The Central Courier. ... we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him. Matt 2:2. From Rev. Ng...

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The Central Courier January 2013 Central Congregational Church United Church of Christ Rev. Christine Ng Senior Minister Kathy Lowrie Minister of Music.

1 The Central Courier January 2013 Central Congregational Church United Church of Christ Rev. Christine Ng Senior Minister Kathy Lowrie Minister of Music... we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him. Matt 2:2 Rev. Anna Humble Associate Pastor Steve Wilson Pastoral Intern Kitty Ammann Director of Preston Royal Preschool Dr. Charles S. Hastings, Jr. Pastor Emeritus Council Members Moderator Eric Gachelin Vice Moderator Doug Willis Finance Coordinator Ann Stockert Property Coordinator Kent Binfield Outreach Coordinator Kristi Willis Church Life Coordinator Steve Wilson Education Coordinator Michael Reinert 5600 Royal Lane Dallas, Texas / (Fax) 214/ Website: From Rev. Ng... Growing up, I didn t know what an epiphany was let alone that it is a liturgical season in the church. It is a season to explore how God is revealed to us as God was revealed to the magi in human form in Jesus. Now I see how important it is to contemplate the many ways God is revealed to us, the many ways we encounter God in our lives, and in our world. This is also a good season to consider gifts the gifts we have been given and the gifts we bring as the magi brought gifts to the Christ child. Have we accepted the gifts we ve been given with the responsibilities of connection and relationship that come with them? Are we sharing our own gifts wisely as an offering to God? And in what ways does this sharing of gifts become an epiphany for us? An encounter, an appearance, a revelation of God at work? Blessings of the Epiphany season, Chris 1

Sundays in January January 6 th Epiphany communion Family Sunday. Join us for the first Sunday of the new year as we celebrate the journey of the magi.

Before worship, anyone who participated in the Holy Conversations small groups but missed more than 2 sessions is invited to a make-up session at 9:00 in the Library.

2 Sundays in January January 6 th Epiphany communion Family Sunday. Join us for the first Sunday of the new year as we celebrate the journey of the magi. Our worship text will be the traditional Matthew 2:1-12. Come consider what will be revealed for you this year. Before worship, anyone who participated in the Holy Conversations small groups but missed more than 2 sessions is invited to a make-up session at 9:00 in the Library. After worship, our Adult Confirmation Class will have its first meeting at 12:30. Please stay after worship to help take down the Christmas decorations. January 13 th First Sunday after Epiphany. During out Holy Conversations visioning series, our small groups considered what Biblical story best describes the story our church is living today. Worship today will incorporate each of the Biblical stories selected by our small groups, as a prelude to the seventh and last Holy Conversations session, with all participants meeting after worship and coffee hour. Stephen Ministers meet before worship at 9:30. January 20 th Second Sunday after Epiphany. This Sunday begins our Epiphany worship series based on the book Living into Community by Christine Pohl. The topic for the first week is embracing gratitude as a way of life, and the scripture text will be 1 Thessalonians 5: January 27 th Third Sunday after Epiphany. The second week of our Epiphany series, Living into Community. Rev. Humble will bring the message, with the topic of making and keeping promises as a spiritual practice. Epiphany Worship Series Living into Community Based on the book Living into Community: Cultivating Practices that Sustain Us By Christine Pohl In January we celebrate the season of Epiphany, which begins with the journey of the magi to discover God revealed in human form in baby Jesus. Epiphany means revelation. Our Epiphany worship series this year considers how God is revealed to us in community in our life together as the church, the Body of Christ. Christine Pohl s book considers four spiritual practices that are essential for faith communities: gratitude, making and keeping promises, truthtelling, and hospitality. Deceptively simple concepts that take on a whole new meaning and January

3 Epiphany worship series continued importance when considered in the context of a church community. After all, as Pohl writes, The best testimony to the truth of the gospel is the quality of our life together. These practices also impact our lives outside church, as we seek to live out our faith everyday. Each week of our four week series we will consider one of these four practices, its Biblical and theological basis, and the many ways it manifests God in our lives together. The series stands alone, although you are invited to purchase a copy of the book to read as we go through the series. New or used copies are available from several on-line sources, or by ordering from a local bookstore. By working through the concepts in this book together, we hope that we, as a church community, will have a common vocabulary and framework for understanding what we do as a community, and why it is such an important part of our own journey of faith. Stewardship Update 51 pledges worth $198,269 (as of 12/16/2012) Our gratitude is great. CCC s Stewardship 2013 goal of $200,000 is within reach. We continue accepting pledges from those who have not yet pledged, as well as, from those who may be moved to increase their pledge. In delight, Sydney Reichard Dee Shuttlesworth Rob Humble Paula Lam Hanging of the Greens December 2, 2012 Placing of the Advent Calendar, Steve Ng and Dallas Grimmett January

