Happy Midweek Church!

What a glorious day we had in worship this past Sunday. We had excellent attendance, the music was stirring and inviting, and the fellowship was off the charts. My sincere thanks to all of our guys and Lynn Amabile who made our breakfast spread nothing short of 5 stars. Thank you Stan Melad for making our connection with Jim Siltanen. What a joy it was to see and hear this amazing man of faith. Needless to say, I left church sitting on cloud nine, excited about our journey into this new year, a year where our passions, individual and collective, will move us forward.



           This Sunday, we will continue our series on the UCC Statement of Faith. This week’s precept and principle is, “You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.” Oh that scary “S” word. I hope I will see you in worship Sunday, as we celebrate the gift of Holy Communion. Until Sunday, know that your pastor loves you! I love being your pastor.

Holding you close and lifting you high!

Pastor Greg

1. “HOW GREAT THOU ART” by Stuart Wesley Keen Hine

“How Great Thou Art” is based on the original Swedish hymn “O Store Gud” written by Carl Boberg. The English version of this hymn was translated by Stuart K. Hine in 1949. George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows sang this song during the Billy Graham Crusades and that’s how it gained its popularity. 

Boberg was walking home with some friends after an afternoon service when a thunderstorm came upon them. There were lighting flashes, a strong wind over the, the thunder was loud, and rain came in. The storm was short-lived and soon Boberg could see a rainbow. He then went home, opened the windows and he could hear the song of a thrush, which is a type of burn, and the church bells ringing. The events, sounds, and sights are what inspired him to write the poem. 

2.“CHANGE MY HEART OH GOD” by Eddie Espinosa



“Change My Heart Oh God” by Eddie Espinosa is a prayer asking for God to make us more like Him/Her/Them. The metaphor of a potter and their clay is used to say that we open ourselves to God molding us as God would have us to be. It is a simple song with a deep meaning. May this be our prayer as we continue on our journey of discovery through faith. 

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. 

War in Ukraine

Recent shootings

People living on the streets in such cold weather

Family of Linda Graham, friend of Colleen Clementson

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

A thank you from the Siltanen's...

" We want to thank you all for helping us celebrate Jim's

95th birthday.It was perfect!

Pastor Gregg's sermon was inspiring. Jim was able to

electronically, and later to participate in the fun in Fellowship. Thanks for setting it up Stan. And for the beautifully decorated cake ".

The Outreach Ministry

 A Note From Cathy Evans

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed at Ladle last Sunday. We served over 200 meals and gave out your donations which was the best haul ever! This past Sunday we gave out over 30 plus jeans and men’s pants, 38 more blankets (20 total which was flannel quilts sewn by the Community Church of Poway’s Sewing Ministry and even had 8 sleeping bags and enough jackets for this cold cold weather.

I know Ladle feeds the homeless every Sunday. But for this one Sunday... it warms my heart that with all your support, we are able to give their guests some warm clothing and a hot meal in memory of Matt!

With a grateful heart,

Cathy - Matt’s Mom

P.S.

May we always be silly and bring joy! Matt knew how to do that well!

Church Clean Up!



Attention Church Family! We are holding another cleanup this February 12th, at 10:30am. More details will be forthcoming.

If you have interest, please contact Ryan Kelton @ ryanafk@gmail.com

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 Ugly Duckling Cake!

Sent in by Marlene Rauch, thank you! 

Click Here for The Ugly Duckling Cake 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 :)

This week's Joke was sent in by Dee Lampman! Thank you, Dee!

Joke of the Week:

Me: People laugh at my jokes at the office but never on Zoom.

Friend: That's because you're not remotely funny.

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