First Congregational Church, UCC. the clarion. May & June 2018

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1 First Congregational Church, UCC the clarion Pastor s Reflection May & June 2018 Wow! That is truly the best word to begin this article for the Clarion for the month of May and June. Yes, we're beginning those summer months where it feels like the sun is truly touching the Earth! But remember, it's a dry heat! I really appreciate the weather here, but then, who knows~ maybe five years down the road, I'll be joining the rest of you in thinking it's too cold when it's actually spring-like weather out in the winter and think it s way too hot when actually I didn't think it was too hot out here last summer! I've said it several times leading up to this fabulous day we have to look forward to being in our new building... What a day to have our replanting day, the day of Pentecost! It has been wonderful to not only begin to become a part of your story, but to be there at this beginning, this very new beginning for all of us. You will be planting new things. It is important to keep that in mind. We need to start a fresh. Yes, we know some things about the soil of our ministry. Yes, we know about people who have been a part of our flock for quite some time, but now is the time God is needing us to take the reins of a New Journey and not to do it with a little tip toe at a time. We need to dive off that spiritual diving board into a new frontier. In many ways, we are mirroring what's happening in the book of Acts with the day of Pentecost, because this is a Holy Spirit moment for us. We're taking some of what we've learned into reshaping and rebuilding as Church, but the Holy Spirit is helping us to tap into so much more. The Holy Spirit is helping us to tap into our hearts and really bring together a great vision of being First Congregational. I have been working with you all to get you thinking of concretizing your vision. (Continued on next page)

2 Yes, it's work, but we need to show people who we are and what we're about. There are many churches out there and yes, we are in the world but most importantly~ and please write this in your hearts memory: we are not to be of the world; we are to be of Christ! Christ Jesus is seeking for us to spiritually transform not only ourselves, but He needs us to be apart a very strong part of changing the world, even if it is now in our new location on the east side of Vegas. There is so much we can bring to the table of being a family of God. I'm looking forward to that wonderful backyard. I can see Sunday school activities going, weddings, Bible studies and perhaps during your quote winter, (when it's really Springtime weather) We could have some worship Services outside. Don't let the word, potential, scare you, grasp the reins of it, and do it! BE the potential in the world that God is calling you to. This is the day of our new beginnings. We will be breaking in new chairs, will be breaking in new and most hopefully we will be breaking into God's mission for us as a new chapter for First Congregational Church. We will also be celebrating Holy Trinity Sunday soon. This is a The Holy Trinity Holy Spirit. This is the time to think of how God, in all facets of being, is truly with us. The Grace of God has guided us to this new space, this new home, and it is the Grace of God that continues to lead us onward. May you enjoy these next several months. May we enjoy them truly together, and Thanks be to God! (Continued) Digital art by Pastor Nicole Collins

3 Here is what you've created and here is what we will be using as our future vision statements going forward: Families & Fellowship First Congregational Church was one of the first United Church of Christ congregations in the Las Vegas area. Our church family is built upon many generations of care and mission together. We are truly a united fellowship, we are one. Invested in Christ We are Covenantal people. Everything we do in our community of faith is centered in Christ. The gospel is Important to us and being Christ-like to our neighbor extending that extravagant welcome to all, is truly a part of our vision. Renewing faith Every church may aspire to be in the lead to renewing faith together. Our church family is truly concerned to building up the spirit, encouraging discipleship and being in the forefront of spiritual formation. Our programming is growing to meet the needs of all whom come to experience our community. Seeking in spirit All of what we have done and what we intend to do in the future as our family of Faith here, is truly lead by the spirit of God. We are advocates for restorative justice, grassroots ministries and truly being, living a gracious faith through our voices, hands and feet. Together The reason why we gather together as a church family is to grow and go with God's Word out into the world. We are to scatter with God's Word mutually encouraging one another and being a light to others. Letting our light shine for all to see. Thanks again to all who made the above come together~ fairly soon I will be making us brochures for our new space including the above. In the meantime, may God continue to bless you and your families! Pastor Nicole

