First Congregational Church Wolfeboro
United Church of Christ
An Open and Affirming Congregation
Join us for Worship!
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Sunday, August 29, 2021
14th Sunday after Pentecost
Hearts Far From God
Interim Minister Rev. Donna Muise
 
At the beginning of August we began our journey in ministry together. I thank you for your many kindness and visits. There will be more!

My scheduled office hours at this point are 10-4 on Mondays and Wednesdays; 10-1 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-4 I will be out visiting in our community.

If you’re interested in a visit from me, phone conversation or zoom call please call the office and we can set something up that’s convenient for both of us. I have an open door policy, so I hope you will feel free to drop in if you’re in the neighborhood!

Donna's email is revdonna@wolfeboroucc.org or call 603-569-1555 (office), 603-309-6963 (cell) to be in touch.

Scripture

James 1: 17-27


Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

Hearing and Doing the Word
You must understand this, my beloved:let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing. If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles. So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”

Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”

For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
In-Person Worship
Join us at 10:00 am in our sanctuary for In-person worship with our new Interim Minister, the Rev. Donna Muise.

As we worship safely, we are asking all people to mask inside to help protect our most vulnerable and we will be socially distancing in the pews. Please pick up your individually packaged communion elements on your way into the service on Communion Sundays. Offering plates will be in the gathering space for you to drop off your offering. After worship, Rev. Donna Muise will greet you on the sidewalk outside the front of the church. 
We are excited to be together again and we hope you can join us!

Cate Park in-person worship
Come and worship by the lakeside! Every Sunday at 7:30 am we will continue our in-person Cate Park worship services!

Cate Park is located on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee by the town docks and across from the Post Office. Gather around the gazebo with your chair, your coffee, your dog, your friends. Worship is simple and relaxed. Come as you are!

Please remember to social distance! If you are vaccinated you do not need to wear masks, but if you are unvaccinated we ask that you continue to wear your mask. We can't wait to see you all!

On Communion Sundays please bring your own bread and juice. Assume worship is canceled if it is raining hard enough to use your windshield wipers, but keep your eye out for an early morning email letting you know it is canceled.

Prayer Chain
Members of our congregation's prayer chain receive prayer requests by confidential email. Anyone wishing to participate who does not use email may receive a phone notification. 

To join: Call the church office (569-1555) or email Krista at krista@wolfeboroucc.org

To request prayer: Call or email Nancy Harwood (603-344-2752 or email harwoodn4@gmail.com)
Please remember to send in your offering, as you are able.
We are checking the mail at the post office, and our counters are still making deposits. Many of our expenses continue.
First Congregational Church Wolfeboro • PO Box 913 Wolfeboro, NH 03894 • 603-569-1555 • www.wolfeboroucc.org