LXX December 21, No. 42

Transcription

1 LXX December 21, 2014 No. 42

2 Join Us For Morning Service Sunday, December 28, 2014 Sunday Worship 10am in the Sanctuary Nativity - the Innkeeper by larry r linville Scripture Reading: Micah 6:6-8 This Sunday concludes our Through the eyes of... preaching series. Although we are no longer in Advent, the birth is still the central focus. This Sunday we look Through the eyes of the Innkeeper. The Innkeeper gets a great deal of attention in the Christmas story we tell every year. This is an interesting phenomenon, since the Innkeeper is never mentioned in the Bible. So why have we made the Innkeeper such a central figure in the story we tell every year? Is the Innkeeper important to the story? Would the story be any different if we excluded the Innkeeper? We will use the text asking the question, What does God require of you? and the poem Nativity The Innkeeper, by larry l linville to help us imagine why we find the Innkeeper important. ~ Eldonna Hazen Epiphany Service and Prison Ministry Luncheon All are welcome to attend the annual Epiphany service celebrating the Prison Ministry Project. WISDOM/ MOSES volunteers have built a replica of a Solitary Confinement cell which will be set up in the sanctuary during this worship service and the entire week following. The Prison Ministry Project will host its annual lunch and program in the church dining room right after worship offering solitary cell tours, speakers, video presentations, and distinguished guests. Jan. 4-10, the cell will be at First Cong. During the week, there are two ways you can visit the cell: 1) open drop-in times, for people who want a closer look; and 2) by-appointment time slots to spend more time individually experiencing what it's like to sit in the solitary confinement cell. People who did this at Madison Christian Community when the cell was on display there last month have shared that this very personal experience is especially meaningful. Open Dropin times are: Tuesday, January 6, 1:00-4:00pm Thursday, January 8, 1:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm Saturday January 10, 9:00-Noon To reserve an individual appointment for your visit to the cell please Kate Edwards at chaplainkate@gmail.com. Sunday, January 4, 2015 Sunday Worship 10am in the Sanctuary The Visit of the Magi Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-12 On Sunday, January 4, we celebrate the arrival of the Magi. They came to the manger as the representatives of secular power. They came bringing gifts of wealth and status. In the manger, they recognized a new power greater than their own, and they bowed down. That recognition of the power that Christmas brings into the world is what we celebrate today. But how does that power work in the world, and what is our responsibility as Christians to use that power? By international standards, keeping a person in solitary confinement for more than 15 days is considered torture. In 2012, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections kept 4000 inmates in solitary confinement for more than thirty days. The Department of Corrections is the largest agency in state government, with a budget of more than a billion dollars a year. With all that money. With all that power. With all those employees. With all that public trust, the best we can do is torture a quarter of the people in Wisconsin prisons. The people in power wasted our money. They have abused their power. They have broken faith with the dedicated employees of the Department who know treating people this way is wrong. And they have violated the trust of the people of Wisconsin. For more than 25 years, Wisconsin has embraced mass incarceration as a way of keeping our communities safe. That policy has proven to be ineffective and expensive. But using torture as a public policy is ineffective, expensive and immoral. In the name of justice. In the name of mercy. In the name of public safety, this torture must stop. Before we can stop the torture we must make it visible. Epiphany requires that we speak the truth of Christmas to secular power. That is why we will have a solitary confinement cell in our worship on Epiphany Sunday. ~ Jerry Hancock Our sympathies to the family and friends of Bill Frost who died on Thursday, December 18. A memorial service for Bill will be held at First Congregational January 17, 2015 at 1:00pm

