"Life@First Congregational" 10/21/08

Published: Wed, 10/22/08


"Loving God, Loving Others, Serving the World"
 
Volume 5, Number 3                                                                                      October 21, 2008


Fall Festival & Big House
There are two great opportunities this weekend to invite families to First Congregational Church! This Friday night is Big House, our monthly service geared for children and their families. We have snacks and games at 6:00 PM and Big House starts at 7:00 PM.
 
And this Sunday afternoon from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM will be our first annual community Fall Festival, an opportunity for us to invite our neighbors to the church for some fun, food, and games. There will be a corn-eating contest, a bounce house, and plenty of other opportunities to have fun together. Everything at the festival is free. However, we will be accepting donations of supplies and money for North Grade Elementary School. If you would like to help out with the festival email Sue Cone.
 
 


Partnership With
North Grade Elementary
Several years ago, the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ invited Paul Borden, a conference minister with the American Baptist denomination, to come speak with church leaders. He said something at that gathering that has stuck with me ever since.
 
He encouraged churches as they were planning for the future to not just imagine what their church could become in 10 years, but what their city could look like in 10 years.
 
It is easy for churches, like other organizations, to become inwardly focused instead of outwardly focused. That is why I am so excited about our new partnership with North Grade Elementary School, the public school that is 5 blocks south of our church. Thanks to Sue Cone and Helen Greene, who took the initiative to meet with the principal, we have "adopted" the school. We will be helping them with projects that benefit their students and their students' families.  I can think of few better ways to start positively impacting our neighborhood. Thank you Sue and Helen and thank the rest of you in advance for how you will become involved in the lives of these families. Stay tuned for more details about how you can help!
 
Peace,
       

This Week's Sermon
"Assurances of the Co-mission"


If, as a church, we only have two years left to live, what would we focus on? What would we do?

We have the opportunity to go "back to the basics," to Jesus' final earthly words, to the Great Commission. The Great Commission is a co-mission. Jesus does not send the follower out alone to get it done. Jesus assures us that he will accompany us as we move out and make disciples.This sermon turned out to be quite provocative. If you missed it, you can watch here, or listen or download here.

 
Next week we will explore the third part of of are vision, "serving the world.
Parenting Class &
Kid's Fun Night
For three weeks, November 7th, 14th, and December 5th, from 6:30-8:00PM, we will be hosting a class for parents, "You and Your Child: Building a Bond of Love and Trust," facilitated by Carol Lewis, LMFT. Subjects will include communication, boundaries, discipline and other helpful topics. Nursery will be provided for preschoolers as well as fun activities for K-5th students. All of this will be provided for free. Contact Carol for more information.

                                
This Week's Opportunities        


Thursday, 10/23
10:00 AM       Romans Bible Study,Parlor
6:00 PM         Big House Rehearsal, Room #6
 
Friday, 10/24
6:00 PM        Food and Games
7:00 PM        Big House!
 
Sunday 10/26
10:30 AM       Worship "Faith Works"
12:00 PM       Fall Festival
 
Monday 10/27
7:00 PM        Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary
                      Centering Prayer and Meditation, Parlor
 
Tuesday 10/28
10:00 AM        Centering Prayer and Meditation, Parlor
7:00 PM          Church Council, Parlor
 

 
Election Day Hospitality
On Tuesday, November 4th, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, we will be providing refreshments for the many people who will be coming to vote at the church. We need people to bake cookies of muffins for us to offer and we also need hosts and hostesses for election day. This is a great opportunity to expose our neighbors to the love of God as shown through us!
 
Let Jason know if you would like to participate.
 


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