The Congregational Church of Westborough UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST West Main & Church Streets, Westborough, Massachusetts OPEN DOORS GROWING FAITH! Pastor Paul Sangree, Senior Pastor Rev. Elaine S. Gaetani, Pastor of Spiritual Development
Children... Some Notes to Help You Feel at Ease this Morning 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 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. 1
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WESTBOROUGH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Sept 30, 2018 10:00 AM So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. Genesis 2:3 *The Congregation is invited to stand. PRELUDE *CALL TO WORSHIP (Based on Psalm 113 and Hannah s Song) WELCOME! Pastor Paul Sangree Rev. Elaine S. Gaetani Pete Graham *OPENING HYMN #285 How Lovely, Lord, How Lovely MERLE S TUNE *OPENING UNISON PRAYER (A Sabbath prayer from Gates of Prayer: The New Union Prayerbook, by the Central Conference of American Rabbis) O source of light and truth, Creator of the eternal law of goodness, and of the impulse within us for justice and mercy, we pray that this hour of worship may be one of vision and inspiration. Help us to find knowledge by which to live; lead us to take the words we shall speak into our hearts and our lives. Bless all who enter this sanctuary in search and in need; all who bring to this place the offering of their hearts. May our worship here lead us to fulfill our words and our hopes with acts of kindness, peace, and love. 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. (Everyone may be seated.) CHILDREN S SCRIPTURE Luke 6:1-5 (Pew Bible page 837) TIME WITH CHILDREN & YOUTH (Kids and Youth will now go to Faith Formation while adults greet one another!) 2 Pastor Paul Sangree JOYSPRING ANTHEM Wunderkind by Alanis Morissette
PASTORAL PRAYER Rev. Elaine S. Gaetani SERMON SCRIPTURES Exodus 19:1-6 A new covenant is introduced on the slopes of Mount Sinai (pew Bible page 57) Exodus 20:8-11 God gives the fourth commandment to the people of Israel (pew Bible page 58) SERMON Cathedrals of Time Pete Graham The Fourth Commandment: Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. (Part of Sermon Series on the Ten Commandments) *HYMN OF REFLECTION #289 What Is This Place (Verse 1) KOMT NU MET ZANG SPECIAL MESSAGE from KELLY GALLAGHER, ASSOCIATE CONFERENCE MINISTER OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS Invitation: Let us bring our offerings before God with thanksgiving! (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!) Choir Offertory Anthem Sanctus by Gabriel Fauré Translation: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts. Full are the heavens and earth with the glory of you. Hosanna in the highest. *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 (from Gates of Prayer: The New Union Prayerbook, by the Central Conference of American Rabbis) Eternal source of good, we thank You for the numberless gifts and blessings that fill our days: for life itself and its endless variety; for all that sustains body and mind; for love and friendship; for the delights of the senses; and for the excellence of Your word, which deepens our life and enriches our days. Help us, O God, to work for a just and compassionate society, where all may share in the joy of freedom. Amen. 3
*CLOSING SONG OF PRAISE Your Grace is Enough by Matt Maher JoySpring Verse 1 Great is your faithfulness oh God You wrestle with the sinners heart You lead us by still waters and to mercy And nothing can keep us apart Pre-Chorus So remember your people Remember your children Remember your promise Oh God Chorus 1 Your grace is enough Your grace is enough Your grace is enough for me Verse 2 Great is your love and justice God You use the weak to lead the strong You lead us in the song of your salvation And all your people sing along *BENEDICTION *POSTLUDE Today s flowers are given in memory of Carl & Grace Lawton by the Menzel family. Andrew Kafumbe greeted you and served as liturgist. Steve Achorn and Nancy Cook are Deacons of the day. PRAYERS & CELEBRATIONS FOR SEPT. 30, 2018 Continued Prayers: Kelly Tyan (Thersa Tyan s daughter-in-law); Linda & Dick Birch; Jeffrey Bramley (Chris Bramley s brother), Sue Menzel s sister-in-law Pat; Donna Donovan (Marge Butcher s daughter); Pari & her daughter (a dear friend of Cathie Achorn & Angela Caron); Anna Gavel, granddaughter/cousin of Karen Gavel and the Oevermanns; Complete healing and comfort for Paul Nauman, Norma Powell s son-in-law; Ron and Nancy Clark s daughter, Melissa Dickinson. Prayer requests: You can place prayer concerns on the church s email distribution list at eprayers@uccwestboro.org. 