This Week at The Congregational Church
May 9, 2021
This Week's Message: "A Recipe For Wholeness"
Our world is fractured and disjointed. The brokenness of of our culture and institutions seems to be leading us down a path to destruction. How can we repair the damage? Is it possible for us to step back from the abyss before it is too late? Have you ever wished you could climb up on your mother or grandmother's lap and ask them what direction to take? There is a mother in the Bible who has the kind of wisdom we need. Her name was Mary, the mother of Jesus. We are told that she guided and nurtured her son so that he grew in wisdom (intellectually), in stature (physically). in favor with God (spiritually), and in favor with man (socially). He had the balance and wholeness that His heavenly Father designed into humankind. The absence of any of these ingredients creates the lack of completeness our modern world suffers. Where is Mom when we need her?

SCRIPTURE LESSON: Luke 2:41-52
Read by Deacon Nancy Reid
GREETERS: Dale and Maryann Barton
USHERS: Jim and Nancy Reid
Deacon Of The Month: Nancy Reid 
Altar Flowers & Bulletins
The Altar Flowers and Bulletins are given by Bev and Dick Greene on Mother's Day in honor and in loving memory of all mothers.

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SPECIAL THANK YOU to everyone who signed up to support our altar flowers and our worship bulletins. Those who signed up have been contacted concerning their wishes. We will be taking the flowers to Hospice or sending them home with the donors.
Music Ministry This Week

Our special music this week will be provided by Billie Thatcher and Bob Stehman. Bob will sing "Wind Beneath My Wings", "This Amazing Love", "Mama's Knees", and "Faith of Our Mothers".  

Read More About: Bob Stehman


Billie Thatcher sings some of our very favorite old hymns "Now Thank We All Our God", "God of Grace and God of Glory", and "Just a Closer Walk With Thee".


Kevin O'Connell will play the piano Prelude and accompany the vocalists.
Holy Communion
HOLY COMMUNION will be celebrated Sunday, June 6th. If you are watching online please prepare in advance by having bread and "wine" available. All are welcome at His table.
May Birthdays
Natalie Andrews (1), Dick Greene (5), Darla Webb (8), Barb Howard and Dick Adams (9), Opal Posingies (15), Celeste Denne and Sherri Zecher (17), Chris Colegrove (19), Bill Sellers (23), Bob Brooks and Mary Lucas (25), Bev Fornander (26), Bob Newman and Bonnie Pearson (29), and Ralph Cowell (30).

(If we missed your birthday, please, let us know. We will add you to the list.)
HONOR YOUR MOTHER AND FATHER


Honor your Mother and Father with a gift to our Infant and Toddler Pantry. This year for Mother's Day (May 9th) and Father's Day (June 20th) you can add the name of your Mother and/or Father to the listing in our church bulletin.
May Mission Projects
The mission offering this month will support the work of those who provide assistance to Alzheimer's patients and families.  My Time for Free Time meets at Hope Lutheran Church and our Mission Board has witnessed this good work first hand. Also, this year a new group has been selected by the Mission Board for our support. Alzheimer's Family Organization. This is a community based non-profit organization focused on helping caregivers achieve and maintain a better quality of life not only for their loved ones, but for themselves.  Half of our offering will help these worthwhile causes and the other half will support the continuing work of our Infant and Toddler Pantry.
Movie Night

MOVIE NIGHT is Friday, May 21st at 6:00 p.m. This month's film will be "The Note" starring Genie Francis and Ted McGinley.  A newspaper columnist finds a note written by the victim of a plane crash and seeks out the intended recipient. As she seeks to heal the heart of a stranger she finds healing for herself. (Temperature checks, social distanced seating). Free will offering.

Covid-19 Update
Although progress is being made in getting the vaccine to more people there is still an element of danger. We continue to have limited seating at our Sunday 10 a.m. service in our sanctuary. Temperatures will be checked, social distancing will be observed, masks are required and every possible step will be taken to keep everyone safe until the danger is passed. 
 
Reservations will need to be made by calling the church office (M-W-F from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Making a reservation means you will have a seat. They are not reserved seats. First come - first choice.
Mark Your Calendars
NEW CHURCH MEMBERS. If you are interested in becoming a member contact the church office or the pastor. The next new members group will join June 6th.
 
