This Week at the Congregational Church
July 5, 2020
This Week's Message:  "Independence Day"
The Scriptures declare, "Look at the nations and watch, and be utterly amazed for I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told" (Habakkuk 1:5). The mighty claims of the Lord give us a hint of the power that God will unleash at the close of the age. The recent events here in our country and around the world demonstrate the foolishness of man and the prideful attitude that has taken hold of the nations. Now is the time to "take a knee" and kneel before the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.  Philippians 2:10 says, "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth".

SCRIPTURE LESSON :  Psalm 23 and John 9:1-7
  Scriptures will be read this Sunday by Nancy Doggett, Deacon
GREETERS :  Nancy Doggett, Dawn Keough and Leslie Adams.  
USHERS:  Terry Robinson and Dick Adams
DEACON OF THE MONTH: Dorothy Robertson
THE ALTAR FLOWERS AND BULLETINS:

The Altar Flowers and Bulletins are given this week by Gil and Libby Regan in Memory of the men and women who gave all to create and keep our country free. And to Honor our first responders who are putting themselves out there to keep us safe. 
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SPECIAL THANK YOU to everyone who signed up to support our altar flowers and our worship bulletins. Those who signed up have been contacted concerning their wishes. We will be taking the flowers to Hospice or sending them home with the donors.
Grand Reopening
Sunday, July 5th
Reserve Your Seating Now!
You can call the church office Monday-Wednesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to reserve your seat for next Sunday. If you get the answering machine leave a message with your name, number of people, and the time you called. The first Seventy-five people will be seated in the sanctuary with overflow available in Fellowship Hall. We are sorry for the inconvenience, however, keeping up with all this is not exactly a pleasure either. We can handle it together.
Worship Music
MUSIC THIS SUNDAY will be Kevin O'Connell and Billie Thatcher. Billie will be singing, "America the Beautiful", "The Star Spangled Banner", "God Bless America", God Bless the USA", "Come, Share the Lord", and "God Be With You Till We Meet Again".
Holy Communion
HOLY COMMUNION will be celebrated as part of our worship time this morning. We invite all who desire to receive this blessing to join us at the Lord's table.
BUILDING FUND AND GENERAL FUND GIVING!  Two factors have begun to have an effect on our church giving. First of all the "seasonal residents" have now made their pilgrimage to the north country. This creates a drop off in giving each year. This year we have had this problem compounded by the COVID-19 closing of church facilities and programs. It was not as pronounced at first, however, the longer this situation continues the more people forget we must support the church for it to continue to provide ministry and service at the levels people expect. Your continued support of the Building Fund and the General Fund is "Essential".  There will not be government funds available to bail us out. Your stepped up support during this time will be a blessing. 

Mail your gifts to: 
The Congregational Church,
P. O. Box 804,
Summerfield, Florida 34491. 

Or Give Online… Click the  Donate  button on our website, Then select the fund you wish to donate to.

Thank you!!!
New Church Directory
A beautiful spiral bound Church Directory is available from the church office. You can pick one up  Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m.   Just stop by and ring the bell. (Give us time to get to the door! We don't move as fast as we used to - patience.) There are lists of birthdays and anniversaries, pictures of boards and committees, pictures of families, a directory of names/addresses/phone numbers/ email addresses. You will want to have a copy. Thanks to Carol Wigner, Elaine Glidden, Jeri Falk, Mary Starkweather and all who helped publish this important parish tool.  Because of the COVID-19 situation please do not attempt to pick up your Directory on a Sunday.
Watch the 10:00 AM Service LIVE!
Please note: You do not need a Facebook or YouTube account to access our live stream broadcasts. No sign up necessary! Use your browser of choice (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.) on your computer or the Facebook App on your Smartphone or iPad.

