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TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST NOVEMBER 15, 2020 | 10:00AM
Roman Oil Lamp
You will be able to find the live stream on FCC's Facebook and YouTube pages or on the FCC website:
• http://youtube.com/FirstCongregationalChurchofHouston • https://www.facebook.com/firstconghouston/ • http://www.fcc-houston.org
Join Rev. Jonathan Page for the in-person service at 10am in the Park. Bring Your Own Drum!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PRELUDE Improvisation M.J. Gallop RINGING OF THE CHURCH BELL WELCOME Rev. Jonathan Page
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HYMN Come to Me, O Weary Traveler AUSTIN
PRAYER
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SUNG RESPONSE Keep Your Lamps arr. André Thomas
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, keep your lamps trimmed and burning, keep your lamps trimmed and burning, the time is drawing nigh. Children don't get weary 'til your work is done. Christian journey soon be over. The time is drawing nigh.
- Traditional African American Spiritual SCRIPTURE Matthew 25:1-13 Terry Smith “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.† CHILDREN’S MESSAGE “Scouts Honour” Krysia Lynes SERMON “Two Types of Maidens” Rev. Jonathan Page
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HYMN Dear Lord, Who Loves All Humankind arr. Jay Rouse Jaqueline Audas, violin
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER (using debts/debtors)
Our Creator, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.†
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BRING FORTH OUR GIFTS AND OFFERINGS Greg Kelley The preferred method of giving electronically is through Zelle. Zelle is available through most major bank apps under transfers and incurs no additional fees to either the donor or FCC for the gift. To use Zelle enter the following charity address: [email protected] and include your name and fund you are contributing to. [Please make multiple transfers if you are contributing to multiple funds.] If you are visiting FCC, reach out to Rev. Jonathan Page ([email protected]) to learn more about the church and its ministries. He would be happy to meet with you via Zoom, Skype, or over the phone.
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HYMN May God Bless and Keep You Tice/Haugen
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OUR MISSION
Welcome all into an inclusive community; Seek to follow Jesus’ teachings; Search for more truth and light; Support one another on our faith journeys; Strive for peace and justice.†
BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Toccata Dubois
Coffee, Tea, and Conversation Following Worship Services Today Via Zoom We will be having a virtual Coffee, Tea, and Conversation following service each Sunday. Here is how to join. Click on the link below and enter the password beneath the link. If you don' have Zoom, you can download it at https://zoom.us/download. To join by phone dial +1 346 248 7799 and enter the Meeting ID.
To join in Coffee, Tea, and Conversation, click: Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86165554923?pwd=WXFheEQzakV5Q1ZvV1BScUlDUDljdz09 Meeting ID: 861 6555 4923 Passcode: 547066
WORSHIP NOTES: THE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS TODAY WERE DONATED BY Janet Jensen in celebration of the Jensen family. A SINGLE WHITE ROSE today is in memory of Aida Leticia Morales Serrano, the sister of Anna Serrano (FCC member), who passed away Monday, November 9, 2020, after being hospitalized and battling COVID-19 for four months. Please pray for Anna and the entire Serrano and Morales families. MUSIC COPYRIGHT INFO: All music is reprinted under permission of our OneLicense.net account #A-727634.
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Anna Serrano and the family of Aida Leticia Morales Serrano (Anna’s sister); Clara Joy Collier (Cassie and Jeff Collier’s newborn); Scott and Darla Morrison (Peggy Hennig’s son and daughter-in-law); Skye Crumpler; Verita Duncan (Robin Stilwell’s friend); Cynthia Blackwell (Janice Van Derbur’s friend); Mary Thomas (Mona Rhines’ friend); Vrian Shirk (Carlene Shirk’s son); Erin Roberts; Phyllis Hengst (Jane Bradbery’s dear friend); Jennifer Schafer (Michael Schafer’s daughter-in-law); Dana Muñoz and her family (Janice Van Derbur and Linda Noyes’ good friends); Billy Garza (Guillermo Garza’s father); Voelkel family (Naomi Black’s friends); Dr. James Hollis (Michael Schafer and Ellen Benninghoven’s good friend); Chris (Paola’s friend); Donna Shelley (Carlene Shirk’s cousin); Paul Radelat (Jill Radelat’s father); Joe King (Michael Schafer and Ellen Benninghoven’s friend); Ginger and Ron Korolak (Janet Rexroad’s friends); Erin Hutchinson (Nancy Murdock’s friend); Tiffani Murphy (Heather Davis’ friend); Melissa Murry; Becky and Murry Witcher (Janet Rexroad’s dear friends); Jary Earl (Jim Earl’s sister-in-law); Lucy Maves (Jessica Seff’s friend); Diane Brahm;
† As an inclusive and open faith community, we attempt to convey gender neutral images, terms, and language of God. However, some hymns, anthems, and scriptures from the past will not be changed.
