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Click our PRIDE logo for news from the Open & Affirming Coalition |
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JOIN US FOR WORSHIP IN THE SANCTUARY
10:30 AM
AND ON FACEBOOK LIVE
WORSHIP RESOURCES BELOW | JOIN US FROM ANYWHERE
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“Christ the Lord is Risen Today”
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“Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ”
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"The Day of Resurrection"
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This week's Hymns sheet music is ready! Click the MUSIC image.
Special Music links redirect to videos.
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“Welcome!
We are so glad you are here!”
As we enter our church, as we live as members, as we experience important life-cycle events (falling in love, marrying, parenting, baptism, coming out, transitioning, etc.), words of welcome and support, understanding and love are what we all long for. This manifestation of God’s Extravagant Welcome and the justice and social witness that accompany it are the heart of what we hope to show our community and all who walk through the doors of Christ Congregational United Church of Christ.
PEACE BE WITH YOU!
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April 7, 2023
Dear Congregation,
Grace and peace to you on this Good Friday. I pray that it is well with your soul. Participating in last night’s Maundy Thursday meal, Rite of Footwashing, Holy Communion, and the Tenebrae Service of Shadows certainly fed my soul. The love that Jesus commanded felt very present throughout the events of the evening. Thank you to everyone who was able to be there and contributed in so many ways to this special time of remembrance.
Today I encourage you to take a little time to reflect on the events of that day so long ago when Jesus’ was crucified and his grief-stricken followers, those who loved him, thought that was the end of his life and ministry. They didn’t know, as we do now, that Easter was coming!
The meaning of Easter has changed for me, as I imagine it has for you, over the years. I’ve shared a picture of one of the first Easters I remember, Easter 1951. In it I am standing with my sister Sharon on the steps of my grandparents’ front porch. We are dressed almost identically in our Easter finery—different bonnets. Because we were born only thirteen months apart my mother often dressed us alike. We look happy with our Easter baskets beside us, after Sunday School and church. For us then, Easter was all about the new clothes and the candy!
There have been many Easters since then. Along with all the good things that have happened in my seventy-seven years, inevitably, as life has unfolded, there have been losses of loved ones and the realization of one’s own mortality, the same as for many of you. And that’s where the true message of Easter gives assurance and hope.
Because of Jesus’ resurrection, death is not the end. Ultimately, all that is death-dealing in the world will be made right. That is why we sing Alleluia on Easter morning, as we will this Sunday when Joan Campagna, the Keeper of the Alleluia, returns the Alleluia banner at the beginning of worship. Alleluia, Christ is Risen! This glorious message is what Easter means to me now with all the hope, joy, peace, and love that they hold. May it be so also for you!
See you in church!
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Candy
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CALENDAR
EASTER SUNDAY
Sun. 9 | 10:30 am
Worship in the Sanctuary
& Facebook Live
Mon. 3 | 6:30 pm
Bible Study on Zoom
Sun. 16 | 10:30 am
Worship in the Sanctuary
& Facebook Live
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Join us on APRIL 16 when we will march alongside PFLAG with LGBTQ+ allies creating a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. If you would like a ride, please contact Karen Kett (kbkett@aol.com) or Miriam Grissett (786.362.4051). The parade route runs the length of the Art Deco district along Ocean Drive, from 5th to 15th Street. |
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GET ON THE BUS! Contact Miriam Grissett if you want to join her at the
Poor People's Campaign Moral March and Mass Assembly at our State Capitol.
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USE THE LINKS BELOW FOR
UCC RESOURCES
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Global Ministries offers a weekly prayer for one of our global mission partners. This week's prayer is with the Honduras Excepted from Honduras Mission Moment written by Nancy Romero-Pavón, Executive Director of the Christian Commission for Development
"...I spent 50 days surrounded by guards for what? Immigration authorities denied my request to enter that country. However, they did allow my niece to stay in the U.S. I returned deported and prevented from returning. But I experienced what it means “to resurrect.” I returned safely to Honduras and received no more anonymous calls. As time passed, I became the Executive Director of the Christian Commission for Development (CCD), a faith-based organization in Tegucigalpa. There, we work with passion and dedication, overseeing projects and creating rural banks for people with no credit access in the outskirts of the capital city. At CCD, we seek to improve the socioeconomic conditions of our compatriots so they don’t have to take the path I followed more than 15 years ago. At CCD, we believe that with the help of God and partners such as Global Ministries, significant changes have been achieved in the lives of many Hondurans who struggle daily to survive. I end by saying: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, GLOBAL MINISTRIES, for what you have done for Honduras. The reward comes from heaven!"
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Find all UCC podcasts in one feed!
"Into the Mystic" with Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer's weekly podcast where "the art and practice of spiritual reflection is modeled as a priority and not just a part-time avocation."
INTRODUCING: "Seeds and Ways," a weekly reflection for worship preparation. This series provides an audio reflection for each week's "Sermon Seeds" and "Weekly Seeds." These resources are created by the UCC, based on the Revised Common Lectionary.
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CJ Logo and images are all linked for action. Register for the newsletter or the CJ Earth Day Service, and access April actions for creation care! |
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Subscribe using these links. Why miss out on the latest Florida news? |
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REMEMBERED IN OUR CONTINUING PRAYERS
Jay Harragin, Joan Hansen, Maggie McDowell, Daniel Best,
J.J. Ketzle, Jim and Cindy Ketzle, Carol McCreary, Mary Ellen Prather, Kevin Zhang, Neal and Pam Watkins & family, Frank Tirb,
George Colimorio, Bradley Everhardt and Marsi Ott Miranda
and Rhonda Johnstone Cespedes’ Family and Friends
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.
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Thank you so much for the generous gifts of your time, treasure and talent in pursuit of A Just World For All!
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Online Giving – We invite you to use our online giving option as a quick, simple, and secure method to make your pledges and ancillary gifts.
*Please indicate when your giving is other than pledge or plate.*
You may click this image or the
"Online Giving" link on the upper right of our website.
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The Rev. Candace Thomas | Pastor
Graham Bryan | Moderator & President
Jay Harragin | Music Director
Miriam Grissett | Editor
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