 Click HERE to go directly to our LIVE recording of the 10:00 AM Worship Service with music and message on our Facebook page for you to view. The broadcast will start automatically. (give yourself a few minutes before the service to get set up). You will receive a copy of the worship bulletin by USPS (regular mail) each week so you can follow along with the service.
Watch the 10:00 AM Service ANYTIME!
Simply scroll down the home page (thecongregationalchurch.org) to the little block that says "Sunday Worship Service" and click. It will take you directly to the latest recorded service for the week. 
The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) 
Please remember to pray for those suffering with COVID-19. Also, use good judgment and protect yourself wherever possible from being in contact with the virus. This is not a time to fear or panic, however, everyone should do their part to minimize the impact of this highly contagious illness.
July Birthdays:
Harriet Dawson (3), Carol Brooks and Bill Deysher (4), Dorothy Robertson (9), Otto Souder (10), Carol Coburn (11), Bill Lewis (13), Leslie Adams and Annelle Baird (15), Dave Elle (17), Don Seifried (21), Joyce Hutchinson and Joyce Mason (24), Ted Beeman (25), Eva Norris and Susan Sullivan (28), Terry Robinson (29), Shelia Hathaway (30).
(If we missed your birthday, please, let us know. We will add you to the list.) 
JULY MISSION PROJECTS
The mission of Operation Shoebox is to show our troops deployed here at home and around the world that we care by sending packages, letters, and bulk items to them during their deployment. 100% of our donations to Operation Shoebox go to our troops. There are over 1,300 dedicated volunteers, including members of our congregation, who are assisting in this vital work. Your mission gifts during July will help Operation Shoebox and our Infant and Toddler Pantry. Thank you for your support.
Pastoral Care
Contact Pastor Jim Keough on his cell 352-250-6160 or email: RevJim46@aol.com. If you are ill or going to the hospital please let us know. We want to pray for you and be of service.
Important Notice:  Hospitals and Rehab Centers are limiting the visitation that can take place at their facilities. Clergy, including your pastor, are limited in their calling during the coronavirus crisis. Therefore, visitation will be limited to critical situations.  Please be sure to check the "Prayer Request" section of our church website and pray for your church friends and their concerns. If you have someone you would like added to the list contact the pastor or the church office.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL BOOKS . If you would like a copy of "Our Daily Bread" for your personal daily prayer and devotions they are available at the church office. Call the office 352-693-4545 (M-W-F 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) to schedule picking up a copy.

FOOD PANTRIES IN NEED . Area food pantries are in need of canned goods and other food items. The unemployment caused by the coronavirus has brought more requests than usual for help from these agencies. If you have the ability to contribute please do so at your earliest convenience. The Lady Lake Christian Food Pantry is located at 103 E. Lady Lake Blvd in Lady Lake. Their phone number is 352-259-0788.
                                
Personalized Brick Pavers -   We continue to   place Brick Pavers  in both the Veterans Area at the flag poles and around the beautiful fountain area. Make a gift to the Building Fund of $100 and have a brick placed in honor/memory of a loved one or a veteran. You can place a brick in the fountain area walk-way to celebrate an event, memorialize a family member, or simply place your name on a brick to show your support for our church. Mail your check with "Brick Paver" in the memo section to the church along with the information you would like on your brick. There are three lines with 15 characters per line available on each brick. If you have questions contact Mary Starkweather at the church office.  
                 

Prayer Requests
Contact the Church Office 352-693-4545.  The Welcome center table has a supply of cards to register your prayer requests. Our church website also has a prayer request section for your use. Your prayer requests are listed on the church web site and sent out by email to church members and friends.

Please pray for Barb Peterson. Barb is in the Altamonte Springs Hospital going through some diagnostic work. Pray for a good outcome and speedy recovery.  She is the wife of our sound and lighting company’s owner Don Peterson.

Pray for Jaeier and Haydee Torres. Their daughter Sophia got caught up in an online effort to lure her from their home. Pray for this family as they sort out this difficult issue.

Pray for Pam and Danny Sabo. Pam will be having a TEE test on Tuesday, July 7th at the Villages Hospital to check last years cardiac procedure. Danny will be going to Shands on Saturday, July 11th for some testing.

Please pray for Leslie Tate. She has been having health issues and will be going to Leesburg Hospital on Monday (6/29/20). Also, pray for her husband and our good friend Otto Souder.

Please pray for James Senatore. Jamie was the designer/builder of our church facility. His dear wife Neil passed away this week. We have wonderful memories of this dear lady from our meetings and planning sessions at Jamie’s home/office. Please pray for Jamie and his family.

Our sympathy to the family of Jane Katsune who passed away on Wednesday, June 24th. Please pray for her husband Tony. Jane fought a valiant battle with cancer. Her faith and your prayers were a great source of strength during these last difficult days. Thank you for praying.

Please pray for Mike Howard’s daughter who will be having surgery soon at the hospital in Traverse City, Michigan. Pray for Leigh and continue to pray for her Dad Mike who is still in the rehab facility.

Please pray for Ken and Alice Ralph. Ken has been going through some difficult days with several health issues. Also, pray for Alice as she provides love and care for Ken.

