Artprize Mission Project: Unlearn Fear + Hate.

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On Sunday, September 10, at 1pm, you are invited to gather with St. John's UCC as we help create a 2017 Artprize installation titled: UNLEARN Fear + Hate, a concept by designers Kurt Ghode and Kremena Todorova. This Fall Kick-Off Mission Project is open to all, so please bring your friends. After our 10am worship service and 11am Fall-Kickoff pork roast cookout, yard games, and pie contest at St. John's United Church of Christ (1934 Bridge St NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504), we will head over to Lion Square (overlooking the Grand River next to the Pearl Street walking bridge downtown) at 1:00pm. Fear, prejudice, and hate are learned behaviors that can be unlearned. You are invited to help us deliver love, compassion, and awareness to our city!

A mosaic-like template of stenciled halos that express Unlearn Fear + Hate in 30 different languages, each of which represents one of the most common languages spoken in Grand Rapids, will transform the railing along the Grand River into a larger half-halo. We will use non-toxic washable spray chalk to transfer the images together. This exhibit will become a visual petition advocating for the need to unlearn fear as individuals stand in front of a halo and share their own images to social media. There will also be a button making station for kids on Sept. 10 at 1pm. Join us! You are always welcome to serve with St. John's UCC. StJohnsUCCgr.org.

Chancel and Bell Choir

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You are invited to join our music ministry! Rehearsals resume for the season on Thursday, September 21. Bells rehearse from 6:20pm - 7:00pm, and Cancel Choir from 7:30pm - 8:30pm. The choir will begin singing in the sanctuary on Sundays beginning October 1st. Bells will perform on November 5.

We have a great time at Thursday night rehearsals with St. John's UCC Director of Music, Joel Gary and friends. Consider joining one or both choirs. Invite your friends. Come to rehearsal on September 21.

Church Gardening Days

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Are you interested in gardening? We have tasks for all ages and abilities. Please wear or bring your gardening clothes to church the next three Sundays. After our 10am worship service on July 30, August 6, and August 13, we will provide a light lunch for volunteers, then head outside and get our hands dirty beautifying our grounds from 12-2pm. If the weather is slated to be over 85° or it is raining, we will postpone. Please bring your gardening gloves, weed-pulling tools, and tree pruning shears. All are welcome! StJohnsUCCgr.org

Church Family Campout

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Saturday, August 19, we will be camping out as a church family! Set-up at 1 PM, dinner at 5 PM, s'mores, songs, fun, and games all night!

Bring your campers, tents, and grills to the west lot and yard beginning at 1 PM. We will have a corn hole tournament for the adults and several games for the kids. Gather with us at 5 PM as we grill hotdogs (provided) and have a potluck dinner. There will be s'more roasting, songs, and games throughout the night. If you don't want to sleep outside, the church will be open for people to use our Fellowship Hall, Bridge Room, and Parlor. A sign-up sheet for the potluck is posted across from the kitchen on the fellowship board.  

Our morning worship service that weekend (Sunday, Aug. 20 at 10am) will be held outside, weather permitting. See you on the 19th for the Church Family Campout!

Broadway-Themed Sermon Series - Christ in the Cabaret

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On Sunday, July 16, St. John's United Church of Christ kicks off a four-week Broadway-themed sermon series, "Christ in the Cabaret," tying a selection of hit musicals to the New Testament. At each 10 AM service, favorite songs from Godspell (July 16), Rent (July 23), Pippen (July 30), and Wicked (Aug. 6) will be presented in a variety of formats, allowing the power of these productions to accentuate the power of the Gospel.

"This series will be a fun and entertaining presentation of the Gospel during the dog days of Summer," said Rev. Dr. Robyn Gray, interim pastor at St. John's UCC. "Musical theater fans won't want to miss these chances to hear God speaking to us through these shows."

Honoring Graduates

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Gather with us on Sunday, June 25, as we honor our high school and college graduates during our 10am worship service. Come and celebrate Anthony E. Garza (City High School), Hannah Summers (Innovation Central High School, while also attending Eastern Michigan University), Roxana Drost (Grandville High School), Emma Kritschgau (University of Texas, Engineering Degree), Kaitlyn Hamacher (University of Michigan, Psychology Degree), Elizabeth Shay (University of Rochester New York, Master of Arts Degree in Brain and Cognitive Science), R. Michael Roth (Wayne State School of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine Degree).

Congratulations, Graduates! 

Summer VBS

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Theme: Cave Quest
Dates: August 7 - 11
Time: 6pm - 8pm
Cost: FREE, please register.

Members and non-members! Invite your children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends to St. John's UCC for a fun-filled week of Vacation Bible School. Sign-up on our website at http://stjohnsuccgr.org/join-us/vacation-bible-school or call our office at (616) 453-2497. Come enjoy Cave Quest activities, games, songs, daily snacks, and well-supervised fun at St. John's United Church of Christ. All are welcome! 1934 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

2017 Pride Festival

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St. John's UCC is a staple at the annual West Michigan Pride Festival. It's tradition! We share our extravagant welcome, our volunteer opportunities, our ongoing support of the Grand Rapids Pride Center, and our fun free giveaways in celebration of our support and love for LGBTQ church family and friends. We value being an inclusive community in Christ! 

Come visit the St. John's UCC Booth at the 29th Annual Grand Rapids Pride Festival on Saturday, June 17, downtown at Calder Plaza. Join us at the Pre-Pride Hand-In-Hand Rally at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 11:30am - 12:15pm. The Pride March from the park to Calder Plaza at 12:15pm. Our PrideFest Booth and many others 12:30-6pm. PrideFest concerts, entertainment, and vendors until 11pm in Calder Plaza.

You are invited and welcomed to participate in the full life and ministry of St. John's UCC whatever your race, age, sex, marital status, financial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, or ability. Gather with us Sundays at 10am. StJohnsUCCgr.org.