Worship with Us this Sunday

February12, 2023

10:00am In-person and Facebook Live or replay on Facebook later

Our scripture lessons are Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (God blesses us and encourages us to make good choices) and 1Corinthians 3:1-9 (the people of the early church in Corinth are told to stay focused and to mature in the faith.)

Our Youth will celebrate Souper Bowl Sunday by asking you to "vote" for the Kansas City Chiefs and/or Philadelphia Eagles by putting coins/bills in your team’s large soup pot when you exit the sanctuary. These funds will help fund the Youth Mission Trip this summer.

Please participate in worship virtually via our livestream on Facebook if that is convenient for you and/or if you have tested positive for Covid in the last 5 days.

Masks should be worn and respected for in-person worship under the following conditions:

1) You have tested positive for COVID 6-10 days ago and you still have symptoms;

2) You are in a high-risk group and/or have underlying conditions;

3) You are more comfortable wearing a mask.

In order to protect individuals and the wider community, we strongly encourage up-to-date vaccinations and boosters against all communicable diseases.

Graphic by Dexter Cameron

Sunday School

This winter our children are learning about some of the people who met Jesus. Most of these stories are found in the Gospel of John: Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, the first disciples, a blind man, the little boy with fish and bread, and many more.

Youth are using a new curriculum called Feasting on the Word. This curriculum is lectionary based with activities and discussions around topics of interest to youth as they relate to scripture.

Contact Marsha Peek: [email protected]

Feb 26: Feeding the Hungry

Two Sundays ago in worship, we enjoyed some of the poetry in scripture including Jesus’ Beatitudes, Psalm 8, the love passage from 1Corinthians and God’s requirements in Micah 6. We also heard some poetry from a number of you as we nurture, encourage and challenge one another to live our lives as faithfully as and beautifully possible.

Here are the poems we shared:

https://conta.cc/3DwteQy

Chili Cook-off & Brownie Bake-off - a fundraiser for our Youth Summer Mission Trip – Sunday, March 5 after worship

We are looking for someone to organize a team to coordinate the Community Easter Egg Hunt this spring. Interested? Questions? [email protected]

We are also looking for one or two people to help Harold Cobb coordinate daytime outings several times in 2023. Pre-Covid, this was called Not Just For Men but we are looking for a new name. Outings included museums, traveling exhibits, restaurants. Thanks for considering this!

Tuesday Evening Dialogue 02/14/2023

Join us for Potluck and book discussion on Tuesday, Feb 14 at 6pm. We start a new book The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate. Please read up to Chapter 11 for this session. The author brings to life the startling stories from actual "lost friends" advertisements that appeared in Southern newspapers after the Civil War, as newly freed slaves desperately tried to find loved ones who had been sold away. Helen Race: [email protected] | (314) 401-4382

Beware of scams and phishing! Beware of scams and phishing! Fraudulent emails pretending to be church staff have been around for quite some time. Fraudulent texts claiming to be Kevin have started to come to PUCCers’ phones recently. Be careful and do not respond to these or other suspicious messages - even if an email or text at first sounds like someone you know and trust. Reminder: be vigilant with your personal information!

Nolte-Edwards-Larson Family celebrating arrival of Charles Alexander Edwards on Feb 1 to Kristin & Brandon, Karen & Bill, Skip.

Black History Month.

All the acts of kindness, justice and equity near and far.

The Impastato Family - as they grieve/give thanks for Andy’s Dad.

Gail Haack - healing from last Friday’s sinus cyst surgery.

Peter LaSalle - hospitalized while he and Sally are on a trip to Arizona.

Joseph Miller - moved out of ICU to acute care (son of Deb Carter).

Rutherford Family - as they grieve/give thanks for sis-in-law Nancy.

Schulenburgs - Kaylyn & David’s Milo William born 11-30 is in NICU.

He is making strides: moving steadily toward 5lbs

Cassie Rosenberger’s mother Martha - awaiting medical news.

