FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
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Worship for Oct. 4, 2020

9/30/2020

 

Announcements:

  • Our river is supplied with water from many streams that feed it. First Congregational UCC blessed with your giving and the generosity of members and friends. Throughout this month, our worship services will feature members who will share their thoughts on giving and generosity in an interview format. We will be sharing short videos with reflections from other members and other updates on our Friday email updates (sign up for Friday updates here). Additionally, be on the lookout for a special mailing from our stewardship committee later this week. It will include information about giving and your a blank pledge card that we are hoping you’ll be able to return before November 1st.
  • For more information about Communion on the Lawn and Drive Through Communion today click here. Please note ADVANCE SIGN UP is REQUIRED for Communion on the Lawn. 
  • You are invited to help us "fill the breadbasket" for Second Helping on Oct. 4th. You can make a special donation (info on giving here) OR if you're coming to Communion in the afternoon you can bring items to donate. Here is more information about what items are needed. 
  • Learn more about the upcoming Kansas-Oklahoma Conference Annual Meeting and register here. The event is free but pre-registration is required. 
  • If you would like to provide financial support for those facing the devastation of the wildfires on the West Coast you can do so through the United Church of Christ. Click here to learn more and make your donation. 
  • 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.
  • Did you know we have a team called the Ministers of Care who provide care for those in our congregation who are in need of additional connection and support or are going through a major life transition? If you or someone you know needs some additional TLC, please let the church office or pastors know. 
  • A reminder that we have several opportunities to gather via Zoom each week - Tuesday book group, Wednesday youth group, and Thursday Prayers. You'll find the links on our website here. 
  • Our adult Sunday School class (via Zoom) is currently studying Forgiveness. The Tuesday book group begins a new book on Sep. 8th and would love to have new participants. You'll find information about both here. 
  • We will be having weeknight Zoom classes for kids this year instead of Sunday morning classes. Reach out to Brandy (kids) or Brittani (youth) to make sure you're getting updates for kids' and youth activities. 

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. 
​
​
If you are having difficulty accessing the online services, please don't be shy. Reach out to our church office so we can assist. We are also happy to send you a copy of the sermon via U.S. mail or e-mail. 

The worship video will also be posted here by 8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. If the video below gives you an error, check back after that time and it should be ready to go. 

Second Helping - September 2020 Update

9/29/2020

 
Our planning team reports that numbers of meals being served throughout MHK have gone up considerable with some Common Table venues regularly providing over 100 hot meals in the evenings. In September we served 235 hot meals to go; 244 lunches; 48 meals for the Pawnee Crisis Stabilization Center, for a total of 527 meals provided. We are now preparing 75 hot meals and 60 lunch sacks. That is counting on 60+ first servings and 11 meals to Pawnee. Cooks give out seconds when food is available. We continue to receive donations from local partners and members of our congregation and are so thankful for your support. 

A special shoutout this month to Reggie Moore who serves as our staff host. Reggie is present each Sunday evening to greet our guests and hand out meals. Because Reggie serves in this role at several other Common Table sites he provides a friendly and known face for our guests and consistency from site to site. We are so grateful for Reggie's service and we rely on your financial donations to fund this staff position. 

​Second Helping takes many, many people working behind the scenes to plan the menus, procure the groceries, prepare the lunches, bake homemade desserts, cook the food, and serve it. There are many ways to be involved with Second Helping - from coming in to cook to cooking at home, buying supplies or making a cash donation.

Want to help? Here’s how:
• Sign up to make desserts for 60 with the UCC Sign-Up Genius (you could do 30 and have a friend do 30)
• Help cook and prep on Sunday – contact Di
• Fix sack lunches during the week – contact Linda
• Porch drop fresh fruit (lunches), cookies, instant oatmeal, breakfast bars – contact Linda
• Bake dinner rolls, muffins or other goodies to include with our suppers – contact Linda​
• To make a cash donation to the Second Helping, please donate via PayPal and indicate "Second Helping" in the memo OR mail your check to 700 Poyntz, Manhattan, KS 66502 with "Second Helping" in the memo. 

Black Lives Matter Signs Available

9/28/2020

 
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Justice and Witness Board has some Black Lives Movement signs.

Please sign up online or contact the church office if you'd like a sign. 


BLM MHK mission: Building connections between People of Color and their Allies in the fight against racism. We seek and encourage social action and engagement to channel change. We are the driving force behind social justice and equality for all in MHK. Voicing our rights and moving towards change is our priority. We will never be silenced.

