Upcoming Events
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Celebration Sunday, September 7. Join in the excitement of starting a new program year at First Church. We have much to share with the neighborhood and to be joyful about! This is a perfect opportunity to invite friends, neighbors and colleagues to join you at First Church. Everyone is welcome.
* Worship at 10:00 a.m.
* Building Dedication at 11:00 a.m.
* Neighborhood and congregation picnic at 11:30 a.m. (A-N main course; O - Z salads; those with sweet teeth, bring dessert.)
* Open House and Building tours at 12:30 p.m.
* The First Church Tent of Hope will also be available for painting and finishing touches.
Note: At the end of the service on Sept. 7 (during Life of the Church time), we’ll have a special liturgy to dedicate the new
entrance and other work that was completed during the capital campaign. We’d like to keep the announcements short that day, so please make sure you submit your notices to the church office by Wednesday Sept. 3 for inclusion in the bulletin. Thank you.
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Sixth Annual Rummage, Treasure and Bake Sale update. Keep your donations coming. You can drop items off Tues.-Thurs. between 10 am and 2 pm (it’s a good idea to call the office first). Please pre-sort your donations in the hallway outside the basement. There are signs indicating where to put: adult clothing—men’s and women’s; children’s clothing & toys, games, etc; household items—bedding, rugs, lamps, pictures; housewares and small appliances; and sports equipment. Please leave antiques and treasures on the pew outside the sanctuary. Books, DVDs, CDs and videos belong in the lounge off Pilgrim Hall. Please do not bring furniture until after Labor Day; it will be stored in the sanctuary. Please do NOT bring summer clothing, bike helmets, car seats, mattresses, exercise equipment, computers or printers, fax machines, microwaves, or other items requiring a disposal fee.
Volunteers, the nice and cool basement is ready for your help. There are many boxes to unpack and tables ready for display. We need everyone’s donations and volunteer support to make this anther wonderful community event on October 11. Remember, “There must be 50 ways (or more) to help the church sale!
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The Southeast Playgroup will resume on Monday September 8. Children ages 0-3 and their parents are welcome for play time, snack time and story time from 9:30-12:00 at First Church. This is a great opportunity to interact with families you may not have met any other way. It’s free and fun! If you have questions contact Jerry Clark at 612-204-9745 or jcorbc@comcast.net.
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Women can still register for the September 19-21 retreat focusing on Creative Peace. Leave a message at 651-917-7435, the home of Doris Utke and mail a registration form to her (see the Action Table). This is a beautiful time at Pilgrim Point, both peaceful and colorful. Please join us!
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A message from the Rev. John Thomas and the UCC:
Have you made your Steeples donation yet? <http://ga3.org/ct/513X-wd1WYOp/>
There are only 7 days left until the September 1st donation deadline, and we need your help to reach our goal. If you can give even $25, you could be the donor who puts us over the $350,000 mark. <http://ga3.org/ct/513X-wd1WYOp/>
As you know, the United Church of Christ has been through some media challenges in the last few months... Now it’s our turn to speak, to tell the story of the United Church of Christ in our own words.
So, give $25 - or give more if you can. <http://ga3.org/ct/513X-wd1WYOp/> Help us spread Jesus' message of unity, welcome and hope to millions of people this fall.
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Sign up to Befriend-a-Student/Befriend-a-Family! Are you an undergraduate or graduate student who would like a delicious home-cooked meal once in a while? Do you long for a night away from your dorm or apartment to be in a real home engaging in conversation about something other than your next exam? Then sign up for our Befriend-a-Student/Befriend-a-Family program. You will be paired with a family from First Church who would love to have you over once a month for a meal and conversation. Sign up on the Action Table, or contact Francie Domstrand (domst001@umn.edu or 651-628-9947) or Lisa Hubinger (hubin006@umn.edu or 651-429-7231).
Are you a First Church family who would like to offer an extravagant welcome to a local undergraduate or graduate student? As a host family, you will be paired with a student who visits First Church. The hope is that you will invite the student to a meal once a month throughout the school year. If you are interested in being a host family in our Befriend-a-Student/Befriend-a-Family program sign up on the Action Table, or contact Francie Domstrand (domst001@umn.edu or 651-628-9947) or Lisa Hubinger (hubin006@umn.edu or 651-429-7231).