Vision Process Summary

In March and April our church engaged a visioning process facilitated by United Church of Christ Building and Loan. You can read a summary of the process here. We will have two opportunities to talk about the summary and next steps. One will be Sunday 7/30, following the worship service, in the office. We will have another by Zoom Thursday evening. You can join here.

School Supply Drive for North Grade School

We will once again be collecting school supplies for North Grade K-8 School. North Grade is a fantastic school that serves a diverse student body, many of whom have significant financial challenges. This is a great way to love our neighborhood in a very practical way. We will be collecting supplies July 16t - August 8th.

Paul's letter to the Romans is addressed to people he had never met, in the hopes of encouraging and building up this community to which he dreamed of traveling. He knew the Christian life was a perilous one, and the world in which the church was growing and spreading was unpredictable and increasingly diverse. In this series covering some of the letter's most intriguing and inspiring passages, we learn how God sustains us in the midst of brokenness, both within and without, helping us find wholeness and unity, no matter what crisis we are facing. You can join us at 10:30 Sunday in person at 1415 North K ST in Lake Worth Beach, FL or online at fcclw.org. You can read more and keep up with the series at fcclw.org/broken.

Tomorrow, we will spend our third week in Romans chapter 8 and be reminded that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God!

Sunday, August 13th, after worship, we will be hosting our monthly potluck lunch. We will gather in the parlor for good food anf un fellowship! In an effort to both minimize our environmental impact and minimize our clean-up, we are inviting everyone to bring their own place setting and utensils with them. If you forget or are unable, no worries, we will have biodegradable disposable place settings available.

Are We Ready?

Rex Fortney shared with us an article from Diana Butler Bass, one of America’s most trusted commentators on religion and contemporary spirituality, titled "A Quiet Trend?" In it she shares some stories she has heard of the "post-pandemic arrival of ex-evangelicals looking for different spiritual communities and seeking new theological perspectives." If any such folk were to venture to our little progressive church, what would they find waiting for them? How might we enhance our already warm welcome? Our growth team is working on ways to enhance our hospitality. However, what makes a huge difference is you. When you see someone new, take a moment to introduce. yourself to them and let them know you are glad to see them. The goal isn't to overwhelm someone who takes the risk of visiting with us for the first time, but to simply let them know they were noticed and they are welcome here!

General Synod 34

This week, General Synod 34, the once every two year meeting of the United Church of Christ, met in Indianapolis, Indiana. Among other actions, Rev. Georgia Thompson, the first woman and first woman of African descent to hold the position, was elected General Minister and President of the UCC. Outgoing General Minister, Rev. John Dorhauer, offered an apology, of behalf of the United Church of Christ, to the Afro-Christian Convention for the failure of the UCC to recognize them as the fifth stream of the UCC. You can read other news from the synod here.

Join us for donuts, coffee, and conversation in the parlor after worship on the fourth Sunday of the month. Do you have questions for Pastor Jason? Responses to recent worship themes? Thoughts to share on how we practice faith, mercy, and justice together? Maybe you would just like to get to know people better. This is a new opportunity to do just that. We look forward to being together next on August 27th.

The Women’s Fellowship is taking the month of  August off. We will resume our meeting again on the first Thursday in September on the 7th at 12pm. The Reading for Renewal book list is out and this would be a good time to start your reading. I just finished “Revival Season.” It was easy to read. The story made me think about my faith and ask myself questions like: “How strong is my Faith?” Don’t take my word for it. Check it out for yourself. Feel free to send reviews to me of the books you read from the list to share with the other ladies. The reviews may help you decide which books from the list to read. If you need a Reading for Renewal book list, let me know and we will be glad to one to you. Submitted by Carolyn Ludwig.

We are looking for a team of people who would like to assist in planning our worship. We will learn and work together as we plan meaningful liturgy, inspiring music, and imagery that draws us closer to God and one another. If you are interested in becoming involved, contact Pastor Jason

Practicing Faith, Mercy, and Justice in Community? 

There's an App for That!

Our new church app has been released in the Apple App and Google Play stores just for our church. You can stream our worship services, keep in touch with friends, keep up with events, and financially support First Congregational Church all in one place. If you are an iphone user, you can download the app in the App Store, if you have an Android phone, you can download from Google Play.

Along with this platform change, our online giving platform will be changing. If you have a regular giving plan set up with us, you should have received an email with instructions on how to switch that over to our new platform. You can find those instructions here.

May Financials

May:
Budgeted Giving $11,083

Actual Giving $6,656.66

YTD:
Budgeted Giving $53,519.98

Actual Giving $55,416.65
 

Budgeted Expenses: $95,060.00 

Actual Expenses: $63,867.90

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, Victor Stanley, Brigitte Ermansons, Barbara Derryberry,  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.