Blog Archives

Leadership Kick Off 2023

11/28/2022

All members of our boards and committees are invited to attend the 2023 Leadership Kick Off on Wednesday, Jan. 11th from 6-8pm. We will gather for dinner and then meet together. If you're not able to make it in-person you also have the option of joining us after dinner via Zoom (using the regular worship Zoom link at uccmanhattan.org/online).

The purpose of this gathering is to share tips and wisdom for the upcoming year and provide an opportunity for those who serve in leadership to meet one another and spend time connecting.
For most boards and committees this will replace your regular January meeting as we will break into individual boards after our full-group gathering. We look forward to gathering with you! Please contact Craig Weston or Di Hinrichs-Toburen if you have questions.

Special Worship Services for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany 2022

11/3/2022

Nov. 27th: Advent begins with HOPE (and decorating)

Christmas time is almost here and the Deacons are looking for volunteers to help us decorate the church for the season! We will meet at the church on Saturday, November 26 at 10:00am. If you have any questions, contact Julie Hunt. All hands are welcome!

Adult Sunday School will begin their Advent series at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 27th.

Our first worship service for Advent will happen at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27th. This will be the final worship service as organist for Bob Edwards, as he is retiring. We invite you to join us for this special Sunday and for a casual reception after the service.

Dec. 4th: the Sunday of PEACE (and brass and cookies!)

We are delighted to welcome the brass ensemble in worship on the 2nd Sunday of Advent. Hearing their music always makes it feel like the season has truly arrived!

After worship, please join us for a cookie exchange. Bring some cookies to share and take home a mixed plate of everyone's treats! Yum.

Dec. 11th: a JOYful Christmas Pageant

Join us for our annual Christmas Pageant, led by the children of our congregation. Join us in person or via Zoom at 10:45 a.m. for this special service. The kids will be sharing scripture, story, and song. We can't wait to see what they've created!

Dec. 18th: Lessons & Carols (and LOVE)

Join us for our annual Lessons & Carols service, led by members of our vocal and bell choirs. Join us in person or via Zoom at 10:45 a.m. for this special service. Many thanks to our musicians for sharing your gifts in this way.

Dec. 24th at 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship

Christmas Eve is a time for singing carols by candlelight and remembering the gift that came to us in a tiny town all those years ago. Join us at 7:00 p.m. on December 24th as we celebrate the birth of Christ by hearing the story once again and sharing Communion at Christ's table (open to all!). People of all ages are welcome at this service, in-person or via Zoom. Pre-service music will begin at 6:45pm.

Dec. 25th: Cozy Christmas Morning on ZOOM only

Bring your favorite warm beverage and feel free to wear your slippers as we worship from home (or wherever you are in the world!) on Christmas morning. We will gather on Zoom ONLY to share conversation, sing Christmas carols, and enjoy the movement of the Spirit through art and scripture. We will use the regular Zoom link for worship, which you'll find here.

Jan. 1st: Christmastide Continues

The season of Christmas continues (which means one more week of Christmas carols!) on Jan. 1st. Start the New Year off right by gathering around Christ's table for Holy Communion as we give thanks for the year that's been and look forward to the year that will be.

Jan. 8th: Epiphany Sunday

Star Words will make an appearance once again at our annual Epiphany service. 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. (Description from A Sanctified Art, LLC.)

Learn more about Epiphany the Star Words here.