This Sunday, February 23rd
FAT SUNDAY!
10:00 a.m.
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Worship led by Rev. Lee Ann Bryce
"A Time to Laugh"
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Refreshments:
Rhonda Grundy
February Trustee:
Christa Lyles
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We’ve started a tradition of “Fat Sunday” worship on the Sunday before Lent. Last year was pretty incredible with guest Evan Dobbins, a world-class trombonist, and
Fort Worth Weekly’s
Jeff Prince, an old classmate of mine from Arlington High School. Jeff produced an episode of his series “Toast and Jam” during worship.
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This year there’s more fun to come! Trombonist Wayne Adamiec will join Shady Hill and First Congo Uker’s for Dixieland jazz. In addition to incredible music and King Cake, we’ll process in throwing beads and Moon Pies (a Mardi Gras tradition from Mobile), and the choir will form the second line – parasols, check! This year we’ll throw in a Mardi Gras trivia game with prizes from NOLA like beignet mix and and Café du Monde coffee. After worship, our wonderful youth will cook up pancakes complete with fancy toppings. (Donations welcome.)
The day before Ash Wednesday is celebrated in a big way on Fat Tuesday (or Shrove Tuesday in church talk). I’ve always wanted to do a Fat Tuesday worship, but I doubted many folks would show up. So, we’ve created the next best thing – Fat Sunday.
Does any of this have anything to do…with God? Actually, I think so. But you’ll have to come on Sunday to hear why. Don’t forget to wear green, purple, and gold!
Laissez les bons temps rouler,
Rev. Lee Ann
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Youth Pancake Breakfast
this Sunday!
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Our Youth are BUSY! They did a fantastic job at last week's Youth Sunday and we are so very proud of them and our amazing youth director, Heather Goolsby, and our equally amazing youth volunteer, Paige Duke. Our tweens and teens worked for weeks in preparation, and we thank them for sharing who they are with us.
This Sunday, after worship, the Youth are hosting their annual pancake breakfast.
This is their biggest fundraiser of the year
and they will accept your donation for a delicious youth-cooked breakfast!
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Please join us for our Ash Wednesday worship service next Wednesday,
February 26th,
at 6:30 p.m. This is a meaningful contemplative service that will prepare you for the Lenten season.
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Leap into Life:
A Pre-Lenten Mindful Meditation Day
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Cornell Kinderknecht, an award-winning recording artist, world flutes virtuoso, pianist and keyboardist, will be joining the day to play soothing music for deep relaxation.
Click here
if you'd like to hear his music.
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The
NURSERY
will be available for infants-4 years old during worship and after worship during the pancake breakfast. Drop your littles by for play time!
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Our Adventure Village kids send letters, photos, and handmade gifts to our friends at Sukagawa Church in Japan each year. The church was hit hard by the tsunami in 2011, but they have continued on and they have a loving relationship with our AdVillians. Below are photos of the church members and of the display they made of the sunflower photos our kids sent to them. Here is an email from Rev.
Jeffrey Mensendiek who recently preached there and shared these photos:
I was invited to preach at Sukagawa Church last Sunday and was pleased to find the "sunflowers" from your church along with your letter, presented in the entrance of the church. You can see in these pictures that the children at Sukagawa Church added little origami bases to your flowers and pasted them to a base to make a small field of sunflowers. I am also sending a picture taken after worship. It shows you how many people attend on an average on Sundays. It was a very friendly church.
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The giving statements for 2019 have either been emailed or mailed to all those for whom we have an email or mailing address. If you did not receive your statement, please contact
the office.
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February/March Small Groups
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FCC BOOK CLUB, Thursday,
February 27th, 7:00 p.m., home of Ingrid and Jim Keller
The February selection--
T
he Line Becomes a River: Dispatches from the Border
by Francisco Cantu--is a true story telling how Cantu became part of the US Border Patrol in hopes of understanding more of our connection with Mexico and those seeking asylum at our border. This is a timely telling of a powerful story that has been much in the news and on the minds of many recently. (Contact: Peter Nichols, 484-432-4548 or
nich238@yahoo.com
)
CULTIVATING MINDFULNESS, Saturdays, 10:00 a.m., Parlor
FROM LISA:
Please join us for sitting, walking, and guided meditation in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. We will also enjoy tea and dharma discussion.
Please let Lisa know if you're planning on attending the Pre-Lenten Day of Mindfulness.
(Contact:
Lisa November
; Facebook page:
FoWoMindfu
l)
EMMAUS DINNER CHURCH,
first and third Sundays, 5:30 p.m., Chapel
Emmaus Dinner Church is a progressive faith community that practices expansive and radical welcome of ALL people, but especially God's LGBTQIA+ beloved. On the first and third Sundays, they gather around table to share a meal, songs, stories, and communion. (Contact:
Nathaniel Cook
)
FIRST SUNDAY LUNCH BUNCH, March 1st,
following the Education Hour
, Tricky Fish (
5917 Convair Drive off Bryant Irvin)
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 Sauer 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, March 4th, 10:00 a.m.
