Greetings from... First Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC) Worship at 10:30 a.m. -- Coffee Hour Follows! 1101 17th Ave S Fargo ND 58103 701-232-8985 Church Website: www.firstuccfargo.org Facebook: First Congregational United Church of Christ - Fargo Office Hours: Monday thru Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Office Mgr. Lora Wehrung: 1stcongregationalucc@gmail.com Rev. Dr. Kevin Cassiday- Maloney mrmetta57@gmail.com Cell: 701-373-5709 (just a phone call or text away... and happy to get calls!) MISCELLANEOUS Sunday, December 9 Second Sunday of Advent, Holy Communion We will welcome Rabbi Janeen Kobrinsky from Temple Beth El to our worship this Sunday. She will be telling us about some of the main themes of Hanukkah and points of overlap with some of our Christmas themes. Also, she will be exploring with us ways we Christians can be good allies to people in the Jewish community as COMING EVENTS PRAYERS FOR... SOMETHING TO PONDER LAUGHTER IS THE BEST...MEDICINE we contend with continuing anti-semitism in our society. She looks forward to exploring ways we can partner in working for inclusivity and justice in our community, and she will also be sharing some music during the Children s Sermon time and lighting a Hanukkah menorah. Jean Wimpfheimer will be lighting the Advent Candle of Peace.
We ll be feeding our spirits as we sing: All Earth is Waiting, vss. 1-2 The King of Glory Comes Let There Be Peace on Earth Good Christian Friends, Rejoice MISCELLANEOUS Children are welcome in worship, and, we have a staffed Nursery. Sunday School for ages 3 through 7 th Grade meets after the Children s Sermon. DECEMBER COFFEE HOUR SERVERS We are still looking for someone to serve on December 23. Here is the list of designated volunteers: Pat and Kelly Eagle, Luis and Kathy Vega, Heather Karstens, Al Ohrt, Ardys Olgaard, Carolyn Stenseth, John and Joyce Stende, Dana and Krisanne Mogck, Darin and Dawn Mogck, John Laskey and Deonne Varriano, Patti Pratt, Brenna Naseer, and Robert Scheel. If your name is on the list, we encourage you to sign up as you are able. Thanks so much for your willingness to serve! POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS The deadline is December 9 th for those wishing to purchase Christmas Floral Arrangements in memory or honor of someone. The cost is $12/each, and you can fill out one of the forms at church or contact Arlyce Widmer (701-237-6748). Click here for a Christmas message from UCC General Minister and President, Rev. John Dorhauer, Remember the power of love. 2019 BUDGET REQUESTS & ANNUAL REPORTS Committees and church groups are asked to please submit your budget requests to our Moderator, Jimi Fogle, by the end of December: jfogle18@gmail.com. Annual Reports are due by the end of the year please send them to our Office Manager, Lora Wehrung: 1stcongregationalucc@gmail.com.
COMING EVENTS ADVENT POTLUCKS & WORSHIPS Next Wednesday, December 12, we will gather again for a Potluck Dinner at 6:30 and then move into the sanctuary around 7 p.m. for worship as we reflect on the Children s Book, The Legend of Old Befana, and Gene Rich and Glenn Ackermann will lead music. After eating on December 19 th, we ll go Christmas Caroling at The Meadows on University (1315 S University, formerly Manor Care) CHRISTMAS FUND OFFERING Each year we take a UCC-wide offering to help bring extra support to retired clergy whose pensions are too small to support them and to provide emergency relief to pastors in crisis of one sort or another. We will receive this offering on December 16 thanks for opening your hearts and wallets and purses! Our goal is $600. SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM The Sunday School Christmas program will be Sunday, December 16 during the service. PRAYERS FOR... CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP Once again, we will light candles, sing carols, and celebrate the birth of Christ as we gather at 5 p.m. Spread the word, and let s fill the church and the world with light and love! (Please let us know of any specific prayer concerns or thanks you may want to share.) We pray for Jae Utke s son, Jeydon, who is currently hospitalized. May he be strengthened in his daily journey as he remembers he is a beloved child of God!
We pray for all who are struggling with grief and loss or depression in this challenging holiday season. Community Presbyterian Church, 702 Sheyenne Street, West Fargo, ND is hosting a Blue Christmas Service of Hope and Healing on Wednesday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m. We pray for our nation as we move on following the death of former President George H.W. Bush. May we build on the spirit of unity and his example of public service and civility. Thanksgiving for this week s first Advent Potluck and Worship. We had a small turnout, but it was meaningful for all! Consider coming to next week s event on Dec. 12 at 6:30 and be so bold as to invite a friend! Thanksgiving for this year s Hanging of the Greens Worship and Advent Workshop. We are grateful for Heather Karstens and Bob Stone for their hard work in planning these events and to all who participated and got a good start on this year s Advent preparation. Thanksgiving for Rabbi Kobrinsky speaking at our church this Sunday. May we Christians be good allies of people in the Jewish community and work hard to overcome the anti-semitism that has too often been fomented by Christians over the centuries. SOMETHING TO PONDER
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE The world tongue-twister champion just got arrested. I hear they're gonna give him a really tough sentence.