Peoples Prodder. October 2018 MINISTER S MESSAGE

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1 P e o p l e s C o n g r e g a ti o n a l U n i t e d C h u r c h o f C h r i s t 4704 Thirtee nth Stree t, NW Washington, D C Peoples Prodder WORSHIP SERVICES 10:00 a.m. Sundays 9:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study Deacons Prayer Service Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. Prayer Service Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. Bible Study on Thursday 6:30-8:00 p.m. HOLY COMMUNION First Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Worship Nursery available during 10:00 a.m. service Rev. Dr. Ronald E. Hopson Designated Senior Minister Rev. Venita - Enola George Assistant Minister Clyde T. Parker, Minister of Music Follow us on October 2018 MINISTER S MESSAGE For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you good hope and a future (Jer. 29:11 NIV). I want to share a meditation on this text during this time of revitalization and rest. The prior verse (vs. 10) contains a declaration of coming liberation from Babylon. But the Hebrew people have a right to doubt this coming liberation, given the current circumstances. How can they believe in a little while, you ll be free after so long in diaspora. So, verse eleven is meant to answer that reasonable doubt. Three things stand out in God s answer to their (and our) doubt. First is the repetition of the word plans. It is derived from a Hebrew word which means both thought, and device. So, it would read literally as: I know both what I want to do for you, and how I m gonna do it. So there, that settles that. Albert Einstein is reported to have said: I want to know God s thoughts, the rest are details. Indeed, we want to know God s thoughts, the Word of God, the will of God. But sometimes, once we know what God wants, we decide how then that should be accomplished. We ve discerned God s thoughts, now we ll decide on the devices for implementation. Jeremiah says no, relax, God has both intention (thought) and method (device) for our future. As the young folk would say, we just need to chill. The second thing that stands out for me is the lack of conditions upon the promise. I ll give you good hope and a future, period. You don t have to earn it, and you can t mess it up (notwithstanding the years of indoctrination we ve received that we can block our blessings, etc ). It s on my timetable (says the Lord), so you can t speed it up, or slow it down, or stop it. A final observation on the NIV translation: It reads: to give you good hope and a future It should read: to give you an afterwards, and a hope. Fundamentally, God s plan for us is to always give us an afterwards of hope. Notice, it s not hope of an afterwards eg. I hope I ll survive; rather its an afterwards of hope eg. I know I ll survive, and I ll be more hopeful afterwards than before! Whatever happens will in time unfold to prosper (emotionally, physically, communally, ethically ), not harm us; and whatever happens, there is always an afterwards, and in that afterwards, there s always hope. Wow, what a Blessed Assurance as we move forward with revitalization and rest: Prosperity (in many forms), an afterwards, and always, always, always hope.

2 MISSION AND VISION OF THE CHURCH MISSION OF THE CHURCH The Mission of Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ is: To worship God and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to labor for peace and justice so that the world may become the kingdom of God on earth; To foster within its membership, by its teaching and its ministry, the spirit which was in Christ; To be to its membership and the community a source of spiritual refreshment, guidance, transformation, comfort and support; To impress upon its membership the need for mutual loyalty and charity; VISION OF THE CHURCH so we, who are many, are one body in Christ and individually we are members of one another. (Romans 12:5 NRSV) Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ is a progressive Christian community called by faith, led by hope, and united by love to build strong and committed disciples for Jesus Christ and to be a spiritual presence locally and globally in service to humanity. This vision is lived out through our focus on relationship with the Lord, which produces perspective; scholarship in study of the Scriptures, which produces focus; stewardship awareness in our giving and sharing which produces trust; and fellowship with our sisters and brothers in Christ, which produces unity. To teach its young people the noble traditions of its past; to point them to the possibilities of its future, and to give guidance in the building of Christian character; and Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it, for there is a vision for the appointed time (Habakkuk 2:2-3 NRSV) To educate and develop its members for consecrated and sacrificial service. 2