Learn more about our local black lives movement from these conversations with Jennifer Edwards and BLM MHK founders Jaynae Cole and Teresa Parks. 

Request a BLM Sign

Voting Info from Justice & Witness Board

9/27/2020

 
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​If you are reading this before Oct 13, it's not too late to register to vote! Make sure your vote counts by planning your voting experience. Share your plan and these resources with family, friends, and neighbors.
 
Please let Carol Sevin (csevin@gmail.com) know if you would like to meet with a member of the Justice and Witness Board to go through these steps, we’re here to help!

 
Justice and Witness Board election guide:

1.     Register and check your voter registration at ksvotes.org by Oct 13.
  • If voting by mail: use ksvotes.org to request a mail-in/advance ballot by Oct 27

2.     Learn about the candidates and issues that will be on your ballot
  • Riley County Official Election Information
  • Other websites for election research: vote411.org, votesmart.org
  • Riley County Commissioner Candidate forums
  • 2pm-5pm 10/18 League of Women Voters Forum 
  • Kansas Interfaith Action Voter Empowerment Events - Thursdays, Oct. 15, 22, and 29 at 7pm on KIFA's Facebook Live

3.     Vote
  • Advance voting begins Oct 14
  • Your mail in ballot can be delivered at any polling station including early voting, let us know if it needs a ride! Also let us know if you need a ride on Election Day.
  • Polls open from 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. on Election Day
 
Contact Carol Sevin or 336-575-4804 if you'd like this message as an email or to volunteer to deliver ballots or drive voters.

​

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We encourage you to check out "30 days of practice & reflection" as a way of offering yourself and others care in this season before the election. 

Worship for September 27, 2020

9/23/2020

 

Announcements:

  • For more information about Communion on the Lawn and Drive Through Communion on Oct. 4th click here. Please note ADVANCE SIGN UP is REQUIRED for Communion on the Lawn. 
  • You are invited to help us "fill the breadbasket" for Second Helping on Oct. 4th. You can make a special donation (info on giving here) OR if you're coming to Communion in the afternoon you can bring items to donate. Here is more information about what items are needed. 
  • Learn more about the upcoming Kansas-Oklahoma Conference Annual Meeting and register here. The event is free but pre-registration is required. 
  • The CROP Walk is October 4th. To walk or support a walker you can contact Deane Lehmann or learn more on the Manhattan CROP Walk webpage. CROP Walk is an annual event to raise funds to help end hunger globally and locally. 
  • If you would like to provide financial support for those facing the devastation of the wildfires on the West Coast you can do so through the United Church of Christ. Click here to learn more and make your donation. 
  • 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.
  • Did you know we have a team called the Ministers of Care who provide care for those in our congregation who are in need of additional connection and support or are going through a major life transition? If you or someone you know needs some additional TLC, please let the church office or pastors know. 
  • A reminder that we have several opportunities to gather via Zoom each week - Tuesday book group, Wednesday youth group, and Thursday Prayers. You'll find the links on our website here. 
  • Our adult Sunday School class (via Zoom) is currently studying Forgiveness. The Tuesday book group begins a new book on Sep. 8th and would love to have new participants. You'll find information about both here. 
  • We will be having weeknight Zoom classes for kids this year instead of Sunday morning classes. Reach out to Brandy (kids) or Brittani (youth) to make sure you're getting updates for kids' and youth activities. 

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. 
​
​
If you are having difficulty accessing the online services, please don't be shy. Reach out to our church office so we can assist. We are also happy to send you a copy of the sermon via U.S. mail or e-mail. 

Communion Options for October 4th, 2020

9/23/2020

 
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We invite you to join us for Holy Communion on Sunday, October 4th. We will have three opportunities for receiving the elements that day. 
  1. Communion at Home: we will offer Communion during our Sunday morning online worship service and you can bring your own elements to eat and drink.
  2. Drive Through Communion: drive through the alley behind the church building to receive prepackaged Communion elements (no sign up needed)
  3. Communion on the Lawn: we will gather on the lawn of the church building for a physically-distanced Communion using prepackaged elements (NOTE: advance sign up required)


Schedule for Communion on Oct. 4th

Communion at Home: 10:45 a.m. during our regular online worship service (bring your own elements)

Drive Through Communion: 12:15-12:30 p.m. OR 1:00-1:15 p.m.
  • ​Enter parking lot from the Poyntz Entrance, but do not park.
  • Turn right at the end of the parking lot onto the alley behind the church building.
  • Receive prepackaged communion from your car from our pastors.
  • Continue on to Juliette (turn right if you’d like to pass the small groups gathered on the lawn. Feel free to honk and wave at those gathered as you go past.)
  • Those who are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, are awaiting a test result for COVID-19, have been exposed to anyone who has COVID-19 or is awaiting a COVID-19 test result, or fall into any other category that should be quarantined according to our health department may not attend.    
  • Those attending Drive Through Communion may not get out of their vehicles.