COMING THURSDAY, JUNE 3RD! A summer drive through Diaper Drop Off event for the Infant and Toddler Pantry. Let all your friends and neighbors know. Drop off open from 10 a.m. to Noon.
Face Mask Policy:

Please note that masks are required and every possible step will be taken to keep everyone safe. A face shield by itself doesn't protect YOU or the people around you. It must be worn with a face mask to protect yourself and others.  If you have difficulty breathing with a face mask, please consider watching Online from home.
Pastoral Care
Contact Pastor Jim Keough on his cell 352-250-6160 or email: RevJim46@aol.com. If you are ill or going to the hospital please let us know. We want to pray for you and be of service.
Important Notice: Hospitals and Rehab Centers are still limiting the visitation that can take place at their facilities. Clergy, including your pastor, are limited in their calling during the coronavirus crisis. Therefore, visitation will be limited to critical situations. Please be sure to check the "Prayer Request" section of our church website and pray for your church friends and their concerns. If you have someone you would like added to the list contact the pastor or the church office.
Church Memorial Garden

THE MEMORIAL GARDEN continues to develop and additional granite markers have been installed. Thank you to Jack Baird for all his efforts on this important area of our church property.

If you are interested in information about the memorial garden contact the church office.
If you cannot attend services at the church you can follow us online. Invite your friends, family members and neighbors to worship with us online

Accessing our live stream worship service on Sundays
Please note: You do not need a Facebook account
to access our live stream broadcasts. No sign up necessary!

From your computer, smartphone or tablet, go to our website, www.thecongregationalchurch.org (using your browser of choice: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.) (Give yourself a few minutes before the service to get set up.)

Click on the Facebook LIVE logo to go directly to our LIVE Service.
The broadcast will begin automatically.

If you would like to get a reminder of an upcoming Live event on Facebook,
click follow (optional).

Don't forget to SHARE the video stream with your friends when it begins.
Accessing our live stream worship service ANYTIME!
If you missed the LIVE broadcast,simply scroll down the home page (thecongregationalchurch.org) to the little block that says "Sunday Worship Service" and click. It will take you directly to the latest recorded service.
If you need the Bulletin to follow along with the service, CLICK HERE. 
BUILDING FUND AND GENERAL FUND GIVING! 
Two factors have begun to have an effect on our church giving. First of all the "seasonal residents" have now made their pilgrimage to the north country. This creates a drop off in giving each year. This year we have had this problem compounded by the COVID-19 closing of church facilities and programs. It was not as pronounced at first, however, the longer this situation continues the more people forget we must support the church for it to continue to provide ministry and service at the levels people expect. Your continued support of the Building Fund and the General Fund is "Essential". There will not be government funds available to bail us out. Your stepped up support during this time will be a blessing. 
Mail your gifts to: 
The Congregational Church,
P. O. Box 804,
Summerfield, Florida 34492. 

Or Give Online… Click the Donate button on our website, Then select the fund you wish to donate to.

Thank you!!!
OUR CHURCH JOURNEY. Get your copy of our beautiful book highlighting the journey of our church from the beginning in the Hampton Inn to our beautiful church facility and family of today. A gift of $25 to the Building Fund for each book. This is a limited edition volume, with a few copies available, so don't miss out. Available from the church office.

OUR DAILY BREAD daily devotional guides are available on the literature table in the narthex of the church. The books are printed in regular and large print editions. Feel free to take extra copies to give to friends and family.
                                
THE WALK OF FAITH - We continue to place Brick Pavers in both the Veterans Area at the flag poles and around the beautiful fountain area. Make a gift to the Building Fund of $100 and have a brick placed in honor/memory of a loved one or a veteran. You can place a brick in the fountain area walk-way to celebrate an event, memorialize a family member, or simply place your name on a brick to show your support for our church. Mail your check with "Brick Paver" in the memo section to the church along with the information you would like on your brick. There are three lines with 15 characters per line available on each brick. Contact the church office for more information.
                 
Thoughts for the Week
"To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing, falling colors of a rainbow." - Maya Angelou 
  
"God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers." - Rudyard Kipling
Prayer Requests for May 9th, 2021
Please pray for Kevin Hensley. Kevin is an Air Force veteran and the donor of the United States flag that is displayed in our church narthex. He flew the flag in Afghanistan on one of his deployments and donated it to our church for display. Kevin has been leading a national effort to get benefits for "Burn Pit" victims and their families and our church has supported him financially and with prayers.. Kevin now has COVID and it is very serious because of his lung damage from service time.
 
