• Looking for ways to help others? We've got a big list going and many things can be done from home.
• Second Helping continues. Read a call for new volunteers from our volunteer coordinator, Di. 
• Prayers of the Church will NOT happen this week because it's Maundy Thursday and we have a service at 6:00 p.m.
• We invite you to join us for the rest of Holy Week. Maundy Thursday dinner via Zoom at 6:00 p.m., Ecumenical Good Friday via Zoom (drop in anytime betweeen noon - 3:00 p.m., Holy Saturday (very brief) Paschal Fire Lighting via Zoom at 8:00 p.m. | get all the details about these activities here
• Easter is next Sunday! You are invited to our Easter Breakfast via Zoom at 9:30 a.m. and Easter Worship via Facebook Live at 10:45 a.m. As always, the audio-only call in option is available for worship. | details about Easter festivities here
• Fellowship Hour is happening right after worship today. Yay! Click to Zoom or call 1-669-900-6833 and dial meeting ID 606-107-240# at the prompt. 

• Watch the worship service video from Facebook Live (no login required)
• Listen to the audio of the service 

Adult Sunday School continues. We all need a time to check in and spend time in conversation and prayer these days. Join us Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome. We meet via Zoom | click here for login information
​
April 5 Taking time to talk. We will begin with 10-15 minutes of sharing our fears and frustrations, followed by guided breathing and awareness. We will end with talking about the blessings in our life. Deane Lehmann, facilitator. 

April 12 Easter breakfast. Just because we can't physically eat together doesn't mean we can't virtually eat together. Let's get to see the kiddos again, show off our cooking skills (or lack thereof) and learn how to use the chat function. Yes, you can chat with individuals! Deane Lehmann, mute minder.

April 19 (TBA)

April 26, May3, May 10. We are looking for volunteers to lead a class. We have access to Work of the People videos. We have a group of people who can easily fill an hour with conversation and insights. Is there a topic you have wanted to explore but didn't want to commit to weeks of facilitating? Well, this is your opportunity!

Please contact Sue Zschoche or Deane Lehmann. 

By Steve Bishop
Board of Facilities
​
            Over and over again, in every city I visit, I find myself looking at churches; all prove to be as unique and as individual as the people who congregate inside. I will admire the tall ceilings, stained glass windows and architectural features that seem like they have been formed by Christ him/her self. Recently I realized I’ve been looking at them all wrong. It has taken time away from our church building that has made me adjust my sights to look for the real church, the one within, behind the glass, rock and wood, the Church that exists whether or not a building is there to shelter it.
            Our building is great, but it’s just rock and wood. I think Rev. Blood knew that when he started out in 1855 with only a tent, a trunk and some kegs to sit on. He wasn’t much concerned with a building yet as he knew to have a church he also had to have nails to hold it together. Those nails, he found, were in the love and spirit of the people who graced it with their presence. Without them he would have only had rock and wood. As the love grew and that spirit persisted, the evolution of our church began. Only then did he have the makings of a solid structure: the rock and the wood along with the “nails” held it together.
            I say this now because it seems God has laid our congregation bare, stripping away that rock and wood exposing us and testing our strength. We have been forced away from our church, away from the safety and sanctity of our rock and wood, and yet the love (we “nails”) remain. This love is evident in our church leadership who scrambled to put together worship alternatives, their personal fears running simultaneous with the worry for their church family. They went to work immediately, made plans to shelter in place, to meet online, to regroup and take a head count and reassure us that we are all still here, safe. The nails, independent of the rock and wood remain, maybe a bit scattered for the time being but we remain, strong and steadfast with our love for one another.
            The pews may very well be our couches now, and our computers stand in lieu of a pulpit. It would be easy to feel disconnected from one another but take a look outside – the sun that shines down and warms my soul is the same sun that is shining down warming yours, warming us all. The spring breeze I feel on my face is the same breeze you will feel. All of our grass is greening, our trees beginning to bud, and our early spring flowers have begun making their escape from winters grasp, all under that same sun. Nature is moving forward regardless of whether it's in my yard or yours and our church is doing the same. We all ache with uncertainty right now, perhaps just as the congregation did in our church’s beginning. Rev. Blood knew that even though a tornado tore the roof of the building off in 1859, it would not spoil the spirit of the people, they would hold together to weather many, many storms. Pastor Caela knows this too, her nails are strewn, but remain. We find us weathering this new storm, but we will do it together; through the good, the bad, the happy, and the sad, we are the nails that connect us to one another and to the Church.
            We will reunite with each other soon, once again at work holding together our rock and wood. Perhaps we will sing just a bit louder and spend a bit longer passing the peace and just maybe our conversations will outlast the cookies and coffee at fellowship hour, doing what we do best: holding each other together, inside our rock and wood. 

