Spire Barre Congregational Church, UCC Phone—978-355-4041 Email—[email protected] 2017 Ash Wednesday & Ash Wednesday this year is observed on March 1st. Here are some facts about Ash Wednesday the beginning of the Lenten Season: Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting. Ash Wednesday is considered first day of Lent in Western Christianity. It occurs 46 days (40 fasting days, if the six Sundays, which are not days of fast, are excluded) before Easter. Ash Wednesday can fall as early as February 4 or as late as March 10. Ash Wednesday is observed by many Western Christians, including Anglicans, Lu- therans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Roman Catholics. According to the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Christ spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation by Satan. Lent originated as a mirroring of this. Fasting is the 40 days of preparation for Easter. Every Sunday was seen as a of the Sun- day of Christ's resurrection and so as a feast day on which fasting was inappropriate. Accord- ingly, Christians fasted from Monday to Saturday (six days) during six weeks and from Wednes- day to Saturday (four days) in the preceding week, thus making up the number of 40 days. Or- thodox do this 40 days in a row. Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of blessing ashes made from palm branch- es blessed on the previous year's , and placing them on the heads of participants to the accompaniment of the words "Repent, and believe in the Gospel" or "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return". Lent is a solemn religious observance in the liturgical calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later, before Easter Sunday. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer through prayer, doing penance, repentance of sins, almsgiving, atonement, and self- denial. This event is observed by Christians in the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Method- ist, and Roman Catholic Churches. Its institutional purpose is heightened in Inside this the annual commemoration of , marking the death, burial, and Spire resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the tradition and events of the New Tes- tament beginning on Friday of Sorrows, climaxing on Jesus' crucifixion on Message Page 1 , which ultimately culminates in the joyful celebration on Easter Prayer Con- Page 2 Sunday of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. cerns In Lent, many Christians commit to fasting or giving up certain types of Church Com./ luxuries as a form of penance. Many Christians also add a Lenten spiritual Church Supper/ Page 3 discipline, such as reading a daily devotional (on page 9 of this Spire) or Food Pantry/ praying through a Lenten calendar, to draw themselves near to God. The C F Supper/ Stations of the Cross, a devotional commemoration of Christ's carrying the W. Fellowship Cross and of his execution, are often observed. Many Roman Catholic and Collectors/ Page 4 some Protestant churches remove flowers from their altars, while crucifixes, Treasurers religious statues, and other elaborate religious symbols are often veiled in violet fabrics in solemn observance of the event. Throughout Christendom, Nominating Page 5-7 some adherents mark the season with the traditional abstention from the Report consumption of meat, most notably among Roman Catholics. Lent is tradi- Calendar Page 8 tionally described as lasting for forty days, in commemoration of the forty days Jesus spent fasting in the desert. From Wikipedia Lectionary Page 9

1 Church Committee Food Pantry We have many reasons to be thankful. We are Barre Food Pantry volunteer opportunity. blessed with a mild winter to date, and no frozen The Barre Food Pantry at the Barre Congregational pipes. Church on the common in Barre center welcomes We continue to be a host to many community or- volunteers 9:00 am-10:00 am and or 6:30 pm and ganizations and the church is busy several nights a 8:30 pm on the Tuesday before distribution which week. We have moved our insurance from Church will be February 7th this month. Volunteers are Mutual over the Healy Brothers. This allowed us a needed to help set up the room and sort, date and pre- significant savings. bag donated groceries for free distribution the next day. We discovered last week our hot water heater is leaking. We are in the process of verifying if it is A third opportunity to volunteer is from 9:30 am to still under warranty or if we will need to replace it 12:00 noon on the day of distribution which will be Wednesday, February 8th to help staff the tables, ourselves. help clients “shop” the food bank offerings and help We are in the process of applying for a second grant carry groceries to clients’ cars. to paint the church building. And/or replace the siding. This will require a church vote, as the The following items are needed this month: church will need to match funds. canned mixed vegetables We are blessed with the church members that con- baked beans tinue to support our wonderful church and help us canned pasta with meat sauce (like Chef Boyard- to meet our expenses. ee) fruit juices are always welcome We meet the first Wednesday of every month, our We would like to thank those of you who donate to meetings are open to all. the food pantry and to those of you who volunteer.

