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By Barbara Martin, on October 26th, 2011
 Send President Obama a postcard or sign one online at Do it in Durban asking him to support climate justice for all at the United Nations meeting in Durban in December 2011.
It will just take a minute to let your voice be heard. Remember, Jesus’ beatitude in Matthew 5:7 tells us to honor those who are ‘parched for justice’.
Each simple act by one individual and then another creates a ripple of transformative justice in the lives of people with no voice! In ALL our lives …
By Barbara Martin, on October 19th, 2011
 This church loves having a party! Come on Sunday, October 23rd and stay after worship for our First Annual Cupcake Beauty Contest. If you love sweets, you’ll love this!
People are invited to bring 18 of their favorite cupcake recipe to be judged on flavor and decoration. Half a dozen cupcakes will be sliced for tasting. Those who would like to vote on best taste will need to pay $1 per taste or 6 tastes for $5. Then the decorated dozen will be auctioned off by our own Jeff LaPan in a bidding frenzy! The proceeds will go toward the basement and kitchen remodeling project. Don’t miss out!
By Barbara Martin, on October 19th, 2011
The word abundance, for me, conjures up images of lots of money; how about for you? In Sunday’s scripture text, Matthew 25: 14-30, Jesus uses money as a metaphor portraying what God’s realm looks like; what living God’s way might feel like. And it’s NOT about $$$, it’s about LOVE.
Commonly called the Parable of the Talents, this text challenges our assumptions of what it means to be successful and what we ‘need’ to do for God to love us. Which of the servants in this parable acts out of courage? which acts out of fear? Is the 3rd servant standing for justice by not following the convention of multiplying someone else’s money? Or is he operating from a place of fear preventing him from taking risks which love places in our lives to live faith-filled.
God’s life-giving power let loose in the world unleashes abundant possibilities for justice, love, and compassion. How do you imagine you and your church are being called to take part in God’s reign? How will you use God’s gifts to you in faithful and extravagant service to God and neighbor? Join us for more of the conversation on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Rev. Jan Bodin and Pastor Barb will be exchanging pulpits in each other’s churches! Don’t miss it!!
By Barbara Martin, on October 15th, 2011
What does a willing relationship look like to you? When has God been your friend in a mutual relationship?
Sunday’s reading from Exodus 33:12-23 tells of Moses’ determined conversation with God.
After Moses has God’s promise to lead the people out of the wilderness to the promised land, Moses asks to see God ‘in person’. Even though Moses has been meeting with God ‘face to face’ as friends, God tells him he can’t handle it. God finally concedes for Moses to see him pass by, to see his ‘afterward.’
Like an after thought, we can notice God leading us. God is already at the place we are heading.
This image from the Hubble Telescope of a star during creation is what I think God’s face might look like.
Join us for more of the conversation on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
By Barbara Martin, on October 11th, 2011
 Protest Chaplains are part of the Occupy Wallstreet movement; what a concept! They are talking and singing, but especially LISTENING to people share their concerns. Sounds like church to me!
The protest chaplains are carrying signs like “Blessed are the Poor” and “Blessed are the Peacemakers.”
I think Jesus would be pressing the ‘like’ button on his facebook page for this concept.
What do you think?
By Barbara Martin, on October 5th, 2011
 The image of a golden calf makes me think of Wall Street. I realize the bull market is supposed to be a positive thing, but who benefits and who pays? hmmmm …
For the Israelite people in Exodus 32: 1-14 the calf reflected their feelings of vulnerability and fear because Moses hadn’t returned yet from his mountain-meeting with God. The golden calf was an image of strength and virility common in religions of that area, but not quite what God had in mind when he told them to worship only YHWH.
Moses returns from the mountain to the camp with divine instruction. First, he learned that God pays attention- God is frustrated with the behavior of the people. Second, God is changed by the interaction with Moses. Third, God seeks relationship with God’s people. And fourth, God loves – God’s anger and judgment wouldn’t matter if God didn’t love us!
Join us for more of this conversation on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. You will be glad you did!
By Barbara Martin, on October 4th, 2011
‘That they may all be one’ has been the motto of the United Church of Christ from John 17:21.
During these 11 days of November 1 to November 11, 2011 [11.1.11 - 11.11.11] the United Church of Christ is on a shared mission to feed the hungry and confront food-related injustice.
Each congregation is encouraged to be creative with the #1 to not only bring awareness to the causes of hunger and poverty but especially to offer solutions.
Mission 1 is an opportunity for us to collect food and $$ for food shelves and write letters to congress. HOW WILL YOU HELP?
This church is doing something fun and unique! We have given 11 people $11 and asked them to be creative in multiplying this $ to alleviate hunger or bring awareness to food-related injustice and then tell the congregation about what they did and how it felt. They were instructed to ‘make God proud!’ They will report back to us on Sunday, November 13th!
By Barbara Martin, on September 28th, 2011
 Can you imagine a tent without posts to hold it up? It wouldn’t quite be a tent, would it? That is like life without God and God without promises to us.
This Sunday our focus scripture is Exodus 20: 1-4, 7-9, 12-20 and we’ll explore Barbara Brown Taylor’s comment about the Ten Commandments or Ten Words of God to the Israelites. She wrote, “promise without law is like a tent without tent poles… sink these ten posts in the center of your camp, hang a tent on them, and together you may survive the wilderness.”
After all the Israelites had gone through, God gave them something else [as only God would do just cuz God can]. God gives ten words, a loving promise commitment or covenant, to establish a long-term relationship with God’s people. Just as a couple goes from dating to marriage, God went from freedom to commitment with us.
Join us for more of this conversation on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m! 
By Barbara Martin, on September 22nd, 2011
By Barbara Martin, on September 22nd, 2011
 JOIN US on the front lawn of the church for our 3rd Annual Blessing of the Animals. We’ll sing a song, say a prayer, and Pastor Barb will offer a blessing for each critter. Special prayer medallions suitable for pet collars will be given to each participant.
The Blessing of the Animals is an ancient custom associated with St. Francis of Assisi. Always at home in the company of the disadvantaged and the dispossessed, Francis recognized the Divine Spark in the beauty of creation, in the love of the companionship of animals, and in the poor, all of which made him one of the most admired monks and mystics in the history of the Church. Francis believed that as long as we live each moment as a gift, and remain in a state of endless fascination, endless appreciation, and endless love, then fulfillment is our natural destiny. Francis is the Patron Saint of Animals because of his great love for their delightful companionship. All animals are welcome as long they are leashed or crated!
Come as you are with your beloved pet. I’ll be there with ‘Grace.’ 
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Hours Church Services:
Sundays - 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School (preschool-12th grade):
Sundays 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. during the school year
Office Hours:
M-Th, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
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Send President Obama a postcard or sign one online at Do it in Durban asking him to support climate justice for all at the United Nations meeting in Durban in December 2011.
JOIN US on the front lawn of the church for our 3rd Annual Blessing of the Animals. We’ll sing a song, say a prayer, and Pastor Barb will offer a blessing for each critter. Special prayer medallions suitable for pet collars will be given to each participant.
