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TRANSCRIPT
The Congregational Church of Westborough UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
West Main & Church Streets, Westborough, Massachusetts
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
WE WELCOME VISITORS AND NEWCOMERS!
We are an “Open and Affirming” Church
Available are nursery care, large print bulletins, and an elevator.
Pastor Paul Sangree, Senior Pastor Rev. Elaine S. Gaetani, Pastor of Spiritual Development
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THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WESTBOROUGH
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Apr 9, 2017 10:00 AM
PALM-PASSION SUNDAY
“We are a church of the Holy Spirit! Whatever your spiritual disposition-skeptic, seeker, follower -
we welcome you and pray that you might hear something of the Good News today!”
*The congregation is invited to stand.
PROCESSIONAL “Hosanna”
*CALL TO WORSHIP Linda Hartley
Leader: Hosanna to the One who comes in God's name. Shout your blessings! Sing your
praises!
People: Christ opens our eyes to better ways of living, not as haughty rulers, but as
humble servants.
Leader: Have the mind of Christ among yourselves, that you may be emptied of pretense and
false pride.
People: In Christ we are free to be fully human, to celebrate and use our gifts to God's
glory. Leader: Give thanks to God, who has so richly blessed us; Praise God, whose steadfast love
endures forever.
All: This is the day that God has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
*OPENING HYMN #192 “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” ST. THEODULPH
*GATHERING PRAYER
O God of strength and excitement, God of humility and emptiness, You give us reason to
celebrate this day of palms, for we remember that Jesus risked himself for the needs of his
sisters and brothers. Give us the resolution and faith to follow Jesus' example. O Christ, as
You once entered into Jerusalem, please enter into our lives. We seek to open our hearts
not only in times of celebration, but also in times of suffering and loss. Holy Spirit,
encourage us to become bold adventurers in life who seek to enter God's Realm by
following the way of the Gentle Hero, the One who taught us to pray,
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*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)
*SONG “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” Rick Founds
Led by Joyspring
Lord, I lift Your name on high. Lord, I love to sing Your praises.
I'm so glad You're in my life. I'm so glad You came to save us.
You came from heaven to earth to show the way,
From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay,
From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky;
Lord, I lift Your name on high.
CHILDREN’S SCRIPTURE John 12:12-19 The Message
CHILDREN’S TIME Sunday School Students
(As children leave, please greet those near you.)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Pastor Paul Sangree
SERMON SCRIPTURES Philippians 2:1-8 (pew Bible page 954)
Luke 22:1-2, 14-20 (pew Bible page 857)
SERMON RUNNING ON EMPTY Rev. Elaine S. Gaetani
"Though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be
exploited, but Jesus emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness,
and being found in human form, he humbled himself " Phil.2: 6-7
*CHOIR ANTHEM “Hosanna in the Highest” David W. Music
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS
Invitation: What do we have to give? What are your God given gifts? Time, organizing, a
listening ear, a healing hand, an open door? For what are we most thankful? Family?
Friends? Education? Meaningful work? God's Creation? One another? Maybe the gift of
life and breath? All good things and the time we enjoy on this earth are gifts from God who
loves to share generously and joyously! Let us, with Joy in our hearts, follow Christ's
example and give with thanksgiving.
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(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!)
Offertory Anthem “I Can Only Imagine” Bart Millard
Joyspring
*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
Use what we have to share, God of all people, so more of Your children may know the good
news of Christ. If we had a donkey, we would loan it. If we had branches, we would wave
them. When we have garments we would honor Christ by clothing our shivering sisters and
brothers, by feeding the spiritually starving. We do have much to give and we cherish the
joy of giving! Bless these gifts given in Jesus' Name. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #129 “Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates” TRURO
*BENEDICTION
Leader: We are a community of:
PEOPLE: OPEN DOORS-AND GROWING FAITH!
*POSTLUDE “Recessional” John Wiegand
Lori Fox greeted you and served as liturgist.
Cathie & Steve Achorn are Deacons of the day.
OPEN DOORS – GROWING FAITH!
