Community Spirit UCC gathers each Sunday morning for an online worship service via Zoom. Log in between 10:15 and 10:25 AM. Worship begins at 10:30 AM.
All you need is a phone or a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone AND a weekly email invitation from Pastor Karen with the link to follow. (Reach out to her at revkaren@communityspiritucc.org if you're not receiving these invitations.)
Read last week's sermon: Lent 2: Saving and Losing If you would like to view last week's service online, please reach out to Karen for the link.
Please check your email inbox on Saturday to make sure you’ve received your worship link for worship the following day. This will give you time to be in touch with Karen if you need help. If you’re running late on Sunday morning and run into trouble, please reach out to a fellow church member who may be able to forward their Zoom link or help you troubleshoot. After 10:15 AM., Karen does not check her email or texts.
Lenten Worship
You’re invited to bring a candle with you to worship each week between now and March 28th. We will light them each Sunday to mark our journey as we follow where Jesus leads.
Lenten Book Study Folks: Please RSVP
If you’re planning to participate in our study of Lenny Duncan’s book, Dear Church, do be sure Karen knows. She will be sending Zoom links only to those who have reached out to her. We will meet each Wednesday during Lent beginning at 6:00 PM. See below for full details.
Whether you’re taking part in our Lenten Book Study or not, here’s an opportunity on PBS to learn about how our Black brothers and sisters have experienced church and how that experience has made all the difference: The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song
From the InReach/OutReach Ministry
During this time of Lent from February 17 until March 28, we are asking you to consider a spiritual practice of praying and giving in a tangible way to help others.
Let us practice each day to put an item in a box and to identify the needs of others and pray for them. After 40 days we will gather all items and monetary donations and distribute.
For the Methodist Church pantry
Snack size tuna and crackers, peanut butter cracker packets, soup cans with pull-tops, snack puddings, small cans of pull-top fruit.
For the emergency homeless shelter
Socks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap, combs, washcloths, gum, travel-size deodorant, shampoo, or hand dream, feminine hygiene products.
For Sharing Ministry Food Bank
Cereals, pastas, canned goods, boxed crackers, soups, rice, beans, cooking oil, canned or boxed meals, sugar, flour, or any other nonperishable items.
Another practice that would help these agencies would be to put a monetary bill in an envelope every day while you pray for those it will help.
Special Offering: One Great Hour
of Sharing
During the month of March, CSC will receive its first of four UCC special offerings of the year.
The theme for the 2021 One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering is “Let Love Flow.”
When you share your gifts to OGHS, you Let Love Flow. Your generosity ensures that, even in the midst of uncertainty, the
transforming power of love will continue to change the lives of those who are most vulnerable among us.
The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare structural inequities that contribute to increased poverty and injustice. On full
display is the plight of the working poor who have lost jobs, are on the brink of homelessness, and are waiting for hours
in long lines at food pantries.
Deadly wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and wars have left people homeless, families grieving loss of loved
ones and entire communities awaiting assistance for long term disaster recovery.
Refugees and asylum seekers are left in limbo, languishing at borders waiting for welcome. Many have been displaced by
economic conditions, war and climate change. Among the millions of refugees are families looking for safe places that they
can call home.
In the midst of these despairing moments, the United Church of Christ is able to offer hope as we stand in solidarity
and mutuality with communities suffering and in need. Through
Wider Church Ministries, the United Church of Christ fulfills its commitment to respond to a variety of global and local
concerns by providing advocacy, sustainable development resources, long term disaster recovery support, and assistance for
refugee and asylum seekers, working in collaboration with our partners locally and globally.
With your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing, we are able to be present for the long term in disaster
recovery, as we partner with churches and organizations around the world to walk with families as they rebuild their homes
and lives. Thank you for your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing, as together we build a just world for all.
As of today, we have received $275 toward this vital mission. You can donate online at
communityspiritucc.org/give or mail a check payable to Community
Spirit Church, in care of Kim Floyde, 1516 Barbara Street, Montrose CO 81401. If you want to drop a check off instead,
please call ahead (970-765-6615). Be sure to include "OGHS" in the memo area to ensure that your donation
gets to the right place.
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If you are reading a printed copy of this newsletter, you can view it online at communityspiritucc.org/news. You can also sign up there to have it delivered to your inbox each week.
