First Week of Advent - "You Are a Blessing"

Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year comes to a close, a new church year begins. Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving; and yet, the world as we know it spins madly on. In many ways, pregnant Mary was surrounded by endings—large and small, personal and political. But Mary proclaimed hope in a God who was and is making all things new. Christ’s birth offered a beautiful new beginning for shepherds and Magi alike—all the while, King Herod tried to bring Christ’s story to an end. When we ourselves navigate seasons filled with endings and beginnings, we need reminders. We need words that can feel like steady ground, like a path for our feet to find as we step forward into the unknown.

Mary is described as “blessed among women” (Luke 1:28). She is neither wealthy nor powerful, and yet she is chosen to bear God’s child. Her story begins with blessedness and so does ours, for the prophet Isaiah declares that we are claimed by a God who calls our name. We are a blessing because we belong to God. When blessedness is our beginning, we begin to see the world—and others—through the eyes of a God who says: “You are precious in my sight” (Isaiah 43:4)

Join us for worship in-person or on Facebook Live at 10:00 am.

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Isaiah 43:1-7 Liturgist: Mark Stults

Advent and Christmas Worship

December 1 - “You Are a Blessing” Worship with communion at 10:00 am
December 8 - “We Can’t Go Alone” Worship at 10:00 am.
December 10 - “Endings and Beginnings" Tuesday Worship at 6:30pm
December 15 - “Do the Good That Is Yours to Do” Worship at 10:00 am.
December 22 - “Hope is Worth the Risk” Worship at 10:00 am.
December 24 – “Love Knows Your Name” Christmas Eve Worship at 4:00 pm

Church Office Hours:
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
218-829-2528
uccbrainerd@gmail.com

The Office will be closed for Thanksgiving Thursday, November 28th
& Friday, November 29th

Pastor Leslie's Schedule

>> Sunday through Thursday (Days off are Friday and Saturday) <<

Drop-in* Hours: Wed 11 am – 1 pm & Thurs (with Daisy) 2 pm - 4 pm

*Drop-in hours are times set aside for “drop-in” conversations, much like a professor’s office hours. Pastor Leslie is typically working at the church the rest of the week, but it is possible that she may be in meetings, at a community event, or working off-site.
Everyone is encouraged to make an appointment if the above times are not convenient. You can go to www.calendly.com/pastorleslieucc and select a day and time that works for you, or you can email Pastor Leslie at pastorleslieucc@gmail.com or call/text at 218-656-0096.

This Week
**Unless specified otherwise, all church Zoom Gatherings use this link:
tinyurl.com/uccbrainerdzoom
If the Zoom meeting window does not automatically launch, click "Launch Meeting"
By phone: dial 1 312 626 6799, Meeting ID: 645 235 0419, password: 56401

Thursday, November 28 - Thanksgiving Day
**The Office is Closed

Friday, November 29
**The Office is Closed
10:30 pm - Book Group via Zoom

Saturday, November 30
9:00 am - Greening of the Church

Sunday Worship, December 1
10:00 am - Worship Service & Communion in-person and Facebook Live
11:00 am - Fellowship in Fellowship Hall
11:15 am - Adult Forum - "Soul Shop"

Wednesday, December 4
11:45 am - Men's Fellowship @ Wings Cafe Brainerd Airport
1:30 pm - Pastor Relations Committee Meeting in-person
4:00 pm - Christian Ministry Meeting in-person

Thursday, December 5
10:00 am - Care Team Meeting in-person

Friday, December 6
10:00 am - Church Cleaning with Trustees & Volunteers in-person
10:30 pm - Book Group via Zoom
6:30 pm - Movie Night in Fellowship

Sunday Worship, December 8
10:00 am - Worship Service in-person and Facebook Live
11:00 am - Fellowship in Fellowship Hall
11:15 am - Adult Forum - "Heart of My Soul" Jan Kurtz

Hosts, Ushers, Greeters, Scripture readers
Sign up on the clipboard in the narthex or click here to go to signupgenius.com

H.U.G.S. this Sunday, December 1
Host: Shon Boman & Sharon Carlson
Greeter/Ushers: Deb Griffith, Gary & Judy Whiteman
Counters: Reed Campbell & Judy Whiteman

H.U.G.S. next Sunday, December 8
Host: Jack & Kay Kraywinkle
Greeter/Ushers: Tim Anderson & Ryan Kelley
Counters: Deb Griffith & Maggie Anderson

Liturgist: Sunday, December 1 - Mark Stults
Liturgist: Sunday, December 8 - Mary Reardon

Greening of the Church
Saturday, November 30 @ 9:00 am

Come enjoy a festive greening of the church event! Help us prepare the way for the Advent and Christmas season by decking the halls with boughs of holly!

