This Sunday, December 9th
Second Sunday of Advent
10:00 a.m.
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Worship led by Rev. Lee Ann Bryce
"Finding Life"
*****************
Refreshments:
The Dukes
December Trustee:
Dan Bernardez
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Annual Meeting this Sunday!
Have you purchased your tickets to the
Winter's Eve Concert? (Space is limited!)
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I can think of several people I’ve encountered who ended up significantly impacting the way my life unfolded. Some of them became cherished friends. Others, not. I mean, I remember them fondly, but for one reason or another, we didn’t stay close over the long haul.
On Sunday in worship, I’ll share a story about an individual who showed up at First Congregational Church one Sunday a few years ago. She stuck around, got involved, made a number of friends, took a break from church for a while, then came back. Sadly, she passed away a few months ago.
She was not as widely known as are many folks at church--so the vast majority of congregants probably wouldn’t remember much about her--however, she has altered the way our congregation will unfold in the coming years in a big way.
Is your curiosity piqued? I hope so. And I hope you’ll be in worship on Sunday to hear more about her. It is a remarkable story.
In the meantime, give this great song from
Wicked
a listen. Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, the original stars on Broadway, reunited and were joined by all the other actresses who played the leads in traveling versions of
Wicked
. It’s pretty great.
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FCC Annual Meeting
THIS SUNDAY, December 9th
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The 2018 First Congregational Church annual meeting will be held after worship this
Sunday, December 9th
. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend as we talk about where we are in the very active life of our church, and where we are headed.
The 2018 Annual Report was sent out via email last Sunday. If you did not receive an email and would like a copy sent, please contact
the office. (
We will have a few copies of the nomination report and budget at the meeting.)
NOTE: There are three corrections to the nominations report. Please
click here
to see the corrections highlighted in red.
To save money, we are only printing copies of the annual report on demand. If you would like one, please contact
the office.
There will be no Education Hour that Sunday, but youth and AdVillers will be rehearsing for their Advent play.
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A Social Justice Opportunity
Friday, November 14th
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The Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (TCADP) received a request from Gretchen Sween who is representing Naim Rasool Muhammad in his state habeus proceeding. Ms. Sween is asking for court observers to attend closing arguments in Mr. Muhammad's hearing.
In an unusual turn of events, the judge who will hear closing arguments has not presided over the trial nor over Mr. Muhammad's multi-week evidentiary hearing. The closing argument will be the defense's only chance to convince the judge that the DA's office is ignoring compelling evidence that Mr. Muhammad deserves a new punishment-phase trial. The presence of supporters in the courtroom will help communicate to the judge that this proceeding matters to citizens in North Texas, in whose name the death penalty is being administered.
Closing arguments will take place on
Friday, December 14th at 11:30 a.m. at the Frank Crowley Courts Building
(133 N Riverfront Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207)
in Criminal District Court No. 4.
The hearing should last around two hours.
If you are interested and available in this volunteer opportunity with TCADP, please let
Lisa November
know as soon as possible. She is happy to answer any questions about Mr. Muhammad's case or any logistical questions (parking, location of courtroom, etc.).
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Every Christmas, we get a group of folks together to go caroling at the homes of some of our dearest church members. This year, we're meeting at church at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 14th. We'll divide up into 2-3 groups, and then off we'll go to spread our Christmas cheer. If you have any questions, contact
the office.
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A Winter's Eve Concert
Saturday, December 15th
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FCC is happy to once again welcome award-winning, singer/songwriters Peter Mayer and FCC's Elizabeth Wills for the second annual Winter's Eve Concert.
Doors open at 7:00 p.m. There will be refreshments for purchase with proceeds benefiting Refugee Services of Texas and our church.
Save the date, but get your tickets soon! Space is limited. (
Click here
to purchase your tickets.)
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As we clear out the remaining items at the home of Shirley Sowers, we still have a corner-shaped office desk to give away. The only catch is that you have to pick it up and haul it yourself.
We are also selling the refrigerator. We have some interest after posting on Facebook, but let
the office
know if you're interested.
The house will also be put up for sale soon. We'll let you know the details when they are available.
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We are looking for
new or gently used blankets
. One of the newest RST arrivals from Congo put a blanket on his wish list and we realized that others could use blankets as well. (Blankets are not on the apartment set-up list for new arrivals, and we know the apartments are not well insulated.) If you'd like to bring a blanket before the December 14th deadline, we know they would be appreciated.
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The Fellowship at Snooze!
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The Fellowship will be meeting for breakfast next Tuesday, December 11th, at 9:30 a.m. at Snooze (2150 West Seventh on the Left Bank of West Seventh between railroad tracks and the river). Everyone is welcome!
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Sunday, December 9th
Second Sunday of Advent
FCC Annual Meeting, 11:00 a.m. (see above article)
Advent play rehearsal, 11:00 a.m. (corrected time)
Friday, December 14th
Christmas Caroling, 5:00 p.m.