4 This is the time of the year the boards of FCC wind down as the summer heat rises. This is not that type of year. Our prayers for opportunity have been answered. We have completed the purchase of our new building. We on trustees are entering new territory in updating and improving our new location. We are excited to use the gifts of our members in these improvements. Just as all our members, we on trustees are accepting our new challenges to walk a new Christian path. We are reviewing bids for the improvements we are unable to do ourselves. We have a responsibility to make sound financial judgments for the people we serve. All will not be smooth, but we shall persevere. We give thanks to our church family for all that is coming our way. We give praise to God for giving us this new opportunity in our Christian faith. Thank you, Chrisy Orozco Co-Chair Trustees MODERATOR REPORT Spring Salutations to you! Our new home is now in hand. The Trustees are now busy at work preparing the property for our arrival. Priority is being given to the inside renovations first so that it will be ready in time. Much gratitude to everyone that is investing their time and energy to achieve this goal. The congregation decided that our regular Sunday service will move to 10 AM once we move to the new property. Moreover, our corrected new hymnals arrived and will be ready for us as well. Our first services in our new home are scheduled to occur on May 20 th. We hope to see you there! James Norman, Moderator

5 What is a SOAP? Scripture a snippet of the Word of God to be contemplated, meditated upon & prayed upon Observation What are your initial responses to its meaning? Application From all you have contemplated and meditated upon, how will this be applied to your discipleship journey? & Prayer This should naturally flow from the Spirit s voice in your heart to create and share. This is your witness. 22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. Observation: The Christian life needs to be centered in obedience to the work of the Spirit, which bears great gifts. Application: How we come to bear spiritual fruit is through a disciplined focus on listening deeply for God s Word in your heart allowing the Holy Spirit to flow through you. Spiritual fruit is not born of human wisdom but of heart wisdom grown in faith as a manifestation of GRACE lived. Prayer: Gracious and ever-loving God, help us to build our spiritual foundation, Mold and shape us through your Grace to be fruitful trees, May our hearts over flow with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, may we come to share this with the world? As we grow in obedience to your New Law The one founded in the Love and Grace of Christ Jesus Your Son.

6 Dear Church Family, This is a great time to thank you all for the phone calls, beautiful notes, prayers and support after Stan s recent passing. Stan loved to worship at FCC, UCC. Toward the end of the week he would invariably ask me if I would pick him up for church on Sunday. That makes two of us who loved to worship at FCC. I firmly believe that the friendliness and warmth of the congregation will in the future help us to grow the church. Now I would like to share with you from one of my daily readings from the Daily Word. I am free to respond affirmatively to God s constant outpouring of sustenance. God has placed within my heart the power to choose life. I am free to choose the path of love. I am free to remember that the very life of Christ reigns in my heart. Dear God, when I face challenges in life, I know that you are forever with me. Thank you God for this indisputable fact of your love and for caring for each of us. You have been with me every step of the way these past few weeks. And when things have been most difficult, you have bailed me out with love from a friend, and your love has spoken to me as I have read scriptures in the middle of the night. Thank you God for your help in time of trouble. Thank you for loving me my whole life through and for bestowing on me, blessing, after blessing, after blessing. Thank you God forever for your love and support. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. II Corinthians 3:17 With love and shalom, Mary Russo- Marx

7 ! Announcements! V Every Monday Morning Coffee with Jesus book study, the Starbucks is back at 840 S. Rancho Drive in the Smith s mall. V Every 3 rd Sunday after worship, we will have The Wired Word Next Sunday for the Wired Word will be May 13th, " Every Thursday join us for Morning Breakfasts at 9am. Join us for some food and socializing. Just ask where we will be this week. V Pinochle will be on May 11 th and June 1 st. Come try your hand at cards! Special Dates Ascension of Jesus, May 10, 2018 Mother s Day, May 13, 2018 Pentecost, May 20, 2018 Trinity Sunday, May 27, 2018 Memorial Day, May 28, 2018 D-Day, June 6, 2018 Flag Day, June 14, 2018 Father s Day, June 17, 2018

8 MARK YOUR CALENDARS Starting on May 20th, 2018 Worship will begin at 10AM! We will be celebrating worship at our new home! 2709 Horseshoe Drive, LV, NV (on the corner of Russell Road, near Eastern). We will be having Congregators Fellowship after the service. First Congregational Church, UCC 2709 Horseshoe Drive, Las Vegas, NV (702) Visit us online at: UCClasvegas.org Facebook: UCC Las Vegas Google+ Community: First Congregational UCC Every Sunday: