November 22 , 2017
Greetings!

2018 Pledges
On December 3 we will dedicate our 2018 pledges. If you have not yet completed a pledge form, please pick one up in the office, in the Founders' Room, or here . Pledges are important because they give us a basis from which to build the 2018 budget. 

Electronic Giving
While we know that not everyone is able to do so, the most efficient way to give to the church is through a direct deposit, also called an EFT (electronic fund transfer). Direct deposits significantly reduce the cost of processing donations, assure that credit is given to the correct person and fund, and keep our cash flow even throughout the year. There are three ways to set up direct deposit:
  • Complete the form on the back of your pledge form.
  • After December 1, go to this link and complete the form online.
  • Arrange for an auto-payment at your bank or credit union. 

Please be sure to complete a pledge form and give it to the office so your planned giving can be a part of our budgeting process! 
Changes in Electronic Giving for 2018
For those who give electronically, please note that our vendor for electronic payments will change in 2018. Your current giving through ACS Access will not carry over to the new vendor, so you will need to fill out a new ACH form from the back of your pledge card, or after December 1st go here and complete the form online.
Please be sure to complete a pledge form and give it to the office so your planned giving can be a part of our budgeting process!
Christmas Eve services
With Christmas Eve on a Sunday this year, it will be a full day: regular Sunday morning service at 10 am, early Christmas Eve service at 5:30 pm, and late service at 10:30 pm. See you there!
Disaster Relief
To aid victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate and the earthquakes in Mexico, click here
To donate by mail, make checks payable to United Church of Christ. Mail to: United Church of Christ c/o Financial Services, 700 Prospect Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44115-1100.
100% of funds to the United Church of Christ designated for U.S. disaster relief are used for disaster relief and rehabilitation programming within the United States.
This Week:
Friday 11/24: OA at 9 am, Be Still and Know 12 Step at 4 pm, Alanon at 7:30
Saturday 11/25: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am, Green Team Meeting at 11:00 am
Sunday 11/26: Adult Education-Creation and Birth Across World Cultures at 8:30 am, Worship at 10 am, Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, Children's Musical Rehearsal at 11:15 am, Hanging of the Greens at 11:15 am, OA at 7 pm
Monday 11/27: Hooks & Needles at 7:00 pm, AA for under 30s at 7 pm, AA at 8 pm
Tuesday 11/28: Tavern Table Talk at Wild Monk (88 S La Grange Rd) at 7 pm
Wednesday 11/29: Carillon Handbell Choir at 8:00 pm
Thursday 11/30: Chancel Choir at 7:30 pm
Friday 12/1: OA at 9 am, Be Still and Know 12 Step at 4 pm, Alanon at 7:30
Saturday 12/2: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am, Children's Musical Rehearsal at 10 am
Sunday 12/3: Adult Education-Creation and Birth Across World Cultures at 8:30 am, Worship at 10 am, Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, Children's Musical Rehearsal at 11:15 am, Messy Church at 4:30 pm, OA at 7 pm
Save the Date
The Women’s Retreat will be at Plymouth Place on February 3 rd , 2018 from 9:00 to 3:30 pm. More information to follow.
Looking for Leaders and Workers!
Nominating has openings to fill on almost every committee. Do you have a particular interest or talent? Do you know about finance? Interested in the Church history? Good with Technology?  Do you like working with children and youth? You could help the future of our church by donating your time by serving on a committee. If you are interested in helping the church leadership, please contact Jill Tobin or JoAnne Konkle for more information on the openings. 
Adult Education Opportunities
 Gather with us in the Drawing Room at 8:30 on Sunday Mornings for good coffee, engaging conversation, and challenging questions.
 
