From the Pastor's Desk...
As our meeting on Sunday approaches, we will, together, work through a decision that is bigger than any we have had to make before. We are of various opinions on the best path forward, as is to be expected. Passions may be elevated. There
will be some tension. That too is to be expected.
Eventually, a decision will be made, a path chosen, and we will move forward from there, together.
I have found it helpful for myself in the past few days to reflect upon who we say we are: “Following Jesus, we answer God’s call to practice faith, mercy, and justice in community.” That is the reason that I am part of this faith community. That is why I will be a part of this faith community during and after our discussions about how we best utilize our campus to facilitate this vision and
mission.
As big of a decision as this is, it will never eclipse who we are and how we practice. I often say that, as a church, what we do is how we do it. I look forward to even the work of this decision as an opportunity to practice community.
Peace,
Pastor Jason
(If you are not caught up on all the updates to the details of where we are in considering the sale of our property, please see our website.)
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Sermon Series 10/31 - 11/21
"More Than Enough"
In this time of uncertainty and transition in many of our lives, our nation, our world, we take a few weeks to remember that, in the midst of it all, we are provided more than enough. We will consider living from a place of
abundance, not scarcity. We often hear that we should hoard what we have, that more is better, and that we will never have enough. But that sense of scarcity does not compute in God’s economy, where there is more than enough for everyone and where our lives are enriched by living generously and assured of God’s abundance. Join us as we continue through the Gospel of Mark, hearing Jesus’ own words of wisdom and assurance.
This week we heard the words of Jesus proclaiming the greatest of the laws is to love God and love others as ourselves, and we engaged what it means to love and be loved by God. You can watch Pastor Jason’s sermon on the website. Next Sunday we will talk about “Enough to Give” as we explore the stories of three widows from scripture. Find this week's order of service here.
November 21 - Enough to Live (John 18:33-37)
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Memorial Service for Robert Hebble
A memorial service will be held for Robert Hebble, who for 20 years was the organist here at First Congregational church, at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 20, at Bethesda By the Sea Episcopal Church.
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LWIN Service of Gratitude
The Lake Worth Interfaith Network will once again be holding the Service of Gratitude virtually this year. You can watch the service on Thanksgiving morning at 10:00 AM here.
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Voting Procedures at 2021 Annual Meeting
At our 2021 Annual Meeting on November 21, we will be voting on an offer from Lake Worth Spanish Seventh Day Adventist Church to purchase our campus. This, of course, is a very important decision. While our Board of Trustees and Church Council have both recommended accepting this proposal, according to our constitution, it is the congregation that must vote to approve it. We want to make sure that all members
have voice and vote in these proceedings.
Our preference will be for as many people as possible to be at our meeting in person on November 21 at 11:30 after our morning worship. However, we know that will not be possible for everyone and we will facilitate remote participation in the meeting. Please see below the procedures we will put in place to insure all of our members have the opportunity to vote while maintaining the integrity of the
process.
For members who will be attending the meeting in person, once your membership is verified according to our current membership list, you will be given a card on which to indicate your vote. You will not be required to put your name on your vote card.
For members who will be joining us remotely, we are requesting that you email the church office (susan@lakeworthchurch.org) by November 17 to let us know you will be joining remotely. When your membership is verified according to our current membership list, you will be sent a weblink that will be active on Sunday
November 21st at which you will be able to indicate your vote. As with our in-person votes you will not be required to place your name on your vote.
For those that wish to vote remotely but do not have computer or internet access, please contact the church office at 561-582-6691 by November 12 and we will make arrangements for you to vote.
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Can You Help Us Decorate?
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The pandemic has laid bare, and widened, economic disparity locally and globally. As we enter the Advent season, how can our churches become houses where the Holy will be born anew–offering respite, sustenance and care, opening the doors ever wider to those seeking shelter from the onslaught of life? No one church can do it all, but each can do something. As we study the biblical prophets that call us to care
for our neighbors and “make room in the inn,” the lonely and frightened spaces within us are filled with the light of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
Join us for our Advent worship series beginning Sunday, November 28. We will also be providing a daily devotional throughout the season and we will once again have advent candles for you to take home, along with beautiful Advent candle holders created by Nelson Stone.
You can find more information here.
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Our Food Pantry needs your love. We have seen an increase in our Tuesday night visitors and we are in need of the following items. Anything you can do to help support this important ministry will be greatly appreciated.
- Peanut Butter
- Pouches of Tuna and/or chicken
- Canned Vegetables (tab top and/or single serve sizes are best)
- Ravioli, Spaghetti, Beefaroni (tab top)
- Canned Soups/Stews (tab top)
- Single serve ready to eat meals
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Carolyn Ludwig, our treasurer for the past four years, will be retiring from the position at the end of this year. This volunteer officer position is well-supported by our trustees and bookkeeping service. If you would be willing
serve in this position, please contact Pastor Jason.
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- Gary Sitler
- Mark Stanford
- Harvey Littlefield
- Phil & Nancy Johnson
- Ruth Merchant
- Bob Davis
- Christine Hicks
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Thursday Morning Chat & Fellowship
Join us on Thursday mornings at 10:00 for virtual chat and fellowship in our “virtual parlor.”
You can join us by clicking here. The password, if you need it, is fcclw. If you join us by computer, clicking the link will download the necessary software and take you right into the “parlor.” If you are joining on your smart phone or pad, you will need to download the Zoom app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. You can also call 646-558-8656 and enter Meeting ID: 718 419 400 and then Passcode: 839769.
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As another way of connecting with our congregation and our community, we have started a YouTube channel. Here, you can watch (and share) sermon and teaching videos as well as videos from our life together.
Go to our channel, subscribe to it, and share it with others. When we get to 100
subscribers, it unlocks some additional features we can use.
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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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Thank you for your consistency and your generosity in your giving during our current unique and challenging circumstances.
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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