This is our vision statement. It speaks to our desire to open our doors to all of God’s children,
and to have all of the love and acceptance that is in this place flow out of our doors for the
community and beyond. Our hope is also to grow faith in kids, youth and adults so that we can
walk together in Jesus’ way, led by the Holy Spirit. Join us!
Join us for refreshments and fellowship downstairs after worship!
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PRAYERS & CELEBRATIONS FOR APRIL 9, 2017
Continued Prayers: Cathie Achorn’s sister Linda Palatka; Dee Mumby (Cathie Achorn’s mother); Dick
Birch; Helena Engberg
Prayer requests: You can place prayer concerns on the church’s email distribution list at
[email protected]. 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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
GROCERY CARD SALES ON EASTER
Grocery cards will be on sale in the vestry between the 9:00 service and the 11:00 service. Bring your checkbook to Church so you can eat heathy, shop locally with your Grocery Card. Happy Easter.
ALL CHURCH RETREAT – APRIL 29
Please join us for an all church retreat on Saturday, April 29th. The retreat will be from 9AM-3PM at the
Framingham Conference Center. The cost to participate is $25 and lunch will be provided. For more information
talk to Pastor Paul or Rev. Elaine.
HAITI PRESENTATION
Haiti Mission Trip Presentation & slide Show! Sunday April 30th after church in Chapel! Come join us!
SERMON AND 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 conversation!
WESTBORO FOOD PANTRY
This past week 148.3 pounds were donated making the grand total for the Lenten season 455 pounds. The
generosity of this congregation is amazing! Also the response to the real need for laundry detergent was
astounding. God bless all of you for your overall support. Dan Byers
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP – MYSTER BUS DINNER, MAY 1
Don’t miss out! Please sign up right away for the May Women’s Fellowship Mystery Bus Dinner on
Monday, May 1st. Join us as we take a bus to a mystery place for dinner and Election Meeting. Deposits
are due no later than April 21st. More details forthcoming.
PLAY BALL! THE SERMONATORS ARE BACK
Mark your calendars, the 2017 softball team, the Sermonators first game will be Monday, 4/17 against
Medway Village at our home field on Rogers Road. It should start around 5:30-6pm. Each week we will
list the upcoming games so check back each week..
SAVE THE DATE!
The Youth Group will be sponsoring a Golf Tournament & Silent Auction on May 20th
at the Westborough
Country Club. We hope you can join us for lots of fun. All proceeds raised will be used to help fund the
Youth Group Mission trip to St. Vincent in June.
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SENIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP WORK CAMP 2017
What a week of serving others - June 25-July 1 is sure to be! As our congregation sends 19 members to
the island of St. Vincent on a mission trip, 15 more youth and 6 adults will be driving 12 hours west to
Chillicothe, OH for our traditional summer work camp. As we have in the past, we will join 380 other
youth groups from throughout the U.S. for a week of work and worship. We continue to be extremely
appreciative of everyone's prayers, support, and financial assistance! Thank you. For more information
contact Al Hutchinson @508-847-9689 or [email protected].
MEN’S STUDY GROUP – ALPHA
All men are welcome to join our Men’s Study Group! We meet every Monday night from 7:00 – 8:30 in
our chapel. It is a casual group that continues to explore what it means to be a Christian man today. We’ve
decided to use the Alpha curriculum for the next two months. So, whether you’ve participated in Alpha
previously OR this would be your first time, we would love to have you join us for the whole program or
just come to try it out. If you’d like to learn more about this group just show up Monday or contact
[email protected] 508-878-5050.
