Saturday, June 13, 2020: Family Zoom

The Education Team is hosting a Family Zoom Time for all St. John's Families (members and non-members). This is a great way for our kiddos to see each other and giggle together. There may be another scavenger hunt to engage the children and have fun!

If you have any questions please contact the Education Team at education@stjohnsuccgr.org

Location:

Join with audio and video from any digital device (phone, tablet, computer) by entering or clicking this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86893432525 . If you prefer, you can simply join by audio only by calling (312) 626 6799 and entering this code: 868 9343 2525.

13 Jun 2020 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Add to my calendar

Sunday Worship Online, March 15

We are so grateful to be able to offer online streaming worship this morning so that we can still be together as a family of faith and offer our prayers to God.  We will try to keep our liturgy as familiar as possible since we all need a bit of "normal" right now.  You'll be able to share prayer requests with the community and we will still celebrate Holy Communion.  To celebrate Holy Communion, please have some bread or a cracker and some juice (whatever you have will work and God will be OK with it). 

Remember that this is our first try at doing this and it will be different and we'll have a lot to learn.  Patience is much appreciated.  We'll figure it out as we go and trust that what we do is pleasing to God and nourishing to our community.

Let us continue to hold each other and the entire world close to our hearts and to the heart of God in prayer.

The video should be able to be viewed below starting at 9:50am on March 15 or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsuccgr/posts/2656474021129714

Ongoing Non-Perishable Food Drive

Please continue to bring non-perishable food items to church on Sundays throughout October and November with the intention of sharing God’s bounty with our community. St. John’s UCC is part of Access of West Michigan’s Holiday Giving Network. We will be assembling Thanksgiving Dinner Baskets with your donated food items for local families in need who signed up for this wonderful gift. You are invited to deliver a basket that has already been assembled based on each household’s specific size and needs. Sign up to deliver a dinner to a local West side family on the mission board in fellowship hall, or by contacting Theresa Bileth at mission@stjohnsccgr.org. Delivery date is the Sunday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 24. We also welcome you to place non-perishable food donations on the pew in fellowship hall. You make a difference with St. John’s UCC!

New Member Class, begins March 1, 2020

Interested in becoming a member of St. John’s We welcome you to participate in the full life of this congregation, but we also welcome the opportunity to make that relationship more official by entering into a covenant of support that will allow us to deepen our commitments to each other. If you’re interested in becoming a member of St. John’s, please contact Pastor Wes. Regular membership classes are held several times each year. The next one will begin on March 1 and go through April 5. The classes will meet after church each Sunday fo about 30 minutes. New members will be received on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020.

Blessing of the Animals, Oct 27

Blessing of the Animals! Please bring your pets to St. John's UCC on Sunday, October 27 at 10am! We enjoy meeting and blessing this beautiful part of your family each Fall. Please make sure cats are in a crate or kennel bag, dogs are on a leash or harness, and all others (hamster, guinea pig, ferret, fish, snake, turtle, etc) are in safe and comfortable containers. Kids are welcome to bring their favorite stuffed animal for a blessing as well. Help us make the October 27 worship service and coffee hour fellowship memorable by bringing your beloved pet to St. John's United Church of Christ. 1934 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

Renucci Hospitality House, Oct 16

Mission Volunteer Opportunity: Renucci House: On Wednesday, Oct 16, you are invited to either drop off food (serving size 30) at 5:30pm or stay and serve with us from 6-7pm. Out of town families who are temporarily living at Renucci House while their loved one is undergoing treatment at the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital enjoy our themed dinners prepared with love. Our Fall Theme is Casseroles, cold and hot pasta dishes and sides. Consider sharing your favorites. Please sign up on the mission board or email Theresa Bileth at mission@stjohnsuccgr.org if you are available or interested in more information.

Fall Non-Perishable Food Drive!

Please bring non-perishable food donations to church on Sundays throughout October and November with the intention of sharing God’s bounty with our community. St. John’s United Church of Christ is receiving a list of families from Access of West Michigan’s Holiday Giving Network and the Northwest Pantry. We will be assembling Thanksgiving Baskets filled with your donated non-perishable food items for local families in need and delivering them to local homes on the West side of Grand Rapids on Sunday, November 24.

