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THE EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH...Feb 03, 2019 · places where Your mystery remains hidden,...
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The Congregational Church of Westborough UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 57 West Main St, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581 OPEN DOORS –GROWING FAITH! No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here! WE WELCOME VISITORS AND NEWCOMERS! We are an “Open and Affirming” Church February 3, 2019
Transcript of THE EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH...Feb 03, 2019 · places where Your mystery remains hidden,...
The Congregational Church of Westborough UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
57 West Main St, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581
OPEN DOORS –GROWING FAITH!
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
WE WELCOME VISITORS AND NEWCOMERS! We are an “Open and Affirming” Church
February 3, 2019
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Statement of Inclusion We, the people of The Congregational Church of Westborough, United Church of Christ,
believe that all people are created equal, in God’s image. “We are all God’s children.” In
our journey of faith, we strive for justice and equality for all.
We invite and welcome into our community and into the full life and Christian ministry of this
church, persons of every race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and
expression, family structure, faith background, economic circumstance, mental and physical
ability. We say, and mean, “No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you
are welcome here.”
We declare ourselves an Open and Affirming Christian community, actively expressing our
belief in diversity and inclusion. We seek to be a faith community centered in Christ, ready to
proclaim the Gospel and seek to grow through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
We offer to each person acceptance and the responsibilities and blessings of participation in
this congregation.
Some Notes to Help You Feel at Ease this Morning
Children...
Four and Under: The nursery is available downstairs during the service if
needed.
Pre-K and Up: Will go to Faith Formation after the Time with Children & Youth
except on Communion Sundays, they will go after the Lord’s Prayer. Outside
the sanctuary are bags filled with crayons to keep little hands busy in pews!
Visitors of all ages...
We're glad you are here!
You are welcome to an all-age fellowship after worship in the room downstairs
directly under the sanctuary
Folks new and returning to worship...
There are no assigned seats; sit where you feel most comfortable.
We celebrate the noises of small children; they remind us that we're alive!
Generally, we stand for the opening of the service and for singing.
We sing with joy and Spirit, without fear of judgement.
We share our prayers vulnerably, and hold them with care.
We pray with our eyes closed and open, our heads bowed and raised. We
pass the peace with hugs and handshakes, with nods and smiles.
We share communion with all who are willing-especially children
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THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WESTBOROUGH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Feb 3, 2019 10:00 AM
*The Congregation is invited to stand.
PRELUDE
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Wendy Reardon
*PASSING OF PEACE
*OPENING SONG “Come, Now is the Time to Worship” by Brian Doerksen
*CALL TO WORSHIP (Based on Psalm 133)
Leader: We have gathered from our different places to worship here.
People: How good it is to worship together in unity!
Leader: We come from our different occupations, our diverse activities.
People: How good it is to worship together in unity!
Leader: We come as unique individuals, bound together in the love of Christ.
People: How good it is to worship together in unity!
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Please be seated) Rev. Sue Remick
Holy God, we confess that we have betrayed the Good News by turning inward, serving
ourselves first. We have not taken up our cross and we have been too quick to build up
worldly possessions for ourselves. Forgive us for not helping to reveal Christ to the world.
Forgive us for not living into Christ’s example and serving those in need before serving
ourselves. Draw us back to the way of Christ, so that we might know the reign of God is
drawing near. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
God is the Creator who calls forth light out of darkness. God is the One who restores the earth
after the flood. God is the One who makes all things new. You are made new in Christ. Go and
share in a super way, the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (Debts)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be
done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For
thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
(Children leave now to go to Faith Formation)
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JOYSPRING ANTHEM “Known” by Tauren Wells, Jordan Sapp,
and Ethan Hulse
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Pete Graham
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS Linda Duncan
Invitation: God has blessed us with both spiritual and material gifts. As God has been
generous with us, let us be generous and joyful givers.
(In each of our pews today is a black friendship book which we encourage you to fill out and pass to
the person next to you during the offering. If you have been with us before, just put down your name,
but if you are new today, please let us know who you are. If you can, please leave the sheet on the top
of the book at the end of the pew. Thanks!)
Chancel Choir Anthem “Come to the Table” by Allen Pote
*DOXOLOGY (unison)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts: Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison) Linda Duncan
Accept these gifts we humbly offer, gracious God. Use them, and use us, to reach into
places where Your mystery remains hidden, where Your goodness is not yet known. Make
us good stewards of Your word. Make us responsible heirs of Your promises, in Jesus’
name. Amen.
SCRIPTURE Matthew 25:31-46 Rev. Sue Remick
(Pew Bible page 807)
HYMN #490 “Sister, Let Me Be Your Servant” THE SERVANT SONG
(please remain seated)
SERMON “Careless and Careful” Rev. Sue Remick
HYMN #419 “All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly” HOLY MANNA (please remain seated)
SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
(Communion at our church is always served with gluten free bread.)
