The February 2019 Bell Tower First Congregational Church United Church of Christ We Are Open and Affirming 1111 North Chicago Avenue, South Milwaukee, WI 53172 TRANSITIONAL PASTOR: Rev. Mary Carlin * Church Phone: 762-3121 * Email: firstcongsm@att.net Website: www.firstconguccsm.com * Find us on Facebook @First Congregational United Church of Christ South Milwaukee Dear South Milwaukee Kin in Christ, It was a delight to be with you in January. I was honored to be asked to preach in one place for four Sundays in a row, something that had not happened since my retirement. I am grateful to Conference Minister Franz Rigert; your strong and steady moderator, Maureen; to your deep well of information and wisdom, Rochelle; your fine musicians who let me sing along with the choir, Beth and Katie; and old friend Keith who played guitar and sang along with me on liturgical responses. I don't recall a month of January, often stuck in snow and low gear, that flew by so swiftly. Best of all, January brought us to February and Mary Carlin's return. I know that you will welcome her back with gentle open arms. Yours is a congregation that renews my hope in the future mission of the United Church of Christ -- here in Metro Milwaukee, in Southeast Association, in Wisconsin Conference, and throughout our nation and world. Our brief time together wasn't just any old month of Sundays in one place. It was a good place for me to be, and to have some of your gifts for ministry rub off on me. Thank you. I know that the transitional ministry that Pastor Mary resumes with you in the next months will help ready you for the next called and settled pastor, even now being prepared for you by the Holy Spirit, to be located and recommended to you by your search committee before long. Grace and Peace, Interim Pastor John Helt
Back by popular demand, the Super Bowl of Chili! SUNDAY FEB. 3 rd Please join us for a chili and hot dog lunch served by the middle and high school youth following worship on February 3rd. Proceeds from this lunch go to our youth ministry fund to help with programs costs. Carry out or dine in: Chili $5.00 Hot Dog $3.00 Both $7.50 Register by this Sunday! 2019 ADULT RETREAT at PILGRIM CENTER Fri., Feb. 15th Sun., Feb. 17th, 2019 Free Community Meal Help is Needed to set up, serve & clean up! The Meal is the 3 rd Thursday of the month. Set up 4:00, serve from 5:00 to 6:30pm, clean-up until 7:00. Faith communities and civic organizations take turns providing meals. This month s sponsor is First Congregational UCC us! Mark your calendar for the 3 rd Thursday, this month February 21 st, sign up in the lounge or call Pam Uhrig (233-8857) to help out or stop by to see if help is needed. It s time to be renewed & refreshed, to reconnect with God, our self and our church community at Pilgrim Center on beautiful Green Lake! We will be staying at Oak Mound, where we have both upstairs and downstairs. The cost per person is $140 (due at the retreat or sooner if possible) and includes 4 meals, 2 nights of lodging, beautiful scenery, and wonderful company. There will be time for us to be together and time for you to relax and explore on your own. Feel the stress melt away as you pull into the parking lot at Pilgrim Center. If you have never gone, please come! It s a great time to get to know your church family in a smaller setting AND we have lots of fun. Talk to others who have attended! If you are unable to come please consider providing a scholarship for those who may need it, For more information & to register please contact Diane Carrier: 414-426-7580 or dstewart6078@sbcglobal.net. Pilgrim Center website is www.ucci.org
Thank You Sherwin Williams! Kitchen News Have you noticed the newly painted walls & men s bathroom ceiling? A friend of Patty Penn s, John, has volunteered his time to do the painting. Sherwin Williams of Oak Creek donated all the paint. Please stop by and say thank you if you get the chance! Saturday, February 23 rd is kitchen clean-up. Help needed and we will have fun. Starting at 9:30. Any questions, call Mary Cay 764-0443. Interfaith Volunteers Needed to Drive Older Adults to Medical Appointments and the Grocery Store Can you spare a couple hours a month and take an older adult to a medical appointment or the grocery store? Interfaith South Shore Regional has an immediate need for more volunteer drivers. You always have at least one week's notice and you can always say no to any request. And if you're helping someone with groceries, you can do it whenever you want! All we ask is that you say yes once or twice a month. All clients live in the southeast area of Milwaukee County and most appointments (and grocery stores!) are in the same area. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Vicki Jensen at vjensen@unisonmke.org or by calling 414.762.1998. A Favor for the Counters In order to accurately record your giving, the counters need you to use your offering envelopes. If you have forgotten your envelope and want to write a check, make sure you note on the check what it is for. If there is no note, %100 goes to operating. Thank you for your help with this!
