First Congregational United Church of Christ
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The Gift of a Warm Meal

12/2/2020

 
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Looking for something special to give a loved one for Christmas? A gift to Second Helping in the name of your loved one will provide hot meals for members of the Manhattan community who may be experiencing hardship and hunger. Our meals cost about $2.50 per person per night; and that includes a hot meal (to go, at this time), a bottle of water, and a lunch sack that also contains breakfast items.

You will receive a special card recognizing the gift that you can send to your loved one. A gift of $25 will provide meals for 10 people for one day (3 meals). Fifty dollars will feed 20 people for one day. And you can feed 40 people for a day with a $100 donation.

To make your donation online, click the button below to donate via PayPal. You can also mail a check with a note that includes what it's for and your name/address to 700 Poyntz, Manhattan, KS 66502. 

P.S. You could also tell others this is a gift you would like, if you happen to be asked!

Donate now

Worship for Nov. 29, 2020

11/25/2020

 

Announcements:

  • We begin a new Adult Sunday School class for Advent this Sunday, Nov. 29th at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom. You'll find details here.​
  • Advent begins today! We invite you to join with us in observing the season. You will find information about Advent Devotionals, our adult Advent class, star words, special worship services and more here. 
  • We would love to have your Christmas PHOTOS for our worship services! Details on how to submit here
  • Next Sunday, Dec. 6th is Communion Sunday. We will offer two options for Communion: 1) during online worship at home, 2) Drive Through from 12-1pm. No sign up required. Details here
  • You are encouraged to help us "Fill the Breadbasket" for Second Helping next Sunday, Dec. 6th, by making a special financial gift to the Second Helping or dropping off supplies during Drive Through Communion. Learn more about Second Helping and see a list of needed items here
  • World AIDS Day Service is Tuesday, Dec. 1st. We will meet at the church at 5:30 p.m. for a socially distanced walk to Blue Earth Plaza, where we will light candles together. More information here
  • Beginning December 1, you are encouraged to visit the church grounds to offer your Christmas prayer at the interactive prayer station on our front lawn. Paper and pens are provided so you can write down your prayer and staple it onto the chain with the others. Learn more here
  • Sue Gerth still has Advent Wreath Kits if you'd like one. Learn more about the Advent Wreath Kits here.
  • You can order poinsettias for Advent and Christmas NOW. Find more information and the order form here. 
  • We have two new resources on our website that you might find useful during the week. Visit uccmanhattan.org/devotionals to access free online devotionals anytime or uccmanhattan.org/music to access video and audio of music from our services.
  • A reminder that we have several opportunities to gather via Zoom each week - Sunday and Monday School for adults and kids, Tuesday book group, youth group, and Thursday Prayers. You'll find the links here. 

Worship with us.

Join us as we worship together in real time on Facebook Live at 10:45 a.m. Central on Sunday (no login required). The service will also be posted to our YouTube channel before 10:45 a.m. each Sunday. 
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If you are having difficulty accessing the online services, please don't be shy. Reach out to our church office so we can assist. 

Christmas Prayer Creche

11/23/2020

 
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We have a tradition on Christmas Eve of writing down our prayers on small slips of paper and placing them in the manger in our Sanctuary. This year we’ve moved the nativity scene outdoors and are inviting anyone in the community to join us throughout December. Please stop by the church lawn anytime after December 1st and before Christmas to leave your prayer. You can come as many times as you’d like! There is a plastic box with slips of paper, writing utensils, and a small stapler. After you write your prayer, link it to the other prayers and staple it to create a prayer chain. Together, our prayers will decorate the creche as we await Christ’s arrival. A big thank you to Bert Allen for creating our gorgeous prayer station!

Special Worship Services for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany

11/23/2020

 

Dec. 13: Christmas Pageant

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Join us for our annual Christmas Pageant, led by the children of our congregation. We will worship together on Facebook Live at 10:45 a.m. or you can worship on your own schedule using our YouTube channel. The kids will be sharing scripture, story, and song. We can't wait to see what they've created! Details about how to access the service here. ​

Dec. 20: Lessons & Carols

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The musicians of our congregation will share the Word with us in music this Sunday. We will worship together on Facebook Live at 10:45 a.m. or you can worship on your own schedule using our YouTube channel. Many thanks to our musicians and readers for sharing your gifts with us this season.  Details about how to access the service here. 

View the order of lessons and carols here

Please note: the Zoom worship services on Dec. 24, Dec. 27, and Jan. 3 will NOT be on Facebook Live, YouTube, or DVD. You will need to join us via Zoom for the live service. Let us know if you have questions!

Dec. 24: Christmas Eve

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Dec. 27: Poetry & Carols 

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Jan. 3: Epiphany

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We will gather on Zoom for a simple and sweet service as we welcome the Christ child in our midst. We will hear the Christmas story and a meditation from our pastor and enjoy music together. Bring your favorite candle to use as we light our candles and sing Silent Night together. You'll find the Zoom login information here. 





