Today at 6:30 PM: Girlfriends

It doesn't seem possible in someways that we are almost at the end of another year. 2023 was not my best year, but it wasn’t the worst either. I’m sure if I look I can find some glittering moments to cherish and hang on to. But it was also a year of change, new roads to travel, explore, and learn. Not only personally but as a church. Wondering what 2024 will bring to all of us.

While thinking of the end of the year, and beginning of a New Year. May all your Christmas wishes and dreams become Christmas blessing that lead you into a wonderful New Year. 

It’s also the end of another one of our books. It’s time to say so long to Philip Gulley and “What if the Church were Christian”. I think it has been a very interesting enjoyable, eye opening? Thought provoking read.

I know it has made us stop and think about church and how we do things and why. 
But what’s next for us to explore? Barb sent out a list of possible books, what are your thoughts? Ideas? Likes? Where are we going next?

This will be the last girlfriends meeting of this year. As we will be finishing the book Tuesday Dec.12th. We will be taking a few weeks off to get the next book and enjoy the Christmas/ New Year season. So will probably start the next book about Jan 9th, 2024

But I wonder if any of you would like to meet in person for lunch/ dinner one day? We could meet early about 4:30p or on a Saturday? We could keep it simple and just do Mr. Burger or go  to someplace more upscale. What do you think gang? 

Girlfriends send prayers

  • of thanksgiving foe a New settled Pastor and his family

  • of thanksgiving for the new members we received on Dec.3rd

  • of hope  to those still thinking of joining St.John’s

  • of recovery and healing to Dave.B, Susan.N,Sharon V.B., and others in our family needing them

  • of recovery, healing, grace, and peace in areas caught up in conflict— Palestine,Israel, Gaza Strip, Ukraine,West Bank

  • of recovery and healing to those effected by the killing at the University  of Nevada- Los Vegas

  • Of thanksgiving to Gary’s niece  on receiving rights of adoption

  • of healing for Laura’s coworkers that were recently laid off

  • of healing and concern for Frank’s friend Gina and her family on health concerns

  • for the Salsa family in Gaza and the Rajesh family in the West Bank that is under military  occupation 

  • of strength and healing for Ellen’s Dad and her cat Dandy

  • the safe return of all the hunters, and blessing to those lucky enough to have “bagged” a deer

  • to all the families who have lost someone in the terrible accidents all around us lately, and healing to any injured persons

  • for a great first Women at Risk pop up event and raising $700.00 for them

  • for the many blessings seen or unseen that we all receive each day. Thank you Lord for watching over and out for us.

Girlfriends is open to any and all you enjoy reading and discussing books. You do not have to be a member of St. John’s church. If you are interested in more information or joining, please contact Barb. H. Or Diana. D. Or the church office stating you want information on the girlfriends group. 

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82675676779?pwd=TWxuQVZzM2pwTjU0NDlJcXQ5TS96QT09

Meeting ID: 82675676779
Passcode: 334878

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
Dec 12, 2023 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

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This Sunday, December 10, 2023

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 at 10:00 a.m. 

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/6570bb408949bb6b23a1d39b/1701886784858/Children%27s+Bulletin+12102023.pdf

Order of Service

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/6570bb1d63337d2143023630/1701886750140/Order+of+Service+12102023.pdf

Weekly Devotional

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/6570bba1bf40190860a61ad1/1701886881746/Weekly+Devotioinal+12102023.pdf

Weekly Journal

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/6573355212564c0cd0d619ef/1702049107718/Journal+12102023.pdf

Sunday, December 10, 2023: Christmas Caroling

Join us as we visit retirement communities and sing Christmas carols to share our excitement for the season.

We'll meet after coffee hour on Sunday December 10, 2023 in Fellowship Hall and visit three local retirement communities and sing for about 20 minutes at each location.

All are invited--young and old, singers and non-singers! Come share some Christmas joy with familiar carols. 

Dec 10, 2023 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

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Today at 7:30 PM: Evening Prayer and the Apostolic Fathers

St. John’s Church offers two opportunities each Wednesday evening via Zoom. All are welcome to attend either or both.

7:30pm – Evening Prayer. This is an opportunity to share joys and concerns, seek spiritual refreshment, pray together, and catch up with each other in the middle of the week. Outstanding sacred music is included.