Jerry Starkweather's long time friend, Les Hartzman is in Hospice care.  Prayers for him  be appreciated.
 
Please pray for Tim and Athena Chappell. Tim is the pastor of First Congregational Church, Clarkston, Michigan. He and his wife are both ill with the coronavirus.
 
Please pray for Gale Wigner. Gale has been diagnosed with bladder cancer. He has had several surgical procedures If you want to send a card: 6819 Williams Lake Rd., Waterford, MI 48329.
 
Janet Moe is requesting prayers for good friends in New Hampshire. Pip and Cecile Adams. Pip had emergency surgery and continues to be in ICU. More surgery is expected this week. Please pray for them and their family/friends.
 
Sandy and Diane are also asking for prayer for a very active lady named Arlene, who lives here in Florida, who has been newly diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Prayers will be greatly appreciated by Arlene and her family.
 
Prayers are needed for a young woman named Danielle who lives here in Florida. She relapsed back into her drug addiction and she and her family are struggling to survive this challenge. Please pray for daily strength and healing.
 
Please pray for Dewey MacDougall who lives in Michigan. He is a friend of Diane Dresback and Sandy Hoffmann and he is having open heart surgery today 4/6. Pray for a successful surgery outcome and rehab.
 
Please pray for Jean Gorney and her family. Jean just was informed that she has 3 lumps on and near her pancreas and will be seeing a specialist to determine a definitive diagnosis. Pray for a not so grim diagnosis and comfort for Jean and her family.
 
Karen Roosa is requesting prayers for her "quilting sister" Mary Ann Sasenick, who is undergoing chemo treatments for breast cancer. Please pray for successful treatments and comfort for her and her famil.
 
Please pray for Terri Ratti, a neighbor of Mary Ellen Kresel. Terri had cardiac surgery recently and is now in rehab making improvement..
 
Ruth McGuy is asking for prayers for her dear friend Barbara O'Donnell whose colon cancer has come back and has spread to her chest and neck. She will be receiving chemo for a year. Please pray for sucessful treatment and healing.
 
Art Wilmeth asks for prayers for Cheryn Conly. Cheryn, a good Christian, is in rehab and working toward recovering from an illnes
 
Leslie Adams is asking for prayers for 6 month old Amoya Lopez who is in the hospital in Gainsville waiting for a heart transplant. She is the infant of one of the women who come to the Infant and Toddler Pantry. Please pray for this little one and her family.
 
Bill Deysher is requesting prayers for his son-in-law Scott Rofofsky who has been diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal and liver cancer. Please pray for comfort and successful treatment. Bill greatly appreciates your prayers and concern.
 
Sylvia Walden is asking for prayers for her sister Suzanne who is visiting for a few months. Her sister just received an update on her stage 4 cancer that has been in remission and now has re-emerged with a new tumor in her hip and lesions on her liver. She will be getting radiation treatments here until 3/10. Prayers are needed for God's healing touch and pain relief.
 
Penny and Joe Stinton are asking for prayers for their good friend's 17 year old niece. She was just diagnosed with brain cancer, her name is Emily Monahan. She had just been accepted to Clemson. Penny sent an update on Emily, Dr. operated, tumor entirely encapsulated and removed. The biopsies revealed a stage 4 Glioma cancer of the brain. She will be going to Philadelphia Children's Hospital for 6 weeks of radiation. Please pray for a miracle for Emily and her family.
 
A special request from Darla Webb for a friend: Send a card, please! I would greatly appreciate if you could send a card to my grandson. He needs cheering up. Two & 1/2 months ago I had a successful kidney transplant. I am so grateful. However, at the same I was in surgery my grandson was air lifted to Duke Hospital for an open heart surgery. It was discovered that he has a cancerous tumor called Cardiac Angiosarcoma in his heart. Our grandson Jasper Jawanda is only 16 years old. The survival rate is 6-10 months. It is rare for much more. There is no cure. It would bring great joy to him if you could kindly send him a card. The message should just be that he is in your prayers. Thank you in advance. Send to: Jasper S. Jawanda, 660 N. Fort Bragg Rd., Southern Pines NC 28
 
Pray for calm, patience and peace for our world and society. The pandemic, troubles in Washington, economic distress and more are causing the very fabric of our lives to be ripped and shredded. Tension in homes and marriages. A rise in the suicide rate. Schools reporting increased behavioral problems. We need to pray for serenity and an end to the turmoil. Our bodies will have an increased negative reaction to this culture of anger. Sickness of every type will increase. Calm down and pray.
 
