"I like being old because the view from the brink is striking, a full panorama of my life – and a bracing breeze awakens me to new ways of understanding my own past, present, and future."    -Parker Palmer

This week we will be kicking off a new series by taking a look at "The View from the Brink."

Join us in worship at 10:30 on Sunday mornings January 15th - February 19th as together we  examine our thoughts and feelings about aging and explore the opportunities that different stages of life bring based upon scripture and the wisdom of speaker, writer, and activist Parker Palmer.

You can read more about Parker and the book here.

Memorial Service for Steve Lipman

Next Sunday, January 15th, at 2:00 PM we will gather in the sanctuary to remember and celebrate the life of Rev. Dr Stephen Lipman. Steve is a previous pastor of First Congregational Church and a long time member and friend of the congregation. For decades, he served as a chaplain for hospices and hospitals in Palm Beach County. 

Every January, all who journey with the lectionary experience the baptism of Christ, when Jesus is publicly claimed as God’s son and called beloved. Every year, we receive this invitation into a new way of seeing. We are slow to welcome this new perspective, but that doesn’t stop God from this invitation to see differently. You can listen to Pastor Jason's sermon here.

Thank You for Your Generosity!

Thank you for your generosity during the Advent and Christmas season. You brightened the holiday for 33 families in Palm Beach County by contributing gifts to Salvation Army Angel Tree. Our Women's Fellowship baked, and you bought, $562 worth of baked goods. And you were amazingly generous in your support of our Christmas Offering for Vita Nova, giving $3,083 to support young adults 18-25 exiting the foster care system.

Library of Spiritual Practices: Lectio Divina

This week we added another practice to the library, lectio divina or divine reading. You can read about it on our website.

The Work of Radical Frugality

One of 2022's most popular articles in Yes! Magazine was "The Work of Radical Frugality," in which author explores ways we can "break with an all-consuming capitalist system." Yes! Magazine is a journal of positive solutions to the difficulties we are facing as a society.

November Financials

Budgeted Income $13,833

Actual Income $8,648

Our November financial recap can be viewed here. 

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!

• Grocery Bags
• 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

We are in desperate need of the following mens' clothing items: 

• T-Shirts sizes L & XL
• Socks
• Boxer Briefs sizes L & XL
• Athletic shorts sizes L & XL
• Backpacks 

Dan Hecker, Mark Stanford, Barbara Forsyth, Harvey Littlefield, Gary Sitler,  
Terry Ralston, Pat Gregg, Victor Stanley, Bob and Gail Howell, Brigitte Ermansons, The Zook Family, Barbara Derryberry, The Family of Bob Davis, 
The Gonzalez Family, The Spangler Family for the loss of Benjamin, The Stone Family, Bob Lily
 

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.