8:00-9:00pm – Lecture and discussion of The Apostolic Fathers featuring Dr. Bart Ehrman. At each evening session we will listen to an audio lecture by Prof. Ehrman and then discuss the content. The Apostolic Fathers were Christian writers of the second century CE whom tradition connected with the original apostles of Jesus. Their writings are important for understanding the development of the early Church in the period immediately following the time of the New Testament. We anticipate a very interesting and informative lecture and discussion. There is no cost and no book is required.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82649100440?pwd=YksvNFgrUzZSZ0lNejFpTjY1SUV5UT09

Meeting ID: 82649100440
Passcode: 540764

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
Dec 6, 2023 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM

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Today at 5:00 PM: Mobile Food Pantry

St. John's UCC is thankful and grateful for the dedication of volunteers and for the ability to give food to our neighbors in need of food with the support of membership to the Feeding America mission.   At the November Mobile Food Pantry, another record was broken.  A total of 123 seniors received protein, assorted fruits and vegetables.  Eighteen volunteers moved 6,814 pounds of food, benefitting 113 households, 384 individuals, 158 children and 8 veterans.  Carol Stechow knitted and donated colorful hats to give to happy recipients. Richard Johnson drove his new truck fully loaded to UCOM with surplus food to share. The December Mobile Pantry sponsored by St. John's UCC, in partnership with Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church is scheduled for December 6, 2023, at 1550 Oswego NW, Grand Rapids. MI, 49504.  Volunteers will gather at 5:00 pm, distribution starts at 6:00 pm.  For more information, contact Teresa Markoski at 616-690-4566 or at tmarkoski2004@yahoo.com.  Finacial support is always welcome by using the church app or by writing a personal check to St. John's UCC, 1934 Bridge Street NW, Grand Rapids, 49504. Thank you for making an impact on alleviating hunger in northwest Grand Rapids. Together, we serve.  

Location:

The Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church
1550 Oswego NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Dec 6, 2023 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

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Today at 6:30 PM: Girlfriends

Good afternoon ladies

I don’t know about you, but it’s been a crazy busy week around my house. Hopefully I will get the Christmas tree decorated tomorrow. The tree has been up with no decorations for over a week. And the other decorations put up. 

Todd has planned a really sumptuous lunch for everyone on Sunday. He really goes out of his way to make these luncheon special. So please be sure to thank him and  tell him how much you enjoyed it. (All I do is go along to bounce ideas off and push a cart.) This is all Mr. Todd.

Sunday is going to be quite the packed day. Wow. Bible study with Pastor, regular service and welcoming new members, Women at Risk pop up shop( their are some wonderful things there, and if it’s not there, it can be ordered and shipped to your home. There is so much more available for you to chose from on their web site. We only have a small selection at church.) Pastor Nathan’s installation/welcome new members lunch, the installation service and guest from other churches. Wow busy day!!

If you can pitch in and help out any please do so. There is always lots of clean up after these big events( and with sharing the kitchen with Derrick’s group maybe even more this time — as we are all working it out) Plus the Women at Risk items will need to be repackaged for return to them —— or you could just buy all the items so nothing is returned?? Any ways lots of extra hands would be greatly appreciated. And then I did the dumb thing of ordering play tickets for Sunday back in early August! —- long before all these events started to be planned. But we ( the play group) will help all we can after we return from the play. like I said Wow what a day.

We are still reading the last few chapter of “If the church were Christian “ by Philip Gulley. We will be starting on page 139 beginning of chapter 8  and going to the end of chapter 9 page 171.

Girlfriends will be meeting on zoom on Dec 5, 2023 @ 6:30p

So just some questions for you to think about.

Some of these might be good whole church survey  questions?

So what are you thinking about what this author has to say? Where do you see St.John’s in this book? Is St.John’s ahead  or behind other church’s? In what ways?  In our beliefs and how we do things? What do you think we need to change? How do we go about these changes?  What is the biggest thing/ change you would like to see at St.John’s? What are you doing to help make these( or other) changes come to fruition? Why, if you do, think St.John’s needs to change?Or why not? What brought you to St.John’s? Why have you stayed? What could we do to make St.John’s a more inviting,welcoming,nonjudgmental inclusive space? Do we really live into our saying”You are always welcome here”? If not how do we fix that and be more welcoming?

Barb send out the list of books for us to look at and think about? So what are your thoughts? What stood out and said pick me to you? Just a question=== when this group was started  a few ?? years ago, it was named after a book that was the first book we read. I think it was called girlfriends of the Bible? I’m not sure and I don’t remember who wrote it. Do any of you remember or still have a copy of that book?( I gave  mine to a cousin who wanted it for her granddaughter) I know we brought the book at an annual conference book sale, but it was years ago. Barb and I thought it might be interesting to reread( first time for some of you) that book—  if we could find it,  And compare our group now and then? Just a thought.  So what are we looking at reading in the New Year? 

Girlfriends sends prayers of thanksgiving:

  • of peace, healing to areas of the world at war. Palestine, Gaza Strip, Israel, Russia,  Ukraine

  • of gladness at the release of “some of the hostage “ 

  • for the remaining hostages

  • to the Carter family at the passing of former First Lady Rosalyn Carter

  • to Former President Jimmy Carter at the terrible loss of his life partner  Wow 77 years of marriage. 