• Looking for ways to help others? We've got a big list going and many things can be done from home.
• Second Helping continues. Read a call for new volunteers from our volunteer coordinator, Di. 
• Connect Groups (virtual) are forming! Click here to learn more and sign up. 
• Prayers of the Church are now happening during our Prayers & Fellowship Zoom on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. Learn how to join us for this brief service of scripture, song, and prayer. 
• Lunch Bunch will gather via Zoom this Wednesday and you can learn more here. 
• Fellowship Hour is happening right after worship today. Yay! Click to Zoom or call 1-669-900-6833 and dial meeting ID 606-107-240# at the prompt. 
• Read more about One Great Hour of Sharing and make your contribution today. ​

• Watch the worship service video from Facebook Live (no login required)
• Listen to the audio of the service (audio begins at 7:10, sermon begins at around 13:55)

The first Wednesday of the month means Lunch Bunch! We are still gathering in April...just in a different way. 

We hope you'll bring your own lunch to a comfy spot in your home and join us via Zoom for conversation and laughter. It will be fun to see each other's homes and perhaps meet each other's pets! Physical distancing is what we're after and that doesn't have to mean social distancing. It will be so good to talk with one another. 

Join us Wednesday, April 1st at 11:30 a.m.
Click to Zoom 
OR
Dial 1-669-900-6833 from your phone. When you hear the recorded voice say, “Welcome to Zoom. Please enter your meeting ID followed by pound” you should dial 531 215 576#. That’s it! 

Detailed invitation for those newer to Zoom
Zoom helpful hints

Since we would normally be supporting a local restaurant with Lunch Bunch, you are encouraged to consider buying a gift card to your favorite local restaurant from MHK Together. Every gift card we purchase from this program not only supports a local business but they also give a matching amount in a grocery card to people in our community who are being adversely affected by COVID-19.

Got questions? Let us know. Otherwise, we'll see you Wednesday for lunch!

• Looking for ways to help others? We've got a big list going and many things can be done from home.
• Second Helping continues. Read a call for new volunteers from our volunteer coordinator, Di. 
• Connect Groups (virtual) are forming! Click here to learn more and sign up. 
• Prayers of the Church are now happening during our Prayers & Fellowship Zoom on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. Learn how to join us for this brief service of scripture, song, and prayer. 
• Fellowship Hour is happening right after worship today. Yay! Click to Zoom or call 1-669-900-6833 and dial meeting ID 606-107-240# at the prompt. 
• Read more about One Great Hour of Sharing and make your contribution on or before March 29th. 
• The Justice &  Witness Board invites us to support the work of Renters Together MHK to advocate for and with those in our community who are economically vulnerable. Watch the video below and visit the Renters Together website. 

• Watch the worship service video from Facebook Live (no login required)
• Listen to the audio of the service (audio begin at 13 seconds, sermon begins at around 12 minutes)

First Congregational United Church of Christ of Manhattan, KS
ONLINE WORSHIP, MARCH 22, 2020

