Dear Friends,

On Sunday, we gather for Rally Day—the traditional start of the church’s program year. As a perfect touchstone, our scripture reading this Sunday invites us to reflect on the central question of the Christian faith from Jesus, “Who do you say that I am?” In my sermon, I’ll offer some suggestions about what it means to answer that question in Christian community. Prior to our worship service, we’ll offer coffee and donuts in the sanctuary and after worship we will celebrate the ministry of our church with pizza, games, and a new dunk tank! I look forward to seeing you at worship on Sunday, September 15 at 10:30 AM to hear a sermon that is our theme for the year, Discover Joy!

Grace and Peace,

Chris 

In-person and broadcast Worship begins at 10:30 AM. Sunday worship will start at 10:30 AM. Services will be broadcast on Facebook Live. Rally Day refreshments and activities will be offered in the Social Hall and the back church lot following worship.

Sunday Worship Scripture Readings

ISAIAH 50:4-9a  Page 594

THE GOSPEL OF MARK 8:27-38                                  Page 820

SUNDAY SCHOOL & YOUTH GROUP



Sunday School offers Godly Play for ages 4-12, and Grapple for middle school students! Our Sunday School program needs at least one more teacher to ensure adequate coverage if you, or someone you know, is interested in helping. Registration for Sunday School and for Confirmation class is open. For more information, please contact info@centralnewburyport.org or call the church office at 978-465-0533.

Central Happenings

Rally Day is a celebration of Central Church and the ways we are making a difference in people’s lives, in our congregation and in the community. The choir and Sunday School return from summer breaks. You'll have a chance to learn more about ways you can make difference. It’s a fun day, filled with food, music, games and meeting new people. We hope to see you there to find joy together. Invite a friend or neighbor to come along. Everyone is invited to participate. Join us Sunday, September 15 following 10:30 am worship service.

Afghan Ministry Update

As many of you know Shagufa (our mom) has been participating in the Newburyport Farmers Market with her group NAAM Artisans this summer. This Sunday, September 15, as part of Central’s continuing connection with our Afghan family, Shagufa will be at the Rally Day activities after worship to sell some of her wares (pillows, placemats, and napkins). She can take cash, check or Venmo. Look for other opportunities to connect with our family this fall. For more information or to volunteer on our team, contact Sarah Seamans. Call 978-273-1512 or e-mail sbseamans@comcast.net

Saturday Morning Community Breakfast has started serving again in the social hall at Central Congregational Church on Saturday mornings; 8:00 to 10:00. Guests will be served meals at the table or they may request their meal to-go. Breakfast is always free, and donations are happily accepted to keep this wonderful program operating. To learn how you can help or to volunteer contact Jeff Gray at jeffreyscottgray@gmail.com or Kelly Gray at kellygray@comcast.net

NOMINATING COMMITTEE – CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Central Church members and friends, please consider the following needs. We need nine people to fill three separate roles:

• two people to join the Broadcast team, 
• three people for the Christmas Fair Team,
• up to four Deacons.

We will provide training and support for each of these committee positions. Please contact Nominating committee members, Don Little, Bob Gosse, Amantha Moore, or Patti Innes for more information. Contact Kathleen Melanson at the Church office 978-465-0533 or info@centralnewburyport.org

We welcome your theme baskets or donation. If you need help with a theme please contact a member of the Raffle Committee: past ideas include: Tourist In My Hometown (gift cards and items with city or town name) , Love the Arts baskets (tickets to local theaters), Tea & Biscuits baskets (assortment of teas and specialty biscuits), Framed artwork, For the Love of Dogs basket (everything dog related) and Cheese baskets, Sports tickets, Bird Lovers Basket...you get the idea! We are looking for new items that we can build a basket around or use as a basket fillers. 

Please contact Jean Copelin at copelinmoore@yahoo.com to let us know what Raffle Basket you will be donating and its theme. Please provide details about the contents of the basket and the market value of the items.

All Baskets are due in the church office by Oct 1, 2024 but please bring your basket in as soon as possible! The Basket Raffle team needs time to create the printed catalog and website for kickstarting raffle pre-sales orders.

Community News and Events

AFGHAN WOMEN’S WORSHOP (AWW) @ NEWBURYPORT FARMERS MARKET on 9/22

The Afghan Women’s Workshop (AWW) will have a booth at the Summer Newburyport Farmers Market 9-1, on Sunday 9/22. Our Afghan mom (Shagufa), as part of the AWW, will be selling her pillows, napkins and other hand crafts at the market, so check out their booth.

https://thenewburyportfarmersmarket.org/ 

Join us for the 21^st ANNUAL CHOCOLATE TOUR

Saturday, October 5 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Extra Hands needed to distribute sweet treats

Be Part of a Sweet Tradition: Volunteer for the Newburyport Chocolate Tour!

The Chocolate Tour is expanding to Amesbury locations this year, on Friday, October 4, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Make this milestone event a success by lending your time and enthusiasm. Let's create chocolate-filled memories together, celebrating 21 years of eating chocolate, being happy and doing good! Everyone is invited to help make this year’s tour happen – all hands are welcome.

Sign up to volunteer now! https://newburyportchocolatetour.com/

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)   Click the Donate to Central button at the bottom of the home page

3)   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

Masks are optional during worship and other activities, but are 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 in the Sanctuary. 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.