April 28, 2024

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

PACIFIC ISLANDER AND ASIAN AMERICAN MINISTRIES SUNDAY

BREAK THE SILENCE SUNDAY

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

"O Day of Radiant Gladness"

"Abide"

"Great Is Your Faithfulness"

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

SPECIAL MUSIC

"Lean on Me"

"My Lord, What a Morning"

“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!

April 26, 2024

*Please Note*

Outdoor Worship in the Garden Chapel is now on May 5th. We will be back in the Sanctuary on May 12th.

Bianca's You Better Bee-lieve It Corner

Miami Beach Pride Parade

🌈 What an incredible celebration it was at the Miami Beach Pride Parade! 🎉 Words can hardly capture the sheer joy and vibrancy that filled the air as we marched in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.

My mom, Lovett, and I had an absolutely fantastic time, soaking in every moment of the festivities and feeling the love and acceptance all around us. From the dazzling floats to the infectious energy of the crowd, it was a day filled with unforgettable memories and heartfelt connections.

A special shoutout and heartfelt thanks go to Harold Marrero for extending the invitation to join the Safe Schools float. Being part of such a meaningful representation meant the world to us, allowing us to proudly stand alongside our church and show our unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community.

As we reflect on the beauty and unity of the Pride Parade, let's carry the spirit of love and acceptance forward in our hearts every day. Together, we can continue to build a world where everyone is celebrated for who they are.

Here's to many more moments of joy, love, and pride! 🌈✨

🌟 Find Comfort and Renewal with Us! 🌟

Starting this week, we're excited to offer two new ways to support your well-being, completely free of charge!

🕯️ Grief Support Groups: Join us every fourth Monday at 6:30 PM for a safe space to share, heal, and connect with others who understand. Our monthly gatherings promise compassionate support and understanding as we navigate the journey of grief together. The next Meeting will be Monday, May 27th.

🧘‍♀️ Yoga for Mind and Body: Discover the soothing power of yoga with our weekly sessions! Every Wednesday, unwind with Chair Yoga at 6:00 PM, perfect for all levels and abilities. Then, at 7:00 PM, immerse yourself in the flowing movements of Gentle Vinyasa Yoga, designed to restore balance and vitality.

Whether you're seeking solace in community or rejuvenation through movement, we invite you to join us on these healing journeys.

Please be sure to register!

Grief Support Groups: https://forms.office.com/r/XWB2mKEg2M

Yoga Classes: https://forms.office.com/r/E1VEUUzfbw

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.



April is Earth Month!

A time to celebrate and honor our planet and serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting our environment and the natural world around us.

Please click the below images to learn more about events and activities happening in Miami-Dade county and surrounding areas.

Planning for Earth Month with the UCC!

Resources for Congregations

Earth month is a great time to further discern how to best answer our first calling as Christians: the caretaking of God’s creation.

Click the image below to check out suggested activities!

Support our Haitian Neighbors!

Haiti is experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Gang violence plagues the country, driven largely by extreme political instability. As critics accused Prime Minister Henry of unconstitutionally clinging to power, at the demand of several prominent gangs, he announced his resignation in March. The resulting turmoil and demonstrations led to break outs at the two most notorious prisons in the country. Since then, gangs attempted to take control of Haiti’s main airport, impacting flights, and the government announced a state of emergency and a curfew.

These instances of violence and civil unrest spread well beyond the capital in Port-au-Prince, leading to closures of banks, schools, and hospitals across the country. The United Nations reports that approximately 5.5 million Haitians need assistance, including 3 million children. While the national port remains operational, accessing it via the gang-controlled surrounding areas is extremely difficult, severely restricting the distribution of imports including food, and leading 1.4 million Haitians to be "one step away from famine."

As people of faith, it is a part of our call to tend to the poor and the needy. Our Haitian brothers and sisters need our support. While the U.S. has provided $58 million in humanitarian assistance to Haiti, there is more to be done. The extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti will protect Haitian migrants in the U.S. from removal to a country ill-equipped to handle their return. The current TPS designation is effective until August 3, 2024, which is not enough time for the new Haitian Transitional Council to reinstate an effective government and address the ongoing violence, economic instability, and food insecurity facing the majority of Haitians.

In the face of this instability, the U.S. should ensure Haitians in the process of migration are given Temporary Protected Status, halt deportations, and offer proper support to Haitian students in the U.S. Take action to urge the Biden Administration to care for our Haitian neighbors in need.

Donate

Take Action

Click above to send a prayer or to read a prayer.

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

The Family and friends of Helen Wiley, Joan Hansen, Maggie McDowell, Paul LeGrand, The Friends and Family of Frank Tirb, Joy Reid, Daniel Best, The Family & Friends of Rev. Tom Franzman, the family and friends of Linda Soltys, Abigail Castro, Brittany McCune and family, Shawnalee Vassell, Mary Ann Dente, Gary Pearson, Rochelle, Theresa Gambrell, Don Warner, C.M. Chandler, Julie Henkel, Kathy Kirsch and the people of Ukraine, The Family and Friends of Lucille Campbell and Renee Brosky.



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.

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

Gracious God, we give thanks for our partners in Korea and their witness to unity and healing in a fractured world. We give thanks for the 50 years of commitment that the NCCK Human Rights Center has shown to discern and deliberate together what fruit you would have us bear in a world of suffering and division.

We pray your blessings on the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea and other ecumenical members of the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK). We pray for the NCCK as it gathers representatives of its member churches and partner churches across Asia for the “Congress for Asian Human Rights Defenders” this month.

May their witness of solidarity and discipleship be a testament to the unity possible as the Body of Christ.

Abide in us, God of assurance and promise. Help us, in turn, know how to abide in you as your faithful disciples.

In your name, we pray, Amen.