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Bring your backpack to church!
Dear friends,
 Coming this Sunday: a pool party and blessing of the backpacks! No matter who you are, if the start of school affects you, this service is for you. Bring your backpack, and we will offer a blessing upon it and the growing in knowledge and maturity that it will help enable.
A backpack, however, does not in and of itself educate anyone. It holds information, homework, tools for learning, but it only travels with the wearer on the journey. As always, we are the ones making the journey; and we don’t do it alone. But in order to get anywhere, it helps a lot to know where we are going. For a reminder of how ridiculous it sounds when we say we don’t know where we’re going, check out this clip of Alice (in Wonderland) asking directions of the Cheshire Cat.
Nor does this mean we understand where we’re going, or what that means for other people. This Sunday, our scripture readings will tell of the birth of Moses, a Hebrew male who grows up a child of privilege and wealth in the Egyptian court. Yet, he will be the one who changes everything for the Hebrews, and leads them from slavery to life following God’s call. Jesus, likewise, will confirm to his disciples that he is the Messiah. Yet, he knows that they don’t understand what that means yet, and asks them not to tell anyone about it. We, too, know what it means to think we’re heading in one direction, and wind up somewhere else. God calls us in ways that surprise us.
So, as we bless the backpacks, let us pray for all the ways that growing and knowledge can surprise us as we go.
Shalom,
Ryan
Sermon: "The map is clear: we don’t know where we’re going",
by Rev. Ryan P. Sirmons, Pastor
Texts: Exodus 1:8-2:10; St Matthew 16:13-20
DO JUSTICE AND SEEK PEACE:
BEING CHRIST’S VOICE
Rev. Geoffrey Black, the general minister and president of the UCC,
will preach and pray in Ferguson. The events in St. Louis are breaking
our hearts. Join your prayer for a just peace with us.
Related: UCC churches throw their arms in the air in solidarity for
Ferguson.
"Feeling Whole Again." Sean F. reflects on the many ways the United
Church of Christ offers hope and a radical welcome through the tale of a
friend who rediscovered a relationship with "church" through the UCC.
Watch the video!
Survey: Achieving Health Equality for all. Help the UCC understand
what we need for health equity. Take the survey here.
UCC Global Ministries calls for a stop to the bombing in Gaza.
Watch this video message from the Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb in Bethlehem.
You can also join a call on Congress to stop the bombing organized by
Global Ministries by signing up at this link.
Children on the Run. A UCC missionary reflects on why children are
trying to flee situations at home and are coming to the US. Read more
here.
Related: Displaced children deserve compassionate care: A pastoral
letter on Child Refugees from the National Leaders of the
United Church of Christ.
#BringBackOurGirls. The Nigerian kidnapping of girls, and the killing of
their male classmates, continues to occupy our prayers. Though stalled
in popularity and inaction, we may still feel moved to pray. The UCC
continues to update the situation at this link.
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CHILDREN AND YOUTH
What’s on for children and youth
this week:
Create Godly Play materials - Godly Play has connected our
children with the Bible’s stories for many years now. We continue
to share that gift with others: we build materials for Church of the
Living Hope UCC in East Harlem, NYC, which seeks to use them
to develop community.
Clothes: comfortable, but possible to get paint on them
Time: 10:30am (usual). Start in sanctuary.
PRAY WITHOUT CEASING
(1 Thessalonians 5:17)
prayers from the past week
“God, from whom all blessing flow, we ask that you continue to call to us.
We admit that we are afraid of the way that you call us, and we act as
stalwarts trying not to change direction, thinking we know best. But you
insistently call to us, like the woman begging Jesus for help as he, weary
and tired, headed to the seaside in Tyre and Sidon. She changed his mind,
and reminded him that you equip us far more abundantly to do what we are
called to do than we can ever imagine. And so, God, we give thanks and
praise to you, for binding us up in communities of love such as this one."
We add to our prayers one of thanksgiving for the life of Carolyn Kaye
Habetler, a friend of this church who died last week. For all those she
touched, for all the love that she has given and received, God, we give
thanks to you. Amen.
Prayer Circle: Every week, we send out an e-mail of prayers that are
being held up by our congregation. To join in, please e-mail Lisa at
office@uccannapolis.org.
CHURCH CALENDAR THIS WEEK
For the most up-to-date calendar, visit our website by clicking here.
Friday, August 22
12:00 PM Funeral Service for Emmy Lou Dicken
followed by a lunch in Caton Hall, then the interment.
Sunday, August 24
10:00 AM Choir Summer Singers
10:20 AM Warm the church walls: hymn sing by request
10:30 AM Worship
Children and youth create Godly Play
materials
2:00 PM Back to School BBQ Bash
At the Ramsey’s home: 5931 Foxhall Manor Drive
Catonsville, MD 21228
Bring your bathing suit, towel, and a side dish to share.
Some outdoor fold-up chairs would be a helpful item to
bring too. Please call the office for Ride Share
Arrangements! (410) 266-8596 x200
Tuesday, August 26
12:30 PM Brown Bag Book Study will not be meeting today.
Sunday, August 31
10:00 AM No Summer Singers this Sunday
10:30 AM Worship
Children and youth create Godly Play
11:30 AM Fellowship Time
Tuesday, September 2
12:30 PM Brown Bag Book Study meets
Future Events:
Choir Rehearsal Begins
Lori DeBoy and the UCCA Choir return for practices and
singing on Sunday, September 7. Practice is 9:00 AM. If you enjoy
singing, come and join us! We would love to have more members.
And, we have a lot of fun!
People’s Climate March
Come ride and make history at the People's Climate March!
On September 23, heads of state from around the world will be gathering
in New York City for a UN climate summit. UN Secretary General
Ban Ki-moon is urging governments to come with deliverable climate
initiatives and support a global agreement that will dramatically reduce
the pollution that is warming the Earth and help make climate justice a reality.
Together with an international movement, religious communities are
rising up with love to speak out at what will be the largest climate
mobilization in history on September 21, 2014! Join us!
Reserve a seat on our multi-faith buses leaving Annapolis on
September 19 and 20.
Find assistance on lodging including affordable hotel rooms by
Newark International Airport and other hospitality options.
Official People’s Climate March Web Site
Watershed Stewards Needed:
We are seeking candidates to become Watershed Stewards,
representing our congregation. Training is available, and the successful
person(s) will be working to make our church grounds greener. For more
information please contact Irish at sirmonsluck@gmail.com
UCC Moments:
Sunday, August 17
Asher Hammond, a superb organ technician, excellent flute player, and current student of both organ and piano at the University of Maryland, School of Music, was our guest musician. He led the worship through his music beautifully.
  
Asher Hammond
Marlene Plumley, our liturgist
Elizabeth with one of her beautiful altar arrangements
 
The child on the right was Joseph of the coat of many colors during the Pastor's time with the children and youth. At least one of the children, a brother of Joseph, bows to the Pharaoh in the second picture.
The children and youth have been creating Godly Play materials for the Church of the Living Hope UCC in East Harlem, NYC, which seeks to use them to develop community. In one of the pictures you can see the apple tree and an apple for teaching about Adam and Eve. Sticks and stones are collected for another Bible story. You might ask one of the children or youth in what story these would be used. They will finish this important service Sunday, August 31.
Our UCCA Council hard at work following Sunday's service.
If you would like pictures from Sunday, August 17, please click here.
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