This Week at FCCLW 3/18/18

Published: Thu, 03/15/18

March 18, 2018

Newcomers Class

On Sunday, March 18, following worship, we will hold a newcomer's class for those interested in learning more about our church and becoming a member. We will receive new members on Palm Sunday, March 25.

Camping We had a great time camping this weekend at the Everglades Youth Conservation Camp. There were 27 of us that spent Saturday and Sunday in the beauty of nature getting to know one another better. Special thanks to Revs. Marilyn and Nelson Stone for organizing the trip for us and to Rev. Karen Christensen who led worship in Lake Worth so that Pastor Jason could go on the trip. You can see more pictures here. Pride Fest We will once again be standing with the LGBTQ community at Pride Fest of the Palm Beaches, March 24th and 25th. If you are interested in taking a shift at our tent, see Barry Nicholson to sign up. Nehemiah Action Mark your calendar for Monday April 16th at 7:00 PM when we will gather at the Palm Beach County Convention Center with 3,000 others to stand for justice in Palm Beach County. Our goal is to bring 100 people with us to hold our public officials accountable for the treatment of undocumented immigrants, youth arrests, and homelessness in Palm Beach County. See the PEACE website for more information on these issues. (peacepbc.org) Fellowship Hall Fundraiser As a church, one of the ways that we communicate with those that visit our campus that “no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey you are welcome here” is making sure that our campus is a welcoming environment. Our fellowship hall, where we welcome guests after church and where many groups meet throughout the week, is missing tables and chairs. The current furni-ture is 20 years old, and there are tables and chairs that are worn and damaged beyond repair. We also no longer have a water fountain in the hall so we can’t even offer our guests “a cup of cold water.” Our trustees have embarked on a project to replace the tables and chairs and install a new water fountain. The cost of this project is $6500. We have some funds from which we can draw. However, it would be great to fund this project without having to use money from these funds. If you would like to contribute toward a specific item, chairs are $20, tables are $145, and the water cooler is $600. You can help continue the tradition of radical hospitality here at First Congregational Church by giving generously to this fund either online or by cash or check. You Outta Be In Pictures We are in the process of producing a picture directory to distribute to members and friends of First Congregational United Church of Christ. Instead of engaging with a photography company to do this, we are going to be a little less formal. If you were part of our last directory, we still have your picture. If you weren't, we're asking you to send us a favorite picture of yourself. It can be anything from a selfie to a more formal picture that expresses who you are. Our only request is that it be a picture just of you, because it will appear by your name when we print the directory. If you would like someone to take a picture of you, let Pastor Jason know or you can email your pictures to Pastor Jason.	Passover Seder This Sunday, from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, we will be hosting the Lake Worth Interfaith Network’s Passover seder meal. The tradition and meal is an interactive engagement with the story of the Exodus, which is a story of justice. The cost for the meal, catered by TooJay’s Deli, is $35.00 for adults and $20.00 for children. Tuesday Night Toiletries The Tuesday night toiletries need your help. We are short of the following items: Tooth brush Tooth Paste Razors socks - black or white 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. Facebook 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. If you are on Facebook, you can keep up with what is happening "between Sundays" on our Facebook page. Facebook Link As much as we love gathering together on Sunday mornings, there are times when we are out of town or otherwise unable to be there in person. You can now watch our worship service live on Facebook right on your computer, tablet, or smart phone. At 10:30 on Sunday just head over to our Facebook page and join us!