From our Pastor in the Interim:
I hope you’ll make every effort to be in worship this Sunday. For the Third Sunday in Lent we’ll be looking at Jesus’ parable of the barren fig tree (Luke 13:1-9)—a parable usually seen as one of judgment, but which actually holds an amazing word of grace. You might find that it also holds just the word you, and our church, might need.
In worship this Sunday we’ll also:
- observe the Lord’s Supper
- have a service of installation for our 2010 Council, Deacons and Delegates
As part of the charge to those being installed, we’ll read a paragraph out of the Constitution of the United Church of Christ. After attending my first UCCA annual meeting, I think we need to remember this every time we come together! Here it is (I’ve taken the liberty of highlighting some parts):
Within the United Church of Christ, the various expressions of the church relate to each other in a covenantal manner. Each expression of the church has responsibilities and rights in relation to the others, to the end that the whole church will seek God’s will and be faithful to God’s mission. Decisions are made in consultation and collaboration among the various parts of the structure. As members of the Body of Christ, each expression of the church is called to honor and respect the work and ministry of each other part. Each expression of the church listens, hears, and carefully considers the advice, counsel, and requests of others. In this covenant, the various expressions of the United Church of Christ seek to walk together in all God’s ways.
I’ll see you Sunday as we worship together and learn how to be the church family God wants us to be!
Blessings,
Pastor Joe
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An Opportunity for Gratitude:
Sunday, March 14: ingathering for the One Great Hour of Sharing offering to meet human nee
d.
One Great Hour of Sharing is our church’s special mission offering that carries God's message of love and hope to people in need in more than eighty countries. The UCC works with international partners to provide sources of clean water and food, education and health care, small business micro-credit, emergency relief, and advocacy and resettlement for refugees and displaced persons.
OGHS also supports domestic and international ministries for disaster preparedness and response.
As people who have been blessed with so much, please give. Give gratefully, cheerfully, and generously!
Mark Your Calendar:
· Sunday, March 21: Third Sunday Fellowship Potluck—an Indonesian Feast
· Saturday, March 27: Church Spring Clean-up Day—9:00 a.m. (We need you!)
· Holy Week and Easter:
Sunday, March 28: Palm Sunday
Thursday, April 1: Maundy Thursday—6:30 p.m. soup supper; 7:00 p.m. worship and the Lord’s Supper
Friday, April 2: Good Friday—7:00 p.m. worship
Sunday, April 4: Easter Sunday—9:30 a.m. breakfast; 10:00 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt; 10:30 a.m. worship
Help Spread the Word—April 16th
The United Church of Christ will launch its next “God is Still Speaking” commercial on April 16, utilizing the church’s best broadcasting arsenal: its own members.
“We’re asking people to set aside the morning of Friday, April 16 for unparalleled texting, Twittering, Facebooking and emailing” of the new God is Still Speaking commercial, says Rev. Felix Carrion, coordinator of the UCC’s Stillspeaking Ministry. ”We are counting on the moxy of our million-plus supporters to spiral this viral message around the world.”
Called “Language of God,” the 60-second video message is being produced by Think Media, a national advertising firm known for its edgy, innovative video work. The new message will be kept under close wraps until introduced at 9 a.m. (ET) sharp on launch day via email, Facebook and ucc.org.
Carrion says the new message will explore and unpack the UCC’s God is Still Speaking phrase in evocative ways. “It has to be an engaging, thought-provoking message if it’s going to catch on virally,” he insists. “We’re coming out with something that will invite people to take a new look at God and pique their curiosity about the UCC.”
Scripture to Live By:
As the Lord’s prisoner, I beg you to live in a way that is worthy of the people God has chosen to be his own. Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other. Try your best to let God’s Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace.
When we speak the truth in love then will grow in every way to be more like Christ, the head of the body, the church. Christ holds it together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and becomes strong because of love.
...Ephesians 4:1–3, 15-16