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This Sunday:
This Week’s Scripture: Prepare your heart for Sunday’s sermon by reading 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Here are some excerpts from this passage:
4 Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people, but rather God, who examines our hearts. 5 For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives—God is our witness—
8 We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
Worship Songs: Enjoy listening to and learning a few of this week’s worship songs prior to coming to service by visiting holdenchapel.org/worship.
Meetings Following Service
Membership Info Q&A: This Sunday following service in the Welcome Center. Do you have questions on what it means to become a “member” of Holden Chapel? Come to this meeting in the Welcome Center for answers.
Night to Shine Volunteers Info and Training Meeting: This Sunday following service (or Saturday, January 24, 10:00am) in the Small Chapel. If for some reason you cannot make either of these meetings, please contact the Main Office.
Special Events:
For more information about Special Events, contact the Main Office.
Night to Shine: Holden Chapel will be hosting Night to Shine, a prom for teens and adults with special needs, on Friday, February 13. If you would like to attend as an honored guest or know someone who would, please sign up here. Space is limited.
Women's Ministry:
Contact the Women’s Ministry team at women@holdenchapel.org for details or for more info about getting involved.
DivorceCare for Women: Thursdays beginning January 29, 6:30-8:00pm in the Welcome Center. If you or someone you know is separated or divorced and would benefit from a faith-based support group with other women who understand what you're going through, please plan to join us. A new 13-week support group begins Thursday, January 29. New attendees, as well as women wanting to go through the course again, are all welcome. Please sign up at DivorceCare.org.
Colors of Comfort Card Ministry: Monday, February 2, 6:00-8:00pm at Debra Shilale’s home. Join Debra and Heather for fellowship with each other, fun with Scripture coloring, and faithful prayer over the cards we send to love, support, and comfort those who need encouragement. If interested in joining us, please click here then click on the request to join button.
Men's Ministry:
For more information about Men’s Ministry, contact the Main Office.
Men’s Community Breakfast: Saturday, February 7, 8:00am at First Congregational Church. Breakfast and the Word of God will be served. To ensure appropriate count for food, please sign up at the Connect Desk or contact Bob Hetu.
FMO (For Men Only): FMO is for men who wish to be free from sexual addiction, using Biblically-based materials. If you or someone you know needs help in this area or for more information, contact Bob Hetu at FMO@holdenchapel.org or 508-847-7336.
Young Adult Ministry:
For more information about Young Adult Ministry, contact Associate Pastor Sam Bogan.
Bible Studies:
For more information about Bible Studies, contact the Main Office.
Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-11:00am in Balcony Room A and via Zoom led by Tom Banyai and Pastor Gary Hayward.
Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study with Childcare: Tuesdays, 9:30-11:00am in the Welcome Center led by Tanya Legro.
Tuesday Evening Women’s Bible Study: Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00pm in the Small Chapel led by Monique Pappas.
Tuesday Evening Men’s Bible Study: Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00pm in the Welcome Center led by Don DiPietro.
Thursday Morning Women’s Bible Study: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30am in the Welcome Center led by Elizabeth Tienhaara.
Thursday Evening Precept Bible Study (for everyone): Thursdays, 6:30pm via Zoom led by Wendy Stewart. New study on Ezekiel begins Thursday, January 29.
RightNow Media: Holden Chapel offers an amazing Bible Study resource to everyone: RightNow Media. RightNow Media has studies on different books of the Bible, topical studies, studies for teens, resources for parents, as well as Biblically-based shows for kids. To access this resource, visit holdenchapel.org/rightnow-media then click on the RightNow Media button and sign up for free.
Life Groups:
For more information about Life Groups, contact the Main Office.
For Men and Women: Sunday Afternoons (once per month), led by Jim & Mary Bollivar, Max & Jean Tatis
For Young Adults: Tuesdays, 6:30pm in the Community Room led by Ayden Pappas.
For Men: Wednesdays, 6:30pm in the Welcome Center led by Pastor Tom Curtis.
For Women: Wednesdays, 6:30pm in Balcony Room B, led by Ennette Heaggans.
Youth Ministry:
For more information about Youth Ministry, contact Josh Curtis, Director of Youth Ministry.