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Claire Cardwell; Leon Wehunt (friend of John and Linda Fosseen); Larry Edmondson (Sarah Garrison’s father); Dianne Bub; E.G. “Jay” Ruoff (Jamie Strong’s father); Nancy and Bob Been (Naomi Black’s friends); Jennifer Chapin (Robin Stilwell’s friend); Dr. William Riley (dear friend of Michael Schafer); Fran Smith; Frances Davis (Mary Harper’s friend); and all of those who are unable to be with us today.
FORMING OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH FCC SUNDAY SCHOOL Godly Play Story are shared via YouTube Today, we heard the Godly Play story of the Child’s Own Life. Unlike when we are in the classrooms, all ages are welcome. The video can be found on FCC’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB1ODaC8jgRMD5KZVA7cL_A Sunday School Resources: Coloring sheets for the Lectionary readings this fall now through November 22. https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:62e2e833-05a9-4ee3-af42-12fffd4b824a#pageNum=1
ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CLASS TODAY, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, AT 7PM VIA ZOOM The focus text will be Matthew 25:31-46. Prompted by Jesus’ parable of the sheep and goats, we will discern how Jesus may be treated with compassion today. The resource sheet can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DSALf_tqhzRL5Q6thActo1Xw_O2iMYgK/view?usp=sharing For next week, text will be Isaiah 64:1-9. Stirred by Isaiah’s intercessory pleas, we will affirm the grounding of Advent’s hopes in God’s holy and sometimes hidden purposes. The references can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Un45En6K_vaLEgqiRhipC70GUW4VR-2y/view?usp=sharing
Time: This is a recurring meeting Sundays at 7pm Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85633892742?pwd=UEw0blVsYzFhR2MyR1VVY0FyNmlNZz09 Meeting ID: 856 3389 2742 Password: 803121 Dial in: 346 248 7799
IN-PERSON OUTDOOR SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES We will continue in-person outdoor services now through December 20. If there is drastic weather or temperature change (under 50 degrees) or rain predicted, we will publish an email blast by noon on Friday cancelling the in-person service.
NEXT WEEK: PILGRIM SUNDAY Sermon: “Pilgrims at 400” – Rev. Jonathan C. Page preaching Scripture: Psalm 65
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BRING YOUR OWN DRUM! WORSHIP SERVICE IN-PERSON OUTDOORS TODAY, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, AT 10AM IN THE PARK Even though we won't be singing today, we can make a joyful noise together. If you are attending the in-person service at FCC and you have your own drum, percussion instrument, or some other sort of noise maker, bring it with you and be led in a rhythmic group drumming experience. Grab your mask, bring your own lawn chair, and practice social distancing. Contact MJ Gallop at [email protected] with questions.
NOON MID-WEEK PRAYER SERVICE WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 AT NOON VIA FACEBOOK At noon on Wednesdays, Rev. Jonathan Page will lead a brief prayer service using Facebook Live. To attend the service, go to the FCC Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/firstconghouston). We look forward to seeing you there!
THANKSGIVING PIE ORDERS DEADLINE WENESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 In keeping with past tradition, there will be pies available for Thanksgiving that can be picked up at the in person service on November 22nd. Please send an email to [email protected] with the subject line “Pie” to request your Apple, Pecan, and/or Pumpkin pies. Payments will be received by DipJar upon pick-up. Price is $20 per pie with profits helping to fund the CE program’s Advent Festival on November 28th.
