Before and After: The Bible, Brain Science, and Lasting Transformation

Before and After: Transformation in the Bible and Brain Science
with the Rev. Dr. Allen R. Hilton, Ph.D.

Contact Marianna Kilbride, marianna@godsacredev.wpengine.com for the Zoom invite.

01/06/2021
Our Change – Making God – Human Need and God’s Desire
Luke 22.54-62 vs Acts 4. 1-13; Romans 12.1-2; 2 Corinthians 5.16-21

Click here for Session #1 supplemental information, a course schedule, and an article by Charles Duhigg. This is for those who would like and have time to prep. It is not necessary to attend or gain insight from the series. Also for those interested, in addition to the Bible (good to have!), Allen will use The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do What We Do, and How To Change by Charles Duhigg. If you order from our local Elm Street Books via their website it should come in 1-2 days. Again, the book is not necessary for the series, it is completely optional.

Click here for the recording of Session #1.

Everything begins with God. In our lift-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps world it’s easy to forget that the prime mover in our lives and in the world is the one who made it all in the first place – and that’s a good thing. So many of us are frustrated by our inability to break our old bad habits or form new good ones. This week we’ll begin our series with a spirit of reliance on the change-making God.

 

01/13/2021
A Role Change – Method Acting and the Task of Transformation
Colossians 3.1-11; Romans 13.11-14; Galatians 2.20-21; 3.26-29

Click here for Session #2 supplemental information. Also this link will take you to an interview of Daniel Day Lewis about his role as Lincoln. Finally, many asked to receive Allen’s devotionals, click here to sign up.

Click here for the recording of Session #2.

Method actors assume the persona of their character. For weeks and months, they eat like them walk like them, think like them. In fact, they sometimes go so far into roles that they fear they can’t get out. That’s not great if you’re Darth Vader or Hannibal Lector, but it’s pretty good if the one we’re putting on is Christ. This week we’ll see how Bible and brain science both picture us becoming a new character…and staying there.

 

01/20/2021
Choosing the ONE – Narrowing Focus to Widen Results
Matthew 6.33

Click here for Session #3 supplemental information.
Click here for the recording of Session #3.

I know a guy (couldn’t be me!) who gets all inspired and wants to change 17 things about himself at once. “I’m going to become better at thank you notes and workout every day at 4 AM and….” The recitation goes on…. His wife gently stops him and says, “Maybe one at a time?” The Bible and brain science agree that focus is a key to transformation. Choosing well the habit (not habits) to address can make all the difference between transformative success and futile failure. This week we’ll learn how to choose and stick to our choice.

 

01/27/2021
Movin’ Out – Turning Focus Toward the World
Acts 8; John 13.34-35; 17.20-23; Matthew 25.31-46; 28.16-20; 2 Cor 5.15

Click here for Session #4 supplemental information
Click here for the recording of Session #4.

A funny thing happens whenever Jesus talks about transforming Christian groups toward unity from division. Just when we begin to think that he will celebrate the great new feeling of togetherness, he track shifts to the world. “A new commandment I give you: love one another,” are his famous words in John 13. Sounds pleasant, warm, and fuzzy. But when we get to Jesus’ “why” for the command, it’s about the world, not the church: “All people will know that you’re my disciples” is the payoff. This week, we’ll talk about God’s desire to redeem the whole world and how transforming us fits into that plan.

 

02/03/2021
Changed Together – Exploring Group Transformation
Galatians 3.26-29; Romans 12.3ff.; 1 Corinthians 12.12ff.

Click here for Session #5 supplemental information
Click here for the recording of Session #5.

Groups can change, too. Most of us know this from experience. We’ve been on teams that went from worst to first, or corporate work groups that turned performance around, or churches that became a new thing. But how can a group change habits? Of course, the project of the Apostle Paul and other early Christian leaders was precisely this: the transformation of persons by the transformation of a church. And leadership gurus in our time draw heavily on brain science to move change through teams. This week we’ll focus on group change, and the Bible and brain science have plenty to say about it.

 

02/10/2021
Transformation That Travels – Sustaining Habits for the Long Haul
2 Timothy 4.6-8; 1 Corinthians 9.24-27

Click here for Session #6 supplemental information
Click here for the recording of Session #6.

Most people’s New Year’s resolutions notoriously, woefully fall by the wayside by February. Futility reigns, and some people give up on the whole enterprise. But the great transformation stories of scripture feature one-way change – the kind that endures. Peter and Paul both transformed, neither turning back or losing the fire. Both the Bible and brain science go deep with the crucial topic of maintenance, continuation, change that lasts – and so will we, in this final week of our series.

Ash Wednesday Virtual Service

Mark the beginning of Lenten contemplation and prayer at our candlelit virtual Ash Wednesday Service.

We welcome to the pulpit Chapin’s friend, author, scholar, Dr. Josef Sorett, Professor and Chair, Department of Religion; Professor, Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies, at Columbia University. Tenor Antonio Abate and Solo Bell Ringer Thomas Lezon are the featured musicians.

 

 

 

Souper Bowl Monday Food Drive

Our Youth is teaming up with The Open Door Shelter and holding a second contactless food drive on NEW DATE: Monday, February 8 from 12:00pm-2:00pm.

To contribute, please enter the circle in front of the church, drive up, pop your trunk and volunteers will remove your donation.

All non-perishable food items are welcome, however, the biggest needs right now are:

  • Peanut butter
  • Jelly (grape or strawberry)
  • Canned tuna
  • Dried black or red beans
  • Spaghetti sauce
  • Canned vegetables
  • Reusable grocery bags

Pivot February Meal Train

As we start the new year,  we have the opportunity to support our Pivot friends by providing meals for them. New Canaan cooks are a favorite of the men and restaurant meals or contributions are also greatly appreciated as they continue to deal with fewer food donations due to the pandemic.

