APRIL 30, 2023
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CHRIST CONGREGATIONAL UCC
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HYMNS
“Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain”
“I Come to the Garden” 
"He Lives"
Coming Sunday, this week's Hymns sheet music. Click the MUSIC image!
Special Music links redirect to videos.
SPECIAL MUSIC

“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 28, 2023

Dear Congregation,

This coming Sunday is designated as Good Shepherd Sunday. I know
that the Twenty-third Psalm, which is one of the texts in which we are
given this image of God, is a favorite of many of you. In it we find
comfort, peace, protection, and the assurance that our Good Shepherd,
who we see as Jesus, is with us always. This psalm is a gift which many
of us have memorized so we can have it with us whenever we need to
be reminded of those words.

We will be looking at very different image of Jesus in Sunday’s Gospel
text, John 10:1-10, in which Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, I am the
gate for the sheep.” I invite you to be thinking of all the walls in our
personal lives, and in our world that would benefit from Jesus being the
gate that could provide freedom as well as security.

I’m looking forward to our Justice luncheon and hope to see you there in Kelsey after worship.

In Christ’s love.
Pastor Candy
CALENDAR

Sun. April 30 | 10:30 am
Worship in the Sanctuary
& Facebook Live
Join us after Worship as we welcome Sandra Fish Mathurin
of Florida Immigrant Coalition
whose mission it is to grow the connection, capacity and consciousness of communities to strengthen pro-immigrant power in Florida.

Mon. May 1 | 6:30 pm
Bible Study on Zoom

Sun. May 7 | 10:30 am
Worship in the Sanctuary
 & Facebook Live
Ministry of Missions & Outreach Meets

USE THE LINKS BELOW FOR
UCC RESOURCES
Global Ministries offers a weekly prayer for one of our global mission partners. This week's prayer is with Korea. Below is Korea's prayer.
Let us unite in prayer.

O God our Shepherd, walk with us. Through the dark valleys and shadows of fear and violence that we find ourselves in, be with us. Where there is trouble, remind us of your presence and guide us along your path. Where we are burdened by a past that has left us scarred and broken, we pray you restore our souls.
We pray for the people of Korea. In this seventieth year after the Korean War, may the shadows of war be lifted so they may find peace and wholeness. We pray for our partners, the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea and the National Council of Churches in Korea, that you bless their work and witness in Korean society. We pray for Global Mission Intern Lydia Yang and for the important ministry of Durebang. May it continue to be a light amid the shadows of sexual exploitation and trauma.

Lord, we thank you for your strength and comfort. Amen.

 Find all UCC podcasts in one feed!
Launch into Climate Hope! 
Have a heart for Creation Justice?We want to hear from you and help you take action locally and in community.

On April 29th, the UCC will be launching an effort to collect as many petition postcards as possible to seek government action for cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Sign-up to get updates on the Climate Hope Cards campaign and this launch event. Stay tuned for news!
On Earth Day, 2023, Mayflower UCC of Minneapolis, MN shared this inspiring video how far they have come as a church and congregation to become good stewards of the Earth, with ideas on how CCC can too. Mayflower UCC's church goal is to become as close to carbon neutral as possible by 2030.
May is Pacific Islander & Asian American History Month and the United Church of Christ is privileged to be affiliated with PAAM (Pacific Islander & Asian American Ministries). In the last few years harassment and violence towards the AAPI communities have increased, especially during the covid pandemic. Join Rev Roberto Ochoa, UCC Associate for Congregations of Color/Ethnic Identified Congregations as he engages in candid conversations with Ms Lynne Hanamoto, Moderator of PAAM, Southern CA/NV region and Rev Mitchell Young, PAAM SC/SN Ambassador and Pastor of Plymouth UCC in Montebello, CA about the history, celebrations, and challenges facing UCC PAAM congregations and communities.
#StopTheHate!
“Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something is worth doing no matter how it turns out.” — Václav Havel
Subscribe using these links. Why miss out on the latest Florida news?
Governance ZOOM Workshop Led by UCC General Counsel Heather Kimmel
 on June 3rd
I hope that you will join UCC General Counsel, Heather Kimmel, on June 3rd to hear about Good Governance and how good governance is essential to effectively equipping the leaders of your church, optimally serving your church's mission and ultimately keeping your church as safe (and responsible) as possible!

Please do not hesitate to reach out (NWatkins@uccfla.org) if you have any questions.
Although this workshop for laity AND clergy is provided at no cost to our local churches, we ask that you register in advance here.
REMEMBERED IN OUR CONTINUING PRAYERS

Jay Harragin, Joan Hansen, Maggie McDowell, Daniel Best,
J.J. Ketzle, Jim and Cindy Ketzle, Carol McCreary, Mary Ellen Prather, Kevin Zhang, Neal and Pam Watkins & family, Frank Tirb,
George Colimorio, Bradley Everhardt and Marsi Ott Miranda,
Rhonda Johnstone Cespedes’ family and friends
Marlyn Baker & family and friends

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.
Thank you so much for the generous gifts of your time, treasure and talent in pursuit of A Just World For All!
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The Rev. Candace Thomas | Pastor

Graham Bryan | Moderator & President

Jay Harragin | Music Director

Miriam Grissett | Editor