4 Website Under Construction, Blog Thriving A few weeks ago, you might have noticed that our church website and our staff s froze up for a time. In order to fix the problem, we would have had to sign a new contract for a larger hosting plan with the company we had used for almost 10 years, but some felt that it was time for a change, and that advances in technology now offered cheaper, better looking, and easier to use websites tailored to the needs of churches. And due to the rapidly approaching Christmas holidays, when we knew most of our guests would be looking at our website for information about us and our worship times, we decided it would be best to act. The Executive Council decided to go with a recommendation by Rev. Humble, who had serendipitously been researching options many months before the crash. This option was approved, however, on a provisional basis until our Website Team has time to meet and assess the situation and intentionally evaluate our wants and needs for the site. The new provisional website is now up, but under construction. We welcome your feedback about the site! Please Rev. Humble with your corrections, ideas, and thoughts! In addition, our blog and Facebook page are absolutely flourishing. Since we began our Advent Devotional Blog postings, which were advertised on our Facebook Page, we have up to 50 unique visitors to our blog a day, and an additional unknown number following it daily via . The extra activity on our Facebook page has increased our following, and we now we reach up to 362 people a day via Facebook thanks to you for liking and sharing our posts! Keep it up! The internet has become a tremendous opportunity for us to speak the Good News beyond our church walls, even to people living on the other side of the world. We now have blog readers in Latvia, South Korea, the UK, Philippines, Australia, and India... just to name a few! You can find a link to our devotional blog on our website, or you can visit it directly by typing www. centraluccdallas.blogspot.org into your browser. On the top right hand of the screen, you will see a box where you can enter your address in order to have the blog automatically delivered to your inbox. After submitting your address, you will receive a confirmation in your inbox. Click on the link inside the to confirm and complete your subscription to the blog. The website, blog, and Facebook page do not belong to any person or group in our church family; they are our website, our blog, and our Facebook. So if you have an article, a quote, a photo, or a devotional to share, or if you'd like to get involved with keeping up our internet ministry, or you'd just like to know more, please contact Rev. Humble. Altar Flowers Wild About Flowers, a floral shop at the corner of Preston and Royal, is now providing our flowers. Just as before, you may request a specific color for the bouquet. The florist asks that you make your request as early in the week as possible. Flowers are delivered in a plastic pot each Sunday. This florist 'recycles' the pots. We will not be charged for them unless they are not returned, in which case the church pays $6.00 more per week. Please bring the pot back to the church and leave it on the counter in the anteroom of the sanctuary to help us avoid paying this fee. While it would be preferable that it be returned by the following Saturday, be sure that you return it as soon as possible. The price of flowers is slightly more expensive than McShann's. The cost is a flat rate of $40.00 per week. If you would like to have a larger bouquet, that option is still available, just be sure to have our office contact them with your specific information. We hope you enjoy the change. Janaury

Children s Update: New Childcare Worker Jan Norton to begin January 6th and Children s Worship and New Sunday School Class to Begin January 13th This fall many of us began noticing that several of

For the last few months, these children have been joining their elementary-aged friends in the Godly Play room, or sitting with their parents in worship, but still we noticed a need for something

5 Children s Update: New Childcare Worker Jan Norton to begin January 6th and Children s Worship and New Sunday School Class to Begin January 13th This fall many of us began noticing that several of our toddlers had grown out of the nursery, and were ready to start learning Bible stories and songs. For the last few months, these children have been joining their elementary-aged friends in the Godly Play room, or sitting with their parents in worship, but still we noticed a need for something tailored to the needs and abilities of these younger children. At the same time, we didn t want to completely separate our younger children from our older children, because although they vary widely in age, we noticed clear benefits that were emerging from friendships that crossed age groups, one of the blessings of being part of a smaller church. Kiira Russell took the initiative to solve this problem, volunteering as the team leader for this project, brainstorming solutions with the pastors, and stepping up as a lead teacher. Kiira will be the team leader for this second Sunday School class, beginning this January, for our children roughly between the ages of 3 and 6 years old. In order to keep our whole family of children together, many of whom already have older and younger friends, children of all ages will have a brief worship after the Ritual of Friendship in the chapel led by Rev. Humble. During this chapel time, all children will learn a Bible Song, pray together, and share an offering together before being dismissed to their ageappropriate classrooms. In order to help jumpstart our new plans and supplement the quality care already provided by Yolanda Joliviet in the nursery, Jan Norton will now be joining us every Sunday morning this year. Jan will care for all children during music rehearsals and Adult Sunday School early Sunday mornings, and then once worship begins at 11:00, she will then work as a floater, helping out in the nursery or in one of the two Sunday School classrooms. Jan is an excellent caregiver with a big heart for our children, sent to us by our new childcare agency, Temporary Sitters. When not caring for children, she works as an ICU nurse. Jan also plans to help care for our children on special occasions as we strive to provide more comprehensive childcare to foster the full participation of our church families. So please welcome Jan to our church family! January

