October 14 Colonial Church News

WORSHIP OCTOBER 18

“What Comes Next?” Worship Service

We have a great time of worship coming! We will celebrate the first baptism in our church community since the pandemic began.

It is the baptism of a girl who will grow empowered to change the world, and we're going to hear the story of Hannah, a woman whose faith did change the world and helped usher in a golden age.

This is a Sunday of hope. So, if you need a little hope these days, let's worship!

Sunday Worship Online

Connect to online live worship service at https://colonialucc.online.church/ at 8:30 or 10:15 a.m.

Or, you can watch our service anytime after 8:30 a.m. on Sundays via YouTube at https://bit.ly/CCYouTubeV

Fellowship Time at 9:15 a.m. This Sunday at our fellowship time, Charlotte and Kirby Drayer will be our special Welcome Hosts. Each Sunday, immediately following our 8:30 worship service, we gather together via Zoom. Grab a mug of coffee or a cup of tea and come say hi. This is a chance to catch up and chat, discuss a little about Sunday's message, and anything else that might be on your mind. Join Charlotte and Kirby this Sunday. You can connect at https://tinyurl.com/ColConv

Online Children's Sunday School. This week's Sunday School Bible story will go live on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. https://bit.ly/CCYouTubeVid

If you know of kids who might enjoy taking part in our Sunday School, invite their parents to signup to be on the list to receive the weekly materials at https://bit.ly/CCSSOnline.

A NOTE WITH GRATITUDE FROM PASTOR AARON

Bill Sanderson asked Carrie, Miles, and me to be out front of our house around noon on Sunday, September 27. So, I knew something related to my 10 Year Anniversary serving the Colonial Church community was happening, but when I saw the signs, cards, and people who came out in a torrential rain, my heart was happy and humbled. I have missed seeing people so much. You have no idea how much you mean to me.

These years have been my honor to be part of a church community living and growing to be a blessing. Almost every day I get to see people doing something to be Christ's compassionate presence in the world. Even in these challenging days, that Spirit continues, and it is good!

A couple years back, I had hoped to make a pilgrimage to the holy land, but I haven't been able to find a way to make that happen yet. The gift that this church community offered me makes this possible, not just for me but for Carrie too. So, once travel becomes possible, I plan to make this pilgrimage that I have dreamed of for years. Thank you. I have been told many times that you can study the history and scriptures, but experiencing the holy land gives a perspective that nothing else can. I am very excited to see about that!

Thank you for these past 10 years! Thank you for allowing me to be part of our walk together in Christian Love. God willing, we have some exciting days ahead!

In Christ,

Pastor Aaron

Help Us Honor Our Veterans

On Sunday November 8, we will be honoring our veteran and active duty Colonial members. Please share the name and branch of service if you are a veteran or active duty. Also, if you are a spouse or family member and would like them to be recognized please share this person's name and branch of service. We would really like a photo of each person (either in uniform or a recent photo). You can email Julie with information and photos at julie.luttman@colonialucc.org

ADVENT DEVOTION WRITERS

We are looking for Advent Devotional Writers. If you have been waiting breathlessly for your opportunity to write a devotion for Advent, look no further. All you need do is pick a day, read the text pulled from the Advent Daily Lectionary reading and voila, pen your greatest work! You can join through this link: Advent Devotion Writers Registry

ALL SAINTS SUNDAY INFORMATION

On Sunday, November 1 we will remember the members and friends of our church family who died during the past year or were requested to be remembered. We also will celebrate the new lives of those whose journeys have begun during this period. If there is a loved one you would like to have remembered in our worship service, please contact the church office at info@colonialucc.org.

HALLOWEEN MOVIE NIGHT FOR COLONIAL FAMILIES

Join us on Halloween, Saturday, October 31 at 6:45 p.m. in the Colonial back parking lot for a showing of the animated movie “Hotel Transylvania.” Masks and social distancing are required. Snacks and drinks will be provided by Colonial Women. Treats will also be individually wrapped following safety recommendations. Wear a costume if you like. Sign up at https://colonialucc.breezechms.com/form/7c2e9f27

You can also participate by dropping off individually wrapped candy (no homemade treats please) in the bin by the church office door by the end of the day Tuesday, October 27. We will then let the treats sit for 72 hours prior to making individual treat bags.

CELEBRATING THANKSGIVING WITH DIALOGUE INSTITUTE

Pumpkins on doorsteps and cool nights remind us that we will soon be making plans to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. The status of the COVID virus seems to point us to virtual visits with friends and family for holiday feasts, including Colonial’s dinner on the Sunday before Thursday.

In past few years we have been able to share that meal with families from the Dialogue Institute of Kansas City who are refugees from Turkey. We have reunited with friends and made new ones as we shared time together. This year we can turn to technology to help us celebrate with some who are new to this special western world holiday. Simply let us know that you would like to participate and we will connect you with a family via Zoom to be a part of your Thanksgiving Day. You can share greetings, special prayers and/or activities of your family celebration. Are there special dishes, a way to share thanks or family jokes and games that brings you together? You may want to learn more of the changes that the refugee family has made during their journey to the Midwest.

Send your name to Julie at julie.luttman@colonialucc.org or Mariam Fleming at mariamfleming@gmail.com

READ WOKE ADDITION

We are excited to to let you know about a book that was just ordered to add to the WOKE collection that will encourage you to gather children and grandchildren around to share a real conversation about the racial injustice that is part of our culture.

The title is NOT MY IDEA, written by Anastasia Higginbotham, an author who often chooses to write on topics that open questions. The illustrations portray an incident, such as a security guard watching a black boy in a store and ignoring a white girl nearby. Do our children know that this happens?

“Woke” has a new meaning in the 21^st century lexicon. To be woke is to understand that equality and justice for some is not equality and justice for all. The United Church of Christ calls us to be woke in this time, in this place. Therefore, Colonial Church librarians are assembling woke resources for all the folks who want to learn more about the history and cumulative consequences of inequality and injustice in the United States.

We hope to have this WOKE collection ready for our use when we once again meet in the building and you can be a part of building the resource by suggesting titles that you have found helpful and donating or lending titles that you may own.

– Colonial Librarians

Colonial Women Activities

All women of Colonial Church are invited to gather with others in casual fellowship opportunities, whether you prefer breakfast, happy hour or discussing a book. Check out the options below. No reservations required.

Book Group. Friday, October 30, 7:00 p.m., via Zoom. We will discuss "On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous" by Ocean Vuong.
Coffee - Not at Big Biscuit. Monday, November 2, 9:30 a.m., Heritage Room. Masks required.
Blue Moose Tuesday. Tuesday, November 10, 5:30 p.m., Heritage Room. Masks required.

Watch Our Weekly Services and Sermons

Livestream: Sundays at 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. at https://colonialucc.online.church/

On Demand: worship services are on YouTube here. Sermons are available here.

Daily Devotionals

Our denomination, the United Church of Christ, provides an excellent daily devotional, written by the "Still Speaking" writers group. To have the devotions emailed to you daily go to:

http://www.ucc.org/daily_devotional