Parkway United Church of Christ  E-news
January 19, 2017

 
Worship with Us this Weekend!
Join us this Sunday at 9:30am Traditional and/or 11:00am Informal as we worship together on this Baptism of Christ Sunday! 

Our scripture passages are Psalm 27:1, 4-9 and Matthew 4:12-23 with a sermon entitled Immediately! As his ministry begins, Jesus calls some disciples then immediately begins teaching, proclaiming, healing. How are you doing as a disciple? When/where/how do you teach, proclaim, heal?

We Are All Transformed as New Members Come to Parkway UCC
As far as New Year's resolutions go, attending church and being a part of a vibrant faith community is high on many lists. Congrats! You have come to the right place...we are bubbling up with the Spirit!
 
We consider ourselves to be a caring congregation filled with joy, creativity and faith. Our aim is not only build a strong covenant community here at PUCC, but to keep our eyes and ears open to learn about how we are needed in the world - how to put our faith into action.
 
We are eager to open our hearts and minds to welcome new members to the mix. When new people come, we are all transformed. We want to continue to grow in depth and width. We are looking for individuals and families who align with our vision and mission. We are inspired to welcome people of differing backgrounds and theologies. We blend well as we all seek the same source - the God of love and justice as revealed in Jesus by the Holy Spirit.
 
If you would like to talk more about membership, please contact us at your convenience. It's one of our favorite discussion topics!     
 
Sunday, January 22nd is our next New Member Sunday - at both worship services.
 
Kevin Cameron - [email protected]; 314-872-9330.
Karen Boyd - Karen [email protected]; 314-378-7575.  

Confirmation Class Intro!
Sun, Jan 22 | 6:00pm | Heritage Room
Current 8th and 9th graders and their parent(s) are meeting to talk about Confirmation. (If you're not available, let me know and I will catch up with you at another time.) Looking forward to this!
Please RSVP to [email protected] |  314-330-0629.

Inclement Weather Policy

  • Church wide email.
  • Facebook/Twitter post.
  • KSDK.com listing.
  • Voicemail at church.
it. Stay safe. Stay home.
 
Please YELP for Parkway UCC - listed as Parkway United Church of Christ
 

Adult Education
Sundays | 9:30am & 11am | Heritage Room

January 22: Focus on Alzheimer's
Joyce Ruiz, PUCCer and Alzheimer's Association Volunteer, will offer general information from the Alzheimer's Association and talk about her experience with her mother-inviting others to reflect on their own personal journey. Joyce will also talk about how we can participate with the Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Day in Jeff City and the annual Alzheimer's Walk.
Joyce will also explain/explore what it means to be a Faith Partnership Community-our friends at Shaare Emeth have taken this step with their congregation.
 
A couple of members of the Stewardship Commission will be hanging around in the Library on Sunday morning in case anyone has questions about the Proposed Budget for 2017 which was available beginning last Sunday. The Annual Budget Meeting will happen immediately after the closing hymn at our 10am One Family Worship Service next Sunday, January 29.  




Prayer Updates
New Members joining the PUCC family this Sunday.
PUNS Preschool staff, families and Board as we complete this final school year.
Messeret (Sera) Watkins - excited for baby boy Wyatt in May. 
The legacy and dreams of Martin Luther King, Jr
Ben & Marilyn McDougall - grieving/giving thx for his sister Susan.
Marsha & David Peek - grieving & giving thanks for her father,
Rev. Max Pepmeier. Memorial Service next Saturday, January 28 at 11am at St. Paul's UCC in Waterloo, Illinois.
Andrea Barnes - arm healing well... new cast is below the elbow!
Laurie Jacob & Barbara Roberts - grieving Laurie's grandmother.
Polly Rutherford - double knee replacement surgery next week.
Lindley - Pleis newborn great-granddaughter gathering strength.
Mary Jo Cannon - healing at home after collarbone fracture from a fall.
Pete Eggebrecht - healing from ankle replacement surgery.
Cheryl Schrenker - recuperating in St Louis after skiing accident.
Andy Wilson - PUCCer serving St Peter's UCC in Granite City while in seminary.
President-Elect Trump , Congress, all leaders.
The Obama family - as they shift gears.





