Spire. Barre Congregational Church, UCC

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1 Spire Barre Congregational Church, UCC Pastor Margaret Keyser Organist Deborah Page Choir Director Karla Peterson & Scott Bryant Sexton Clark Family Church Secretary Wendy Isgro Phone website It is the middle of summer, and here in the Northeast we ve had plenty of rain and sun; hence, the vegetation looks green around here. It is my hope that gardeners and farmers are happy about the conditions and are enjoying their harvests. It is also a time to get together with family and/or friends near and far. Listening to church members as they share their joys during coffee hour, or at the office, is awesome. Our church has a summer atmosphere too! We continue to be a place of worship, where we share the word of God and the love of Christ and sing to the hymns of How great Thou art, Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and more. The children started an awesome Children s Garden next to the church. We hope it will grow into an even bigger initiative in the future. Our monthly Community Supper last Thursday was a friendly and beautiful event with good food, watermelon and fresh summer flowers on elegant and colorful table cloths, making everyone feel special. Planting seeds and seedlings provides us with delightful flowers, crops of veggies or salads, whatever we wish to grow during summer time. We tend to our gardens with love and care. Similarly, we have the opportunity to sow the seeds of love and kindness in and outside of the congregation. Reaching out to the sick, to new people, and to those we have not seen in a while, is a blessing to everyone. Not everyone has a happy time with family or friends, though. There is pain and suffering among us as well. May we take the time to pray for those in need, and reach out when we can, so that our prayers and our presence can be experienced as a gift from God. May our congregation become like the Kingdom of God where the Sower of seeds, Jesus Christ, sows plenty and when harvest time comes, we will flourish with joy, peace and love! We will continue to grow our church where everyone feels welcome and at home. God bless you, Pastor Margaret 1

2 Those in the Nursing Homes, Asst. Living, & Shut-ins They would love to receive a visit, a note or a call Shirley Gariepy, is at Holden Nursing And Rehab, Mayo Dr., Holden, MA Alice McQueston, is at Wachusett Nursing Home, 32 Hospital Hill Dr., Gardner, MA Gerry & Ruth Perry are at Overlook Retirement Community, 88 Masonic Home Rd. #2. Charlton, MA Peg Trask is at Baldwinville Nursing Home, 51 Hospital Rd, Baldwinville, MA Harry Tuffs, is at 39 Ruthellen Rd., Holliston, MA Prayer Concerns Shirley Gariepy, Fay Smith s daughter Ruth & Gerry Perry, member of BCC Mr. & Mrs. Skodis, Deb Page s mom and dad Max Snyder, member of BCC Our Prayers for the Community Our Police, Fire & Emergency Personnel The Barre Food Pantry The Drug Response Coalition AA Groups In Military Service Those Friends and Members who serve our Country. God has created each of us, calls us by a special name, and says to us: you are precious in my eyes. August Birthdays 1 Benjamin Schmitz 8 Robert Bacon 10 Mike Griczika 10 Fay Smith 10 James VanWert 11 Carol Miller 11 Gloria Sawyer 14 Diana Rogers 16 Hannah Skerry 17 Beth Bryant 19 Sue Morrall 19 Emily Schmitz 21 Chuck Skerry 24 Jack Lathrop 25 Cody Handrahan 30 William Haynes Anniversaries 1 Winslow & Gloria Sawyer 6 Mark & Kim Staiti 13 Richard & Irene Stevens 23 John & Mary Allen 25 Jerry & Kathy Fristcher 27 Kevin Fogarty & Lisa Harris July Attendance July 2 21 Adults 3 Children 24 July 9 17 Adults 2 Children 19 July Adults 1 Children 14 July Adults 1 Children 24 July Adults 1 Children 24 Inside this Spire Message Page 1 Prayer Concerns/ Birthdays Stewardship Committee/Church Committee/Brown bag Concert/ Women s Fellowship Food Pantry/ Community Friendship Supper/Church Supper Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Financial Page Page 5 Calendar Page 6 Lectionary Page 7 2

3 Building Community/Stewardship Committee This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. ~Ephesians 3:6 "Community" is the place where the person you least want to live with always lives, says Henri Nouwen. Often we surround ourselves with the people we most want to live with, which forms a club or clique, not a community. The Christian Church was the first institution in history to bring together on equal footing Jews and Gentiles, men and women, slaves and free. The apostle Paul waxed eloquent on this "mystery, which for all ages past was kept hidden in God." By forming a community out of diverse members, Paul said, we have the opportunity to capture the attention of the world and even the supernatural world beyond. (EPH.3:9-10). In some ways the church has sadly failed in this assignment. Still, church is the one place I visit that brings together generations: infants still held in their mothers' arms, children who squirm and giggle at all the wrong times, responsible adults who know how to act appropriately at all times, and those who may drift asleep if the preacher drones on too long. If we want the community experience God is offering to us, we have reason to seek a congregation of people "not like us." Philip Yancey Lord, remind us that the church is Your work, and You have brought us together for Your good purposes. Help us extend grace to others. Amen. Stay tuned for Spiritual Renewal!!! Barre Congregational Roof Repair Restoration Project Just a reminder a letter was sent out to members and friends of the Barre Congregational Church about the Roof Repair and Restoration Project. The church committee would like you to fill out the form at t the bottom of the letter as soon as possible and return it to the church so that they can get an idea of how much money they will need for this project. Brown Bag Concert Thursday, August 24, :30-6:30PM Pack a picnic, bring a chair and come sit on the lawn in front of the church. There will be a variety of musicians and music to entertain while you enjoy your supper. Women s Fellowship Announces its Meeting Dates for the Season Monday, October 16, :00 Family Night Potluck Dinner and Kelly Franklin will be doing a talk (Subject to be announced in September) Monday November 5, :30 Fair Work Meeting Saturday, December 2, :00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. All Church Fair Monday, March 5, 2018 Noon Luncheon and visit to the Barre Historical Society Saturday, March 31, 2018 Spring & Tea Luncheon Details to follow Wednesday, May Annual Meeting Barre Mill Restaurant Women s Fellowship is open to all women of the church and community. If you have any questions please call the church office,

