Pastor Denise. RICHMOND, MICHIGAN January Dear Ones, Happy New Year! May it be full of blessings for each of you!

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1 FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST RICHMOND, MICHIGAN January 2016 Dear Ones, Happy New Year! May it be full of blessings for each of you! FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Rev. Denise Griebler gmail.com CELL: OFFICE: FAX: Website: OFFICE HOURS: TUESDAY THURSDAY 9:00 AM - 12 NOON FRIDAY, 9 AM - 3 PM Afternoons by appointment Pastor Denise is in Richmond on Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday We are a Christian community called to love God, love neighbor, love self, as Jesus taught. The church season is called Epiphany. It s main symbol is the star that led the Magi to the manger. It s the season when we notice that God really is with us. The signs are all around. We pay attention to the ways God s presence breaks through the darkness, the way God s love dawns on us a new understanding, a new way of seeing. Aha! And once we have seen, we cannot go back to notseeing. Once we know, we cannot go back to notknowing. Life opens up in new directions and depth, and with new understanding. Aha! This must be what it means that God-is-with-us... Let the gift of Christmas linger in your heart. Let it dawn on you how much God loves you and this broken and beautiful world, all the way down to the last and the least. That s my prayer for you this winter. Blessings for the New Year, dear friends, Pastor Denise

2 We re Looking for First UCC Members to Volunteer to Run for Our 2016 UCC Church Council Dear members of First United Church of Christ, Richmond, We will elect three new members to the church council at our Annual Meeting that takes place on January 17 right after the worship service. Please consider offering to serve as a council member. We meet once a month. You just have to be a member for at least one year and be at least 18 years of age. It is a three-year term. Often there are cookies or snacks! It's a rewarding experience and you will learn more about the workings of the church. Come and be a part of our exciting future. Please contact one of the three members of the Nominating committee: Karen Eltringham (586) David Hartwell (586) Rich Weinert (586) With prayers, The Nominating Committee First UCC s Weekly Prayer Discipline for January Clip and Keep Reminders In Our Prayers January 3-9 Warren & Sue Ann Burmann Al & Mary Alice Busch Charles & David Busch January Shelley Champion Jeffrey Chrostowski Bob & Veronica Chrostowski January Don & Donna Cockerill Leona Conner Mark & Vicky Davis January Dennis & Joyce Dubay Jerry, Lynn, Erin & Kristina Dunsmore Justin & Avrie Dunsmore First United Church of Christ

3 Poinsettias.....given for Christmastime 2015 A sincere thank you to the following members and friends who purchased poinsettias to decorate our chancel during the Christmas season: Al & Mary Alice Busch...in memory of our parents and Joyce Trudgeon & Bertha Teska Jim & Joyce Townsend...in memory of our parents Terri Houston... in memory of David Houston Karen Eltringham & Joe Burkhart... in memory of our parents Lucia Marshall...in memory of Peg Molin, Sybil Marshall and Kirk Marshall Doris Essenburg...in memory of Duane Essenburg Terry & Kathi Miller...in memory of Lori Bartell-McKinney Sally McNinch...in memory of Reb McNnch Ray & Paulette Trombley...in memory of Rick Trombley Darrell & Sharlene Haws...in memory of our parents Don & Donna Cockerill...in memory of Beamus & Loretta Bentley Glen & Diane Porrett...in memory of our parents Doris Ensley Mary Lou Volkenant...in memory of Jim Volkenant Kim McCardell...in memory of DiAnne Leitermann Shelley Champion...in memory of Roy & Shirley Champion and Thelma and Debbie Sandy Knoell...in memory of my parents Bill Wagner...in memory of Jo Wagner Rich & Sue Weinert...in memory of our parents Pastor Denise Griebler...in memory of our first spouses, Curt Koehler & Jeanie Wyler- Kellerman Now Available Electronic Version of Our Sharing the Word Newsletter We will distribute our monthly newsletters electronically to those members and friends who have an address. If you prefer to receive a hard copy in the mail, please call the church office at or Helen at firstunitedcc@outlook.com Thank you.

