Lent Worship Series
March 2 - April 17
We live in a culture bent on definitions of a good life as continuous upward mobility–climbing ladders of prosperity with
increasingly fabulous experiences that we can post to evermore-likable social media accounts. We may comb the shelves of the self-help section in search of just the right formula to gain success. Perhaps we even gravitate towards spiritual leaders who promise great rewards if we only do “the right thing.” But life happens, right? Most times we are not moving upward but trying to repair the rung we’ve just slipped from. So what if we stopped climbing and started fertilizing, watering, and
blooming right where we find ourselves? Welcome to a Lent of affirming a faith in which we are blessed, regardless, and where we can lean into embracing our “good enough” lives.
This season of Lent, we will engage a worship series informed by Kate Bowler’s new book, Good Enough. Dr. Bowler is a professor at Duke University who, at 35, was unexpectedly diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, causing her to think in different terms about the research and beliefs she had been studying. She penned the New
York Times bestselling memoir, Everything Happens for a Reason (and Other Lies I’ve Loved), which tells the story of her struggle to understand the personal and intellectual dimensions of the American belief that all tragedies are tests of character.
This week, we placed ourselves once again in the story of the Prodigal Son and the Loving Parent. Next week, we hear Jesus’ words about the fragility of his life and reflect on the fragility of life. You can watch online here.
You can join us in person or online at 10:30. Find the Order of Service here.
"Good Enough" Conversation & Compline
On Thursdays during Lent, we will gather by Zoom from 6:00 to 7:00pm to discuss readings from Kate Bowler's book of devotions, "Good Enough"
and to join together in compline (evening prayer.) You can join us in our "virtual parlor," using the link below.
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UCC Issues Appeal for Ukraine, Calls on U.S. to
Provide Humanitarian Aid
The UCC, through Global H.O.P.E. and Global Ministries, will be collaborating with ACT Alliance and the Reformed Church of Hungary (RCH) to bring aid to Ukraine. RCH is responding to the situation
in the war-torn country through its agency, Hungarian Reformed Church Aid. That group has been offering humanitarian assistance since Russian troops first attacked Ukraine on Feb. 24. It’s working with elderly and other vulnerable communities inside the country who have not been able to leave, including immigrants and migrant populations who are experiencing difficulties crossing into other
European countries. HRCA is also working with refugees who are leaving the country.
Gifts to the UCC Ukraine Emergency Appeal will provide shelter, food and other care to war refugees and internally displaced people. It also will help refugees and asylum seekers from African, Middle Eastern and other countries who had sought refuge in Ukraine and now are twice displaced, as well as other citizens of more than 125 countries living in Ukraine.
For written prayers, updates, and the opportunity to donate, please click below.
We will also be collecting toward this in our worship services this Sunday and next Sunday. Look for the sunflowers!
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The Greatest Prayer Class
Rev. Nelson Stone is leading a class on Dominic Crossan’s book on the Lord’s Prayer, The Greatest Prayer, via Zoom on Wednesday evenings at 6:30. If you would like to participate, email him at nstone812@gmail.com.
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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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Dan Hecker - Gary Sitler - Mark Stanford - Harvey Littlefield
Phil & Nancy Johnson - Bob Davis
Christine Hicks - Terry Ralston - Ann Landrum
Victor Stanley - Howard Austen - John & Meredith Button
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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.
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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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