Creation and Birth Narratives in Diverse Cultures   -- Nov.26 – Dec. 17
A survey of creation and Birth narratives in faith traditions from around the globe. Materials will be available in class each week except December 17. See the note about that day.
November 26 : Births, Parents, and Genealogies
December 3:  Supreme Beings, Active and Passive Creators, Perspectives and Water
December 10:  Consequences: Sin, Fear, Fire, Suffering.
December 17:  Creation (Episode 4) of Morgan Freeman's National Geographic Series The Story of
God. This can be borrowed from the Public Library System, purchased or streamed from Amazon, or
viewed on YouTube. Carly has a copy of the DVD for anyone who would like to get together and watch it
before the class.
Concerned About the Environment?
FCCLG is starting a Green Team, and we need you and your ideas! An organizational meeting will be held on Saturday, November 25 th at 11 am in the Drawing Room.
The Church Needs YOU!
We are in need of people to fill officer and committee positions on almost every committee. If you are interested in helping the church leadership, please see here for more info.
Hooks and Needles
We make prayer shawls, baby blankets and pocket prayer squares for members of the congregation. We also donate to organizations like Project Linus. Meetings are Mondays, except for the first Monday of the month, at 7 pm in the Family Room off the Chapel. Coming every Monday is not required, we do a lot of our stitching at home. Please email Linda Lauterbach for the door code. Our next gathering will be on November 27th.
Tavern Table Talk
Here’s an opportunity to talk about faith in the real world. We’re taking conversations to the local tables in our community. We’ll ask questions and discuss our responses as Christians to issues of the day. Join us on the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at Palmer Place (56 S La Grange Rd), or on the Fourth Tuesday of each month at Wild Monk (88 S La Grange Rd). Both locations are accessible to all. All are welcome to join in on the conversation! Our next conversation will be on November 28th at Wild Monk!
Gifts of Gratitude
We have a wonderful way to show your thanks this holiday season. Buy a gift or two for a child in need. Gifts of Gratitude will be on Sunday December 3rd. The Gifts of Gratitude Tree is in the Sanctuary. Select an ornament or two for a child from Casa Central. Buy a gift between $20-$30 for the child you have chosen. If you buy clothes and want to include the gift receipt in case an exchange of sizes is needed, Target and Walmart are the closest stores to these families. Wrap or place the gift in a decorative bag (staple closed) and tape the tag to the package so it finds its way to the right child through Santa Claus at their holiday party.

Messy Church
Messy Church will be Sunday, December 3rd at 4:30 pm. Our theme is Messy Christmas. Come and have a great time and grow in faith and in your love of others on the journey. Click here for flyer. We need volunteers!
4:30-5:15pm: Crafts and Stories
5:15-5:30pm: Celebration
5:30-6:00: Dinner
Missions Book Discussion Group
Calling all men and women of the church along with your friends and neighbors. Join us on February 5 at 7:30 pm for a discussion about "Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City" by Princeton University sociologist Matthew Desmond. Desmond follows eight racially diverse families in Milwaukee as they are swept up in the process of eviction. Winner of multiple awards including the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Critics Award and the Heartland Award,."Evicted" can be found at the library, bookstores and, if you are lucky, under your Christmas tree.

Food Pantry
Make Thanksgiving a feast for your neighbors who need a helping hand this holiday season. In the month of November, we're collecting Thanksgiving fixings for the Second Baptist Food Pantry: canned sweet potatoes or yams, brown sugar, pecans, canned green beans or corn, boxed stuffing mix, canned pumpkin, Jell-O, etc. And, as always, donations of any nonperishable food will be appreciated. Place your donation in the wicker basket outside the chapel or sanctuary and know your gift will help a struggling local individual or family.
Volunteer Opportunity
We are seeking interested individuals in assisting with the church service. We would like any adults who love children to sign up to provide the weekly children’s sermon. You can be added to a monthly rotation or just do it once. The children thank you in advance for your participation! Contact the church office or let Deb Gardiner-Zigulich know of your interest.
As a result of your purchases made through Amazon Smile between July and September FCCLG received $35.47 in donations. Thank you for your support!

Give back to FCCLG when you shop on Amazon! Click here
  Prayer is at the heart of our relationship with God. Please lift these friends, family, and members in your prayers.
Prayers for Charlene Tobin’s sister, Ardell Arthur who needs healing and comfort.
Emil and Maria Balz.
The Biegert family as they mourn the death of Evelyn’s sister, Phyllis Langhofer.
Prayers for Bonnie Day’s granddaughter Ashley Albers who is dealing with health issues.
Karl Fresa at the loss of his brother.
Prayers for Barbara Hultman as she recovers from hip surgery.
Genesis Matthiesen’s friend Vincent Franco, who has lost his way.
John Moellman at the loss of his mother who was 98.
Adrienne O’Toole, as she heals after having a liver transplant.
Petra Palmer’s granddaughter’s friend Summer who is having chemotherapy for leukemia.
Prayers for Tom Pitman, who is living with cancer.
Nancy Coleman’s friend Sharon Veltre, who continues to fight her battle against cancer.
Prayers for Vera Weiss who is living with cancer.
The victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate and earthquakes in Mexico and the Middle East.
Prayers for those killed, the injured, their families, and first responders in Las Vegas, New York City, Texas, and California.
Those living in fear and without hope, and those who use fear to control others.