The newsletter of the Congregational Church of Bristol, Maine.
The Congregational Church of Bristol, Maine “Joyful Noise” Ministry Update March, 2025
Dear CCOB Family & Friends: The forty day season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5, and continues through the day before Palm Sunday, April 13. The Worship Sourcebook describes Lent as “a season of preparation and repentance during which we anticipate Good Friday and Easter. Just as we carefully prepare for big events in our personal lives…Lent invites us to make our hearts ready for remembering Jesus’ passion and celebrating Jesus’ resurrection.” How many times over the years have we begun this sacred season by asking ourselves, “What am I going to give up for Lent?” It’s a legitimate question. Unhealthy life style choices, bad habits, corrosive attitudes, immoral decisions, and unethical actions ought to bring us to our knees in repentance, asking for God’s forgiveness and restoration to the joy of our salvation in Christ. Asking the important question of what to give up is, however, just the beginning. From there we ask, “How am I going to remember Jesus’ passion this Lent, and how am I going to celebrate His resurrection on Easter?”
Beginning on March 9, there are five Sundays in Lent. Each morning service will feature Scripture readings from the Revised Common Lectionary and messages based on the sacred texts. The hymns and prayers will also aid us in “remembering Jesus’ passion.”
The Thursday afternoon group Bible Study (1:00, in the Library) will read, discuss, and pray about the Scripture readings for the upcoming Sunday service. There will also be Lenten reading material from Our Daily Bread and Cokesbury. Please join the group. All are welcome! If we faithfully “remember” our Lord’s sacrificial death on the cross, then we will be more than ready to “celebrate” His resurrection on Easter Sunday, April 20.
Together in Christ, Pastor Jim Dowse This Month & Beyond at CCOB March 2 Transfiguration Sunday, March birthdays 3/2, Ash Wednesday. Service at noon in the Parish House. Imposition of ashes available.
3/6 Lenten Bible Study 1:00, Library Board of Deacons 2:30
3/7 World Day of Prayer 3/9 First Sunday in Lent 3/13 Women’s Circle 10:00 Lenten Bible Study 1:00 Board of Trustees 4:30 3/16 Second Sunday in Lent with The Lord’s Supper 3/17 Happy St. Patrick’s Day!! 3/20 Lenten Bible Study 1:00 3/21 Men’s Breakfast 8:00 3/23 Third Sunday in Lent 3/27 Lenten Bible Study 1:00
3/30 Fourth Sunday in Lent Coming in April: Palm Sunday (4/13), Maundy Thursday (4/17), Good Friday (4/18), & Easter Sunday (April 20, 6 am “Sonrise Service” at the Lighthouse, 10:00 at CCOB).
If you’d like to submit an article for the “Joyful Noise,” please do so by the third Thursday of the month. The newsletter will be emailed on the last Thursday of the month. Several hard copies will be available in the sanctuary. Thanks!
