September 19, 2007

WHAT IS NEIGHBORS IN NEED?

Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout theU.S. and Puerto Rico. NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry and the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects. The most powerful thing about Neighbors in Need is that our gifts are pooled. As a result, our individual and congregational gifts have a far greater effect. Coordinated giving allows the UCC to offer support to millions of people and to address a whole range of social issues and concerns, including those that matter most to people in our congregation. Our NIN collection is October 7^th.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Luke 4:18-18

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY BEGINS The women's bible study will be studying the book WISDOM'S DAUGHTERS, Stories of Women Around Jesus by Elizabeth Watson. The cost of the book is $15.00. If interested, contact June Rovero at 899-6851 or junerovero@hotmail.com by September 24^th. Once she has an idea of how many will be attending, she will set a start date, time and place and will order the books.

The Fall Western Association Meeting is Friday and Saturday, September 21-22 at Cane Ridge West, the Disciples of Christ retreat center, just east of Lincoln. Thank you to the following for attending and representing our church: Brian and Stacy Hopkins, Syneva Heupel, Janet Koostra, Rev. Jim Petersen, Carol Shipley, Barb Walters, Lois Wells, and Ray and Diane Young.

A great opportunity for both good conversation and savory cuisine!!! Sign-up will begin in Fellowship Hall following Worship or call the church office. Dinner groups are small potluck groups. The groups are formed from the sign-up sheets. Hosts coordinate with their guests.

SUNDAY SCHOOL'S first rotation started off with a bang! Thanks to all of the students, teachers, and parents who took part in our classes about Abraham. This Sunday we begin in Worship. We are excited about our joint Sunday school with CUMC. God is Still Speaking! Room pick up is as follows:

On Wednesday September 26^th, bring your own picnic basket to church for dinner at 6:00 p.m. Fun and fellowship will continue until 8:00 p.m. There were 25 youth present last week and always room for more. There is even room for adults who may like to join us for dinner.

If you are a 4^th grader or above and are interested in being an acolyte during worship service or are currently on the "acolyte list" please be present for a commissioning during worship this Sunday Sept 23^rd, as well as for acolyte training with Rev. Jim in the sanctuary at 10:30.

FISH NEWS

The FISH program has received 2,000 lbs. of food from the Retired Senior Volunteer Program as well as a debit card worth $2,000 from Smith's grocery store to be used to purchase food for our clients. Take a look at these end-of-summer statistics (made possible by all of you):

COLLEGE CONNECTION We would like to bless your children with our newsletter. If you have a child who has left for college and would like them to receive the church newsletter, please give us their name and address.

Get your tickets now! September 28-30 St. Paul's UMC in Helena presents John Dominic Crossan- "and all that Jazz" in God and the Violence of Civilization. There will be four individual lectures: Civilization & Empire; Bible & Violence; Jesus & Paul; and Rapture and Apocalypse. They are based on his new book, God & Empire: Jesus Against Rome Then and Now. John Dominic Crossan is a prominent Catholic new-testament scholar and is one of the world's foremost scholars on the historical Jesus and Paul. Five of his books have been national religious best sellers. Dr. Crossan's first lecture on Friday evening will be followed with a jazz performance by the Wilbur Rehman Ensemble. Crossan will present three lectures on Saturday and will lead an adult education class at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday. Sunday church services will also feature jazz with Don Stone. Ticket prices are $25 for Friday, $35 for Saturday, or $50 for both days. For more information, visit the St. Paul's web site at www.stpaulshelena.org.

The United Church of Christ has received $6,093,595.58 to address the needs of people impacted by the 2005 hurricanes. The funds received will allow a UCC presence on the Gulf Coast for the long-term recovery. These generous gifts of UCC members and friends represent hope for thousands of people affected by the 2005 hurricanes. The major role of the church in this disaster continues to be the rebuilding and repairing of homes. The UCC has been able to develop work group rebuilding opportunities thanks to the generous donations to One Great Hour of Sharing and disaster appeals. To learn more, visit http://www.ucc.org/volunteer/Hurricane

The JOINT COORDINATING Committee will meet on Monday September 24^th ^h at 7:00 p.m.

Two rounds are held; one in the fall and one in the winter. A final "celebratory" event is held in the spring for a grand finale. The fall round of dinners will be held in October and November.

SUNDAY SCHOOL'S first rotation started off with a bang! Thanks to all of the students, teachers, and parents who took part in our classes about Abraham. This Sunday we begin in Worship. We are excited about our joint Sunday school with CUMC. God is Still Speaking! Room pick up is as follows: