This Week at FCCLW 5/10/15

Published: Thu, 05/07/15

May 10, 2015

Discussion Group

Beginning next Wednesday evening, May 13th at 7:00 PM, we will gather together to discuss Father Richard Rohr’s book, Breathing Underwater.

In Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps, Rohr describes how the Twelve Steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program is America’s most significant and authentic contribution to the history of spirituality.

In this exploration, Richard draws parallels between Christian principles and AA’s Twelve Steps, connecting AA’s Big Book with the Gospel. This material draws on talks he has given for over twenty years to people in recovery and those close to them, as well as to those who counsel people recovering from or living with an addiction.

Richard offers encouragement and inspiration to survive the tidal wave of compulsive behavior and addiction by learning to “breathe under water.”

We will discuss the book and how to put it’s concepts into practice and watch videos of Father Richard’s teaching on the subject.

Nepal Earthquake If you would like to make a contribution to help relief efforts in Nepal, you may do so through Church World Service. You can put a check in the offering plate designated for "Earthquake Relief" or contribute online at www.cwsglobal.org. Abiding This Sunday in worship, we spent some time with the concept of "abiding." Here is a great article, "How to Be Real With God," that further explores the concept. "Not that long ago, reading Jesus’ words about “abiding in Him” in John made me wince. [...] All around me, Christian friends had regular quiet times, faithfully prayed and found joy in church attendance without confusing any of it with winning God’s favor. I knew others were seeing these life-giving practices in a radically different way than I did. I knew I was missing some aspects of God’s Kingdom made manifest in my life." Coffee & Conversation Join us on Thursday mornings from 10:00 - 11:30 in the parlor for coffee and fellowship. Facebook If you are on Facebook, you can keep up with what is happening "between Sundays" on our Facebook page. First, go to our page and "Like" us. However, just liking us does not mean that you will see everything we post. Each of our Facebook posts only goes to about 2% of the people who like our page. To make sure you see everything, after you like us, go to the pull-down menu on the "Like" button and click "Get Notifications." This way everything that we post will show up on your own Facebook wall.		Jesus the Vine This Sunday, we explored the ways Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. You can watch the service here. Interfaith Service Tonight Tonight at 6:30 at the Lake Worth Casino Ballroom, the interfaith community will gather together for a time of prayer and song. This event, in recognition of the National Day of Prayer, is a great time of community spirit and acceptance. Pastor Jason and faith leaders from around Lake Worth will be participating. Online Giving Have you explored the opportunity of electronic giving? You can choose to have a set amount taken from your bank account on a regular basis or you can make a one (or more) time gift by checking account or credit card on our website. Your regular electronic giving means that your gift is available for ministry even when you are away (or forgot your checkbook!). Thank you for your continued support of the ministry of First Congregational Church! Hey, Thanks! You're sharing this newsletter with your friends! More people read (or at least opened) our newsletter than we send out. If there is something here that interests you, it may interest someone else. If a friend sent this to you and you would like to receive it regularly, you can subscribe on our website.