Thursday Community Dinner

The Thursday Community Dinner on March 1 is the responsibility of our congregation.  This project is once again being led by Jill K.  There is a sign-up list on the Welcome Center in the sanctuary for items and volunteers needed... please help if you are able.  You can also post questions in the comment section of this post. 

UCC Lent Devotionals on Facebook

Here is a link to ucc.org's "Give It Up" Lent Devotionals on facebook... check it out:

http://www.facebook.com/GiveItUp2012

Carpet

The Church Council voted tonight to use memorial money to pay the difference between the total bill for the carpet and the amount that is currently in the Carpet Fund.  So... this means that there will be new carpet in library and the back of the sanctuary in the near future AND that the rest of the library updating project can be completed!

February 20 Daily Devotional

Enjoy this President's Day devotional from ucc.org:

http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional/who-wants-to-be-the.html

Guest Pastor

We are happy to welcome Rev. Dr. Faith Proietti as our guest pastor this coming Sunday (February 19)!

February 16 Daily Devotional

Enjoy today's devotional from ucc.org:

http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional/tiger-god.html

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here is some interesing information about St. Valentine:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=159

It's that time of year...

... a very important happening for our congregation... Paul's Drive-in is open!!! 

New Feature... Prayer Chain

We added a new feature to the website titled Prayer Chain.  It can be found under the PAGES heading on the upper right hand side of the home page.  If you have a prayer that needs added, you can write a comment on the Prayer Chain page, send and email to the church or to Allison (allison_fordyce@yahoo.com). 

February 13 Daily Devotional

Here is today's devotional from ucc.org:

http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional/expecting-too-little.html

February 12 Daily Devotional

Here is today's devotional from ucc.org:

http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional/trust.html

Easter Basket Project

To help Shelby area children in need receive an Easter Basket, the L.O.V.E. Group of First United Church of Christ will be continuing the Easter Basket Project again this year.  Last year they prepared more than 225 baskets with the community’s help.  They are asking for donations again this year from the churches, small groups, and community clubs.

                Items needed:  Baskets, plastic Easter buckets, small toys to fill eggs, coloring books, crayons, pencils, erasers, writing pads, small journals, religious items needed, Easter candy (wrapped individual or packaged), chocolate rabbits, crosses, chicks, peeps (need to be in small package), stuffed toys, jump rope, jacks, small frisbees, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, small balls, cars, dolls, small games, kites, tooth paste(sample size), tooth brushes (small / large), sippy cups, crackers, cookies, juice boxes(individual packs), small bags of chips or pretzels or fish crackers, fruit snacks, applesauce, pudding and jello in individual containers, baby treats, and money is always accepted to purchase items not donated.

Donations need to be at the church (23 Church St. beside Paul’s) by March 26, 2012.  Church will be open on Mondays from 10am-4pm or call 419-347-2040 or 419-347-5999 to set up a drop off time.

To sign up for a basket, call call one of the following numbers any time of day  (sign-up will run from Feb. 20, 2012 until March 12, 2012):

 419-347-2039 (Gerri or Melvin)

419-347-5999 (Loretta)

419-347-2040 (Faye)

Thank you in advance for your help with this important community project!

February 10 Daily Devotional

Here is today's devotional from ucc.org:

http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional/known-by-our-enemies.html

February 9 Daily Devotional

Enjoy today's devotional from ucc.org:

http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional/my-last-will-and-testament.html

Official Invitation to Lent from the Elders...

In the gospel according to Matthew, after Jesus’ resurrection he said to his disciples

“Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples; baptize them in

the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything

I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20 Good News Bible

Dear Church Family,

The Elders, along with Pastor George and all of Church Council, would like to invite you to join us for worship during the upcoming Lenten Season. All of these services will be held at our church with the exception of Ash Wednesday.