How can you help? (1) Bring in non-perishable food each week. (2) Donate cash for a turkey and other needed dinner items. (3) Volunteer to deliver one or more of our assembled dinner baskets to a local family on Sunday, November 24. (4) Start a non-perishable food collection in your office or school. (5) Contact Theresa Bileth at mission@stjohnsuccgr.org.

NON-PERISHABLE DONATION Ideas: CANS: Veggies, fruits, tuna, chicken, salmon, and other canned meats, spam, pastas, beans, cranberry sauce, gravy, soups, broths, ravioli, single serving canned meals. BOXES: Rice, stuffing mix, any pasta, macaroni and cheese, variety of styles of dried potatoes, juice boxes, chicken & turkey broth, helper meal starters, cereals, granola bars, cookies, crackers, pudding mix, cake mix, lunchbox style individually wrapped items, rice krispie treats. JARS: Applesauce, spaghetti sauce, fruits, juices, jam/jelly, peanut butter, baby food. PACKAGES: Portioned commercially sealed packs of trail mix, dried fruit snacks, beef jerky, pudding cups, fruit cups, jello cups, bagged rice or beans, peanut butter crackers, pretzels, goldfish, cookies, crackers, chips, oatmeal packets, nuts, gravy and other packets, ramen noodles, variety of packaged Lipton or Knorr rice or pasta one-skillet meal packets, capri sun drinks, drink mix packets.

Chili Cook-Off and Bread Auction Oct 6

Chili Cook-Off! After our 10am worship service on Sunday, October 6, we will have our annual community chili cook-off. Bring your favorite crock pot of chili, or just bring your appetite for this free event. We have two categories, meat and non-meat. Please sign-up on the fellowship board at church, or by calling our office at 616-453-2497. We can't wait to taste all of the creative recipes. You are always welcome and invited to participate at St. John's UCC.

World Communion Sunday Bread Auction! In addition to our Chili Cook-Off on Sunday, Oct. 6, we will hold our annual Bread Auction. Please bring your favorite homemade or store bought breads. While enjoying our chili lunch, we will auction off the breads to those who are present to raise money for our youth programs. We look forward to your dessert breads, fruit breads, sandwich bread, pita, taboon, and breads of many cultures and traditions. Thank you for your delicious donations and supportive purchases. What a fun Sunday for foodies and friends. You are always invited to gather with St. John's UCC. 

St. John's Mission at Dégagé Shelter

On Sunday, September 29, 5:30pm - 7:00pm, St. John’s Mission Team Volunteers will be serving lasagna dinners downtown at Dégagé in the Heartside district.

Dégagé Shelter offers help and hope to 400 - 500 homeless and disadvantaged individuals in our community every day. We reflect the love of Christ to all who come through the doors which fosters dignity and respect. We arrive at Dégagé at 5:30pm to set up. We serve dinner from 6pm - 7pm. Dégagé is located at 144 Division Ave, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. If you have questions, please see Theresa Bileth or email mission@stjohnsuccgr.org.

2019 Fall Kickoff, Sunday, Sept. 8!

It's time! Fall into church with friends and family on Sunday, September 8 at 10am as we celebrate Fall at St. John's United Church of Christ! Gather at our 10:00am Worship Service as we share Holy Communion, a meaningful message, beautiful music, and a special Blessing of the Backpacks for students. Witness the excitement of our little ones as they begin a new year of children's programs in our worship center classrooms. Learn about new ways to engage by chatting with team leaders about Fall opportunities. Experience our free community lunch with new friends after service at our 11:00am Pork Roast, Potluck, Pie Baking Contest (categories for fruit, non-fruit, and most unique pie) and several interactive yard games on the lawn for adults and kids. Bring a dish to pass or just bring your appetite. Invite your friends!

Members: Please bring table service for your family and a dish to share if you are able. Last names A-P bring dessert or fruit, Q-Z a side dish or salad.

You are welcomed and invited 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. 1934 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. StJohnsUCCgr.org.