What's going on in your church!

The Congregational Church of Wells, UCC

10/12/2017

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

Dear Friends!

I hope you are well. Last Sunday we started our 4 Sunday Worship Series: Called by God--Here I am!

Last week, we listened for God's call... even though we struggle with whether we are called or someone else is. The next week we observe God's calling. When are we blind to the opportunities of God, we miss so much. We have had much happening in our news that relates to this idea of observing God's call. When our neighbor is hurting and they tell us so, do we get defensive, pleading our case as to why we are right, or do we listen to them, and try to share love with them. Often in relationships, we have to lose something to honor and uphold another's dignity. Are we willing to? Jesus said, Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it." Matthew 10:39.

With grateful hearts, we thank God for calling us--ordinary, every day folks, calling us to love.

Also, for our All Saint's Day service, please send me the names of those loved ones who have died. I will read the names I receive. These can be names of anyone who has died recently or in years past. We pause on this day to thank God for their lives. I have also invited families that had a recent death this year to participate who may have not been coming regularly to our church. Please feel free to bring a picture to place on the alter.

May God inspire you to transform the world you live in.

Blessings,

Rev. Charity Omartian

See you at Worship at 9:30 am!

Sunday School is half way through the service.

Directory Photos

Due to several unavoidable issues, there has been a delay in the completion of the church's pictorial directory. As a last opportunity to hopefully include everyone in the directory which is helpful in identifying members of our church family, Bob Rasche has made several additional dates available for photos of families or individuals to be taken. Those dates are listed below with the appointment hours available.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20TH...............5:00PM TO 7:40PM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27TH...............5:00PM TO 7:40 PM

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28TH.........10:00AM TO 8:00PM

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4th.......... NOON TO 5:00PM

It is very important that this directory project be rapped up in a timely manner. To schedule appointments or for questions, please contact Judy Ryan (646-7352) or email [email protected] It is also possible for you to submit a personal photo as long as it is of the good quality needed for reproduction.

If you have already had your picture taken but HAVE NOT selected your choice for the directory, please do so ASAP otherwise the committee will select one for you.

Thank you and we hope to see YOU in the new directory!

Judy

Stewardship Letter from the Pastor

Dear Friend,

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

How do we as a people remain certain that God is among us? How as a church, do we remain hopeful when we face the same problems as everyone else: financial, health concerns, loss, and death? How do we combat messages that make you feel that you will prosper if you do exactly as God planned? And if something happens, then there is two possible responses. Well I must have done something wrong or God planned it. What I like about this scripture is that it is clear: What God has planned for us is to give us a hope and a future--not to harm us.

But why do we fear so much? Why do we let people and things take away our hope-a hope that lives beyond me? It is a dream of a brighter and kinder world.

A healthy church following Christ will be this light in the world.

As a community, we desire a place to worship and be together. We desire a staff to provide programing, and leadership. We activities and events. We desire worship. Unfortunately, all of this does come with a cost-of money and of time. It is true, here we try to only take care of needs. The unfortunate news is this. For several years, we are not meeting the amount we need just to maintain the basic elements of who we are as a community. Even to plan for the future seems hopeless when you cannot seem to find funding to do so.

So what can we do? Remember the scriptures, God has plans for hope and a future... just because we are in a place of financial concern, does not mean we cannot plan for the future. It does not mean that we cannot come up with a plan of action. Let us work together whether it is through your own means of pledging more or whether you have a great idea about fundraiser that you would love to run. Let's do it. Let's try to find a way to keep the lights on so there is a place for the entire community to share together. Stewardship is maintaining God's sacred world through sharing in time and resources. The journey to Generosity is the way of Jesus.

Blessings,

Rev. Charity Omartian