3 ANNOUNCEMENTS (Announcements that groups wish to place in the Prodder are subject to final approval by the Ministers.) Ring Those Bells! As part of the church revitalization effort, plans are underway for reestablishing the Peoples Church Hand Bell Choir! The goal is for children to play on the Children's Sabbath in October and for a combined choir to play on various occasions. Anyone interested should contact Vernandi Richardson or call the church office at The PEOPLES JAZZ SOCIETY PROGRAM CALENDAR FOR is available at the entry to the offices of the Church, and through our website, On Sunday, October 14 we will hold a business meeting for members only at 11:30, or immediately following the service in the Corbin Lounge. We look forward to another exciting and inspiring year of jazz in liturgy. Membership is open to all who love the music; membership in Peoples Church is not required. Online payment of dues is also available online, click membership. The October meeting of the Women's Fellowship will be Saturday, October 19th, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Corbin Lounge. The October lunch will be on Wednesday, October 31st, at All Set in Silver Spring, 12:30 PM Contact June Jeffries for more information, jjeffries1978@verizon.net or leave a message at the church office, The Fall meeting of the Potomac Association, Central Atlantic Conference will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 8:30am - 1:00pm at Westmoreland UCC. The theme for the meeting is "Rekindling the Flame". Worship, business meeting (the budget) and updates are the order of the day. Registration costs $15. Revitalization Works! Jeremiah 29:11-13 The congregation is invited to attend the Peoples Revitalization Institute on Saturday, November 10, 2018 from 9:00AM - 3:00Pm in the Fellowship Hall. Our church is alive and poised to be revitized! Members of the Congregation representing a cross-section of Boards, Committees, Clubs and interests of the Church will work to create synergy and unified action around the Revitalization Plan. All are welcomed as we begin this important work. Registration will begin soon. Let's Vote! The Board of Christian Social Action and the Social Justice Working Group are working collaboratively to help get out the vote for the 2018 mid-term elections on Tuesday, November 6, In coming Sundays, these groups will be providing information about voting and presenting volunteer opportunities to register voters and get people to the polls on November 6. Stay tuned for more information. Please start thinking about how you can contribute to these important activities. *ACS REALM is Coming Soon* A new Church Management system will be implemented in the near future that will connect the church with its members more efficiently. Contact Nina Faulk-Knight 3

4 Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ th Street, NW Washington, DC Wellness Ministry Social Security and Medicare: Secure Your Benefits Secure Your Future Saturday, October 13, :00 a.m. 12:00 noon Fellowship Hall Learn about important issues and much, much more! What do I need to know about Social Security? Am I too young to worry about Social Security? How does Medicare work for me? What is Part A, B & D? Who can help me navigate Medicare and Social Security? All Working and Retired Adults are Welcome! Confirm your attendance on bwellatpeoples@gmail.com 4

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6 2018 MONTHLY MEMORY VERSES (FROM THE REVISED STANDARD VERSION) Jan Jun January:...God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.(genesis 1 :1-5) February:...Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16 ) March: they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.(isaiah 40:28-31) April: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. (Luke 4:15-19) May:.He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. (Psalm 98 ) June:...You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out thence with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. (Deuteronomy 5:12-15) July: The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold [a] of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1-5) August: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-13) September: And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day. (Genesis 1:31) October: Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his exceeding greatness! (Ps 150) October 2018 LECTIONARY READINGS October 7 Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost Enfolding Love Old Testament: Ps 26 Gospel: Mk 10:2-16 Epistle: Heb 1:1-4;2:5-12 October 21 Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost Great Service Old Testament: Ps 104:1-9,24,35c Gospel: Mk 10:35-45 Epistle: Heb 5 :1-10 ******************************************* October 14 Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost What Must I Do? Old Testament: Ps 22:1-15 Gospel: Mk 10:17-31 Epistle: Heb 4 :12-16 *********************************************** October 28 Twenty third Sunday after Pentecost Take Heart Old Testament: Ps 34:1-8 Gospel: Mk 10:46-52 Epistle: Heb 7:

