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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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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, April 15th
Worship at 10:00 a.m.
Education Hour at 11:00 a.m.
Worship led by Rev. Dr. Lisa Barnett
"What's Love Got to Do with It?"
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Refreshments:
Christian Education
April Trustee:
Eric Dobson
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March for Science on Saturday!
Calling All Sewers--This Saturday!
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A candlelight vigil and memorial service were held this week for Hayden Wood, the fiancé of Lisa's daughter Hannah, who was critically injured at work last week and died. Lee Ann and Lisa left Viet Nam and are in Colorado to be with Hannah. No decisions have yet been made for the remainder of Lee Ann's sabbatical.
PLEASE NOTE: We are collecting funds to help Rev. Lee Ann and Lisa with unexpected costs. If you'd like to make a contribution, please mail or drop it by the church office, or put it in the offering on Sunday.
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We welcome Rev. Dr. Lisa Barnett to First Congregational Church as she leads worship through Sunday, May 13th. Lisa has led both worship and Adult Ed classes at FCC, and we so appreciate her stepping in during Rev. Lee Ann's sabbatical.
From Rev. Dr. Lisa Barnett
Jesus' words given in the scripture text for this Sunday's sermon: "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Of course, I frequently remind students that Christians aren't always loving people. We have a long history of excluding, or even killing, those who disagree. We have used the Bible to support numerous forms of injustice. As a history teacher, it is often times challenging to teach aspects of history that are not always pleasant to recall.
Yet, teaching also affords me the opportunity to introduce students to figures from the Black Arts and Black Liberation movements in the 1960's, people like Yusef Iman who write about the kind of love Christ calls his disciples to exhibit. Read this excerpt of a poem by Yusef Iman:
Love Your Enemy
"Brought here in slave ships and pitched overboard
Love your enemy
Language taken away, culture taken away
Love your enemy
Work from sun up and sun down
Love your enemy
Last hired, first fired
Love your enemy
Rape your mother
Love your enemy
Lynch your father
Love your enemy
Bomb your churches
Love your enemy
Kill your children
Love your enemy
Pay the highest rent. . . sell you rotten food. . .
forced to live in slums. . . dilapidated
schools. . .
puts you in jail. . . bitten by dogs. . .
water hose you down
Love your enemy
The kind of love Jesus calls us to practice is not easy, but the only way that others will "know that we are Christians is by our love," and that amounts to more than just words (as evidenced in the video clip produced by St. Peter's United Church of Christ).
See you Sunday as we continue to grow in love,
Lisa
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THIS SATURDAY!
March for Science
Downtown Fort Worth
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 Join fellow FCCers THIS SATURDAY, April 14th, at 10:00 a.m., at the
Tarrant County Courthouse for the March for Science. Help send a
message to policymakers and those running for office in 2018 that we are united to defend science because science belongs to us all. (FCCers will meet at the fountain at corner of E. Weatherford and Commerce.) Click here for more info.
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Sewers Needed THIS Saturday!
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So far 15 Church World Service school bags to hold school supplies have been made, but more are needed!
The next Sewing Saturday is THIS SATURDAY, April 14th at 10:00 a.m. IF YOU CAN SEW, BUT CAN'T ATTEND, contact
Suzanne Velte
and she can
provide you with cut bags and instructions for sewing.
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Exoneree Diaries
Conversation with the Author
Thursday, April 26th
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Please come to FCC as we join with the Texas Coalition Against the Death Penalty on Thursday, April 26th, at 6:00 p.m., for a conversation with Alison Flowers, author of
Exoneree Diaries: The Fight for Innocence, Independence, and Identity.
Through intimate portraits of four exonerated prisoners, journalist Alison Flowers explores what happens to innocent people after they are released from prison. Flowers also sheds new light on the collateral damage of wrongful convictions on families and communities, confronting deeper problems of mass incarceration and the criminal justice system.
Alison Flowers is an investigative journalist and award-winning writer who focuses on social justice and criminal justice. Her work has appeared in such publications as The Guardian, TIME, and The Village Voice. Copies of Alison's book will be available for purchase and signing after the event.
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Mosque Open House
Saturday, April 28th |
We have been invited by the Islamic Association of Tarrant County to visit their mosque (4901 Diaz Avenue) on Saturday, April 28th, starting at noon, for their annual open house. There will be a tour of the mosque, a short talk about "Mankind & Religion," a Q&A session, and then an opportunity to try delicious traditional snacks. (The only clothing requests are covered legs and no sleeveless shirts.)
This is a wonderful way to show our support of our Muslim neighbors. If you are interested, please contact
the office by next Friday, April 20th, so we may RSVP with the number of participants.
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 Phil and Carol Burnett have season tickets to the Texas Rangers. Each season, they sell tickets they are not using at cost--$50 (cheaper than box office prices). Their seats are in Section 35, Row 22, on the lower level of the Ranger's side. If you are interested, text Carol at 817-915-8915 and she can send you a list of available tickets.
