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The Congregational Church No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. |
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News Letter
Sunday, July 25 9:00 AM Outdoor Worship at Soldiers Field Park – 3rd Avenue & 7th Street SW Special Music: Rick Lee, vocal/guitar 10:00 AM Church Picnic and Games
Sunday, August 1 9:00 AM Worship with Communion Special Music: Bell Choir Summer Sunday School Nursery Care Provided 10:00 AM Coffee Hour
Sunday, August 8 9:00 AM Worship Special Music: Abby Mundy, vocal & Leah Karsten, piano Summer Sunday School Nursery Care Provided 10:00 AM Coffee Hour 10:15 AM Nurture Ministry Team
OUTDOOR SERVICE & CHURCH PICNIC Soldiers Field Park Sunday, July 25 at 9:00 a.m.
WHAT ARE YOUR RELIGIOUS QUESTIONS? Don’t forget to submit your questions by August 1. You may email your questions to church@congoroch.org or in writing to Rev. Meyer in the church office. Rev. Meyer will answer and/or explain submitted questions from the congregation during a 10-week program that will meet on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. during September 15 – November 17.
MEMORIAL GARDEN UPDATE The Memorial Garden has been vandalized 6 times during the summer. A police report has been filed and the police have said they will patrol the area more often. The damage has been enough that the fountain needs large parts to be replaced. While we were looking into this problem, we have noticed that the garden is in need of some TLC. Our garden is now 15 years old and we ask for your patience and caring consideration as we plan these repairs and upkeep.
JOIN US FOR DINNER! Dinner Group will be starting its fifth year and we are hoping both former participants and new members will be eager to sign up. If you are looking to become better acquainted with the members of our church, please consider joining. By signing up, you will be invited to join a group of eight for four monthly evenings of casual fellowship and good food in a member’s home. The host serves the entrée and beverages, and the guests bring the salad, vegetable and dessert. Adult couples and singles are welcome to participate. New dinner groups will be formed over the summer so please sign up in the Narthex or call the church office. You will receive your grouping and more information in August.
PASTORAL NOTES Prayers of blessing for their new life together are with Brooke Sawyer and Torsten Arnold who were married at the Minnesota Arboretum on July 17. Prayers of welcome and blessings are with Josie Rosemary Fulton, daughter of Ryan and Chelsea Fulton, who was baptized here on July 11. Our prayers of comfort and God’s presence are with Larry and Sue Mattson upon the death of Larry’s mother, Inga Mattson. Correction: Prayers of comfort and God’s presence are with Mary Jo Hayward upon the recent death of her son, Tom Hayward (not Mark Hayward).
PILGRIM POINT NEWS Pray for Youth Attending Camp: We have 4 Jr. High youth attending camp on July 25-30, and 9 Sr. High youth attending camp on August 1-6. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers this week for a wonderful adventure and memories that will last forever. Women’s Retreat: If anyone is interested in attending the Pilgrim Point’s Women's Retreat, September 17-19, please contact Suzanne Meyer at (292-0840) or sandrm@aol.com. The theme of this year's retreat is Faith Stories. For program details, go to the website: www.pilgrimpoint.org.
BOOK GROUP PLANNING Our church’s book study group will meet on Wednesday, August 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Suzanne Meyer. We will be planning book selections for the upcoming year. All are welcome to join us.
WE ARE AN EARTHWISE CHURCH At the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ held in June, The Congregational Church was recognized as a Tier 1 Green Church of Earthwise Churches. A Green Church celebrates Earth Day in worship or other stewardship awareness; acts to reduce waste and recycle; acts to reduce energy usage; and engages in other earth-friendly activities.
THANK YOU – HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Loose change that was collected in the Nickels for Nails bucket amounted to $180.23. This will be donated to the Interfaith Build. Thanks to all who participated in the build the week of July 13. Our church’s next scheduled weeks are August 31 and October 19 (on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday). For more information or to volunteer, see the sign-up poster in the Narthex or contact Cindy Swessel-Hofer at (421-6596) or cswesselhofer@myclearwave.net.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HAITI? Thanks to Feed My Starving Children’s volunteers and donations, over 22 million meals have been sent to Haiti since the devastating earthquake in January. Directors from FMSC have visited Haiti since the quake and would like to share their stories and long-term plans to help Haiti. If you would like to attend one of these updates, please RSVP to COsullivan@fmsc.org. Tuesday, August 3 ~ 7:00-8:00 p.m. Oak Grove Presbyterian Church 2200 West Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington
Tuesday, August 10 ~ 7:00 -8:00 p.m. Incarnation Lutheran Church 4880 Hodgson Road, Shoreview
QUILTING PROJECT GOES TO DENVER Four women from our church were “Part of the Big Picture” as they participated in a quilting project for Judi's House, a grief support center in Denver, CO. One therapy group activity is to create a block in loving memory of their lost loved one. The blocks are then put together in a quilt. (Pictured on Bottom: Suzanne Meyer, Linda Cornick; Top: Jean Nordly, Judi Lee, Vernida Lageson; Not pictured: Kathy Hanson)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Monthly calendar for August is enclosed, with the Sunday volunteer schedule on the reverse side.
NEWSLETTER VOLUNTEERS The next Church Life deadline is Monday, August 9. Contact the church office if you can help affix mailing seals on Wednesday, August 11 from noon-2:00 p.m.
SAVE THE DATE! A Blood Drive will be hosted at/by our church on Tuesday, September 28. Watch for more information in the weeks to come.
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