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"They spent time together…and broke bread…praising God." Worship begins at 10:00 a.m. and nursery care available all morning.
February 2012
Worship Highlights & Common Lectionary Readings
February 5th Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11,20c
1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39
Communion
February 12th
Sixth Sunday after
the Epiphany
2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30
1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Mark 1:40-45
Union’s Green
Team will lead worship
February 19th
Last Sunday after
the Epiphany
Transfiguration
Sunday
2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6
2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9
Wednesday
February 22nd
Ash Wednesday Worship 7pm
following the Deacon’s Soup Supper 5-6:30
Wednesday
February 22nd
Guardian Angels
Ash Wednesday Worship Service 2:30
February 26th
First Sunday in
Lent
Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-10
1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15
Beginning
February 26th
9:30-9:50am A Time of Quiet, A
Time of Centering Each Sunday during the season of Lent in our sanctuary all are welcome to join for contemplative worship: a time for meditation and prayer.
Sunday Morning Schedule
8:45
Adult Education
Annual Meeting
Sunday, February
5th at 11:15am
The 2011 Annual reports were mailed January 23rd to homes. Please review
the report and plan to attend the Annual Meeting of Union Congregational
Church on Sunday, February 5th at 11:15am. A light breakfast will be
served.
February Open
and Affirming (ONA) Update
We have two Open and Affirming (ONA) congregational sessions scheduled
for February. The first session,
Sunday, Feb 12th, from 11:30-12:15 is an open discussion on Faith
and LGBT Inclusion. After having listened to shared personal stories,
conversation and prayerful discernment, how is your faith calling you to
respond to the question of full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) folks into our church? Are you struggling with some
issues? Come share your thoughts and insights.
At our second session, on Sunday,
Feb 26th at 4-5:30pm, we will welcome guest speaker Kathleen Remund,
Church Relations Coordinator at United Theological Seminary. Kathleen
will lead a discussion on the topic of sexual orientation in general,
and bisexuality in particular.
Again we thank those of you who have attended the ONA sessions and
encourage the participation of everyone. If you have any questions or
just want to talk individually with an ONA Task Force member, please
contact Marilyn or John G Olson, Su Arnold or LuAnn Suilmann. As an
update, the Church Council has selected
April 29th, 2012 as the date
for the congregational vote on Open and Affirming designation for Union
church. More information will follow on this important vote.
Theologically Sound Resumes this
Month
‘Modern Christians are steeped in a language
so distorted that it has become a stumbling block to the religion....
We began January 29th and will gather on the following Sundays:
February 5th, February 19th, March 4th, March
18th, March 25th
Sign up sheet located in the Narthex, or call the office so we can
update you on the readings for each session.
Earthwise Worship
Sunday, February 12
Without a doubt, we are called out to places of brokenness in this world
whether on the other side of the planet, or right inside our own church
kitchen. Our commitment to becoming Earthwise has brought about many
changes at Union Church. But
why are we doing this, exactly? We are standing at a threshold, faced with a profound choice to make: are we the stewards of the world God created or do we support a world that humans are making and cannot be sustained? People of conscience cannot sit idly by. Now more than ever, our voices are needed to bring people of faith together who will trumpet their shared values to care for creation and show compassion for the less fortunate. Join us in worship on Sunday, February 12th as the Green Team leads a worship centered on creation.
Wednesday, February 22
Deacon's Soup Supper from 5:00-6:30PM. Ash Wednesday Worship 7pm
Join Pastor Dana in the sanctuary from 9:30-9:50am Sundays during Lent
for a time of quiet, a time of centering. All are welcome to join for
contemplative worship: a time for meditation and prayer. Begins on
Sunday, February 26th. Join the Choir... or the Ensemble The Senior Choir practices each Wednesday evening at 7pm. If you are interested in joining, just come! Also, the ensemble "instant choir" debuted last month. The Ensemble gathers at 9am the Sunday they sing to practice... an 'instant choir' for those who want to sing! This is ideal for those of you who would like to sing but find it difficult to commit to weekly rehearsals. The next Ensemble will be singing on Sunday, February 19th. Consider this YOUR personal invitation to join in the fun!!!
SouperBowl Sunday
is February 5th
It is that time of year again! We will pass the football on SuperBowl
Sunday for monetary donations for CAER. Look for the football on Sunday,
February 5th!
Gift of the Heart
We Need Your Help! February 5th marks the beginning of our annual
collection for "Gift of the Heart" care packages. Each bag contains
personal essentials that will help out a family in crisis due to the
loss of their home, whether due to fire, flood, tornado or other natural
disaster. Children are encouraged to bring donations to the Chorister's
Room each Sunday before church school. Then on March 4 we will unite
with Service and Mission to assemble the bags and prepare them to be
shipped. Items we need for donation include: nail clippers (with file),
comb, hand towel, wash cloth, band-aids and bar soap (individually
wrapped). There will be lists available in Sunday school for children to
take home.
As you begin to dig out your Christmas decorations, you may find a string of lights or two that no longer works. The Green Team has arranged for a recycling bin here at church. Bring in strings of lights, electric cords, telephone cords and place them in the green bin found in the empty office at church. Adult Forum The focus of Adult Forum this year is learning about religions of our world. So far we have discussed Judaism, Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christianity, and Protestant Christianity. Sounds like a lot of information to cover in a short time – but this is an introduction to these faiths, not an in-depth study. Typically we spend 2 sessions on each religion. During each Adult Forum session, the first 30 minutes is spent watching the video, and in the remaining time we share thoughts, insights and questions. We invite you all to join us in Adult Forum, 8:45-9:45 each Sunday in the Community Room. Look for our posting of topics in the Communication Center. Visitors and non-members are always welcome to participate in all gatherings and activities. If finances are keeping you from participating in any event, please talk with Pastor Dana. UCC Events: The Annual Meeting for the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ was held June 10th - 12th, 2011 at the College of St. Benedict. UCC Delegates and lay visitors from across Minnesota gathered to conduct the business of the Conference, worship, learn new things, share in community and re-energize. Union Congregational Church Elk River sent three delegates: Edi Apelt, Cheryl Wold and Marce Ediger. To learn more about the Annual Meeting, visit the Minnesota Conference website.
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Recycle
Christmas Lights Here at Church
