First Congregational Church, UCC THE CLARION May & June 2017 Pastor s Reflection Coming from a background in planting churches, it is truly wonderful and refreshing to see how those gifts can be best used to serve First Congregational Church. I am already beginning to see, have a good feeling in my heart, where I can best start to serve you. The Easter season is also a wonderful reminder to us all how the New Life, planted by grace, needs to be reaped, developed. The Resurrection of Jesus gives our hearts a lot to think about spiritually. What we DO as the Body in the world (but not of it) is the true purpose of Church. I am looking forward to these next few months. First and most importantly, looking forward to Phil & I finishing unpacking Never thought 48 years stuffed in boxes and transported some 1,700 miles straight southwest would take seemingly forever to unpack! We re not only unpacking our belongings but also truly and most spiritually settling into a new life here with you, our new church family. It has been both an exciting and daunting task but we re starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel! Had someone ask me the other day, if I will miss the seasons or Midwest weather and my response was, (beyond the obvious of enjoying never really seeing snow again unless we travel up the mountains!) Our very lives go through cycles, not just time and space but spiritually, we are always changing. Even if we may feel stuck in the here and now, with where we are on that discipleship journey, we ARE growing and going as children of God children of grace and promise. (Continued on pg. 2)
Sometime coming soon, I am hoping to start a study around some of the writings of Thomas Moore. Thomas Moore is not to be confused with the Thomas More of the 15 th century. This Thomas Moore was a former Catholic monk who left his vows journey to uncover and reflect upon a deep introspective spirituality in caring for, developing the human spirit. Before I came back to the church through a conversion experience in 2003, I was an agnostic existentialist. Twenty-dollar words for basically questioning faith, understanding being and purpose. Many of Thomas Moore s books around caring for the soul, spiritual introspection, were a wonderful way to open myself to a greater potential in reaching out to others. The final result led me to find Christ on my spiritual formation journey. A significant aspect of my serving you is to be your spiritual coach, Christian guide, and discipleship leader. I am here to lead and feed you with the Good News of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Living and transformative Word of God is what I hope to build your heart s foundation to utilize as Disciples of Christ. There is so much potential that we can DO, build upon! Let us look upon those budding flowers of spring as our new life together taking shape. I will leave you with an old Cursillo discipleship favorite: Make a friend, Be a friend and Bring a friend to Christ! I would like to add this to your teamwork plate and bring them to First Congregational! Help us spread the Word by not being a stranger. Help us spread the Word by using our old bulletins, as mailers to those you want to invite to our family. Share your pictures of Sundays with me so I can help utilize my husband and I s gifts of advertising and marketing. On a spiritual note, most importantly, thank you for being who you are and bringing your gifts to share to our church family! I ll leave you with a short prayer May God Bless you and keep you, May the Good Lord shine upon you May His grace, love and mercy strengthen you May the Good Lord grant you peace and patience as you sojourn into this coming week! AMEN Sincerely, Pastor Nicole
+Christian Symbol+ Bee The bee symbolizes various traits across cultures and faiths, including community, industry and resurrection. Its sting may represent judgment, while its honey calls to mind the sweetness of divine riches. Multiple times in the Old Testament, the Promised Land is described as flowing with milk and honey (e.g., Exodus 3:8), and the Psalms declare God s words sweeter than honey (19:10; 119:103). Moderator I am so happy to have Pastor Nicole at our Pulpit and welcome her and Phil into our church family. I have really enjoyed our Lenten season this year and look forward to a long relationship for our church to serve our mission in Las Vegas and to grow our church family in the future. We have overcome many difficult problems for our congregation in the past two years thank you to all who have helped to move us forward. God bless you all. Richard Stubrich, Moderator 3
The Trustees discussed many subjects including ordering of new hymnals that will arrive early 2018. We discussed and approved the purchasing of a video camera to record and put Pastor Nicole's sermon and release them online. We also discussed that The Clarion will now be done by Ellen Sitkiewicz. Donny Grandjean, Chair Christian Education has been meeting along with Ministry and Mission for the past two months. We currently have 2, possibly 4 children for Sunday School as of this date. We studied Holy Week with posters, color sheets, and a little book along with Psalm 23, which was a Sunday scripture. Anyone wishing to teach--even for one week-- or a special lesson to our children, PLEASE don't hesitate to volunteer. Carla, Ardell, and Norma would like the help! Norma Booth 4
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Ministry & Mission First, Ministry and Mission would like to welcome our new pastor, Nicole Collins and her husband Phil, who arrived on April 9 th. We look forward to this new chapter for First Congregational Church. New hymnals have been ordered, as the old ones were suffering from wear and water damage. New outreach and other programs for the coming months are being explored. Possibilities include a picnic, Vacation Bible School, and other events. We will soon print the 2017 edition of our Directory. Finally, we hope everyone had a Happy Easter! James Norman, Chair 6
May & June Don t forget to come be social at our weekly Thursday morning Breakfast! Starts at 9am, venues change each week so just ask where we will be. May 4 May 14 May 20 May 25 May 29 June 1 June 4 Pinochle Mother s Day Armed Forces Day Ascension Memorial Day Pinochle Pentecost Birthdays May 6 May 29 June 1 June 6 June 6 June 7 June 13 June 19 Diana Renaud Althea Townsend Jeffrey Patterson Cathy Decker Casey Ann Orozco Norma Booth Ruth Hammond Anita Stark Pinochle is on the first Thursday of each month. Try your hand at cards! Anniversaries May 26 Cary & Norma Booth June 17 Carolyn & Jeff Patterson 7
Things To Smile About First Congregational Church, UCC 3415 S. Mojave Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89121 (702) 642-2220 Visit us online at: UCClasvegas.org Every Sunday: Sunday School 8:30 9:00 am Worship Service 9:30am