This Sunday, December 8th
Second Sunday of Advent
10:00 a.m.
****************
2019 Annual Meeting
11:00 a.m.
Worship led by Rev. Lee Ann Bryce

"Being Peace"
Refreshments: Erin and Chris Menking
December Trustees: Erin and Chris Menking
From Rev. Lee Ann
One of my most favorite Christmas events for the past two years has been our annual Winter’s Eve concert with Peter Mayer and Elizabeth Wills. We’re all in luck since it’s coming up on December 14th!

As a local artist and a member of our church, many of us are perhaps better acquainted with Elizabeth’s music. We often gather to enjoy her monthly concerts on the first Friday of the month at Tommy’s Hamburgers, and are lucky to hear her sing in worship from time to time.

Peter Mayer may be less familiar. I first heard Peter over 20 years ago and I’ve been a fervent appreciator of his music ever since. (“Fervent appreciator” sounds better than fan girl, right?) Through the years, his music has helped me to articulate the strong convictions of my faith, as well as give voice to my questions. 

If you attend worship at FCC you’re likely to have sung or at least heard, Peter’s songs like “Holy Now” or “Blue Boat Home.” He’s one of the most contemplative writers I’ve ever heard. His music never fails to bring hope and encouragement. In a perfect world, Peter Mayer would be a household name. Here’s a lyric from his song “My Soul.” (Click here to hear Peter sing this song.)

So we live this life together, my giant soul and tiny me,
one resembling forever, one like smoke upon the breeze,
one the deep abiding ocean, one a sudden flashing wave,
and counting galaxies like snowflakes, I would swear we were the same.

See what I mean? If you’re anything like me, I’m guessing Peter Mayer’s music will strike a chord in you, too. Do yourself a favor and come Saturday, December 14th at 8:00 p.m. to hear for yourself. Tickets are $25 and there’s still time to get them--either online at this link (preferred) or at the door. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. 

In hope and peace,
Rev. Lee Ann
THIS SUNDAY
FCC Annual Meeting
First Congregational Church will hold its 2019 Annual Meeting this Sunday, December 8th , following worship. A PDF of the annual report was emailed on December 1st and hard copies will be available on demand. (Please let the office know if you need a either an email or printed copy.)

Just an FYI for parents: Youth and AdVillians who are participating in the Advent play will meet for rehearsal during the meeting. The nursery will also be available.
A Successful Campaign--Updated!
FROM TRACY HANNA, MODERATOR-ELECT AND CHAIR OF OUR "SEASON OF GRATITUDE" CAMPAIGN
 
Our “season of gratitude” is wrapping up in time for the holidays, and I am awed by our church’s continuing generosity. A heartfelt thank you to all who submitted pledge cards, and to all who participated in our season of gratitude with events, eloquent announcements, outreach activities, blood donations, and many other ways. The numbers below show that our campaign was very successful this year! Our committees worked hard on setting up a budget proposal for this coming year, and it will be presented at the annual meeting this Sunday, December 8th, right after church. Be there or be square! 

  • 82 pledge cards returned
  • 59.9% returned
  • 75 pledges (64 in 2019)
  • $198,270 total pledge dollars ($190,639 in 2019)
Please let us know...
FCC's pastoral caregivers want to support you in times of need.

If you are ill, having surgery, or needing meals during recovery, please let the church office know. Rev. Kathy, Rev. Lee Ann, and our pastoral caregivers will support you with prayer, visits, or practical assistance as best we can. Social media is unreliable in communicating need.

Please let us know so that you may receive the support the church wants to provide.
Jewelry Sale Fundraiser
This Sunday!




As a way to help offset our budget deficit, last week's jewelry sale will continue! Come shop!
We're Going Christmas Caroling!

Please join our Pastoral Care ministers and the First Congo Ukers as we go Christmas caroling on Friday, December 20th ! Meet at 6:00 p.m. at FCC where we'll divide into groups and visit some of our most special church members in their homes. Everyone is invited--no special talents required!
Youth/AdVill Advent Play
One of the great delights of the holiday season at FCC is the Advent play performed by our wonderfully talented teens and kids. This year's play is titled
"Come They Told Me" and follows the Little Drummer Boy as he makes his way to the baby Jesus, and learns that the simplest gifts are often the best as long as they come from the heart. Once again, our play is written by Kelly Napier--FCC member and now the winner of her third Emmy for her work as a news director at WFAA!

