UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
a just world for all
UCC Squared Weekly
Spring Clean Up Sunday,
April 25th at 11:15am
Bring yard tools – Rakes, pruning shears, shovels, wheelbarrow and leaf blowers.
Look for the task board which will be located outside the Montessori door off the parking lot when you arrive and Frank Scouten will help you.
Beverages and snacks will be provided by
Centennial outside as well
April 25th, 2021 Worship at 10a
Please join us live on Facebook this coming Sunday.
This week's Sermon is called "Good Shepherd"
Please click the link below to download or print off your bulletin
There will be no Virtual Coffee Hour this week:
We will see you at this Sunday's Spring Clean up to have in person fellowship
*Masks Required
O&J Special Request
Union Friends, Sanctuary and Resistance to Injustice is going to re-purpose some of the yard signs we use at our Wednesday actions at the Sherburne Government Center. This project will have several different volunteer opportunities.
- First, we are looking for donations of old solid colored sheets of any size. If you have patternless sheets you are no longer using, please drop them off in the drop box at the entrance of Union.
- Second, once we have the sheets, we will ask for volunteers to stitch them like pillow cases to slip over our existing yard signs
- Third, we will need help to paint new slogans or stencil images on the signs.
Watch this space! Once we have enough sheets, we will put out a call for volunteers to sew the slip covers.
Thank you for volunteering!
Thanks,
Nancy
Today, April 21 is Family Promise Giving Day Fundraiser!
Proceeds will go towards assisting families experiencing homelessness achieve housing independence
Thursday April 22 @12:00pm
"Join us for a special event that will feed your soul and connect you to the sacredness of the earth."
"We will also be celebrating stories from MNIPL's work last year and from our climate justice congregations as well as inviting you to deepen your relationship with MNIPL and our shared work of climate justice and racial justice."
Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light, Gandhi Mahal, and interfaith partners invite you to attend our Seventh Annual Interfaith Unity Iftar. Our interfaith community will be gathering virtually again this year during Ramadan. People of all faiths and spiritual practices are welcome to attend this special event!
When: Saturday, April 24 at 7:00 pm CT on Zoom
We are honored to hear wisdom from our guest speaker, Iman Masmoudi. Following her talk and a Q&A, a group of panelists will discuss anti-hate efforts. The evening will close with Ruhel Islam, Owner of Gandhi Mahal Restaurant, offering the call to prayer (Adhan).
"God calls us not to the security we humans crave, but to peace. In these days when so much in our world feels so unsafe, and so out of control, and security itself seems out of reach for so many, how can this peace promised by God – promised by Jesus – be real? Some say, it’s the little things – being kind to one another. Being compassionate. Sharing resources instead of hoarding or guarding. Protesting and speaking when something is wrong. Resisting oppression in all its guises. Standing as allies with those who have their rightful intrinsic value curtailed. Showing up."
Prayers for Joys and Concerns/Announcements: 4/18/21
KEPT IN OUR PRAYERS (cards and calls appreciated) Ella Rivers, Donna Church, Musz Bailey, Jim Babcock, Shelley Sherper, Bobbie Berg, Susan Olsen, Jackie Schuelein, Carol Lloyd, Dave Leland, Joanne Burdick, Ruby Cawthra, Jane Houlton, baby James Bowman, Marion Marcott, Cheryl Wold, Judy Halgren, Amy Britt, Bailey Rosdahl, Jimmy Stevens, Dee & Jim Stevens (Jimmy’s parents), Dave Foley, John Olson, Nicole [Kilber] Teske, Linda Fenton, Dave Halgren, Diane Narr, Joan Axen and Nancy Andersen.
Laurie Lang is filling in today for Children’s Time. Gigi is not feeling well after her COVID shot. Prayers for quick recovery for Gigi.
Nancy Hassett shared the joy that it is her mom’s 93rd birthday. They will be celebrating together at Nancy and Bob’s home. Happy Birthday, Betty!
Pastor Robin shared that our gathered greater UCC community encourages us to pray for repentance for our country’s racism, past and present. Pray for all of us who have been impacted by the shootings in the recent past, and pray for all who have suffered injustice.
Pastor Robin shared the joy of the final count of the birth of her lambs on their farm. Final count is 5 moms, 10 babies (8 boys & 2 girls). Congratulations!
Hesther Bowman asked for prayers for her brother, Parker, who is a State Trooper and away from home every day at this time.
Rylie read a letter received from Phil Church, Donna Church’s son. He said Donna is now eating three good meals a day and has gained back the weight she lost after her 2nd COVID shot. Her cheeks are pink and she maintains her sense of humor. They are so happy how well the staff from Golden Horizons cares for and cares about Donna. Your prayers have worked so well. Thank you so much for those prayers. Phil visits her every day and reads all the cards she has received.
Jen Narr-Rodrigues shared the joy that Luiza, Cesar’s former wife, is now slowly recovering from COVID at home (previously hospitalized). She thanks everyone for their prayers.
Cheryl Sil asked for prayers for all our military, police, social workers and lawyers who work so hard to keep our society safe, yet need to walk the fine line of enforcing laws and showing empathy, compassion as well as lend a helping hand when needed.
Jen Narr-Rodrigues asked for prayers for her mom, Diane Narr, who is having side effects from her radiation treatment. They were at the emergency room Sunday.
Announcements
Please note that it is National Volunteer Month and National Volunteer Week, 18th-24th. This might be a good time to reach out and volunteer; there are many options. Thank you to those around us who participate, those in our church who volunteer regularly for CAER, Open Doors for Youth, Family Promise and many other organizations—THANK YOU!
Outreach and Justice is hosting/organizing our Spring Clean Up on Sunday, April 25th. It will begin right after our church service at 11:00. Please bring your tools, gloves, energy and enthusiasm, etc. Centennial will be providing a Fellowship Table with coffee, beverages and treats.
Pastor Robin: God calls us to have joy in the abundance in which we live. May we give all of who we are and some of what we have. Pastor Robin encourages us to continue your generous gifts to the ministry and mission of this church. She also encourages us to support those people/organizations who are doing the work of peace with justice. Your time, energy and finances are certainly appreciated and celebrated.
Blessings,
Mary Wilson
