MAY 21, 2023
CHRIST CONGREGATIONAL UCC
JOIN US FOR WORSHIP IN THE SANCTUARY
10:30 AM
AND ON FACEBOOK LIVE
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WORSHIP RESOURCES BELOW
JOIN US FROM ANYWHERE
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"I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry" |
"Joyful, Joyful We Adore You" |
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This week's Hymns sheet music is here. Click the MUSIC image!
Special Music links redirect to videos.
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“Welcome!
We are so glad you are here!”
As we enter our church, as we live as members, as we experience important life-cycle events (falling in love, marrying, parenting, baptism, coming out, transitioning, etc.), words of welcome and support, understanding and love are what we all long for. This manifestation of God’s Extravagant Welcome and the justice and social witness that accompany it are the heart of what we hope to show our community and all who walk through the doors of Christ Congregational United Church of Christ.
PEACE BE WITH YOU!
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May 19, 2023
Dear Congregation,
I’m looking forward to a joyful Sunday and hope you’ll be present to share in that joy in our worship service of Installation and Celebration followed by brunch. I do want to thank everyone who has been involved planning and bringing to fruition this special time of thanksgiving to God. Celebration is even more special when its shared!
I think it’s a propitious tie-in that this is also Ascension Sunday, following Ascension Day, which was Thursday, May 18th. You will remember that the bodily Ascension of Jesus’ into heaven occurred on this day forty days after Easter. My favorite part of the Acts 1:6-11 passage comes at the end of the text, after Jesus has promised that the Holy Spirit will give his followers power and they will be his witnesses. “When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?” (Acts 1:9-11a) The implication of their words, their unspoken message, is, “Get busy doing the work that Christ has given you to do. Move away from the vertical and look to the horizontal.” As we know there’s a lot of horizontal in our world calling for our Christian response!
I think this message can be one of encouragement to Christ Congregational UCC as we look to our future of new possibilities for mission and outreach. We have managed to be busy in the history of CCC doing much faithful work in the world.
While we honor that past and those saints of the church who made this new future possible, we aren’t standing around looking back at what’s gone. We are hitting this new ground running, with ideas and plans to be faithful witnesses in word and deed to Jesus Christ. Our comfort and our joy is Jesus’ promise that the Holy Spirit will empower us! Thanks be to God!
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Candy
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CALENDAR
Sun. May 21 | 10:30 am
Worship in the Sanctuary
& Facebook Live
Mon. May 22
Bible Study is cancelled this week
Tues. May 23 | 6:30 pm
CCC Men's Dinner
Sat. May 27 | 10:30 am
CCC Women Meet on Zoom
Sun. May 28 | 10:30 am
Worship in the Sanctuary
& Facebook Live
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USE THE LINKS BELOW FOR
UCC RESOURCES
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The Strengthen The Church Offering will be received next week on Pentecost Sunday, May 28.
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Global Ministries offers a weekly prayer for one of our global mission partners. This week's prayer is with the Philippines. To read their mission moment, please click the Global Ministries IMAGE. Below is this week's prayer, let us unite with the Philipines in praying.
Christ of Mercy, we pray today for all those who are struggling to recover from the rubble and ash of tragedy. We pray for the continued assurance of your presence, even in the midst of sorrow and loss. We are reminded that you, too are praying for us just as you prayed for your disciples. Thank you that you continue to sustain and care for us even as God our creator continues to love and protect us.
We pray for Dansalan College Foundation as it seeks new ways to re-grow from its tragedy. Bless their farm and forest project so that it will flourish and bear fruit. Bless the school that it will continue to nurture young people by educating them and cultivating their faith, character, and compassion for others. May the students, teachers, and staff of Dansalan College all flourish under your care and protection. We pray for Dansalan as it develops its Iligan Annex and discerns the future of its Marawi campus.
We pray for the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and all our partners in the Philippines. May you comfort and strengthen us all through our mutual prayer and support.
Amen
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In protest of Christian Nationalism and false prophets at the "RAT" ReAwaken America Tour in Miami. Pictured are Pastor Candy and Karen Kett. Daniel Best joined them in attending Faithful America's Saturday workshop equipping our response to this surging movement. |
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Governance ZOOM Workshop Led by UCC General Counsel Heather Kimmel
on June 3rd
I hope that you will join UCC General Counsel, Heather Kimmel, on June 3rd to hear about Good Governance and how good governance is essential to effectively equipping the leaders of your church, optimally serving your church's mission and ultimately keeping your church as safe (and responsible) as possible!
Although this workshop for laity AND clergy is provided at no cost to our local churches, we ask that you register in advance here.
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REMEMBERED IN OUR CONTINUING PRAYERS
Jay Harragin, Joan Hansen, Maggie McDowell, Daniel Best,
J.J. Ketzle, Jim and Cindy Ketzle, Carol McCreary, Mary Ellen Prather, Kevin Zhang, Neal and Pam Watkins & family, Frank Tirb,
George Colimorio, Bradley Everhardt and Marsi Ott Miranda,
Rhonda Johnstone Cespedes’ family and friends
Marlyn Baker & family and friends, and Jean Richardson
For Pastoral Care Needs, please call Pastor Candy directly at 925-640-9289 or you may call and leave a message with the Church Office, 305-235-9381.
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Thank you so much for the generous gifts of your time, treasure and talent in pursuit of A Just World For All! |
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Online Giving – We invite you to use our online giving option as a quick, simple, and secure method to make your pledges and ancillary gifts.
*Please indicate when your giving is other than pledge or plate.*
You may click this image or the
"Online Giving" link on the upper right of our website.
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The Rev. Candace Thomas | Pastor
Graham Bryan | Moderator & President
Jay Harragin | Music Director
Miriam Grissett | Editor
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