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (as found on the inside rear cover of your hymn book)
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CONSECRATION
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
SHARING THE BREAD AND CUP
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Pete Graham
*CLOSING HYMN #452 “Here I Am, Lord” HERE I AM LORD
*BENEDICTION Rev. Sue
*SUNG BENEDICTION “Go Ye Now in Peace” Joyce Elaine Eilers
Go ye now in peace, and know that the love of God will guide you. Feel his presence here
beside you showing you the way. In your time of trouble, when hurt and despair are there to
grieve you, know that the Lord will never leave you. He will bring you courage. Know that
the God who sent his Son to die that you might live will never leave you lost and alone in His
beloved world. Go ye now in peace. Go ye now in peace.
*POSTLUDE “Known” by Tauren Wells, Jordan Sapp,
and Ethan Hulse
Linda Duncan served as liturgist.
Rhona Naddamba and Elaine Moore are Deacons of the day.
Communion servers: Marketa Rosecka, Nancy Cook, Theresa DiMeo, Lynne Caldwell and
Cathie & Steve Achorn
PRAYERS & CELEBRATIONS FOR FEB 3, 2019
Bereavement: Leigh, Zach & Mallory Walker upon the passing of Richard Hopkins (Leigh Walker’s dad)
Continued Prayers: Joan Gates; Betty Barclay; Carolyn Bent; Serena Leiser; Joshua Nichols (grandson of
Richard Nichols); Anna Gavel, granddaughter/cousin of Karen Gavel and the Oevermanns; Linda Polatka
(Cathie Achorn’s sister); Linda & Dick Birch; Ron and Nancy Clark’s daughter, Melissa Dickinson.
Prayer requests: You can place prayer concerns on the church’s email distribution list at
[email protected]. If you would like a prayer request included in today’s service, please let a
Deacon know prior to the start of worship. Prayers will remain listed for 8 weeks. If you would like a
prayer renewed, please call the church office.
CALL TO ANNUAL FISCAL MEETING – FEBRUARY 10TH
Call: The 294th Annual Fiscal Meeting of The Congregational Church of Westborough will be held
Sunday, February 10, 2019 at or after 11:30 AM in the Chapel. The purpose of the meeting is as follows:
1. To hear and act upon the reports of the Church Clerk and the Treasurer.
2. To transact such other business as may regularly come before the meeting.
David R. Smith, Church Clerk
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WOMENS FELLOWSHIP – FEB 4th
Join us tomorrow night, Feb. 4, 2019 at 6pm for our next Women’s Fellowship program. We will be
having a Pot Luck Supper at 6pm, followed by Chair Yoga, led by Latha Radhakrishnan. Last names, A-L
Bring a salad, M-Z Bring a main dish, Program Committee will bring dessert.
Monthly Mission: Valentine Boxes for College students.
COME TO “THE WELL” WEDNESDAYS AT 7PM
Each Wednesday, join us at “The Well,” for worship, reflection, conversation, and study in a relaxed
environment designed for mid-week spiritual refreshment. We gather on Wednesday nights at 7:00 in the
chapel. There will be contemplative worship, Bible study, and deep conversation, clear and cool and
refreshing enough to get you through the rest of the week. Come thirsty and drink deeply. The Well is
facilitated by Pastoral Associate, Pete Graham.
DISMAS HOUSE
Our church goes on the first Thursday of the month to cook and serve a meal with the people of Dismas
House, a home for ex-prisoners. If you would like to help, be in touch with Karen Hutchinson at
[email protected]. The next dinner will be Thursday, Feb 7th
. Donations of Stop and Shop cards are
greatly appreciated to help with the shopping for the meals! Thank you.
FLOWER COMMITTEE
If you would like to dedicate flowers in honor or in memory of another individual, please put your name on
the flower chart in the vestry or contact a member of the flower committee or let the office know which
Sunday you would like. If you have never done this before, contact a committee member and they will
inform you of the procedure. It’s always nice to have special flowers on the chancel!
GROCERY CARDS
2018 Goal: $ 8,000 2018 Total: $ 6,890.50
2019 Goal: $ 8,000 2019 YTD: $ 471.25
OOPS! We were $1100 short of our commitment to the Church Operation Budget for 2018 by about
$1,100. Together we can change that for 2019 as we all set new goals. If every grocery shopper in Church
carries a grocery card for just those quick trips into the store and if all our faithful customers continue to be
faithful, we can meet this challenge together. Eat healthy, shop locally, and carry a grocery card. If you
can’t make it to church contact Karen Hutchinson at 508.870.1782 or [email protected] or Nancy
Quimby at 774.249.4431 or [email protected] or Sally Petersen at [email protected] and
366.5169. They’d be happy to deliver them.
PRAYER TIME CARDS
We are encouraging people to speak to a pastor upstairs before the service if you want a prayer lifted up on
Sunday morning, or you can fill out a blue card (located at a table near the front entrance, outside the
sanctuary and in the pews) and give it to a Deacon, Thanks!
COFFEE HOUR
Would you like to serve by helping out with the coffee hour after church downstairs? Please look for the
sign-up downstairs on the coffee hour table. Email Suzanne Arpante at [email protected]. Thanks!
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CALENDAR – Feb 3rd
FEB 10th
Feb 3 Communion Sunday/Souper Bowl 10:00 AM Worship
Souper Bowl of Caring Tailgate
11:30 AM Deacons/Kerygma Room 5:30 PM GSA/Vestry
Feb 4 Monday (office closed) 6:00 PM Women’s Fellowship Pot Luck 7:30 PM AA/Nursery
Feb 5 Tuesday 10:00 AM Whitney Place Service 10:30 AM Beaumont Service 11:15 AM Willow’s Communion 7:00 PM Trustees/Kerygma Room
Feb 6 Wednesday 9:15 AM Called to Care/Library 10:30 AM Staff Meeting 7:00 PM The Well/Fannie Forbes 6:30 PM Chancel Choir 7:30 PM JoySpring
Rev. Sue Remick, Interim Pastor – [email protected]
Wendy Reardon, Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries - [email protected]
Joseph Stillitano, Interim Minister of Music – [email protected]
Sue Menzel, Director of Bells – [email protected]
Peter Graham, Pastoral Associate – [email protected]
Office hours: closed Mon; Tues & Wed 9am-2pm, Thurs 10am-2pm, Fri 9am-1pm
Church office phone 508/366-2000
General Church email – [email protected], Church website www.uccwestboro.org
www.facebook.com/TheCongregationalChurchofWestborough
Feb 7 Thursday 9:00 AM Playgroup/Nursery 1:30 PM PCC/Fannie Forbes Rm. 5:00 PM Dismas House Dinner
Feb 8 Friday (no scheduled events)
Feb 9 Saturday
Meal Packing at Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church
Feb 10 Sunday 10:00 AM Worship & Faith Formation 11:15 AM Annual Fiscal
Meeting/Chapel 11:30 AM Deacons/Kerygma 2:30 PM GSA/Vestry 5:30 PM GSA/Vestry
The Souper Bowl of Caring began in 1990 with a simple prayer said by Reverend Brad Smith of Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina: “Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat.” Twenty two churches raised $5,700 in the first year.
The Souper Bowl of Caring utilizes Super Bowl weekend in America to mobilize young people to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities. Its vision is to transform Super Bowl weekend (the weekend of the first Sunday in February) into America's largest youth-led weekend of giving and serving. Young people collect monetary and food donations during the week leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. 100% of the money and food is then given directly to local charities of the group's choice. Started at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina, the Souper Bowl of Caring has branched out to include schools, businesses and congregations of all faiths. The Souper Bowl of Caring has gained national attention, securing partnerships with nine different NFL Teams, in addition to finding National Advocates in former President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush and former President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter.
Souper Bowl 2018 STATS
$8,207,963 cash and food items collected 3,862 Participating Groups 2,646 Charities Helped YOU ARE INVITED TO OUR 7TH ANNUAL TAILGATE PARTY after worship today, donate a non-perishable food item or make a monetary donation. Enjoy the party and know that you are helping us to… TACKLE HUNGER! ~ Thank you!
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“Our Story”
by the Louloudes Family
Everybody is so busy these days. Between work, family,
extracurricular activities, and other commitments, I wonder
most days how we do it all. Despite a full calendar, I felt
selfish at times. I am so blessed with all I have! I wanted to
participate in so many exciting opportunities and missions
provided by this church, but often found the commitment
incompatible with my crazy work/family schedule.
Then I thought about Dismas House and connected with
Karen Hutchinson. I figured I could easily make a meal once a
month (already doing it 5x/week), include my children in
giving back and feel good about it all! So, the Louloudes
Family committed to serving monthly meals for Dismas in
2018. Each month we sat down as a family to discuss the
menu, assign parts of the meal to each member, then learned
how to fit in the task to our individual schedules.
As a family, we learned from this experience. We found that
helping others is fun and easy (Melina says "people love my
desserts"). Despite a busy schedule, it worked. Nick said,
"Sometimes I felt lazy and just didn't want to do it, but then
realized someone was counting on me, so it motivated me to
cook." I realized one month just wasn't going to work, but
found I could reach out for help from others (our carpool
family chipped in one crazy month of baseball). We all
learned how lucky we are to have food, shelter, family and
friends and will continue to keep giving back when we can.
So, please say yes when I approach you in church to help
make a salad, dessert, meal for Dismas some first week of the
month. Then we all can be a part of this giving experience
together.