7 GENERAL INFORMATION WEBSITE, FACEBOOK FAN PAGE, TWITTER & LIVE STREAMING NEWS: Our website address is The website is constantly being updated, so click the refresh button when you visit. Our Twitter handle You do not need a Twitter Account to follow Peoples Church. The Prodder, Website, Facebook Fan Page, Twitter and Live Streaming exist to further the social connection with the membership of Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ and with the community to promote outreach and notices of important Church events. The social networking tools are designed for easy mass communication and media sharing. Through the Website, members and users can access the Online Giving page to donate to the General Operating Fund and purchase tickets for Church events and fundraisers. Members/users can view the Events Calendar to participate in the life of the Church. Members can advertise Church events through the Website, Facebook Fan Page and Twitter. Members/users can view live streaming of Church Worship Services and other special liturgical services from the Website on Facebook Live. The Website is the New Front Door of the Church, and allows members/users to interact, communicate and connect to foster connectivity and community. PLEASE NOTE: By attending Worship Services and other liturgical services at Peoples Church, your image may appear on camera during the transmission of live streaming. Prodder Guidelines: All announcements and flyers must be submitted by the third Tuesday of the month by 12:00 Noon. Announcements and flyers can be ed to info@peopleschurchucc.org,. Do not mail information. Announcements should be no more than 50 words and should be informational about Peoples Church events or members and their families. Announcements may be edited. NO PHOTOGRAPHS, VIDEO, OR AUDIO RECORDING: This policy has been adopted to protect the musicians and speakers who are a part of the worship services and special events at the Church. The cooperation of the congregation is essential to the observance of this policy by visitors and guests. Photographs and CD recordings of worship services and other events are available as produced by the designated Church photographers and the Sound Engineer. Please contact the Church office to request specific photographs and/or recordings. Thank you. Facility Reservations: If you wish to reserve space for an event and/or activity, please contact Ms. Yvette Hunter, Operations Specialist, at the church office on (202) or yhunter@peopleschurchucc.org to complete a reservation contract. Facility reservations can also be made online through the church s website: Reservations are made on a first come, first served basis; however, religious events and funerals take precedence. Peoples Church is a multi-use venue so reservations are necessary Member and non-member reservation fees apply. Floral Arrangements for the Altar: To order a designer floral arrangement to remember your loved one or recognize a special day, contact Vernandi Richardson, (202) or Diane Miller for additional information. Facilities Committee: First Aid Kits have been placed in the Main Office and the Fellowship Hall/Kitchen area. Incident Reporting Forms are also available in the Main Office for completion. All incidents must be reported on the forms, regardless of how small the incident is. The completed forms should be given to any member of the office/volunteer staff. MINISTER S ADDRESS: Rev. Dr. Ronald E. Hopson, Designated Senior Minister: rhopson@peopleschurchucc.org Rev. Venita Enola George, Assistant Minister: veg@peopleschurchucc.org CHURCH MODERATOR S ADDRESS: Robert Hendricks anc4c01@hottmail.com ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF (202) (Office) Ms. Yvette Hunter, Operations Specialist, Yhunter@peopleschurchucc.org Ms. Donika Palmer, Administrative Assistant dpalmer@peopleschurchucc.org MAINTENANCE Mr. Lawrence McDaniel Mr. John Robert Mr. Gary Gardner 7

8 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Church School Pre-K Adult Church School Men s Bible Study Youth Ministry GROW Ministry* Deacons Prayer Service Bible Study Prayer Service Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday 2nd and 4th Sunday 4th Sunday Wednesday Thursday Wednesday 10:00 a.m. 11:30 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. *Inactive 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Elmes Center Nursery Corbin Lounge Quiet Room Youth Lounge Room 203 A & B Corbin Lounge Corbin Lounge Small Lounge *Inactive at this time Voices of Peoples Fellowship Choir Rhythmic Choir Chancel Choir Men s Chorus CHOIR REHEARSAL Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m CHURCH BOARDS MONTHLY MEETING SCHEDULES Board of Christian Education Board of Trustees Christian Social Action Church Council Board of Deacons 2nd Wednesday 2nd Wednesday 2nd Wednesday 3rd Wednesday Saturday Before the 1st Sunday 7:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. PEOPLES NEIGHBORHOOD FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Hours of Operation: Tuesday and Saturday By Appointment Call Saturday: 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 8

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