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April 6, 2017
First Congregational
United Church of Christ
Memphis, TN 38104
901-278-6786
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Pastor Sonia was seated with the Rev. Dr. Jesse Jackson at the Pastor's Breakfast "Teach-In" on Tuesday morning.
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More photos below of this very special day commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)
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We worship on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
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We Believe ...
- That God created the world - and that every single one of us has good work to do in life.
- Our "good work" has to do with living in ways that reflect God's agenda of love, joy, compassion and hope for the world and all its creatures, even in the midst of struggle.
- Jesus showed us how to do this. He had radica
 l trust in the Goodness of God and our ability to share God's agenda of life for the world. We can have this trust and share this agenda too, by following in his way.
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We feel more alive when we're living from our sense of connection - with God, with each other, and with life
itself.
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A Note from our Pastor:
These are amazing and full days at
F
irst Congo! A good number of us were able to hear Rev. Dr. William Barber at the teach-in, rally and march commemorating the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s murder in Memphis on April 4th. As Dr. Barber said, the real tribute to a prophet is not just to hear his or her words, but to actualize them - and indeed, we are trying to do that! I was touched to see congregation members making it possible for others to attend - providing rides to Mississippi Boulevard and helping to make the Community Lunch move smoothly. Bless you all!
And Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and a day of celebration and gratitude. I know Pastor Sonia and I are both deeply touched and moved by the joyful spirit you are bringing to celebrate our "140 Years" - birthday celebration! Thank you in advance for strengthening our Vision and Mission fund with your gifts. This means a great deal to Sonia and me, who are well aware of the need for resources to continue the great ministry we have at First Congo.
Holy Week itself is a deeply moving experience. On Sunday, make sure the children are here so that they can participate in our Palm Sunday processional with signs and palm branches! They should gather near the breezeway door. Rev. Dr. Alvin Jackson, former pastor of Mississippi Boulevard, National City Christian Church and Park Avenue Christian Church, moderator of the Disciples of Christ (Christian Church) and a good friend of First Congregational Church, will be preaching. We have special music planned, with the birthday lunch to follow! Be with us on this special day.
And then, as Holy Week progresses, our mood turns from joyful to somber. Our Maundy Thursday service of communion and footwashing is, for some, the most powerful service of the church year. We are reminded of our need to serve each other, and we remember that sometimes care and compassion means vulnerability and intimacy. This service helps us do just that. Don't be afraid of the footwashing! It's a powerful ritual that helps us grow.
On Good Friday, the Tenebrae service involves reading the story of Jesus' crucifixion and extinguishing lights as we remember his death. This, too, is a powerful service where the Gospel testimony speaks its own truth.
Easter becomes a much more powerful day when we remember the events that have led up to it. Make your Holy Week service especially powerful by remembering the sacrifice, the teaching, the journey and especially the
struggle that led to Jesus' brutal death - and then the new life that came, against all expectations!
See you Sunday!
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Cash Crunch! Can you help?
Note from our Bookkeeper and Treasurers: Our cash flow is always tight, but we're facing a few special challenges right now as quarterly bills comes due - insurance, etc. Keeping up with your church giving REALLY makes a difference to us - and if you can give a little extra right now, it would help.
THANKS to those of you that stepped up last week - it really made a difference!
Sunday's Adult Forum
Christian Education Committee member, Tim Taylor (left) announced on Sunday that the Adult Forum will continue our discussion of Islam this Sunday, April 9th. The forum meets in the conference room at 9:45 am. We will not meet on Easter morning, April 16th, and will re-convene April 23rd.
Our Pastors' Birthday Celebration
is THIS Sunday!
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Holy Week Schedule:
April 9 - Palm Sunday Worship, followed immediately with our Pastors' Celebration & Luncheon
April 13 - Maundy Thursday Communion and Foot Washing Service at 6pm
April 14 - Good Friday Tenebrae Service (Extinguishing of Lights) 6pm
April 16 - Easter Sunday: (see schedule below)
Special Easter Gifts & Plans:
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On Easter Sunday our morning begins with our Annual Children's Easter Egg Hunt! Please start bringing plastic eggs filled with can
dy to the Sanctuary when you come to church!
- Bring a stem of your favorite flowers to church. We'll create gorgeous bouquets to celebrate the diversity of this congregation!
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 An Invitation from our Minister of Music, Dennis W. Darling:
Please come see my first OPERA directing project this weekend at Playhouse on the Square!
- Thursday, April 6th, 7:30 pm: Preview (Final Dress) PAY WHAT YOU CAN NIGHT
- Friday, April 7th, 7:30 pm: Opening Night
- Saturday, April 8th, 3:00 pm: Closing Performance
Blue Viola follows the journey of a priceless viola from its original owner to a junk dealer, who sees it as a lost treasure in need of rescue. But his girlfriend, Arnita, has other plans. Infused with the sounds and styles of the blues, this opera is a perfect match for our Memphis audience, and our performance is its southern premiere!
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This Week at First Congo:
Here's more photos reflecting the power of Tuesday's events commemorating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Our choir was honored to sing at the Fast15 March to close an amazing day!
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Senior Pastor:
Rev. Cheryl K. Cornish
Associate Pastor:
Rev. Sonia L. Walker
Director of Mission:
Julia
Hicks
Revolutions Bicycle Co-op
Director: Sylvia Crum
Artist Intern:
Ron Marion
Minister of Music:
Dennis W. Darling
Music Ministry Team:
Music Ministry Team:
Chris Burgess
Music Ministry Team:
Lisa Gaddy
Maintenance: Mark Allen
Danny Grubbs
Custodial Assistant:
Bryant Wilhite
Housekeeping:
Amy Shaw
Minister of Child Care:
Kenitra Higgins
Anitra Higgins
Hostel Memphis Staff
901-273-8341
Kim Kamga, Manager
Dalton Jones
Ron Marion
Jamie Jones
Parks Dlugach
MaryPat Harris
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Thanks to our worship assistants last Sunday ... (above) Butch Odom offered the children's sermon; (below) Misty O'Neal sang our anthem; Mary Beth Burnett lit the worship candle; Catherine Dixon and the choir shared the offertory anthem; and Judy Drescher invited all of us to honor our pastors' birthday with gifts to the Vision & Witness Fund.
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(above right) We are grateful to Yo
uth Group member, Alex Arias, who cleaned out his closet and brought huge bags of clothes for our Clothes Closet!
(left) Yesterday - Bryan Darling, with help from Bryant Wilhite, hauled in a beautiful refrigerator that he and Dennis have donated to the church! It's going into the storage area that serves our Sunday morning fellowship time and other special congregational events. Thanks, guys!!
(below) Last night our "human library book" titled Ghost Whisperer, was Kevin Williams! We've enjoying such a wonderful Lenten series of hearing the fascinating stories of our own congregational friends ... thanks to Brennan Villines, Marsha Walton, Emerson Kirkpatrick, Teddy Crum and Kevin Williams!
We appreciate our photographers and videographers, Roger Courts & Mark Ratay!
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Look what's
happening in
Our free Community Lunches are served at
Cafe Congo
on weekdays at 11:00 am till 1:00 pm.
The Food Pantry
is open on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays from 11am till 1pm.
The Clothes Closet
is open Tuesdays & Thursdays from 11am till 1pm.
Click below to enjoy the video we sent to our restaurant partner that is providing our Community Lunch on Wednesday:
If you'd like to help provide groceries - please pick up the following items that are regularly needed for our lunches:
- olive oil
- stick butter
- milk
- yellow or white onions
- celery
- tomatoes
- plastic grocery bags
(left) Our dedicated Cafe Congo volunteer, Dave Lindstrom, stands alongside the volunteer banner listing all those who helped at the community lunch program and food p
antry during the month of March!
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The Food Justice Ministry for April has been given by
Rev. Sonia Louden Walker ...
"This gift is dedicated to people who share their gifts generously and do their best daily."
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Also located in The Hub ...
GLOBAL GOODS
Fair Trade Store
is OPEN on Saturdays
9am till 3pm
& after church on Sundays.
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Here's What's Coming Up ...
- The Hub is OPEN for Cafe Congo and theFood Pantry: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
- MAGY Meeting: 7:00 - 10:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall
Saturday, April 8:
- Global Goods Fair Trade Store is OPEN: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm in The Hub
- "No Hungry Seniors" Food Pick-up: 9:00 am at the back entrance of The Hub
- Adult Forum: 9:45 am in the Conference Center
- Children's Sunday School: 9:45 am (new temporary location on 2nd floor)
- Nursery: Childcare is available for babies & toddlers in new location on 2nd floor from 9:45 till noon
- Coffee & Fellowship: 9:45 am till 10:30 am in the Commons
- Worship: 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary
- Children's Church: After the children's sermon at worship, our leaders will take the children to their classroom where they will have their own "church" and activities. Parents may pick up their children here after worship.
- Pastors' Birthday Celebration Luncheon: after church in the Sanctuary
- Global Goods Fair Trade Store is OPEN: after Church in the Hub
- Open Shop in Revolutions Bicycle Co-Op: 2:00 - 6:00 pm
- The Hub is OPEN for Cafe Congo and the Food Pantry: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Open Shop in Revolutions Bicycle Co-Op: 6:30 - 9:00 pm
- Open Art Studio: 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Tuesday, April 11:
- The Hub is OPEN for Cafe Congo and the Clothes Closet: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Free Income Tax Preparation Assistance: 4 - 8 pm in the Hub (come to front door on Cooper St)
- Tuesday Evening Prayer: 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary
Wednesday, April 12:
- The Hub is OPEN for Cafe Congo and the Food Pantry: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
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Vocal Choir Rehearsal: 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary
Thursday, April 13:
- The Hub is OPEN for Cafe Congo and the Clothes Closet: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Maundy Thursday Foot Washing Service & Communion: 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary
- Revolutions Bicycle Co-Op Open Shop: 6:30 - 9:00 pm
- Open Art Studio: 6:30 - 9:00 pm
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Looking a bit Further Ahead -
Mark
Your Calendars for these upcoming events in the next few weeks & months
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Maundy Thursday Service of Foot Washing & Communion
Thursday, April 13th at 6:00 pm
Good Friday Tenebrae Service - Extinguishing the Lights
Friday, April 14th at 6:00 pm
Easter Sunday (with Children's Egg Hunt and bring your favorite flowers)
Sunday, April 16th
Cooper Young Festival
Saturday, September 16th
Taste of Cooper Young
Thursday, October 5
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First Congregational Leadership 2017:
Officers:
    
Moderator, Co-Moderator, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer,
Teddy Crum Kevin Williams Angela Richards Joe Pfeiffer Bill Tupis
Committee Chairs:
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