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Author: Matt Braddock

January 26 Worship Materials

January 26 Worship Materials

Celebrate online Sunday worship

Please join us this Sunday, January 26, at 10:30 AM on Zoom for an inspiring and inclusive worship experience with Christ Congregational Church. This week, we’ll explore the theme “Jesus the Healer” through scripture, reflection, and music, led by Pastors Matt Braddock and Aubra Love, Sam Wack, and Ann Marshall. Come as you are and find connection, hope, and grace in our welcoming spiritual community.

Download the Bulletin

Join Zoom Worship

https://zoom.us/j/119508399

Meeting ID: 119 508 399

Dial In via Phone

1-301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 119 508 399

January 19 Worship Materials

January 19 Worship Materials

January 19 | MLK Weekend

10:30 Worship on Zoom

(Zoom only, no in-person worship)

We commemorate the humanitarian service of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Our Beloved Community. Mahatma Gandhi inspired the world with these words, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” The revolutionary power of nonviolence, engaged with strategic resistance, was the cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement and was influenced by Gandhian philosophy. This nonviolent social action became the template for every other progressive movement in North America and around the globe. We will hear the stories of liberation as told by our CCC members and friends on a wide range of “movement” topics, from Civil Rights Freedom Riders to South African anti-apartheid; from LGBT+ communities to Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The voices we will hear are from Anne Weissenborn, Dave and Toko Ackerman, Dean Ripple and Erma Barron, in conversation with Pastor Aubra Love.

On Monday January 20th, MLK Day of Service, youth and adults from CCC will be building playhouse structures which will be placed in the yards of Habitat for Humanity homeowners

Download the Bulletin

Join Zoom Worship

https://zoom.us/j/119508399

Meeting ID: 119 508 399

Dial In via Phone

1-301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 119 508 399

A Sacred Farewell to Our Beloved Space: What to Expect

A Sacred Farewell to Our Beloved Space: What to Expect

We invite you to join us on Sunday, January 12, at 10:30 AM as we honor the history at 9525 Colesville Road and step forward in faith. Worship will include a prayer of blessing and the symbolic act of laying on hands, where all are invited to touch the walls, pews, and altar in a final gesture of gratitude. We will also honor our ancestors in a special moment of remembrance, affirming the love and legacy they have given us to carry forward. The service will culminate with the removal of the cross from the sanctuary — a symbol of carrying Jesus’ presence with us into our next chapter.

CLICK HERE to view the Sunday Bulletin

Join Zoom Worship
https://zoom.us/j/119508399
Meeting ID: 119 508 399

Dial In via Phone
1-301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 119 508 399

Please note, a documentary film crew will be present, capturing footage and interviews. The producer, a member of SSUMC, is documenting how we are taking proactive steps to keep CCC vibrant in response to changing demographics and shifts in church attendance across the U.S. 

After Worship Activities

  • Reception and Yard Sale: Please join us upstairs in the conference room and lobby for sheet cake and a “yard sale” of items that are not traveling with us to our interim home.
  • Packing and Moving: On the main level, we’ll pack hymnals, Bibles, and other items into boxes and load furniture onto a U-Haul. Please dress casually if you plan to help with the moving. Many hands make light work!

Caravan to Our New Home
Even if you are unable to assist with the packing, we encourage everyone to join the caravan to our new office suite at:
8900 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
We will meet near the far end of the education wing, at the day care entrance at 2 PM.

Arrival at our Interim Home (2 PM)
At the new location, Pastor Will Ed Green, members of SSUMC, and the film crew will greet us. After unloading, we will share in a brief Liturgy of Welcome, symbolizing our shared commitment to mission and ministry opportunities with SSUMC. We hope to wrap up the day between 3-4 PM.

January 12 marks a sacred and transformative moment for our congregation to reflect on the past, embrace the present, and step into the future together. Whether you are a longtime member or a newcomer, we hope you’ll be part of this historic day.

Let’s journey forward together!

Jan 5 Worship Materials

Jan 5 Worship Materials

We invite you to join us on Jan 5 for our epiphany celebration with the Sacrament of Communion. Communion at CCC is open to all! Worship begins at 10:30 in person and on Zoom.