FIESTA FRIDAY! FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 7PM IN THE PARK The FCC Hospitality Board invites you to join your friends or make new friends at Fiesta Fridays! Join us for happy hour IN THE PARK so we can all raise our glasses and toast to staying connected during this time of crisis in the world. So, bring a bite to eat, a beverage, your lawn chair and mask, and head over to FCC to see you friends and meet new people! Please practice social distancing. Contact Diane Foote at [email protected] or Phyllis Roberts at [email protected].
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
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TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO ORDER YOUR POINSETTIAS! DEADLINE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 Each Christmas season, we garnish the Meeting House with beautiful poinsettias. This year’s process will be a little different due to COVID-19. Each plant is $11 again this year, and we would like to shower the Meeting House with poinsettias. To place your order, click on the following link: https://www.fcc-houston.org/flowers/, submit your form, and payment instructions will be emailed to you. You will be able to use Zelle (preferred), Online Giving Option, or mail a check. The plants will be delivered to each donor during the Thanksgiving holidays. Deadline to order is November 22. Contact Jane Bradbery at [email protected] or call 832-367-0717 with any questions.
SEND US YOUR CHRISTMAS THEMED PHOTOS AND VIDEOS SUBMIT BY DECEMBER 6 Since COVID-19 makes it difficult for all of us to make plans to physically be together this Christmas holiday season, and if you are missing everyone like we are, getting to see smiling faces celebrating this season would be exciting and uplifting. Please send in your Christmas photos/videos for this year or past Christmases now through Sunday, December 6. Your images/videos will be shown during the on-line worship services each Sunday beginning December 6 through December 20. If videos are under 25MB, email them to [email protected] or use https://forms.gle/od6GBK6Tx5vkBcZx6 to upload larger videos using Google Forms. Contact Bob Sander at [email protected] with any questions/concerns.
START COLLECTING TOYS FOR MAM'S CHRISTMAS SHARE!! Christmas Will Be Here Before We Know It!! So, the time is here to start collecting toys for MAM's (Memorial Assistance Ministries) Christmas Share Toy Drive. We will be collecting unwrapped toys starting on Sunday, November 15th, in the boxes provided during the in-person outdoor worship services. Should you prefer to donate cash or check, there are envelopes for that on the front of the boxes, or you can use Zelle (preferred) or Online Giving Option. Make sure you note “MAM Christmas” on memo line or in ‘Comments.’ There are also gift suggestion sheets available which cover ages 1 thru 13. The children receiving these toys are truly in need and have been vetted by the counselors at MAM. Contact Carlene Shirk at 281-728-8868 with any questions.
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FCC MISSIONS GIVING IN 2020 The Board of Missions 2020 budget is $18,432 which is intended to be distributed, on behalf of FCC members, to charitable organizations serving people outside the church which are in need. The Board of Missions has historically prioritized organizations which serve the local community, are associated with the UCC, or are actively supported by FCC members. Here is a summary of FCC’s 2020 Mission giving to date.
• Memorial Assistance Ministries - $4000 • RaiseUp Families - $4000 • Back Bay Mission (UCC) - $2750 • United Campus Ministries - $2000 • Fairhaven Food Pantry - $1000 • Hurricane Laura Relief via UCC South Central Conference - $2000 • Slumber Falls (UCC) - $1400 (in addition to $1400 from FCC general fund) • Settegast Heights Thanksgiving - $350 • Unallocated Balance - $932
The Mission funds shown here are just one of several ways FCC serves our broader community (e.g., Endowment also provides grants to service organizations). If you are interested in more information on FCC’s Mission giving and how these organizations serve our community, please contact Chuck Stilwell ([email protected] or 406-491-1129).
ADVENT FESTIVAL SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 11AM ON CHURCH LAWN Please plan to join us for an all-ages, outdoor Advent Festival (weather permitting) on the FCC lawn. Our activities this year will include making Advent Wreaths for our homes and decorating an outdoor Christmas tree at FCC. Hand sanitizer will be available. There will be cider, hot chocolate and cookies to enjoy. We are hoping to use materials gathered from our natural environments and garden – so if you can delay pruning your holly, yupon, pine, and magnolia until closer to that time, we would be very grateful for those materials. We would also be very pleased with long grasses, dried flowers, vines, and/or pinecones that you may collect over the course of the coming weeks. Don’t forget to wear your mask and practice social distancing. Contact Krysia Lynes at [email protected].
