Welcome New Members
We are delighted to welcome Barbara & John Ashby, John & Pasha Buck, Laura Eidsness, Matthew Schirm, and Gayle & Lois Strickler as members of our church. Please remember to wear your nametags to help them get to know us.

Here is just a friendly reminder to complete payment on this year’s pledge before year end. Statements will be sent out after December 31st. 

Even though Pie Sunday has come and gone, it’s not too late to be a part of our 2019 Stewardship Campaign. Grinnell UCC has so many good things planned for next year, and you can help us turn these dreams into reality. Please drop your 2019 pledge cards in the mail or in the offering plate any time between now and 12/30. If you’ve misplaced your pledge cards, please contact the church office. 

The Governing Board has revisited our service cancellation policies and procedures. Our primary concern is the safety of our church community. Often such weather based decisions are made with imperfect information and are thus judgment calls. In the case of questionable weather, we ask everyone to make the decision that is right for them. Regardless of whether we decide to cancel or hold services, no one should feel compelled to come to church at the risk of their personal safety. To make our decision making regarding cancellations more standardized and transparent:

-When the National Weather Service places a Blizzard or Winter Weather Warning into effect for Poweshiek County, we will automatically cancel all services.

-In other cases of questionable weather, we will do our best to make a decision by 8 am.

-Cancellations will be posted in the following ways:

Rehearsals are underway at 9:15 in Friendship Hall and will continue on Dec. 9. Godly Play will be held from 9:45 to 10:15. Final rehearsal begins at 8:30 on Dec. 16, followed by breakfast and the 10:30 pageant. 

Poinsettia Appeal
You are invited to contribute to the celebration of the Advent season by donating a poinsettia to be displayed in the chancel Sunday, December 9 through Sunday, January 13. You may select your own plant or place an order with a florist.  All plants must be delivered to the church parlor by tomorrow, Dec 8. Plants may be dedicated to remember or honor someone. A donor list will be printed in the Christmas Eve bulletin.  If you wish to be included in the list, contact Elizabeth at 236-3111 or elizabeth@grinnellucc.org by Monday, December 17. Plants may be claimed by donors following the January 13 worship service.

The Christmas Fund provides direct financial assistance to retired and active United Church of Christ authorized ministers and lay employees and their surviving spouses, including pension and health premium supplementation, emergency assistance, and Christmas thank-you checks.  A ministry of the Pension Boards, the offering is received annually before Christmas. We will collect this offering at our 7 p.m. Christmas Eve Service on Monday, December 24. You may also leave your envelope in the offering on Sunday, December 23.

This year St. John's Lutheran Church at 1224 East Street is hosting a Blue Christmas Service, December 19 at 7 pm.  All are welcome to attend.

Is it possible to live without plastic?  It is pretty tough to avoid contact with plastic completely. However, there are many things that anyone anywhere -including you! - can do that will drastically reduce your plastic footprint and help you live a healthier life.  One tip for living with less plastic is to avoid the worst common plastics. There is no need to be eating or drinking toxic plastic residues.  Identify the type of plastic of a product by looking at the recycling symbol molded on the item.  This is a number from 1 to 7 surrounded by three chasing arrows forming a triangle. The three following plastics are very common and significantly harmful to living beings and the environment: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC#3): still used for some toys, squeeze bottles, cooking oil, peanut butter jars. Polystyrene (PS#6): used in styrofoam containers, egg cartons, disposable cups and bowls, take-out food containers, plastic cutlery. Other (#7): still used in some baby bottles, large multi-gallon containers.  -Jo Entwisle

MICA Food Pantry
It is never too late to bring non-perishables to church to be delivered to the local food pantry. Holidays put additional stress on low-income families so your donations are especially welcome this time of year. We have a grocery cart in our narthex designated for pantry items. Please bring non-perishable food, hygiene & cleaning products, toilet paper, diapers, etc, and let's fill the cart!

• Outreach Meeting 4 pm

• Choir Rehearsal 6:45 pm

Thursday December 13

We hold to the heart of our congregation and lift up to the embrace of God all who are in need of prayer.  To contribute prayer concerns to the whole church, please contact the church office.

We pray for health & strength for Jim Ahrens, Bill Arms, Verlene Mitchell, Jack Ulrickson, Phyllis Wood, and Kai Zimsen-Campe.  

Anytime someone enters the hospital or Mayflower Health Center, or in any case of trauma, distress, or death, please do not assume that word has reached the church. Contact the church office by email or phone to share information with the pastor. Jessica can also be reached on her mobile phone at 319-883-1375.