Welcome Associate Pastor Kristi Payne!

 

The Family of First UCC:

 

Greetings!  The fresh air is blowing through the office window.  The birds are chirping (I think they are singing “How Great is Our God”).  The morning is filled with the reminder of newness of life.

One year ago this week, I sat in the church office with Allison Fordyce and John Reimer.  Representing Church Council, they reviewed the Call Agreement between First UCC and the Life Through the Word Ministries.  Hard to believe, but it has been a year already!  Since May 2012, we have learned a lot together.  The most important:  How God can mold people together… in love.   Charlene and I love that you allow me to be your Lead Pastor.

As year number two begins, it is a joy to add to the First UCC pastoral staff team.  Kristi Payne has stood at the pulpit a dozen times in recent months.  In July, Kristi will receive ordination credentials.  That good news is superseded with the news that her first ministry position is with us!  On June first, Rev. Kristi Payne will become the Associate Pastor of Shelby’s First UCC!

The arrival to this point came through the process of pastor review, discussion among representatives of the Council and Elder Committee, and finally a vote of the Council.  The consensus… Good days ahead!

With an excited confidence, I want you to know that the future days are filled with the reality that TOGETHER… WE WILL DISCOVER GOD’S AGENDA FOR FIRST UCC!

 

 

With Gratitude,

Pastor Bob

Triple Baptisms

We are excited for the upcoming baptisms of KC and Kash Cooke , and Karter Nettle on Sunday, April 21st. 

CROP Walk Sunday April 28

Join us on Sunday, April 28 at 1:00 at the First Methodist Church for Shelby's annual CROP Walk to help fight hunger.  For more information on CROP click on the link below:

http://hunger.cwsglobal.org/site/PageServer?pagename=crop_main

A message from Pastor Bob

Jesus Christ! Alive!

While driving to church on Easter Sunday, Mom  told the children the Easter story. “This is the day we celebrate Jesus’ coming back to life,” she explained. Right away her 3-year old in the back seat piped up, “Will Jesus be in church today?”

The focus of 1^st UCC is the Lord Jesus Christ. During the next 14 weeks, the church calendar reminds us of Jesus’ suffering and death through the Lenten season. Easter is the one day that churches all over the world unify to announce boldly that the crucified Christ is resurrected. For 7 weeks between Easter and Pentecost  Sundays, our minds are challenged by how the Living Christ prepares his kingdom people for the Holy  Spirit’s arrival.

Writing in Acts 1, the New Testament physician Luke provides us with information to assure our confidence of Jesus’ presence. In Acts 1:3 Dr. Luke states that “He (Jesus Christ) showed himself.” The emphasis is on the person Jesus Christ – “He…himself.”  We just cannot ignore him.

In that same verse we discover the manner in which Jesus presents himself:

                                                                         ALIVE

                                                                         APPEARING

                                                                         SPEAKING

The whole Christ for the whole Christian for the whole season of Lent…and beyond!

My prayer for you is that the coming weeks are a season where the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection become more than historical data. My hope is that you will join me is seeking Jesus with eyes of faith. Every week we enter 1^st UCC’s doors that hold the saying GOD IS STILL SPEAKING. May we allow God who loves us with an infinite love to give us “ears to hear.”
 

With that love found in Christ,

Pastor Bob

Brian Arner in Concert!

You won't want to miss Brian Arner's performance at our church on Sunday, April 7 at 10:00 a.m.!  He truly personified Exodus 15:2 "The Lord is My Strength adn My Song"!  This is a great opportunity to invite family and friends to worship with us at First UCC!  Click on the following link for more information:
http://brianarnerministries.com/

Lenten Schedule

Join us for a three-church service (with our friends at the Presbyterian and First Christian churches) on Palm Sunday, March 24 @ 10:00 am here at UCC, led by Pastor Bob.

A Maundy Thursday Service will be held at the First Christian Church at 7:00 p.m. 

Easter Basket Project

It's time to fill the baskets!  Everyone is invited to help assemble the baskets for the Easter Basket Mission Project!  Join us on:

Saturday, March 16, 9am-noon
Tuesday, March 19, 5pm-?
Saturday, March 23, 9am-noon

Monetary and supply donations are accepted year-round for this project.