First Church this Week

Welcome to First Congregational UCC of Burlington

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You are invited to worship in person at First Church at 10am on Sundays in our beautiful Sanctuary at 38 South Winooski Avenue in Burlington OR via the live-stream (or later recording) on the FirstChurchBTV YouTube Channel. Fellowship time follows worship at First Church.

Our Fall 2024 Sermon Series: “The Reclamation… redefine faith, reimagine love, reignite hope” – got underway on September 15. During the sermon series we will be reflecting on and reclaiming Christian concepts that have long been ceded to conservative, fundamentalist interpretations of Christianity. The sermons can be found on the First Church YouTube Channel linked below.

The Rev. Elissa Johnk, Lead Minister

Worship at First Church is live-streamed (and the recording is available later) on the FirstChurchBTV YouTube Channel. The Order of Worship, Announcements, etc. for Sunday’s worship are updated prior to the worship service weekly and are posted here:

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Fall Faith Formation Opportunities

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path

*NEW* Book Group- The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, and Believe by Richard Rohr will meet on Thursdays Oct. 3^rd, 10^th, 17^th, and 24^th at 6:00pm at First Church. Register at https://bit.ly/fccbfallbooks
*NEW*Book Group- Practicing the Pause: Jesus’ Contemplative Practice, New Brain Science, and What it Means to Be Fully Human by Caroline Oakes will meet on Sundays after worship, Oct. 20^th, 27^th, Nov. 3^rd, 10^th, 17^th, and 24^th. Register at https://bit.ly/fccbfallbooks
Wednesday evening in-person Bible Study – 6:15pm at First Church – open to all!
Thursday morning online Bible Study – 8:30am on Zoom. Check firstchurchburlington.org for the Zoom link.

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CLICK for Thursday 8:30am Bible Study Zoom Link

Our Bible Study gatherings are in person – 6:15pm on Wednesdays at First Church – and via Zoom online – Thursdays at 8:30am. All are invited to explore scripture together!

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World Communion Sunday: What is Incarnation and what does it mean for Christians today?
On Sunday, October 6^th, College Street Congregational Church will join us in worship for a celebration of Jesus’ invitation to the Table, and an in-depth discussion of the incarnated Christ led by the Revs. Elissa Johnk and Ken White. All are invited to worship in person or via live-stream (or later recording) on the First Church YouTube.

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Service / Service Sunday: We are called to Serve

Sometimes service means worship, and sometimes it means being an active witness beyond the walls of our sanctuary. On Sunday, October 13, we will gather at College Street Congregational Church at 10am for a brief worship followed by a morning of service with projects for all ages and abilities.

One way to participate is by donating hygiene supplies to JUMP – the Joint Urban Ministry Project – and bringing them to Service Service Sunday. For a suggested shopping list – use this LINK.

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Who is my neighbor? The one in front of you in need. Looking for a way to serve your church and community? Join our Good Neighbor Crew. Every morning and evening, we need folks to help us clean our grounds and check in with those gathered here in an effort to build relationships and maintain a safe space for all. Email Director of Congregational Life, Ava Bilton, with the days and times you’re available to serve, or signup in the Church Office.

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The FCCB Climate Justice Team offers articles via the Climate Corner (website page) to share ideas about what we can do to help preserve this beautiful world and the life on it that we’ve inherited.

CLICK HERE to check out the Climate Corner on the First Church website.

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Learn about the First Church Elmwood Community Snack Project HERE

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Our FirstChurchBTV Outreach Team invites volunteers to donate meals for youth at Outright Vermont gatherings. Want to know more? Please contact Outreach Team member Louise Brewster at [email protected] for details and potential dates.