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. 4 Pre-Chorus So remember your people Remember your children Remember your promise Oh God CHORUS I REPEAT GO BACK TO PRE-CHORUS & CHORUS I TRANSITION INTO CHORUS 2 BELOW Chorus 2 Your grace is enough Heav'n reaching down to us Your grace is enough for me God, I see Your grace is enough I'm covered in your love Your grace is enough for me
ANNOUNCEMENTS WOMEN S FELLOWSHIP Fall Dinner: If anyone would like to sign up for the women s fellowship dinner tomorrow night, please see Cathie Achorn downstairs in the vestry after the service. Spaghetti Supper: Cathie will also be selling tickets downstairs for the spaghetti supper on Sat. Oct. 6 th. Checks or cash will be accepted $12 each. SERMON SCRIPTURE BIBLE STUDY EVERY SUNDAY AT 9AM Please join us every Sunday morning at 9AM in the Chapel downstairs for a Bible Study focused on the sermon Scripture of the day! We always have a great discussion-please join us! SAVE THE DATE STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY IS NOVEMBER 4 Please try to attend and participate in this important day for our church. This is our chance to stand together and celebrate the gifts we give to and for our beautiful church. The pledge you make that day will help support the church and its future of outreach, service, worship spiritual and personal growth. COME TO THE WELL, WEDNESDAYS AT 7:30, BEGINNING OCTOBER 3! This fall, a new experience is coming to the Congregational Church of Westborough. Each Wednesday, join us at The Well, for worship, reflection, conversation, and study in a relaxed environment designed for mid-week spiritual refreshment. There are many references to wells in the Bible. They were critically important. There wasn t always a dependable source of water in that desert landscape. Travel would be planned around places where you knew you could find water. After a long day there couldn t have been anything better than pulling up a bucketful of clear, cool, life-giving refreshment. And things would happen at the Well. People encountered each other. People encountered God. We will gather on Wednesday nights seeking the same. 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 begins this Wednesday, October 3 at 7:30 pm and will be facilitated by Pastoral Associate, Pete Graham. WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY Next Sunday, October 7 th is World Communion. The Deacons invite the congregation to bring breads of other countries to church that day. The breads will grace the altar table and then be shared in fellowship during the coffee hour following the service. If you are able to bring a bread, please leave it in the church kitchen by 9:30 a.m. that morning. Thank you! C.R.O.P. WALK OCTOBER 21 ST The 41 st annual C.R.O.P. (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Walk will once again be hosted by our church. This year s walk will be on Sunday, Oct. 21 st at 1:00 pm. Registration begins at 12:30 pm. 25% of the donations go to our Westborough Food Pantry. Walkers Donors and Volunteers are encouraged to sign up at the CROP Walk table downstairs in the library. Any questions please contact Al Hutchinson 508-847-9689. Thank you for your continued support. 5
NEIGHBORS IN NEED Our annual collection for Neighbors in Need (NIN) will be next Sunday, October 7th, 2018. NIN is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for the American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of this offering is used by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants. This year, special consideration will be given to projects focusing on serving our immigrant neighbors and communities IPad NEEDED! The church is seeking the donation of an ipad for use with the Sanctuary sound system. Any model running at least ios 7.1 will meet this need. If you can help, please contact Joe Stillitano, Tom Morgan, or the church office. YOUTH GROUP NEWS 2020 Mission Trip Planning Team Meeting OUR FIRST 2020 MISSION TRIP PLANNING TEAM MEETING IS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14TH@3pm!!! We