Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his classic work "The Cost of Discipleship" outlined the costly steps of following Christ. There is strength in feeding on mercy rather than revenge, truth rather than falsehood, and peace rather than conflict. Choosing Christ over religion, the Bible over tradition, brings satisfaction but at a cost. When we eat right, we'll taste and see that the Lord is good. The Psalmist wrote "O taste and see that God is good to all who seek His face; Yea, blest the man that trusts in Him, confiding in His grace." When we sit at the Lord's table it is more than a tradition of grape juice and crackers, it is the representation of the greatest act of love known to man. The price of this food was the life of the Son of God.

Read by Doug Moe

Sermon Files ✝

GREETERS FOR TODAY: Darlene Fortin and Marion Parker

USHERS: Nancy Doggett, Dawn Keough, Nancy Reid, and Dorothy Robertson.

OCTOBER DEACON OF THE MONTH: Diana Shimpeno

SCRIPTURE READER: Doug Moe, a member of our Board of Deacons, will be reading the scriptures this Sunday, October 2nd. He will be reading Isaiah 55:1-9.

The Altar Flowers and Bulletins are given by Jack and Annelle Baird in celebration of their 59th Wedding Anniversary. Happy Anniversary! 

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SPECIAL THANK YOU to everyone who signed up to support our altar flowers and our worship bulletins. Those who signed up have been contacted concerning their wishes. We will be taking the flowers to Hospice or sending them home with the donors.

MUSIC MINISTRY FOR SUNDAY. This week we celebrate the Lord's Supper and our own Billie Thatcher is our featured soloist and music leader for our communion services. Billie will lead our hymns "Holy, Holy, Holy", "Come, Share the Lord", and "Blest Be The Tie That Binds". She will also sing several solos "Peace In The Valley", "One Bread, One Body", and "What a Wonderful World".

 Read More About ... "Billie Thatcher"

Kevin O'Connell will play our prelude and accompany Billie on the vocals.

GET YOUR BOOSTER SHOTS! COVID PRECAUTIONS:  We are still being extra careful at The Congregational Church and trying to protect against anyone becoming ill. However, we are making a few moves toward normal operations that you will notice on your next trip to worship services. 1. Hymnals will be back in the seats. 2. The red attendance sign-up books are available and we ask you to record your presence and pass them along your row.

OCTOBER MISSION PROJECTS: THE LEESBURG CENTER OF THE SALVATION ARMY. Those who provide help to the less fortunate in our community have felt the impact of another difficult year. In order to provide a Thanksgiving meal in 2022 the Salvation Army will need a miracle of generous support. Our church wants to be part of that miracle with our October mission giving. Help put a delicious turkey dinner in front of a hungry family with your gifts. Half of your mission dollars will make this possible and the other half will touch lives through our own Infant and Toddler program. Thank you for caring!

....Read More ✝ 

NEXT HOLY COMMUNION Is Sunday, November 6th. Join us at the Lord's table.

....Read More ✝ 

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS: Jan Sellers, Jane Hertz, and Bruce Walden (1), Russ Stehle (4), Leo VanderMeer and John Crimmins (10), Mike Koons (11), Marion Tarbell and Don Kudner (13), Darryll Lantz and Judith Parker (19), Elaine Glidden (20), Donna Kudner, Cathy Koons, and Scott Tomberlin (22), Pam Sabo (23), Marion Parker (24), Ginny Poe and Candy DeGarmo (25), Penny Stinton (28), Ruth McGuy and Desmond Fitzgerald (30), and Jean Gorney (31).

OCTOBER WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: Jack and Annelle Baird (1), Rick and Diane Nelli (18), and Dave and Sherri Zecher (18).

(If we missed your birthday, please, let us know. We will add you to the list.)

WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS DURING COFFEE HOUR. Stop by after service in Fellowship Hall and welcome our new members. We are in need of sponsors for our fellowship time after morning worship each week. We need volunteers to serve and clean up. Also, we need food donations (cookies, backed items, fresh fruit bowl, etc.). Join us for refreshments and conversation in Fellowship Hall after the service.

DON'T FORGET THE "RED" GUEST BOOKS!  Accuracy of our attendance figure is dependent upon "everyone" taking the time to sign and record their information in the red books when they are passed. Thank you for your support and help. 

NAME TAGS. If you need a new Name Tag or require a correction in your present tag contact Doug Moe (Church Clerk) at 603-493-0749.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL MATERIALS. We always encourage you to take time for personal spiritual growth. Our church encourages prayer and daily Bible reading throughout the year. Use the available Our Daily Bread devotional guides and read a portion of scripture each day. These books are free and available on the narthex visitors table

COMING ON THURSDAY, NOV. 3RD: 

Don't miss out on our 2022 Holiday Luncheon and Style Show. This event is a major fund raiser each year for our Infant and Toddler Pantry. It will be held again this year at Cheers of Stonecrest. Tickets are Sold Out! We are still in need of more gift baskets (see Candy DeGarmo) and gift cards (see Mary Starkweather) for our auction. Your donations will help make this a real success. 

THE MEMORIAL GARDEN continues to develop. The supply of granite markers is very limited nationally. We are working with our supplier "Ocala Marble & Granite Works" to finish this important project.

PASTORAL CARE: Contact Jim Keough on his cell 352-250-6160. Jim's email: RevJim46@aol.com. If you are ill or going to the hospital please let us know. We want to pray for you and be of service. Please be sure to check the "Prayer Request" section of our church website and pray for your church friends and their concerns. If you have someone you would like added to the list contact the pastor or Dawn Keough (email Nana6bn5g@aol.com).

Accessing our livestream worship service on Sundays

From your computer, smartphone or tablet, go to our website, www.thecongregationalchurch.org (using your browser of choice: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.) (Give yourself a few minutes before the service to get set up.)

Click on the Facebook LIVE logo to go directly to our LIVE Service. The broadcast will begin automatically.

To get a notice of all upcoming live events, follow us on Facebook.

Don't forget to SHARE the video stream with your friends when it begins.

If you missed the LIVE broadcast you can watch it anytime. Go to the website (thecongregationalchurch.org) and scroll down to the block that says "Sunday Worship Service" and click. It will take you directly to the latest recorded service.

If you need the Sunday Bulletin to follow along with the service, CLICK HERE. 

Your continued support of the General Fund is "Essential". There will not be government funds available to bail us out. Your stepped up support during this time will be a blessing. 

Or Give Online… Click the Donate button on our website, Then select the fund you wish to donate to.

OUR CHURCH JOURNEY. Get your copy of our beautiful book highlighting the journey of our church from the beginning in the Hampton Inn to our beautiful church facility and family of today. A gift of $25 to the Building Fund for each book. This is a limited edition volume, with a few copies available, so don't miss out. Available from the church office.

THE WALK OF FAITH - We continue to place Brick Pavers in both the Veterans Area at the flag poles and around the beautiful fountain area. Make a gift to the Building Fund of $100 and have a brick placed in honor/memory of a loved one or a veteran. You can place a brick in the fountain area walk-way to celebrate an event, memorialize a family member, or simply place your name on a brick to show your support for our church. Mail your check with "Brick Paver" in the memo section to the church along with the information you would like on your brick. There are three lines with 15 characters per line available on each brick. Contact the church office for more information.

 Ongoing Projects ✝

Prayer Requests for October 2, 2022

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