VIRTUAL SERVICES People have asked about the recordings of the virtual services that have been going on since the pandemic began. They used to be recorded largely at the Meeting House and lately there have been many recordings made elsewhere, including people's homes. This change in what you have seen is due to a technical problem in our system at the Meeting House. We who are responsible for creating the recordings are working diligently to resolve these problems, but until they are resolved, recordings might be made at places other than the Meeting House, which we all miss being in. In the meantime, we hope you all are healthy and enjoying our worship experience either online or at our live services outside at the church campus weather permitting.
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UPDATE ON THE FCC BENEVOLENCE FUND FCC’s Benevolence Fund is still available for financial emergencies. The application process is confidential and brief. During the COVID-19 crisis we have dispersed over $13,000 to more than 25 recipients. We have assisted individuals and families, both inside and outside the church, for items such as rent assistance and essential living expenses. We are also pleased to acknowledge several substantial recent donations. Please contact German Amador – Chairperson at [email protected].
MAM NEEDS YOUR HELP! The Resale Store and warehouse have reopened for clients and are very short on volunteers. They also need pantry donations, furniture, and houseware donations for the Resale Store. See below for more details how to help.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES DURING COVID-19 Here are the current volunteer opportunities, for working to assist in the Houston community during 2020 and COVID. Contact Carlton at [email protected] and Chuck at [email protected] if you know of any volunteer activities during this time, and/or if you are interested in being on a “FCC volunteer” email distribution list. Current Opportunities: There are opportunities which relate to an increase in food distribution to those in need, as well as other non-food opportunities. All opportunities described below have been vetted by someone with FCC, and those requiring their volunteers to interact with others must carefully follow social distancing protocols, with masks and gloves required when working with others. There are several NON-CONTACT Opportunities (e.g., mask-making), as well. Here are some options for volunteers, with current opportunities in BOLD below: Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM) – MAM needs your help! The Resale Store and warehouse have reopened for clients and are very short on volunteers. Volunteers are urgently needed to sort and tag merchandise, stock shelves and racks, and assist with sales. The Resale Store was closed for many months, resulting in a serious loss of revenue to fund client programs. The store’s continued viability is vital to MAM’s ability to keep helping families in need. You can help!
• They are asking for volunteers for ONE THREE-HOUR SHIFT between now and the end of the year. MAM is following all safety protocols – masks and sanitizer are provided, social distancing is practiced, and the number of shoppers allowed in the store is controlled to avoid crowding. Volunteers may request to limit their service to areas not frequented by the public. A signup link and calendar is provided here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B45A4A92EA7F85-fall1. If you have any questions please contact volunteer coordinator Stephanie Tippitt at [email protected]. MAM needs pantry donations! As they are seeing more clients needing family assistance, there has been a rise in demand for pantry donations. These are the items that they are requesting:
24 Chicken Lunch Packs 24 Trail Mix / Nuts 24 Protein Bars 24 Fruit Strips 12 Laundry Detergents 12 Anti-bacterial Spray Cleaner 24 Dishwash Soap
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Any donations you can bring will be most gratefully received! If you bring them to the MAM services wing between 10 and 4 on weekdays, you may have to ring the buzzer but someone should be at the reception desk to help. Or you can bring donations to the donation door to the left of the Resale Store and just let them know it’s for the pantry. MAM also needs furniture and houseware donations for the Resale Store! Your donations will magically turn into store proceeds that fund 37% of MAM’s programs and services to help families in need. You can bring donations to the MAM donation door at 1625 Blalock Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays between 10am and 3pm; or, especially for furniture, you can call and MAM will send a delivery truck to pick it up and haul it away! Baker Ripley – Baker Ripley is hosting food distribution fairs at various locations in Houston. They will have two to three per week through