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

Dear Friends, It is a cold and blustery day, but you probably know that already!!!  So next Tuesday we will continue our discussion of "How Can It be all Right When Everything is all Wrong" by Lewis B. Smedes.  We left off at page 48, What is a confession?  So we will continue there to page 74, the end of Chapter 4.  Rejoice and be glad in the day the the Lord has made.  Blessings to you all. Barb Huitema.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89327345898?pwd=W58rykv6P94EUaPeBY6r6I0IAlajbd.1

Meeting ID: 89327345898
Passcode: 496433

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:

zoom
Jan 20, 2026 6:30 PM to 8:25 PM

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January 18, 2026: Sunday Worship Cancelled

Due to the condition of the roads and the lack of improvement through the day and anticipation of improvement overnight, Sunday Worship on January 18, 2026 is cancelled.

The day's readings and sermon will be posted on our website, Facebook, and YouTube on Sunday.

Please stay safe and healthy.

Join Our "Souper Bowl" Challenge!

Join Our "Souper Bowl" Challenge! 🏈

As the Super Bowl approaches, we’re coming together to support our neighbors by helping stock the pantry at UCOM. Our goal this year is to collect 200 cans of soup (plus crackers!) to make a meaningful difference for those in need.

Donations can be dropped off at church anytime from now through February 8, 2026.

***Please note that UCOM is already well stocked with tomato soup, so we ask that you choose other varieties if possible. Chicken noodle soup is a favorite, but any non-tomato option is greatly appreciated.***

Every can brings us closer to our goal—let’s work together to score big for our community, one can at a time!

Thank you for your generosity and support.

This Sunday, January 18, 2026

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 on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. followed by coffee hour 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/696663cdcb95f75863af1066/1768317901918/Children%27s+Bulletin+01182026.pdf

Order of Service

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/696663b2a0527306dd96df51/1768317874337/Order+of+Service+01182026.pdf

Weekly Journal

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/696a3ef26213f62edf6c7b86/1768570610136/Journal+01182026.pdf

Weekly Devotional

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/696663ef2d25d8442949ae67/1768317935098/Weekly+Devotional+01182026.pdf

Sunday, February 15, 2026: Heritage Month Potluck

Join us for our third annual Heritage Month Potluck February 15 after the morning service. This year we want to focus on families, so you are asked to bring a dish to share made with a favorite family recipe. If you're willing, also bring a copy of the recipe to share with your church family.

Location:

St. John's United Church of Christ
1934 Bridge St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Feb 15, 2026 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

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

Dear Friends, We will continue our discussion of "How Can ot be All Right, When Everything is All Wrong?" by Lewis B. Smedes.  We discussed the opening invitation and  Chapter 1 on Grace.  We will discuss Chapter 2 and 3 next Tuesday, Pages 27 - 61.  We got a lot of rain last night with thunder and lightening--amazing isn't it in January.  Love and Blessings to you all. Barb

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81101848194?pwd=S9rUtaOyu3IR7YPoRjqRx6jjLXhIoQ.1

Meeting ID: 81101848194
Passcode: 596817

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:

zoom
Jan 13, 2026 6:30 PM to 8:07 PM

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This Sunday, January 11, 2026

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 on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Then join us in Fellowship Hall for 
"We Celebrate You!" After coffee hour we will be undecorating the church.

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/695d4b700fae84447195fa0c/1767721840770/Children%27s+Bulletin+01112026.pdf

Order of Service

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/696118e8f9bb450619eaae21/1767971048148/Order+of+Service+01112026.pdf

Weekly Journal

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/6960fb1b922bd42ecbd3639a/1767963419170/Journal+01112026.pdf

Weekly Devotional

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/695d4b89b9012e280e3f9454/1767721865696/Weekly+Devotional+01112026.pdf

Today at 5PM: Mobile Food Pantry

The first Feeding America West Michigan Mobile Food Pantry of 2026 is scheduled on January 7, sponsored by St. John's UCC in partnership with Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church.  Volunteers will gather at 5:00 pm at 1550 Oswego NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504.  Last month, we distributed 5,745 pounds of food to 81 households, 214 individuals, 90 children, 50 seniors and 5 veterans.  A total of 26 volunteers braved freezing rain and treacherous roads to alleviate food insecurity in our community.  Surplus food was delivered to UCOM by Richard Johnston, and Jeffrey Dick.  Clients received a hand knitted hat made by Fern Albers and Carol Stechow.  Thank you to Lindsey Kremmer for being the photographer for the evening, the pictures captured the joy of the volunteers working together despite the weather conditions.  We continue to be an equal opportunity provider.  For more information about the Mobile Food Pantry, contact Teresa Markoski at 616-690-4566 or at tmarkoski2004@yahoo.com.  Financial support is welcome by donating on the church app or by mailing a check to St.  John's UCC, 1934 Bridge Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504.  Together, we serve. 

 Food Pantry Non Discrimination Agreement

Location:

Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church
1550 Oswego NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Jan 7, 2026 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

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

Dear Friends, We will begin our discussion of, "How Can it Be All Right, When Everything is All Wrong?" by Lewis B. Smedes.  Our discussion will begin on January 6, 2026--Wow another turn around the sun!!!.  Let's read the Invitation and the first couple of chapters.  Over the next few weeks take a few moments each day to celebrate Jesus-- who brings us hope, peace, joy and love, during advent and all year long.  Christmas Blessings to all of you!!!  Barb

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89350071128?pwd=smyzRUEL9TN2JeF0EhaGmaGdMM4hS8.1

Meeting ID: 89350071128
Passcode: 779497

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:

zoom
Jan 6, 2026 6:30 PM to 8:40 PM

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This Sunday, January 4, 2026

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 on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Then join us in Fellowship Hall for coffee hour. Church Chat will be held during coffee hour. 

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/6953fe36c055124eaa7c0fd4/1767112246196/Children%27s+Bulletin.pdf

Order of Service

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/6953fe1e38e79127d3e897f1/1767112222752/Order+of+Service+01042026.pdf

Weekly Journal

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/69540692b565193a05d2b198/1767114386364/Journal+01042026.pdf

Weekly Devotional

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/6953fe510215d723980588f9/1767112273614/Weekly+Devotional+01042026.pdf