GATHERING in the presence of God
Welcome and Centering Music

• Welcome! We’re so glad you’re here. 
• Here at First Congregational in Manhattan, KS we join with ALL the congregations in the United Church of Christ in proclaiming that no matter who we are or where we are on life’s journey, we are all welcome here. So that means you….wherever you are today, whatever questions you might have, however your spirit is today, YOU are welcome here and we’re so glad you’re worshiping with us today. 
• We start every Sunday at First Congregational by saying “happy Sunday!” Not because we always FEEL happy but because we want to remember that even when we don’t feel happy-clappy it is GOOD to be together on a Sunday morning. It is GOOD to have space to remember what matters most in life. It is GOOD to be connected to God and one another through the act of worship...especially in times like these. And so, let’s give it a try. I’m going to say “Happy Sunday!” and you say it back, even if it feels silly. “Happy Sunday!”
• A couple of folks said they lit candles at their homes last week during worship - what a great idea. We’re going to light some here and if you have any nearby, I invite you to do the same. If you have kids in your family, let them serve as acolytes, just like we do when we’re worshiping together in our sanctuary. The light reminds us that God’s Spirit is with us here and now. So as we light our candles and prepare our spirits to welcome the presence of God, we’ll enjoy some centering music. 

Centering Music                                                                                                                   David Simmons Wood

Called in God's Presence
One: God is in the water that restores our soul.
All: And God is in the night when we lose our way.
One: God is in today and tomorrow, raising up leaders, prophets and dreamers.
All: And God is in the wilderness with us—every step of the way.
One: So with confidence we declare--
All: If God is in those spaces, then God is surely here.
One: Let us worship the God of creation.
All: Let us worship the God of wilderness spaces.
(written by: sarah are | sanctifiedart.org)
 

Exchanging the Peace
You are encouraged to share the peace of Christ! Take a moment and say  hello in the comments if you’re joining us via Facebook Live. If you’re watching this with other people at home, say something like, “The peace of Christ be with you” or share another sign of peace. 






LISTENING for our still-speaking God
Word for Children
As we move into the “listening” section of our service, it’s time for a special message for the kids out there. So if you’ve got kiddos in your family and they’ve wandered off, bring them up close so they can hear and see!

All around the world right now, people are working together to keep everyone safe and healthy. We all have different things we can do to help. One of the things many people are doing these days is washing their hands. I have a good friend named Eleanor McCormick who is a pastor in Germany. She used to be a pastor right down the road in Lawrence, but she moved to Germany and now she works with the Church there!

I am so thankful for technology that allows Eleanor and I to stay in touch. Earlier this week, she posted a beautiful prayer for washing our hands on Facebook and I want to share it with you today. 

(Read Eleanor’s prayer and see the images she created here.)

This week, as you’re washing your hands at home, I want to invite you to write your OWN hand-washing prayer, just like Pastor Eleanor did. You can take a piece of paper and trace your hand. Then you can write a prayer in each finger space, like I’ve done here. When you’re washing your hands, you can pray for each person or thing. 

If your parents say it’s okay, take a photo of your prayer or a video of you praying while washing your hands and send it to Brandy.  She would love to see them!

Let’s pray together:
God, thank you for all the ways we are staying connected when we are physically apart. Help us to do our part to keep everyone safe and healthy. Help us to remember to pray when we are worried or scared or joyful or bored. Thank you for being with us all the time. Amen. 





Centering Music
As we prepare to hear God’s word through scripture and sermon, let’s sing together. We’ll sing “Stay with me” from the Taize tradition. Join in as you are able:

Stay with me, 
Remain here with me,
Watch and pray,
Watch and pray. X 2

Sermon and Scripture                                                                                                         Psalm 23 (read it here)
                                                                                                                                              “And All Shall Be Well”
                                                                                                                                      Rev. Caela Simmons Wood
                                                                                                                         (read the sermon by clicking here)

RESPONDING in hope and thanksgiving
Offertory 
While we may not be together on Sunday, the work and mission of First Congregational UCC continues. Please continue to financially support the church as we offer sanctuary and support to each other and the wider community. We also have a list of things you can DO right now (even from home!) available on our website and we’ll drop that link in the comments. 
Options for giving: 

1. Mail your contribution to 700 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502.
2. Donate online via PayPal (no login required)
3. Setting up a recurring online gift is a convenient way to provide consistent financial support to the church. Your bank may be able to do this for you OR you may mail a copy of this authorization form to the church office.

As we’re sharing our offerings this morning, we are also going to sing together. 