Youth Group: Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30pm in the Youth Center. Students in grades 6 thru 12 are invited to join us for games, worship, and small group discussions.
Children's Ministry:
For more information about Children’s Ministry, contact Tanya Legro, Director of Children’s Ministry.
Kids Worship:
- Infants: Pre-K Wing, Room A. We have teams of people available to lovingly care for our littlest ones so parents can fully engage in worship. Check in begins 10 minutes before the worship service begins.
- Toddlers and Preschoolers: Pre-K Wing, Room B. Our toddler and preschool-aged kids have the opportunity to hear Bible stories and play together. Check in begins 10 minutes before the worship service begins.
- Elementary-aged Kids: K-2nd in the Community Room; 3rd-5th in the Small Chapel. After checking in at the KIDS desk in the lobby, kids begin with their families in the sanctuary to worship God in song and participate in communion. After communion, kids are invited to the front where they will be prayed for then dismissed to their classes where they have the opportunity to dig into God's Word and participate in activities that reinforce what they have learned.
Foundations for Kids (Grades K through 5): Wednesdays, 6:30–8:00pm in the Community Room. Kids in Kindergarten thru fifth grade are invited for fun, fellowship and discipleship based on the book Foundations for Kids.
Prayer:
Prayer Gatherings:
- Focused prayer for Sunday’s church service: Sundays, 9:00-9:50am in Balcony Room A.
- Joining with Worcester-area churches to pray for revival in our community: Tuesdays, 7:00-8:00am, Balcony Room A and via Zoom.
- Praying for the needs of our church family with our Elders: Third Saturday of each month, 7:00-8:00pm in Balcony Room A and via Zoom (Mtg ID: 6173122567, PW: 123456).
Prayer Requests: If you have a prayer request, we have a team of people who are ready to intercede on your behalf. Submit your prayer request here.
Holden Christian Academy:
At Holden Christian Academy, we are more than just a school – we are a Christ-centered community where students are safe, wanted, and loved. Since our founding in 1994, we have partnered with families to provide a nurturing environment that blends strong academics with biblical truth.
From Preschool through Grade 8, our students grow spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally through hands-on learning, small class sizes, and a focus on character development. Every child is encouraged to explore their God-given potential while building meaningful relationships with peers and teachers.
We believe education is powerful when parents, teachers, and churches partner together to nurture a student’s spiritual, social, emotional, physical, and academic needs. To learn more about Holden Christian Academy, please visit holdenchristianacademy.org. To book a tour, please email our Admissions Manager, Alison Graham, at agraham@holdenchristianacademy.org.
Missionary Spotlight:
Our Missionaries, Matt and Rebecca Litchfield (CRU): It all started with the Gospel... God has opened several ongoing conversations with unbelieving students this past fall, and Matt & Rebecca want to share one with you…
Meeting Jay & Carson: “Do you know Jesus?” I had just asked Jay, after walking him through a gospel booklet. He sat quietly, and then looked up at me: “I think so, but I want to know Him better. This booklet talks about reading the Gospel of John; could we do that together?” I readily agreed to his request! I soon met a second student, Carson, who wanted the same thing, and the three of us began meeting weekly to read a chapter of John and discuss it. Carson is quiet and reserved, while Jay is insatiably curious and talkative. They’ve bonded and become friends as we’ve met together. Along the way, they have asked remarkable questions like, ‘Why does John the Baptist call Jesus “the Lamb of God”?’ and ‘How does God open people’s eyes to the truth?’
I wish you could sit in on these conversations with us! My excitement and hope that God is lifting the veil, opening the eyes of their hearts, and calling them into His kingdom grows. I find myself dreaming and praying more and more fervently for that day!
Holden Chapel’s partnership with us continues to help stories like this happen. God is calling students at multiple campuses into a relationship with Himself, and He is weaving those students into movements of His disciples who proclaim His Gospel and help others follow Him. Rebecca and I thank God often for you and your generosity! You free us up to lead students like Jay and Carson and to help build these movements every day.
KEEP PRAYING: Your prayers unleash God’s power into our ministry efforts.