Dear Friends,

On Sunday, we gather to celebrate All Saints Day, a time when we remember all those who have gone before us. It is an ancient tradition within the Christian church and has parallels in other contemporary faith traditions and the pre-Christian practices of many people around the world. On this day, we celebrate our connection to our ancestors and give thanks for their lives. I’ll talk about these connections and how they bless our lives in a sermon that I’m calling, “Blessed Are the Saints.” I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Grace and peace,

Chris

WORSHIP STARTS at 10:30 A.M.

In-person and broadcast Worship begins at 10:30 AM on Sunday morning. Services are broadcast on Facebook Live thanks to our amazing Broadcast Team of volunteers.

Sunday Worship 10:30 AM

Scripture Readings

REVELATION 7:9-17  

1 JOHN 3:1-3   

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW 5:1-12

SUNDAY SCHOOL & YOUTH GROUP



Sunday School begins the morning in the Sanctuary for the first part of the worship service, and on Sunday School days we go upstairs to our classrooms following the Children’s Sermon. We are pleased to continue lessons for Godly Play for ages 4-12, and Grapple for middle schoolers.

October is nearly over, but we will be hosting the Crossing Paths youth study group from the First Religious Society of Newburyport this coming Sunday morning on October 29^th. I visited with this group last Sunday evening, exploring the differences and similarities between Christian denominations and I am so excited that they are coming to experience a worship service at Central. They will be heading upstairs after coffee hour to ask Pastor Chris similar questions and continue learning more about Christianity and all are welcome to join with them in the Grimes Room.

We will have our regular Sunday School programs this week, and the following Sunday November 5^th.  We will not have Sunday School on November 12^th due to the holiday weekend.

Upcoming Youth Group dates include helping out with the Diaper Drive on November 4^th -   please let me know by November 1^st if you are able to come to church between 10-1 to help with this community outreach?

There is also another opportunity for community service with the Saturday Night meal on November 11^th

Please let me know if you would like to meet Saturday afternoon on November 18^th and visit the Heroes Among Us art exhibition at the PEG in Newburyport?

We will meet at church, walk to the exhibit and then return to church for a snack and share our thoughts and impressions of this project which is touring across the country!

Looking ahead to December!   We need helpers for the CE table at the Christmas Fair on December 2cnd;  and for Reindeer Games on December 16^th

Blessings,

Lauren

For more information or to register for programs, please contact Lauren lauren@centralnewburyport.org (978)572-1423

NEW MEMBERS CLASS

The final New Member class will be held November 2 at 7:00 PM in the Grimes Room. In the New Members class, we’ll have the chance to get to know one another while we explore some of the basics of Christian faith. We will share some of our traditions at Central, and our heritage in the United Church of Christ. But most of all, we want to hear from you: your hopes and joys, the passion and concern that you bring to the pilgrimage of faith. If you can’t attend all the sessions, that’s okay. The emphasis is on relationship building.

This class is offered as an exploration without any expectation that you will join the church at the conclusion. If you’re interested in being part of the class, please speak to me or one of the deacons or just drop in at the classes.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns at 978-465-1479 or by email at Chris@centralnewburyport.org.

Central Happenings 

SOLAR at CENTRAL

Sunday, October 29,

5 PM​ via ZOOM

    Interested in helping Central become more energy efficient? 

    Join the ZOOM conversation this Sunday.

    We will continue the process of learning how installing solar panels at Central would work.

                               What would the process be?

                               Would it be financially feasible?

                               Or is it just the Right Thing to Do?

We will look into the options to consider and will share what we learn with the congregation.

No experience necessary to join!

Please contact me so I can add you to the list of attendees

Call 978-462-8059 or mooreamantha@gmail.com

It's a Holly Jolly Christmas Fair!

Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9:00 am -2:00 pm

The 2023 Christmas Fair Youth Fun! Room - new this year - will be open at the Fair on Saturday, December 2nd! We are happy to be offering:

֍ Christian Outreach Good Cause Gifts (formerly Alternative Gifts) to benefit Cradles to Crayons

֍ FACE PAINTING for a nominal fee by Newburyport High School Art Students

֍ Make-and-Take-a-Gift where Children will have the opportunity to make a personalized gift (for a nominal cost) for their families and take the gift away beautifully wrapped and ready to put under the tree!

֍ Kids-Only Shopping Table Kids 13 and under can shop for bargain treasures for their families and take them away beautifully wrapped and ready to put under the tree!

We are asking for your generous support to help make these offerings to our younger generation a tremendous success by bringing these items to the church office. We Need:

~ Half-pint jelly Mason Jars, (NOT pint jars as previously asked for) with a metal ring and rubber top if you have them, but will happily take them without

~ 1 inch black or gray river stones

~ Gold Spray paint

~ New or gently used items children would like to give as a gift, e.g. small vases, unopened boxes of stationery, your favorite Christmas decor that will enjoy a new home, new kitchen gadgets, new dishcloths, new gardening gloves , please get creative!

~ Strings of white Christmas lights

Thank you so much and HOHOHO!

Community News and Events

The Outreach Committee is hosting the annual Diaper Drive for Anchor of Hope on Saturday, November 4, 2023, from 10 AM - 1 PM at the Pleasant Street parking lot behind the church (across from Changing Tides Cafe). Donations of any size and any brand, including open packages, as long as you mark the size on any open packages or loose diapers. The greatest need for diaper sizes is 4, 5, and 6. Last year’s diaper drive collected more than 5400 diapers and more than 3000 wipes. You can drop off early donations until November 3 to the church office, or have your on-line purchases delivered directly to Central Congregational Church, 14 Titcomb St, Newburyport MA 01950.

Giving

Special Donations - Afghan Family Support

If you are interested in making a special donation to support the Afghan family that Central Church is assisting, we have set-up a specific fund that you can donate to using our on-line giving system. Follow these easy steps through the Central Church website:

1)   Go to: https://www.centralnewburyport.org

2)   In the blue banner at top of page click on: ON LINE WORSHIP

3)   On the far right of the page click on the blue text link: Click here to contribute online.

4)   Complete the Online Donation form that appears

Your Support is important.

We continue to rely upon and appreciate your financial support!

If you have a prayer concern this week, please send an email to Chris at chris@centralnewburyport.org by the end of the day Saturday or complete a prayer request card available in the Sanctuary and give it to a Deacon before worship service begins. Your prayer concern will be mentioned in the Sunday Worship by first name only, for privacy concerns. Thank You!

Health & Safety Information

Per CDC guidelines, masks are optional during worship and other activities, but are highly recommended for those who are high risk. We encourage anyone who chooses to wear a mask to do so at any time. We ask that anyone who has symptoms of cold or flu stay home and participate in worship remotely. Masks and hand sanitizers are available. We continue to monitor guidelines from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and local public safety/public health officials to ensure the continued health and safety of all Central Congregational Church members, visitor and guests.