Happy Midweek Dear Church!

Well …Worship happened. I often get so uptight about technical and power problems in our Sunday morning experience that I let myself get robbed of experiencing the moment. Last Sunday morning, there were several hiccups in our time together, and I cannot easily explain the peace that invaded my heart. I am so grateful for our people who are constantly working to not only get us through the short hour and fifteen minutes but to also add a sense of creativity, using their own gifts to elevate what we are doing. Thank you, Tech Crew for all you do to make our worship experience the best that it can be, in-person and online. Soli Gloria Dei!

This week, we will continue our short series on the United Church of Christ, Statement of Faith. After spending time, last week with the preamble, we now will be heading into the first statement of what God has done and is still doing.

“You call the worlds into being, create persons in your image, and set before each one the ways of life and death.”

I hope you will make this Sunday’s worship a priority in you and your family’s life. We will be singing the old gospel song, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” as a reminder that, “God is God and We Are Not.” It promises to be a rousing good time. Following worship, we will gather in the fellowship hall for our Annual Congregational Meeting. Together, we will vote on our 2023 budget and install our new church leadership. I also hear rumors that some of our men are planning and executing a wonderful breakfast spread, with the help of Lynn Amabile. So eat light early Sunday morning, and let’s enjoy a bountiful meal together. Until Sunday, know that you are loved by a God who thinks you are pretty swell. I love being your pastor.

Holding you close and lifting you high!

Pastor Greg

1. “FROM ALL THAT DWELL BELOW THE SKIES” by Isaac Watts

This hymn speaks to the idea that everything on earth cries out praises to God. It’s a call for us all to sing God’s name no matter what language we speak or what part of the world we come from. I believe that our very existence calls out God’s name. I’ve heard it said that when we inhale and exhale that we sound the name Yahweh. I’m not sure if that’s true, but I like to think that every breath we breathe speaks God’s name.

2.“HE’S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS” Traditional Spiritual



“He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” is a traditional African-American spiritual. This song is a reminder that God carries all things in His/Her/Their hands. There are many different verses that are used to remind of us all of the different things that God holds in God’s hands. I love this simple reminder of being protected and carried in God’s hands.

3.“I BELIEVE” by Ervin Drake, Irvin Graham, Jimmy Shirt, and Al Stallman

“I Believe” was written by Ervin Drake, Irvin Graham, Jimmy Shirt, and Al Stallman. The song was commissioned by Jane Froman, and she introduced it on The Jane Froman Show. Jane was upset by the start of the Korean War and wanted a song that would offer faith and hope for the world. The lyrics point to hope in unexpected places. I find the words incredibly moving and poignant. I hope that you will listen and really hear the depth of the text. 

Betty Nagatani

William, Kristie’s friend

Elena, grand-niece of the Shelley’s

Sue, friend of Kristie

Joshua, friend of Rosemary

Jim Siltanen

Rocelle Melone

Dianne Florio

Joanne Jonas

Elaine Lemon

Nina Melad

Sam, Felicia and Nellie-Felicia’s Sister

Annual Meeting, January 22nd, 2023

It is that time of year again when we gather as a congregation to install our new church leadership and to vote on our ministry budget for the coming year. This is always a blessed time when we get more acquainted with our new church leadership and jump into the blessing and challenges ahead. I hope you will make every attempt to be present for this important gathering.

Do you like to walk?

 We are starting a CCP walking fellowship group. If you are interested, we will be gathering together after church in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, January 29TH. The thoughts are to walk once a month. Come to hear about it!

The Outreach Ministry

Special Ladle Fellowship

January basket donations needed for Ladle Fellowship include men’s casual shoes and clothes, jackets, blankets, and backpacks.

We will be volunteering on Sunday, January 22nd to feed people who are in need at Ladle Fellowship.

Each January we honor the memory of Cathy Evan’s son, Matthew, at Ladle. He spent many Sunday’s volunteering there with his mom.

Greetings from Outreach

We are hoping you all had a joyous holiday season and are looking forward to the New Year with Hope!

 Once again, thank you for sharing your gifts with all our adopted families this Christmas!!! You definitely brought joy to so many.

 So are we ready to start the New Year being God’s hands and feet?

This year we have that opportunity. CCP has been a supporter and working with, for many years, a non-profit in Guatemala called FundaMaya. Throughout the years' church members have gone to Guatemala to help build stoves, deliver beds, water filters, and even build housing! Once again our Church will be heading down to Guatemala to share God’s love with the beautiful people there. It is an experience you will never forget.

 So how can we help???

Those of us that are unable to go can donate to the mission trip by supporting the people who are able to go and the projects they will be doing! It's that simple! We can make a difference even if we are at home! We have a group heading down in July, (it's my understanding that even our good Pastor will be joining them!!) So cool!

For the months of January and February, the Outreach special offerings will go to the Guatemala Mission trip. This donation will help those who have been wanting to go down to serve God in Guatemala but could use financial assistance. And this year the group will be building a house for a woman who is blind, and her daughter. Both women are widows. We are God's hands and feet in this world! We are so blessed to have people willing to share their time, talents, and resources to help those who have so little. So let's make their dreams come true.

Here's how.

You can write a check and designate that it is for the Guatemala mission trip. There are envelopes in the church pews that say Fundamaya on them

Or you can donate online

https://www.ccpucc.org/Resources/Give

Please email treasurer@ccpucc.org to let them know your donation is to be designated for the Guatemala mission



The Outreach Ministry

The JOY of FOOD!

Each week there will be a “Recipe of the Week” for the Buzz!

There will be a red basket in the Narthex where you can drop off your favorite recipes or please email them to julie@ccpucc.org. It can be any recipe from family favorites to ones recently discovered! We will be encouraging you to share your thoughts after you made the dish too. 

This week's recipe is Ciabatta Chicken (One Pan Chicken Bake)!

Sent in by Robin and Dwight Lambert, thank you! 

Click Here for The Ciabatta Chicken Recipe!

Adult Scripture Review:

Sunday’s following worship in the fireside room!

Email Susan Gurriell

at sgurriell@gmail.com

Books & More

On January 24 and 31 Books & More will be discussing The Other Wes Moore.  In 2000, the Baltimore Sun ran a small piece about Wes Moore, a local student who had just received a Rhodes Scholarship. The same paper also ran an article about four young men who had allegedly killed a police officer in a botched armed robbery. The police were still hunting for two of the suspects, a pair of brothers. One was named Wes Moore. Wes Moore, the author, will become the new governor of Maryland on January 18, 2023.

Books & More will meet at our regular meeting place, the Fireside Room on Tuesdays at 10:00 am.

ZOOM LINK:

https://zoom.us/j/98440622539pwd=aG1mRjlXVDVoRHhWTWpBaHA3QXZkUT09  

All are welcome to join us.  

Centering Prayer:

Tuesdays at 6:30 Contact Colleen Clementson

at powclem@yahoo.com or on

her cell at 858-663-6584, for the ZOOM invite

Thank you for checking out our BUZZ! Here is what you were waiting for! If you have a favorite joke or any tips to make the BUZZ even better, please send emails to julie@ccpucc.org :)

Joke of the Week:

J: Why did the person use ketchup in the rain?

A: Because it was raining cats and hot dogs.... 

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