Today at 6:30 PM: Tuesday, Friends Book Discussion Group

Dear Friends,  Wow quite a crispy morning!!!  The leaves are suddenly really changing--so very beautiful.  So Judy sent me a email about our book discussion on next Tuesday--Thank you Judy--I always need nudges in the right direction!!!  So we will begin our discussion  of "The Wisdom Jesus, Transforming Heart and Mind", by Cynthia Bourgeault.  Let's start with the first two or three chapters--I find the book has so many things, I want to think about some more--challenging--right??  Anyway I am looking forward to seeing you all.  Lots of things coming up--"No Kings" Rally on Saturday, at Rosa Parks Circle in Grand Rapids and Connection Sunday at church--come find our table to see the books we have discussed in the past and the future--special treats and book mark creation.  Remember our Pastor Search team in your prayers.  Blessings to you all, Barb

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86539417968?pwd=gu1PHVLoxVu3bUQpnO07CuxbwwJGIG.1

Meeting ID: 86539417968
Passcode: 687864

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Oct 21, 2025 6:30 PM to 8:41 PM

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Sunday, October 26, 2025: Trunk or Treat!

🎃 Trunk or Treat at St. John’s UCC! 
Join us Sunday, October 26, right after the 10 AM service for a fun-filled community event!

What to Expect: 

• Decorate your car or trunk and bring candy (or non-candy treats) to hand out.

• Wear your best costume — adults too!

• Enjoy warm drinks & snacks in fellowship hall.

• Prizes will be awarded for the best decorations!

Not into decorating? You can still join the fun by donating extra candy or goodies for the event!

Contact membership@stjohnsuccgr.org to get involved or if you have any questions.

Location: Large parking lot on the east side of the building (we’ll head indoors if the weather doesn’t cooperate).

Let’s make this a safe, sweet, and spooky celebration for all ages!
Everyone is welcome — invite your friends and family!

Location:

St. John's United Church of Christ
1934 Bridge St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Oct 26, 2025 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

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This Sunday, October 19, 2025

Welcome to Sunday morning!  This is the day that God has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! 

Please join us for our in-person worship.

After worship, please join us in Fellowship Hall for Connection Sunday. This is a great way to learn about each team and what they do and to meet other people at St. John’s.

If you are unable to join us in-person, please join the worship service on our website at https://stjohnsuccgr.org/worship-online at 10:00 a.m.

There are links below this message to the order of service, the weekly Journal, a children's bulletin for the week's lectionary readings, a youth Bible Study, an Adult Bible Study, and a devotional guide for the week. Please share these resources with your family and friends and know that we are joined together across any distances or difficulties that might separate us.

We are able to provide all of these wonderful services because of your continuing generosity and support.  If you are able to give to support our ministries, please do. You can make a donation or set up regular giving by clicking here:  http://www.stjohnsuccgr.org/give .  You can also simply mail your check to the church:

St. John’s UCC
1934 Bridge ST NW
Grand Rapids, MI  49504

Thank you for your continued faithfulness in supporting St. John's. Let us continue to hold each other and the entire world close to our hearts and to the heart of God in prayer.

Youth Bible Study

https://blogs.elca.org/faithlens/

Children's Bulletin

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/68ee7fa26aaa3b449e75cc46/1760460706860/Children%27s+bulletin+10192025.pdf

Order of Service

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/68ee7f672220c677d29672ac/1760460647337/Order+of+Service+10192025.pdf

Weekly Journal

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/68f23ad0c16fec5af9eaa2a9/1760705232699/Journal+10192025.pdf

Weekly Devotional

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/68ee7fde36a3a3383da9830b/1760460766354/Weekly+Devotional+10192025.pdf

This Sunday, October 12, 2025

Welcome to Sunday morning!  This is the day that God has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! 

Please join us for our in-person worship for our Blessing of the Animals, where we get to share all of our wonderful animal friends with the congregation.

After worship, please join us in Fellowship Hall for "We Celebrate You!"  A chance to celebrate all of the special things that have or will happen in October.  

If you are unable to join us in-person, please join the worship service on our website at https://stjohnsuccgr.org/worship-online at 10:00 a.m.

There are links below this message to the order of service, the weekly Journal, a children's bulletin for the week's lectionary readings, a youth Bible Study, an Adult Bible Study, and a devotional guide for the week. Please share these resources with your family and friends and know that we are joined together across any distances or difficulties that might separate us.

We are able to provide all of these wonderful services because of your continuing generosity and support.  If you are able to give to support our ministries, please do. You can make a donation or set up regular giving by clicking here:  http://www.stjohnsuccgr.org/give .  You can also simply mail your check to the church:

St. John’s UCC
1934 Bridge ST NW
Grand Rapids, MI  49504

Thank you for your continued faithfulness in supporting St. John's. Let us continue to hold each other and the entire world close to our hearts and to the heart of God in prayer.

Youth Bible Study

https://blogs.elca.org/faithlens/

Children's Bulletin

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/68e537652c38cb64a87c54b4/1759852389829/Children%27s+bulletins+10122025.pdf

Order of Service

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/68e5374740a0f1731da074f6/1759852359434/Order+of+Service+10122025.pdf

Weekly Journal

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/68e903cd9beda60edb99ae9d/1760101325621/Journal+10122025.pdf

Weekly Devotional

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/68e5377eb1e76f699ada5849/1759852414465/Weekly+Devotioinal+10122025.pdf

Sunday, October 12, 2025: Blessing of the Animals

Bring your people (and other pet) friendly animal companion to church for a special blessing October 12. Shy or not-ready-for-crowds pets can relax at home while their owners have their picture blessed. Stuffed animals are also welcome to receive a blessing.