Continue to pray for Karen Orcutt who is a patient at The Villages Rehab. Pray for healing and good care for this dear lady.

Please pray for Nancy Cowell. Nancy is having some health issues and your prayers will be appreciated.

Pray for Colin Henderson. Colin is the husband of one of our dedicated Infant & Toddler Pantry volunteers, Ina Henderson. Colin will be having heart surgery and your prayers will be appreciated.

Update on Cheryl Reynolds. She is back home in Elmira, New York. She will have 6 weeks of radiation. She is feeling better and back to some normal routines. Continue to pray for Cheryl.

Pray for Louis Turner, a cousin of Mary Ellen Kresel, who is suffering from cancer and has been hospitalized recently.

Ann Ellenwood, a neighbor of Virginia Hampton, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and started chemo treatments on June 22nd. Please pray for Ann.

Please pray for Bev Huey, a friend of Cathy Reitmyer, who has been diagnosed with kidney failure and will have open heart surgery tomorrow (6/10/20).

Bonnie Mielke was injured in an accident in South Dakota. She was burned from the tips of her fingers to the top of her arm. Painful skin graphs and a lot of pain. Please pray for her. She is a friend of Bonnie Pierson.

Please pray for the family of Barbara Hatfield. Barbara passed away at Leesburg Regional Hospital recently. Barb and her husband Bob have been part of our church family for some time. Also, pray for their children and friends. Rest in peace dear friend.

Pray for the families of the police officers and individuals who have been killed in the recent violence in our country. Pray for the store and business owners who have lost everything to the senseless violence of the last few days.

Pray for peace to return to the cities and towns of our country. Pray to stop the violence, looting and hatred. Give our leaders the wisdom to take the actions necessary to restore order.

Please pray for Jerry and Lisa Sears from Michigan who were severely injured in an explosion at their vacation cabin. Jerry is home recovering but more surgery ahead. Lisa is still in rehab with two broken legs and a broken arm.

Please pray for Cathy Kivitt, the sister-in-law of Charles and Kathy Kivitt, she is battling cancer and other health issues. Pray for healing, comfort and strength.

Please pray for 16 year old Kinsey Bogart. Kinsey has a variety of health issues and continuing treatments. Also, pray for her parents Holly and Damon who provide this dear girl with constant love and care. The Bogarts are neighbors of Heidi and Rusty Allen.

Continue to pray for Ed Schneitzer. Ed is having chemo treatments for cancer. A tumor between his esophagus and stomach. It is incurable. but they hope to bring it under control.

Please pray for Frank Szczpanski who is suffering with an ongoing lung infection.

Please pray for Roger Marvin. He has been having several weeks of health issues. Recently he had a fall and suffered a broken hip. Roger and his wife, Shirley, need our prayers.

Cathy Reitmyer, recovering from heart issues.  Please pray for Cathy and her Mom (Rose).

Please pray for Joan Abbett, a friend of Penny and Dave Zwicker. Joan has cancer and recently had a kidney and her bladder removed in a Boston Hospital. Her husband Mark is caring for her and they both need our prayers.

 Please pray for Maggie Mlynczak, great niece of Virginia Hampton. Maggie is doing better and working part-time. Thanks for your prayers and let’s continue to pray for Maggie.

Pray for the many people around the world who are suffering from the coronavirus. Pray to stop the spread of this virus, halt the panic, heal the many children and elderly it is afflicting. Mike
Howard. Mike is still in rehab in Michigan.

Carol Carlson. Pray for Carol who is having health issues. Carol is one of our Infant & Toddler volunteers and church family. Her husband Oakley also needs our prayers.
The children who visit our Infant and Toddler Pantry and their families.

If you have a prayer request contact Dawn Keough at: Nana6bn5g@aol.com or call the pastor at 352-250-6160.

Just a Thought:  "If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you're mis-informed." - Mark Twain   "A little more kindness, A little less speed, A little more giving, A little less greed, A little more smile, A little less frown, A little less kicking, A man while he's down, A little more "We", A little less "I", A little more laugh, A little less cry, A little more flowers, On the pathway of life, And fewer on graves, At the end of the strife. - Mark Twain 
15421 S US Hwy 301
Summerfield, FL 34491

Mailing Address: 
The Congregational Church,
P. O. Box 804,
Summerfield, Florida 34491
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for more information:
Church Office: (352) 693-4545
Reverend Jim: (352) 250-6160