Download the Bulletin

Join Zoom Worship

https://zoom.us/j/119508399

Meeting ID: 119 508 399

Dial In via Phone

1-301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 119 508 399

December 29 Worship Materials

December 29 Worship Materials

We  invite you to worship with us at Christ Congregational Church — where our inclusive community of spiritual seekers honors and celebrates people of all races, cultures, ages, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Join us on Sunday December 29nd at 10:30 AM, in person or on Zoom.

We will baptize cousins into the community of faith! Jacob Robert Warren, is the child of Keith and Kacey Warren. Luke Franklin Platky, is the child of Jamie and Lindsay Platky. Rob an Robin Platky are the grandparents.

Music is by Colin Carmody on organ.

We hope you can join us.

 

Download the Bulletin

Join Zoom Worship

https://zoom.us/j/119508399

Meeting ID: 119 508 399

Dial In via Phone

1-301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 119 508 399

December 15 Worship Materials

December 15 Worship Materials

Our Advent celebration continues Sunday at 10:30. Please join us as the Flute Ensemble delights us with music for the season. Pastor Aubra Love preaches, and the Barry Family will light our Advent Candle of Joy.

Download the Bulletin

Join Zoom Worship

https://zoom.us/j/119508399

Meeting ID: 119 508 399

Dial In via Phone

1-301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 119 508 399

December 8 Worship Materials

December 8 Worship Materials

Sunday December 8th – 10:30am
Second Sunday of Advent — Peace
80th Anniversary Celebration Worship Service

We  invite you to our 80th Anniversary service this Second Sunday of Advent at Christ Congregational Church — where our inclusive community of spiritual seekers honors and celebrates people of all races, cultures, ages, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Join us on Sunday December 8th at 10:30 AM, in person or on Zoom, for our 80th Anniversary Celebration. We hope you will join us for this milestone service.

CCC 80th Anniversary Worship Service and Reception
Sunday December 8, 2024

Reception immediately following worship in the Social Hall.

Bring a brief CCC story or favorite memory to share as we celebrate 80 years as a community and prepare to leave our building of 75 years.

The CCC Chancel Choir will share 2 of their favorite pieces of music 
from over the years.

Child Care provided in the Nursery.

Older Children & Youth are welcome to participate in the storytelling

Download the Bulletin

Join Zoom Worship

https://zoom.us/j/119508399

Meeting ID: 119 508 399

Dial In via Phone

1-301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 119 508 399

 

December 1 Worship Materials

December 1 Worship Materials

We are delighted to invite you to our First Advent Sunday service this Sunday at Christ Congregational Church — where our inclusive community of spiritual seekers honors and celebrates people of all races, cultures, ages, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Join us on Sunday December 1st at 10:30 AM, in person or on Zoom.

Pastor Aubra Love and Family will lead us in Lighting the Blue Advent Candle symbolizing Hope on the Advent Wreath, this first Sunday of Advent. Our Lay Reader this Sunday, Betsy Furlong, our Congregational Giving Engagement Area Coordinator, will give a Council Update, share a Scripture Reading (Jeremiah 33:14-18), and lead us in a centering Prayer of Awareness ~

“Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth.
Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust.
Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace.
Let hope fill our hearts, our world, our universe.”

The CCC Chancel Choir will perform “Lost in the Night,” a Finnish Folk Tune, and “Celtic Advent Carol” by David Angerman, Michael Barrett. Sam Wack will play “O Come, O Come, Immanuel,” Plainsong 13th Century, for us on the piano. Pastor Matt Braddock will offer a Meditation, “Hope in the Hardship”, based on a Reading from Scripture, Luke 21:25-36. Then, Pastor Matt Braddock and Pastor Aubra Love will lead us in The Sacrament of Communion this Communion Sunday.

“Blessed are you, Breath of peace, Giver of all life, Source of Love that knows no boundaries. Your song of wisdom rang out before the world began; throughout the ages, your song of liberation cried out to us with hope for a world where those considered last and least are first and most; violence is overcome by the power of your ancient love; and all siblings work together for peace.”

-Adapted from Gifts in Open Hands by Maren Tirabassi

Communion Sunday also gives us an opportunity to donate to support the Deacon’s Fund. The Deacons Fund is a separate fund from the Unified Budget and is used to support members of the church in times of financial need and is dispersed at the discretion of our Pastoral Team.