Penny Stinton asks for prayer for her water aerobics teacher, Jeanne Marciante. Last year Jeanne battled colon cancer successfully. She has now been diagnosed with brain cancer. Pray for Jeanne.
 
Please pray for Pam Sabo. Pam had successful knee replacement surgery. Pray for a good healing/recovery. She is doing outpatient therapy presently and working hard for good results.
 
Please pray for Bob Gorney's brother, Anthony. Anthony is dealing with cancer and the treatments. Pray for strength and comfort.
 
Thank you for your prayers for Carol Brooks. Carol had a good report on her breast cancer biopsy. She will be receiving radiation treatments in the near future. She is very grateful for your cards and prayers.
 
Please pray for infant, Mika Scott, he was born with several birth issues. He will have surgery soon in Orlando. He was born on 12/6/20 and weighed 6 lbs 9 oz. His family is assisted by our Infant and Toddler Pantry..
 
Please pray for John Robertson.  John has a number of medical issues.   Also, pray for his wife Dorothy as she helps him deal with the situation.
 
Please pray for Dawn Payzant. Dawn has attended our services many times and is a good friend of Nancy Doggett. Dawn lives in Nova Scotia. She is currently suffering from an advancing case of Parkinson's Disease.
 
Pray for Steve Feustel. Steve is home having rehab and overcoming the effects of a stroke. Pray for Steve and Beth.
 
Please pray for Mike Howard. Mike is recuperating in rehab after a surgical procedure on his arm. He is healing well, is able to get out to visit 'Help is on the way' in Michigan. He will be staying at the rehab center for 2 more months.
 
Please pray for Janice Nystrom. Janice is the wife of Carl Nystrom. Janice had surgery at the Villages Hospital on 3/25 and will be going to rehab when well enough to do so. Please pray for pain relief, healing and a successful rehab. Thanks to all.
 
Please pray for Billie Thatcher's sister, Mary Lou Kovacs. Mary Lou is suffering with severe memory issues. Pray for her and husband Ron.
 
Please pray for Frank Szczepanski. Frank is having lung infection treatments that will last up to 24 months. The side effects from the medications have caused him to lose his hearing which will not likely return. Also pray for his wife, Vi, as they struggle through this difficult time together
 
Sally Gillies, a friend and from Michigan, is having procedures and treatments for stage 3 cancer. Please pray for Sally to have strength, hope and healing.
 
Please pray for Tami Blaze. Tami has worked in our Infant & Toddler Pantry. She has been bravely battling health issues for several years.
 
Continue to pray for Cathy Reitmyer as she is recovering from heart issues.  Please pray for Cathy and her Mom (Rose). Rose has severe arthritic issues and is in pain frequently in her back, hips, hands and feet. Please pray for pain relief and comfort.
 
Please pray for Bennie Exum's son, David, who suffers from pulmonary fibrosis.
 
Pray for the necessary reforms to be brought about that will establish unity and justice for all citizens of our country. May economic justice, police reform and an end to racism be established.
 
Pray for the families of the police officers and individuals who have been killed in the recent violence in our country. Pray for the store and business owners who have lost everything to the senseless violence of the last few weeks.
 
Pray for peace to return to the cities and towns of our country. Pray to stop the violence, looting and hatred. Give our leaders the wisdom to take the actions necessary to restore order.
 
Please pray for Cathy Kivitt, the sister-in-law of Charles and Kathy Kivitt, she is battling cancer and other health issues. Pray for healing, comfort and strength.
 
Pray for the many people around the world who are suffering from the coronavirus. Pray to stop the spread of this virus, halt the panic, heal the many children and elderly it is afflicting.
 
The children who visit our Infant and Toddler Pantry and their families.
 
Pray for the success of our new church programs: The Memorial Garden, and The Infant and Toddler Literacy Program. Thank you.
If you have a prayer request contact Dawn Keough at: Nana6bn5g@aol.com
or call the pastor at 352-250-6160.
15421 S US Hwy 301
Summerfield, FL 34491

Mailing Address: 
The Congregational Church,
P. O. Box 804,
Summerfield, Florida 34492
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for more information:
Church Office: (352) 693-4545
Reverend Jim: (352) 250-6160