January 28, 2009

More than 15 years ago on a Super Bowl Sunday, a single youth group was inspired by a simple prayer. They started the Soup-er Bowl of Caring, a youth-led movement that is now an international event. Since 1990, The Soup-er Bowl of Caring has raised more that $33 million for individual charities across the country. It has also turned our nation's biggest weekend of football into its largest weekend of giving. Each year, tens of thousands of our nation's youth put God's love into action through this offering. You can help them feel the significance of caring for others. On Sunday, February 1st, drop a dollar in a soup pot as you enter or leave worship. Your donation will go directly to FISH. With your help, more dollars will be raised, more lives will be changed, and more young people will experience the joy of serving Christ by serving others. "Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those without a bowl of soup to eat."

St. Ann's Kitchen help is this Friday, January 30, from

9:00 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. Please call Liz Lee at 727-2188 if you would like to volunteer.

Junior Youth Group (grades 3-5) and Senior Youth Group (grades 6-12) will meet Wednesday, February 4. Junior Youth Groups meets at 6:00 P.M. Senior Youth Group meets at 6:30 P.M.

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY

The Women's Bible Study continues to meet on Thursdays at 6:30 P.M., at June Rovero's house; 2118 1^st Avenue South. They will study The Minor Prophets. For more information, please call June at 454-0865. Bible will NOT meet on February 5^th.

WHAT DO WE REAP FROM OUR CHURCH?

As written by members and friends at our Great Harvest Thanksgiving Supper on November 23, 2008:

* The love of God!

* Fellowship, good sermons, fun times.

* There is always an atmosphere of caring and sharing. I leave feeling a mental wellness.

* I love my church, and everyone here. It makes me happy, peaceful, and thankful.

* A feeling of completeness.

UCC YOUNG ADULTS

The UCC Young Adults and Youth are live and on the web with our FACEBOOK page. Facebook is an online community for just about anyone; connecting people through groups such as high schools, colleges, churches, cities, etc. The name of our Facebook page is UCC Young People. There are now over 23 young folks signed up. If you would like to sign up, visit www.facebook.com. From there you can register and look us up! This is a great way to stay connected with our young adults in college and those who have moved out of the area.

PENNIES FOR PEACE CAMPAIGN

Thanks to the generosity of our church members (or just the desire to empty their pockets); we have collected more than 27 pounds of pennies! That equates to $39.42-$48.87. Why the difference? Here is a little math/history lesson for you. Before 1982, pennies were heavier because there was a higher amount of copper in them. They weighed 3.11 grams. From 1983 to present, pennies are 99% zinc and lighter weight (2.5 grams) than their earlier counterparts. With the older pennies, there are about 146 in a pound but with the current pennies, there are approximately 181 in a pound. So the variation in how much money we actually have is based on what year the pennies are. No matter their age, add your pennies to the collection each Sunday. We have about 115 pounds to go to reach Rev. Jim's weight, depending on how much he eats on the Holy Lands trip. Keep emptying your pockets and help build schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

IN THE HOLY LANDS

Rev. Jim Petersen arrived safely in the Holy Lands. If you wish to follow them along their trip, check out the travel blog that has been created by two of our Methodist clergy hosts at:

www.mytripjournal.com/OurHolyLandPilgrimage2009 Use the password, hl2009.

Jim will be gone two more Sundays. We are delighted to have our own lay leaders preaching in Jim's absence. They are Janet Koostra, Feb. 1, and Denise Jackson, Feb. 8. Jim asks that you make a special effort to be present these Sundays, not only to worship but in support and appreciation for our preachers, as well as to pray for peace in the Holy Lands.

Friendly Reminder- Memorial Fund Corporation meets on Monday, February 2^nd at 4:00 P.M. UCC Boards Night is Monday, February 2^nd at 6:15 P.M., with the exception of the Business Affairs Board, who will meet the following Monday, February 9^th at 6:30 P.M.

CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP

You are invited to join us next Thursday, February 5^th, for contemporary worship beginning at 5:45 P.M. in the sanctuary, with Janet Koostra and June Rovero. Enjoy a MUSIC JAM SESSION led by Brian Christianson, Don Resset, and JoAnn Holman. Come with your favorite instrument or song. Worship will be followed by a light supper at 6:30 P.M.

Nancy Armstrong has her pottery and water colors on display at Gallery 16 now through the middle of February.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS & ROOM PICK UP

Children will begin in Sunday School for their last rotation of "Messengers of the New Covenant" in the following classrooms:

*Pre-School; room 5 with Cathy Petersen.

*Grades K-1; room 2 with Heather Lucero.

*Grades 2-3; room 4 with Christeen Collins

*Grades 4-5; room 7 with Lisa Machuga.

*Middle School is in room 7 with Lisa Machuga.

PENNIES FOR PEACE

The classrooms continue to challenge each other as well as the Congregation in the Pennies for Peace campaign. Let's see how much ?change' we can collect in an effort to ?change' the lives of children in the Middle East by building schools and celebrating God through action!

SOUP-ER BOWL OF CARING

Our Middle School children will be collecting for the Soup-er Bowl of Caring offering at the Sanctuary doors. All money collected will go to the FISH program.