TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

NOVEMBER 26, 2023

HYMNS

"All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name"

"Crown with Your Richest Crowns"

"Rejoice, Give Thanks and Sing"

"6 Romanian Folk Dances"

"My Tribute"

November 24, 2023

Dear Congregation,

Grace and peace to you! Last Sunday we enjoyed a very tasty pre-

Thanksgiving potluck with great fellowship after our Thanksgiving

worship service. I pray that each of you had nice holiday focused on

God’s blessings we’ve received as individuals and as a church.

This coming Sunday is Stewardship Sunday, when Pledge Cards received

by members in the mail will be consecrated. I do want to be sure that

you notice that each Pledge Card has two sides. On one side of the card

you may make your financial commitment for the coming year. On the

other side of the card you may make your Time and Talent Pledge,

checking off your interest and availability to be involved in the various

volunteer ministries of CCC. Both sides of the Pledge Card are equally

important. Please take the time to prayerfully consider how you can

share the gifts God has given you in the church community. You ALL

have gifts!

After our potluck, Church Council members spent their afternoon

together in a working retreat with Neal Watkins, Florida Conference

Minister for Congregational Life. To my mind, it was a wonderful

experience, as we collaborated on crafting a new Mission Statement

and a new Vision Statement for CCC. With Neal’s leadership, and

everyone’s thoughtful participation, after about four hours we arrived

at consensus and the new Mission and Vision Statements were

approved unanimously by Council They are shared with you below.

In the future all decisions to be made in the church around a variety of

categories—finances, programs, outreach, advertising, etc. – will be

evaluated by first asking the question, “Is this in line with the church’s

Mission and Vision? Council and I feel very positive about the results of

our work, and I hope you, too, are excited to see the outcome. To make

our vision of the future a reality each one of you is necessary.

Remember, You are the Church!

May God Bless each of you as you share what you have and who you

are, believing in the future of Christ Congregational Church, UCC!

In Christ’s peace and love,

Pastor Candy

Pre-Thanksgiving Potluck

Bianca's You Better Bee-lieve It Corner

Join Us in Capturing the Spirit of Christmas! 

On Sunday, December 3rd, we're inviting everyone to share what Christmas means to them. We'll be capturing these heartfelt sentiments through pictures of people holding up signs that finish the sentence "To me, Christmas time means..."

Whether it's about family gatherings, spreading love, giving back, or cherished traditions, your unique perspective adds to the magic of this holiday season. Bring your enthusiasm and thoughts that Sunday, as we celebrate the diverse cultures and traditions behind this special time of year. Get ready to share your joy, memories, and beliefs with us on December 3rd. 

Stay tuned for more details!

Bottle Caps and Pop Tops!

🎨 Join us on December 10th at 1:30 pm for a delightful arts and crafts event where we'll be turning collected bottle caps into beautiful ornaments! This event promises creative fun for all ages, especially kids! Got bottle caps lying around? We'd love to have them! Your donated caps will be transformed into holiday decorations! This will be one more step towards being a GREEN church! 

Moreover, we're also collecting pop tops for a special cause. These pop tops will be donated to support the Ronald McDonald Program, aiding children and families in need. Wondering how your pop tops can make a difference? According to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida, these tabs are recycled for dollars that directly support the children and families they serve in their Houses. By contributing, you're playing a part in providing crucial assistance to those in our community who need it most. Let's make this season a time of joy, creativity, and giving!

Join us and be a part of this wonderful initiative—where every cap and pop top collected brings smiles and support to those in our community who can use it most.

Food Pantry Donations:

Donating food to a food pantry or directly to those in need is a wonderful way to give back to the community and support those facing food insecurity. The effectiveness of these donations depends on the thought and care put into the process. Over time and through conversations that Miriam had with people receiving food at food banks, she learned valuable insights about what is and isn't helpful when donating food. Miriam shared her findings with us to help make a positive impact and ensure that our donations reach those who need them the most.

Insights to take into consideration when donating food:

1. Everyone donates Kraft Mac and Cheese in the box. They can rarely use it because it needs milk and butter which is hard to get from regular food banks. 

2. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get a lot of. 

3. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles.

4. They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops.

5. Oil is a luxury but needed for Rice a-Roni which they also get a lot of. 

6. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift. 

7. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care. 

8. Sugar and flour are treats. 

9. They fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores. 

10. Seeds are cool in Spring and Summer because growing can be easy for some. 

11. They rarely get fresh meat. 

12. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch. 

13. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef. 

14. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread. 

15. Butter or margarine is nice too. 

16. Eggs are a real commodity. 

17. Cake mixes and frosting makes birthday cakes and family time/dinners special.

18. Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated. 

19. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that.

20. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing.

21.Please check expiration dates.

IMPORTANT

The Glow Advent Devotional is out of stock if you wish to buy it in print. However, the digital (PDF) version is still available for $3. 

The Stewardship cards have been sent out, they have arrived a little glossier than we would have liked, so we recommend that people fill them out with permanent marker of a ballpoint pen. If anyone needs help with this, they can please let me know. 

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, Brad and Amelia's cousin Dan, Ed Kretchmer and Judith Mekitemba.



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.

Middle East Conflict

The war in Israel/Palestine declared on October 7, has claimed thousands of lives, and tens of thousands of people have been injured. Approximately one million Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced, still within Gaza, as there is nowhere to go. Half are in emergency shelters set up by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). It is increasingly difficult for Gazan Palestinians to find safe space, as even hospitals and a church have sustained damage, killing and injuring hundreds of people. Food, water, fuel, and electricity have been cut off, and supplies are running out. 

Convoys of trucks carrying humanitarian relief await the opportunity to bring much-needed relief into Gaza from Egypt, but the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza has been damaged by rocket strikes. Other entrances, controlled by Israel, remain closed and the threat of an Israeli ground invasion threatens more lives and livelihoods in the coming days and weeks.

With ecumenical partners, the UCC has offered a public witness that has been unequivocal:

— Condemnation of the violence of Hamas and Israel’s use of force against Palestinians in Gaza

— A call for a cease-fire

— The allowance of the provision of humanitarian aid for Palestinians and an end to collective punishment

— The guarantee of and respect for safe spaces for people to find shelter

— Support for robust diplomatic efforts to resolve the core issues

The UCC is learning from Palestinian Christian partners how they are attempting to respond to the needs of the people of Gaza, even amid steady bombardments.

— In times of calm, the Department of Service for Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) operates medical clinics and trauma therapy classes in Gaza.

— Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, an Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem institution, normally offers a critical and courageous ministry of health care provision (often free of charge) in the most trying circumstances. It has sustained damage in two incidents in the first week and a half. Yet, staff remain committed to their calling to provide care and hope, “delivered in a spirit of love and service.” 

— Other partners, such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, the YMCA of East Jerusalem, and the YWCA of Palestine, are preparing to respond to the needs of Palestinians.

— These partners and others, bilaterally and through ACT Alliance, are preparing to address immediate and longer-term responses such as food and nutrition needs, physical and psychosocial health care, shelter and rehabilitation, and direct assistance.

Frequent updates are posted here.

“The work of our partners in Palestine, and specifically in Gaza, is inspiring, especially as they cope with conditions and access that are extremely limited. Having visited Gaza, I know the dedication and commitment of our partners’ staffs to serve the whole community and offer a witness of care and service. We mourn the loss of life and pray for the end to violence,” said Peter Makari, who currently serves as Transitional Executive for Wider Church Ministries, and Global Relations Minister for the Middle East and Europe in Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ. “We must walk in solidarity with them in this time of war, accompanying them now and in the future as the impact of this war will be lasting.”

Please advocate for a cease-fire, access for humanitarian assistance, and for the core issues to be addressed.

At the same time, we invite your financial support to undergird the work of our partners with whom we have had a long-standing relationship. Your gifts will make an impact and a difference on those suffering so greatly during these days of lamentation and suffering.

The two actions go hand-in-hand. Thank you for your generosity.

You can also mail a check made payable to the United Church of Christ, PO BOX 71957 Cleveland, OH 44194.

Please be sure to note “Middle East Support” in your check's memo section.

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 Fiji. To read their mission moment, please click the Global Ministries IMAGE. Below is this week's prayer, united we pray.

God of Grace, we pray for the Pacific Theological College in Fiji and all our partners throughout the Pacific. We pray for the students and graduates of PTC who will return to their communities to be strands of love, hope, and healing in times and places where the mat of your creation is starting to fray.

We know your desire for creation is wholeness, not separation and division. We pray for your guidance and mercy to follow you by caring for the hungry, the sick, and the stranger. Lead us to love others and to love the earth that sustains us all.

Bless the PTC as they grow in their mission to provide a “whole of life” education. Bless the whole ecumenical community of the Pasifika, and weave us together with them that, united, we may serve you as partners.

Amen