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We Are an
Open
and Affirming Congregation.
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| We, the congregation of First Congregational United Church of Christ, Fort Worth, declare ourselves to be Open and Affirming. We strive to be a congregation that includes all persons, embracing differences of sexual orientation, gender and its expression, marital status, age, mental and physical health and ability, racial and cultural identity or background, and educational or socioeconomic status. We welcome all to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, blessings, and joys of our congregation's life in Christ. May 2008 |
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No matter who you are,
or where you are on life's journey,
you are welcome at First Congregational United Church of Christ, Fort Worth.
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WIFI PASSWORD:
welcome!
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
First Congregational
UCC Fort Worth
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM
FirstCongregationalFortWo
rth
Online Bulletin
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| Prayer Partners
If you would like prayer support, click the link
below and your request will be passed on to the Prayer Partners. We will also add the name of the person(s) requesting prayer to our
Comma
prayer list (unless specified otherwise).
Click below
to request
a prayer from the
Prayer Partners:
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to listen to
Rev. Lee Ann's sermons.
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CONTACT US
4201 Trail Lake Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76109
817-923-2990
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To submit an article for
The
Comma
, please email your information to
[email protected]
no later than noon on Wednesdays.
NOTE: Articles may be edited for length, content, or style.
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ROOM IN THE INN
Just click here for the
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Sunday, August 19th
Worship at 10:00 a.m.
Worship led by REV. LEE ANN BRYCE!
"Sabbatical Reflections: Plan B
"
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Refreshments:
Corena White
August Trustee:
Jim Keller
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From Rev. Lee Ann Bryce
I'm back in the saddle again and I must say, it feels great!
These past few months of sabbatical have been rich, transformative, rejuvenating, and more than I could have hoped for. There were surprises along the way, of course, some welcomed and some not.
The last time we worshipped together was Easter Sunday. Remember? Wasn't it glorious? Sabbatical started the very next day, followed soon after by the sudden death of our soon-to-be son-in-law, Hayden. It was a devastating loss for our family. We will be forever grateful for all the ways this church supported and loved us from afar.
It feels like so much has happened, both in our lives (Lisa and me) and in the life of the church.
Let's take some time together to catch up, starting this Sunday. In worship over the next few weeks, I'll share from my sabbatical experience--the highs and lows, as well as some of my learnings. After worship this week, we'll enjoy lunch together so I can begin to catch up with you. I hope you'll be there.
In the meantime, here's a song that meant a lot to us following Hayden's death. As anyone who has been through a sudden loss or devastating challenge knows, it's not something you get over, but it's something you get through. We get through--with a little help from our friends and from the sustaining presence of God.
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"Something You Get Through"
by Willie Nelson |
In gratitude and love,
Rev. Lee Ann
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Blessing of the Backpacks
THIS SUNDAY! |
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Bring your
backpack
THIS Sunday, August 19th, for our
Blessing
of the
Backpacks
! A
ll students--from preschool to grad school--will be invited forward with their
backpacks
for a special
blessing
as school is about to begin. Teachers, you will also be given a blessing.
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"Welcome Home" Luncheon
for Rev. Lee Ann and Lisa!
THIS SUNDAY! |
 Please plan to stay after worship as we welcome Rev. Lee Ann and Lisa back with a Mexican-themed luncheon in the Social Hall.
One last time...If you signed up to bring food, please have it at church NO LATER THAN NOON ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 18TH. We want to have the food prepped and ready to go on Saturday so we can all enjoy worship on Rev. Lee Ann's first Sunday back.
We'll be doing the luncheon prep and decorating the Social Hall on Saturday, August 18th at 10:00 a.m. and we'll need help with clean up on the 19th. If you're interested, please jump right in! |
Clothes Swap-o-Rama!
Next Sunday! |
Bring your gently worn clothes and adornments to the Social Hall before worship next Sunday, August 26th, then come back after worship to shop till you drop! This event was a hit in the spring, so come on by--even if you didn't bring anything to swap. Wear it, share it, love it!