GROCERY CARDS 2017 Goal: $ 8,000 2017 YTD Sales: $ 1,566.25
Easter Sunday Sales: Grocery cards will be on sale in the vestry between the 9:00 service and the 11:00 service. Bring your checkbook to Church so you can eat heathy, shop locally with your Grocery Card. Happy Easter. Stop by our table after worship on Sundays for more information or contact one of us and we will deliver them to you. Karen Hutchinson at 508.870.1782 or [email protected] or Nancy Quimby at 774.249.4431 or [email protected] or Sally Petersen at [email protected] and 366.5169
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
[email protected]. We will go again Thursday, May 4th. Donations of Stop and Shop cards are
greatly appreciated to help with the shopping for the meals! Thank you
Pastor Paul Sangree, Senior Pastor – [email protected]
Rev. Elaine S. Gaetani, Pastor of Spiritual Development - [email protected]
Wendy Reardon, Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries - [email protected]
Clayton Heidbreder, Minister of Music/Organist – [email protected]
Sue Menzel, Director of Bells – [email protected]
Linda Hartley, Pastoral Associate – [email protected]
Office hours: Mon & Fri 9-1, Tues,Wed,Thurs. 9-2,Church office phone 508/366-2000
General Church email – [email protected] Church website www.uccwestboro.org
www.facebook.com/TheCongregationalChurchofWestborough
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Holy Week Worship Schedule
MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 13TH
7:00 PM Journey with us as we go together with Jesus to the Last Supper and the Cross.
Rev. Bob Brown will be our preacher.
GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 14TH
ECUMENICAL SERVICE AT NOON
Join us at the Methodist church on West Main St. in Westborough for an ecumenical
Good Friday service.
GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 14TH
6-8PM THE WAY OF THE CROSS
This is an event for all ages so please join Wendy and the Youth Groups as they share with you
the story of Holy Week, from Palm Sunday through to Easter Sunday. You will be guided
by our Youth through works of art depicting the events of Holy Week.
The Way of the Cross will be guided from 6-8pm in the vestry.
SATURDAY, APRIL 15TH
3PM EASTER EGG HUNT
We will be having our annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday afternoon,
the day before Easter Sunday. Please join us and invite your friends and neighbors!
~The Hunt will begin promptly at 3pm. Children and Youth of all ages are invited to participate.
~The Easter Bunny will be here! Have your picture taken too!
~We will have refreshments to enjoy, including a make your own sundae bar, face painting,
pictures and balloons following the Easter egg Hunt in the Vestry
EASTER SUNDAY! APRIL 16TH
9AM AND 11AM
Come celebrate Christ’s resurrection! Our AM service will be especially designed for families
with young children, and there will be an Easter play! Rev. Elaine will be leading.
Pastor Paul will be preaching at the 11AM service. Bring a family member or friend!
Please invite family and friends and join us!
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LAST CALL for EASTER FLOWERS!
If you would like to give a plant in memory of a loved one or in honor of a family member or friend, send $12.50 for each plant to the office . Make checks out to: Congregational Church of Westborough, noting Easter Flowers.
CIRCLE ONE (In memory of) or (In honor of)
To:
From:
Call Carolyn Bent with questions 508-393-7809. Also, the committee needs help to deliver flowers after the 11 AM Easter service.
Apr 9 Palm Sunday
8:30 AM Gifts Group/Nursery, F.F.
9:00 AM Bible Study/Chapel
10:00 AM Worship & Church School
11:20 AM Kid’s Chimes & Bells
5:30 PM GSA/Vestry
Apr 10 Monday
2:15 PM GSA/Vestry
7:00 PM Men’s Group/Chapel
7:30 PM BSA Comm./Kerygma Rm
7:30 PM AA/Nursery
Apr 11 Tuesday
7:00 PM Trustees/Kerygma Rm
7:00 PM Festival Ringers
Apr 12 Wednesday 9:00 AM Weaver’s Guild
9:30 AM Playgroup/Nursery
3:30 PM Journey Home Singers
7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal
7:30 PM JoySpring rehearsal
Apr 13 Thursday
10:00 AM Staff Meeting/Kerygma
11:00 AM PCC/Fannie Forbes
7:00 PM Maundy Thursday Service
Apr 14 Good Friday
Noon Ecumenical Service/Methodist
Church
6-8:00PM The Way of the Cross/Sanctuary
Apr 15 Saturday
3:00 PM 3rd
Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Apr 16 Easter Sunday
9:00 AM Family Service, Rev. Elaine
11:00 AM Traditional Service, Pastor Paul