We will have refreshments and fellowship so come one and all!

Stillwater, Oak Park Heights, Bayport, Lake Elmo

December 5, 2015

Being thankful, nevertheless
LINDA TOSSEY, GUEST COLUMNIST

On Thanksgiving this year a prayer of gratitude was lifted up by millions, perhaps even in homes where a prayer before a meal is rarely spoken.
Saying “grace” however, was required in the home where I grew up. As kids we said it like it was all one word, “GodisgreatGodisgoodLetusthankGodforourfoodAmen.”
Nevertheless, my mother made sure we said it every meal.

Yet, gratitude that really shapes us, molds us, perhaps even transforms us is more than saying grace. It’s about recognizing God’s grace when life has left us questioning, when life has left us hurting, grieving, when life has left us wondering, “why me?”

Gratitude — deep, soul-shaping, soul-renewing, soul-affirming gratitude — comes when we eventually can say the word, “nevertheless.” It comes when we discover that nevertheless, God’s grace has risen up in spite of the hurt, in spite the loss, in spite the grief, in spite of the difficult places. Gratitude is not just saying grace or talking about grace, gratitude is recognizing God’s grace, “nevertheless.”

That is exactly what the apostle Paul does in his letter to his friends back in Philippi in his letter to him in the New Testament. Given his circumstances, Paul has no good reason to be grateful. Things have not been going exactly “swimmingly” for him. He’s in jail, in chains, facing trial possibly for his life. Not exactly the situation in which one might express gratitude, but, amazingly, he does. At the very beginning of this letter we discover that Paul has found the “nevertheless” of God’s grace.
He writes, “I thank my God every time I remember you, praying with joy in every one of my prayers for you.” Surely, Paul must have been at a daunting place in life. Nevertheless, the memories of his friends and the assurance that they continue to care for him, revive him, comfort him, feed him.

That is the deep work of gratitude. That is the gratitude we can embrace once we discover the “nevertheless.” This isn’t casual gratitude. This isn’t sugar-coated, Pollyanna gratitude. No, this gratitude at a deeper level. This is adult, mature gratitude. This is gratitude birthed by time and wisdom and pain and faith. This is gratitude that says I wish it could have been different, nevertheless God’s grace is still here. God’s grace is still present. God’s grace still rises up. There is much to be thankful for.

Gratitude at this level, may not come in a flash. It may take a long time. It may take years to realize that even though we wish at some point things could have been different; somehow God’s grace still rose up. Perhaps it was in the people who surrounded you, or in a meal shared, a shoulder given to cry on, the help of a relative who knocked on your door to lend a hand, the kindness of a co-worker. Perhaps with hindsight, you realize God’s grace showed up when a friend, a teacher, a coach, a church wouldn’t give up on you.

God always has a “nevertheless” for us. It was God’s nevertheless that Moses heard when God called him and he thought he wasn’t worthy. It was God’s nevertheless that Paul heard when he was chained in that prison cell. It was God’s nevertheless that spoke into the heart of a Galilean peasant girl who, when the angel appeared to her, first questioned, “How can this be?” Yet, somehow she gets to the nevertheless, when she says, “Let it be with me as you have said.”

In this Thanksgiving week, I pray we all will find the nevertheless of God’s grace. I pray the realization that God’s grace has been there and is still there, will be the food that feeds your soul more abundantly than any table set before you. “GodisgreatGodisgoodLetusthankGodforourfoodAmen.”

Linda Tossey

A celebration of the life of Linda Tossey will be held on Saturday, December 14th 2024 at 2:00 PM at the St. Croix United Church (409 3rd St N, Bayport, MN 55003).
Linda was an active member of this church for a very short time before being diagnosed with the cancer that finally took her life. She co-chaired the 2022 celebration of the church's 150th anniversary, and was instrumental in its success. Linda was a true friend to many in this church, and is deeply missed.

The following reflections are a compilation of comments that have been made by church members as they have learned about Linda’s death. May we live half as beautifully as Linda did.