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Donations for
Don't Forget to Feed Me! |
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This is Denver chillin' in Colorado on sabbatical with Rev. Lee Ann and Lisa. Yes, even dogs need a sabbatical every few years.
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Sunday, September 2nd, will be our annual Blessing of the Beasts worship service in the Social Hall. Animals of all kinds--furry, feathered, finned, scaly, shelled, and even stuffed--are welcome to attend.
Every year leading up to this special service, we collect cat and dog food for a local charity--Don't Forget to Feed Me. DF2FM is the only social service agency in the Metroplex focused solely on assisting pet owners with pet food. By providing pet food for those in need during challenging financial times, DF2FM helps to ensure that no pet owner ever has to choose between keeping a beloved companion or getting rid of them.
There is a DF2FM box ready to accept donations.
They can ONLY accept:
- Canned dog and cat food--any brand, any variety
- Dry dog and cat food--any brand, any variety
- Gallon-size Ziploc®-style bags
(They
cannot accept o
pened bags of pet food or any other pet supplies such as l
eashes/collars, t
oys, etc.)
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From Suzanne Velte: Every June, our church sends school bags filled with school supplies to our conference. From there they go to Cleveland, the United Church of Christ headquarters. They are shipped overseas or to the United States or its neighbors north and all the way south for children who have faced a crisis or disaster in their home community or country. This year we shipped 40 bags, all sewn by women of this church. And we had previously collected enough school supplies to fill 2018 bags!
We have ample supplies for 2019 except for school notebooks! We need ONLY 150 wide-ruled, plain-colored, 70-page notebooks. I ask that you place them in the red basket in the hallway but not to be confused with pet food! When the basket is gone, we have reached 150!
Thank you, Suzanne Velte
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| Rehearsals Starting Soon! |
After a nice summer break, both the hand bell and chancel choirs will begin rehearsals starting Wednesday, August 29th. Bells meet at 6:00 p.m. in the 2nd floor balcony, and the choir meets in the choir room--across from the nursery. Everyone is welcome to join in, so come share your talents while having some fun!
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Pops for a Cause
Support The Wellies! |
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Head over to Alchemy Pops (411 South Main, #109) from
4:00 p.m-7:00 p.m. next Tuesday, August 21st and have 20% of pop sales donated to The Welman Project--that amazing group that uses Ken Davis Hall (also known now as "the warehouse"). So pop by to hang out and have a delicious handcrafted frozen pop for a cause!
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| Knitters/Crocheters Needed! |
 The number of knitters and crocheters in our prayer shawl ministry is dwindling--as are the number of prayer shawls and lap blankets that can be given to those who need to feel loved during a difficult time. While the group meets on the first and third Thursdays at 1:00 p.m., ANYONE can knit or crochet a shawl or blanket for this ministry. There is no pattern, no specific size--just loving hands needed to create. If you have any questions, just ask Linda Bavousett. |
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Ben November
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Join the First Congregational team for NAMIWalks 2018 on Saturday, October 6th! Each year, we walk in memory of Lisa November's son, Ben; to raise awareness about mental illness; and to raise funds for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Click here to join Ben's Babes or to support our team by making a donation to a team member listed on the team's roster. All funds raised directly support the mission of NAMI to provide support, education, and advocacy to individuals and families locally.
If you have any questions, please contact
Dennis Gibbons
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Fall is just around the corner and it's going to get busy around here!
- Sunday, August 26th--Clothing Swap after worship AND meeting of Pride Parade crew
- Thursday, August 30th--Shannon Curtis "Both at the Same Time" House Concert Tour at the home of Linda and Darrell White
- Sunday, September 2nd--Blessing of the Beasts for our furry, feathered, and finned friends! AND Pride Parade float work day!
- Sunday, September 9th--Fall Kickoff!