We hope you will join us. Here is the bulletin for this Sunday.

Please join us after worship for Pancakes with Mrs. Claus and our Advent Wreath Workshop, downstairs in the Social Hall. We also Kick Off CCC’s Annual Mitten Tree and Coat Collection this Sunday. See details below for both.

Download the Bulletin

Join Zoom Worship

https://zoom.us/j/119508399

Meeting ID: 119 508 399

Dial In via Phone

1-301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 119 508 399

 

 

November 24 Worship Materials

November 24 Worship Materials

Sunday November 24th – 10:30am
Thanksgiving Sunday Service

“Creator of abundance, we dedicate this season of generosity to You, the source of all good things. We offer our hearts, our hands, and our resources to support Food Justice DMV and Shepherd’s Table in their vital work. 
May our gifts be a sign of hope, a reflection of love, and a source of nourishment for those in need.”

We are delighted to invite you to our annual Thanksgiving Sunday service this Sunday 11/24 at Christ Congregational Church — where our inclusive community of spiritual seekers honors and celebrates people of all races, cultures, ages, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Join us on Sunday November 24th at 10:30 AM, in person or on Zoom.

We will enjoy a special Thanksgiving Altar display this Sunday, created by our Sanctuary Guild, composed of our fresh food donations. Pastor Matt Braddock and Pastor Aubra Love will lead us in a Prayer of Blessing for the abundant food that we have collected over the past several weeks, to help families in need through both Shepherd’s Table and Food Justice DMV.

Our Lay Reader this Sunday, Donna Whittlesey Miller of First Congregational UCC in Asheville, NC, will lead us in Gathering Words from Psalm 66:1-5, and a Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 23:1-7. The Chancel Choir will inspire us with “More Than Enough” by Susan LaBarr, with Ingrid Baynes, soloist; and “Thanksgiving Joy!” by Joseph M. Martin. Pastor Aubra Love will offer a Sermon, “Sweet Psalmist, Faithful Witness and Righteous Ruler”, based on a Scripture Reading, Revelation 1:4b-8, The Message. We hope you will join us. Here is the bulletin for this Sunday. 

Please join us for coffee and refreshments downstairs in the Social Hall after worship! + a Special Election Outcome Conversation (see below). Then, at 2pm, join us for a Memorial Bench Dedication Honoring Victims of Police Violence (see below). This Sunday after church, volunteers are also needed to bring the food donations to Shepherd’s Table in Silver Spring.

______________________

Election Outcome Conversation

Please join us during coffee hour this Sunday, November 24th, for an informal conversation about how we move forward in this challenging time. Our intention is to provide space and time for folks to share their feelings about the election outcome, and to foster energy around potential future actions.

There will be multiple opportunities on the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (Inauguration Day) to make a difference. Carlean Ponder and Brad Sperber will facilitate.

Note: All ages invited! We recognize that even some of our younger members who cannot vote yet understand much more than ever before about this election, the potential implications, and may have some thoughts and feelings they also would like to express.

-Carlean Ponder for Justice and Witness Engagement Area
-Marilyn Hall for Member Care and Fellowship Engagement Area

Download the Bulletin

Join Zoom Worship

https://zoom.us/j/119508399

Meeting ID: 119 508 399

Dial In via Phone

1-301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 119 508 399

November 17 Worship Materials

November 17 Worship Materials

We invite you to join us this weekend for a meaningful and inclusive worship service as we gather to celebrate the beauty within each of us. Pastor Matt Braddock and Pastor Aubra Love will lead us in prayer and reflection, with special focus on Transgender Awareness Week, honoring the transgender, genderqueer, and non-binary individuals in our community. We’ll also hear from Denise Woods of Food Justice DMV, who will share important insights on the ways we can work together to support our neighbors in need. The Chancel Choir will inspire us with the powerful prelude “The Lamb” and the anthem “Every Eye is Different,” reminding us to celebrate the unique gifts within us all. Our scripture readings will guide us to embrace truth, justice, and compassion, as we affirm the inherent worth and dignity of all people. Together, let us light our inner candles of hope and unity, and go forth empowered to share the light of love and understanding with the world.

Download the Bulletin

Join Zoom Worship

https://zoom.us/j/119508399

Meeting ID: 119 508 399

Dial In via Phone

1-301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 119 508 399