The Study is at 9:15AM in the second floor lounge.

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1 January 22, 2017 June 19, 2016 Today at LHUCC The scripture for today is Luke 5:1-11, a story of fish and people. While often presented as an image or even a model for bringing people to God, the commonality between netting fish and inviting people in to a meaningful relationship with God is limited. I invite you to examine this text from a new vantage point this Sunday. -Pastor Eliot WELCOME to visitors and guests worshipping at Linden Hills United Church of Christ. Your presence enriches this community of faith! Nursery care is available for babies up to 3 years. Join us (downstairs) in the Fellowship Hall following the worship service for coffee and conversation. January Narrative Bible Study when people can reflect and deepen our understanding of Bible to everyday life. The Study is at 9:15AM in the second floor lounge. Below is the schedule for the studies: Sunday, January 1: No Bible Study Sunday, January 8: Jesus Baptism Luke 3:1-22 Sunday, January 22: Fish For People Luke 5:1-11 Sunday, January 29: Healing on Sabbath Luke 6:1-16 Please Introduce Yourself: Visitor and prayer request cards are an insert in this bulletin. Please take the time to fill out the card and place it in the offering plate or with an usher after the service. Learn About Linden Hills UCC: Information about the congregation is in the pew rack. A literature table is in the Fellowship Hall or check out our website: Are you receiving The Linden Tree, our weekly electronic newsletter? office@lhucc.org to be added to our list or to update your contact information. Join us for an Adult Narrative Bible Study. People will gather to read the text that Pastor Eliot will preach that day. This is a time Continued on next page

2 this week at lhucc TODAY: 9:15 AM Narrative Bible Study 10:00 AM Worship 11:00 AM Coffee Hour Fellowship 11:15 AM Budget Information Meeting THIS WEEK:. Monday 1/23 4:45 PM Loaves and Fishes Tuesday 1/24 5:30 PM LH Yoga 7:00 PM Alanon 7:00 PM Alateen Wednesday 1/25 6:30 PM Contemplative Prayer 7:15 PM Choir Practice Thursday 1/26 7:15 PM ACA Friday 1/27 7:00 PM AA Saturday 1/28 8:00 AM Morning Study/Book Group 10:00 AM Nicotine Anonymous 10:30 AM LH Yoga 4:00 PM ACA Annual Dinner Sunday 1/22 9:15 AM Narrative Bible Study 10:00 AM Worship 11:00 AM Coffee Hour Fellowship 11:15 AM Annual Budget Meeting Linden Hills UCC: A Sanctuary Congregation We are in the process of holding gatherings in congregants homes, to encourage community conversations about our becoming a sanctuary congregation for people facing deportation, and standing in solidarity for racial justice. Everyone should have received an or phone call please let us know if you would like to join in. A meal at the home of Nance and Walter Kent will take place on January 22. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Eliot ( ) or Kathryn Kaatz ( ). Sacred Solidarity Team: Kathryn Kaatz, Bonnie Buckley, Nance Kent and Eliot Howard. Thanks, Christmas Gifters! Outreach would like to thank all the volunteers who provided Christmas gifts for individuals and families through Hennepin County and the TRUST Wreath of Love. LHUCC sponsored 10 families through Hennepin County and 12 individuals through the wreath of love. The sock and mitten tree was amply adorned with warm clothing each Sunday as well, keeping toes, ears and hands warm this winter. the holidays, the presents were warmly received and very much appreciated. Sam Howard Prophetic Resistance Event For Such A Time as This: Building our Prophetic Resistance, is an event sponsored by ISAIAH, a faith-based coalition of more than 100 member congregations that lets communities in Minnesota more effectively live out their faith in biblical justice and the common good. This event will take place at Shiloh Temple 1201 West Broadway, Minneapolis on Saturday, January 28th between 1:00 and 4:00 PM. If you are interested in attending please register at this URL: PropheticResistance or see Kathryn Kaatz, Nance Kent, or Eliot Howard at coffee hour. Please join other LHUCC friends at the home of Kathryn Kaatz (1321 Thomas Avenue North) following this event for snacks, good cheer, and to debrief what we have learned. Note: a large part of this event will cover the Sanctuary Church plans, however, other ISAIAH initiatives will be discussed as well. We hope to see you there! Thank you for taking time out of your busy holiday schedules to help spread the spirit of Continued on next page

