"Life@First Congregational" 7/7/08

Published: Wed, 07/09/08

Volume 1, Number 4 July 7, 2008

1,2,3,4 Parents!

Is parenting your little one tougher than you thought it would be? Do you want to learn how to care for your child as s/he moves through different stages? 1, 2, 3, 4 Parents! is a video-based, discussion class that can help. Join us in the church parlor on Sunday, July 20 at 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. for this interesting and informative class which will help you prevent temper tantrums, childproof your home, and develop rules and routines that will make life easier for you and your preschool child. The cost, which covers the workbook and materials, is only $20 for members and friends of the church. Contact Carol Lewis for more information.


We Want to Hear From You During the months of July and August our choir takes a well-deserved break. Their vacation gives you a fantastic opportunity to share your musical abilities with us in worship. We are looking for soloists and groups to participate in our worship services over the next several weeks. What style is most meaningful to you? Traditional? Gospel? Pop? Praise and Worship? We would love to hear it. Contact Bruce for more information. God Evaders? I came across a thought last week that fired up my heart and mind. It comes from a man named Clyde Reid. I wasn't familiar with him until now. It turns out he was a denominational minister in our tribe (The United Church of Christ) in the sixties. I came across a quote of his from the provocatively titled (and out of print) book, The God Evaders: How Churches and Their Members Frustrate Genuine Religious Experience. His thesis is what he refers to as The Law of Religious Evasion, which he describes "...as a kind of principle or law of human nature: We structure our churches and maintain them so as to shield us from God and protect us from genuine religious experience" (p.41). It struck a chord with me because, with some beautiful exceptions, that has described most of my church experience most of the time. But it also inspired me. Sometimes acknowledging and talking about an issue can be the first step toward doing something. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Does it describe your church experience? How can we become a church of God chasers rather than God evaders? Email me or join the discussion here (you'll have to register if it's your first time visiting). I also write a bit more about this over on my website, www.progressinginfaith.com. I'd love to hear from you! Peace, Pastor Jason www.progressinginfaith.com		This Week's Message Freed for... We know that in Christ we are freed from guilt, sin, the law, and others' opinions of us. But what are we freed for? Three ideas from the fifth chapter of Galatians: we are freed to live a Spirit-led life, freed to serve, and freed to love. You can watch the sermon here or listen and download the mp3 here. Next Week "I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church" Pastor Jason shares his "manifesto" on the purpose and possibilities of our church. This week and next we will explore six choices we can make to insure we remain a vital church usable in the hands of God. Mark Your Calendar Sunday, August 10th 9:00 AM in the Parlor
This Week's Opportunities Thursday, 7/10 10:30 AM Romans Bible Study 6:00 PM Big House Rehearsal, Room #6 6:30 PM BINGO, Fellowship Hall Monday 7/14 7:00 PM Centering Prayer and Meditation, Parlor Tuesday 7/15 10:00 AM Meditation Group, Parlor Friday 7/18 6:00 PM BIG HOUSE (refreshments and games 6:00 PM, Big House at 7:00 PM)		Pass it ON! Here is a super-easy outreach idea. Do you have a friend who would be interested in anything contained in this newsletter? Then forward it to them! It's a great way to let them know what is happening at our church. If a friend forwarded this email to you, first of all, thank them! Then subscribe for yourself at our website. For archive of previous editions, click here.