First Congregational United Church of Christ » Uncategorized

Can you speak me, now?

Barbara Martin — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:30:12 +0000

Sunday, May 27th is Pentecost Sunday, the birth-day of the Christian church. Acts 2: 1-21 tells the story of the Holy Spirit blowing among the gathered disciples causing them to feel, in a radical way, the presence and power of God.
Join guest preacher, Rev. Chris Engstrom, to explore the meaning of this event for us.
Ya’ll come at 9:30 a.m!

Can you hear me now?

Barbara Martin — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:22:32 +0000

Sunday, May 20th, join us to celebrate our Sunday School children and youth! They will be singing and playing instruments during worship and having a special treat during Sunday School.
Our guest preacher will be Rev. Chris Engstrom who will lead the conversation about listening for God’s call in our lives. The focus scripture is John 17: 6-19.
Join us for worship at 9:30 a.m. because no matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome HERE!

The Great Dance

Barbara Martin — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:09:00 +0000

Jesus called himself, The Vine, and his disciples, the branches. The vine is no Tree of Life with dense bark, a thick trunk and branches. Nope, Jesus’ kind of Vine is all branches and fruit.
Sunday’s focus gospel is John 15: 9-17 where Jesus tells his disciples they essentially have been promoted from servants to friends. Jesus also tells them that to love God they need to love as God loves, to love their neighbors.
What does love mean to you? Do we love because we need ‘brownie points’ to get into heaven? Do we love because it feels good? Do we love because we can’t help ourselves or that we are so in tune with God that we just do it? Jesus speaks of a new relationship with new elements including trust, generosity, responsibility and meaning. Join us for more of this conversation Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

To whom do you Reach Out?

Barbara Martin — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:55:24 +0000

In Sunday’s focus scripture, Acts 8:29-40, Philip the Evangelist from Acts 6 has an interesting encounter with an Ethiopian eunuch. A eunuch was a castrated male who was deemed ‘safe’ to serve women. This un-named man held a high ranking and trusted position as treasurer to an Ethiopian queen. Philip senses the Spirit’s directions and follows, even running up to the foreigner’s chariot. What’s interesting is that Philip doesn’t seem to question these instructions and he also doesn’t proselytize the Ethiopian man. Philip sees a particular person in a particular stiuation and he engages with him as he finds him. Now that’s what I call evangelism – meeting a person where you find them and only offering what they ask for.
To whom do you reach out? How do you decide when and where and with whom to show God’s love without preaching?
May 6th is Immigrant Rights Sunday in the United Church of Christ. How do we welcome the stranger? Welcoming the stranger is an edict from God to the people of God (Deuteronomy 10:17-19). As a society, how are we doing? What will you do to make a difference and reach out? Join us on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for more of this conversation! Also, join us at 2:30 p.m. in St. Paul for the monthly Faith Action Vigil at the Ramsey County Detention Center.

Sunday’s theme is Total Commitment

Barbara Martin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:39:50 +0000

Sunday’s focus scripture, John 10: 11-18, uses the metaphor for Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In the ancient Near East there was no one more present with a flock of sheep than the shepherd. For families who depend on sheep for their livelihoods, the shepherd’s total commitment to the sheep kept many people thriving. Without the shepherd the whole family could fall apart leaving society fragile.
A contemporary metaphor might be a good leader – one who carefully, skillfully, and lovingly leads followers through life-dangers, helps them find food and shelter, keeps them connected to Creation, and leads them to co-create a ful-filled life for others.

What kind of shepherd/leader do you want or need? How can we be God-like leaders who are known by God, know God, and are willing to spend energy freely in the care of the community? Can an ideal shepherd/leader bring abundant life to others merely because God loves them?
Join us for more of this conversation on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. See you there!

Christ is with us! Huh?

Barbara Martin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:16:20 +0000

Isn’t it just like Jesus to show up at meal times? He’s always invited, tho … Jesus isn’t revealed in lightening bolts or cloud arrangements. No, just set out a simple meal, say, fish and chips, and the Risen One will show up.
In Sunday’s focus scripture Luke 24: 36b-48, Jesus shares the ancient Near Eastern tradition of hospitality, food fellowship. Sharing hospitality created an intimate connection with people, linking them in a relationship of mutual responsibility, care, welcome and support. By eating with his disciples even after his death, the Risen Christ meets them where they are and connects with them in a simple and profound manner. What are your experiences of God? When are you surprised by a depth of intimacy in the most routine moments of life?
Join us for more of this conversation on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. See you there!

Have you experienced resurrection lately?

Barbara Martin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:30:49 +0000

Easter in the church is the high holy day 2nd only to Christmas. Church attendance is high because we all want to hear the news that Christ is risen. We want assurance of life after death and that injustice can’t kill God. But resurrection isn’t just a one time event and it’s not just that God is alive. Resurrection is about your new life in God.
Sunday’s focus scripture, John 20: 19-31, tells the post-resurrection story of Jesus’ appearance to the locked-behind-closed-doors disciples. Like Thomas, we each have our own experiences of resurrection either dramatic ones or gentle awakenings. But these are not the end of our life stories. They are just the beginning of new life with God!
Join us for more of this conversation on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. See you in church!

Holy Week at First Congregational UCC

Barbara Martin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:18:06 +0000

Join us on April 5th, Maundy Thursday, at 7:00 p.m. as we recall the story of Jesus’ last meal, betrayal, and death. The choir will sing, we’ll share communion, and several people will tell this remarkable story of great love, care, and betrayal.

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On Saturday, April 7th, join us anytime from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary to walk a unique heart-shaped labyrinth, listen and reflect to prayerful music. At 5:30, we’ll view a powerpoint presentation about Braham’s Requiem.
Then we’ll listen to this transformative music.

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A lucsious Easter breakfast will be served on Sunday, April 8th at 8:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Please join us to begin a wonderful celebration of God’s mysterious response to violent power. Worship begins at 9:30 a.m. with glorious music, the Easter scripture story, hope-filled words and prayers for our faith journey ahead.

Palm & Passion Sunday

Barbara Martin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:55:59 +0000

Palm Sunday takes us through a wide range of experienced emotions – from joy & friendship to betrayal & denial. We will continue the theme of ‘ journey’ into the last days of Jesus from the gospel according to Mark 11: 1-11, 14:1-15:47 with “Storytelling in Eight Movements.”
Join us for this interactive liturgy, scripture, song, and prayer on Sunday, April 1st at 9:30 a.m. See you there!

Sunday’s theme is ‘Heart Promises’

Barbara Martin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:41:23 +0000

In Sunday’s focus scripture, Jeremiah 31: 31-34, we read some words of hope from the ‘gloom & doom’ prophet. Jeremiah was known as a bit of a curmudgeon – his Hebrew nickname meant “death and destruction.” But that could happen to anyone who was unpopular because he was trying to warn people about being defeated in war and then exiled.
It was his deep sorrow about the corrupt nature of the human heart and peoples’ resistence to God that moved him to speak these words of hope. The new covenant with God must be written on their hearts. In other words, the love and grace of God must be fully internalized in order for us to begin to live according to the ways of God.
Join us for more of this conversation on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. “All For You” will be leading our worship music! See you there …