Here is the schedule of special events for Lent:

February 22^nd – Ash Wednesday Service @ First Christian Church @ 6:00 pm

with a meal and Bible study to follow (this will be a three-church service

to include the Presbyterian Church)

March 4^th – Sunday morning worship @ 10:00 am with Communion

March 11^th – Sunday morning worship @ 10:00 am with a Potluck & Lenten program to follow

March 25^th – Sunday morning worship @ 10:00 am with a Potluck & Lenten program to follow

April 1^st – Palm Sunday Service @ 10:00 am

April 5^th – Maundy Thursday Service @ First UCC @ 7:00 pm (this will be a three-church

Service to include the First Christian Church and the Presbyterian Church)

April 8^th – Easter Sunday Service @ 10:00 am with Communion

　

We hope you can join us as we follow Jesus’ journey through his crucifixion and death and celebrate his ultimate resurrection! May the grace and peace of Jesus Christ be with you!

Blessings from your Elders,

Martha Grimwood

Mary Kay Steele

Sandy Stoodt

Jill Karl

Welcome Allison Naugle!!!

The choir is so excited to have a new member... Allison Naugle (granddaughter of our very own Nadine Morris)!  What a great addition to the group!  The choir is always accepting new members.  If you, like Allison, are interested in joining the choir, all you have to do is show up at a practice... which takes place at the Presbyterian Church across the alley on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, from 7-8 pm.  The more the merrier!

February 8 Daily Devotional

Here is today's devotional from ucc.org:

http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional/very-good-not-perfect.html

Search Committee Meeting

Just a reminder that there is a Search Committee meeting tomorrow (Wed, February 8) at 6:30 pm in the church Parlor.  For those not on the committee, check back in tomorrow for an update from the meeting. 

February 7 Daily Devotional

Enjoy today's devotional from ucc.org:

http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional/evaluation.html

February 6 Daily Devotional

Here is today's devotional from ucc.org:

http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional/for-the-institutionalized.html

Sunday School class update

The adult Sunday School class met for the first time yesterday with a full house!  Thirteen congregation members joined for discussion.  They selected the text "Life Lessons with Max Lucado-A Book of Psalms" by Max Lucado to study as a group.  It was decided that leadership of the class would be on a rotating basis, with each member taking their turn to lead... a style that has worked well in the past.  Here is the book description from Amazon.com:

"The Psalms form a praisebook for God's people, a collection of hymns and petitions to lead us in worship. The variety found in the Psalms reminds us that worship is personal and, that while each worships differently, each should worship. With scripture reading, inspirational readings, questions to answer, space for journaling, and a prayer, it's like studying the Bible with Max Lucado."

If you missed the first class but still want to join, you are of course still welcome!  How exciting to have a new small group in the church!

Feb 5 Daily Devotional

Enjoy this Sunday's devotional from ucc.org:

http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional/write-your-own-ending.html

Ash Wednesday Service... change of plans

In a previous post we had said that our Ash Wednesday service would be in our sanctuary at 7pm.  However, a change has been made, and the service will be at the First Christian Church at 6pm with a small meal to follow.  There will be a bible study for those interested after the meal.  More details will be posted as they become available.

PRAY4SHELBY

This morning, Pastor George talked about a new website that is directed at prayers for our Shelby community: pray4shelby.com.  There is a direct link on our website to this site on the right hand side of the screen under the heading "SITES WE LIKE"... just click on their name. To find out more about how you can support our community, visit thier website. 

Tomorrow's message from Pastor George...

"Soup or Bowl"... come find out what this is all about!  Also... don't forget that tomorrow is the monthly coffe hour (provided by the Deacon's this month) from 9a - 10a in the back of the sanctuary AND the Adult Sunday School class begins tomorrow at 9a in the Parlor.  See you there!

February 3 Daily Devotional

Here is today's devotional from ucc.org:

http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional/restless.html

Lenten Lunches & Programs

There will be two Lenten Lunches this season, each followed by a short program on Lent.  The dates for these lunches are Sunday, March 11 and Sunday, March 25.  They will be immediately following Sunday worship service and will be pot luck style.  All are welcome!

February 3 Daily Devotional

Enjoy today's devotional from ucc.org:

http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional/not-staff.html

February 2 Daily Devotional

Here is today's devotional from ucc.org:

http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional/overlooking-insults.html

Book Club!

The first rule of book club is...  click on the page tab that says "Book Club" on the upper right hand side of the home page for details.  (two points if you get this movie reference)  :)

February 1 Daily Devotional

Enjoy today's daily devotional from ucc.org:

http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional/lessons-from-the-shoe-museum.html