* * * * * *

“What a remarkable person she was! Linda was an incredible light in the lives of all who knew her. Her joy and enthusiasm were truly contagious, and she made every moment of working together during the 150th church anniversary a memorable one. Her presence brought so much warmth, and anyone who had the privilege of meeting her felt truly blessed.

“Linda’s contributions were immense—she was a true gem, and even now, I can still see her shining brightly in the memories she left behind. She was, without a doubt, an angel on earth. Though our time with her was far too short, we can find comfort knowing that her suffering has ended, and she has found peace.

“She will always be remembered by those whose lives she touched over the years, and she will be deeply missed. But surely, she has gone directly to Heaven, where her light will continue to shine for eternity.”

Advent Shadowbox
First Congregational Friends & Family,
We invite you to be a part of our interactive Advent Shadowbox.
The shadowbox is located in the Narthex.

Take a card and bring back something that represents the word in the context of this time of waiting for Christ.

What does this word mean to you? Does it evoke an emotion or memory? You might have a small object or possibly a brief writing either existing or original, maybe a photo expressing the word.

Please return your item by the date on the card. After Christmas you take your item home. The object will need to fit into the 6 inch opening. You may want to label your item with your name on the back.

We are hoping this activity will spark us to look at the wait for Christmas in new ways, as well as encourage discussion among the congregation.

Let your creativity shine!

December Adult Forum - 11:30 after worship

December 1st – “Soul Shop”: In part one of this Biblically based series, the topic of what leads to suicidal desperation, how to identify its signs, and what we can do to intervene with family and friends to prevent the completion of a suicide attempt will be explored.

December 8th – “Heart of my Soul” – second book by Janet Kurtz: “The Heart of my Soul: Tales of Five Generations at the Family Cabin” will be the core of this week’s Adult Forum. Jan’s second book is a compilation of family letters, essays, snippets of handed down sayings and the oral tradition practiced around bonfires, scripted for the future. She will read a few examples from her family stories and lead an activity in story-telling. With Christmas gatherings in the near future, maybe this is the year to tell or retell family lore, leaving a legacy, not just of physical inheritance, but of beliefs, humor, and a foundation of people that shed light on who we are and make us think about what we want to pass along. Join Jan and her quest to keep the family alive through their words and actions, thinking out beyond the five generations shared here. Both of her books will be available for sale.
Check out Jan's writing website at: www.janetkurtz.com

UCC Church Cleaning
Friday, December 6th from 10 am - 2 pm
The trustees are hosting a cleaning day to freshen up various areas in the church.
Tasks we are wanting to work on are: dusting stair railings; removing cobwebs; polishing front and back glass doors along with the sanctuary door; vacuum and dust 2nd floor adult forum, conference room and youth room; vacuum and dust columbarium, spot clean carpet stains with carpet cleaner and kitchen cleaning and organizing of cupboards, refrigerator, etc.
The trustees will serve a light lunch of soup and a dessert for all who volunteer.
A signup sheet is in the Narthex through December 6th or you can send an email to Deb G. at ranger2949@gmail.com.

ANNUAL BUDGET Meeting - Congregational Budget Approval
Sunday, December 15, @ 11:15 am after worship - In-person and via Zoom
Please attend the congregational budget meeting to review and vote on the 2025 church budget. Meeting packets will be distributed in person on the previous Sunday, December 8, and emailed to voting members on December 11.
Please notify Terri in the office if you need a packet sent to you by snail mail.

Christmas Flowers 2024

You have the opportunity to give a gift in honor and in memory of your loved one(s). We will use the money to purchase flower arrangements for the altar. All memorials will be listed in the Christmas bulletin.

Please include all of the information below with your gift.
Amount of Memorial Gift: $__________
In Memory Of: ____________________
Your Name(s): ______________________

Write your checks to: 1st Congregational Church with Memo: “Christmas Flowers”
Include this information with your check and drop it off at the church office, give at worship offertory, or mail it to: First Congregational Church, 415 Juniper Street Brainerd, MN 56401

You can also donate online! We are accept your offerings and donations using PayPal.
You do not need to have a PayPal account to make an online donation with a credit card. To use PayPal, go to: https://www.paypal.me/uccbrainerd
Please memo: "Christmas Flowers"

UCC Volunteer Opportunity

The week of December 29, 2024 - January 4, 2025, is our church's next week volunteering at the Warming Shelter. Sign up link below for the week of December 29th:

https://whocanbethere.com/SignUp/week-of-december-29/2na8cvq2

If you have any questions at all, please talk with Deb Griffith when in church or by phone (218-851-2949).
Thank you for considering volunteering for this worthy cause.