3 ANNOUNCEMENTS Prayer Practices: Into a New Year Just as we are attentive to our human relationships so they will grow, we nurture our relationship with God through prayer. Each of these brief sessions is an opportunity in the new year to be involved in different prayer practices. Child care provided. Sunday, January 11 at 8:45am (chapel) The Breath Prayer Sunday, January 11 from 11:30am -1:00pm Praying in Color (includes lunch) Sunday, January 18 at 8:45 am (chapel) Centering Prayer Sunday, January 25 at 8:45 am (chapel) The Examen God in the Day to Day Questions? abeaty@firstcongmadison.org First-Sunday Food Donation The first Sunday of the month, January 4, we collect nonperishable food items for distribution to local food banks. Please place canned or boxed items in the basket by the table in the Narthex. Thank you! Year-end Contributions IRS regulations state that in order to be deductible for 2014, contributions to the church must be postmarked by December 31, or hand-delivered to the church office in The office will be closed Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December 26. The office will be open Mon.-Wed. December until noon. All contributions brought to church after December 31 will be recorded as a 2015 gift. IRA Roll-over: Congress has passed a one year extension of the IRA charitable rollover. This provision, which had expired at the end of 2013, will now be effective retroactive to January 1, 2014, but only until the end of THIS year (12/31/14). Donors age 70 1/2 and older may transfer up to $100,000 from their IRA to a qualified public charity such as First Congregational Church. The transfer will be made free of federal income tax, and the gift qualifies for the donor's 2014 required minimum distribution (RMD). If you wish to direct an IRA distribution to our church please contact treasurer@firstcongmadison.org soon, as it can take some time for these distributions to be processed. Some of you have already made direct charitable gifts from your IRA in 2014, hoping/assuming that this provision would be extended. Be sure to inform your tax preparer that you took advantage of the IRA charitable rollover, so that you get the proper treatment on your 2014 tax return. Praying in Color Gathering Maybe you love color. Maybe you are interested in knowing God better. Maybe you find yourself easily distracted when trying to pray. Maybe you are a visual learner. If any of this sounds familiar, you may want to join us for this gathering! Using the book, Praying in Color: Drawing a New Path to God, by Sybil MacBeth, we will experiment with several new ways of praying. SUNDAY, JANUARY 11 from 11:30-1:00pm in the Fellowship Room. Soup and salad lunch included. RSVP by Sunday, January 4. Child care available. Please let us know about child care when you RSVP to Ann: abeaty@firstcongmadison.org Worship Service for Quiet Reflection Wednesday nights January 7 through February 11, this service is offered in the Fellowship Room. The service meets from 6:00-7:00pm in three segments. Come for any of the 20 minute segments or for the whole hour. SAVE THE DATE! February 1 Congregational Budget Conversation February 8 Congregational Meeting Adult Movie Night Friday, January 9, 6:00pm. Brought to you by the Board of Community Life. The church office is closed December 25, 26 and January 1. No Bible Conversations December 30. No Community Meals Day January 1. BLANKETS NEEDED When the temperature drops, the Salvation Army Homeless Shelter turns no one away, and people are sleeping in alcoves and hallways. Blankets are in very short supply, so please check your linen closets to see if you might have serviceable blankets to donate. While blankets are the most pressing need at the moment, the shelter can always use warm coats, hats, and mittens; suitcases, tote bags, and duffel bags; and unopened hotel soaps, lotions, and shampoos. Please bring items to the church office, clearly marked shelter. Thank you.

4 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 1609 University Avenue Madison, Wisconsin (phone) (fax) facebook.com/firstcongo Staff: Eldonna Hazen, Senior Minister Ann Beaty, Associate Minister Jerry Hancock, Director of Prison Ministry Project Donald J. DeBruin, Director of Music Ministries Jeff Rabe, Director of Christian Education for Children & Youth Jennifer Flaten, Bookkeeper Jill Farnsworth, Office Manager Kristin Kanitz, Executive Assistant Bob Zeier, Building Manager IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES: Eldonna Hazen, , Ann Beaty, , Jerry Hancock, Office Hours: M-Th 8-12:30pm, 1-4pm, Fri 8-12 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Worship attendance on Sunday, December 21, 2014, was 231. Church Calendar Dec. 25, Jan. 11, 2015 Thursday December 25 Friday December 26 Saturday December 27 Sunday December 28 10:00am Worship ~ Sanctuary Monday, December 29 Tuesday, December 30 12noon Staff Meeting/Worship Planning ~ SL 5:15pm Women s NA ~ Room 303 Wednesday, December 31 Thursday, January 1 Friday, January 2 Saturday, January 3 Sunday, January 4 10:00am Worship ~ S 10:15am Wee Worship ~ Chapel 11:15am Prison Ministry Lunch ~ DR Monday, January 5 6:00pm Accessibility Committee ~ SL 7:00pm All Boards ~ C Tuesday, January 6 Wednesday, January 7 9:00am Staff mtg./worship Planning ~ SL 6:00pm Quiet Reflections Service ~ FR 6:30pm Website Committee ~ SL 6:30pm Coventry Ringers ~ Rm 301 Thursday, January 8 7:00pm Marijuana Anonymous ~ LRC 7:00pm Madison Area Jugglers ~ DR Friday, January 9 6:00pm Adult Movie Night ~ FR Saturday, January 10 10:00am MOSES ~ FR Sunday, January 11 8:30am Parent s Group ~ SL 8:45am Contemplative Prayer Group ~ C 10:00am Sunday Worship ~ S 10:15am YBS ~ YR 11:15am Youth Movie Meditation ~ YR 11:15am Cherub Choir ~ Room :30am Praying In Color Workshop ~ FR BK ~ Big Kitchen C ~ Chapel DR ~ Dining Room FR ~ Fellowship Room LRC ~ Learning Resource Center MS ~ Minister s Study PiPS ~ Parents of Infants and Pre-Schoolers S ~ Sanctuary SL ~ Student Lounge SR ~ Salad Room YR ~ Youth Room YBS ~ Youth Bible Study

