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WHAT'S HAPPENING at Spring Hill UCC

February 19, 2020

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UPCOMING WEEK SCHEDULE

Thursday

10:00 a.m. - Shawls of Love Group meet (FH Lib)

Sunday

10:00 a.m. - Worship Service

(Transfiguration and Seminar Sunday)

11:30 a.m. - New Member Inquiry Meeting (FH Lib)

11:30 a.m. - Council on Ministry Meeting (DH)

Tuesday

6:00 p.m. Book Study - "Breakfast with Buddha" by Roland Merullo

Wednesday

1:00 p.m. "God Talk" Study Group (FH Lib)

5:30 p.m. - Choir practice

7:00 p.m. - Ash Wednesday Service

Lenten Prayer Services

Lent is a journey, a process of growth, a time of entering into sacred inner space. It’s the season where we spend time in loving relationship with our God.

This year we will be offering weekly Lenten prayer services. We will spend time with God reflecting on ways in which we can bring peace and love to our community and the world. Each week we will reflect on a different theme.

Join us as we begin on Wednesday evening, March 4, 2020 at 7:00 pm in Davis Hall.

This first evening we will be led by Rev. Todd Glacy. See below for further information about our first service.

Please join us.

UCC officers: Our Faith, Our Vote, Our Voice matters

February 17, 2020

The 2020 election cycle is stirring strong interest and concern across the United States and around the world. In these difficult and challenging times, this is not surprising. There is much at stake as we head to the voting booth this November.

Divisive, mean-spirited rhetoric dominates the airwaves and the public dialogue. Thoughtful, respectful, constructive exchange across differences on the key issues of the day is becoming more difficult to achieve. This is precisely why our voice and efforts as people of faith are needed. We can play a unique role in this election cycle by encouraging respectful, informed dialogue that builds community and a hope-filled vision of the future that includes all people.

In these tumultuous times, it can be tempting to withdraw and disengage from what feels like a polarizing, divisive process. We can lose heart and hope. Yet, grounded in our faith, we can renew our vision and take up the hard work of restoring community and lifting up a vision of the common good.

For people of faith, the public arena we know as "politics" represents much more than the partisanship we see on the news. It is a means by which we live out the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. Scripture reminds us over and over that building right relationships in human community and with God's creation is an act inseparable from our relationship with God. Therefore, it is important for faith communities to engage in nonpartisan voter education and empowerment programs that help us reflect on our collective life and work to uplift the common good through the political process.

We can be inspired by the words of Doris Haddock, "Granny D," a grandmother from Arizona who in her 90s walked across the country to be a voice for restoring the integrity of our electoral process: "If we allow the greedy and inhuman elements to steal away from us our self-government because we didn't have the energy or courage to fight for it and to use it as a tool for love and wisdom, how shall we answer to that?"

Our vote? Yes, it matters. Voting is one way to give voice to the change we want to see in the world, a world that cries out for healing.

The UCC Our Faith, Our Vote campaign provides information and ideas to assist individuals and congregations in developing nonpartisan and meaningful ways to engage the political and electoral process. The Our Faith, Our Vote resources can empower UCC members to engage in voter registration, issue education and voter mobilization. We must equip ourselves and our communities to make informed, thoughtful decisions about who will lead us into the future. The Our Faith, Our Vote campaign is one way to do just that, and we hope you will join this effort in 2020.

Faithfully yours,

The National Officers of the United Church of Christ

The Rev. John C. Dorhauer, General Minister and President

The Rev. Traci Blackmon, Associate General Minister, Justice and Local Church Ministries

The Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, Associate General Minister, Wider Church Ministries

"FOOD FOR THOUGHT" from Social Justice

IT'S ALMOST HERE….

you still have time to clean out your drawers, cabinets, closets, even your sheds or garages. I’m sure you have some things you don’t need anymore.

We don’t have room for big items, BUT TVs, microwaves, computers, bikes, kids’ scooters and garden tools all sell well—of course, all items have to be in working order. We need household items and Clean adult and children’s clothes (of all sizes).