October and “need as many volunteers as we can get to prepare food bags and distribute to neighbors directly into the trunks with no contact.” These opportunities and one other, with details and schedules can be found at this link: https://volunteer.bakerripley.org/recruiter/501/OppDetails/1848/COVID-19-Food-Distribution/ ECHOS (Epiphany Community Health Outreach Services) – ECHOS is a Houston based non-profit in Southwest Houston that provides a wide range of health and social services as well as a food pantry for immigrant and low-income communities. FCC supports ECHOS with funding. Since Corona began, ECHOS is overwhelmed somedays, and needs volunteer. The primary volunteer need is to assist in boxing and distributing food To volunteer at ECHOS go to http://echos-houston.org/support-echos/, or call Jennifer at 713-705-9718. This news video provides a good picture of ECHOS food pantry service: https://abc13.com/covid-covid19-coronavirus-echos/6135467/ Kids’ Meals, Inc. - Kids’ Meals, Inc. serves poverty-stricken children across the city. Normally, they deliver about 3,000 meals each weekday. Now, there is so much demand that they recently dropped off nearly 7,000 meals in one day. Volunteers are needed to work in the warehouse, in the “kitchen” preparing meals, or as delivery drivers. Also, you and your family can make kids’ lunches in the comfort and safety of your own home! Instructions for this opportunity are here: https://kidsmealsinc.org/wp-content/uploads/PAGE-2-DIY-Lunch-Pack-Instructions-7-13-20.pdf and https://kidsmealsinc.org/wp-content/uploads/DIY-Bag-Decorating-Instructions-1-1-20-1.pdf. For more information or to sign up as a Kids’ Meals volunteer, go to https://kidsmealsinc.org/take-action/volunteer/ or contact Carlton Cook at [email protected] or 713-705- 1947. Conveniently, you can sign up for a volunteer time slot on their online calendar. Heights Interfaith Food Pantry (https://himfoodpantry.org/home/volunteer/) Volunteer opportunities are available at different times every week. Once you sign up as a volunteer, they have a convenient Sign Up Genius online to schedule your service times. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4da8ad2ba0f49-adminstrator Guillermo Garza has been volunteering there. Houston Food Bank is crowd sourcing delivery drivers to get food to hungry people: https://crowdsourcerescue.com/campaigns/home/190?scope_campaigns=190. Contact Krysia Lynes at [email protected] with questions. Masks Needed - Face masks are needed by several organizations, particularly for children. If you are willing and able to make, find, or buy masks, please contact Chuck Stilwell at ([email protected], 406-491-1129) or Robin Stilwell ([email protected] or 713-702-9448). We can provide several mask patterns for those who have the will and skill to sew some. Here is a photo below from volunteer opportunities of FCC members and friends:
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FCC contributed to home fix-up and storm clean-up project recently with Back Bay Mission in the Biloxi, Mississippi area.
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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF HOUSTON
10840 Beinhorn Road - Houston, Texas 77024 Phone: 713.468.9543 | www.fcc-houston.org
The Reverend Jonathan C. Page, Senior Minister | [email protected] Krysia Lynes, Director of Christian Education | [email protected]
M. J. Gallop, Minister of Music | [email protected] Stevie Berryman, Director of Handbells
Jane Bradbery, Office Administrator | [email protected] Gary Wurl, Financial Secretary | [email protected]
Richard Heustess, Bookkeeper | [email protected] Terry Smith, Wedding Coordinator | [email protected]
Maggi Tucker, Minister of Music Emerita | [email protected]
Church Officers: Moderator: Anne Amador | [email protected]
Vice Moderator: Pat Rickey | [email protected] Treasurer: Shawn Gleason | [email protected]
Clerk: Denise Zoch | [email protected] Board of Christian Education: Naomi Black | [email protected] Board of Communications: Sydney Isaacs | [email protected] Board of Church in Society: Roxanne Taylor | [email protected]
Board of Deacons: Lynette Ross | [email protected] Board of Hospitality co-Chair: Diane Foote | [email protected]
Board of Hospitality co-Chair: Phyllis Roberts | [email protected] Board of Missions: Chuck Stilwell | [email protected]
Board of Trustees: Tom O’Neill | [email protected] At-Large Members:
John Fosseen | [email protected] Eric Toskey | [email protected]
UCC Delegates: Doug Bernard | [email protected]
Jane Holland | [email protected] Darlene Jones | [email protected]
Krysia Lynes | [email protected] Sue Earl | [email protected]
In case of emergencies, contact Rev. Jon Page at 203-815-3816.
FCC is an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ. We joyfully welcome everyone regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