4 The Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ Statement of: Solidarity with our Interfaith Partners and Support of Efforts to Welcome Refugees and Immigrants to Michigan The core values of many religious traditions entail loving one s neighbor, seeking justice, pursuing peace, and doing unto others as you would have others do unto you. Recently, there have been regrettable statements inciting hatred between neighbors, provoking hostility toward fellow citizens, and fueling fear of refugees. The United Church of Christ has a long commitment to interfaith dialogue and partnership. In 1989 the denomination affirmed its relationship with the Muslim Community and confirmed that commitment in interfaith dialogue with the Islamic Society of North America and the Islamic Circle of North America. In 2011, the United Church of Christ adopted a resolution condemning hostility against Islam and the Muslim Community. That resolution called for efforts of education about, and engagement with, people of other faiths, and for speaking out against religiously and racially-motivated hatred and violence. In the spirit of past actions of the United Church of Christ, the Michigan Conference stands with our faith partners, Muslims in particular, to speak out against recent threats to our shared convictions and religious liberty. In solidarity with interfaith leaders in Michigan, we pursue peace seeking to increase understanding of our diverse spiritual practices, foster opportunities to gather for dialogue, and work for justice with the marginalized and oppressed. In solidarity with interfaith leaders in Michigan, we stand shoulder to shoulder in unity. When words of suspicion and distrust are spoken about one of our number we rally together. We support our Muslim brothers and sisters in this time of vilification, and we give thanks for the many ways they so richly enhance the business, religious, cultural and civic life of our state. In solidarity with interfaith leaders in Michigan, we support all efforts to resettle refugees in our state. Men, women and children are fleeing war torn countries in search of safety. Now is not the time to turn them away. They are our neighbors who need our love and compassion. We encourage all houses of worship to provide humanitarian support and neighborly care for all refugees and immigrants settling in Michigan. We invite people of goodwill of every faith, and of no faith, to join us in speaking up and reaching out for an increase in understanding, compassion, acceptance and peace. Rev. Dr. Campbell Lovett Conference Minister Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ December 18, 2015

5 What s Going on at First UCC? If you would like to be an active participant in any of the goings on at First UCC or have any questions concerning what our committees do, feel free to reach out to the committee liaison. The many committees that make sure things run smoothly are made up of volunteers, and each committee is represented by a church council member. The various committees and liaisons are as follows: Mission Karen Eltringham ( ) Buildings and Grounds Dave Hartwell ( ) Worship Terri Houston ( ) Vitality Rich Weinert ( ) Finance Kim Grewe ( ) Stewardship Veronica Chrostowski ( ) Memorial Kathi Miller ( ) Personnel Ron Schrote ( ) Servers Rotation Schedule 2016 January 3 Greeters...Karen E. & Joe B. Ushers Rob & Amy Follebout Lay Reader.Joyce Townsend Communion Preparer...Mary Alice Busch Communion Servers...Bob & Veronica C. January 10 Greeters Doris Essenburg & Mary Lou V. Ushers Rich & Sue Weinert Lay Reader.Pam Green Altar Flowers Ron & Kim Schrote January 17 Greeters.Sally McNinch & Lucia Marshall Ushers.Karen E. & Joe B. Lay Reader..Christine Hensch Altar Flowers.Need Volunteer January 24 Greeters Ron & Kim Schrote Ushers Mary Alice & Al Busch Lay Reader.Sue Weinert Altar Flowers...Traci Bartell January 31 Greeters Joyce Townsend & Pam Green Ushers Bob & Veronica Chrostowski Lay Reader...Traci Bartell Altar Flowers...Bob Chrostowski February 7 Greeters Rich & Sue Weinert Ushers.Amy & Rob Follebout Lay Reader..Mary Alice Busch Communion Preparer.Sally McNinch Communion Servers.Ron & Kim Schrote