Holy Conversations Seventh Session and Retreat Sunday, January 13 th 12:30pm All our Holy Conversations small groups will meet for the seventh, and final, session after worship and coffee hour on

6 Holy Conversations Seventh Session and Retreat Sunday, January 13 th 12:30pm All our Holy Conversations small groups will meet for the seventh, and final, session after worship and coffee hour on Sunday, January 13 th. During this final session, members of all small groups will process and incorporate the information gathered from the various groups to create a picture of where we are as a church at this time and the direction in which we feel we are begin led by God. It is vitally important that all who participated in this process join together to bring this project to completion. The work we have done together will form the underpinning of how the church will function in the near future. Please bring your Daily Prayer Journals, as you may want to refer to notes you have made there for some of the exercises. During worship on the morning of January 13 th, we will review the different Bible stories chosen by the small groups as representing the story of our church at this time. This will help set the stage for the afternoon of sharing and discussion. Lunch will be provided at around 1:30 for all participants. Plan to spend the afternoon with your church family in fellowship and learning. Child care will be provided upon request. This process has been a wonderful way for members of our church family to get to know one another, to share, and to dream about the future of our church. The participation has been extraordinary with about 60 people attending the small groups. As a church with an average worship attendance of around 70, that is fantastic and shows great commitment to our faith community. Now is a time to bring all that work together. Because we know that circumstances prevented many of you from attending all of the small group sessions, we will be offering a make-up session for those who were in a small group but who missed more than two sessions at 9:00am, before worship on January 6 th, in the Library. This will allow your input to be incorporated into the material we present in the seventh session on January 13 th. Please review, and complete if you have not done so, the following exercises from your Daily Prayer Journal and bring that Journal on January 6 th : Week Two/Day Five; Week Two/Day Four; Week Three/Day Six; Week Four/Day Six; Week Five/Day Five; Week Five/Day Six. Thanks to everyone for your support of our church. Holy Conversations Make-up Session January 6th at 9:00 am. Outreach Randall Shea and his daughters visit Central to talk about his work in Guatemala. Pictured with Rev. Ng and Outreach Coordinator Kristi Willis December

Visit Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible: Ancient Artifacts, Timeless Treasures Rare doesn t begin to describe the collection of ancient Dead Sea Scrolls on display at the MacGorman Performing Arts

Seven never-before-exhibited biblical fragments, 21 Dead Sea Scroll fragments, dozens of ancient manuscripts, and ancient biblical artifacts are presented in a host of interactive exhibits.

7 Visit Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible: Ancient Artifacts, Timeless Treasures Rare doesn t begin to describe the collection of ancient Dead Sea Scrolls on display at the MacGorman Performing Arts Center on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. Seven never-before-exhibited biblical fragments, 21 Dead Sea Scroll fragments, dozens of ancient manuscripts, and ancient biblical artifacts are presented in a host of interactive exhibits. An authentic black goathair Bedouin Tent and Simulated Qumran Archeological Dig Site makes it fun for the whole family too. Members of CCC are encouraged to invite their friends and family to to join us for this once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the oldest-know manuscripts of the book that changed everything. Admission is $28 for adults, $24 for seniors, $18 for students with ID, and $12 for children, but if we get a group of 10 or more, it will be $3 less per person. We plan to go Saturday January 5th. You can meet us at the exhibit at 10am, or carpool from the church parking lot at 9am. For more information, or to sign up for the trip, contact Rev. Humble. A sign up sheet will also be posted on the bulletin board. Rainbow Scarf Project In 2013 the biennial General Synod of the United Church of Christ will meet in July in Long Beach, California. In a colorful, symbolic move a call has gone out for rainbow colored scarves knit, crocheted, woven, etc. to be part of an initiative at General Synod to raise awareness and encourage taking action against violence and bullying. The Rainbow Scarf Project is hoping to have 3,000 scarves made by volunteers all around the UCC. Members of our Prayer Shawl Ministry will be making scarves and you are welcome to participate. The scarves should be in rainbow colors, 4 to 6 inches wide by around 60 inches long. The specific pattern isn t important just the colors. We will collect all scarves made by church to the Southern California- Nevada Conference to use at Synod. For more information, see Rev. Ng or see the announcement on the UCC website, org/news/ucc-scarf-project-for-general.html December

Women s Fellowship Christmas Luncheon Council Notes The Executive Committee met on December 10th. Rev.

She was authorized to set up a new website with a new service so we have a working site up in time for Christmas, but which will be paid on a month by month basis until the website

The Church Council did not meet in December. The next meeting of the Church Council will be January 28th.