Church Supper Community Friendship Supper Weather Permitting Spaghetti and Meatballs Baked Stuffed Chicken Everyone is welcome! Saturday, February 18, 2016 Bring a friend and or family members. 5:30 pm Thursday, February 16, 2017 Served from 5:30 pm –6:30 pm Adults—$12.00 children under 12 $5.00 A free will offering may be given. The offering is For reservations please call used by the Mission’s Committee for those in need Lisa Holloway 978-355-0140 or the in our church and community. church office 978-355-4041

Read "Foreward" I admit, I don't read the foreward in a book. But last Women’s Fellowship Luncheon & Meeting week a choir member pointed out a sentence in the Monday, March 6, 2016 foreward of our brown hymnal. "If you don't love to sing, then why in the world would you ever want to Noon go to heaven?" I love to sing, but this gave me a lot of food for thought. Some people have said to me they can't sing. I respect that, so no one will ask you to sing a solo. But all of us can join together as "singing saints" of God. So, as a member of the congregation, sing togeth- Make your own SALAD er. When the choir sings, I'll enjoy surround sound We would like you to bring either a salad ixing or listening to all the saints. chicken, ham, egg, or tuna salads By the way, I think I'm going to start reading the foreward in a book. Deb Page Decorate your own cupcakes for desert!

3 Collector’s Report Treasurer’s Report Loose 818.00 Expenses 1/1/16—12/31/16 Current 5,573.00 Payroll 4,101.00 Missions 375.00 Office Supplies 112.00 Telephone & Internet 212.00 UCC Dues 20.00 Postage 0.00 Initial offering 63.00 Diaconate 0.00 Food Pantry Donation 2,000.00 General Maintenance 306.00 Discretionary Fund 4.00 Stewardship 0.00 PIF 100.00 Music 0.00 Friendship Supper 40.00 Christian Ed 0.00 Tuesday NA 20.00 Misc 0.00 Thursday AA 20.00 Flowers 0.00 Coffee 39.00 Sewer 0.00 Water 0.00 Total $9,076.00 Heat & Gas 250.00 Electricity 239.00 From the Insurance 324.00 Stewardship Committee Snow Removal 565.00 What Is Stewardship? Piano / Organ 0.00 Stewardship is recognizing that all we have is a gift from God, all we have Alarm 0.00 belongs to God, and all we have is to TOTAL $6,109.00 be used to serve God and enjoy God. What Is the Goal of Stewardship Loose 818.00 Ministry in the Church? Pledges 5,573.00 The goal of stewardship ministry Other 2,243.00 in the church is to lead people into spiritual formation that allows them Investment Income 1,988.00 to trust God, to serve God, and enjoy Total $10,622.00 God with all they are and all they have. Retained Earnings: $4,513 ********************************** It's never too late to pledge your time, tal- ents & treasures. Nothing is too small. Please take this time to thank God, and show how important He is in your life. Do it for your church family, but more importantly, do it to show God you love Him. Deb Page

4 February 2017 The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness self control …..Gal. 5:22-23

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 9-1 Wendy’s 9-1 Wendy’s 7:00 AA hours hours 4:30 –5:30 7:00 AA Maplewinds 6-8 Maple winds 6:30 Church Committee 6:30 Deacons Meeting 7:00 Boy Scouts 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 8:30 choir 6-9 Girl 9-1 Wendy’s 9-1 Wendy’s 9-1 Wendy’s 7:00 AA warm up Scouts hours hours hours 9:30 Service/ 9:00 Food Pan- 10-12 Food 7:00 Communion/ try set-up Pantry Barre Wom- 4:30 –5:30 Sunday 6:00 Food Pan- Maplewinds en;s Club school try set-up 6-8 Maple winds 7:00AA 7:00 Choir Re- 7:00 Boy Scouts hearsal 7:00 NA 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9:30 Service/ 6-9 Girl 9-1 Wendy’s 9-1 Wendy’s 9-1 Wendy’s 5:30 Church Sunday Scouts hours hours hours Supper School 7:00 Choir Re- 4:30 –5:30 5:30 Friend- 7:00 AA hearsal Maplewinds ship Com- 7:00 NA 6-8 Maple winds munity Sup- 7:00 Boy Scouts per Valentine’s Day 7:00 AA

