This Week at FCCLW 5/24/15
Published: Thu, 05/21/15
May 24, 2015
 Pentecost
 What was it about the early church that made such an impact on the society? Pentecost is the commemoration of the birth of the church, when the Holy Spirit blew into the lives of the early followers of Jesus.
Join us Sunday as we explore the story of the Pentecost in Acts and we ask with the prophet Ezekiel “can these dry bones live?”
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From Nepal
Christopher Heuertz is a contemplative activist who spent three years in India being mentored by Mother Theresa. He recently returned to India after the earthquakes.
"There were eerily mundane moments, over lunch for example at a spot where I’ve eaten dozens of meals, staff were at work just like any other day," Chris Heuertz writes of his recent visit to Nepal after the first of two devastating earthquakes there. "But, as soon as I’d recognize an old acquaintance, the first 10-15 minutes opened up a recounting of their tragic moments in the quake, and then without exception the stories turned to immense loss and displacement of their family back in the villages.I saw a lot of old friends, and with each reconnection they immediately began reliving their trauma stories, a sort of verbal processing or subconscious debriefing of the moment the quake struck. In most cases their own homes had been destroyed. Their need to have the story heard and their spared lives celebrated was sobering. And every one of them, though safe themselves, told of lost loved ones, friends and entire families." You can read more here. Discussion Group
On Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM during the summer, we will be gathering to discuss Breathing underwater by Father Richard Rohr.
In Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps, Rohr describes how the Twelve Steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program is America’s most significant and authentic contribution to the history of spirituality.
In this exploration, Richard draws parallels between Christian principles and AA’s Twelve Steps, connecting AA’s Big Book with the Gospel. This material draws on talks he has given for over twenty years to people in recovery and those close to them, as well as to those who counsel people recovering from or living with an addiction.
Richard offers encouragement and inspiration to survive the tidal wave of compulsive behavior and addiction by learning to “breathe under water.”
We will discuss the book and how to put it’s concepts into practice and watch videos of Father Richard’s teaching on the subject.
 Join us on Thursday mornings from 10:00 - 11:30 in the parlor for coffee and fellowship. |
Flourish
This Sunday we opened the first Psalm, exploring ideas about where true happiness comes from. You can watch the service here. Online Giving
Have you explored the opportunity of electronic giving? You can choose to have a set amount taken from your bank account on a regular basis or you can make a one (or more) time gift by checking account or credit card on our website. Your regular electronic giving means that your gift is available for ministry even when you are away (or forgot your checkbook!). Thank you for your continued support of the ministry of First Congregational Church!
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