4 Food Pantry Donations have been very low. Please try to donate the following items this month: Macaroni and cheese Cereal (Hot or Cold) Tuna Canned chicken Baking supplies flour, sugar, cookie mix, cake mixes Personal Hygiene products We would like to thank those of you who donate to the food pantry and to those of you who volunteer. Barre Food Pantry volunteer opportunity. The Barre Food Pantry at the Barre Congregational Church on the common in Barre center welcomes volunteers between 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm. Volunteers are needed to help set up the room and sort, date and pre-bag donated groceries for free distribution the next day. Community Service can be provided for Quabbin Regional High School students who come to help. Wednesday, August 9 th, 2017 Barre Food Pantry volunteer opportunity. The Barre Food Pantry at the Barre Congregational Church on the common in Barre center welcomes volunteers from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon to help staff the tables, help clients shop the food bank offerings and help carry groceries to clients cars. Community Service can be provided for Quabbin Regional High School students who come to help. Barre Food Pantry monthly distribution to clients. People in need of food assistance are welcome at the Barre Congregational Church on the common in Barre center from 10:00 am to noon for free monthly distribution of fresh, frozen and canned food made available through local and regional donations and state and federal government programs. Note: The Barre Food Pantry would like to encourage clients to bring their reusable grocery tote bags with them when they come to pick up food at distribution. For additional information call (978) or (978) Community Friendship Supper Sandwiches is on the menu Everyone is welcome! Bring a friend and or family members. Thursday, August 17, 2017 Served from 5:30 pm 6:30 pm A free will offering may be given. The offering is used by the Mission s Committee for those in need in our church and community. Just a Reminder September is quickly approaching if you have any activities you would like announced in the next Spire please get them into the church office by August 21st. Mark Your Calendars the Church Supper Schedule for the Fall has been Announced!! Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 5:30 pm - Roast Beef Dinner There will be a Book Sale at the September 23rd supper if you have any gently used books you would like us to sell please drop them off at the church office. Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 5:30 pm Baked Stuffed Chicken Dinner Saturday, November 16, :30 pm Roast Pork Dinner All dinners will be $12.00 for Adults and $5.00 for children under 12 4

5 FINANCIAL PAGE Treasurer s Report Expenses 1/1/17 7/31/17 Collector s Report Loose Current 5, Missions Coffee Thursday AA UBS NA Tuesday Roof Repairs 2, Lathrop QPW Total $10, Payroll 31, Office Supplies Telephone & Internet 1, Postage Diaconate 0.00 General Maintenance 3, Stewardship 0.00 Music 0.00 Christian Ed 0.00 Misc Trash Pickup Sewer Water Heat & Gas 1, Electricity 1, Insurance 6, Snow Removal 2, Piano / Organ Alarm TOTAL $49, Income Loose 3, Pledges 33, Other 4, Investment Income 8, TOTAL $50, Retained Earnings: ($68712) Average Weekly Giving: $1,212 Weekly Giving Needed to meet budget $1,612 5

6 AUGUST 2017 I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 6 9:30 Service/ Communion/ Charlie Page, preaching 13 9:30 Service/ Marsha Bray 20 9:30 Service/ Pastor Margaret Keyser, preaching 27 9:30 Service/ Pastor Margaret Keyset, preaching 10:45 Church Council Meeting 7 8 9:00 Food Pantry set-up 6:00 Food Pantry set-up 7:00 NA :00 NA :00 NA First Day of School Quabbin District 7:00 NA 1 2 6:30 Church Committee 6:30 Diaconate Meeting Food Pantry 3 7:00AA 10 7:00AA :30 Community Friendship Supper :30-6:30 Brown Bag concert on the front lawn 31 August 1 September 5th Wendy will not be in the office on Tuesdays. Wendy will be checking the phone so please leave a message. Wendy will be on vacation the week of September 10th :30 AA

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8 Barre Congregational Church P.O. Box 936 Barre, MA The world needs the distinct values, vision and voice of the United Church of Christ Continuing Testament. Extravagant Welcome. Changing Lives. 8