a charming custom: Each year when the Christmas tree was decorated the various parts of the manger scene were handed out and the children would take turns assembling the tableau while reciting the blessed event. The crèche occupied center stage under the tree until one year it disappeared! Well, it didn’t actually disappear: What happened is that the many packages and presents stuffed under the tree pushed the manger further and further back until it disappeared under the recesses of the lowest branch. Some weeks later when it came time to disassemble the tree, the father exclaimed ‘Look what I found!’ as the crèche reemerged from its hidden location.

      Making room for Christmas: For those of us who follow Christ this is surely the reason for the season. The preparations of Advent and the Celebration of Christmas remind us of God’s greatest gift – the God who so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son. For many, unfortunately, the busy-ness of the season obscures that message which is a message the world needs to hear now, more than ever!
      Perhaps the words of English poet Robert Herrick captures it best:
 

           Christ, He requires still, wheresoe'er He comes
           to feed or lodge, to have the best of rooms:
          Give Him the choice; grant Him the nobler part
           of all the house: the best of all's the heart.

So this holiday season let us be sure to make room for Christmas. Let us truly welcome Christ – and give him the best of all rooms – our heart!


Your pastor and friend,


Rev. Paul Walther