FIRST UNITED

CHURCH OF CHRIST

Rev. Julie Kilmer, Interim

pastor.juliek@comcast.net

CELL: 517-803-9685

OFFICE: 586-727-3155

FAX: 586-727-8341

E-Mail:

firstucc@comcast.net

Website:

www.firstuccrichmond.yolasite.com

OFFICE HOURS:

MONDAY— FRIDAY

9:00 AM - 12 NOON

Afternoons by appointment

———————————

We are

a Christian

community

called to

love God,

love neighbor,

love self,

as Jesus taught.

FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

RICHMOND, MICHIGAN

December, 2013

Dear Friends and Family in Christ,

Recently I read a post on Facebook that reminded me to listen to my life. Frederick Buechner writes:

I discovered that if you really keep your eye peeled to it and your ears open, if you really pay attention to it, even such a limited and limiting life as the one I was living on Rupert Mountain opened up onto extraordinary vistas. Taking your children to school and kissing your wife goodbye. Eating lunch with a friend. Trying to do a decent day's work. Hear-ing the rain patter against the window. There is no event so commonplace but that God is present within it, always hid-denly, always leaving you room to recognize him or not to recognize him, but all the more fascinatingly because of that, all the more compellingly and hauntingly. . . . If I were called upon to state in a few words the essence of everything I was trying to say both as a novelist and as a preacher, it would be something like this: Listen to your life. See it for the fath-omless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace. (Now and Then and Listening to Your Life)

During the season of Advent I invite you to listen to your life; to pay attention to the moments God is made known throughout the day. As we approach Christmas, open your eyes and ears to the grace within your life and in our faith community at First UCC. Did you see the one member hold the door open for another? Did you notice that we all are brought to tears when another shares a moment of sadness in prayer? Have you heard the grace of God shared in worship through sounds of our choir?

Life itself is grace. May you know God’s presence throughout your days and always. Peace, Pastor Julie

Scripture Readings for December

December 01 First Sunday of Advent—Called to Gift Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44 December 08 Second Sunday of Advent—Vision of Peace

Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12 December 15 Third Sunday of Advent—Heartbeat of Justice

Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 December 22 Fourth Sunday of Advent—God With Us Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25 December 29 First Sunday after Christmas—Cosmic Praise Isaiah 63:7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23

Office Hours

The secretary is in the office from 9 am till 12 noon, Monday thru Friday. If you need additional assistance other times, please send Helen an email note at firstucc@comcast.net or leave a message at the church office: 586-727-3155. Thank you.

Your Search Committee has been hard at work. We have narrowed our list of candi-

dates to four. They are all good candidates. Our next step in the process is phone/Skype interviews which started at the end of November. This is an excit-ing and difficult point in our mission...also a bit scary. The committee has put a lot of prayerful time, thought

and effort into the search process which seemed at first to drag on but has started moving at a much faster pace. We are now getting down to the nitty gritty of choosing the per-son to be our next pastor. Please keep us in your prayers. Terry Miller, Chairman

Called to Care Team

Mary Alice Busch

586-727-7009

Bob Chrostowski

586-727-9904 (H) 586-855-1823 (C)

Reb & Sally McNinch

586-727-1000

First UCC

Prayer Chain

Pastor Julie Kilmer 517-803-9685

Sue Weinert 586-206-1719

Diane Porrett 586-727-1374

Jennifer Northam 586-727-5176

Reb & Sally McNinch 586-727-1000

Mary Alice Busch 586-727-7009

Paulette Trombley 586-784-5726

Karen Eltringham 586-727-5855

Joyce Townsend 586-727-9735

Shelley Champion 248-804-6915

James 5.16

Therefore confess your sins

to one another, and pray for

one another, so that you

may be healed. The prayer

of the righteous is powerful

and effective.

If anyone would like to be added to our prayer chain, please call the church office at 586-727-3155.

Thank you.

Vision Statement:

The purpose of this church shall be to worship God, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to celebrate the sacraments; to realize Christian fellowship and unity within this church and the Church universal; to render loving service toward humankind; and to strive for righteousness, justice and peace.

Mission Statement:

We are traveling life’s road: created by God, guided by Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit and grounded in scripture. We strive to be individuals on a spiritual journey and a community sharing God’s love with all.

CONGRATULATIONS! Ms. Traci Bartell was interviewed by the Eastern Association Committee on Ministry on November 19, 2013. She was approved, by a unanimous vote, to be ac-cepted as a MID (Member in Discernment) in the UCC.

As Traci continues her jour-ney of discernment, I invite you to offer Traci words of encouragement and hope as she reads, writes and prays her way through many classes.

We are blessed by her minis-try and give thanks to God for the gifts she shares with us at First UCC.

Congratulations Traci!

Typhoon Haiyan has killed

as many as 10,000 people in

the Philippines. Hardest hit

is the central Philippine city

of Tacloban, which is said to

be flattened and where hun-

dreds of thousands of people

have been displaced. There

is a great need of food, non-

food items and other emer-

gency relief materials.

How you can help:

1. Pray for the people impacted by Typhoon Haiyan, UCC partner organizations active in re-sponse efforts, and all humanitarian workers. 2. To assist people in recov-ering from this disaster, please make a gift payable to your congregation marked for “Typhoon Haiyan" with the request it be sent through your Conference

office on to Wider Church Ministries.

OR Send gifts, made out to United Church of Christ and marked in the memo portion “Typhoon Haiyan” to United Church of Christ Financial Services 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115. Thank you for your compassion and support.

The History of Medicine: 1900—Medicare (1964).

December 5 at 7:00 pm

This program is presented by the Richmond Area Historical and Genealogical Society. RAHGS member and local physician Dr. Patrick McClellan will present the second in his series of programs on medicine.

Admission is free and open to the public. We will meet at the Community Center on Festival Drive. For more information call Christine @ 586-727-7773.

The United Church of Christ has issued an appeal to church members and friends to support Typhoon Haiyan response efforts.

Mark Your Calendar: Let’s Wake Up! Let’s Be Ready!

Come give, grow, and rejoice this Advent Season.

Sunday, December 1 Right after Worship Cookin’ o’ the Greens, Hangin’ o’ the Greens & the Givin’ o’ the Greens

“And a shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” Isa 11: 1

Let us gather together to celebrate the harvest of our Community Garden. We will have cabbage soup as the main course. Look for a sign-up at the back of the church to bring bread, rolls, salad or dessert. Dishes, silverware and drinks will be provided. After we gather to eat, we will join in the work of hanging the greens in the Sanctuary. Children will have time to create a craft. We will also ask for donations to the Food Pantry so that during the winter time we will still be taking impor-tant steps to end hungry in our Community.

Sunday, December 8 at 6:30pm—Coffee, Cocoa & Carols

“May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another…so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom 15:5-6

Come and enjoy trying fair trade coffees, teas, and hot chocolates. The Adult Choir will host and have desserts to share. We will sing familiar carols together and learn about who wrote them or stories around their creation. Invite friends! Let us share the good news of fellowship and music!

Sunday, December 15 at 2 pm - 6 pm—Cookie Walk & Fair Trade Bazaar

“Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord….Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” John 5: 7-8

Get the ovens fired up and the recipes ready to go! Bring your favorite cookies to share. Please bring 5 or 6 dozen or a double batch. Please include the ingredient list for each kind of cookie and your recipe (if you are willing to share). New this year, a fair trade bazaar will take place, too. Items will be for sale from all over the globe. You can purchase your last minute gifts here at First UCC. By taking part in this type of sale, we send out the message to all who attend that First UCC believes in justice and fairness for all. Invite your friends and neighbors! This is a fundraiser for our general fund.

Cookie questions? Ask Ruth Hartwell — Fair Trade Questions? Ask Traci Bartell

Sunday, December 22 at 11am—Christmas Pageant

“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, “God is with us.” Matt 1: 23

Isn’t this always one of the highlights of the year? Invite friends, family and neighbors to witness and enjoy the telling of this life giving and life changing story!

What’s Going on at First UCC? If you would like to be an active participant in any of the goings on at First UCC or have any questions concern-ing what our committees do, feel free to reach out to the committee liaison. The many committees that make sure things run smoothly are made up of volunteers, and each commit-tee is represented by a church council member.

Mission Kathi Miller

Buildings and Grounds Zack Joppich

Worship Sue Weinert

Vitality

Ginnean Kohn

Finance Ryan Schrote

Stewardship Bill Wagner

Christian Education Dean Handrow

Memorial Lynn Dunsmore

Personnel

Ron Schrote

The various committees and liaisons are as follows:

The Mission Committee will be collecting the Christmas shoe box gifts for K.I.D.S (Kids in Distress) up until Sunday, December 8. The filled box should have a total value of $25.00. Please have it labeled for a boy or girl, no

religious items, and no candy. Please do not wrap it, but gift wrapping can be placed in-side the box. Gift suggestions for the box are watch, belt, book, electronic game, wallet, flashlight, and batteries. Look for the poster in the back of the church for more informa-tion. Our gifts will go to homeless youth from northern Macomb and St. Clair counties. Kids in Distress is located in St. Clair

and last year served 16,000 children providing each child with about a week’s worth of clothing and hygiene prod-ucts. The need is huge. As always please keep this or-ganization and the families they serve in your prayers. All gifts need to be at the church on or before Sunday,

December 8. Thank you for making the Christmas season happier for a child in need.

A Time and Talents form was included with the November newsletter. If you haven’t submitted your form yet, please do so if you are interested in participating in worship services or helping out in other capacities. Addi-tional Time and Talents sheets are available on the table in the narthex.

Please return the completed forms to the church office so that next years’ rotation schedule can be assembled and included in the report for the annual congregational meeting in January.

Our Website is up and running…

Come take a look! Here’s the address: www.firstuccrichmond.yolasite.com

Prayer Group…

Tuesday, December 10 at 7:00 pm

Need some nourishment? Join our Bible study and prayer group.

We meet once a month to be nourished through faith and fellowship as we walk through the book: The Cup of our Life, by Joyce Rupp.

Please submit your articles or announcements for the next issue of Sharing the Word no later than December 16.

By submitting your items on time, it allows me the opportunity to keep our church family informed and up to date regard-ing church matters, events and important information. Thank you for your cooperation.

You’re invited…

to the 13th Annual First UCC Men’s Holiday Beverage Exchange!

Saturday, December 21 at 7 pm

Held at Rich Weinert’s house, 70007 North Main Street (across from Madison). Call 586-1139 or Rich’s cell, 586-484-1643.

We will work on a special craft project, so send along your ideas to richweinert@comcast.net. We will also play cards and enjoy good fellowship.

Reminders…

Our Christmas Eve service begins at 7 pm

December Sunday school is rescheduled for December 15 at 9:45 am. The Noisy offering will also take place at the December 15th service.

Committee reports for the annual meeting are due by December 30.

Christmas Events…

Cabbage Soup Supper & Hanging of the Greens after 11 am worship service on December 1

Coffee, Cocoa & Carols on December 8 at 6:30 pm

Cookie Walk & Fair Trade Bazaar on December 15 at 2 pm - 6 pm

Christmas Pageant on December 22 at 11:00 am service

Christmas Eve service at 7:00 pm

Free Christmas Day Dinner served from 12 noon - 2:30 pm

Next Date for Book Club… to be determined—will post in Sunday bulletins.

Calling all Marys and Josephs......... Everyone in the congrega-tion, adults and children are invited to participate in this year's annual Christmas Pageant. The beauty of the pageant is that everyone can participate at their comfort level—whether it is wearing a

costume or sing-ing in the pews. The whole pro-gram allows room for telling the story, singing carols and dress-ing up. During each chapter of the

story, we will invite those that want to be Mary, Joseph, and the usual characters to come up to the front and stand representing the char-acters. The only speaking part is the narrator, which will be played by a few select Sunday school children. No rehearsal required! But be creative! Chose a character such as Mary, Joseph, Angels,

Shepherds, Wise Persons, Goats, Sheep, Cows, Donkeys or Stars. Come to the pageant dressed as your character. We will also have costumes available for you to borrow and props available the day of the pageant.

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.— Luke 2:16

Free Christmas Dinner Come one, Come All

December 25 12 noon—2:30 pm

If you and your family would like to take the stress out of Christmas dinner, or if you would just like to try something different this year, we would love to have you join us on Christmas Day. We also need a team of people to help us pre-pare for the dinner on Christmas morning around 9 am. If you can

help us out, please contact Doug Manska at 586-727-3060, cell phone #586-201-2073 or email to doug@manska.net or contact Suzie Manska at 586-727-2424, cell phone #586-713-6334 or email to 2bearz@manska.net or call the church office at 586-727-3155.

“Christmas is a time to be

happy!...A time for celebrat-

ing and sharing. For God

stoops down to be one of us,

born as a poor baby so that

we can be rich. He does not

leave us to get along as best

we can. He joins us where we

are. God is committed to us.

Christmas is proof that God

cares. That is why we cele-

brate—and show our care in

turn to those who need it.”

—F. Hebart

MISSION CALENDAR

2013

February Health kit items due in church on

or before February 24

March *One Great Hour of Sharing

Offering on March 10

April Shoe Drive—April 27

May Shoe Drive—May 4 *Blanket Sunday Offering on May 12

June Baby kit items due in church on

or before June 2 *Strengthen the Church Offering on June 16

July & School kit items due in church on

August or before August 25

October *Neighbors In Need”

Offering on October 6 Bread for the World Bread Sale on October 20

November Shoebox Christmas Gift Collection

for KIDS—Boxes due in church on or before Dec. 8

December *Christmas Fund offering on

Dec. 22

*Envelopes will be provided

Check the Mission bulletin board at the back of the church for a detailed list for the baby, health and school kits plus any other Mission updates.

Annually our congregation gives $600 to sup-port the Richmond Good Samaritan Fund. Cash donations are always needed and welcomed. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT!

THE CHRISTMAS FUND for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund

On December 22nd our congregation will collect the offering for the Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and Emergency Fund. This is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that grants us an opportunity to recognize and honor those who have served and continue to serve in lay and authorized ministries of our denomination.

For 111 years, the Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund has been a way in which we, as mem-bers of the United Church of Christ and the predecessor denominations from which our Church was born, share the light and love of Jesus Christ to those who have so faithfully and selflessly served, and who now find themselves facing unforeseen financial cri-ses. This offering provides financial supple-ments to the pension and health insurance premiums, emergency grants and “thank you” gift checks to retired clergy and lay employees. We ask that you prayerfully consider supporting this year’s appeal to the best of your ability.

From the family of Ken Krause:

Thank you so much for the set-up

for my father’s funeral and all

the work you did. It was very

much appreciated!

Mike Krause

Prayers coming your way... This page in our newsletter shares prayer concerns and prayer opportunities within the life of our family of faith. By actively praying for the concerns presented, we strengthen our congregation, our brother and sister churches, our association and our conference.

If you have prayer concerns you would like to see added to this page, please contact Pastor Julie or call the office at 586-727-3155. Please add the following concerns to your personal prayer time:

Those from our family of faith who are distant, homebound or dealing with illness:

Bertha Teska…..Donna Bartell…..Carl Kulman…..

Joyce Trudgeon…..Beamus Bentley…..Leona Conner…..

Lucille Trombley…..Marjorie Pentzien…..Bob Reindel….

Bob Chrostowski…..Paulette Trombley….Nancy Rewalt….

Scott (son of Jackie Waszkielvic)

December 15 - 21

Christine Hensch

Lisa Hitzelberger

Kristie, Rick & Jesse Hollick

December 8 - 14

Sharlene & Darrel Haws

Kristen Hay

Thomas & Christine Hebel

December 1 - 7

Carolin Hartway

Ruth & David Hartwell

Jennifer & Steve Hawkins

December 22 - 28

Terri & Joshua Houston

Becky Hummel

David, Terri & Christopher Hunger

December 29 - January 4

Polly, Kitanna & Isaac Johnson

Cristina Jones

Zach, Heidi, Makenna, Masen & Maya Joppich

First UCC’s Weekly Prayer Discipline for DECEMBER

“Clip and Keep Reminders”

“The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” —Psalm 145:18

We wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the following members who are celebrating their birthday in December:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the children of our church who celebrate a birthday this month:

We also wish a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to the following members whose wedding anniversary is in December:

01 - Scott & Ashley Goodhue

06 - Lantz & Jennifer Northam 09 - Doug & Joselyn Manska

23 - Henry & Jackie Schroeder 30 - Pat & Kari Hortos

B E S T W I S H E S T O Y O U !

01 - Scott Grzanda

08 - Terri Houston 12 - Reb McNinch

13 - Joyce Townsend 15 - Pat Weeks

16 - Gary Porrett 18 - Douglas Manska

18 - Shirley Teltow

21 - Stephanie Rose

22 - Bill Wagner 24 - Carol Kulman

25 - Rob Reindel 27 - Morgan Conner

29 - Norma Werth 30 - Kristen Hay

28 - Jacob Ramirez

31 - Makenna Handrow

November 17..…...41

November 10……..56

November 03........46

October 27……..36

November 17: $1,043.00

November 10: $2,104.00

November 03: $1,598.00

October 27: $1,813.00

SERVERS’ SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER 2013

GREETERS

01 — Jerry & Lynn Dunsmore

08 — Bob & Veronica Chrostowski 15 — Reb & Sally McNinch

22 — Rich & Sue Weinert 24 — Need Volunteers

29 — Glen & Diane Porrett

01 — Ryan Schrote

08 — Jennifer Northam 15 — Ruth Hartwell

22 — Mary Alice Busch 24 — Need Volunteer

29 — Sue Weinert

01 — No Flowers Needed

08 —

15 — Terry & Kathi Miller

22 — Poinsettias

24 — Poinsettias

29 — Poinsettias

Our goal is to keep (at least) a

4-week rotation. To do so will

require 3 more names. Please consider helping in this very

important ministry. Thank you.

01 — (Communion) Lantz Northam & Karen Eltringham

08 — Al & Mary Alice Busch

15 — Rich & Sue Weinert 22 — Bob & Veronica Chrostowski

24 — Ron & Kim Schrote 29 — Ray Trombley & Volunteer

Communion Sunday, December 1

Communion Preparer: Sally McNinch

Communion Servers: Bob & Veronica Chrostowski

Remember, if you are unable to serve on dates assigned, it is your responsibility to

find a replacement. Please inform the church office of any changes made. Thanks.

NURSERY

01 — Need Volunteer

08 — Need Volunteer 15 — Need Volunteer

22 — Need Volunteer 24 — Need Volunteer

29 — Need Volunteer

FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

68651 SOUTH FOREST

RICHMOND, MI 48062

Return address requested

No Matter Who You Are

Or Where You Are On Life’s Journey…

You Are Welcome Here!

The Greatest Gift You Can Give Many of our older and disabled neighbors are quite isolated with no family or friends nearby. A special friend who can drop by every week or two to chat, read mail, go out for coffee, or just let them know that someone cares, becomes a wonderful blessing in their lives.

If you have just a few hours each month that you can give to someone who has no one, you can make a real differ-ence in the life of a frail or homebound neighbor. And your special “holiday gift” may turn into a very special blessing for you as well!

For more information, call the Interfaith Volunteer Care-givers at 586-757-5551.

“Christmas is a time to be

happy!...A time for celebrating

and sharing. For God stoops

down to be one of us, born as a

poor baby so that we can be

rich. He does not leave us to

get along as best we can. He

joins us where we are. God is

committed to us. Christmas is

proof that God cares. That is

why we celebrate—and show

our care in turn to those who

need it.”

—F. Hebart

The staff at First UCC wishes you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a blessed new year!