We need our wonderful bakers helping us out by baking breakfast muffins, bread, brownies, cookies or coffee cake to sell to our hungry patrons with their coffee. It is lots of FUN. Really, it is! Volunteers needed: the Sign up sheet is on the Table of Opportunity at the back of the church, with days and hour we need help!

DONATIONS OF SODAS AND BOTTLED WATER NEEDED (6 packs of 12 oz. cans of soda— Diet or Regular, 6 packs of small bottles of water) to be sold the day of the sale. A container will be in the narthex.

Set-up Schedule and Donation Drop-off Times:

· Tuesday, March 3rd at 9:00 am – Set up tables (requesting helpers, please let John know if you can help set-up)

· Wednesday, March 4th (donation drop-off/sort & price)

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m. (drop-off only)

· Thursday, March 5th (donation drop-off/sort & price)

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

· Friday, March 6th (sort& price)

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

For more information or any other questions, please contact John Evola at 238-6684. If you are interested in renting space at the outdoor flea market, please contact Shannon Maxwell at 398-2687.

Lenten Practices

Do you have a particular Lenten Practice? If not, following are some suggestions you may want to consider. Thank you to the late, Rachel Held Evans [1] for these ideas.

10 Questions to Ask Yourself

1. When I wake up on Resurrection Sunday morning, how will I be different?

2. Is there a habit or sin in my life that repeatedly gets in the way of loving God with my whole heart or loving my neighbor as myself? How do I address that habit over the next 40 days?

3. Is there anyone in my life from whom I need to ask forgiveness or pursue reconciliation?

4. What practical steps can I take to carve out time for daily contemplation?

5. What spiritual discipline do I need to improve upon or want to try?

6. What are some things in my life that I tell myself I need but I don’t?

7. Why am I giving this particular thing up? How does giving it up draw me closer to God and prepare me for Easter?

8. What am I going to tell myself when self-denial gets hard?

9. Is it necessary/helpful for me to share the nature my fast with others or should I keep it private?

10. What do the ashes mean to me this year?

10 Book Recommendations

1. Common Prayer by Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, and Enuma Okoro

2. 40 Days of Living the Jesus Creed by Scot McKnight

3. Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster

4. Facing East by Frederica Matthews-Green

5. The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle

6. A Book of Hours by Thomas Merton

7. A Gift For God: Prayers and Meditations by Mother Teresa

8. One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

9. Show Me the Way: Daily Lenten Readings by Henry J.M. Nouwen

10. A Circle of Quiet Madeleine L’Engle

5 Rituals

1. Attend an Ash Wednesday service at a nearby Catholic, Anglican, or Lutheran church. (Ash Wednesday services are becoming more popular among other protestant and evangelical denominations as well.)

2. Institute a Way of Light wreath or an Easter Tree (I love Ann Voskamp’s photos and ideas for these!)

3. Practice the daily office for 40 days. Common Prayer includes daily prayers.

4. Choose a saint or a Christian you deeply admire to “guide” you through the Lenten period. (Consider St. Francis of Assisi, Mother Teresa, or St. Teresa of Avila). In addition to studying her work and meditating on her prayers, learn about her life. Journal through the experience.

5. Incorporate the color purple into your home, office, and church. A simple purple candle or orchid or note card with a verse can remind you of the season and help keep you focused.

5 Fasts

1. Choose to make water your only beverage for 40 days to help Blood:Water Mission provide clean water for people in Africa who don't have a choice. Check out Forty Days of Water for more info.

2. Traditionally, Christians abstained from eating meat during Lent, so consider joining millions of fellow Christ-followers around the world in this fast.

3. Give up eating out for 40 days and donate the money you save to The Christian Women’s Job Corp in Nashville . My sister works full-time for this organization, so I can personally vouch for the fact that the money will be used wisely and lovingly!

4. Do a 40-day purge of all your excess stuff and donate the best of it to Goodwill or a local thrift store that benefits your neighbors.

5. Unplug—TV, Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, etc. This is perhaps the single best way to carve out some extra time in your day for prayer and meditation.