Location:

St. John's United Church of Christ
1934 Bridge St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Oct 12, 2025 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

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Sunday, October 05, 2025: Neighbors in Need Special Offering

Gifts to the Neighbors in Need offering support ministries of justice and compassion in the United Church of Christ, including the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy in Washington D.C.

The UCC Washington D.C. Office was called into being by a resolution at General Synod 10 in 1975. The office was assigned to identify, analyze, and forecast social issues which called for the attention of the church. The work has always been guided by the discernment of the UCC through General Synod gatherings and resolutions that collectively witness to God’s call.

Each week the Washington D.C. Office creates an action alert to help give church members the opportunity to contact legislators simply and easily. In 2025 these weekly alerts have encouraged church members to fight for disability housing accommodations, to stop the gun violence epidemic, and to support environmental justice for all.

A special offering will be collected on October 5, 2025. You can donate online or in person. Be sure to designate your gift for Neighbors in Need (either by selecting Neighbors in Need when donating online or by noting Neighbors in Need on your check of offering envelope in person).

Location:

St. John's United Church of Christ
1934 Bridge St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Oct 5, 2025 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

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This Sunday, October 5, 2025

Welcome to Sunday morning!  This is the day that God has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! 

Please join us for in-person worship, followed by our Annual Chili Cook Off and Bread Auction in Fellowship Hall.

If you are unable to join us in-person, please join the worship service on our website at https://stjohnsuccgr.org/worship-online at 10:00 a.m.

There are links below this message to the order of service, the weekly Journal, a children's bulletin for the week's lectionary readings, a youth Bible Study, an Adult Bible Study, and a devotional guide for the week. Please share these resources with your family and friends and know that we are joined together across any distances or difficulties that might separate us.

We are able to provide all of these wonderful services because of your continuing generosity and support.  If you are able to give to support our ministries, please do. You can make a donation or set up regular giving by clicking here:  http://www.stjohnsuccgr.org/give .  You can also simply mail your check to the church:

St. John’s UCC
1934 Bridge ST NW
Grand Rapids, MI  49504

Thank you for your continued faithfulness in supporting St. John's. Let us continue to hold each other and the entire world close to our hearts and to the heart of God in prayer.

Youth Bible Study

https://blogs.elca.org/faithlens/

Children's Bulletin

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/68dd27588d7df01c9a54e947/1759323992632/Children%27s+bulletin+10052025.pdf

Order of Service

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/68dfc73765d36849659ad2be/1759495991774/Order+of+Service+10052025.pdf

Weekly Journal

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/68dfc6b4f992083069dfffe8/1759495860838/Journal+10052025.pdf

Weekly Devotional

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/68dd2771d076211493c1355f/1759324017777/Weekly+Devotional+10052025.pdf

Sunday, October 05, 2025: World Communion Sunday: Bread Auction and Chili Cook-Off

World Communion Sunday at St. John’s

Every year on World Communion Sunday, we celebrate with our Annual Bread Auction & Chili Cook-Off! Join us this year on Sunday, October 5 after service in Fellowship Hall for one of our favorite days of the year!

Bread Auction

This tradition is more than bread—we welcome all baked goods: rolls, muffins, cookies, brownies, cakes, pies, etc., sweet or savory. Our children serve as the auctioneers, making it a joyful (and often hilarious!) fundraiser.

Chili Cook-Off

Drop off your crock pot of chili downstairs before service, then join in the friendly competition after! We’ll provide tasting cups and spoons so everyone can sample & vote.

Proceeds benefit our Education Program—helping fund supplies, snacks, crafts, and outings for our kids throughout the year. Donations accepted by cash, check, or card.

Celebrate World Communion Sunday with fellowship, food, and fun—while supporting our children’s ministry!

Location:

St. John's United Church of Christ
1934 Bridge St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Oct 5, 2025 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

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Today at 5PM: Mobile Food Pantry

A Feeding America West Michigan Mobile Food Pantry is scheduled on October 1,2025, sponsored by St. John's UCC in partnership with Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church.  Volunteers will gather at 5:00pm, 1550 Oswego NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504.  Distribution will begin at 6:00 pm.  Last month, we distributed 4,518 pounds of food to 123 households, 419 individuals, 154 children, 101 seniors, and 6 Veterans.  An army of 29 volunteers showed up in the rain to make a difference by addressing food insecurity with our neighbors.  Jeffrey Dick and granddaughter Rizzy Williams delivered a small amount of surplus food to UCOM.  We continue to be an equal opportunity provider.  For more information about the Mobile Food Pantry, feel free to contact Teresa Markoski at 616-690-4566 or at tmarkoski2004@yahoo.com.  Finacial support is always welcome by donating on the church app , or by writing a personal check.  The mailing address to St. John's UCC is 1934 Bridge Street, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504.  We are stronger together, together we serve. 

Food Pantry Non Discrimination Agreement

Location:

The Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church
1550 Oswego NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Oct 1, 2025 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

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Today at 6:30 PM: Tuesday, Friends Book Discussion Group

Dear Friends, So we finished our book, "The Return of the Prodigal Son", this past Tuesday.  This coming Tuesday we will figure out what we will discuss in the coming weeks.  So, Tuesday, we will do something as little different. We will  each share a book we have read recently that really was meaningful.  We will each share a title and author that really spoke to our souls.  Maybe in a fun way or a serious way.  So join us for a lively discussion of why and how.  This coming Tuesday evening at 6:30 PM.  Enjoy the sunshine.  Barb

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82092825541?pwd=769EcbtAibw6mlPrSGDeEn1K4wJbtQ.1

Meeting ID: 82092825541
Passcode: 989920

Dial by your location:
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

Location:

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Sep 30, 2025 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

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