6 Prayers coming your way... This page in our newsletter shares prayer concerns and prayer opportunities within the life of our family of faith. By actively praying for the concerns presented, we strengthen our congregation, our brother and sister churches, our association and our conference. If you have prayer concerns you would like to see added to this page, please contact Pastor Denise or call the office at Please add the following concerns to your personal prayer time: We pray for those from our family of faith who are homebound, dealing with illness, caregiving or grief: Emily & Josh Houston.Shelley Champion.Bill Wagner.Doris Ensley. Kim McCardall.Lucille Trombley.Donna & Frank Bartell.Marjorie Pentzien.Bob Reindel.Paulette & Ray Trombley.Chuck & Mary Alice Busch.Leona Conner.For our Richmond schools students, teachers, administrators and staff.for clean, affordable water in Detroit and Flint...For the people who have suffered terrible tornedos.for Syrian refugees and for a willingness to welcome them.for prisoners.for peace. Prayers of gratitude for Glen s many years of service as our custodian. Prayers for a great new life in retirement! If you are aware of someone who should be included in our prayers, please call the church office or speak with Pastor Denise. Have Car, Will Travel? Volunteer Drivers Urgently Needed! All our snowbirds have headed South for the winter! Won t you please help fill in for them? Many of our regular drivers take a couple months off this time of year, but the need for transportation does not lessen. The Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers program needs drivers who can provide rides for our older and disabled neighbors so that they can get to doctor appointments and essential errands. Just a couple hours of your time can make a huge difference in someone s life. You pick your own area and your own times. Drive as often or as little as you like in the comfort of your own car. Even one more ride a year might get someone to an appointment that could save their life! Daytime drivers especially needed! Please call Carmen today at for more information.

7 Scripture Readings for January January 03 January 10 January 17 January 24 January 31 Second Sunday after Christmas Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 147:12-20; Ephesians 1:3-14; John 1:(1-9), 1-18 The Baptism of Christ Isaiah 43:1-7; Psalm 29; Acts 8: 14-17; Luke 3:15-17, Second Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 36:5-10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; John 2:1-11 Third Sunday after Epiphany Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a; Luke 4:14-21 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 4:21-30 Vision Statement: The purpose of this church shall be to worship God, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to celebrate the sacraments; to realize Christian fellowship and unity within this church and the Church universal; to render loving service toward humankind; and to strive for righteousness, justice and peace. Mission Statement: We are traveling life s road: created by God, guided by Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit and grounded in scripture. We strive to be individuals on a spiritual journey and a community sharing God s love with all. Called to Care Team Mary Alice Busch Bob Chrostowski (H) (C) Office Hours The secretary is in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 9 am till 12 noon and Friday 9 am till 3 pm. If you need additional assistance at other times, please send Helen an at firstunitedcc@outlook.com or leave a phone message at the church office: Thank you.

8 Your Church Council Listed below are your church council members. Please contact any one of them with any questions, comments or concerns. Name Veronica Chrostowski Mark Davis Vicky Davis Karen Eltringham Kimberly Grewe Dave Hartwell Terri Houston Denise Griebler Kathi Miller Ron Schrote Jackie Waszkiewicz Rich Weinert Position Treasurer Vice President Pastor Secretary President Financial Secretary Term Ends N/A First UCC Prayer Chain Pastor Denise Sue Weinert Diane Porrett Jennifer Northam Sally McNinch Mary Alice Busch Paulette Trombley Karen Eltringham Joyce Townsend Shelley Champion Christine Hensch Traci Bartell Adopt-A-Bill Here s How it Works: 1) Take an Adopt-A-Bill envelope from the display board in the narthex. 2) Pick a bill from the board. 3) Place your check (made out to First United Church of Christ) or cash along with the bill in the envelope. 4) Place the envelope in the offering plate or mail it to the church. Every contribution is greatly appreciated and helps to support our church. Want to join our prayer chain? Please call the church office at

9 We wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the following members who are celebrating their birthday in January: 15 - Terri Verlinde 17 - Charles Busch 25 - Tim Fair 26 - Kathy Miller HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the children of our church who celebrate a birthday this month: 01 - Brendan Weeks 05 - Savannah Kohn 17 - Kaleb Manska 20 - Kyle & Kevin Ensley We also wish a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to the following members whose wedding anniversary is in January: 02 - Rick & Kristie Hollick 07 - Joyce & Dennis Dubay 21 - Lynn & Jerry Dunsmore 29 - Bob & Veronica Chrostowski B E S T W I S H E S T O Y O U! Weekly Offerings: December 27 $1, December 24 $1, December 20 $2, December 13 $1, Adopt-A-Bill $ December December December December 13.61

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11 FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST SOUTH FOREST RICHMOND, MI Return address requested No Matter Who You Are Or Where You Are On Life s Journey You Are Welcome Here! First United Church of Christ Rev. Denise Griebler dgriebler@sbcglobal.net cell: office: firstunitedcc@outlook.com