TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

OCTOBER 22, 2023

HYMNS

"When Morning Gilds the Skies"

"God, Speak to Me That I May Speak"

"What a Covenant"

""What the World Needs Now""

""God Is So Good""

October 13, 2023

Dear Congregation,

Greetings on this beautiful October day with its blue skies and cooler

80-degree temperatures that help us believe it really is fall! I know that the contrast between the green loveliness of our environment here in Palmetto Bay and what so many are experiencing in the bombed-out rubble of Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine is almost surreal to consider. The loss of life, injuries sustained by thousands of people, the plight of Israeli hostages, and lack of food, water, and fuel for the Palestinian people is heartbreaking. Please join me in praying for peace daily.

In the Gospel lesson for Sunday, Matthew 22:15-22, Jesus responds to

the question from the religious authorities, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to

the emperor, or not?” Jesus replies, after asking to see a coin stamped

with the image of the emperor’s head, “Give therefore to the emperor

the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are

God’s.”

The very concrete image of that coin used as a visual by Jesus,

reminded me of a poem I first read back in high school. It has stuck with me all these years. In “Barter” by Sara Teasdale, the poet compares the lovely things of life—the beauty of the natural world, music, dancing firelight, expressions of wonder on children’s faces, and human love—as worthy of spending the coin of our life on. Some of the characteristics of this life-coin are time, attention, appreciation, and the ability to realize what is important. All this beauty has been created by God for our enjoyment when we are wise enough to value and appreciate it.

I share “Barter” with you here and pray for the day when the coin of so

many lives will be spent on loveliness instead of the things of war.

In the Peace and Love of Christ.

Pastor Candy

Barter By Sara Teasdale

Life has loveliness to sell,

   All beautiful and splendid things,

Blue waves whitened on a cliff,

   Soaring fire that sways and sings,

And children's faces looking up

Holding wonder like a cup.

Life has loveliness to sell,

   Music like a curve of gold,

Scent of pine trees in the rain,

   Eyes that love you, arms that hold,

And for your spirit's still delight,

Holy thoughts that star the night.

Spend all you have for loveliness,

   Buy it and never count the cost;

For one white singing hour of peace

   Count many a year of strife well lost,

And for a breath of ecstasy

Give all you have been, or could be.

Bianca's You Better Bee-lieve It Corner

Fall Country Harvest Festival:

Our Fall Harvest Picnic is just around the corner, and we need your help to make it a fantastic day for our community. We welcome volunteers of all talents and interests, from event planning to grilling, and everything in between. To join in the fun and lend a hand, please fill out our quick volunteer form. Let us know what you're good at and what you'd like to do – it's that simple! We can't wait to see you all come together to create lasting memories. Let's make this event unforgettable together!

To sign up as a volunteer follow this link OR fill out the physical form provided at Kelsey Hall: https://forms.gle/cSxVAozHCennQn2J6 

Voter Registration:

Hey there, fellow civic superheroes!  Have you checked under your virtual couch cushions lately to make sure you're registered to vote? It's time to dust off your voter registration and be the hero your democracy deserves!  If you're not registered, don't fret – I've got your back! Just let me know I will help you get registered or verify your current status. 

But that's not all! Starting this Sunday at Zoo Miami, There will be a Vote-by-Mail Enrollment Drive for at least the next four Sundays!  Whether you need assistance enrolling for mail-in voting or want to become a voting champion by volunteering to help others, they've got capes for everyone!  Let's make democracy roar like a lion at the zoo!"  #VoteForChange #DemocracyHeroes

Follow the link to register to volunteer: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/581686/

Virtual Backgrounds:

As the crisp (okay, slightly less hot) autumn season sets in, why not add a touch of fall charm to your virtual meetings? We're excited to introduce two delightful fall-themed backgrounds that will instantly transform your virtual backdrop into a cozy, autumnal setting. We hope these backgrounds will help you embrace the spirit of fall during your virtual gatherings. So, go ahead and swap out your usual background for one of these seasonal gems to add a warm and inviting atmosphere to your Zoom and Teams meetings and help represent our church. It's an easy way to bring a bit of Christ Congregational with you to your virtual world and spread some seasonal cheer!

ARE YOU CURIOUS ABOUT CCC OR ABOUT THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST?

Pastor Candy would be happy to meet with you to talk about our Christian faith, your spiritual journey, and to discuss what church membership means. Please let her know if you're interested!

CALENDAR

Sun. Oct. 22 | 10:30 am

Worship in the Sanctuary & Facebook Live

Mon. Oct. 23 | 6:30 pm

ZOOM Bible Study

Meeting ID: 856 1964 5746

Wed. Oct. 25 | 7:00 pm

Community Choir practice

Sun. Oct. 29 | 10:30 am

Worship in the Sanctuary & Facebook Live

UPCOMING EVENTS!

FALL COUNTRY HARVEST FESTIVAL OPEN TO ALL!

Practice begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 18, 2023

and will be weekly. The choir will present a free Christmas concert on

Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 2 p.m. at the church.

COMFORT BOXES

Comfort Boxes were blessed and delivered to SOS by Karen Kett.

Assembling the comfort boxes after worship.

Find Us, Like us, Follow Us, and Share Us

on Social Media!