- Saturday, October 6th--Tarrant County Pride Parade and NAMIWalks
- Sunday, October 7th--Pride Picnic, Treasure Hunt, and Pet Fest
- Saturday, December 15th--Peter Mayer and Elizabeth Wills Christmas concert
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August/September
Small Groups
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BEGers (Border Eating Group), the first Sunday of the month, On the Border Restaurant, (4411 Bryant Irvin Road)
Eat, drink, and socialize, and
have a
percentage of the cost of your meal and beverage donated to the church choir! (Contact: Chris Wilson
)
 FCC BOOK CLUB, Thursday, September 27th, 7:00 p.m., at the home of Ingrid and Jim Keller
I
t's not too early to start reading the first book of the fall book club season--a lengthy, but engrossing read! The September selection is
We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter. It is the story of three generations of the Kurc family that begins on the eve of World War II. They, like most Jewish families in eastern Europe, are caught up in the Holocaust and, as a result, are flung to the far corners of the earth. Although it is a novel,
it is based on the author's own family experiences with more truth than fiction.
Give Ingrid a call (
817-308-4569)
if you need directions and to let her know you are coming. More information needed? Call Peter Nichols at 484-432-4548.
 CULTIVATING MINDFULNESS, Saturdays, 10:00 a.m., Parlor CM practices different styles of meditation--guided, walking, and sitting--in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, as well as having informal discussion during teatime.
DAY OF MINDFULNESS: There will be a day of mindfulness at the Ancient Yoga Center near Austin on Sunday, September 16th.
Click here for more information. (
Lisa November is attending Order of Interbeing day on September 15th and will be there on the 16th as well.)
(
Contact: Bill Barbre or
Jim Jordan
or join their Facebook page:
FoWoMindful
)
DHARMA PUNX, Fridays, 7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
An offshoot of Refuge Recovery, Dharma Punx is a Buddhist meditation group committed to going against the greed, hatred, and delusion that create and perpetuate suffering in our lives and in our world. All are welcome; no need to self-identify as "Buddhist" or "punk." No prior meditation experience necessary. Always free. Donations welcome. (Contact: Josh Anderson
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EMMAUS DINNER CHURCH, Sundays, 5:00 p.m., Chapel
Emmaus Dinner Church is a progressive, radically welcoming faith community for
those who may not feel seen or who want community but have never felt accepted in religious spaces, or
who just want to eat dinner with other like-minded individuals.
Doors open at
5:00 p.m.
; the service starts at
5:30 p.m.
ALL ARE WELCOME! (Contact: Avery Belyeu)
 GUY TIME--Saturday, August 25th, Ol' South Pancake House (University Drive)
J
oin a bunch of great FCC guys as they gather to converse over a hot cup of coffee and a heaping plate of something good to eat! (Contact:
Eric Dobson
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HEART-2-HEART WOMEN'S GROUP, Wednesday, August 22nd, 10:00 a.m.
H2H is taking a tour of Bass Hall! Meet at the side entrance at Bass Hall next Wednesday at 9:50 a.m. (Contact:
Rhonda Grundy or join their Facebook page: Heart2Heart)
 JUST ACTION
Here is your opportunity to take action and help affect change toward a more equitable, just, and peaceful kin'dom of God.
To stay updated join their Facebook page at FCCJustAction
. (Contact:
Joel Penrod
)
UPCOMING EVENTS
Go to the Just Action Facebook page for more info
or let the office know of other upcoming events.
- Patriots for the Children Rally--Every Friday morning, 7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m., near the office of Kay Granger
- NAACP Branch Monthly Meeting--Sunday, August 12th
- Silent Death Penalty Vigil--September 12th (*Members of FCC and Texas Coalition Against the Death Penalty gather on execution days.)
