Pastor's Notes - June 2023

Summer is almost here and what a great time to kick back and take it easy. As we enter the month of June, however, some find themselves busy with graduations, confirmations, recitals, weddings, baptisms, BBQs, and such. Others may feel this as a time of loneliness or loss or maybe even feel stuck with little to nothing to do. Please know whatever your summer days may look like, we are here to worship at 10am Sunday mornings,in person, and live on Facebook.

If you wish to join us for worship, fellowship, grief group, or at bible study,

we would love to have you. Please, join us. Have any questions? Note the church announcements, Steeple, or contact the office. This June we are celebrating 10 years of ministry together. It is truly amazing how quickly those years have gone by! We have been through a lot together and we have grown in many ways. On June 4th, Sunday morning, we will join for worship at 10am, with a Picnic following. We will celebrate our 10 years together as we also fill the time capsule. Wait, a time capsule? Yes, we will place objects into a container that will be sealed for at least 25 years. Each person in the church is being asked to bring a church related item that they would like to place inside and why. A document of the items will be developed and placed inside the capsule along with being logged in the church office, sealed in an envelope. The actual sealing will take place with the document of items included the following Sunday, June 11th, 2023.

On June 17th, your Pastor will be attending the Annual Meeting of the Southeast Area Conference of the United Church of Christ. This event will take place in Worcester, Massachusetts. Please see UCC websites for more information and to learn more about the things happening in your denomination. You may also learn more about the items your pastor will be voting on. If you have questions or

concerns, please speak to Pastor Cheryl directly, so that she may bring them with her to the Event. Congregational Christian Church of Somerset, UCC

One last thing about June. Your Pastor has agreed to participate in the upcoming play “Shakespeare, In Cricket County” to be held on Friday, June 24th & Saturday, June 25th both beginning at 6pm. Come join us at the church in Fellowship Hall for an evening of fun and entertainment.

Shall we pray:

Lord, we have been overly blessed by you in so many ways we have lost count.

Maybe God, we have forgotten that all we have, all we are, all we will ever be, is from you. Please Lord, continue to bless the Congregational Christian Church of Somerset, UCC, and it's Pastor, that they may go the direction in which you wish for us to go. Bless each person in the community so that they may know your love. Help us to overcome our differences and come together in your name Jesus. Help us to better serve and lift up each person in our midst, in whatever way you call us to do. Help us overcome our fears and barriers that get in our way. So that we Lord, and others, may come to know your forgiveness, mercy, grace, and love, through Your Spirit we pray.

Amen.

I Am Yours In Christ.

Peace,

Pastor Cheryl Rieder