10 Mediations

1. Psalm 51

2. Psalm 139

3. Isaiah 58

4. The Beattitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)

5. The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)

6. Litany of Penitence

7. Litany of Humility

8. Prayer of St. Francis

9. Penitential Prayer of St. Augustine

10. Consider reading the Sermon on the Mount (alternating between Matthew’s account and Luke’s account) every day for the next 40 days.

[1] https://rachelheldevans.com/blog/40-ideas-for-lent-2011

UPCOMING HOLY LAND PRESENTATION

Following worship on Sunday, March 8, at 12:00 PM, a special program will be offered at SHUCC. Join Harry Welton, of Journeys Unlimited, for an inspirational sight and sound presentation on the Holy Land. The one hour show is designed in part to fully showcase our planned journey to the Holy Lands. Mr. Welton is a veteran of 20 trips to Israel. He can answer any questions trip participants or anyone who is wishing to know more about this exciting opportunity might have. All are welcome who would like to learn about the land ‘Where Jesus Walked.’ Be sure to attend this informational meeting to learn all about the life-changing experience that awaits us in our visit to Israel.

This coming Sunday is Seminary Sunday. We are pleased to provide our very own Member in Discernment and Seminarian, Chance Martinez the opportunity to preach for us. Join us as Chance brings us the Word.

FEBRUARY 23, 2020

Transfiguration / Seminary Sunday

The 1st Gospel Lesson

(Common English Version)

Mark 8: 27-38

The 2nd Gospel Lesson

(Common English Version)

Mark 9: 1-8

HYMNS

"All Are Welcome"

"Every Time I Feel the Spirit"

"Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound"

REMINDER:

There will be a New Member Inquiry Meeting following the worship service

(in the library) for all that are interested in becoming a member of our church.

A light lunch will be served.

Media, Privacy and Spring Hill United Church of Christ

We have begun to audio record our entire worship service for posting on our website. This requires us to protect the privacy of those attending our services, as well as those who may or may not be connected to us. With that, we are instituting a policy to protect the privacy of our members and those whose names may be mentioned during prayer time.

We will no longer mention last names during prayer requests unless we have specific permission to do so. We are doing our best to follow legal and best practices guidelines for privacy.

We can still pray for folk using names or no names, remembering that God knows who they are and what their need is.

Thank you for understanding.

Pastor Robin

Serving this week

Music :

Kurt Glacy

Greeters :

Matthew Hahn & Victor Quintero

Door Greeter & Offering :

David Heady & Doreen Robley

Ushers :

Elma Adams, Kathy Fate

Liturgist:

Jeannie Abbott

Acolyte:

Riley Bradley

Building abundant lives by sharing the LOVE of Jesus.

Sherrie Raymond, Scott Harris,

David Pulliam, Hazel McElroy,

Cindy McElroy, Gail & Tom Calabro, Grace Wieser, Becky Bock, Myrtle Helfers, Mike Quinn, Nancy McKenney, Ann Miller, Betsey Ketcham, Bettie Kluesner, Cliff Tooker,August & Judith Dascenzo and Connie LaMorte.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

2/19 - Eldon Niemann

2/20 - Deb Rafnell

2/21 - Jill Svoboda

2/22 - Frank Matthews

2/22 - Linda Naugle

2/23 - Pat Castagna

2/24 - Rich Hackl

Please take a moment to wish those listed above a Happy Birthday or Anniversary!

If we missed your birth-date or Anniversary date,

please contact the church office so we can update our records.

Bring into the church for RE-CYCLING:

ALUMINUM CANS

The drop-off is the trash can

(in front of the shed) by the dumpster.

- - - - - - - - -

USED INK CARTRIDGES & CELL PHONES

There is a drop-off bin in Fellowship Hall in the narthex.

- - - - - - - -

PLASTIC BAGS

Including grocery bags, produce & bread bags, cereal box liners, ice bags, newspaper sleeves, bubble wrap, etc. drop-off in the Fellowship Hall narthex.

No Matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.

JESUS didn't reject people, neither do we.

4244 Mariner Blvd.

Spring Hill, FL 34609

352-683-4870

February 2020 Calendar