- Tarrant County DA Republican Candidate Forum--Thursday, September 13th, 6:00 p.m., with Republican candidate for Tarrant County District Attorney, incumbent Sharen Wilson
- LGBT Caregiver Support Group--Tuesday, September 18th and Tuesday, October 16th
- *Silent Death Penalty Vigil--September 26th
- *Silent Death Penalty Vigil--September 27th
- NAMIWalks 2018 and Tarrant County Pride Parade--Saturday, October 6th
- Pride Picnic, Treasure Hunt, and Pet Fest--Sunday, October 7th
- *Silent Death Penalty Vigil--October 10th
- Light Up the Dark 5K (sponsored by UnBound)--Saturday, October 13th
- *Silent Death Penalty Vigil--October 24th
- Millions March Texas--January 8, 2019, Austin
PRAYER PARTNERS, via email
One of the most valuable gifts we can offer one another and our world is prayer. Prayer requests are shared via email, so this is a good way to connect if you are unable to attend scheduled events. (Contact: Sallie Wilmoth)
LOIS HUNDLEY PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY, First and Third Thursdays, 1:00 p.m., Family Room
If you knit or crochet, you can use your talents to make prayer shawls. These "chicks with sticks" offer handmade gifts to those who need encouragement during difficult times.
(Contact: Linda Bavousett)
REFUGE RECOVERY DFW, Tuesday, 6:00 p.m. (women only) and 7:00 p.m., Thursdays, 7:00 p.m., Saturdays, 11:30 a.m., and Sundays, 4:30 p.m., Parlor
Refuge Recovery is
a non-theistic, Buddhist-inspired approach to recovery from addictions of all kinds. Weekly peer-led meetings include guided meditation, readings from the
Refuge Recovery
book, group sharing, and discussion. (Contact: Josh Anderson
)
SOUL SISTERS
The best way to stay up to date is to check out their Facebook page: Soul Sisters FCC. (C
ontact: Audrey Meza
)
[NO GATHERINGS IN AUGUST] T'AI CHI, Thursdays, 1:30 p.m., Chapel T'ai Chi--a type of stylized meditative exercise focusing
on stretching and balance--is available to adults and youth. A $30 per month fee
is required. Details are available through the instructor. (Contact: Steve Blostein)
FIRST CONGO UKERS, Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m., Sanctuary
 Everyone is welcome from "I've-never-held-a-uke-before" to "I'm-ready-to-go-on-tour!" (Contact: Laurie Dobson or join their Facebook page: First Congo Ukers)
SATURYAY YOGA, Saturdays, 1:00 p.m., Parlor
Yoga
teacher Sarah Waugh's
passion for yoga and love of community inspires her to offer classes designed around mindful movement, breath, and lots of laughter. This is a gentle hybrid class (chair or mat), and all levels are welcome. There is no charge, but donations are welcome. (Contact: Sarah Waugh)
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FCC member, Melissa Gibbons, is looking for a kidney donor. If you would like to be a donor, but you are not a match, you could get on the national kidney transplant
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Melissa and hubby Dennis |
list and be matched with someone who is waiting for a kidney. Melissa, then, would receive a kidney that matches her, so you would be helping two people to have a normal existence and extend their life expectancies! If you have any questions, please contact Melissa at [email protected].
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Please Keep in Your Prayers
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The Gibbons family
Hannah November and the Wood family
Heather Goolsby
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You can make a donation to FCC via Vanco--a UCC online giving website. Here's all you have to do:
1) Go to our web page at fortworthucc.org and click on "Giving" menu, then click on the "Give Now" button.
2) Once on the Vanco website, set up an account, and decide where you want your donations to go, how often, and from what account.
PLEASE NOTE:
Credit/debit transactions incur fees payable to the credit card company. FCC will record the amount less the fees for IRS purposes.
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| If you would like any activities or events publicized in The Comma or in the bulletin, please email them to the office no later than Wednesday afternoon. For events to be published on our Facebook page, please email the office with the details. |
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We frequently take photos or videos of all the wonderful events happening in our church. If you prefer we do not include photos of you or your family in our bulletin or on social media, please let the church office know. We will be happy to honor your request.
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