CLICK HERE to participate.

The Open Door Shelter Food Drive

Contactless Food Drive to benefit The Open Door Shelter

The Congregational Church of New Canaan
Saturday, January 30
10:00am-2:00pm

To contribute, please enter the circle in front of the church, drive up, pop your trunk and volunteers will remove your donation.

All non-perishable food items are welcome, however, the biggest needs right now are

  • Peanut butter
  • Jelly (grape or strawberry)
  • Canned tuna
  • Dried black or red beans
  • Spaghetti sauce
  • Canned vegetables
  • Reusable grocery bags

Food pantries everywhere are in desperate need for non-perishable food items so we are teaming up with Open Door Shelter to help stock their pantry this winter. Please consider donating on Saturday, January 30.

Wednesday Worship

 

Join us virtually on Wednesdays at 12:00pm for midweek worship. Enjoy announcements, music, scripture, sermon, and prayers followed by more music offered by our section leaders and Director of Music Ministries, Dr. Jo Deen Blaine Davis.

Wednesday Worship livestream is now available at noon on our website @ //godsacredev.wpengine.com/worship/

Contact Jody, music@godsacredev.wpengine.com with any questions.

Music for December 30, 2020

Messiah, “Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion”
Georg Frederick Handel

Gesu Bambino
Pietro A. Yon

Away in a Manger
James R. Murray

The First Nowell
James R. Murray

Go, Tell It On the Mountain
arr. Amy Potter

Sehlafendes Jesuskind
Hugo Wolf

Sussex Caro
James R. Murray

Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella
arr. Keith Chapman

Christmas Eve on God’s Acre

Christmas Eve on God’s Acre

We have made one adjustment to our Christmas Eve plans, due to high winds and safety concerns arounds the tents, our 11:00pm service will be held indoors with a capacity limit of 100. We will, however, livestream the Candlelight Service for anyone who would like to view can do so above. 

We will continue to provide virtual and live-streamed worship all season long. While we will undoubtedly miss out on many Christmas traditions this year, the Deacons have decided to try something new. We hope that you will join us under the ‘Christmas-on-God’s-Acre’ tent this year.

We will be celebrating outside, 6ft distanced and wearing masks just as we did this summer – subject, of course, to all state and local regulations. Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes. While we will be unable to sing, we WILL be able to be in community with one another, listen to wonderful music, and celebrate the Christmas story under the stars.

  • 4:00-4:30 pm – Outdoor Worship
  • 6:00-6:30 pm –  Outdoor Worship
  • 7:00-7:30 pm – Outdoor Worship
  • 11:00-11:30 pm – Candlelight Worship

In addition to these services, the Children’s Nativity Pageant will be safely recorded in advance and will be shown all evening in the youth tent.

VITALLY IMPORTANT: For our plans to work, we are counting on every church member and guest to wear a mask, to keep a safe distance, and to refrain from singing, as per the request and recommendation of the State of Connecticut and our Town Health Department.

Transformation Bible Study for the New Year

New Years’ offers clean slates and fresh starts.

Contact Marianna Kilbride, marianna@godsacredev.wpengine.com for the Zoom invite.

Nutrisystem and Peloton flood our screens with miraculous before and after images. But resolutions notoriously fail, and some of us have even given up on them. Here’s good news: the Bible is full of successful before/after profiles that stuck. Peter caves to a servant girl during Jesus’ trial, but a couple of months later speaks courageously to the court that condemned Jesus to death. Paul’s life turns on a dime on Damascus Road and stays turned. And contemporary neuroscience offers deep insights into how the After can stay.

Join our longtime friend Allen Hilton for six weeks letting scripture and science talk to us about transformation.

 

Advent 2020

Advent Missions

Each year during Advent, we work with local partners to help ensure that children from low-income or homeless families receive gifts and that families and individuals in need have a full day of food on Christmas.

This year to keep everyone safe, our partners have asked us to send donations rather than shopping for toys and groceries. Need within our community has risen higher than ever this year due to the COVID crisis. We are grateful in advance for your help in making the lives of those struggling financially better this Christmas.

Online Angels for Inspirica

To participate, please use the link to Inspirica’s wish list on Amazon. You will need an Amazon account that you can sign up for at no cost. Gifts will be mailed directly to Inspirica. Contact Marianna Kilbride, marianna@godsacredev.wpengine.com to learn more.

Salvation Army Bell Ringing

One thing hasn’t changed! Walter Stewart’s Market welcomes us to ring the bells as per usual!

Families and bubbles can safely serve outside, masked (good for warmth!), and distanced while ringing the bells, spreading good cheer, and collecting for those with less. One hour shifts are available, sign up here.

Pivot Ministries Holiday Meal Train

This holiday season, we have the opportunity to support our Pivot friends by providing meals for them. New Canaan cooks are a favorite of the men, and restaurant meals or contributions are also much appreciated as they continue to deal with fewer food donations due to the pandemic. Click here to participate.

Caroline Ainsworth Hughes’ Ordination

Wilton Congregational Church invites you to join with us in celebrating the Ordination and Installation ceremony of Caroline Ainsworth Hughes.

Sunday, November 22, 2020, at 2:00pm
70 Ridgefield Road
Wilton, CT 06897

Please RSVP here to attend in-person.
The service will also be live streamed, check the WCC YouTube page.
COVID protocols and safety measures followed.

Any Questions call 203-762-5591 or email Coleen at coleen@wiltoncongregational.org

Clergy Members are invited to robe with red stoles.