What's Happening?

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT LIVESTREAMING

We are no longer livestreaming via Facebook. We have changed to a YouTube channel that can be found at https://www.youttube.com/congochurch906

Once there, you should see a photo of the front window of our sanctuary. If you click on "subscribe" you should be able to easily find the channel from there on. You might have to click LIVE to see the recorded services. Please note: There are many other First Congregational United Churches of Christ!!

Meal Train

If you would like to provide a meal for the Andrews Family, contact Karen Kohler to join the list. 402.613.7771

Newsletter information from all Committees

Committee chairs and others need to submit information for the newsletter by the 3rd Wednesday of each month. We need to keep communication lines open for all.

Cris's Office Hours

Cris's office hours are Tuesday through Friday 9:00 am. to11:30 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

One Call as a Text?

One call is available as a text. If you are interested in this, simply text the word "ALERT" to 22300, and you will be signed up.

Our monthly newsletter is available via email. If you are interested, please contact us at congochurch@windstream.net.

It is also viewable on this website!

Stock Our Shelves (SOS)

The 3rd Tuesday of the month in November and December 5:00 to 6:00

Resuming the 4th Tuesday of every month 5:00-6:00 beginning in January

Continuing with the "take out" method (orders taken at the glass doors)

Items available to those in need:

Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Deodorant
Shaving cream and razors
Feminine products
Shampoo and conditioner for adults and children
Soap, antibiotic soap, baby soap
Laundry soap
Baby wipes

Items in highest demand:

Toilet paper
Paper towels Underlined items would be appreciated
Deodorant if you're looking to donate.
Tissues We would also welcome cash donations to purchase items.

Don't forget the Blue Valley Community Action Food Pantry

Needs: canned pasta, soups and canned vegetables. Volunteers are also needed at the site.

NATIONAL HISTORIC REGISTER UPDATE

Work is progressing on the National Historic Register for our church. Volunteers have helped gather information and it has all been an interesting read! The information is being reviewed by the state before the final submission.

Rooty’s Christmas Wish

On Sunday, December 8, 2024, the Sunday School Children will be presenting “Rooty’s Christmas Wish” for every- one during the Worship Service at 10:30 a.m. Rooty is a little evergreen tree with a big Christmas wish: He wants to know the true meaning of Christmas! He looks for the meaning on a trip to Tinseltown but is that truly where Christmas can be found? Or is the little road that leads to Bethlehem the road that will grant his final wish even if it’s the road less taken? Come and join Rooty and his evergreen friends and follow them to the end and discover that with Jesus, who you are will always be enough. No need for flounces and fluff.

Lighting of the Advent Candles in December

We are needing families or individuals to light the Advent Candles each week in December. If this is something that your family or you and a friend would like to do, please contact Cris at the Church Office (402) 759-3239 or Cheryl Myers at (402) 366-0654. Thank you ahead of time for helping out with this wonderful Christmas tradition that dates back to the 5th century, and was adopted by Christians in the Middle Ages. The purpose of this tradition is to spiritually prepare everyone for Christmas.

CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICE

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Come join us on Christmas Eve for worship at 5:30 p.m. This Holy Night will feature a service of scripture read- ings and carols, the adult choir and bell choir providing beautiful music, all are invited to sing the Hallelujah Chorus, and the lighting of candles as the lights in the sanctuary are dimmed. This is a very beautiful service and will place the light of Christ in your hearts. Everyone is invited to attend.

COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORTS

Although the date of our Annual Meeting has not be officially set, Committee Chairs should be thinking about their Annual Reports to the Congregation. Please see that they are to the office by January 10th so the Annual Report can be completed.

The reports can be emailed to the office at: congochurch@windstream.net

If you have anyone that is not able to serve for another year, it is each Committee’s responsibility to find replacements for those people. This should also be done by January 10th so the names can be included in the Annual Report.

Mission and Outreach

Our committee continues to be busy trying to do God’s work by sharing our time, finances and talent with our church members and beyond.

We have delivered some meals to people who were hospitalized and stayed to visit them. We are trying to use up some of the meals still in the freezer, so everyone is encouraged to deliver food to someone you know who might appreciate some homemade food. Our Compassionate Cooks are always willing to restock the freezer.

I am very happy to report that Pat Hayes has agreed to join or Call to Care team. We could still use another person to help out. We continue to try to visit folks at least once a month.

Our committee worked on goals and a Mission Statement. It is going to take more time to come up with an actual statement, but having a copy of the bylaws helped us to focus a little more on what we should be doing. There are quite a few things in the bylaws that need to be revised, not just in our own committee, but in general.

The Fast house continues to show up on our agenda. I met with Eric Johnson, from Fillmore County Development, and Insurance agent, Brody Kresak, to talk to Jeannie Fast about getting their house insured so that S.E.N.D. can finish the doors and windows on their house. The Fillmore County Ministerial Alliance agreed to spend $300 to insure the house for two months. I think finally, after four long years, we can get the project finished. It will be so nice for the Fast’s to finally have their house done.