The Christmas Fund Special Offering

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For over one hundred years, The Christmas Fund has provided direct financial assistance to the healers in all our lives: retired and active UCC ministers, church workers, and their families.  You are part of the community of The Christmas Fund, whether you donate at Christmastime, benefit directly from our grant or leadership programs, or simply believe in our mission to help secure the financial foundation of those engaged in the life of the church.

Please consider donating during Sunday's offering to ensure more healers receive the loving support of the Church in their moment of deepest need. The Christmas Fund was here for them. And regardless of who you are or what brought you to the United Church of Christ, The Christmas Fund is here for you. 

Your gift is more than just a testament to your belief in the values of the United Church of Christ, it is a critical lifeline for those who depend on our grant programs for care and support. Thank you again for your generosity and I offer a closing prayer for your continued safety and peace. 

Donations to The Christmas Fund for 2024 can be made online by selecting "VOC-Christmas Fund" or in-person/by-mail by identifying on your envelope or check that the donation should be applied to The Christmas Fund.

This Sunday, December 22, 2024

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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 including the Children's Christmas Pageant.

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://stjohnsuccgr.org/s/Childrens-bulletin-12222024.pdf

Order of Service

https://stjohnsuccgr.org/s/Order-of-Service-12222024.pdf

Weekly Devotional

https://stjohnsuccgr.org/s/Weekly-Devotional-12222024.pdf

Weekly Journal

https://stjohnsuccgr.org/s/Journal-12222024.pdf

Christmas Eve at St. John's UCC

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Looking for a place to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas?Join us for a candlelit celebration filled with love, hope, and the joy of the season. There will even be a special moment during the service for the kiddos—and they can even wear their jammies! (No judgment here!)

Christmas Eve Service
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
7:00 PM EST, in person or online 
St. John's UCC, 1934 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

At St. John’s, we believe in creating a community where everyone belongs—no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey. Whether you're visiting family in West Michigan (or have family visiting you!), seeking a new spiritual home, or stepping into a church for the first time, you’re welcome here.  Bring your family, your questions, and your unique story. There's a place for you here.

All are welcome.

This Sunday, December 15, 2024

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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/6759974a5d1b3b20f0e1360e/1733924682741/Children%27s+Bulletin+12152024.pdf

Order of Service

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/6759973248fd3c34de8220c1/1733924659720/Order+of+Service+12152024.pdf

Weekly Devotional

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/6759979a93af7f1c79554802/1733924762408/Weekly+Devotional+12152024.pdf

Weekly Journal

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/675c6b9bd51d2e6f2bdd5020/1734110109232/Journal+12152024.pdf

This Sunday, December 8, 2024

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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/6750a348340d7a1b61defb15/1733337929350/Children%27s+bulletin+12082024.pdf

Order of Service

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/6750a3139991b72735552650/1733337876529/Order+of+Service+12082024.pdf

Weekly Devotional

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/6750a35c362ef41a603406c4/1733337949106/Weekly+Devotional+12082024.pdf

Weekly Journal

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/67530c6acbfe542e71923db6/1733495916151/Journal+12082024.pdf

Today at 5:00 PM: Mobile Food Pantry

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Let's work together on December 4, 2024.  St. John's UCC in partnership with Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church will host a Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry at 1550 Oswego NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.  Volunteers will gather at 5:00pm, distribution begins at 6:00pm.  We are an equal opportunity provider.  Last month, we served 144 households, 420 individuals, 178 children, 90 seniors and 13 veterans.  A total of 26 awesome volunteers moved 7,660 pounds of food.  Three new people joined our volunteer crew:  Mary Rose Johnston and sister Cathy brought neighbor Fern, who knitted and distributed hats and dishcloths.  A small donation of surplus food was delivered to UCOM by Richard Johnston and Jeffrey Dick.   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 to St. John's United Church of Christ, 1934 Bridge Street, 49504.  It takes a village to feed our neighbors, together we serve. 

Location:

The Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church
1550 Oswego NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Dec 4, 2024 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

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Today at 6:30 PM: Tuesday Girlfriends Discussion Group

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Hello everyone, Winter wonderland!!!  And it just keeps coming.  Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, with great food and conversations and laughter.  And Football!!!  This coming Tuesday we will continue our discussion on, "Kitchen Table Wisdom" by Rachel Naomi Reman.  We will discuss section V, Pages 139 to 166.  Then we will take a few weeks off for the holidays and gather again on Tuesday,  January 7, 2025 to continue with Kitchen Table.  Stay Safe and warm my friends and eat those leftovers soon!!!!  Blessings, Barb

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83578285136?pwd=3SQAtt9AgRdKb6EdTUaaKq9KW5vGNa.1

Meeting ID: 83578285136
Passcode: 529993

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 3, 2024 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

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This Sunday, December 1, 2024

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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/67474cd60b8ed74116a79995/1732725974915/Children%27s+Bulletin+12012024.pdf

Order of Service

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/67474cbf6bb2aa0e9c5ba99f/1732725952941/BN+Order+of+Service+12-01-2024.pdf

Weekly Devotional

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/67474d3dfec7ac78ceeb7f15/1732726077775/Weekly+Devotional+12012024.pdf

Weekly Journal

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51294ee7e4b03f854ee99725/t/67474f621e10cc6bcfeba141/1732726627753/Journal+12012024.pdf

Join us for Advent Services and Events

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Have you visited St. John’s UCC recently—or been thinking about stopping by? Maybe you’re exploring churches, searching for a spiritual home, or considering membership. Wherever you are in your journey, we’d love to welcome you this holiday season.

At St. John’s, we’re more than a church—we’re a community where love shows up for everyone. A place where questions, doubts, and unique journeys are not only accepted but celebrated.

If you’ve been here before, you already know:
💛 We welcome everyone—LGBTQ+, straight, rich, poor, believer, seeker, and everyone in between.
💛 We’re passionate about creating spaces of connection, belonging, and hope.
💛 We’re committed to living out our faith in ways that make a real difference.

Whether you’ve been visiting for years, attended a single service, or are simply curious, this holiday season is a perfect time to reconnect or take the next step.

Join us for any of these upcoming events:

  • Dec 1 & 8: 10am Advent Services + Food & Fellowship following service

  • Dec 15: 10am Advent Service + Food & Fellowship + Caroling to shut-ins following the service

  • Dec 22: 10am Service featuring the Kids' Christmas Pageant + Food & Fellowship following service

  • Dec 24: 7pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – A celebration sure to fill your heart with the Christmas spirit!

Especially after such a divisive year, finding a spiritual home that reflects your values matters. If you’re seeking a place to belong, a place to grow, or a place to share your gifts, we’d love to journey with you.

You are welcome here. Won’t you join us?

Wednesday, December 04, 2024: Mobile Food Pantry

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Let's work together on December 4, 2024.  St. John's UCC in partnership with Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church will host a Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry at 1550 Oswego NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.  Volunteers will gather at 5:00pm, distribution begins at 6:00pm.  We are an equal opportunity provider.  Last month, we served 144 households, 420 individuals, 178 children, 90 seniors and 13 veterans.  A total of 26 awesome volunteers moved 7,660 pounds of food.  Three new people joined our volunteer crew:  Mary Rose Johnston and sister Cathy brought neighbor Fern, who knitted and distributed hats and dishcloths.  A small donation of surplus food was delivered to UCOM by Richard Johnston and Jeffrey Dick.   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 to St. John's United Church of Christ, 1934 Bridge Street, 49504.  It takes a village to feed our neighbors, together we serve. 

Location:

The Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church
1550 Oswego NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Dec 4, 2024 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

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