Palm Sunday—March 20
During worship we will celebrate with palms and hear the story that leads us into Holy week. Holy Wednesday—March 23
There will be no formal Lenten study group, but folks are invited to utilize the sanctuary for quiet prayer during the day. Maundy Thursday—March 24
Communion and Tenebrae service 7 pm at the UCC. We tell the story of the last supper, celebrate communion, and tell the story of Good Friday. Easter Sunday—March 27 Sunrise Service, 7 am at Decorah Fish Hatchery. We will gather at the Pavilion across from the Decorah Fish Hatchery. In story and song, we retell the story of the women traveling to the tomb and entertain the mystery of the Easter story. Breakfast is served afterwards. Traditional Easter Sunday Worship at 10:30 in the sanctuary.
Other Ways to Prepare During Lent
Lenten Dessert and Study, Wednesdays Starting Feb 17 finishing March 16, 6:30-7:30pm
As we have for many years, we will join with First United Methodist for different gatherings during Lent. This year we are hosting. We’ll be focusing on the practice of confession (Seriously it’s not as dull or irrelevant as what you’re probably thinking. It’s pretty amazing, actually).
Devotionals Available
There are daily devotional readings for Lent available for folks who enjoy a daily moment for thought and pause during the season. Devotionals are available on the table just inside the front doors.
Easter Lilies. As a part of our Easter Celebration, we will be ordering Easter Lilies. If you would like to purchase a plant, please sign up in the friendship room. You may take the plant home Easter Sunday or check the box and we will deliver them to folks who are unable to join us in worship.
Please sign up for Easter Lilies by Sunday, March 13. Single plants are $12, double plants are $24.
Upcoming in Worship
March 6, Mark 12:28-44
March 13, Mark 13:1-8,
March 20, Mark 11:1-11, Palm Sunday
March 27, Mark 16:1-8, Easter Sunday
Outreach
The Oneota Film Fest is around the corner. Again this year we've committed to help bring this transformative event to the community by underwriting a film. Radical Grace is a beautiful story, and we hope you'll join for this and the other films at the Oneota Film Fest.
When the Vatican reprimands U.S. nuns—citing their “radical feminism”—three fearless sisters risk their place in the church to follow another higher calling, social justice. One sister takes on church patriarchy. Another finds hope in the former prisoners she counsels. And the third launches a cross-country “Nuns on the Bus” tour to spotlight social needs. As documented in Radical Grace, these formidable sisters “bring humor and down-to-earth grit to an epic battle for justice, equality, and the dignity of women” (Gene Siskel Film Center) as they force the Catholic Church to grapple with the modern world. For more information on the film festival visit www.oneotafilmfestival.org
World Day of Prayer 2016, Friday, March 4th
World Day of Prayer will be celebrated in more than 170 countries and regions around the world on Friday, March 4, 2016. This year, the women of the WDP Committee of Cuba call us to consider Jesus’ words to the disciples: "Receive children. Receive me.” The women of Cuba invite us to see that Jesus challenged the disciples to see God’s love in the face of those children and to care for them.
This years’ service will be held at Decorah Lutheran in the Social Hall on Friday, March 4th, beginning with coffee at 9:00 am. It will be followed by prayers, hymns, a Bible reading and meditation, and an offering which will help meet the needs of families in Cuba and around the world who are victims of many forms of poverty, violence and injustice. All are welcome. Please join us.
UCC RAGBRAI Team!
This is a great opportunity to connect with UCC congregations around the state. The Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ is sponsoring a RAGBRAI group for 2016! If you would like to ride, go to the RAGBRAI website and join the United Church of Christ Iowa Conference group! Pastor Laura will be riding, you should too!
Registration for the entire week = $175.
Daily registration also available. Online registration deadline = March 20.
And even if you are not riding, you are welcome to help with logistics and support. Please contact David Sickelka, 515.720.6389or david.sickelka@urbucc.org.
New Support Group for the Community.
What began from conversations within our church community, has grown into a new community wide support group. A lay-lead support group for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse will start March 17, 2016, 6:30 pm, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah. It will meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month thereafter in room B1, on the lower level of Winneshiek Medical. Park in Lot A and come in that entrance. The group will be open to men and women. Free and confidential. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Laura and she will put you in contact with the group organizers from this church.
Music
Enjoy Singing? Our choir leads in worship on Sundays. If you would like to join, we would love to have you. Choir practices on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.
Faithful Folk—adding music opportunities to worship for singers and instrumentalists
We have started a small music group here at Congregational UCC for those who are interested in folk-style singing and instrumental playing. If you have enjoyed hearing Namoli Brennet singing during our services, this could be the group for you! We are looking for singers of all ability ranges, and especially encourage instrumentalists (particularly woodwinds, strings, and guitar) to join us.
We practice on Tuesdays at 7:00. If you have any questions, please feel free to call/text Amy Engelsdorfer at 563-419-0166, send her a Facebook message, or send an e-mail at amy.engelsdorfer@luther.edu.
Education and Small Groups
Monthly Study Group.
Our next Study Group will meet Tuesday March 22 from 6:30-7:30PM in the Fellowship Room. If you have questions, contact Bill McClain, wmcclain@watershade.net.
Popcorn Theology. Sunday, March 13th 12:15 p.m., Congregational Center
High schoolers and adults are encouraged to come to the next Popcorn Theology session during which we'll watch excerpts from The Breakfast Club, the quintessential 1980s film about 5 very different high school students brought together by Saturday detention. We'll explore labels and identity. This is one of the final movies in the curriculum, so we'll also discuss the future of the Popcorn Theology program.
Lunch will feature rice, veggies, fruit, and desserts. And, of course, we'll have pop and popcorn per usual. As always, feel free to bring other refreshments for yourself if you'd like something else to munch on/drink.
Please contact Karen Esterl, 563-277-0093 or kesterl@post.harvard.edu, with questions. (Unless otherwise noted, each session is on the second Sunday of the month; so put a recurring reminder on your calendar!)
Celebrations
Wedding Announcement. Pat Brockett and Jefri Palermo of Iowa City are getting married on March 26, 4:00 p.m. at Congregational UCC. You are invited to come and share in their happiness and say good bye to Pat before her move to Iowa City in late April. A small celebration will be held after the wedding ceremony in the Congregational Center.
