Dear Friends,

This Sunday, we celebrate the Trinity—that uniquely Christian belief that we encounter God as one in three personalities. God as Trinity allowed the early church to understand the relationship of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit or as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Although this idea can be confusing, its essence is that God exists as relationship. Today, we are still invited into relationship with the source of life, hope, nourishment for body and soul. I’ll preach about the Trinity in conversation with the story of Nicodemus. I hope you’ll join us for worship and a sermon that I’m calling, “Born of the Spirit.”

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

ISAIAH 6:1-8                                                                  Page  553

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 3:1-17                                    Page  863

SUNDAY SCHOOL & YOUTH GROUP



Sunday School begins the morning in the Sanctuary for the first part of the worship service, and on scheduled 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 school students.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES

No Sunday School classes will be held on May 26!

Reminder: our last Sunday School class will be on June 2! 

JUNE 2:

Our last Acolyte training for the school year with Don Little will be on Sunday, June 2 following the worship service/Sunday School!

JUNE 9:

Children’s Sunday: All are welcome to participate in Children’s Sunday on June 9^th this year.  We have two songs and we room for more readers and greeters -  please contact Lauren with any questions!

Special note to the Communion Class of 2024: on Children’s Sunday we will present Bibles to those who missed the service on March 3rd, and we will be presenting the beautiful class quilt Liz Little created to the congregation!

Blessings, Lauren

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

Recognition of our Graduates

On June 16, 2024 we will recognize and honor our high school and college graduates during worship and a Luncheon reception during Coffee Hour. Let us know if your student is graduating from high school or college this spring so we can include them in the celebration. If your graduate is unable to attend worship on June 16 to celebrate with us, please plan to have a family member attend to represent them. Contact the office (978) 465-0533 or Lauren Olson-Sidford (Lauren@centralnewburyport.org) by June 7 with this information.

Central Happenings

Central Trustees Call for Student Scholarship Applicants

First year and returning college students are invited to apply for Central’s educational scholarship. The criteria for being granted a scholarship are being an active Central Church member or the child of a member and being enrolled in an undergraduate or post-graduate degree program. Scholarships may be awarded to entering or returning college students. Award amounts are based on the number of applicants. Please contact the church office for an application or .download at https://www.centralnewburyport.org/2024-trustees-scholarship/  

The completed application must be submitted to the office no later than Friday, June 7. Scholarships will be awarded on Sunday June 16, 2024.

WE NEED YOUR HELP THIS SUMMER

The 3 mothers are looking for volunteers for the summer to drive our Afghan mom, Shagufa, to the Farmers Market on some Sundays at 7:00 am. We are also looking for volunteers to work on English with our Afghan parents (Shafiqullah and Shagufa), once or twice a week in the mornings. We also need volunteers to help with occasional childcare (for 3.5 yo and 1.5 yo) over the summer (especially during English classes).

Thank you. The support from Central really means a lot to our family. Please contact Sarah 978-273-1512 sbseamans@icloud.com or Kelly 978-387-7730 mkpalma@comcast.net

Central Trustees Call for Student Scholarship Applicants

First year and returning college students are invited to apply for Central’s educational scholarship. The criteria for being granted a scholarship are being an active Central Church member or the child of a member and being enrolled in an undergraduate or post-graduate degree program. Scholarships may be awarded to entering or returning college students. Award amounts are based on the number of applicants. Please contact the church office for an application or .download at https://www.centralnewburyport.org/2024-trustees-scholarship/  

The completed application must be submitted to the office no later than Friday, June 7. Scholarships will be awarded on Sunday June 16, 2024.

Community News and Events

Please join us on Thursday, June 6th, 2024 at the beautiful Blue Ocean Event Center to celebrate the Pettengill House community and help make our mission possible! Have lunch by the sea, bid on fabulous silent auction items, and enjoy inspiring special presentations by keynote speakers Peter Hoyt (retired principal, educator, community leader) and Kacey Bellamy (Olympic gold medalist athlete, motivational speaker, mindset coach). All funds raised will help sustain The Pettengill House, Inc.’s vital programs, services, and interventions for local individuals, children, and families in need.

For tickets, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pettengill-celebration-lunch-tickets-895679149447

Learn more about Pettengill House at pettengillhouse.org

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)   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.