|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Home
About Us
Related Links
Church Location
Worship
Sermons
Children and Youth
Camp Mimanagish
Cantabelle Ringers
Photos
HOLY LANDS TOUR 2007 and 2009
Newsletters |
|
|
October 28, 2009 Blanket Sunday This Sunday, November 1st, is BLANKET SUNDAY, sponsored by the
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS & ROOM PICK UPOn Sunday, November 1, children will begin in Sunday School for their third rotation of Joseph in Egypt. *Pre-School; room 5, Cathy & Annie Petersen *Grades K-1; room 2, Janet Koostra *Grades 2-3; room 4, Heather Lucero *Grades 4-5; room 3, Christeen Collins, Zach Nelson *Middle School; room 7, June Rovero Children's CHOIR PRACTICE is at 10:40 A.M. in classroom 1 with Janet Koostra. Come and sing for fun! We'll plan one or two songs for Christmas!
Invitation to the Journey In preparation for a CONGREGATIONAL MEETING ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH AT 10:30 A.M., to discuss and vote on Invitation to the Journey, a three year discernment process facilitated by co-pastors from Washington, and produced by the Center for Parish Development in Chicago, please visit our website- www.greatfallsucc.org and go to the WORSHIP page, then click on Invitation to the Journey. Let us know what you think. Your thoughts count! For more information, see the back of the calendar.
INQUIRER'S CLASS PART II Rev. Jim Petersen will host a part two of the Inquirer's Class for persons interested in seeking more information about the First Congregational Church. The first session shared information about who we are as a denomination, the United Church of Christ. The second session will address our local congregation. You are still welcome to attend, even if you missed the first part. 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 evening: Sunday, November 1, 6:30-8:00 P.M. Childcare will be provided upon request, as well as refreshments. Kindly RSVP.
YOUTH GROUP NEWS The theme for November is SERVICE. Youth Group (grades 6-12) will be doing service projects on November 4th, 11th, and 18th, during our Wednesday Night Live!
TRICK OR TRUNK - OCTOBER 31 Please join us on Halloween, Saturday, October 31, from 4:00-6:00 P.M. in the church parking lot for our annual TRICK OR TRUNK celebration. Everyone is welcome. Come dressed up, decorate your car trunk, bring goodies. Help us serve the kids of our parish and neighborhood.
2009-10 These great calendars, running from September 2009-September 2010 are now available for purchase at a cost of $10.00 each. They are very popular because they include listings of nearly all major community events. Starting this year, the
SEASONAL SALE-BRATION Christ United Methodist Women is sponsoring a sale of warm coats, sweaters, socks, mittens, and holiday decoration items on Saturday, November 7th from 8:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall. There will also be a chili and soup luncheon from 10 A.M.-2 P.M. Donations may be dropped off on Friday, November 6th. For more information, please contact Rosemary Neilsen at 453-0821.
MAC RECAP FROM DELEGATE DENISE Denise Jackson was one of our delegates attending the 37th Annual Assembly of the
MEET THE at the A common theme in the history of North Central Montana is the migration of farmers and ranchers from the country to the cities. The Hamiltons: From Windham to Great Falls chronicles the history of the Hamilton Family (does the name Shirlee Hamilton sound familiar?) and begins with Leslie Hamilton making his way out west and eventually settling in the Judith Basin area. The story opened on October 23rd and runs until January 15th.
FALL BACK! Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend. Don't forget to set your clocks back.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN MISSIONAL CHURCH?(frequently asked questions regarding Invitation to the Journey which can be downloaded from the Worship page)
What is the difference between a missional church and a church with a mission program? A church with a mission program usually sees mission as one activity alongside many activities of the church- Christian education, worship, acts of service, hospitality and other programs. A missional church focuses all of its activities around its participation in God's mission to the world. That means, it trains people for discipleship and witness; it worships and practices mutual support before watching the world. A church with a mission sends others to witness on its behalf. A missional church understands that the congregation itself is sent by God to proclaim and to be a sign of the reign of God. Just as God sent Jesus, now Jesus sends the church (Jn.20:21)
What's so new about the missional church? Aren't we already missional? Many congregations already have begun the journey to become more missional, but have never recognized themselves as such. Some congregations are becoming more missional and eager to share the story of their journey. Other congregations make a distinction between witness outside the church and the rest of congregational life. The vision of a missional church invites all of the being and doing of the church to become shaped by what God intends for the world.
Is "missional" a real word? Yes. It may not be in every dictionary but the Oxford English Dictionary says the word has been around for almost 100 years. Missional is an adjective that describes the way in which we do all of our activities, rather than identifying any one particular activity. Within the last few years, it has come into more common use. To be missional is to align all of the program, function and activities of the church around the mission of God in the world.
Does being a missional church mean starting a lot of new activities? People are already so busy. A missional church does not necessarily do more outreach activities. In fact, a missional church may do fewer things better. To be a missional church means to discern how this particular congregation's calling is aligned with God's mission in the world. To be a missional church means to orient all of the life of the church around God's mission.
Is this a technique to help our congregation grow? Many missional congregations are growing in numbers. But the missional church vision is not a technique or a way of increasing market share; it is a way of understanding the true calling of the church. It is a way of life for the church. Rather than merely focusing on a congregation's size, the missional church vision calls us to focus on the reign of God. For a congregation, that means to be a living sign and foretaste of God's new creation. It also means inviting people to become a part of God's new community.
Does being a missional church mean that evangelism is more important than Christian education? No. It would be a mistake to invite people to become citizens of the reign of God without equipping them for life within the reign of God. The purpose of the church is to proclaim and be a sign of the reign of God. A missional church is intentional about both its witness to those outside the community of faith and how its life together gives people a glimpse of God's new reality.
What connection does the missional church concept have with the unique situation churches are facing in North America? Key to the identity of a missional church is being an alternative society within the dominant culture. When the church proclaims and is a sign of the reign of God - whether by loving enemies or welcoming those on the margins - it will be a contrast community in the eyes of the world. Many Christian traditions that had previously enjoyed a privileged status in the dominant North American culture no longer do. The missional church perspective offers important clues on how to be the church when not at the center of things.
Can the church simultaneously be both non-conformed to the world and engaged in witness to Jesus Christ in the world? Yes. Missional congregations demonstrate full engagement in witness to the world, but in a way that is different from the world. That witness is grounded in Jesus Christ, who calls us to be "in the world?but not of it." (Jn. 17:14-16)
Isn't that risky? It usually is. Churches that are in the world, but not of the world, take a lot of risks - physical, financial, social. They are not universally liked. These churches are able to take risks for the sake of the reign of God because they depend on the Holy Spirit for power to witness. These congregations spend a lot of time in prayer. They also know that, even if they experience rejection in the short run, the final victory belongs to God.
Where do we start to learn more about the missional church concept? There are various sources you can explore to gain meaningful insights. Read the Bible as the story of a missionary God, who is always reaching out to us and COME TO OUR CONGREGATIONAL MEETING ON NOVEMBER 15th at 10:30 A.M. where we will vote to become a part of this journey or not.
|
|