Into the Mystic is the Rev. John C. Dorhauer's weekly podcast on UCC.org. 



Community

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Sun, Jan 22 | 7:00pm | St Justin Martyr, 11910 Eddie & Park Rd, St Louis
Join Christians of many traditions as we share an ecumenical prayer service for unity in the Christian faith. RSVP appreciated but not required. We are looking for a few PUCCers to be a part of this on behalf of our faith family. Interested? Please let us know: [email protected] | 314-872-9330

Toy Collection the month of January
We will be collecting USED TOYS for the BRO (Board of Religious Organizations) during the month of January from Jan. 8th to Jan. 29th. A large box will be in the Gathering Space. These toys will be renewed and given to needy families next Christmas. It sounds far off, but the BRO's elves have emptied their shelves and are anxious to get to work for next year. These toys go to St. Louis families: the largest number of recipients are referred by our UCC Neighborhood Houses.
Here's a good chance to clear out and RECYCLE for a good cause. Contact Naomi Runtz for more information: 314-993-0469 | [email protected]

ECH Every Child's Hope Trivia Night
Saturday, February 4, 2017
The Heights Community Center
8001 Dale Avenue
St. Louis, MO  63117
(located at Highway 40 and Hanley/Dale Avenue)
Doors open at 6:30
Games begin at 7 pm
Tickets are $25/person or $200/Table of 8
Beer, wine, soda and light refreshments are provided.
ECH Trivia Flyer
 
Read our Missouri Mid-South Conference publications to find out what is happening around the Conference:



Video: 
Each faith is unique and wonderful in its own way. But what unites us is greater than what divides us.
 
We want difference to be perceived as beauty and not as threat.  

Trading Places   shines a light on religious bigotry in a unique way-by depicting religious leaders of different faiths experiencing the power of walking in one another's shoes -and into one another's houses of worship.

This video is intended to tell the world who we are in the United Church of Christ and what we dream of. 
 
Announcements
Tuesday Evening Dialogue: Hillbilly Elegy-Jan 24
2nd & 4th Tuesdays | 6:00-8:30pm | Heritage Room | Potluck & Discussion

Youth Night January 28- Balloon Bonanza
Wednesdays, 6:30pm | Fellowship Hall | Snacks & door prizes
Oh my, balloons will be the theme and popping will be the dream! Come and join us for a night of fun and fellowship. Bring a friend!
Contact Barb Kuhlmann: 314-872-9330 | [email protected]

Not Just for Men Going to the Dogs....
Thursday, January 26, 2017|10:00am|or meet at church 9:30am
The Not Just for Men group will visit the Saint Louis Dog Museum. Admission is $5.00; $2.50 for seniors. We will visit a fine dining establishment after touring the museum.
Call Harold Cobb at 965-4147 with questions.

Joke 
Why didn't the terminator upgrade to windows 10?

I asked him and he said, "I still love vista, baby!"

Inspiration 
There is a difference between the church being partisan and political. The church should be one but not the other. Partisan politics that support a particular party or individual candidate does not have a place in the church; however, anyone who believes that the church should not be political clearly has not read the Bible.
 
Moses began his career by confronting the political leader of the most powerful nation on earth. He led a political rebellion to free the Hebrew slaves. So many of the great figures of the Bible--David, Deborah, and Solomon, for example--were political leaders. The prophets and Jesus often spoke in political terms and always about things that had political impact.
 
The church can never be faithful to Jesus without being politically vocal and active, and we need to own that and stop apologizing. Failing to do this abandons our nation to amoral leadership where only the only values are profit and power and aggrandizing ego. We must be better than that, but if we don't speak up we have no one to blame but ourselves. -Mike Piazza