Worship on Sunday December 24 at 10:30 AM

Dear Friends,

In most years, December 24^th is observed as Christmas Eve. But every now and then, December 24^th is also the fourth Sunday of Advent. This is one of those years and we will have a full day of worship to celebrate. On Sunday morning, our worship service focuses on the final Sunday of Advent and we hear the voice of Mary the mother of Jesus with words that foreshadow the life and ministry of her son. I’ll be preaching about Mary as both mother and prophet.

Then at 4:00, we celebrate Christmas Eve with Central’s Rock and Roll Christmas Eve. At 7:00 we welcome Christ’s birth with a service of Lesson and Carols. Both Christmas Eve services include the beautiful ceremony of candle lighting. I hope you will be able to join us for one or more of these special worship services on December 24^th—the fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve.

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

ROMANS 16:25-27

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 1:46B-55

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.

Sunday School reminder that no classes will be held on December 24th and December 31st. Classes will resume on January 7 - all are welcome!

Merry Christmas,

Lauren

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

Central Happenings

A Christmas Invitation

Central Congregational Church

Bringing you

Hope, Peace, Joy & Love

Sunday Dec 24                                10:30 am

4^th Sunday of Advent – Love

Christmas Eve

Rock’n’Roll Carols                            4:00 pm

Lessons & Carols                               7:00 pm

  14 Titcomb St, Newburyport MA

www.centralnewburyport.org

978-465-0533

EPIPHANY DINNER AT CENTRAL

We will be hosting an Epiphany dinner on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 6:00 pm. Food, fellowship, intentions, crafts and worship together! A meal of Pork Tenderloin, roast vegetables and salad dinner with desserts will be served. Tickets are $20.00 per person ($60.00 family max). Funds collected will be donated to an international peace organization.

Community News and Events

ORGAN CONCERT

Featuring David M. Kenney, Sr.

Hampton United Methodist Church’s Organist & Director of Music

Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 2 P.M.

at the Hampton United Methodist Church,

525 Lafayette Road, Hampton, NH

(snow date: February 4, 2024 at 2 P.M.)

Admission is free, and an offering will be taken to raise funds for organ chimes. Please come, and bring your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers! 

For more information, contact the church office at 603-926-2702.

Giving

The Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross is an annual UCC offering that expresses our thanks to retired and active UCC pastors and lay church workers and their families facing financial need, providing direct assistance to supplement pensions, help with the cost of medical insurance, a thank you gift at Christmas, and funds to meet emergency needs. This year’s Christmas Fund theme is “Grace upon grace,” from John 1:16, “From Christ’s fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”

Special offering date this year will be December 24, 2023.

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.