No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!
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In this issue of the eBulletin:
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Staycation Bible School * ONA Reaffirmation Program
St. Louis Association Fall Meeting * Church Cookbook
Women's Book Group * World Communion Sunday
And much more!
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This Sunday, September 23
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Worship at 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary
Hannah Rice Preaching, "Is it Right for You to be Angry?"
Greeters: Joe Rezny, Roger Weems
Ushers: Susan Davis-McCarter, Roger Weems, Mary Lou Mellish, Gerry Frankenfeld
Welcome & Announcements: Karen Safe
Infant-Preschool: Nellie Andrews
K-2nd Grade: Emily Stokes
3rd-5th Grade: Paul Brady, Leigh Greenhaw
Middle School: Bert Merrell, Ward Klein
Counters: Mary Lou Mellish, Karen Safe
Coffee & Community:
Chrissy Paterson
Music Ministry Team:
Jeral Becker, Carol Bell, Dan Brodsky,
Mary Brown, Joyce Higginbothom, Jim Kemp, Alphie Kiu, Carol Klein, Bill Mellish, Sheila Merrell, David Piston, Nathan Ruggles, and Stephanie Ruggles
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WATCH OUR SERVICES ONLINE
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If you can't worship with us in person, you can join us virtually on our livestream! Each Sunday at 10:30 AM we broadcast our worship service live on Ustream, which you can access online
HERE
. All of the worship services from the past month are saved on our Ustream page, so you can go back to view services you missed or would like to revisit.
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STAYCATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Sunday September 23
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Our last Staycation Bible School event is a trip to Powder Valley Nature Center this Sunday, September 23, after worship. Bring a picnic to enjoy with the rest of the group, and then we will explore God's creation on hikes through Powder Valley. Meet there at 12:00. Contact
Emily Stokes
to RSVP.
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EXPLORING OUR ONA STORY
Sunday September 23
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The next event in our ONA Covenant Reaffirmation Program is
this Sunday
September 23
after worship. Join us downstairs in the Fellowship Hall for an exploration of
Our ONA Story
hosted by Valerie Jackson, Member in Discernment, with personal reflections by Sheila Merrell, Council Moderator 2004-2005. The session will include viewing of a short PBS video featuring three stories of ONA discernment by UCC churches. The afternoon will include a light lunch.
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BECOME A SUNDAY LITURGIST
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"Liturgy" means "the work of the people," so we like to add voices to our worship services. Would you like to become a lay liturgist to help lead the worship liturgy on Sunday mornings? Let us know!
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We gather after worship for a time of fellowship with coffee and treats. We provide the beverages, and coffee hour hosts bring sweet and savory goodies.
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FOOD OUTREACH WORK DAY
Tomorrow: Saturday September 22, 8:00 AM
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Come join our volunteer team (ages 16 and up) on our annual trip to assist Food Outreach with packaging and storing meals for people living with HIV/AIDS or cancer. We need at least 20-25 people. Food Outreach is located at 3117 Olive. We usually work until 11 am.
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THE MEETING GROUND
Thursdays Sept. 13-Nov. 15
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We kicked off The Meeting Ground this past week! We hope you'll join us Thursdays this fall, through November 15. See the schedule below, and learn more
HERE
.
The meal for September 27
will be a sandwich builder buffet from Honey Baked Ham (ham, smoked turkey, roasted turkey, and roast beef) and broccoli and cheddar soup.
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Thursday Evening Schedule
4:30-5:30:
Bell Choir Rehearsal & Out Before Dark Study
5:30-6:15:
Communal Meal
6:30-7:30:
God's Blue Earth Elementary Study & Multi-Generational
Back to the Text with Jonah
7:30-9:00:
Chancel Choir Rehearsal
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BE A PART OF OUR CHILDREN'S FAITH JOURNEYS
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We have an urgent need for teachers for our K-2nd grade class!
If you are interested in helping our kids and youth on their faith journey we could use your help! We are in need of Sunday school teachers for the Kindergarten-Second Grade class this 2018-19 school year. We ask teachers to commit to teaching twice a month and teachers always teach in pairs. We could also use some more volunteers in our nursery. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please contact
Emily Stokes
.
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FCC is searching for a new part-time bookkeeper. If you know of anyone who might be interested, view a copy of the job description
HERE.
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REAFFIRMING OUR ONA COVENANT PROGRAM
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FCC is going through an exciting process of reaffirming our Open & Affirming covenant. There are a lot of opportunities to engage, so view the whole program
HERE
. The next event is
this Sunday
September 23
after worship. Join us downstairs in the Fellowship Hall for an exploration of
Our ONA Story
hosted by Valerie Jackson, Member in Discernment, with personal reflections by Sheila Merrell, Council Moderator 2004-2005. The session will include viewing of a short PBS video featuring three stories of ONA discernment by UCC churches. The afternoon will include a light lunch. Also coming up: During worship on September 30 Rev. Tyler Connoley will preach, and after worship the ONA team will present the results of our 4-Part Listening Process. And much more!
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YEAR-ROUND STEWARDSHIP: THE BIG PICTURE
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We are very fortunate at FCC to experience God’s abundance in helping us all live God’s Love, do God’s Work and Learn God’s Word. Each week we are sharing with the congregation our financial position currently expanding into our Stewardship strategy for the ongoing support of our goals and to support the great work of FCC and its staff. Last week we shared our year to date giving versus our annual budget and highlighted that we need $109,820 in the last 4 months to achieve our income budget of $588,036, which includes the 4% draw of $180,000 from our endowment. Below is our monthly giving income:
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In January we normally receive some full year annual giving which is donated at the end of the prior year for tax planning. Also stock gifts are recorded in the month they are received, which significantly inflates January’s income. As we move into a busy time in our church’s year leading up to our Christmas period, we encourage all of our members to review their annual giving compared to pledging as we prepare to finalize a budget for next year. Next week we will share where these funds are spent and the great work that is being done by FCC as we strive to live our mission and walk in Christ’s footprints to work towards our vision.
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ST. LOUIS ASSOCIATION FALL MEETING
Saturday September 29, 8:00 AM-3:00 PM
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The fall business meeting of the St. Louis Association of the United Church of Christ is Saturday September 29 at the Deaconess Center for Child Well-Being (1000 North Vandeventer Ave. St. Louis MO 63113). The day's agenda includes discussion and vote on the proposed 2019 Association Budget; the election of members to the Council and the Covenant Teams. We will also receive updates and reports from within the life of the Association, including the opportunity to be in conversation with representatives of the Association's mission partners. The keynote speaker/preacher is the Rev. Dr. Jane Fisler Hoffman, and educational workshops will be available in the morning. Read more information
HERE
.
Our congregation is allowed to bring five delegates, plus two more young adult delegates
(confirmed members under the age of 30). If you would like to represent our congregation, with the privilege of voice and vote at the meeting, contact
Hannah Rice
to register.
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WOMEN'S BOOK GROUP
Wednesday October 3, 7:15 PM
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The First Congregational Book Group is reading
Silence
by Shusaku Endo for the October 3rd gathering.
Silence
is set in Japan circa 1630 and is the story of a Portuguese Jesuit missionary at that time, a time when Christianity had been outlawed and was being cruelly repressed. This book delves into difficult questions and the challenges of religious faith and what it means and looks like to be a Christian. There are sections of this book which may be difficult to read, skip over them and keep reading.
Silence
is elegantly written and compelling, a book definitely worth reading.
Please join the group when we meet on the 3rd at 7:15 in the church parlor. The discussion will be led by Janet Hoyne. The book can be found at the library or in bookstores.
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WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY
October 7
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Attention world travelers! Join us in celebrating World Communion Sunday by sharing an image of Jesus or the Virgin Mary brought from another country - a crucifix, an icon, a prayer card, a Christmas tree ornament. Alternatively, please bring a doll from another country. We will display these items at the altar to celebrate Christian unity and ecumenical cooperation around the world. (Be sure to label your items for easy retrieval after worship). For information, contact Ann Kittlaus. Bring your items next Sunday, September 30, or on October 7. We will also take the
Neighbors in Need
special United Church of Christ mission offering that day. NIN supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States.
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OUTDOOR FALL FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS
October 12, and November 2
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We have two more outdoor family movie nights coming up this fall! We'll watch family-friendly movies on the garth on our blow-up screen. You bring a chair or blanket and your favorite movie snack, and we'll provide hot chocolate and popcorn.
Oct. 12 at 6:30
Sing
* Nov. 2 at 6:00
Coco
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The FCC Cookbook is underway! We are still looking for recipes to help fill out our cookbook. Thank you to everyone who as already submitted. Proceeds from the cookbook will be shared between the church and preschool for general programming purposes. Deadline for recipes is September 30. Get the instructions for submitting a recipe
HERE
. If you need help, feel free to email
Chelsea Safe.
We will be selling the cookbook for $20/book.
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ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
Saturday October 20, 6:30 PM
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Because last year was such a fun success, this year's fundraiser to support the ministries and mission of FCC will again be a Chef's Tasting Dinner, featuring delicious tasting portions from our very own FCC chefs. We'll also have silent and live auctions full of exciting offerings from our members, friends, and local organizations and businesses. If you have something to donate to our auction (like a gift basket, handmade item, party, vacation home, etc.), please contact
Hannah Rice
. If you would like to attend, sign up at the church office or online
HERE
. You can sign up to host a table of 10 ($500) or for individual seats ($50). If you'd like to help underwrite the cost of beverages, you can purchase a wine sponsor seat ($100).
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BEL CANTO WOMEN'S ENSEMBLE CONCERT
Sunday October 21, 7:00 PM
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Hannah Rice and Emily Stokes are founding members of a local women's vocal ensemble, Bel Canto. They will present a fall concert entitled "For the Sake of Our Children," on October 21 at 7:00. This free concert features music about the plight of the child in today's world. It will take place at Kirkwood United Methodist Church (201 W Adams). Bel Canto will join us in worship the morning of October 21.
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UNLEASHING POTENTIAL'S
ART & SOUL FUNDRAISER
November 2, 6:30 PM
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Unleashing Potential (one of our mission partners) has its annual fundraiser at the Four Seasons Hotel on Nov. 2. UP has been working with low income St. Louis children since 1913 and now serves over 1700 kids.. Elisa Wang serves on their board and would love to get a couple of First Church tables at the celebration. If you’re interested, please talk with Elisa!
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Sunday September 23
10:30 am Sunday Worship
11:30 am Coffee & Community
11:45 am ONA Lunch and Learn: Our ONA Story
12:00 pm Staycation Bible School: Powder Valley
Tuesday September 25
10:00 am Sacred Studies & Fellowship
Wednesday September 26
7:00 am Wydown Men's Club: at Epiphany UCC
12:00 pm FCC Staff Team Meeting
3:00 pm Truancy Tutoring
Thursday September 27
12:00 pm Mama Cat & the Potbangerz
The Meeting Ground:
4:30 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
4:30 pm Out Before Dark Study
5:30 pm Communal Meal
6:30 pm Community Learning
7:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Sunday September 30
10:30 am Sunday Worship
11:30 am Coffee & Community
11:45 am ONA Congregational Feedback Lunch & Discussion
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Contact Us Via Email
Phone: 314.721.5060 Fax: 314.721.2716 Preschool: 314.721.7404
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