  • of healing to Susan N, Sharon VB, Dave B

  • for the New Members joining us on Sunday Dec.3

  • To Pastor Nathan and his family on becoming our settled Pastor.
    may they find true happiness and blessing with us.                                

  • lots of sales for the Women at Risk event, to help out those in need

  • to all that Derek’s’ place/house does to feed the marginalized of our area

  • to Teresa and her group on having another outstanding mobile food pantry on Dec.6  and all it helps out

  • the safe return of all the deer hunters

  • to safe driving everyone as we begin to see the start of the snow/ ice season slow down, double triple check each way

  • to all the snow plow drivers that keep our roads, streets, drive ways  etc. clear for us

  • to all the police, deputies,  fire fighters, paramedics,EMT’s ambulance drivers, Etc  helping to keep us safe when needed.

  • for Christmas wishes to turn into Christmas blessings

  • praise for all the beans we were able to donate to UCOM, and the many families they helped out

  • for each other as we each face the challenges of each day

  • for having a God, our lord and savior who truly loves us    

Don’t forget to get with Becky T about recording a short message of Christmas cheer  to be on the web site for Christmas Eve/ day as we will not be having a service after the regular Christmas Eve  morning  10a service on Dec. 24th.  It will be fun to see/ watch that afternoon/ evening/ next day!

All items for the Senior bags need to be at church by 10a on Dec. 8th. If you are giving a monetary donation, please get that in this week. I will be doing any shopping that needs to be done on Dec.8 and we are planning to assemble the bags starting at 1:30p on Dec.9th. As many as possible will be given out at fellowship time  or by the carolers on Dec. 10th. Might need to recruit a few members to deliver to other members.  All are welcome to come help assemble the bags. 

Happy birthday wishes🎂🥂💐🎂🫶🏻🥰👩‍❤️‍👨🍨🧁🍾

  • Dave B

  • Patti B

  • Delores R

Girlfriends is open to anyone who enjoys reading and discussing what you have/ are reading.,You do not have to be a member of St.John’s church.  If interested  please contact Barb H., or the office at St.John’s ( 616-453-2497)  stating you would like information on  Girlfriends. Please leave your name, phone number, email address for Sally  to forward  to Barb or myself.  And we will reach out to you. Come join the fun and lively discussion. We welcome your thought, ideas, plans  whatever. 

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88487225023?pwd=OUpWWHpMNURGRC8vWUt4L2F3N3NyZz09

Meeting ID: 88487225023
Passcode: 907522

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
Dec 5, 2023 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

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This Sunday, December 3, 2023

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 at 10:00 a.m. 

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/656786e81d6ce220e9f01c68/1701283561123/Order+of+Service+12032023.pdf

Order of Service

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/656786e81d6ce220e9f01c68/1701283561123/Order+of+Service+12032023.pdf

Weekly Devotional

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/656787132f90e46643e01e74/1701283604150/weekly+devotional+12032023.pdf

Weekly Journal

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/6568961258cd2201de03d451/1701352978820/Journal+12032023.pdf

Sunday, December 3, 2023: Installation of Rev. Nathan Dannison

Join us for the installation of Rev. Nathan Dannison as our settled pastor on Sunday, December 3, 2023!

A luncheon will be provided prior to the service at 11:30 AM and the service will start at 1:00 PM.

Attend the service in-person or watch it online on our YouTube channel ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnvNk8KropU ) or Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/events/3315741252052665/ ).

Location:

St. John's United Church of Christ
1934 Bridge St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Dec 3, 2023 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

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Wednesday, December 06, 2023: Mobile Food Pantry

St. John's UCC is thankful and grateful for the dedication of volunteers and for the ability to give food to our neighbors in need of food with the support of membership to the Feeding America mission.   At the November Mobile Food Pantry, another record was broken.  A total of 123 seniors received protein, assorted fruits and vegetables.  Eighteen volunteers moved 6,814 pounds of food, benefitting 113 households, 384 individuals, 158 children and 8 veterans.  Carol Stechow knitted and donated colorful hats to give to happy recipients. Richard Johnson drove his new truck fully loaded to UCOM with surplus food to share. The December Mobile Pantry sponsored by St. John's UCC, in partnership with Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church is scheduled for December 6, 2023, at 1550 Oswego NW, Grand Rapids. MI, 49504.  Volunteers will gather at 5:00 pm, distribution starts at 6:00 pm.  For more information, contact Teresa Markoski at 616-690-4566 or at tmarkoski2004@yahoo.com.  Finacial support is always welcome by using the church app or by writing a personal check to St. John's UCC, 1934 Bridge Street NW, Grand Rapids, 49504. Thank you for making an impact on alleviating hunger in northwest Grand Rapids. Together, we serve.  

Location:

The Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church
1550 Oswego NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Dec 6, 2023 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

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