News and Announcements
Special Thanks
• To JD Rudser and his family for providing Nursery Care on Sunday morning, January 6.
• To Ken Matthews for conducting our Sunday morning service on December 30, the first Sunday following Christmas.
• To Brett and Jennifer Dimmer, Tracy Greymont and Mike Spalding for providing special music at our 9:30 service on Christmas Eve.
• To our Chancel Choir for providing special music at our 7:00 service on Christmas Eve.
• To Brett and Jennifer Dimmer and Mark MacRae for providing Christmas Brass at our 7:00 service on Christmas Eve.
• To the entire Cast of Characters in our annual Christmas Eve Pageant.
• To our Christmas Tree Committee: David Franksand Louise Mollinger, Angelo and Cindy Lopez, Joe Rychtik, Ryan Soerens and Scott Symes for facilitating the entire sale.
• To several members of the Chancel Choir, along with Carolyn Heatwole, Lori Macrae and Grace Wilsnack, for joining the Chapel Choir at our 10:00 service on Sunday, December 23.
• To Eva Perez and her family for providing Nursery Care on Sunday morning, December 23.
• To Sherri Melichar and her friend, Karen Berch, for providing Special Music at our 8:00 service on Sunday, December 23.
• To Bonnie Jacque-Gorecki, a member of our Ministry Team, for providing the Meditation at our 8:00 service on Sunday, December 23.
• To Savannah Anderson, Sarah Bloemer, Kurt Blum, Jennifer Dimmer, Tina Olson and Dawn Rychtik, members of our Church School Team, who conducted our Church School Sunday in December. The kids created a small Christmas tree table decorations to share with family and friends.
From the Archives
December 19, 2018
December 12, 2018
November 21, 2018
November 7, 2018
INQUIRERS GATHERING
This coming Sunday morning, January 13, Jeff Suddendorf is hosting an Inquirers Gathering for those who are new to our church immediately following the 10:00 service. This is an opportunity to get to know one another and to learn more about the life and work of First Congregational Church. We will receive new members into our community of faith on Sunday morning, January 27.
SUNDAY EVENING CONVERSATION
Bonnie Jacque-Gorecki, a member of our Ministry Team, is conducting a Sunday Evening Conversation this coming Sunday, January 13, from 6:00 to 7:30, in the church Library. The group will be discussing a book entitled How Can I Let Go If I Don't Know I'm Holding On? by Linda Douty. You are invited to attend even if you have not read the book!
ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
We are now in the process of wrapping up our annual Stewardship Campaign. Members and friends of the church are asked to make a formal pledge to support the church financially in the year to come. Please visit our Stewardship Page for more information or to complete the online pledge form.
CHURCH SCHOOL AND FAMILY SERVICE SUNDAYS
Church School meets on the second Sunday of each month at 10:00. All children 4K through 7th grade are invited to participate. Our next Church School Sunday is this coming Sunday, January 13.
We celebrate a Family Service on the fourth Sunday of each month at 10:00. The service includes the participation of our 8th Grade Confirmation Class and Children's Choirs. Our next Family Service is Sunday morning, January 27.
FELLOWSHIP HOUR ON SUNDAY MORNINGS
We host a Fellowship Hour following our 8:00 service on the first Sunday of each month, and following our 10:00 services on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.
WINTER CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Our annual Winter Congregational Meeting has been scheduled for Sunday morning, January 27, immediately following the 10:00 service. Our two items of business are an end-of-the-year financial report and the approval of a 2019 Church Budget. All members of the church are encouraged to attend.
WINTER CHILI DINNER
The Fellowship Team is hosting a Chili Dinner on Wednesday evening, January 30, from 5:30-7:00 in Fellowship Hall.
FEBRUARY WOMEN'S RETREAT
Bonnie Jacque-Gorecki, a member of our Ministry Team, has planned a Women's Retreat from 2:00 on Saturday afternoon, February 23, through Noon on Sunday, February 24, at the ChristPond Retreat Center just north of Random Lake. The theme for the retreat is Faith Practices of Hospitality, Forgiveness and Sabbath. The retreat will include time for yoga, meditation and breadmaking, among other things. The cost for the retreat is $30 and you must register before Sunday, February 10. There are limited spots available. To register, or for more information, please contact the church office at office@portucc.org.
NURSERY
Every Sunday morning during the 10:00 service we provide a nursery for children newborn through 4-years-old. Care is provided by our 8th grade Confirmation students and their families. Parents are required to register their children, and to sign their children in and out of the nursery. We want to do our very best to make the nursery safe and secure.
WEDNESDAY LUNCH AT CHURCH
Every Wednesday at Noon, you are invited to meet Jeff at church for lunch and Bible study. The group always takes time to visit before reflecting upon the lectionary reading for the upcoming Sunday. Coffee is provided, but please bring your own lunch.
MEN’S BREAKFAST
Men in the church are invited to gather for breakfast every Thursday morning, at 8:00, at the Dockside Deli. The group often has fun considering a Question of the Day.
YOGA AT CHURCH
A gentle yoga class is held in Fellowship Hall every Wednesday evening from 5:15 - 6:15. The cost is $10 per class. For more information, please contact Susan Niederfrank at susanniederfrank@gmail.com.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
An AA Group meets at our church every Sunday afternoon at 3:00. For more information, please contact the church office.
SNOW CANCELLATION POLICY
With winter upon us, we want to remind you of the snow cancellation policy for our Sunday services. If it should be necessary to cancel one or both of our Sunday services, we will put a message on the church answering machine by 7:00 on Sunday morning. Please call the church office, 284-2022, if you have any doubts about the weather.
