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
October Worship Services
Sunday, October 6, 2019 ~ Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Stewardship –Faith/ Communion/Sunday School
Lectionary readings—Lamentations 1:1-6, Lamentations 3:19-26 , Psalm 137,
2 Timothy 1;1-14, Luke 17:5-10
Deborah Page, organist & the choir directed by Scott Bryant
Deacon— Kevin Fogarty
Pastor Margaret Keyser preaching
Sunday, Sunday October 13, 2019 ~ Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Stewardship—Hope/Sunday School
Lectionary readings—Jeremiah 29:1.4-7, Psalm 66:1-12
2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19
Deborah Page, organist
Deacon— Steve Morrall
Pastor Margaret Keyser, preaching
Sunday, October 20, 2019 ~ Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Stewardship –Love/Sunday School
Lectionary readings—Jeremiah 31:27-34, 22-28, Psalm 119:97-104
2 Timothy 3: 14-4:5, Luke 18:1-8
Deborah Page, organist & the choir directed by Karla Peterson
Deacon— Jim VanWert
Pastor Margaret Keyser, preaching
Sunday, October 27, 2019 ~ Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Stewardship—Charity/Sunday School
Lectionary readings—Joel 2:23-32, Psalm 65,
2 Timothy 4:6-8, Luke 18:9-14
Deborah Page, organist
Deacon— Lisa Holloway
Pastor Margaret Keyser, preaching
Message From the Church Committee
Church Committee meetings are
held the second Wednesday of
the Month at 6:30 p.m. in the
Chapel. All are welcome.
We are in the process of
understanding our 2020 Budget.
We have hired Matt Tolman to
repair the roof over the stairwell
between the Community Room
and Fellowship Hall. Work begins early November at an expected cost of $2,500.00
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!