5 January 2015 Thursday, January 1 Friday, January 2 Saturday, January 3 Sunday, January 4 10:00am Sunday Worship ~ Sanctuary 11:30am Prison Ministry Luncheon ~ DR Monday, January 5 6:00pm Accessibility Committee ~ SL 7:00pm All Boards ~ C Tuesday, January 6 Wednesday, January 7 9:00am Staff mtg./worship Planning ~ SL 6:00pm Quiet Reflections Service ~ FR 6:30pm Website Committee ~ SL Thursday, January 8 Friday, January 9 6:00pm Adult Movie Night ~ FR Saturday, January 10 10:00am MOSES ~ FR Sunday, January 11 8:30am Parent s Group ~ SL 8:45am Contemplative Prayer Group ~ C 8:45am Men s Fellowship ~ FR 10:00am Sunday Worship ~ Sanctuary 10:15am YBS ~ YR 11:15am Youth Movie Meditation ~ YR 11:30am Praying In Color Workshop ~ FR Monday, January 12 Tuesday, January 13 5:15pm NA Women s ~ Room 301 5:30pm Exec. Council Agenda Mtg. ~ SL 7:00pm NA ~ Room 301 Wednesday, January 14 9:00am Staff meeting/worship Planning ~ SL Thursday, January 15 8:00pm AA ~ Room 301 Friday, January 16 Saturday, January 17 Sunday, January 18 8:45am Contemplative Prayer Group ~ C 10:00am Sunday Worship ~ S Monday, January 19 9:00am MLK Service Day for Youth 6:00pm Executive Council ~ FR Tuesday, January 20 1:30pm Worship at Oakwood Wednesday, January 21 9:00am Staff meeting/worship Planning ~ SL 6:00pm Quiet Reflections Service ~ FR Thursday, January 22 7:00pm Marijuana Anonymous~ LRC Friday January 23 Saturday, January 24 Sunday January 25 8:30am Parent s Group ~ SL 8:45am Contemplative Prayer Group ~ C 10:00am Sunday Worship ~ Sanctuary ~ FR 1:00pm All-church Ice Skating party ~ Tenney Park Monday January 26 Tuesday January 27 Wednesday January 28 9:00am Staff meeting/worship Planning ~ SL 6:00pm Quiet Reflections Service ~ FR Thursday January 29 Friday January 30 Youth Winter Retreat Saturday January 31

6 Office Hosts First Sunday: Fannie Hicklin Second Sunday: Barb Williams Third Sunday: Barb Williams Fourth Sunday: Fannie Hicklin Sound System First Sunday: Rob Hetzel Second Sunday: Mark Rzchowski Third Sunday : Gary Pine Fourth Sunday: Bob Burns Fifth Sunday & Sub: Tom Pugh Greeters- First Sunday Team: Dana Chabot (even-numbered months), Emily Savage, Jeanne Marshall, Forrest McKnight Second Sunday Team: Jane Deyo, Fannie Hicklin, Robin Craig, Josh Wimmer Third Sunday Team: Steve Lewis, Steve Lerdahl, Ellen Lewis Fourth Sunday Team: Mary Ellen Gerloff, Karen Gussert, Betta Owens, Ann Maffet, Bob Metz Substitutes & Fifth Sunday: Beth Cannestra, Jackye Thomas, Mark Thomas, Ringle Family, Ellen & Steve Lewis, Annette Ellstrom, David Ewing, Mark Rzchowski, Jody Varney, John Ehlke, Nancy Payne, Kweku Brewoo Ushers First Sunday Team: Jane Deyo, Janet Pugh, Kathy Gansner, Jeanne Tyler Second Sunday Team: Bob Burns, Jeanne Marshall, Elizabeth and Holden Ringle, Elizabeth Armstrong Third Sunday Team: Dorothy Brown, Ellsworth Brown, Bob Gentile, Samantha Rickner, Carol Toussaint Fourth Sunday Team: Fred Wileman, Lance & Cheryl Bentley, Vicki Teal Fifth Sunday Team: Ellis & Elizabeth Ringel, Subs: Robin Craig, John Ehlke, David Ewing, Mary Metz, Greg Ullstrom, Cathy Easter, Don Last, Linda Ketchum, Rich Fluetchling, Bob Metz January Birthdays 1 Jean Freese, Christine Thomas 2 Noelle Livingston, Claire Weesner 3 Carolyn Horton, Austen Wygocki, Alexa York 4 Dana Chabot 6 Andrew Lewis 7 Rita Kehl, Erin Jones 8 Dave Frisinger, John Haslam, Kara Hooper 9 Jason Bittner, Sandra Statz, Tamaris Relerford 10 Sophie Ellen Shaw, Ben Ringle 12 Katherine Whipple-Lepore 13 Kerry Dennis 14 Marcel Butzler, Ava Counts-Cannestra, Sarah Counts-Cannestra, Katharine Gansner, Cathy Noth, Alison Pharo 15 Rich Fluechtling, Ken Friou, Julie Parks 16 William Tortat Sr. 18 Heidi Nemet, Christine Dennis 19 Xander Beachy, Anna Jones, Audrey Marquardt, Scott McKinney, Gwen Parker 20 Jessica Flowers, Terry Johnston 22 Liz Michaels 23 Haslyn Hunte, Henry Kremer 25 Joan Provencher 26 Sarah Kraus 27 Melinda Pine 28 Shelly Duffield 29 Matthew Christianson, Megan Coleman, Marcos Davis, Kent Forsberg, Elena Lanier 30 Hannah Conner 31 Tim Kehl Those celebrating 90+ birthdays are in listed in bold.