Barre Congregational Church
Home30 Park Street
Barre, Massachusetts
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© 2019 Barre Congregational Church 30 Park Street, Barre, MA 01005
Welcome to the Barre Congregational Church United Church of Christ (BCCUCC) website. BCCUCC is a center for community where we live the statement of ministry printed each week in the worship bulletin --
"The mission of the Barre Congregational Church is to serve God, and to spread the word and love of God's risen son, Jesus Christ, to all people through Christian faith and unity. By our words and actions, we will bring love, hope, and acceptance to family and neighbors, respecting all differences and diversities."
We live according to our statement of ministry in order to bring hope, justice, and love to people wherever they are on their path to knowing The Lord, Jesus Christ, whose ministries of compassion, extravagant hospitality, and love inspire us.
Welcoming & Serving the Quabbin Area
Worship Services:
Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
Christmas Eve Service -- 11:00 p.m.
A Message From Pastor Margaret
The Christmas tree of 2016…
Having a Christmas tree in the house in 2016
when I celebrated Christmas in the United States
was an amazing experience. Even though we do
decorate Christmas trees in South Africa, it has
not been such a huge tradition in my family and
for many in South Africa. We celebrate Christmas
during the summer in the Southern hemisphere,
and so we find ourselves spending less time indoors, and more on our porches and in the cool shade of a tree, enjoying homemade cookies and ginger beer, a favorite in our family. So, in December of 2016 I urged my husband to take me to a local farm on a cold winter’s day, and with snow on the ground, we cut down our own tree, and I had my first experience pulling a tree through the snow to our car. It was awesome!
I did not realize how powerful the presence of a Christmas tree could be. I missed my family very much, and while nothing can replace the special bonds of family and loved ones, I found myself in a strange way, connected to the strength of this tree, with its sweet, and distinct aroma, and the life that came from the glittering lights and special ornaments. It brought some comfort to me, and a smile on my face every time I looked at it.
Being away from home in December of 2016 was hard, and it was an important reminder of how good it feels to have loved ones, and to feel the love coming from them. So, I turned to my family-in-law here in the United States, our friends and neighbors to feel the warmth and love they had to offer, and it was good. I felt the comfort they offered; I felt their own unique presence, which carried me through those winter months in very special ways.
So, as I am reflecting on that experience, and look towards this advent season, I am reminded of another, and most powerful presence in our lives as Christians, the presence of Jesus Christ, whose birth and life we will be celebrating soon. I am reminded of His very special qualities that rise above the beauty and lovely fragrance of our Christmas trees. He enters our celebratory space of light and song and gift-giving with a power of His own. His is a power of love that permeates our existence, whether we are with or without our families; His is a power of compassion and hope that breaks through our feelings of loneliness and brings us His gift of joy and peace that is beyond our own understanding. He came with a mission of spreading good news to all the world, and He goes there where He is needed, with the poor and the outcast, with the sick and the lonely, with everyone and anyone who seek Him and wish to be in His company.
We all need a Christmas tree now and again, to enjoy its special beauty and fragrance and presence, but more, we all need to experience the gift of complete love and hope that only the Christ Child has to offer. May you all experience that love and hope this Advent Season.
Blessings,
Pastor Margaret
December Services
Sunday, December 1, 2019 ~ First Sunday of Advent
Communion/Sunday School
Lectionary Readings— Isaiah2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44,
Deborah Page, organist
Deacon— Janice Handrahan Pastor Margaret Keyser, preaching
Greeters—Eunice Morrison & Gail Churchill Advent Candle—Margaret Marshall & Tola Benedict
Scripture Reader—Kate Lathrop
Sunday, December 8, 2019 ~ Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday School
Lectionary Readings— Isaiah 11:1-10 , Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12
Deborah Page, organist & the Choir directed by Karla Peterson
Deacon— Steve Morrall Rev. Charlie Page, preaching
Greeters—Janice Handrahan & Kathy Fritscher Advent Candle—The Laroache Family
Scripture Reader—Eileen Bohigian
Sunday, December 15, 2019 ~ Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday School
Lectionary Readings— Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146:5-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-1i
Deborah Page, organist
Deacon— Lisa Holloway Rev. Charlie Page, preaching
Greeters—Kevin Fogarty & Lisa Harris Advent Candle—The Erickson Family
Scripture Reader—Sarah Dyer
Sunday, December 22, 2019 ~ Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday School
Lectionary Readings—Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25
Deborah Page, organist & the Choir directed by Scott Bryant
Deacon— Lisa Holloway Rev. Charlie Page, preaching
Greeters—Kevin Fogarty & Lisa Harris Advent Candle—The Erickson Family
Scripture Reader—Sarah Dyer
Tuesday, December 24, 2019 ~ Christmas Eve
11:00 p.m.
Lectionary Readings—Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2-1-14[15-20]
Deborah Page, organist & the Choir directed by Scott Bryant
Deacon— Lisa Holloway Rev Charlie Page, preaching
Greeters—Jim VanWert & Carol Wetmore Advent Candle—
Scripture Reader—Kayleh Clark
Special Church Meeting -- December 8th @ 10:45 a.m.
Purpose of the Special Meeting:
Approve 2020 church budget;
approve the officers and
committees for 2020
Do you have an interest in
music? Do you like to get to
know new people and give
back to the community?
Check out our opportunities
to Get Involved! You'll be
amazed by how much you gain
from giving some of your time or talent!
Thank-You From the Stewardship Committee
Many thanks to everyone who helped fill our treasure box with Peace, Faith, Hope, Love and Charity. We also appreciate you taking the time to add your pledge cards for time, talents and treasure. If you weren’t able to do return your pledge card or your time and talent card, there is still time to do so, just mail it to the church:
P.O. Box 936, Barre, MA 01005 or drop it off at the church office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays from 9-1.