Facebook: Christ Congregational United Church of Christ

Twitter/X: @CCC_UCC

TikTok: @CCC_UCC

YouTube: ChristCongregational-UCC

Instagram: @christcongregationalucc

REMEMBERED IN OUR CONTINUING PRAYERS

Joan Hansen, Maggie McDowell, Carol McCreary, the family and friends of Mary Ellen Prather, Mary and Frank Tirb, Bradley Everhardt, Julio Balcells, Jessica Nodarse, Mark, Julie Henkel, Merly Alonso, Bianca and Nina Sarmento and the friends and family of J.J Newby Ketzle and Sarah Wiley, Stone Coram and the family and friends of Brenda Best, Aberas Jober and Leslie Perichak, Paul LeGrand and Cathryn Tagmeyer, Briane Garrison and Theresa Grambell, Vincent Andrews and family, Rodger and Esther and Carol and sons.



For Pastoral Care Needs, please call Pastor Candy directly at 925-640-9289 or you may call and leave a message with the Church Office, 305-235-9381.

Churches for Middle East Peace joins United Nations in call not to ignore Gazans “dying at the world’s watch”

UPDATED Oct. 13: The following statement was issued Friday, Oct. 13 by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) — of which the United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are members — regarding the ongoing conflict and violence in Israel and Palestine. Earlier statements can be found below.

CMEP and our member communions call for the world not to ignore the catastrophic crisis happening in Gaza, where people are “dying at the world’s watch.” As of Friday morning, October 13, more than 400,000 people in Gaza have already been displaced as a result of Israel’s bombing campaign and military offensive, which Israel’s war cabinet has said will “wipe Hamas off the earth” and Netanyahu has promised will “reverberate for generations.” CMEP condemned the October 7 attacks by Hamas and all violence targeting civilians and supports the United Nations in asserting that the world must intervene not to allow the consequences of displacement, starvation, and death to be placed upon the millions of Palestinian civilians in Gaza who must be differentiated from the actions of Hamas. 

At this critical juncture, Congress and the Biden Administration must not sit idly by as ethnic cleansing unfolds. The United States government must immediately press Israel to abide by the Geneva Conventions and rules of war and to allow for the delivery of critical humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. CMEP calls for the establishment of humanitarian corridors in Gaza to allow for needed humanitarian aid to flow to populations in critical need. All efforts must be made to protect civilian life and to pursue an immediate ceasefire.

On October 13, the Israeli government announced that the 1.1 million Gazans living in the northern part of the enclave had 24 hours to relocate to the south. CMEP strongly denounces this move – not only would it force people from their homes and communities, it is impossible to move more than one million people logistically and safely in such a short period of time. The southern area also remains under the threat of bombing. As the United Nations notes, such a move is not possible “without devastating humanitarian consequences.” 

People of faith and goodwill can not turn a blind eye to the devastation in Gaza – thousands, if not tens of thousands, or more will die if Israel’s siege of Gaza and the continued bombing campaign continues. We cannot be silent in the face of ongoing collective punishment against the more than 2.2 million citizens of Gaza – of whom more than half are children. Already, more than 500 children have been killed. As the UN reminds us, “The time for humanity to prevail is now.”

CMEP calls on all to stand in the G.A.P. – Give. Act. Pray. To give to organizations who are addressing systemic issues and responding to the humanitarian crisis. To act by calling on the U.S. government and elected officials to call for an end to violence, war, and the devastation of human life. And to pray. Join us in our constant prayers on our Prayers4Peace blog, our corporate weekly prayers, and our weekly briefings to keep informed. CMEP affirms today’s statement from the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of Jerusalem on the Escalating Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza and calls on all Christians and people of faith to join in the Day of Prayer and Fasting on Tuesday, October 17.

ACTION ITEMS:

• Call on Members of Congress to support ceasefire, restraint, de-escalation of violence and protection of civilian life in Israel/Palestine.

Contact Your Legislators

• Register to pray for Peace in the Middle East.

Register Here

• Read the letter that was sent to congress.

Read letter

*** Voter's Registration***

Voter registration has started on September 17th. Please be sure to verify your registration and if you are not registered please get registered.

Registration and Verification can be done by clicking the image below:

On December 12, the Miami Dade County Board of County Commissioners (MDC BCC) will be voting on whether to extend the lease agreement for a 67-acre theme park, hotel and retail development misleadingly dubbed “Miami Wilds.” The development site is located adjacent to and on Zoo Miami property — land that is considered vital to endangered species and the largest and most biodiverse fragment of critically endangered Pine Rocklands outside of Everglades National Park. 

ATTEND the MDC BCC meeting on December 12 and voice your opposition to the proposed Miami Wilds development! The meeting begins at 9:30am at the Stephen P. Clark Government Center (address: 111 NW 1st St, Miami, FL 33132, 2nd floor Commission Chambers). We recommend that you arrive no later than 8:45am and bring your ID for check-in. 

Global Ministries offers a weekly prayer for one of our global mission partners. This week's prayer is with Japan. To read their mission moment, please click the Global Ministries IMAGE. Below is this week's prayer, united we pray.

God of all Nations, I come before you with a spirit of humility and thanksgiving. I lift up Japan and the people you have entrusted The Asian Rural Institute (ARI) to serve in the mission fields and in prayer.

God in Heaven, you are the creator of all nations, and I acknowledge your sovereignty over every corner of the earth. I pray for the nation of Japan, a country of rich history and culture. Please bless Japan’s people with your wisdom and understanding, so that they may contribute positively to the world and come to acknowledge your love and presence in their hearts.

I ask for your guidance and protection, especially in times of natural disasters and challenges. I also lift up the warm and resilient people from places that ARI serves in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Shower your grace upon their people, granting them unity, peace, and prosperity. God of Glory, be a beacon of hope for those in need and help the nations grow in harmony and love.

I ask all these in the blessed name of our God and coming savior, Jesus Christ. Amen