Join H2H for a tour of the Modern. More details to come!
(Contact:
Rhonda Grundy
or join their Facebook page: Heart2Heart)
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. (Ring the doorbell if you arrive after 8:30 a.m. and wait a moment for someone to open the door or call Lisa at 817-807-0890.) (Contact:
Lisa November
;
Facebook page:
FoWoMindful
)
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
)
FIRST CONGO UKERS, stay tuned for their next gathering
Everyone is welcome to join the ukers as they prepare for our Fat Sunday service. (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
)
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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 GFM, you can donate through FCC...just write "Lucas" in the memo line of a check, or on the outside of an envelope.)
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HELP THE WELMAN PROJECT
Become a member of The Wellies' Second Saturday Squad! If you're looking for a give-back activity your whole family can do together, then join The Wellies--in the building on the far side of our parking lot--on the second Saturday of every month, from 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. You can help them sort supplies, roll fabric, and prep materials. All children are welcome with adult supervision, but since it's a warehouse space, they recommend kids be five or older. To learn more and sign up to volunteer, click
here
!
HELP LOCAL REFUGEES
There are always opportunities at Refugee Services of Texas! Here are current needs:
- RST is partnering with World Relief to create a GIRL GROUP! They are still in the planning stages of what this group will look like, but it will meet Monday or Wednesday evenings in Ladera Palms Apartments (near TCC south campus). This is a great way to mentor and connect with young female refugees. Men and women are welcome to volunteer.
- Individually packaged children's snacks (Goldfish, cookies, etc.)
- Electronics (WiFi enabled TVs, tablets, laptops, computers)
- Bikes for adults and children
- Microwave
- Couch/Sofa/Love Seat
- Coffee Table
- Blankets
- $10-$50 gift cards to Walmart, Big Lots, etc.
You can always have items shipped directly to the RST office through our Amazon wish list
here
! (
NOTE:
There are inexpensive items on the Amazon wish list like a $10 sewing kit that would make a big difference for a woman who is learning to sew to help support her family.
)
RECYCLE
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Crayola has launched Crayola ColorCycle that allows used Crayola markers to be collected and repurposed. The Welman Project (housed in the Ken Davis Hall--the building on the other side of our parking lot) has a collection bin for used Crayola markers. So don't toss them--donate them! (And if the Wellies are not open, just drop your markers by the office with a note that says "Welman.")
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One small way to help both the environment and little animals is by repurposing your used mascara wands.
Appalachian Wildlife Refuge uses mascara wands to help remove eggs and larva from the fur of animals. There is a container in the office to receive your donations (by the window). Contact
Laurie
if you have any questions.
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ATTEND A LOCAL
CLIMATE STRIKE
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Join like-minded folks for a climate protest to bring awareness to the citizens of Fort Worth and Tarrant County about climate change and to demand action by our government. Climate strikes are held weekly on Fridays at 3:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. at 1621 University Drive, just south of I-30 by Starbucks. The next major protest will be on Saturday, February 29th, at 3:00 p.m., at Trinity Park Pavilion #1, 2201 West 7th Street.
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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.
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Please Keep in Your Prayers
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Rev. Kathy Bowser
Martha Salvato
Ethan Goolsby
The family of Rabbi Jennifer Gravitz
Our Room in the Inn guests this week:
Ben, Clarence, Clayton, Craig, and Jonathan
Baby Finn and his family
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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!
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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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2020 Committees
The Cabinet
is responsible for managing the affairs of the church. They decide on church policy, oversee the finances, and manage all church committees and events. If you have any ideas, questions, or concerns about our church, please contact
Tracy Hanna
, Cabinet Moderator or
Veronica Penrod
, Cabinet Moderator-Elect.
Christian Education
oversees the Sunday morning Education Hour and works alongside our Adult Ed, youth, and children’s directors to keep our education program going. If you have an idea for a program or speaker, please contact
Christy Alvear
, Christian Education Chair.
Christian Service
plans and oversees the benevolence and social action plans of our church. If there is an issue you would like our church to be made aware of or become a part of, contact
Ann Cartwright
, Christian Service Chair.
Deacons
work closely with Rev. Lee Ann and are responsible for weekly worship services, special services, and evangelism. If you have any ideas or questions, please contact
Betsy Barbre
, Deacons Chair.
Trustees
are responsible for the care of our building and grounds, and manage the financial affairs of the church. If you see an area needing improvement inside or outside of our building, or have questions about finances, please contact
Jim Keller
, Trustees Chair.
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Article/Announcement Submissions
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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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