March 3, 2024

THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT

Amistad Sunday/UCC Women's Week

CHRIST CONGREGATIONAL UCC

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP IN THE GARDEN CHAPEL

10:30 AM

JOIN US FROM ANYWHERE ON FACEBOOK LIVE

WORSHIP RESOURCES BELOW

WORSHIP BULLETIN

HYMNS

"De Colores (Sing of Colors)"

"As We Gather at Your Table"

"God of Grace and God of Glory"

Sheet Music is here! Remember to click. Special Music links too!

SPECIAL MUSIC

""Bashana Haba'ah"

"To Life" from Fiddler on the Roof

“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!

March 1, 2024

Dear Congregation,

This Sunday in worship our focus will be on the account of Jesus’ cleansing of the temple, which is found in all four gospels – Matthew 21:12–17,

Mark 11:15–19, Luke 19:45–48, John 2:13–22. As I’ve mentioned to you in the past, any time a Bible story is shared in all the Gospels it emphasizes its importance. Here is a poem referring to that event in which we see a different side of Jesus.

We will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion during worship, bless our CWS Blankets, and afterward enjoy a Justice Luncheon together in Kelsey Hall.

NAACP speaker Harold Ford will update us on what that organization is doing in these challenging times.. Bianca and I anticipate having some guests, so please make them welcome, as you are so good at doing!

Please plan to be present. God Bless You.

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Candy

“Come and Cleanse Your House Again” by Lisa Degrenia

Merciful Savior,

You offer your house to the nations

for worship and prayer,

forgiveness and healing, 

community with you and with others.

Come and cleanse your house again.

Forgive us for losing sight of your agenda.

Forgive us for all the obstacles

we put in the way of people connecting with you.

Come and cleanse your house again.

Drive out the mistrust, false teaching, and prejudice.

Turn over the tables of gossip, hypocrisy, and apathy.

Empty us of addiction to money, things, and power.

Come and cleanse your house again.

Return us to humility, charity, and sacrifice.

Fill your house with welcome, growth, and redeeming love.

Bathe us in your grace and holiness

so everything we do draws people to you

and brings honor to your name. Amen.

Bianca's You Better Bee-lieve It Corner

🌟 Exciting Announcement! 🌟

Join us for an inspiring Justice Luncheon on Sunday, March 3rd, at 12:30 pm, featuring the dynamic Harold Ford from the NAACP as our special guest speaker! 🗣Get ready for thought-provoking discussions on justice, equity, and progress within our community.

Best of all? We've got you covered with a FREE lunch!  Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and be a part of the change we want to see.

Save the date, spread the word, and RSVP now! Together, let's pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future. 🌈✊🏽

CITIZENSHIP DRIVE:

🙏Church Family!🙏

We're excited to announce our upcoming Citizenship Drive, and we're inviting YOU to join us in this noble endeavor!

💒Step into the spirit of service on April 6th from 9:30am to 3pm as we extend our hands in support of aspiring citizens. Whether it's offering guidance, lending a listening ear, or simply sharing a smile, your presence can make a world of difference.

📜Embrace the opportunity to embody the values of compassion and hospitality as we walk alongside our neighbors on their journey to citizenship.

🎉Let's come together as a church family, united in purpose and bound by our commitment to serve others with love and grace.

Flyers will be shared with you soon, please feel free to invite friends, neighbors and family!

Let Bianca know if you want to participate! (Registration to follow!)

JUST Pop Tops!

We are 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 pop top collected brings smiles and support to those in our community who can use it most.

One Great Hour of Sharing® is one of four special mission offerings of the United Church of Christ. This Lenten Offering supports the disaster, refugee, and development ministries of the United Church of Christ within Wider Church Ministries.

*Offering will be collected on Sunday, March 10th*

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

Helen Wiley, The family and friends of Carol McCreary, Joan Hansen, Maggie McDowell, Paul LeGrand, Frank Tirb, Joy Reid, Daniel Best, The Family & Friends of Rev. Tom Franzman, Linda Soltys, Abigail Castro, Rocio Tafur-Salgado, Shawnalee Vassell, Mary Ann Dente, Gary Pearson and Theresa Gambrell.



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.

Please let Tracy Williams, Administrative Assistant at office@christcongregationalucc.org or Pastor Candy know if you'd like a name included.

CELEBRATING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

Women's history month is an annual declared month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.

Marking history for the UCC and women in ministry.

Antoinette Brown—the first woman ordained as a Christian minister since the times of the New Testament.

To learn more about Antoinette Brown and how she was a trailblazer for women in ministry...

CLICK HERE

Why They Walked

Hear from UCC members why they joined week-long “Pilgrimage for Peace” for Gaza.

ACTION ITEMS:

• We are all still reeling from the reports of tragic loss of life and continued atrocities taking place in Israel and Gaza. As we mourn, and pray for those who have lost loved ones, we must call on policymakers to support a Just Peace.

Contact Your Legislators

• Urge Congress to call on the administration to expedite protections and critical supports, including visa processing and access to resettlements, for Afghan refugees.

Act Now

• Register to pray for Peace in the Middle East.

Register Here

• Read the letter that was sent to congress.

Read letter

• Contact your State Senators to urge them to defend our democracy by supporting the For The People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Protect Voting Rights

Global Ministries offers a weekly prayer for one of our global mission partners. This week's prayer is with Egypt. To read their mission moment, please click the Global Ministries IMAGE. Below is this week's prayer, united we pray.

Almighty God, we praise you and thank you for our country. Watch us over as we do our work for the people of Egypt.

We pray for our country’s safety. Every border we have is witnessing calls of war and destruction. We ask that you keep those who live here safe from others who would do us harm. We pray, Lord, that we one day see an end to all the calls for power and destruction plaguing the region. May we live in peace and love to enjoy the many blessings you have blessed this nation and region.

Lord, we continue to pray for this country’s prosperity. In these hard times of inflation and distorted priorities, we ask for your hand in programs that help those with problems helping themselves. We thank you for your hand in helping those who do not have proper homes, jobs, and more. We pray, Lord, that our people continue to find ways to bless those who feel alone or helpless.

Lord, we pray for CEOSS and its work in this country for the prosperity and advocacy of those without a voice. We pray for the different initiatives that we undertake, whether in development or dialogue, to effect real change in the mindset and livelihoods of people so that we can reflect your image to others. In Your Name, Amen.