Please plan to stay after worship on Sunday, December 15th , to support your teens and kids, and to enjoy a laugh together.
Third Annual Winter's Eve Concert
with Peter Mayer and Elizabeth Wills
First Congregational Church is always so proud and excited to welcome back renowned and award-winning singer/songwriters Peter Mayer and Elizabeth Wills for a special evening of music and friendship on Saturday, December 14th at 8:00 p.m.

These two dear friends will bring their songs, their voices, and their hearts to share with us. It is an evening that will stay with you throughout the season.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased on Eventbrite or at the door. (Doors open at 7:00 p.m.)
Holiday Schedule

  • Saturday, December 14th--A Winter's Eve Concert (see above)
  • Sunday, December 15th--Youth and Adventure Village Advent play, following worship (see above)
  • Friday, December 20th--Christmas Caroling, 6:00 p.m. (see above)
  • Tuesday, December 24th--Christmas Eve Worship, 5:00 p.m.
"Do Small Things..."



Mother Theresa said, "Do small things with great love," and one small way to help both the environment and adorable little animals is by dropping your used mascara wands by the office.

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge uses mascara wands to help remove eggs and larva from the fur of animals. (Who would have thought, right?)

There is a container to receive your donations in the office (by the window). Contact Laurie if you have any questions.
Don't Forget AmazonSmile!
As you begin your holiday shopping, don't forget we are a charity on Amazon. Scroll down to learn how your Amazon purchases can benefit FCC.
Room in the Inn has Begun
Room in the Inn began yesterday, December 4th, and will offer the warmth of table fellowship and comfy beds on cold nights to our neighbors without a home each Wednesday through February.

Positions for the upcoming weeks are now open. ( Click here .) I f you’d like to stay updated on how to help what to donate ,  and  when you are needed, contact Trisha Stanfill to be added to the RITI mailing list.
Go Fund Me for Lucas
A Go Fund Me page has been set up for the legal expenses of Lucas. ( Click here for the link. ) Can you please help spread the word by sharing the page? (Just click "Share" under the "Donate Now" button.) Donations are, of course, also appreciated. ( If you don't want to use GM, you can donate through FCC...just write "Lucas" in the memo line of a check, or on the outside of an envelope.)
Shady Hill Band in Concert
Did you know that members of our Shady Hill Band--who play each week in worship--are also members of Exchange Avenue?

They will be playing on Saturday , December 28th , 7:00 p.m., at Woodshed Smokehouse in Fort Worth . There are usually FCCers there so it makes for a fun night!
N0 Education Hour
There will be no Education Hour this week due to the annual meeting. Those youth and kids involved in the Advent play will meet to rehearse. The nursery will be available for infants up to four years old.
December Small Groups
FIRST CONGO BOOK CLUB, TONIGHT! Thursday, December 5th, 7:00 p.m., at the home of Han and John Will This month's book club selection is Britt-Marie was Here by Frederik Backman. (Contact: Call Peter Nichols at 484-432-4548.)

MEDITATION ON THE GO, Wednesdays, Chapel, 8:30 a.m. We alternate meditation activities every 10 minutes until 9:30 a.m., so feel free to come and go when the bell sounds. (And don't forget to ring the door bell if you arrive after 8:30 a.m.) (Contact:   Lisa November ; Facebook page:   FoWoMindful )

SATURDAY CULTIVATING MINDFULNESS, Saturdays, 10:00 a.m., Parlor CM will enjoy an extended period of sitting, walking, and guided meditation, and then have quiet time while tea is being served. After tea, the Sangha will enjoy book study and dharma discussion together. FROM LISA: We have been missing many regular friends, so I hope to see some of you back this week. It is very nurturing for your practice to sit with others and benefit from the collective mindfulness. (Contact:   Lisa November ; Facebook page:   FoWoMindful )

