March 10, 2024

FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT

One Great Hour of Sharing Offering

Worship in the Garden Chapel

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

"What a Friend We Have in Jesus"

"This Little Light of Mine"

"Go, My Children, with My Blessing"

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

SPECIAL MUSIC

"Jesus the Very Thought of Thee"

“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 8, 2024

Bianca's You Better Bee-lieve It Corner

Warmth in Every Stitch: A CWS Blanket Initiative

Thanks to the generosity and compassion of our church community, we've raised $470 towards providing warmth and comfort to those in need through Church World Service (CWS). With these funds, we'll be able to sponsor 47 blankets, each one a tangible symbol of our care and solidarity with those facing difficult circumstances around the world.

In times of crisis and uncertainty, a simple blanket can mean the world to someone without shelter or protection from the cold. Through our collective efforts, we're offering more than just warmth; we're providing a lifeline of hope and support to individuals and families in their time of greatest need.

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to this initiative, but we also want to give a special thank you to Karen Kett for her incredible dedication and spirit of giving. Karen's leadership and enthusiasm have been instrumental in making this a success.

As we celebrate this achievement, let's remember the profound impact that small acts of kindness can have on the lives of others. Together, we're making a difference, one blanket at a time.

Thank you all for your generosity and compassion.

🌟Basking in the Glow of Justice! 🌟

We're still buzzing with inspiration and gratitude after our incredible Justice Luncheon! 🌟

With heartfelt discussions, powerful insights, and meaningful connections, the event was a true testament to the strength of our community and our shared commitment to justice and equity.

Special thanks to Harold Ford from the NAACP for his enlightening words and to everyone who joined us in this journey towards a more just and inclusive society. He also shared some book recommendations which will be shared out with you soon! 

Let's carry the spirit of the luncheon forward as we continue to advocate for positive change and stand in solidarity with those who seek justice. Together, we can make a difference! 💫 

** Note - In order not to overwhelm Harold, if you would like his email/contact info, please reach out to me directly. (Bianca) 

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 this Sunday, March 10th*

Reminder: March 10th at 2am be sure to turns those clocks one hour ahead!

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, Rochelle 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.

From women’s suffrage to racial equality to educational rights, countless women have helped pave the way for future generations. Many risked their lives to fight for what was right and withstood countless challenges and setbacks while fighting for justice.

To learn more about some of the influential women in history...

CLICK HERE

Why They Walked

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

Join the UCC to Power the Polls

To help encourage election engagement, and to ensure voting happens smoothly in 2024 elections, the United Church of Christ Our Faith Our Vote Campaign is thrilled to continue our partnership with Power the Polls! Poll workers enable the nonpartisan process of our democracy, keep polling locations open and technology working, and help make every voter’s experience a positive and empowering one. Will you consider signing up to be a poll worker today? For more helpful resources on election engagement, please visit the Our Faith Our Vote website.

Sign Up

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

Gracious God, we are reminded by the Psalmist that even in a world of trouble and adversity, we have much to give you thanks for, for you are good, and your love endures forever.

We thank you for the work of our partners in Japan and especially for the witness of the National Christian Council in Japan.

We thank you for the interfaith representative and the advocates for peace who gathered “from east and west, from north and south” to support the values upheld in Japan’s Article 9 and to share their stories of the pain that violence has caused and threatens to portend in places like Okinawa.

As disciples of the Prince of Peace, we seek your guidance in situations of threats and adversity, whether in communities of struggle like Okinawa or in contexts of geo-political confrontation like the saber-rattling between the U.S. and China.

May we be open to your way of love and mercy.

In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.