St. Vincent de Paul Meals Program The barrel for St. Vincent de Paul will stay in the lounge through February to take collections for their "Healing Waters Shower Program". They are in need of jeans, t-shirts, socks, undies, towels and washcloths (new or used), traveling size hygiene products (soap, shampoo, conditioner, tooth paste, shaving cream, lotion, razors, toothbrushes, Q-tips). The second Friday of the month we provide Desserts for the St. Vincent de Paul meal site. Have your cookies, bars or cupcakes - store bought or homemade - at the Uhrig front porch (421 Hawthorne Ave., So. Milwaukee), by 3:00pm. OR bring to the church office Thursday or Friday, 9-11am. Raise the ROOF On the Addition! Human Concerns February Meats/One-Dish Meals We are encouraged constantly to see how the food barrels for Human Concerns are receiving your donations. This second-mile offering is becoming more and more necessary as food pantries find their clientele increasing. The suggested item for February is Meats/One-Dish Meals. Donations may be left in the food barrels on the stairways. Thank you! We are continuing to collect donations toward the Roof Fund. In the next two to three years the roof on the office addition will need to be replaced. The Board of Trustees thanks you for helping to begin to secure funding for this major expense. Consider a second mile gift to this Fund whenever you are able. Mark your donation Roof Fund and place it in the offering plate or mail it to church.
LECTIONARY READINGS Jer 1:4-10 Ps 71:1-6 1 Cor 13:1-13 Luke 4:21-30 Isa 6:1-8 (9-13) Ps 138 1 Cor 15:1-11 Luke 5:1-11 Jer 17:5-10 Ps 1 1 Cor 15:12-20 Luke 6:17-26 Gen 45:3-11, 15 Ps 37:1-11, 39-40 1 Cor 15:35-38, 42-50 Luke 6:27-38 LAY READERS Lesley Buelow Kay Lussier VOLUNTEER NEEDED Heidi Endicott USHERS ACOLYTES VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Ed & Lesley Buelow VOLUNTEERS NEEDED VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Ennis Hildebrandt Ryan Van Duser Trey Pawlak Noelle Buelow NURSERY ROOM SUPERVISORS Mary & Jason Guse Justin & Erin Piper Annie & Joel Nelson Lopez Family Please Note: If you are unable to serve on your appointed date please find a replacement and let the church office know GREETERS Paula Boknevitz & Mary Cay Reilly Tom & Geri Bitters Russ & Deb Birkholz Ed & Lesley Buelow
TREASURERS REPORT Ending December 31, 2018 Operating Account Beginning Bal. $ 2,160.11 Receipts $ 27,520.58 Expenses $ 24,218.76 Ending Bal. $ 5,461.93 Benevolence Account Beginning Bal. $ 0.00 Receipts $ 5,308.06 Expenses $ 5,308.06 Ending Bal. $ 0.00 Directory Updates The new directory will be coming out at the end of February or beginning of March. Please notify the office of any changes you may have to your entry. Thank you! Keep up to date with us on Facebook: First Congregational United Church of Christ South Milwaukee. Share with others and have them Like us! And on our Web Page - www.firstconguccsm.com Congregational Cemetery email congcemeterysm@gmail.com
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH United Church of Christ 1111 N. Chicago Avenue South Milwaukee, WI 53172 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED February 2019 Bell Tower Contacts for the Church: Office Telephone: 414-762-3121 Transitional Pastor: Rev. Mary Carlin Email: firstcongsm@att.net Website: www.firstconguccsm.com