8 Women s Fellowship Christmas Luncheon Council Notes The Executive Committee met on December 10th. Rev. Humble explained that we are having problems with our current website and presented possible solutions. She was authorized to set up a new website with a new service so we have a working site up in time for Christmas, but which will be paid on a month by month basis until the website team can review it and make longer term recommendations. Plans for the upcoming seventh session of the Holy Conversations visioning process were also discussed. The Church Council did not meet in December. The next meeting of the Church Council will be January 28th. Congregational Meeting December 9th At the December 9th quarterly congregational meeting, the congregation voted unanimously to approve the 2013 spending plan recommended by the Council. The congregation also voted to approve two recommendations by the Investment Committee: 1) a plan for the income from the Land Fund for the next two years where 10% would be reinvested, $15,000 be given to the Mission Advisory Team for allocation (an increase of $3,000), and the remainder be held for use related to capital needs of the church; 2) the plan for income from the Endowment Fund should not be changed for the next two years. The congregation also approved 4 deacon candidates who have completed 12 hours of training: Steve Wilson, Liz Willis, Jan Hire, Laura Grace House. January

9 Welcome Our Newest Member Birthday Party for Jesus Coffee Hour Sunday, December 23 Please welcome our newest member, Camille Madison Wentworth-Kotara Born December 13, 2012, at 8:10 am 5 pounds, 7 ounces. January

10 Christmas Party at Chris, Steve and Jenny Ng s Saturday, December 8 January

Announcements January Birthdays Lux Walker Kiira Russell John Essman Dick Dirks Jan Hire Roni Amos Jennie Lanier Betsy Thompson Eileen Wussow Charles Standard Prayer Concerns 1/1 1/12 1/14 1/19 1/21

11 Announcements January Birthdays Lux Walker Kiira Russell John Essman Dick Dirks Jan Hire Roni Amos Jennie Lanier Betsy Thompson Eileen Wussow Charles Standard Prayer Concerns 1/1 1/12 1/14 1/19 1/21 1/24 1/25 1/26 1/26 1/30 January Anniversaries Frank & Winston Morris 1/2 Dee Shuttlesworth & Teresa Morrow 1/8 Prayer Concerns: Russ Cannon, Teresa Cipriano and family, Ruthelma Doerr, Family of Tom Dublin, Diane and Dan Durgess, Family of Amy Eckler, Ken Eckler, Family of Carol Fagen, Angela Frere, Kathy Griener, John Kasson, Killam family, Cindy Lind, Beverly Miller, Sharon Moore, Ann Peterson, Ann Petit and family, George Polster, Frank Ragonese, Michael Reinert, Juanita Roper, Clay Russell, Carol Tate, Peter Turner, Mary Whitaker, Family of Elaine Whitican, Carole Whittemore and family, Aileen Wussow, Dona Wylie and family, Aileen Young, Sondra and Lee Young. (If someone has been on the list for eight weeks, they will be removed, but can be returned upon request. Be sensitive to other s privacy and check with them first.) Happy New Year to all! January

12 January 2013 December 2012 S M T W T F S January 2013 S M T W T F S February 2013 S M T W T F S Central Congregational Church Dallas Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :30 PM AA Office Closed Happy New Year 1 10:00 AM Painting Class 2 2:00 PM Klepper Art Club 3 8:00 PM AA 4 9:30 AM Tai Chi 10:00 AM Dead Sea Scrolls trip 5 9:00 AM Holy Conversations make-up/library 6 7:30 PM AA :00 AM Painting Class 6:30 PM Bells :00 PM AA 11 9:30 AM Tai Chi 12 9:30 AM Choir 11:00 AM Worship 12:30 PM Adult Confirmation Class -- Pastor's Office 9:30 AM Choir 9:30 AM Stephen Ministry Continuing Ed 10:30 AM Stephen Ministry Supervision 11:00 AM Worship 12:30 PM Holy Conversations :00 PM EC 7:30 PM AA :00 AM Cantebury Book Club 6:30 PM Bells :00 PM AA :30 AM Choir 11:00 AM Worship 20 7:30 PM AA :00 AM Painting Class 6:30 PM Bells :00 PM AA 25 9:30 AM Tai Chi 26 9:30 AM Choir 11:00 AM Worship 27 7:00 PM Council 7:30 PM AA :00 AM Painting Class 6:30 PM Bells :00 PM AA 1 Fellowship Hall Reserved 2 Page 1/1

The Central Courier. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is thy name in all the earth! From Rev. Ng... Psalm 8:9

The Central Courier. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is thy name in all the earth! From Rev. Ng... Psalm 8:9 The Central Courier June 2014 Central Congregational Church United Church of Christ O Lord, our Lord, Rev. Christine Ng Senior Minister Kathy Lowrie Minister of Music Steve Wilson Pastoral Intern Kitty