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 8:30 choir 9-1 Wendy’s 9-1 Wendy’s 9-1 Wendy’s warm up hours hours hours 9:30 Service/ 3:30 –5:00 Mu- 4:30 –5:30 7:00 AA Sunday sic Rehearsal Maplewinds 7:00 Choir Re- 6-8 Maple winds School hearsal 7:00 NA

****************School Vacation Week****************** 26 27 28 8:30 Choir 6-9 Girl 9-1 Wendy’s warm up Scouts hours 9:30 Service/ 3:30 –5:00 Mu- Guest Preach- sic Rehearsal er 7:00 Choir Re- hearsal 7:00 NA 8

Daily Lectionary Scripture References February 2017 (Year A)

Wednesday (February 1, 2017): Psalm 37:1-17; Ruth 3:1-13; 4:13-22; Luke 6:17-26 Presentation of the Lord, February 2, 2017 Friday (February 3, 2017): Psalm 112:1-9; Isaiah 29:1-12; James 3:13-18 Saturday (February 4, 2017): Psalm 112:1-9; Isaiah 29:13-16; Mark 7:1-8

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 5, 2017 Monday (February 6, 2017): Psalm 119:105-112; 2 Kings 22:3-20; Romans 11:2-10 Tuesday (February 7, 2017): Psalm 119:105-112; 2 Kings 23:1-8, 21-25; 2 Corinthians 4:1-12 Wednesday (February 8, 2017): Psalm 119:105-112; Proverbs 6:6-23; John 8:12-30 Thursday (February 9, 2017): Psalm 119:1-8; Genesis 26:1-5; James 1:12-16 Friday (February 10, 2017): Psalm 119:1-8; Leviticus 26:34-46; 1 John 2:7-17 Saturday (February 11, 2017): Psalm 119:1-8; Deuteronomy 30:1-9a; Matthew 15:1-9

Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 12, 2017 Monday (February 13, 2017): Psalm 119:9-16; Exodus 20:1-21; James 1:2-8 Tuesday (February 14, 2017): Psalm 119:9-16; Deuteronomy 23:21-24:4, 10-15; James 2:1-13 Wednesday (February 15, 2017): Psalm 119:9-16; Proverbs 2:1-15; Matthew 19:1-12 Thursday (February 16, 2017): Psalm 119:33-40; Exodus 22:21-27; 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 Friday (February 17, 2017): Psalm 119:33-40; Leviticus 6:1-7; Galatians 5:2-6 Saturday (February 18, 2017): Psalm 119:33-40; Leviticus 24:10-23; Matthew 7:1-12

Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany, February 19, 2017 Monday (February 20, 2017): Psalm 119:57-64; Proverbs 25:11-22 ; Romans 12:9-21 Tuesday (February 21, 2017): Psalm 119:57-64; Genesis 31:1-3, 17-50; Hebrews 12:14-16 Wednesday (February 22, 2017): Psalm 119:57-64; Proverbs 3:27-35; Luke 18:18-30 Thursday (February 23, 2017): Psalm 2; Exodus 6:2-9; Hebrews 8:1-7 Friday (February 24, 2017): Psalm 2; Exodus 19:9b-25; Hebrews 11:23-28 Saturday (February 25, 2017): Psalm 2; 1 Kings 21:20-29; Mark 9:9-13

Transfiguration Sunday, February 26, 2017 Monday (February 27, 2017): Psalm 78:17-20, 52-55; Exodus 33:7-23; Acts 7:30-34 Tuesday (February 28, 2017): Acts 7:30-34; 1 Kings 19:9-18; Romans 11:1-6

9 Barre Congregational Church P.O. Box 936 Barre, MA 01005 The world needs the distinct values, vision and voice of the United Church of Christ– Continuing Testament. Extravagant Welcome. Changing Lives.

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