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First Congregational

United Church of Christ

... exploring the frontiers of faith in Jesus

Sunday School Kickoff Party!

Sunday School Kickoff Please join us for our Sunday School kickoff event on Sunday, September 12th at 9:30 a.m. We'll be serving a hot breakfast, playing games and creating original works of art. Plus we will introduce our design for this year's Sunday School. There are special things in store this year for folks of all ages. K-3rd graders will explore activities from the Spark Bible Series. The older youth will participate in storytelling ideas and create films to show in church. And adults will be able to choose between Adult Forum (featuring a special guest speaker each week), a Bible study class led by Pastor Tim Ensworth, and Young Adults, led by Andrea Nelson. So come join the party on September 12. Come hungry and fill up your mind and your body. We hope to see you there!

Harvest Sunday

harvestSeptember 12 will also be our annual Harvest Sunday. Bring your flowers, your fruits, your vegetables, your herbs, to decorate the front of our sanctuary and to serve as a visible display of our gratitude to God. The things you bring will be shared with others: members of the congregation and folks who attend Monday evening's Community Meal.

Kerygma Bible Study

Kergygmawill begin Thursday evening, September 16. Sessions will run weekly on Thursdays from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. More information is here. Sign up on the bulletin board in the crossroads lobby or call the church office! All are welcome.

Christmas Bazaar?

Christmas treeFall means it must be time to mark your calendars and start your creative juices flowing! The First Congregational Christmas Bazaar will be held on Saturday, November 20. We hope you've been working on items over the summer months as we're looking forward to another great event! If you want to be involved or have new ideas for us, please contact Lynne Ensworth or Marcia Johnson.

Music Department News!

musicThe Chancel Choir will be rehearsing Wednesday nights, at 7 pm in the music room, beginning September 8. New members are always welcome!

Bell Choir practice will begin Thursday, September 2, at 5 pm. We will 'ring' until 6:30 pm each Thursday. Feel free to attend if you are interested in joining our group. We are always looking for new members!

We are excited to begin a new year with new music staff Maggie (Director of Music) and Miah (organist). See more about them, including their pictures, on the Music Page.

Nicaragua Shoebox Project

Nicaragua gift boxes Filled boxes must be returned to the church by Thursday September 9 as they will be picked up on the 10th. If you've been away and don't have a box yet, you can still help! Contact Steve or Liz Thorpe. Thanks to all who have participated in this project!

Martial Arts Classes

martial artsThe Church Row churches will sponsor a martial arts class again this Fall, beginning September 20, running every Monday for eight weeks, with the final class being Nov. 8. Classes begin at 4:00, and will run about an hour long. Class will be held at First Congregational UCC in the lower level.

United Way: Call 2-1-1

Did you know that Black Hawk County has received a Federal Disaster Declaration? If you are a homeowner, renter or a business owner and have been affected by severe storms, tornadoes, or flooding since June 1, 2010, you may be eligible for federal disaster assistance.

To apply for assistance, call 1-800-261-FEMA (3362) or apply online at www.FEMA.gov OR www.disasterassistance.gov.

Be sure to have the following information available when you call: phone number, Social Security number, Current mailing address, address of the damaged property, brief discription of damages, and any insurance information (if applicable).