The Season of Creation

The Season of Creation is the annual Christian celebration to listen and respond together to the cry of Creation: the ecumenical family around the world unites to pray and protect our common home.

The Season “Celebration” begins on September 1, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and ends on October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology, beloved by many Christian denominations. 
 

This Sunday we heard Jesus' invitation to consider the flora and fauna, the lilies and the ravens, that remind us that we are part of a vast web of life. You can watch the service here. Next Sunday we will consider the power and awe of storms and imagine where we might find God in their midst. You can find some ways to begin preparing for worship here.  

                  
Find the Order of Worship here.

Justice Ministry House Meetings 

During the month of September, we kick off our justice ministry year by holding house meetings, where we listen to one another's stories about what we notice in our communities. Our justice ministry team leaders, Nancy Lydon, Marilyn Stone, Susan Peterson, and Carol Lewis, will invite you to meetings taking place on September 17, 20, and one more date to be determined. 

Newcomers & Others Class

This Sunday, September 18, following the worship service, we will have an informational class about our church and the United Church of Christ. If you would like to learn more about who we are, please feel free to join us in Room #2 after the service. We will receive new members on Sunday, September 25.

Fall Book Discussion

This fall we will take a long, leisurely time with a short but powerful book, The Wisdom Way of Knowing, by Cynthia Bourgeault. We will meet via Zoom on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30, taking a chapter each week, foraging for insights and discerning practices we can apply to our own lives. We are looking forward to taking this journey together. You can find more information on our website.

Hustle to End Hunger

Saturday, October 1, is the annual Hustle to End Hunger, raising money for CROS Ministries. Our church will once again be participating. If you would like to register to walk or run you can do so here. Make sure you indicate during registration that you are with our First Congregational Team. Our goal is to raise $1500. You can donate here.   

Feast of St. Francis & Pet Blessing

Join us on Sunday morning, October 2, at 10:30 as we worship outside at Tiger Territory Urban Forest, located at 706 8th Avenue North, in Lake Worth. We will conclude our Season of Creation by celebrating the Feast of St. Francis. You are invited to bring your pet, appropriately leashed or contained, for a blessing. We will also observe Teilhard de Chardin’s “Mass on the World” for our communion together. We are looking forward to the time together!

Answer the Call for Hygiene Kits

From September 18-October 9, the Women’s Fellowship is collecting items or monetary donations for HYGIENE KITS that are delivered by the Church World Service, Inc. when people are forced to abruptly leave their homes because of emergencies. They may not have time to pack the things they use on a daily basis like toothbrushes or soap. But after a few days without these items, they definitely miss them. Hygiene kits offer a refreshing daily boost for someone when supplies are hard to come by. 

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC ITEMS ARE NEEDED FOR THE KIT:

· Hand towels ( approximately 15-16” x 28-32”)

· Washcloths

· Wide-tooth combs

· Fingernail or toenail clippers

· Bath-sized bars of soap (individually wrapped)

· Tooth brushes (individually packaged)

· Standard size Band-Aids

We Need Empty Prescription Bottles

Kentucky Disaster Relief

We are collecting to support disaster relief in Kentucky through this Sunday. You can write a check with "disaster relief" in the memo. You can also give online, choosing Emergency USA from the drop-down menu.

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.

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!