Worship Series
April 24 - June 5
In this series, we will focus on surprising acts of God in the book of Acts. We all know the excitement and disquiet that come with the sudden reversal of our expectations.
The early Christians whose stories are told in the book of Acts have no shortage of surprises. The resurrection sets off a host of unexpected events and changes for Jesus' followers, even changes within themselves.
If our own spiritual lives have come to seem humdrum and everyday, these stories will awaken in us a new desire for God's work in the lives of unsuspecting, ordinary people like
ourselves. As we explore the journey of surprises in these texts, we will learn the spiritual habit of welcoming an unpredictable God and coming to expect the unexpected.
This Sunday, we dug into Paul’s encounter with Lydia. You can watch the service here. Next Sunday we will join a cast of characters, including a child enslaved and a jail keeper, and ponder how they, and we, are enslaved
and freed.
You can join us in person or online at 10:30. Find the Order of Service here.
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Church Birthday Party
Join us after worship on Sunday, June 5, as we celebrate the birthday of the Church, Pentecost. We will have cake and refreshments in Studebaker Hall. Let's all wear red to celebrate!
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What's the Good News?
Pastor Jason invites us to ponder what the Good News is for us and our world today. You can join the conversation here.
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This summer, those interested will read together Jesus and The Disinherited by mystic, educator, and activist, Howard Thurman.
Famously known as the text that Martin Luther King, Jr. sought inspiration from in the days leading up to the Montgomery bus boycott, Howard Thurman's Jesus and the Disinherited helped shape the civil rights movement and changed our nation's history forever. As we struggle today with issues of
poverty, racism, and spiritual disengagement, Thurman's discerning reading of the message of renewal through self-love, as exemplified in the life of Jesus, resonates powerfully once again.
Challenging our submersion into individualism and social isolation, Thurman suggests a reading of the Gospel that recovers a manual of resistance of the poor and disenfranchised. He argues that within Jesus' life of suffering, pain, and overwhelming love is the solution that will prevent our descent into moral
nihilism.
Thurman's work reaches past anger and distrust toward a vision of unity - a welcome epistle that moves another generation of advocates for Black lives.
We will gather together via Zoom at 6:30pm on the following Thursday evenings:
June 23 - Discuss Forward and Chapter 1
July 14 - Discuss Chapters 2 & 3
August 4 - Discuss Chapter 4
August 25 - Discuss Chapter 5 & Epilogue
You can find the discussion guide we will use here. You can purchase the book, new or used, from several sources online. Ask Pastor Jason if you need help.
People will be traveling over the course of the summer, so come to the sessions you are able. We will include an online discussion, as well.
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| Would You Like
to be a Food Sorter?
If anyone is interested in joining a group from our church in the sorting program directed by CROS Ministries, please contact Janet Lisle or Terry Ralston. Please indicate your preferred days and times.
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Reading for Renewal
Our church participates with The Florida United Church of Christ Women with a program called Reading for Renewal, offering suggestions of contemporary, timely books to read for groups across the state. The list for the 2022-2023 reading year is available here or in the narthex (lobby) as well as forms to report your 2021-2022 reading. If you would like to become more involved with Reading for Renewal at the state level, ask Carolyn Ludwig or Ginny Somerville.
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Considering Reproductive Choice
The subjects of abortion and reproductive choice are fraught with strong opinions and feelings. As we approach what could be a dramatic shift on how the reproductive rights of women, it is important that, as people of faith, we do not shy away from considering and discussing these issues in light of our faith. For those
of us that affirm a woman’s right to choose, here are a couple of resources that may be helpful. Pastor Jason has written some thoughts on why reproductive choice is a faithful decision. You can find his article on our website (https://lakeworthucc.org/fetal-thoughts-of-a-uterus-less-pastor/). The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (https://rcrc.org/) is a broad-based, national, interfaith movement that brings the moral force of religion to protect and advance reproductive health,
choice, rights and justice through education, prophetic witness, pastoral presence and advocacy. They are a great resource for education.
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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.
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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 Button & the Button/Thibedau families - Melissa Merwin - Toni Kenworthy - Pat Gregg - Jason Fairbanks
Darling Dee Stone
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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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Connect with our congregation and community through our YouTube channel. Watch (and share) sermon and
teaching videos, as well as videos from our life together. Be sure to subscribe and share with others.
Go to our Facebook page and "like" us. To make sure you see everything from us, go to the pull-down menu and click "Get Notification."
As much as we love gathering together on Sundays, there are times when we are out of town or unable to be together in person. You can 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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