October 29, 2008

Please join us this Thursday, October 30^th for this year's TRUNK or TREAT celebration in the church parking lot from 6:00-7:00 P.M. We need decorated trunks with treats and children in costume to circle around! Last year 16 vehicles participated. Our youth have passed out invitations to the neighborhood inviting folks to share in the fun. We hope to see you there!

YOUTH GROUP NEWS

Junior Youth Group (grades 3-5) meets on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 P.M., starting in the Jonah Room.

Senior Youth Group (grades 6-12) meets on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 P.M., beginning in Fellowship Hall.

All youth are invited to TRUNK or TREAT on Thursday, October 30^th from 6:00-7:00 P.M. in the church parking lot.

INQUIRER'S CLASS TO BEGIN

Rev. Jim Petersen will host a two-part Inquirer's Class for persons interested in seeking more information about the First Congregational Church. The first session will share information about who we are as a denomination, the United Church of Christ. The second session will address our local congregation. If you would like to explore further our congregation, and consider uniting with us in membership, please join Rev. Jim in the parlor on the following evenings:

Sunday, November 9, 6:30-8:00 P.M.

Sunday, November 16, 6:30-8:00 P.M.

Childcare will be provided upon request, as well as refreshments. Kindly RSVP.

Rev. Jim Petersen's Bible Study meets on Wednesday November 5 at 12:00 P.M. in Fellowship Hall and Sunday November 9 at 9:30 A.M. in the parlor. From your study guide, please read Chapter 4; A Man Who Does Everything Well

BLANKET SUNDAY

Your donations to this year's Blanket Sunday are sure to warm the hearts and spirits (and bodies!) of those in need. Your gifts of $452 and mounds of blankets and bedding are greatly appreciated. It's not too late to donate to this cause as winter approaches.

Nick Cetto will be selling coupon booklets for the Herbergers Community Day Sale during Coffee Fellowship. Booklets are $5.00 and benefit FISH. Each dollar donated to the FISH Program from now through November 30^th will be matched by the Town Pump, up to $10,000.00- doubling our money!

The SAFE CHURCH COMMITTEE will resume meeting in November after taking the summer off. The group has been tasked with recommending safe church policies and activities to the Church Council. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Vice-Moderator Jerry Butcher.

CHECK THEM OUT!

There will be a display of children's books from our library in Fellowship Hall! They will be along the windows near the small tables. These books may be read there, or checked out to go home. More books are available in Room 1 downstairs. Please take a moment to check them out. Thank you, Melissa, for making them more accessible.

ELECTION DAY ITALIAN DINNER

Christ United Methodist is hosting its annual Italian Dinner on Tuesday November 4^th (Election Day) in Fellowship Hall, from 5:00-7:00 P.M. The menu includes all-you-can-eat spaghetti, lasagna, salads, bread, drinks and dessert. Cost is $7.00 per person, $3.00 for children 5 and under, and $25.00 for a family of four or more. For tickets call the church office. Thank you.

CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP

You are invited to join us next Thursday, November 6^th, for contemporary worship beginning at 5:45 P.M. in the sanctuary. Enjoy a time of praise, music by our young adults ensemble, and meditation led by Rev. Jim Petersen. Worship will be followed by a light supper at 6:30 P.M.

TOP TEN REASONS TO CHECK OUT THE UNITEDCHURCH OF CHRIST (these will be presented weekly, one at a time):

10) What if church is like spinach? You know-like something you hated as a kid but love as an adult because you eat it in ways that suit you much better? Guess what? A lot of people are having the same sort of experience with church. In the UCC, things are often quite different and worth checking out.

Thank You Stacy Hopkins for being one of the Conference Delegates at the Montana Association of Churches (MAC) 35^th Annual Assembly held this week.

WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITIES

Writing the Sacred: A Psalm-writing, journaling and poetry workshop

Sunday, November 23^rd from 1:30-4:00 P.M. at University Congregational United Church of Christ in Missoula (405 University Avenue). You'll be invited to a fresh encounter with the Hebrew Psalms. Ray McGinnis will show you some of the ageless poetic elements present in the Psalms alongside other examples of sacred poetry across the centuries. You'll hear cries of the spirit inviting you to express your own longings for God on paper. Whether you are a seasoned writer or have never put pen to paper, you'll be expertly guided, step-by-step, to a place where you'll emerge with your own new psalm/sacred poem. Suggested donation for this workshop is $15.00. For more information or to register, please call (406) 543-6952.

Faith and the Environment; A Multi-Denominational Workshop and Training

Monday, November 10^th from 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Great Falls (2900 9^th Ave. S). This is an opportunity for Montana Clergy and interested lay persons to discuss faith-based environmental initiatives that can transform congregations, communities, and, ultimately, ecological health. Study materials are now available, including "green" sermons, energy savings in churches, adult education curricula and how-to-guides. Many of these basic tools will be introduced at the workshop. Sponsored by the Tributary Fund and endorsed by the Great Falls Ministerial Association. Free of charge. For more information or to register, please call the Tributary Fund at (406) 585-5560.

Benefis Peace Hospice presents two events you will not want to miss

Grief in Children and Adolescents on Wednesday, November 19^th from 7:00-8:30 P.M. at the Sletten Cancer Institute and Annual End of Life Conference on Thursday, November 20^th from 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. at the Four Square Church. For more information, please call Peace Hospice at (406) 455-3040.

SMART TELEVISION ALLIANCE

Children's television is an issue near and dear to the United Church of Christ. The UCC has led the fight to improve kid's TV for nearly forty years. The Smart Television Alliance and UCC share the same goal: urging parents and caregivers to take control of both the quality and quantity of TV viewing time at home. By taking a stand and choosing quality children's television and teaming up with the Smart Television Alliance, we send a strong message to content producers that we want better children's television programs! Here's how you can help: visit www.smarttelevisonalliance.org. At this website, you will be able to rate and leave comments on hundreds of children's television shows for thousands to see.

FREE COMPUTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR ADULTS

Offered at Great Falls High School. This is not a formal class. Each adult will have one-on-one instruction from a Great Falls High student volunteer. Student volunteers assist adults with basic computer or cell phone questions. Each session will be tailored to the specific needs of the adults. The program is free and is available each Tuesday during the school year from 3:30-5:00 P.M. Because space is limited, interested adults should call Echo at 268-6364.

i.UCC.org

A virtual community for church members to use and share with their friends! To access fun information, history, Bible studies, and daily devotionals from the United Church of Christ, go to www.i.ucc.org. It is a lively, spiritual and informative website where you can participate in real-time prayer, lectionary-based bible study, spiritual growth, music videos, conversation and community. God Is Still Speaking, ready, set, grow!

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR AT CHRIST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

This year's craft fair will be held on Sunday, December 7^th between services in Fellowship Hall. If you would like to sell crafts, set up will begin at 9:00 A.M. on a 6 or 8 foot table and clean up will begin around 12:30 P.M. The cost for a table is $20. Approximately 250 members come through for coffee hours and browsing. Last year's vendors all said it was very profitable. If you are interested in being a vendor, please contact Lois Baker at (406) 453-0275.

DON'T FORGET? TO SET YOUR CLOCKS BACK THIS WEEKEND. GREENING COMMITTEE MEETS ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2^ND AT 12:00 P.M.

UCC BOARDS NIGHT IS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3^RD, AT 6:15 P.M.