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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 middlechildbrown@gmail.com.
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ADVENTURE VILLAGE
What is kindness? What is respect? What is honesty? This week, our AdVillians will explore the Golden Rules for Living.
YOUTH
This Sunday, the youth will continue planning for Youth Sunday in May!
ADULT ED
Join Tony Hernandez and Michelle Jendry for "Living the Questions" (also known as LTQ). LTQ is an open-minded alternative to studies that attempt to give participants all the answers, and instead strives to create an environment where participants can interact with one another in exploring Christianity.
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BEGers (Border Eating Group), 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
)
FIRST CONGO BOOK CLUB, Thursday, April 26th, 7:00 p.m., at the home of Han and John Will
The book club is doing a little light reading this month: A Wrinkle in  Time by Madeleine L'Engle. If the title sounds familiar, it's because a movie adaptation was recently in the theaters, but the book club thinks the book is much better:
Meg Murry's scientist father disappears while doing research, and Meg and her younger brother discover a way to travel through time in an effort to find him. The book won the Newberry Medal and is a mild exercise in science fiction/easy reading, even for those who find such topics problematic. As always, L'Engle includes a spiritual dimension to her work. For further information, call Peter Nichols (484-432-4548) or better yet--read the book and join them for some great discussion. (RSVP to
Peter Nichols.
You can also keep up to date on the group's Facebook page:
First Congo Book Club.)
CHANCEL CHOIR, Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m., Choir Room
The choir is always looking for folks interested in making a joyful noise. You don't need any experience; you just need to have a desire to sing, worship, and have fun! (Contact:
Chris Wilson)
 CULTIVATING MINDFULNESS, Saturdays, 10:00 a.m., Parlor Come join CM as they practice different styles of meditation, including guided, walking, and sitting in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, as well as informal discussion during tea time.
From this week's facilitator, Lisa Coburn: Taking care of our body is an important practice. Deep relaxation can support our health and happiness in the practice, and keep us in touch with our body. Practicing deep relaxation as a community creates a wonderful energy of peace and harmony.
(Contact: Bill Barbre or
Jim Jordan
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DHARMA PUNX IS BACK [Different night]! 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: Michael Watkins
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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)
THE FELLOWSHIP, Tuesday, April 24th, 9:45 a.m. to carpool to the Botanic Gardens or 10:00 a.m. meet up at entrance to Botanic Garden Center
The Fellowship will be taking a trip to the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens! Suzanne went to the gardens recently and says they all look so beautiful that it may be hard to pick, so the group will decide when they gather. Lunch will be at noon at the Garden Restaurant.
(Contact:
Suzanne Velte
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 GUY TIME, Saturday, April 21st, 9:00 a.m., 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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HAND BELL CHOIR, Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m., Balcony
The hand bell choir is always looking for folks interested in making a joyful noise. You do not need any experience; you just need to have a desire to play bells, worship, and have fun! This is a great option for adults and youth who can't commit to weekly attendance, but who love music. (Contact:
Chris Wilson)
HEART-2-HEART WOMEN'S GROUP, Wednesday, April 18th, 10:00 a.m. Rhonda will lead the group on a tour of the 4Saints Food Pantry at St. Luke's Episcopal Church (near her home) and then there will be lunch at La Rueda as well as porch time. (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.
The best way to stay updated on the latest Just Action activities is to join their Facebook page at FCCJustAction
and or read the newsletter here. (Contact:
Joel Penrod
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- Saturday, April 14th--2018 March for Science (FCCers will meet at the fountain at corner of E. Weatherford and Commerce by the courthouse.)
- Wednesday, April 25th--Climate Change Presentation ("Got Climate Change?")
- Wednesday, April 25th--Community Forum: Child Sex Trafficking Awareness
- (Highlighted Event) Thursday, April 26th--@FCC: A Conversation with Alison Flowers (Criminal Justice/ Death Penalty)
- Thursday, April 26th--Citizens' Climate Lobby Happy Hour
- Saturday, May 5th--NRA Protest
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, 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:
Tony Hernandez
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 SOUL SISTERS
The best way to stay up to date is to check out their Facebook page: Soul Sisters FCC. (C
ontact: Audrey Meza
)
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., Family Room
 The ukulele is easy to learn, you can play lots of songs at any skill level, and it's portable! Come to learn new songs and techniques, play favorite requested songs, and just have fun! Everyone is invited--from beginner to skilled! (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. Beginners to experienced are welcome. There is no charge, but donations are welcome.
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Please Keep in Your Prayers
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The family of Hayden Wood
Hannah November
Rev. Lee Ann and Lisa
Ethel Dobson
Megan Brown
Melissa Gibbons
Shirley Sowers
Suzanne Velte
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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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