FIRST SUNDAY LUNCH BUNCH, Sunday, January 5th, following worship, location to come On the first Sunday of the month, a group of FCCers heads to a local restaurant to eat and socialize. This is a great way to connect with a great group of folks! Let Faye Swindle or Sall-Ann know if you're going so they will save you a place at the table. (Contact:  Sall-Ann Sauer )

HEART-2-HEART WOMEN'S GROUP, Wednesday, December 18th, 10:00 a.m. H2H is having a Christmas party and gift exchange. Stay tuned for more details. (Contact: Rhonda Grundy  or join their Facebook page: Heart2Heart)

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: Church Office )

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

RECOVERY DHARMA FORT WORTH, Tuesday, 7:00 p.m., Thursdays, 7:00 p.m., and Sundays, 4:30 p.m., Parlor   Recovery Dharma FW practices ways to free themselves from the suffering of addiction of any kind using Buddhist practices and principles. This is a welcoming peer-led movement and community that approaches recovery from a place of individual and collective empowerment as participants walk the path of recovery together. (Contact: Kevin Woodson )

SOUL SISTERS    Soul Sisters get together every other week and share a meal, do activities, and just enjoy being together. The best way to stay up to date is to check out their Facebook page: Soul Sisters FCC. (Contact:  Kim Haymon )

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 )

No Meeting on December 5th TRANS TARRANT, First Thursday of the month, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Trans Tarrant provides support and resources to transgender and gender-variant individuals and their families in Tarrant County. They meet at FCC for a potluck dinner. For more info, email TransTarrant@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page: TransTarrant

FIRST CONGO UKERS, THIS Saturday, December 7th, 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., at the home of Laurie Simmons Ukers meet monthly at a different location to sing and play and socialize. To stay up with the gatherings, be sure to get on their email list. 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)

SATURDAY YOGA, Saturdays, 1:00 p.m., Parlor There may not be an instructor, but there are DVDs, so come join the group. Everyone is welcome--no matter your yoga experience. (Contact: Sall-Ann Sauer )
Please Keep in Your Prayers
Our Room in the Inn guests: Roderick, Jesse, Justin, Raul & Fredrick
Terry Lindeman
Helen Bernardez
Guenevere and kids
Baby Finn and his family
Landon (Jerri Cunningham's cousin), and Landon's family
Janna Brown and Pat Parker
Melissa Gibbons
FCC on AmazonSmile!
If you order from Amazon, would you please consider signing up for AmazonSmile and supporting FCC? ( Just click here! )

If you already use AmazonSmile, would you consider making "First Congregational Church UCC Fort Worth" your charity of choice?

SPREAD THE WORD! Share this information with your family and friends who might want to help support our church!
All about FCC
What We Believe
In May 2008, we declared: 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.
Contact Us
Address: 4201 Trail Lake Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76109
Phone: 817-923-2990
Email: Church Office
Who's Who at FCC
Rev. Lee Ann Bryce , Senior Pastor, Director of FCC Singers
Rev. Kathy Bowser , Pastoral Care Assistant
Laurie Dobson , Office Manager and Director of Communications
Zane Freemyer, Hand Bell Choir Director
Heather Goolsby , Youth Director
Analiese Hill , Children's Director
Joel Penrod , Worship and Arts Planner
Laurie Simmons , Accompanist

FCC on Social Media
Website: fortworthucc.org
Instagram: FirstCongregationalFortWorth
Audio of Rev. Lee Ann's Sermons: Click here.
Sunday's Online Bulletins: bulletin.fortworthucc.org
2019 Committee Chairs

Shelby Shafer , Cabinet Moderator
Tracy Hanna , Cabinet Moderator-Elect
Ingrid Keller , Christian Education
Ann Cartwright , Christian Service
Mike Nichols , Deacons
Suzanne Velte , The Fellowship
Carol Burnett , Trustees
Article/Announcement Submissions
Articles for The Comma and announcements for the bulletin must be in to the office via email no later than Wednesday mornings. For events to be published on our Facebook page, please email the office with the details. PLEASE NOTE: Articles and announcements may be edited for length, grammar, etc.
Privacy Policy
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.
Online Giving
You can make a donation to FCC via Vanco--a UCC online giving website. Here's what to do:
1) Go to our web page fortworthucc.org 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.