(We'll meet at FCC, divide up into groups, and then
visit some of our most special church members.
Everyone is invited to join in the fun!)
Saturday, December 15th
Advent play dress rehearsal, 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
A Winter's Eve Concert, 8:00 p.m.
(Doors open at 7:00 p.m. for refreshments. See above article.)
Sunday, December 16th
Third Sunday of Advent
"Twas the Night Before" Christmas play
(following worship)
Sunday, December 23rd
Fourth Sunday of Advent
"The Promise of Light"
Choir Cantata (during worship)
Monday, December 24th
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 5:00 p.m.
(Please note the earlier time!)
Annual Cookie Festival
(following the Christmas Eve service)
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Room in the Inn
Volunteers and Toiletries Needed
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Room In the Inn, our ministry in partnership with South Hills Christian Church, has begun. We host five homeless male guests each Wednesday night in December, January, and February. We provide dinner, a safe and warm place to sleep, breakfast, and, of course, fellowship. Please consider joining us in this amazing ministry. We especially need volunteers to be Inn Keepers and drivers for pick-up and return.
(Click here to sign up.
Please note that you must have a background check before volunteering.
)
We also provide trial-sized toiletries for the men to take away on Thursday mornings. We need the following items:
- ChapStick
- powder
- deodorant
- toothbrushes and toothpaste
- lotion
- reading glasses
There will be a basket in the foyer for the next several weeks if you are able to make a donation. If you have any questions, please contact
Ann Cartwright
.
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EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY
with the
COALITION FOR AGING LGBT TARRANT COUNTY
OPEN HOUSE
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2018
2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Hosted By: Rhonda Grundy
4135 Meadowbrook Dr.
Fort Worth, TX 76103
Please drop by and celebrate the season!
Facebook: Coalition for Aging LGBT-Texas/Coalition for Aging LGBT (Tarrant County)
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A holiday grief newsletter provided by Heart to Heart Hospice will be available at the back of the Sanctuary the next couple Sundays. It may serve as an acknowledgement that grief continues during holidays for some of us and includes a worksheet to help you consider how to participate in what is most important to you while also honoring your grief. Feel free to contact
Linda White
if you need additional support.
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If you order from Amazon, would you please consider signing up for AmazonSmile?
(
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!
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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
)
FCC BOOK CLUB, Info on next gathering to come...
You are always invited to join the book club for lively conversation, stimulating thought, and good fellowship--even if you didn't read the book. (Contact: Peter Nichols, 484-432-4548)
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--just a desire to sing, worship, and have fun! (Contact:
Chris Wilson
)
CULTIVATING MINDFULNESS, Wednesdays, 8:00 a.m., Chapel, and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m., Parlor
Wednesday CM starts with 15-20 minutes of guided meditation, then stay or go as the bell rings every 10 minutes. Saturday 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. (Saturday contacts:
Lisa November
;
Wednesday contact:
Tony Hernandez;
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 suffering in our lives and in our world. (Contact:
Josh Anderson
)
EMMAUS DINNER CHURCH, Sundays, 5:30 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. (Contact:
Avery Belyeu
)
THE FELLOWSHIP
While The Fellowship has begun meeting quarterly instead of monthly,
they are getting together this Tuesday, December 11th at Snooze for breakfast.
(See above article.) Here is their 2019 schedule:
January 22nd:
Fun and Games;
March 26th:
Clark Gardens; and
May 28th:
Trip to the Modern. (Contact:
Suzanne Velte)
GUY TIME,
THIS SATURDAY
, December 8th, 9:00 a.m., Ol' South Pancake House (University Drive)
Meet up at Ol' South for breakfast, then plan on heading over to the Fort Worth Auto Show. Tickets are $9.00 if you
click here
; they may be a few dollars more on the day of the event.
(Contact:
Eric Dobson
)
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 (although a little music background would help); 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, December 12th, 10:00 a.m.
H2H is going to meet in the Sanctuary and learn about all the Chrismons hanging on our tree. (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.
- *Silent Death Penalty Vigil--December 11th
- Community Cleanup--December 15th
- Millions March Texas--January 8, 2019, Austin
*
Members of FCC and Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty gather on execution days at church at 5:30 p.m.)
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:
the 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
)
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, group sharing, and discussion. (Contact:
Josh Anderson
)
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:
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
)
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 at
https://www.facebook.com/TransTarrant/.
NO UKES UNTIL JANUARY 8TH
FIRST CONGO UKERS, Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m., Chapel
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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Please Keep in Your Prayers
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Diana Cowan's brother, Phil and family
Melissa Gibbons
Claire Graham's dad and her family
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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.
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Address:
4201 Trail Lake Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76109
Phone:
817-923-2990
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Instagram:
FirstCongregationalFortWorth
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Articles for
The Comma
and Bulletin Announcements
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.
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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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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.
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