First Congregational

Community Church

Congregational TimesAugust 2017 Volume 17, Issue 8

Little Things from Lisa“I love to tell the story of unseen things above, of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love. I love to

tell the story, because I know 'tis true; it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

Refrain:I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory, to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.”

This hymn started off as a poem published in November of 1866 by Arabella Katherine Hankey. She was 30 years old when she wrote it and recovering from a long illness. Hankey is passionate about this story and how it has changed her life. The poem was later read at a national YMCA convention where its journey to being set to music began. Today, it is a beloved hymn that expresses the love of sharing the gospel. And while many of us are familiar with this hymn, even able to sing it by memory, not nearly as many feel moved to actually tell their story.

We’ve spent many weeks on the topic of doubt. And I believe the feedback I’ve received confirms a great deal more of belief. As a fellowship, I want to encourage one another with our stories of faith. How has God impacted your life? What does being a Christian mean to you? Why does this church matter in your life? We need to hear these stories from each other to remind us again of Jesus and his love.

Start thinking about these questions and jot down some thoughts. You can write out what you’d like to share, or tell it aloud in church, or even be videotaped if you like. Just don’t keep them to yourself!! Let this be a time for telling our stories together and affirming our fellowship as believers. Don’t be shy!

BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES1 Dawn Lindsey 4 John & Cindy Trimble3 Jan Smith 13 Merle & Mary Lou Sprague

12 Gina McLaren 16 John & Sandra Brinkman16 Jayne Oakes20 Lily Henderson20 Owen Mathieu21 Marcie Ueck23 Misty Melton26 Rev. Lisa Abb

8:00 GREETERS 10:00 GREETERS6 Leah & Logan Ball Jayne Oakes

13 Duane & Marilyn Lillie Shirley Putnam20 Cindy Trimble Jim Matheson27 Jeff & Marcie Ball Jan Smith

LITURGISTS FLOWERS6 Ethan Menges TBD

13 Narcy Opon Jarl & Paula PettersenMerle & Mary Lou Sprague

20 Jarl Pettersen Darlene Worley27 Karen Gothard Allan & Marie Mathieu

PastorRev. Lisa M Abb

Music & OutreachHolly Richardson

CustodianBill Melton

ModeratorPaula PettersenAllan Mathieu

TreasurerStan McCord

Financial SecretaryDiane Wheeler

Church ClerkMarie Mathieu

Christian EducationChildren: Tracy Terry

Youth: Ethan & Jordan MengesAdult: Karen Gothard

DiaconateAllan & Marie Mathieu

Bill & Misty MeltonBrian & Diane Wheeler

TrusteesJohn Brinkman

Jeff BallCathy Henderson

Nominating CommitteeKaren Gothard, Judy Melton, Wendy Mathieu

Memorial CommitteeCathy Henderson, Janet Lind, Dawn Lindsey

Missions CommitteeKaren Gothard, Sue Richards,

Stan McCord, Marcie Ball

Church Office: 815-623-2348

Items for Weekly Bulletin: email to firstconroscoe@gmail.com Please put “Bulletin” in the subject line

Items for Monthly Newsletter: email to klgothard@att.net

Coming To The Pulpit

We have almost completed our series on Doubt and I pray it has been enlightening to consider the various ways we struggle with our faith. Scriptures have revealed several people that God used in His plan for salvation that still struggled with Doubt. We are in good company. Yet God is not silent on His presence. He is always reconciling His creation to draw near to Him. Are we open to that call?

As we move into August, we will encourage others to share testimonies about their faith. Do you have a story or event you would like to share? You don’t have to speak from the front (but you are welcomed to!), there are opportunities to write down your stories or tell them to me. We want to hear from each other how God has touched our lives. In the bulletin starting July 30, there is a list of starter questions to get you thinking. Please share so we can see what God is doing in our lives!

Our men’s luncheon will be on Wednesday, August 2nd at 11:30 AM at Sophia’s Restaurant in Roscoe. Hope to see ya’ there!

Norm Iversen

At our last CFO meeting, we discovered something wonderful. Our list of critical needs was down significantly. God has been Good! Another list of homebound, though, continues to grow. If you are someone who likes to visit with people or make phone calls, please let me know as there are many who could use our encouragement.

This fellowship is already very good at staying connected with each other and I appreciate that so much about you. May God continue to guide us to love and care for His sheep.

Retiree’s and

Please keep these folks in your prayers. If you have someone you would like to have listed here in the future, please notify the church office, Karen Gothard, or Pastor Lisa.

Dustin Insko & FamilyDonna Flemming

Merry DolterAll who suffer

The Women’s Afternoon Circle will not be meeting through the summer. Women’s

Opportunities for YOU!Join the Choir/Instrumentalist’s for a Sunday

During the summer months, worship choir will not be rehearsing on Thursday nights, but instead will rehearse and sing the first Sunday of

each month – July through September.

If you are interested in singing with the choir, please rehearse with us on one or all of the following Sunday’s listed below. We will meet in the Fireside Room at 9:15am then proceed upstairs for 10am service.

Likewise, if you are interested in playing an instrument, one we have or one you have, please join us for rehearsal at 11:30am on the Saturday

before the Sunday you choose.

Sound confusing? Please get a hold of me, I’d love to answer any questions you might have.

August 6 & September 3

Thank you,Holly Richardson

Monday’s at 1pmDownstairs in the Fireside Room

See Holly (the one who usually sits at the piano )

if you have questions.

