Happy Thanksgiving! We give thanks for the opportunity to worship and serve together as what we will soon call Lake Worth United Church of Christ and we are grateful for the warm and loving presence you will share with your friends and families today as you gather today. From our frinds at Sojourners, here are some blessings that might help you express your love for God, family, and the world.

This Sunday, we are going to begin our observance of advent a week early with a new worship series from the Gospel of Luke. Together, we will explore ways that we can rejoice in and with a weary world. We begin this Sunday by "Acknowledging our Weariness" and then, each week, will be reminded of ways we can practice joy. You can join us onsite at 1415 North K ST in Lake Worth Beach FL (on the campus of Lake Worth Spanish Seventh Day Adventist Church - look for our signs!), or online at fcclw.org.

In preparation for worship, have a listen to a couple of songs we will be singing together, Waiting for You and Come As You Are.

As the choir was singing Sunday, they words that rang out to me from "Impossible Dream" were:

And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest

Those words were still ringing when I learned of Rosalynn Carter's death on Monday. Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter have been as amazing role models for us in approaching death as they have been in living life. I don't know what Rosalynn Carter's quest was. From the outside looking in, it appears to include living simply, authentically, and in service to others. Her last years and transition seem to have been peaceful and calm. I imagine her husband of 77 years will follow her shortly in similar fashion. Of course we cannnot control the times and means of our death anymore than we can control all the facets of our life. However, being true to our "quest" or our calling seems to provide some order and satisfaction to our existence. I am so proud and happy to be a part of a community of people who are doing the work of engaging their calling to practice faith, mercy, and justice in community.

Lake Worth Beach Holiday Parade December 9th

The 57th Annual Lake Worth Beach Christmas parade will be Saturday Evening, December 9th. This year, we are going all out to represent our church to the community. We will be embracing the "Hollywood" theme with a larger-than-life Clarence (from It's a Wonderful Life) puppet. We will need as many hands on deck as possible for this - both in constructing the puppet and in participating in the parade. Be looking for more information and let Nelson know how you would like to participate.

The season of Advent celebrates the coming of Jesus over 2000 years ago.   Is Jesus coming again?  When?   How?  The book “Second Thoughts on the Second Coming” by two Disciples of Christ pastors, Ronald Allen and Robert Cornwall, tries to provide some in these questions.  Don’t expect a definite answer, but they look at Biblical texts and church history regarding these issues.  As noted in the introduction “…what we believe about the future and its possibilities affects how we live in the present.”   The book study will meet on Thursdays beginning November 30 and then December 7-14-21 at 7:00 p.m. in person and by zoom.  Books are available in the office ($10) or by Amazon.

PEACE Research Meeting With Sheriff Bradshaw

On Thursday evening, December 14th at 6:00, we will be meeting with Sheriff Ric Bradshaw to hear reports as to progress in his commitment to collect data on all traffic stops made by sheriff deputies. This meeting will take place at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. We want to demonstrate our people power to the sheriff who is attending a PEACE public meeting for the very first time. Our goal is to have 20 people in attendance. You can register and let us know if you would like a ride that night here.

This month's Gather potluck Lunch will be on December 17th. We are looking forward to the opportunity to share a Christmas meal together!

At our annual meeting of the congregation this Sunday, we approved the following: 

1. Approval of 2024 budget
2. Approval of 2024 committees and boards
3. Approval of name change from First Congregational Church to Lake Worth United Church of Christ
4. Approval of 5 Year Strategic Plan

Thank you to our moderator, Janet Lisle, to Carolyn Ludwig and Steve Carr who report on our financec in such a transparent and understandable way, to Susan Peterson who wrangles puts together our reports, and to all of our leadership and committees who have done amazing work this year in discerning a path forward for us. And now, the work continues!

We Have a New Address

We have a new mailing address:

First Congregational Church

PO BOX 1253

Lake Worth Beach FL 33460

For the past 13 years our church has hosted a community meal on Tuesday evenings.  As we have been in the process of discerning how we might best serve God and God's people in the future, we feel our Communtiy Dinner is an important part of that work. In addition to a meal, we provde showers, laundry, hair cuts, toiletries, and food pantry. As we begin our dinners again in August, we need to replenish our pantry. You can help by picking up the following on your next grocery run: Pop-top Canned Fruit, Pop-top Canned Meat, Granola/Snack Bars. You can also donate funds here.

If you would like to help with this ministry by setting up, serving, or cleaning up, see Susan Peterson.

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. We have also just added a gaIlery of pictures and a section just for "Minute Messages." 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.

• 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, Kathy Parent, Michael Jegabbi
 

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.