Music at the Offertory                                                                           HYMN My Shepherd is the Living God
Text: Isaac Watts, 1719
Tune: CONSOLATION

My shepherd is the living God,
I therefore nothing need;
In pastures fair, near pleasant streams
you settle me to feed.
You bring my wandering spirit back
when I forsake your ways,
And lead me for you mercy's sake
in paths of truth and grace.

When I walk through the shades of death,
your presence is my stay;
A word of your supporting breath
drives all my fear away.
Your hand, in sight of all my foes,
does still my table spread;
My cup with blessing overflows,
your oil anoints my head.

The sure provisions of my God
attend me all my days;
O may your house be my abode,
and all my work be praise.
There would I find a settled rest,
while others come and go
No more a stranger or a guest,
but like a child at home.


Doxology - we bless our gifts together by singing

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heav’nly host:
Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.

GOING FORTH to be messengers of Good News
Sharing Opportunities to live into our mission - Love unconditionally. Challenge spiritually. Minister fervently.

• As we mentioned a few moments ago, we have a link on our website where you can see ideas for how you can reach out and help your neighbors, community, and world. Many of these can be done from home. We are currently seeking new volunteers for our free Sunday evening meal who are NOT in the high-risk category so our volunteers who ARE high-risk can opt out. Our Blessing Box also needs some love and we made a special video this week to invite you to join with Renters Together MHK in advocating for those among us who are struggling economically. 
• As many of us are caring for the world by staying at home right now, we need to be sure we’re staying connected! We are currently setting up Connect Groups for our congregation and we invite you to consider joining one. These will all be virtual gatherings and you can learn more at uccmanhattan.org. 
• Living Room Worship is still ON (but not happening in-person) for this upcoming Saturday, March 28th. Details will be shared via our social media and e-news list, so watch for that info later this week. 
• One of the important parts of our weekly worship at First Congregational UCC is “prayers of the church” which we share aloud. We’ve moved these to Thursdays at 7pm and they are happening via Zoom. You can find the login information at uccmanhattan.org. 

Charge and Benediction
Beloveds, as we go into this week, take courage and strength in these ancient words from scripture: (read using Hoberman sphere for breathing)

God is my shepherd, 
I shall not want.

For thou art with me,
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me,
All the days of my life. 

And I shall dwell in the house of God, 
My whole life long. 


Musical Benediction
We close our service by singing together. Oh! And here’s something fun and new. This week we will also be gathering for a virtual fellowship hour right after the service! So join us via Zoom as soon as the service is over. You will find the link and call in information in the comments on this live feed and also as a separate post on our Facebook page. 

Let’s sing together now as we go forth to be bearers of God’s light and love in the world: 

Let us live in the light, 
Let up love in the light,
And let the Spirit do its work in us. X 2


Permissions:

• Call to Worship written by: sarah are | sanctifiedart.org 
• My Shepherd is the Living God, public domain. 
• “Stay With Me” by Jacques Berthier. © 1984, Les Presses de Taize, GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted with OneLicense #A-710121.
• “Let Us Live in the Light” Words and music by Barbara Hamm. © 2002, Abingdon Press. Reprinted with OneLicense #A-710121.
• Permission to print and stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-710121.

Things you can do today to make a difference:

• gather accurate information and make wise choices to help stop the spread of COVID-19 (WHO, CDC, KDHE, Riley County Health Department)
• Second Helping (our carry out meal on Sunday evenings) is seeking new volunteers so that our volunteers in the high-risk category do not have to come in (read the message from our volunteer coordinator, Di, here)
• if you're already going to the store, offer to pick up items for a neighbor or friend (please contact us if you need items picked up and we'll make arrangements)
• if you're already going to the store, pick up items for the Blessing Box
• bake cookies for Second Helping (contact Linda for details)
• continue to support our ministries (Second Helping costs have gone up with costs for carry out materials and no food recovery)
• the Ministry of the Decorative Scissors invites you to join them in making fabric face masks (contact Sue to learn more)
• purchase gift cards to local businesses and the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation will match your purchase with a grocery gift card for a local person in need (visit MHK Together to purchase and learn more)
• if you are able to donate to help those who are being adversely economically impacted by COVID, you are encouraged to donate to Shepherd's Crossing or the COVID recovery fund at the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation
• advocate for those on the margins (our Justice & Witness Board invites you to support the work of Renters' Together MHK | watch a special video invitation here)
• PRAY and CHECK IN on other people on the phone, via e-mail, or text - we're all in this together and God goes with us each and every day!