The Women’s Afternoon Circle will not be meeting through the summer. Women’s

Saturday, August 12th

Please join us on this date for a Workday in support of the Beloit Domestic Violence Center!

We will be leaving the church at 8am and will work on light gardening, painting, and other projects until Noon. Then we will enjoy a nice sack lunch with them and play a few fun games with

the kids at the center.

If you haven’t signed up yet, we hope you will do so soon! There are plenty of ways to help, including volunteering to work on the

projects at the center, helping out with making the sack lunches at the church, and helping with transporting the sack lunches up to

the center.

Please join us for this very important opportunity to outreach within our local community, and have fun too!

Coming Soon!

In September, we will be supporting the various outreach opportunities we are involved in for the Fall Festival! Opportunities to help will be available for the Clothing Giveaway (donations and

helpers needed!), the garden committee outreach table, and the kids activities table. More details coming soon!

Also, in October we will again be “Baking for the Brave” to support our local area Police and Fire Department personnel, and collecting spices to support those at the Rockford Rescue Mission.

Look for details in next month’s newsletter, or even better, join us in our next meeting and get in on the action as we plan our activities for September, October, ad beyond!

Our next meeting is Wednesday, August 23rd at 5:30 pm. Join us!

Missions Committee Contacts:Karen GothardSue RichardsStan McCordMarcie Ball

Vertical

Focus

It’s almost time to go back to school! Are you ready or does it just seem too soon? I’ve been in school all summer, so it will be just another semester when it rolls around again for me. New school years bring new opportunities. There will be new kids in your school who are nervous and lonely. So be sure to be kind to others and help them feel more comfortable. The new year is an opportunity to reach higher and achieve your goals. It’s also a time to prioritize your life and remember what is really most important.

Vertical Focus will be starting up in September and we will continue on Sunday nights. We hope you will make this a priority in your busy schedules also. The group is only as strong as its members and your presence truly does matter. Also, it is a safe place to come and be yourselves and encourage others to be themselves also. This time of fellowship and spiritual growth is an important part of your educations also. See you there!

GARDEN COMMITTEE UPDATE

The garden is going strong. The greens, chard, kale, beets, and lettuce have been a success. We picked beans once and they look wonderful. Tomatoes and cucumbers are almost ready and

potatoes will be ready in about a month.

Many thanks to Noah Melton for the wonderful irrigation improvement. It is doing a terrific job and appears to be more dependable and durable than the original system which was frequently

failing.

The garden is for all who wish it. Please harvest for yourself, for someone in need, or for our once a week donation to the food pantry. Donations are carried to the pantry early Thursday

mornings. If your garden has extra, please leave fresh produce in the kitchen back refrigerator. The pantry can use all they receive.

Garden Team

Youth Page

Youth PageYouth Page

Monthly Church Events – August 2017Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

Dawn Lindsey birthday

2

11:30 AM Retiree’s & Wannabe’s at Sophia’s

6:30 PM Bible Study

3

Jan Smith birthday

4

John & Cindy Trimble anniversary

5

11:30AM Instrumental Rehearsal

6

8AM & 10AMWorship Services with Communion

Fellowship Hour between services

7

1:00 PMMonday Afternoon Bible Study

7:00 PMChurch Council Meeting

8 9

6:30 PM Bible Study

10 11 12

11:30AM Instrumental Rehearsal

Gina McLaren birthday

WORKDAY AT BELOIT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CENTER

13

8AM & 10AMWorship Services

Fellowship Hour between services

Merle & Mary Lou Sprague anniversary

14

1:00 PMMonday Afternoon Bible Study

6:30 PM Women’s Evening Circle – DINNER AT BACKYARD IN LOVES PARK

15 16

6:30 PM Bible Study

Jayne Oakes birthday

John & Sandra Brinkman anniversary

17

10:00 AMCFO’s Meeting

18 19

11:30AM Instrumental Rehearsal

20

8AM & 10AMWorship Services

Fellowship Hour between services

Lily Henderson birthday

Owen Mathieu birthday

21

1:00 PMMonday Afternoon Bible Study

Marcie Ueck birthday

22 23

5:30 PM Missions Committee Meeting

6:30 PM Bible Study

Misty Melton birthday

24 25 26

11:30AM Instrumental Rehearsal

Rev. Lisa Abb birthday

27

8AM & 10AMWorship Services

Fellowship Hour between service

28

1:00 PMMonday Afternoon Bible Study

29 30

6:30 PM Bible Study

31

First Congregational Community Church 10780 3rd Street – P. O. Box 66 Roscoe, IL 61073-0066 Phone: 815-623-2348

Rev. Lisa Abb firstconroscoe@gmail.com

web site: www.firstconroscoe.com

Every Sunday8:00 A.M. Morning Worship Service 8:45 A.M. Bible Study8:45 A.M. Coffee Fellowship Hour10:00 A.M. Morning Worship Service11:00 A.M. Coffee Fellowship Hour5:00 P.M “Straight Up Sundays” Youth Programs

Join us for a Heart Warming FamilyWorship Service at 8:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. Nursery service is available for children 4 years of age and under.Join us downstairs for coffee, dessert, and Fellowship in between Worship Services.

Every Monday1:00 P.M. Bible Study

Every Wednesday6:30 P.M. Bible Study

Every Thursday6:45 P.M. Choir Rehearsal