Friday Book Group via Zoom
tinyurl.com/uccbrainerdzoom

We meet each Friday at 10:30 am via Zoom

We are reading “There Was an Old Woman: Reflections on These Strange, Surprising, Shining Years”. In these personal essays, Carlisle writes about experiences shared with many, if not most, older women. Andrea Carlisle isn’t struggling with her new identity as the Old Woman in the ways society seems to think she should. In fact, she is finding her later years to be an extraordinary and interesting time.
Those curious about, approaching, or living in old age will find wisdom and insight in her unique perspective. In a voice that rings with clarity, humor, and humility, Carlisle shows us that old age is not another country where we can expect to find the Old Woman grimly waiting, but is instead an expansion of the borders in the country we’re most familiar with: ourselves.

First Congregational Food Shelf Collection

Our church continues to collect non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army Food Shelf.

There are two collection boxes: one in the parking lot entry hallway, the other in the Narthex. Brian Twamley picks up and delivers the food. Please consider bringing items and donating.

You may also send a money donation to the church; First Congregational UCC, 415 Juniper St. Brainerd, MN 56401. Or for your convenience use our Paypal account at: paypal.me/uccbrainerd Make sure to write in memo “Food Shelf”.

Congregational Care Team

Your Congregational Care Team: Barb Hoeft, Deb Griffith, Jack and Kay Kraywinkle, Pat Scott, Chris Yager, and Joey Halvorson (texts only).

The members of the Congregational Care team are available and would love to connect with you.
Contact information for care team members is in the directory or can be obtained by contacting the church office.

If you or someone you know would enjoy a call from the care team, or is in need of support, please let one of us know.

If you have an urgent pastoral care need (an unplanned hospitalization, a death, etc) or would specifically like a visit or call with Pastor Leslie, please call or text her at 218-656-0096.

H.U.G.S. Hosts, Ushers, Greeters & Scripture-readers
Are you ready to take the leap into RADICAL HOSPITALITY?
Sunday morning greeters/ ushers and coffee hosts play an important part in making our church a warm and welcoming place for all.
Give it a go and signup below for your first Sunday as the face of the church!
https://www.signupgenius.com/

SAVE the DATE!

You're invited to

THE SECOND ANNUAL NEW YEAR'S EVE BASH!

Where: Fellowship Hall When: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (maybe)

Games, camaraderie, food, prizes, FUN, FUN, FUN!

What Else: **$5 Cover Charge**
*Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest - Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater!
Win fabulous prizes!
*Bring an appetizer to share and your own beverages (no alcohol please)
Hosted by Kay Cox and Pam Wible

First Congregational UCC Brainerd

Welcome to our Facility

It is the policy and privilege of the First Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC) Brainerd, to share its beautiful church facilities for purposes that match the values of the church and its mission which is “to know and share God’s love within us.”
We are an open church valuing the diversity of age, culture, gender identity, opinions, physical and mental abilities, and sexual orientation.

To reserve a space for general use, ask for a “Request for Church Building Use Form" (which is included in the policy packet) from the church office, Admin. Asst. Terri at 218-829-2528 or email uccbrainerd@gmail.com.
Submit the request form to the administrative assistant.

For wedding or funeral use, contact the Pastor Leslie: pastorleslieucc@gmail.com

Church Humor

Earlier in life, I was hunched over having problems with my posture.

I didn’t think prayer could help me, but I stand corrected.

Crisis Services
All are available 24-hours, FREE and confidential

Bridges of Hope: 218-825-4357 or 1-800-462-7682
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988
Crisis Line & Referral Service: 218-828-4357, 218-828-HELP or 1-800-462-5525
Crisis Nursery-Crow Wing County: 218-692-2859
Crisis Text Line: Text “MN” or HopeLine” to 741741
Minnesota 1st Call for Help: 211
Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline: 833-600-2670
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222
Suicide & Mental Illness: 1-800-462-5525
Teen Crisis Line: 310-855-4673
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ Crisis & Suicide Hotline – Youth under 25): 866-488-7386
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
Veteran’s Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 – press 1
WARMLINE: Speak with peers who are there to listen and support adults experiencing emotional distress. 1-844-739-6369 from 5:00pm -7:00am.