3 Upcoming Budget Events to attend both events Contribution Statements Tax Contribution Statements for 2016 will be sent out in late January. If you have any questions about your statement, please contact the church office by or by phone: Please be mindful of the upcoming events regarding the 2017 Linden Hills UCC Budget. There will be Budget Information Session on January 22 after worship and on January 29 the Annual Budget Meeting will gather to approve the 2017 church budget. Please make plans Faith Formation Opportunities for Children and Youth Every 2nd, 4th and (if any) 5th Sundays of the month, there is Faith Formation learning opportunities for children and youth. This is similar to what people traditionally remember as Sunday School from the 20th century with the difference being Faith Formation seeks to integrate the learning we do about our religion with the way we engage day to day living. During Faith Formation time, youth and children have an opportunity to learn about the scripture themes being explored for that Sunday, participate in an interactive activity that helps them to remember the valuable lessons from the scripture theme, and spend time with their peers. If you want more information about Faith Formation Sundays, or if you re interested in volunteering as a Faith Formation teacher, please contact Rev. Lawrence Richardson, Interim Minister for Faith Formation via or text at lawrencetrichardsonmn@yahoo.com or Loaves & Fishes On Monday, January 23 we need volunteers to help with a Loaves and Fishes meal at St. Stephen's church, 2123 Clinton Ave. South in Minneapolis. Linden Hills will be serving the meal. Please be at St. Stephen's shelter in Minneapolis by 5:15PM. If you'd like to carpool, please meet at the church at 4:45PM. If you are interested, contact the church office at office@lhucc.org, use the sign up sheet outside the church office or call Mary Plumb at Upcoming Youth Events: January-May Youth from grades 6th through 12th are invited to participate in Youth Group. Youth Group meets on the last Sunday of the month from September to May from 11:30am-1:30pm. Here are the remaining Youth Group Activities for this program year: January 29th - I Have a Dream (We will meet in the youth room for this presentation and interactive activity led by Lawrence, and there will be lunch) February 26th - Lock-In (The lock in will start on Saturday, February 25th at 9:00pm and conclude with the start of worship on Sunday the 26th) March 26th - SkyZone (We will leave from church at 11:30am. We need 2 additional drivers so please let me know if you re willing to drive) May 28th End of the year Youth Group Picnic at Lake Harriet If you re interested in attending youth group, or if you are interested in being a parent chaperone, please contact Rev. Lawrence Richardson, Interim Minister for Faith Formation via or text at lawrencetrichardsonmn@yahoo.com or Continued on back page servant leaders The following are serving in worship today, January 22 : Head Deacon: Tifany Bils Acolytes: Emilia Marshall Coffee Hour Hosts: Flowers: Dave and Joy Groenemann Greeters: Dave and Joy Groenemann The following are serving in worship next Sunday, January 29: Head Deacon: Acolytes: Coffee Hour Hosts: Kim Stephan Flowers: Mike & Wedy Rolek Greeters: Mandy Hackerson

4 January Stewardship Up- The stewardship committee wants to thank everyone who has pledged so far to support our church and add to our story for As of Wed, January 18 we are blessed with 75 active pledgers, and $158,435 pledged. By comparison, last year on January 20, we had 67 pledgers, and $139k pledged (with final totals of 82 and $154k). We are well ahead of where we were last year at this time! However, we are not yet done, and we ask that anyone who has not yet pledged will take the time to do so. Or if upon reflection you would like to add to your existing pledge for 2017, that is also appreciated. Every pledger and every dollar adds strength to our church community and our ability to fund our ministries and mission. To pledge, or to adjust an existing pledge there are several options: paper cards in fellowship hall are available on the information table to turn into the office or offering plate; or use the electronic form (please make sure you see a confirmation page to know it s gone through); or one of the stewardship campaign coordinators (lorna.j.wilson@gmail.com). Also, please plan to attend one or both budget meetings with Trustees after church on January 22 or 29 to learn exactly how your stewardship dollars translate into the plans being made - i.e new chapters in our church story being written - in Blessings and thanks to you all, The Stewardship Committee (Lorna Wilson and Doug Belden)

5 Stewardship Pledging FAQs: How do I submit my pledge intent? You have several options for how to submit your pledge intent: Use the online submission form found at our website stewardship page: lhucc.org/about-us/stewardship/ (please check to make sure you see a confirmation page to ensure the pledge has been submitted). send an (to office@lhucc.org, or lorna.j.wilson@gmail.com send or hand in a physical pledge card to the church office (cards are available on the information table in fellowship hall). Do I have to pay the pledge right away? No, the pledge can be paid at any time during the year. In addition to the offering plates, some people now use the online giving option (click the donate button at lhucc.org) or their bank s electronic bill pay services to set up weekly or monthly direct payments to the church. I give in the offering plate already, so why should I pledge? Pledge income is extra valuable to the church because knowing in advance the church will have at least that level of financial support allows Trustees to responsibly plan for the year Un-pledged offering plate income is of course also valuable, and is estimated as part of the budget, but as it is unpredictable, it does not allow trustees to confidently make advance decisions on spending and programming for the year. What if I don't know if I can really afford to give the amount I'd like to pledge? Pledge the amount you are most comfortable with now, and if you can provide more later it will be gratefully received. Also know that you can revise your pledge later if changing circumstances require it.