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Sunday Faith Formation Programs for Children &
Youth Program for Middle & High School Youth

Kidz Lab – our Sunday Church School for grades K through 6 – begins anew officially on Sunday September 17 during the 10am worship service.
Our Nursery/Toddler and PreSchool room open at 9:50 every Sunday morning.
REGISTER NOW: Parents/Guardians are asked to complete an online “Faith Formation Registration” for each child/youth participating in the 2023-2024 year. Use this LINK for the online form.
Kids Lab/Church School Questions? Contact Director of Faith Formation, Hilah Clarke

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Youth Programs – a Burlington UCC Collaboration: The College Street Church & First Congregational Church UCC

YOUTH PROGRAMS: Our successful Youth Program collaboration with the College Street Church will continue for the 2024-2025 year. For details contact Director of Faith Formation, Hilah Clarke. make sure that you subscribe to our Church Newsletter – using the online entry form on our website – or email us with your request to be added to the e-newsletter at: [email protected]

REGISTER NOW: Parents/Guardians are asked to complete an online “Faith Formation Registration” for each child/youth participating in the 2024-2025 year. Use this LINK for the online form.

YOUTH GROUP: Every Wednesday 6-8pm youth grades 6th-12th, joint with College Street Congregational Church. CLICK HERE to read the September 12, 2024 Letter from Youth Leader Will Gunger.
Families with middle and high school youth are encouraged to contact Hilah Clarke, Director of Faith Formation to be added to the e-list for youth program updates.

In June 2023, nine middle and high school youth, our Lead Minister, the Rev. Elissa Johnk; the Rev. Ken White, Minister at College Street Church; and our shared (First Church & College Street) Youth Leader, Jason Vanderlaan, had a meaningful mission experience serving with HOME,Inc. in Orland, Maine. Our group served in a variety of ways including painting the home in these photos! Our trip leaders and youth are thankful for your support and prayers.

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MEAL TRAIN: A GREAT NEW VEHICLE for First Church!

Our PIPC – Partners In Pastoral Care – Team and affiliated volunteers known as: “Friends at First” have been busy in the ministry of providing meals for many years. In collaboration with our clergy, PIPC coordinates meal deliveries within our church community in response to various times of need. Interested in participating in an upcoming Meal Train? Contact PIPC Chair: Janice Clements at [email protected]

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NAME TAGS help BUILD COMMUNITY We’ve rolled out new, magnetic name tags! Please use this LINK to request a name tag – let us know your specific name request (nickname, pronouns, etc.). Thank you

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ZOOMING: We are hosting regular and periodic gatherings using the platform “Zoom”. You should be able to join a meeting simply by clicking on the link provided, and following the instructions. You can also call in using the numbers listed below each event. For more detailed instructions on how Zoom works, CLICK HERE.

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OUR PODCAST: FIRST CHURCH PHONIC
CLICK HERE for First Church Phonic – https://anchor.fm/firstchurchbtv- offering you the opportunity to listen to:
– Sermons
– Spirit Seekers Interviews – including recent Spirit Seeker guests: Helen Head, Becky Levasseur, Richard Gagne, Hilah Clarke and Carlanne Herzog! Listen online on HERE.

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- OUR THRIFT STORE – THE POSSIBILITY SHOP is OPEN: The Possibility Shop is open – 10am-3pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.
- DONATIONS: Please bring Possibility Shop donations to First Church any time between 10am and 3pm – Tuesday though Friday. Clean clothing and household items in good condition are always needed.
- ESPECIALLY NEEDED NOW: Fall and winter clothing in excellent condition for all ages.
- VOLUNTEERS INVITED: On open days (Wed. & Fri., 10-3); on weekdays when the shop is closed (Tues. & Thurs.); &/or projects at home.
  - Greet customers in the midway (near Church Office), count those entering and exiting, keeping the number within the allotted safe amount… a great opportunity for readers and knitters!
  - Assist with the financial aspects of the shop, @two to three hours per month.
  - Handle and help sell older, valuable items that are donated to the shop.
  - Questions? call Karan Dewar 802-922-3821 or Brenda Fraser 802-862-4747. Thank you.

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