Communion on the Lawn: ***advance sign up required***
Group A
  • Staggered arrival between 11:45 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
  • Park and wait in your car until the greeter asks you to visit the check in table
  • 12:00-12:30 p.m. - Communion and Fellowship on the the Lawn

Group B
  • Staggered arrival between 12:30 - 12:45 p.m.
  • Park and wait in your car until the greeter asks you to visit the check in table
  • 12:45 - 1:15 p.m. - Communion and Fellowship on the the Lawn​

In case of inclement weather, an announcement will be made on our website, e-mail list, and social media on Sunday morning. 

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We invite you to Fill the Breadbasket by dropping off donations for the Second Helping when you arrive for Drive Through or Communion on the Lawn.

Important Information for Communion on the Lawn

For Communion on the Lawn: please bring a face mask and lawn chairs/blanket for your family. When you arrive, please stay in or right next to your car until the parking lot greeter invites you to proceed to the sign in table. At the sign in table you will sanitize your hands, pick up prepackaged communion elements, and the usher will assist you in finding your assigned spot (marked by a cone). We will have two “seatings” - Lawn Group A  at 12:00 p.m. and Lawn Group B at 12:45 p.m. See detailed schedule above. 

As we continue to learn more about the coronavirus, we are learning more about how we can safely be together. Our congregational leadership has carefully planned traffic flow and requirements for Communion on the Lawn with community health in mind. We ask that everyone carefully read the health guidelines when you sign up. When you reserve your spot, you are agreeing to care for the health of others by following the guidelines. If you have any questions, please reach out to the church office. 
​

Sign up for Communion on the Lawn at uccmanhattan.org/sign-ups OR by calling the church office. We've made a short video tutorial to help you with the online sign up process. 

Health Requirements for Our Gathering

  1. Those who are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, are awaiting a test result for COVID-19, have been exposed to anyone who has COVID-19 or is awaiting a COVID-19 test result, or fall into any other category that should be quarantined according to our health department may not attend.    
  2. Masks will be worn for the entirety of the event (except to be removed very briefly while receiving the Communion elements). If you do not have a mask, one will be provided to you at the check in table. 
  3. When you arrive: please put on your mask before exiting your vehicle. We ask that you wait in or right next to your car. A greeter will let you know when it’s time to proceed to the check in table. 
  4. At the check in table, sanitize hands using the provided sanitizer before you pick up your prepackaged Communion elements. 
  5. The greeter at the table will assign you a designated space. An usher will show you to your assigned space. Please place your chair or blanket right next to the cone. 
  6. Everyone must stay in their designated space and maintain at least 8 feet distance from those they don’t live with. We know it’s hard to see each other and not hug or shake hands. But we also know that we can do hard things! 
  7. The usher will dismiss you at the end of our fellowship time and we ask that you proceed to your car and depart. Please be sure to leave at least 8 feet of space between you and other people as you get into your vehicles. If you need to leave earlier, please just catch the usher’s attention to do so. 
  8. Note that the building will not be open at all during this event. 
Sign Up for Communion on the Lawn

Video Tutorial for Using Online Sign Up

Video Walk-Through for Communion on the Lawn 

Video Walk-Through for Drive Through Communion

Worship for September 20, 2020

9/15/2020

 

Announcements:

  • Cassidy is starting another book group via Zoom on September 25th. They will be studying Ibram Kendi's How to Be an Antiracist. Contact Cassidy for the Zoom link. 
  • The CROP Walk is October 4th. To walk or support a walker you can contact Deane Lehmann or learn more on the Manhattan CROP Walk webpage. CROP Walk is an annual event to raise funds to help end hunger globally and locally. 
  • If you would like to provide financial support for those facing the devastation of the wildfires on the West Coast you can do so through the United Church of Christ. Click here to learn more and make your donation. 
  • 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.
  • Did you know we have a team called the Ministers of Care who provide care for those in our congregation who are in need of additional connection and support or are going through a major life transition? If you or someone you know needs some additional TLC, please let the church office or pastors know. 
  • ​There’s a new opportunity for singers in our congregation….we are partnering with other congregations in the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference of the United Church of Christ to create a virtual choir. You don’t need fancy recording equipment...just something like a computer, tablet, or smartphone. There will be rehearsals starting soon but there is also an opportunity to simply record your part without attending rehearsals. For more information about how to get involved, please contact Gretchen Lewis.
  • A reminder that we have several opportunities to gather via Zoom each week - Tuesday book group, Wednesday youth group, and Thursday Prayers. You'll find the links on our website here. 
  • Our adult Sunday School class (via Zoom) is currently studying Forgiveness. The Tuesday book group begins a new book on Sep. 8th and would love to have new participants. You'll find information about both here. 
  • We will be having weeknight Zoom classes for kids this year instead of Sunday morning classes. Reach out to Brandy (kids) or Brittani (youth) to make sure you're getting updates for kids' and youth activities. 

Worship with us.

​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. 
​
​
If you are having difficulty accessing the online services, please don't be shy. Reach out to our church office so we can assist. We are also happy to send you a copy of the sermon via U.S. mail or e-mail. 

How to Be an Antiracist Discussion Group

9/15/2020

 
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Cassidy Moreau is leading another anti-racism discussion group via Zoom and you're invited to participate. The group will begin September 25th at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. They will be reading How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram Kendi. For more details, contact Cassidy.

KO Annual Meeting Online - You're Invited!

9/10/2020

 
The Kansas-Oklahoma Conference of the UCC gathers in October each year. Our congregation sends our authorized ministers and lay delegates each year. This year, the gathering is happening ONLINE which means ANYONE in our congregation who wants to attend part or all of the gathering can do so for free. Pretty  neat! 

Events will be happening throughout the week, beginning Monday, Oct. 5th and ending with a special all-conference worship service on Sunday, Oct. 11th (you don't need to register for the worship service). 

You can see the schedule and fill out a registration form on the Annual Meeting website. You will want to register as a VISITOR and there will be no cost to you. Several of the speakers are folks that Pastor Caela has known personally for a number of years and they are GREAT speakers. We will also be gathering with our German partners from Baden. We hope you'll take advantage of this unique opportunity. Please contact Pastor Caela if you have any questions. 
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Worship for September 13, 2020

9/9/2020

 

Announcements:

  • Our community Conversation on Race and Reconciliation is happening this Monday, September. 14th. Pre-registration for this online event is required.  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.
  • Our friends at Plymouth have invited everyone in the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference to participate in a Zoom class using the UCC's White Privilege curriculum. Classes will begin on Wednesday, Sep. 16th and you'll find more info here. 
  • Did you know we have a team called the Ministers of Care who provide care for those in our congregation who are in need of additional connection and support or are going through a major life transition? If you or someone you know needs some additional TLC, please let the church office or pastors know. 
  • ​There’s a new opportunity for singers in our congregation….we are partnering with other congregations in the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference of the United Church of Christ to create a virtual choir. You don’t need fancy recording equipment...just something like a computer, tablet, or smartphone. There will be rehearsals starting soon but there is also an opportunity to simply record your part without attending rehearsals. For more information about how to get involved, please contact Gretchen Lewis.
  • A reminder that we have several opportunities to gather via Zoom each week - Tuesday book group, Wednesday youth group, and Thursday Prayers. You'll find the links on our website here. 
  • Our adult Sunday School class (via Zoom) is currently studying Forgivness. The Tuesday book group begins a new book on Sep. 8th and would love to have new participants. You'll find information about both here. 
  • We will be having weeknight Zoom classes for kids this year instead of Sunday morning classes. Reach out to Brandy (kids) or Brittani (youth) to make sure you're getting updates for kids' and youth activities. 

Worship with us. 

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. 
​
​
If you are having difficulty accessing the online services, please don't be shy. Reach out to our church office so we can assist. We are also happy to send you a copy of the sermon via U.S. mail or e-mail. 
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God loves the rainbow. 
First Congregational United Church of Christ 
700 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, KS  66502
785-537-7006

© 2022 First Congregational United Church of Christ. All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
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    • Open and Affirming
    • Our Leadership
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    • Our Denomination
    • Building Use & Weddings
  • Worship
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    • Sunday Worship >
      • Sermons
    • Taizé Worship
    • Music
    • Special Worship Services >
      • Christmas 2022
      • Lent
  • Serve
    • Sign Ups
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