Holy Vessels Sermon Series
"Ordinary pieces of tableware or beer or soda bottles are flung into the ocean. Years pass, or decades, and then one day, there it is upon the shore: a small shard from one of those long ago discarded objects. Shifting currents have rounded its edges; abrasion has polished its surface; exposure to the sun has altered its hue. And so, when we happen upon it, here amidst the shells and seaweed, we can't help
but laugh with joy at what seems a miracle: this ordinary fragment of silica that time and adversity have transformed into something beautiful." (Writers at the Beach")
What if we engaged Lent not as a season of shame and deprivation, but a season of healing? A time to turn from what harms us toward what heals us?
Join us for worship Sundays at 10:30 AM as we, through music, word, and ritual, experience the wholeness God desires for each of us and for our world.
This week we remembered that we are treasured by God. You can listen to the sermon here. Next week, we will engage the truth that God seeks us out and keeps us.
Sunday: "Fighting Pollution & Climate Change"
After the service on Sunday, we will be joined by the author of “Fighting Pollution and Climate Change: An EPA Veteran’s Guide How to Join in Saving Our Life on Planet Earth,” a new book written by Richard Emory. This EPA insider reviews the history, science, law, and technologies
of pollution control. It inspires concerned citizens, especially younger people who will inherit catastrophic sea level rise and a dangerous climate, and presents the available solutions. Paradoxically, the book is profoundly disturbing and yet quite entertaining. To learn more, visit the author’s website at here or the publisher's website here.
Sometimes we think that Jesus was the first one to be passionate about justice for all. But, the truth is that he belongs to a long history of prophetic voices. Walter Brueggemann, one of the UCC's great teaching voices has a new book, From Judgement to Hope: A Study on the Prophets. Nelson Stone will be leading a book study on Wednesday evenings, starting March 4th, at 6:30 PM.
Books will be available at church - See Marilyn Stone to get a copy. So, if you want to sharpen your understanding of Isaiah, Jeremiah, or Hosea, Amos, and Micah, join us.
C.R.O.S. Ministries / Sorting
Warehouse sorting - we will be sorting canned and packaged foods at C.R.O.S. Ministries during the week of March 14 - 20. Sign up in Studebaker Hall after the service this Sunday. It's fun, it's only 2 hours, it's indoors in the air-conditioning, and it is a great ministry...What could be
better?
Wisdom School with Cynthia Bourgeault
Cynthia Bourgeault is an Episcopal priest and retreat leader who teaches in the wisdom tradition of Christianity. She holds Wisdom Schools all over the country. Now, through the Center for Action and Contemplation, there is the option of participating in a Wisdom School without the expense of traveling. Beginning March 4th, you can spend 12 weeks engaged in an introduction to the wisdom tradition with
Cynthia. Find out more on the CAC website.
Palm Beach Pride 2020
We will once again have a table at PrideFest of the Palm Beaches, reminding the LGBT community in Palm Beach County that we stand with them, that God loves them unconditionally, and that there is a church that accepts them for who God has created them to be.
We will also be participating in the Pride parade on March 29th. If you would like to take a shift at our table, see Barry Nicholson.
Marsha Stevens-Pino in Concert
Contemporary Christian singer/songwriter, Marsha Stevens-Pino, will be in concert here at our church on Thursday March 19th, at 7pm. One of Marsha’s songs, For Those Tears I Died, which she wrote when she was 16 years old, is considered by
some music historians to be the first song called contemporary Christian music. Come and listen to her music and hear her story about navigating the Christian music business as an out lesbian. This concert is FREE and open to everyone so please come and bring a guest or two with you!
On Monday, March 30th at 7:00 PM, we will gather with 2,000
people of faith from 20 other churches all over Palm Beach County at the South Florida Fair Grounds to hold our public officials responsible for the problem of homelessness in our county.
At First Congregational United Church of Christ, we practice faith, mercy, and justice in community. One of the ways we practice justice is by, once a year, coming together to exercise the power that we have in our number to make
positive changes in our community.
There have been some exciting things that have taken place over the last year, and we are expecting great solutions to issues of homelessness and police and community relations.
Our goal this year is to turn out 100 people. You should be invited by one of our Justice Ministry Network Members. If you need a ride, we will be car-pooling from the church.
We are looking forward to doing justice together!
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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 Live
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!
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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!
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