Renters Together + First Congregational Church on COVID-19An invitation to join Renters Together in advocating for those in our community who are being impacted negatively by COVID-19. Visit https://www.renterstogether.org/ to join us.

Hello Friends and Members of First Congregational in Manhattan:
 
Through this post, I am seeking to find volunteers for the Sunday evening 2nd Helping dinners.  Traditionally, many of our volunteers are more mature congregants or college students from K-State.  Given the physical closure of the University and the high-risk factors associated with the Coronavirus, we are finding ourselves short on volunteers, therefore I am reaching out to ask each of you to consider your willingness to volunteer at 2nd Helping.  

Currently, the meals are prepared in the church, but are distributed outside of the church in to-go containers to help minimize the risk to our outside volunteers and neighbors.  There are also a number of other protocols being put into place for the purpose of safeguarding all involved with 2nd Helping.
 
Further, while we value anyone who is willing to volunteer, for the safety of all we ask you not to volunteer if you are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID meet any of the quarantine criteria below. We also strongly recommend that those in the high-risk category not volunteer as well.
 
If you are unable to volunteer at Second Helping, we still welcome your support. Monetary donations can be made via PayPal or mailed to the church (First Congregational UCC, 700 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502).
 
Thank you for your support of this important ministry,
 
Di Hinrichs-Toburen, Ph.D.
Second Helping Volunteer Coordinator
e-mail Di
 
 
 
The criteria for the two categories mentioned above are as follows:
 
Please do NOT volunteer if you meed any of the recommendations for self-quarantine from KDHE as of 3/15 (source) – may be superseded by updates at kdheks.gov or cdc.gov

• Traveled to a state with known widespread community transmission (currently California, New York and Washington state) on or after March 15.
• Visited Eagle, Summit, Pitkin and Gunnison counties in Colorado within the past week.
• Traveled on a cruise ship on or after March 15.
  • People who have previously been told by Public Health to quarantine because of their cruise ship travel should finish out their quarantine.
• Traveled internationally on or after March 15.
  • People who have previously been told by Public Health to quarantine because of their international travel should finish out their quarantine.
• Received notification from public health officials (state or local) that you are a close contact of a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19. You should quarantine at home for 14 days since your last contact with the case. (A close contact is defined as someone who has been closer than 6 feet for more than 10 minutes while the patient is symptomatic.)

We strongly recommend that you do NOT volunteer if you meet any of the high-risk criteria defined by the CDC (source)

• Older adults
• People who have serious chronic medical conditions such as:
  • Heart Disease
  • Diabetes
  • Lung disease

 

Dear First Congregational members and friends, There is an e-mail scam targeting churches that’s been ongoing for a number of months we have also been targeted. The scammers send an e-mail that PRETENDS to be from your pastor but IS NOT. These can be very convincing. For example, the screenshot I saw earlier today appeared to be coming from my e-mail address AND included a photo of me. 

The scammers typically ask for something vague like “I need your help with something, please reply.” If you make the mistake of replying they will then attempt to draw you into a scam. The most common one I’ve heard of involves the pastor pretending to need gift cards to assist someone in need, but I’m sure there are other versions. 

I will not send you an e-mail asking you for money or gifts cards. I am also NOT very likely to send you a message that vaguely says "can you help with something?"

If you receive an e-mail that looks like it’s from me asking for help with something, you should:
1) open up a NEW e-mail (do NOT reply to the email in question)
2) type my e-mail address into the NEW email
3) use the NEW e-mail to ask  if I contacted you
(You could also call/text/ask me in person, of course).

Please contact Sandy or me if you have any questions. 

Pastor Caela