First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ,
Conant Memorial
135 Center Road
Dudley, Massachusetts
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Welcome! Throughout the journey of our lives we find ourselves on many different roads, traveling with a diverse group of people. We learn much through the joys and pains of daily living. Each of these experiences forms and molds us a bit more as children of God. At the First Congregational Church of Dudley we celebrate the journey you are on towards becoming the highest expression of yourself, whom God created you to be. As an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ we want you to know no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here! At our church we encourage a journey which is traveled with our bodies, minds and hearts, our intelligence and our compassion working together…side by side. This is a community of seekers who work to live the questions of our faith, the faith of Jesus, forming ourselves more and more in that image of perfect love. Please take some time to explore our website, sign up for PJ’s Place (my weekly e-letter) and visit us for worship. You may not be fully sure why it is you are exploring a relationship with our church and The United Church of Christ. You may simply be following some inner urging. We encourage you to listen to the voice of your heart for God is still speaking now. Come and become something more, as together we seek to live and grow as followers of Jesus on The Way… an inclusive and ever-expanding journey of love, beginning with ourselves and our families, extending to our communities, our nation and all the world. We look forward to meeting and getting to know you soon. Blessings on your journey, Pastor John |
HOLY WEEK SERVICE SCHEDULE
April 18, 2019 MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE Worship at 7:00 p.m. - beginning in Jacobs Hall For some, the most meaningful service of the year! (Jesus' commandment to "love one another even as I have loved you" is the focus of this evening. We learn to offer this love through The Way of Jesus. At Jesus' invitation, we join for the Order of the Table in Jacobs Hall to remember him and to recommit to The Way. Then, immediately following, we move to our sanctuary, for a service consisting of readings of scripture followed by the gradual extinguishing of candles. Historically, this service is associated with the evenings of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of Holy Week. The readings on these evenings commemorated the events of the following day, including the Last Supper, the betrayal, arrest, trial, suffering, death, burial and the destitution of the disciples. In the service presented here, these events are combined in one ceremony.) April 21, 2019 EASTER SUNDAY Easter Sunrise Service - 5:50 a.m. Led by our Youth Fellowship at Nichols College (Lookout on Budleigh Hill above the Athletic Center, outside by the auditorium. Should it be raining, this will be held in our sanctuary.) Easter Folk Service 7:00 a.m. - Sanctuary Scripture John 20:1-18 Sermon Title FOREVER LOVE Worship highlights Music from Mark Tonkin and Mark Wagner PJ reflecting on finding our inspiration to discover, become and offer new life! Easter Service 10:00 a.m. - Sanctuary Scripture John 20:1-18 Sermon Title FOREVER LOVE Worship highlights Music from Full Choir (under the direction of Director of Music Kristen Nolle) Puppet conversation with Pastor John & Pirate Jack Raven PJ reflecting on finding our inspiration to discover, become and offer new life! |
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When you get up in the morning and wonder what person in leadership will lie to you today, what
unnecessary, unhelpful and potentially dangerous displays of power will be suggested or acted upon,
what person you believed in yesterday will let you down today... it can be depressing. When you hear
of one more neighborhood struggling with violence, one more person mislabeled as someone we should
fear, one more struggling soul needing to overcome an addiction to opioids, alcohol, sexual misconduct,
racism or fear... it's deeply sad. So remember, we're on this journey together. Remember, none of us is
beyond repair, and since we are not beyond repair, the world is not beyond repair.
Let us work together to repair our little corner of the world,
bringing the kin-dom of God here, now. Peace.
When you get up in the morning and wonder what person in leadership will lie to you today, what
unnecessary, unhelpful and potentially dangerous displays of power will be suggested or acted upon,
what person you believed in yesterday will let you down today... it can be depressing. When you hear
of one more neighborhood struggling with violence, one more person mislabeled as someone we should
fear, one more struggling soul needing to overcome an addiction to opioids, alcohol, sexual misconduct,
racism or fear... it's deeply sad. So remember, we're on this journey together. Remember, none of us is
beyond repair, and since we are not beyond repair, the world is not beyond repair.
Let us work together to repair our little corner of the world,
bringing the kin-dom of God here, now. Peace.
Open and Affirming
All are welcome! The Open and Affirming Coalition provides support and sanctuary to all our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sisters and brothers, their families and friends; advocates for their full inclusion in church and society; and brings Christ's affirming message of love and justice for all people.
All are welcome! The Open and Affirming Coalition provides support and sanctuary to all our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sisters and brothers, their families and friends; advocates for their full inclusion in church and society; and brings Christ's affirming message of love and justice for all people.
Follow Pastor John on Twitter @PJsPeace
