1/13/10

January 13, 2010

AND SO THE JOURNEY BEGINS...

Please join us in worship this Sunday as we commission our Coordinating Team who will lead us on the Journey of Transformation. Thank you to Laura Barber, Carolyn Colman, Micki Fura, Denise Jackson, Janet Koostra, Liz Lee, Buck O'Brien, Rev. Jim Petersen, Karen Spencer, Barbara Walters, Bonnie Warren, and Nancy Zadick for stepping up to this plate and representing First Congregational United Church of Christ. These folks will be attending the first training session on our behalf on January 23, inLincoln, from 10:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M. Please hold them in prayer.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS & ROOM PICK UP

Children begin in Sunday School on January 17. They will continue exploring and contrasting the different versions of the Biblical Christmas story.

Pre School; Room 5; Cathy & Annie Petersen

Grades K-1; Room 2; Marnee Chapman

Grades 2-3; Room 4; Christeen Collins

Grades 4-5; Room 3; Syneva Heupel

Middle School; Room 7; Tammy Townsend

CANS FOR CHRISTHOPER UPDATE

"Cans for Christhoper" earned another $3.85 for a total of $21.80! The container for collection is near the kitchen in Fellowship Hall. Let's keep those cans rolling in!

A quote from Rev. Jim's sermon on January 10: "Baptism is a once and for all cleansing. In the language of that good ol' time religion, baptism provides the protective hedge of Christ around us. It is being back in the bubble, secure in the dome, with the primoridial seas of chaos surrounding us, but not harming us (reference the Creation Story). Baptism is our safe place in God's grace. It is well to remember along the journey of life. As it is said, Martin Luther used to frequently mutter to himself during his trials and travails, ?Remember, Martin, thou art baptized.' This is all we really need to know."

THE MEN'S GROUP will meet for lunch on Thursday, January 21, at 11:30 A.M., at Colleen's inside the Columbus Center (1601 2^nd Avenue N).

REV. JIM'S BIBLE STUDY meets on Wednesday, January 20 at 12:00 P.M. and on Sunday, January 24 at 9:30 A.M. for Chapter 7 in your study guide, The Gospel Spreads Beyond Jerusalem.

January 18-25 is the WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY. Please hold in prayer the universal Church of Christ in our role of peacemakers in the world.

FAREWELL TO CHRISTMAS-TIDE A BIG thank you to our "de-decorating" group who took down, wiped down, and boxed up our Christmas decorations: Nick & Patty Cetto, Holly Garcia, Diane Gelernter, Sharon Kiffe, Don LaBar, Dave Neagle, Buck O'Brien, Rev. Jim Petersen, Tom & Jan Robitaille, and Cecil Warren.

Though the decorations are down and the festivity gone, we are in the season of Epiphany and continue to celebrate God's light shining in the darkness.

PRODIGAL SONS

You are invited to a free viewing of this powerful film on Saturday, January 16, at 6:30 P.M., at Central Christian Church (1025 Central Avenue). Prodigal Sons is a professionally done documentary about a family who are members of Plymouth UCC in Helena, and covers issues of transgender, homosexuality, family systems and relationships, mental health, domestic violence, etc. In this award-winning personal documentary, filmmaker Kimberly Reed attempts to reconcile with her long-estranged brother, Marc, who has seen her as a rival since childhood. Their paths diverged long ago: Marc was permanently debilitated in a car accident, and Kim left their small-town roots on a journey of self-discovery. The film is 86 minutes long with discussion time in small groups following.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

The Montana Human Rights Network has celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with Montanans for over a decade and this year will be no exception. The Network is hosting its annual Social Justice Film Festival at the Myrna Loy Center in Billings for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 18, 2010, from 3:30-7:30 P.M. This four-hour festival will include three feature films, a reception, and a short film series. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children under 12, for all or part of the day, and may be purchased by calling (406) 422-5506, ext. 10.

SECOND ROUND OF DINNER GROUPS TO BEGIN

A great opportunity for both good conversation and savory cuisine!!! If you missed the opportunity in the fall, and have not already signed up, sign up now by calling the church office or Barbara Walters at 899-6376. Groups will be formed and dinners will begin at the end of the month.

A FEW OF MY

FAVORITE THINGS?

(as written at the Thanksgiving Potluck, November 2009)

"I like the minister, I love the choirs, I love the sermons."

"Choir, watching my grandson in church, Thanksgiving Dinner, freedom to believe as I choose."

"Fellowship and warmth, the active missions (ie; blankets, Salvation Army, Fish, etc), willingness to help by everyone."

"I am thankful that I invite friends."