Lyon Family/Friends - grieving/giving thanks for David (McKenzie).

Aftermath of the multiple deadly gun violence events in California and the killing of Tyre Nichols by police in Memphis.

All impacted by Covid-19.

The devastating earthquake in Turkey & Syria.

When we asked our Muslim friends from TASOM (Turkish American Society of Missouri) about relief agencies -- https://embracerelief.org 

The continuing war in Ukraine.

Still I Rise

by Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops,

Weakened by my soulful cries?

Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don't you take it awful hard

’Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines

Diggin’ in my own backyard.

You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I’ll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?

Does it come as a surprise

That I dance like I've got diamonds

At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history’s shame

I rise

Up from a past that’s rooted in pain

I rise

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise

Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise

I rise.

[Have you noticed the banner in our sanctuary that quotes this poem!?]

Dear Friends,

We hope this email finds you in good health and spirits. We are writing to you today to bring your attention to a devastating earthquake that recently struck the eastern region of Turkey. The earthquake has caused widespread destruction and claimed many lives, leaving countless people injured, homeless, and in dire need of support.

As a responsible and compassionate community, it is our duty to come together and provide assistance to those who are suffering. The victims of the earthquake need our help now more than ever, and any form of support, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in their lives.

We are reaching out to you today to ask for your help in supporting the earthquake victims in Turkey. There are several ways you can contribute:

1.    Donate money to trusted relief organizations such as https://www.embracerelief.org/ which are working on the ground to provide immediate assistance to the affected communities.

2.    Spread awareness about the situation and encourage others to contribute in any way they can.

3.    If you are able to travel to the affected areas, consider volunteering with local organizations to assist with the relief efforts.

Every little bit counts and we are confident that together, we can make a difference.

Thank you for taking the time to read this email. We look forward to your kind support and generosity in this time of need.

Best regards,

Turkish American Society of Missouri

From the St Louis Chamber Chorus Depth to Height

Join the St. Louis Chamber Chorus for Depth to Height, our fourth concert exploring themes of Progressions. The “Depth” element of the program sees several settings of Psalm 130 in English, German and Latin, from five centuries beginning with the Tudor musician, Thomas Tallis, and culminating with a past commission for the Chamber Chorus by the Swiss composer Carl Rütti. We will also feature two works written expressly for the Chorus – a 2010 work by the British academic Magnus Williamson, and a commission for this concert Height in Depth, a new cycle of songs by a fellow Briton Kerensa Briggs. This will be the first work she has written in her new position as the Choir’s Composer-in-Residence, and she will be flying to St. Louis for the world premiere. Audience members will have the opportunity to greet her at a reception following the performance at Third Baptist Church. Don't miss the opportunity to hear these new works, along with pieces from Austrian Christoph Gluck, Anglo-Irish Charles Wood, and Italian Ildebrando Pizzetti. 

Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 3pm

Third Baptist Church, 620 N Grand Blvd, St. Louis, 63103

Parking available in the church lot off of Washington Ave.

2-21 Webinar by Interfaith Power and Light and UCC

February 2023 Alzheimer's News

Flu vaccinations may help prevent Alzheimer's.

AARP free tax preparation

AARP in conjunction with the IRS provides free tax preparation services by its group of certified volunteers for seniors and low income taxpayers. The local site is at Salem Methodist Church on Manchester Road. If you or anyone you know might benefit from this service, please contact Peter LaSalle (an 18 year veteran preparer) anytime after Feb 12th at 636 579 0970.

Mental Health Support

988 (new nationwide 3-digit number similar to 911… call or text)

24/7 Crisis Hotline 800-273-8255 (TALK) | 800-SUICIDE: 800-784-2433

24/7 Missouri Department of Mental Health 800-811-4760

Text 741741 and someone will text right back…www.crisistextline.org

Behavioral Health Network of Greater St Louis 314-449-6713