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
A Message From Pastor Margaret
We all need a gathering place…
The summer is over now, and I hope that
you all had a wonderful time together with
loved ones in the outdoors, doing a bit of
traveling, or just enjoying a backyard barbecue,
playing games or going for a walk.
I finally, after 21 years in the United States
and living in New England, discovered that fall does not necessarily mean winter is upon us. Instead, I realize that fall is a time for the body to recover a bit from the heat of summer, to breathe a bit better, as the air is less humid, cooler and easier on the body. It is a time to “close” the gardens, enjoy the beautiful fall colors, and enjoy being together in a different way, perhaps blowing the leaves together!
Whatever the season, the key is to find moments and activities to be together with those whom we care about, who make us feel loved and joyful.
I find our church a very special place to be at, to pray and sing together during worship, and spending time together during coffee hour, which is a special treat for me as I see people standing around catching up, and more recently a few of us found a table to sit and chat, me hoping that more tables will follow! Our once-a-month Saturday suppers and Thursday Community Friendship Suppers are special occasions for people to come and enjoy great food and excellent service, but also for those in the kitchen to bond together as they cook and prepare the meals together. This feeling of togetherness and sharing can also be seen in some of our regular activities, such as our Sunday school and youth activities, and choir practice.
Our Stewardship Campaign has started, and we are exploring the fruits of the Spirit in a very special way every Sunday till the end of October. It is an opportunity for all of us to find within us, as well as expressing our desires around peace, faith, love, hope and charity. As pastor I am looking to find a time later in the fall for us to share those treasures with one another over a breakfast potluck!
Our church is also a place where others have found a home of care and compassion, such as the Barre Food Pantry, which continues their second-Wednesday-a-month giving to those in need, as well as joining the Thursday Community Friendship Suppers as another opportunity to give and to share in the meal we provide, the AA groups come together around their common purpose, Maplewind Orchestra teaching music to our young people, and more.
Being at our church reminds me of Jesus mingling with his disciples and among those who gathered in their homes to worship God. It feels intimate, and peaceful and deeply spiritual to me.
May we during these fall months enjoy the togetherness that our church offers to all who are members, as well as those who need a friend, who need a place they can call a gathering place of love and peace and joy.
God bless you!
Pastor Margaret
November Worship Services
Sunday, November 3, 2019 ~ Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
Communion/Sunday School
Lectionary Readings—
Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11 & 12, Luke 19:1-10
Deborah Page, organist
Deacon— Janice Handrahan Rev. Charlie Page, preaching
Sunday, November 10, 2019 ~ Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday School/ Baptism
Lectionary Readings—
Haggi 1:15b-2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21, Psalm 98, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
Deborah Page, organist & the Choir directed by Karla Peterson
Deacon— Steve Morrall Pastor Margaret Keyser, preaching
Sunday, November 17, 2019 ~ Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday School
Lectionary Readings—
Isiah 64:17-25, Isaiah 12, 2Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19
Deborah Page, organist
Deacon— Jim VanWert Pastor Margaret Keyser, preaching
Sunday, November 24, 2019 ~ Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday School /Thanksgiving Sunday
Lectionary Readings—
Jeremiah 23:1-6, Luke 1:68-79, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43
Deborah Page, organist & the Choir directed by Scott Bryant
Deacon— Lisa Holloway Pastor Margaret Keyser, preaching
November 17th Brunch Service
We invite all our members and friends of the congregation to join us on November 17th at 9:30a.m. in Fellowship Hall for a special service of singing, reading and sharing with one another. We want to gather, share and celebrate the blessings we have within our lives, and in our congregation. So, come and share your special story with all of us so we can together be strengthened and uplifted spiritually. It is also a gathering to usher us into the period of Advent, a time of joy and peace as we celebrate the Christ Child.
We will gather from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. and midway through our gathering, we will get a plate of food and continue with our informal gathering of sharing and singing. The deacons have arranged for a light brunch that morning.
This is meant to be a relaxed, spiritual time with one another, as we invite God’s Holy Spirit to bind us together in peace, faith, hope, and love.
We look forward to this shared experience with all of you.
Message From the Church Committee
We are in the process of
winterizing the church. The heat
has been turned on. We are
repairing the roof over the oil tank.
We are working on the 2020
Church budget, which will be
shared with the church at a later
date. As a reminder when we
turn our clocks back one hour,
it will be darker earlier; for safety,
please drive cautiously around
the church as we have a number
of youth groups using our church at various times. Also, please make sure the doors are locked and the lights are off. If you know of a need for the church, please share it with us.
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.