Wear your cozy clothes, pour yourself a cup of coffee and join us on Zoom the Sunday after Christmas. We will sing Christmas carols together and hear Christmas poetry and scripture. This will be a great chance to see some familiar and loved faces and some new faces, too! You'll find the Zoom login information here. ​


One last Zoom service before the season ends. Bring the Star Words that came in your December print newsletter in the mail (don't worry if you've lost them, we've got you covered). We'll journey with the Magi for Epiphany and enjoy some connection-time together as the new year dawns. You'll find the Zoom login information here. ​


Worship for Nov. 22, 2020

11/18/2020

 

Announcements:

  • Pastor Caela is on vacation until Monday, Nov. 23. If you have any pastoral care needs you should contact Pastor Sue or a Minister of Care. 
  • Rabbi Moti Rieber of Kansas Interfaith Action joins us for a meet-and-greet after worship TODAY to share with you about KIFA at Fellowship Hour on Nov. 22nd. More info here. 
  • We begin a new Adult Sunday School class next Sunday, Nov. 29th at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom. You'll find details here.​
  • Advent begins next Sunday, Nov. 29th. We invite you to join with us in observing the season. You will find information about Advent Devotionals, our adult Advent class, star words, special worship services and more here. 
  • Sue Gerth still has Advent Wreath Kits if you'd like one. Learn more about the Advent Wreath Kits here.
  • You can order poinsettias for Advent and Christmas NOW. Find more information and the order form here. 
  • Save the date for World AIDS Day - Tuesday, Dec. 1st. We will meet at the church at 5:30 p.m. for a socially distanced walk to Blue Earth Plaza, where we will light candles together. More information here
  • We have two new resources on our website that you might find useful during the week. Visit uccmanhattan.org/devotionals to access free online devotionals anytime or uccmanhattan.org/music to access video and audio of music from our services.
  • A reminder that we have several opportunities to gather via Zoom each week - Sunday and Monday School for adults and kids, Tuesday book group, youth group, and Thursday Prayers. You'll find the links here. 

Worship with us. 

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​Pastor Caela is on vacation this week and we are going on a road trip together for worship this Sunday. We will be worshiping with First Congregational UCC in Norman, OK where the guest preacher will be the Rev. Kayla Bonewell.

How to worship this weekend:
We will be sharing First Congregational Norman's worship service on OUR Facebook page at the regular time. So just go to facebook.com/uccmanhattanks/live at 10:45 a.m. and look for the red box that says Live or Premiere like you do every Sunday. You can also catch the service anytime on Sunday on our YouTube channel.

How to fellowship this weekend:
We will still gather for our regular Zoom Fellowship Hour at 11:45 a.m. in our regular Fellowship Zoom room. We will be welcoming Rabbi Moti Rieber for a meet-and-greet and you can learn more about KIFA while you're at Fellowship Hour. We hope you can join us for a time of conversation and connection!

Even with all of the challenges of 2020 it can be uplifting to take advantage of some of the things we can do now that we couldn't before...worshiping online with a congregation in another state is a gift!

Worship for Nov. 15, 2020

11/11/2020

 

Announcements:

  • We gather for our Congregational Meeting at 11:45 a.m. TODAY. The Zoom room will open at 11:35 a.m. Full details available here. 
  • Pastor Caela will be on vacation this next week and if you have any pastoral care needs you should contact Pastor Sue or a Minister of Care. 
  • Next week, Nov. 22, we will be Road Tripping to First Congregational UCC of Norman, OK. You will access the worship service in the usual way: just go to OUR Facebook page and look for the Live/Premiere video at 10:45 a.m. We will be streaming their service on our page. 
  • Rabbi Moti Rieber of Kansas Interfaith Action joins us for a meet-and-greet to share with you about KIFA at Fellowship Hour on Nov. 22nd. More info here. 
  • Advent begins November 29th. We invite you to join with us in observing the season. You will find information about Advent Devotionals, our adult Advent class, star words, special worship services and more on our website here. 
  • Sue Gerth still has Advent Wreath Kits if you'd like one and we will be having a crafting night this Thursday at Prayers and Fellowship at 7pm. Learn more about the Advent Wreath Kits here and find the Prayers and Fellowship login info here. 
  • You can order poinsettias for Advent and Christmas NOW. Find more information and the order form here. 
  • Save the date for World AIDS Day - Tuesday, Dec. 1st. We will meet at the church at 5:30 p.m. for a socially distanced walk to Blue Earth Plaza, where we will light candles together. More information here
  • Our Adult Sunday School class on Exploring Racial Entanglements continues through Nov. 22. You'll find details here.​
  • We have two new resources on our website that you might find useful during the week. Visit uccmanhattan.org/devotionals to access free online devotionals anytime or uccmanhattan.org/music to access video and audio of music from our services.
  • A reminder that we have several opportunities to gather via Zoom each week - Sunday and Monday School for adults and kids, Tuesday book group, youth group, and Thursday Prayers. You'll find the links on our website here. ​

Worship with us. 