will begin brainstorming the "Where & Why" so please come with your ideas! I will be there with mine ;) If your youth is interested and AWAY AT SCHOOL...just have them email me and let me know. I will HOLD their PLACE & keep them in the loop! College students will be "Young Adult Team Members". We also need ADULT TEAM MEMBERS. Anyone interested...just email: wendysreardon@yahoo.com We already have 4 adult team members & 6 Youth members signed up! So don t miss out join the Team! PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH FRIENDS & FAMILY! Thank you! I'm looking forward to an exciting program year ;) peace-wendy Fall Youth Group Schedule: 12-3pm Friends are always welcome! Today, Sept. 30 October 14, 28 November 4, 18 FLOWER COMMITTEE We are happy to let you know that we have a full 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! HABITAT WORK DAY - SATURDAY OCTOBER 20TH On Saturday, October 20th we will work on units 3 and 4. We did some work in February and now it is time to finish these homes in time for the holidays. Skilled, some skills, no skills, all are welcome to help. The work day will run from 8 a.m. to app. 4 p.m. with lunch provided (yes, we need lunch makers as well). Signup sheets will be in the vestry on the Mission table. If you have questions, call Pam Faustine at 978-464-2026 or Doug Wales at 508-870-0086. Thank you. 6
CHILDRENS' CHIMES & BELLS NEWS!! Do you like being part of a team? Do you like to smile & make people smile? Come to the Choir Room on Sunday, September 30, to join (or rejoin) the combined Parkman Bells & Jubilant Chimes Choir. We will meet at 11:30. Come even if you're not sure. Children from Kindergarten to Eighth Grade are welcome. If you have any questions, call or text Sue Menzel, 508-341-8239. Parents are invited as well! PLAYGROUP STARTING AGAIN THIS FALL Come join us on Thursday mornings from 9:00 11:45 am for playgroup. We will meet in the nursery downstairs. Call Sandy Horton 508-410-9000 for more information on starting date. GROCERY CARDS 2018 Goal: $ 8,000 2018 YTD Sales: $ 4,745.40 Hungry? We re worried that you might be as we look at our year to date profit! We hope that you ll eat healthy, shop locally, and always have a grocery card in your pocket - even for those last minute items. Bring your checkbook to church on Sunday or stop by the Church office. We ll be ready for you. Thanks! Or contact Karen Hutchinson at 508.870.1782 or millarhutch@aol.com or Nancy Quimby at 774.249.4431 or nquimby11@gmail.com or Sally Petersen at sbpetersen4@gmail.com and 366.5169. 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! 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 millarhutch@aol.com. The next dinner will be Thursday, October 3 rd. Donations of Stop and Shop cards are greatly appreciated to help with the shopping for the meals! Thank you. Pastor Paul Sangree, Senior Pastor phsangree@gmail.com Rev. Elaine S. Gaetani, Pastor of Spiritual Development - revelaineg@aol.com Wendy Reardon, Directory of Children s and Youth Ministries - wendysreardon@yahoo.com Joseph Stillitano, Interim Minister of Music josephmstillitano@gmail.com Sue Menzel, Director of Bells westcongmusic@gmail.com Peter Graham, Pastoral Associate petegrahamiam@icloud.com Office hours: closed Mon, Tues & Wed 9am-2pm, Thurs 10am-2pm, Fri 9am-1pm Church office phone 508/366-2000 General Church email westboroucc@verizon.net, Church website www.uccwestboro.org www.facebook.com/thecongregationalchurchofwestborough 7
CALENDAR FOR - SEPT 30 th OCT 7 th Sep 30 Sunday 9:00 AM Bible Study/Chapel 10:00 AM Worship & Summer Storytime 11:30 AM Kids Chimes & Bells 12-3 PM Youth Group 2:30 PM GSA/Vestry 5:30 PM GSA/Vestry Oct 1 Monday 6:00 PM Women s Fellowship Dinner 7:30 PM BSA Troop Comm./Kerygma Room 7:30 PM AA/Nursery Oct 2 Tuesday 10:00 AM Whitney Place Service 10:30 AM Beaumont Service 11:15 AM Willow s Communion 7:00 PM Festival Ringers Oct 3 Wednesday 10:30 AM Staff Meeting 6:30 PM Choir Rehearsal 7:30 PM JoySpring Rehearsal Oct 4 Thursday 9:00 AM Playgroup/Nursery 10:30 AM Westborough Health Care 2:30 PM PCC/Fannie Forbes Rm 6:30 PM BSA/Vestry Dismas House Dinner Oct 5 Friday (no events) Oct 6 Saturday 5:30-8 PM Spaghetti Dinner/Vestry Oct 7 Communion Sunday 9:00 AM Bible Study/Chapel 10:00 AM Worship & Faith Formation 11:30 AM Kids Chimes & Bells 11:30 AM Deacons/Kerygma Room 8