6 building our prophetic resistance Thank you to Catalina and Grant, leaders from ISAI- AH, who spoke to us on January 15 after worship about what it means to be a Sanctuary Congregation for people facing deportation. ISAIAH is a Minnesota faith-based organization that will also sponsor, "For Such A Time As This: Building Our Prophetic Resistance". This event is a call to unite as faith communities to hold up our values in the public arena. This event will be Saturday, January 28th 1-4pm at Shiloh Temple Ministries 1201 W. Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis. For more information and to register, visit:

7 Thoughts on the New President Interim faith formation minister Lawrence Richardson wrote about why soon-to-be President Trump is his president. Here is an excerpt: Words like mainline and mainstream are used to describe American society, institutions and organizations. The people associated with and accepted into this main group are and have always been primarily White, able-bodied, American Christians who conform to ideals consistent with Heterosexism, Exceptionalism and Supremacism. The rest of us, those of us who reside on the margins for being poor or Black or Brown or non-christian or differently-abled or LGBTQ, we have been intentionally excluded from all the main aspects of American society since the beginning of Western colonization. The American caste system of the haves and have-nots isn t just about class or economics. People of color earn less money even if they work harder. We believe that farmers and laborers deserve to be paid less if they are Brown and undocumented. We have segregated housing and places of worship. We don t require people in positions of power, who are charged with leading diverse populations, to have training or competence outside of their own cultural lenses and biases. We punish the sick by robbing them blind for medications they need just so that corporations can hoard money. Mr. Trump is a successful business man and he is a direct manifestation of American culture, politics and history. Some of the outlandish things he s threatened, or even the disturbing things he s tweeted, is consistent with the way mainstream society has acted in response to those who don t conform to mainstream ideals. We marginalized people in our society WAY before Mr. Trump was elected. There are many people who support Donald Trump because they support the America they ve always known and they believe that Donald Trump s leadership will maintain that America. For the people who so vehemently oppose Donald Trump, many believe that Hillary Clinton s leadership would have advanced the America they believe is possible, one that diametrically opposes the America we live in today. If he hadn t won, and Hillary Clinton had won instead, the unequal and unjust treatment many believe Mr. Trump encourages would still be happening. The difference between the Democratic nominee and the Republican nominee from this presidential election cycle is honesty. Donald Trump is honest about the way things are and honest about the way he is, and he doesn t pretend that progress will come for the least of those among us because he knows that a silent majority of Americans prefer comfort and feeling superior over empowering those on the margins and disrupting the status quo. You can read the full article by going to thesaltcollective.org/mr-trump-president/. Choir Update Please look at the upcoming choir practices scheduled for the coming months. The choir meets on Wednesdays at 7:15PM. All are welcome to take part! Rehearsals: Performances: January 25 January 29 February 8 February 12 February 22 February 26 March 1 (Ash Wednesday) March 5 March 22 March 26 April 5 April 9 (Palm Sunday) April 12 April 16 (Easter) April 26 April 30 May 14

8 Write for the New Linden Hills UCC Blog! Would you prayerfully consider being a writer for the Linden Hills UCC blog? You can write as often as you d like on topics that interest you. Our community of faith is blessed with good writers and teachers among us. Let s share our collective voices with the wider community. IF YOU RE INTERESTED IN WRITING FOR THE BLOG, please contact Dan Schmiechen at basdrs@gmail.com or call l-2391 by/before Friday, January 27th. A Bright New Year with God s hope. Lawrence Richardson and Dan Schmiechen An Open and Affirming Congregation 4200 Upton Avenue South Minneapolis, MN Eliot Howard, Pastor Lawrence Richardson, Interim Faith Formation Minister Norma Burton, Community Minister Daniel Pederson, Music Minister Dennis Sanders, Communications Coordinator Mario Dickson-Green, Custodian Office Hours: T-Th 9:00AM-Noon office@lhucc.org (Office) eliothoward930@gmail.com (Pastor) Linden Hills UCC Website: United Church of Christ Website: Please submit items for the newsletter by Noon on Wednesday to office@lhucc.org. lhucc.org