Join us as we worship together in real time on Facebook Live at 10:45 a.m. Central on Sunday (no login required). The service will also be posted to our YouTube channel before 10:45 a.m. each Sunday. 
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If you are having difficulty accessing the online services, please don't be shy. Reach out to our church office so we can assist. 

Star Words for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany

11/11/2020

 

What are star words?

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The use of star words, also called “star gifts,” is a prayer practice connected to Epiphany and the new year that has been growing in popularity in Protestant churches for nearly a decade now. The idea is that a list of intention words, or guiding words, are written or printed on paper stars. These paper stars are then distributed at random.  Individuals are often encouraged to place their star word somewhere they will see it regularly throughout the year to allow consistent reflection on how God has moved through, around, or in connection to that word.

If you are on our mailing list, you will receive a star word with your December newsletter in the U.S. mail. If you are not on our mailing list and would like a word assigned to you, please email the office and we'll send you one!

There Are Several Theological Statements Being Made in this Tradition:
1. The Magi followed a star, which ultimately led them to Jesus. Therefore, we too use all the resources we have available to us—including creative prayer practices and intention words for the new year—to move closer to Jesus.
2. We trust that God uses multiple ways to guide us and speak to us. Star words are one such lens that might provide us a way to look for God in our midst, both actively and in hindsight.
3. We trust that it is often easy to miss God in our daily midst. Having an intention word to consider both in present days, as well as to reflect on at the end of the year, allows for us to see God in ways we may not have seen God before. This is the greatest gift.
4. We know that the most common prayer practice for many involves speaking to God as opposed to silence or contemplation. We believe that star words invite a new prayer rhythm of reflection and review that can be a powerful new way to connect with God.
5. By receiving a star word chosen at random, we practice the spiritual task of receiving. It is not we who are in control in this moment. Instead, we trust that God is present, and we let go of our desire to cultivate or control. 

Ideas for using your star word during Advent & Christmas:

You might display your star word in your home. Use a paperclip to add it to ribbon, a tassel, or tinsel—string this on your Christmas tree, into a wreath, or along your mantle. Or, bend open a paper clip, and use it to punch a hole in your star word to transform it into a simple Christmas tree ornament and add it to your tree. Get creative—seek beautiful ways to add your star words to spaces around your home so that you will continue to see them and think about them throughout the Advent season.

Prompts for using the star words for daily prayer:
A. Look up the definition of your word, even if it is a word you know well. You may even look into the etymology of the word and how its meaning has changed throughout history. If you drew a non-English word, do as much research as you can into the meaning of the word in its original culture.
B. What does this word remind you of? Does it recall any memories or experiences? How might God be speaking to you through this word?
C. See if you can find your word—or a synonym—in the Bible. What scripture passages can you find? How is the word used in these passages? Are there other scripture passages that remind you of your word?
D. Write or speak aloud a prayer using your word. (This is a fun challenge for children using the star words.)

SOURCE FOR THE ABOVE TEXT AND IMAGES: A Sanctified Art

Join us for a special Epiphany worship service on Jan. 3

Be sure to bring your star word to worship on January 3rd. We will gather via Zoom at 10:45 a.m. for worship (NOT on our regular Facebook Live platform). You'll find the Zoom login information here on our website before January 3rd. More details to come!
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Order your 2020 Christmas Poinsettias Now!

11/10/2020

 
The Advent season brings the opportunity for you to provide poinsettias in honor of someone important to you as the church is decorated for Advent and Christmas. The cost to donate poinsettias is $10.00 per plant and we will share the dedications in worship on Dec. 13 and 20. 

The Deacons will be providing a date for you to pick up your poinsettias before Christmas so you can enjoy a bit of First Congregational in your own home this year. Or perhaps you'll want to pick up your poinsettias and share them in a porch drop with a friend!

Order your poinsettia now by clicking the button to complete the online order form OR call the church office to place your order. 
Order now
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Advent Devotionals for 2020 Available Now

11/10/2020

 
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Advent devotionals are now available for pick up! Look for the plastic box outside the double doors that go into the office area at the church building. If you'd rather have one posted in the mail, e-mail office@uccmanhattan.org to request. Our devotionals are from A Sanctified Art and include poetry, art, scripture, and space for reflection. ​

Christmas Photos Needed

11/10/2020

 
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Dear Church Family,

​We know that soon you’ll be putting up your Christmas decorations for the coming season. For some of us, we’re a little afraid that we are putting up the tree and hanging the stockings but no one will see them. We want to fix that. Send pictures of your tree, stockings, holiday décor and nativity scenes to be used in our worship services and on social media.

Please upload them to our Upload Portal by December 4 (sooner if you can).

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First Congregational United Church of Christ 
700 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, KS  66502
785-537-7006

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