September 7, 2016

What's Up With Our Pastors?

Pastor Justin Shout-out

Been Gone for Awhile?

You Can Always Come Home!

Join us this Sunday, September 11th from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. for CUC Homecoming. You'll enjoy a lunch of BBQ pork sandwiches, hot dogs, beer & lemonade, root beer floats and ice cream cones. The kids can enjoy a bounce house and other activities, and the adults can participate in a 50's trivia contest, dance contests, hula hoops and a 50's themed costume contest. Come one, come all!

Keep Using Your King Soopers Cards!

Remember that CUC can receive 5% back on the amount you RELOAD onto the King Soopers gift card you purchase from CUC. Keep reloading your cards for groceries and gas! If you're not using one, pick one up at the Welcome Spot! It's an easy way to support the missions and programs offered at CUC, with something you're already doing!

Last month our check was over $1,000!

Join us this Sunday for a continental-style breakfast!

Purchase a breakfast punch card at the Welcome Spot for $10 and receive your 11th breakfast item free!

IN THIS ISSUE:

General Announcements

Joys & Concerns

QUICK LINKS

CUC Website

Church Calendar

More About Us

Pastor Steve's Blog

Pastor Justin's Blog

SUNDAY WORSHIP

8:00 AM Traditional Worship

10:00 AM Contemporary Worship

Scripture Passage:

Genesis 18:10-17

Sermon Title:

Is God in Your Place?

Thanks to This

Week's Ushers:

8:00 a.m.

Eve & Patrick Trumpore

10:00 a.m.

Sandy Birks & Jim Johnston

Chuck & Lori Beckey

Thanks to This Week's

Acolytes:

8:00 a.m.

Patrick Trumpore

10:00 a.m.

TBD

Thanks to This Week's Ambassadors:

8:00 a.m.

Ginny Anstine

10:00 a.m.

Rich & Carol Boorom

THIS WEEK @ CUC

Sunday, September 11

8:00 am Traditional Worship

10:00 am Contemporary Worship & Children's Sunday School

10:00 am Installation of Elders

11:00 am Homecoming Activities

Tuesday, September 13

9:30 am Faith Forum in Fireside Chapel

6:30 pm Yoga/Fresh

Wednesday, September 14

6:15 pm Bells Rehearsal

7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal

7:30 pm Band Rehearsal

Sunday, September 18

8:00 am Traditional Worship

10:00 am Contemporary Worship with Kid's Sunday School

10:00 am Baptism of Sallon Marie Davis

6:00 pm Youth Groups Meet

CUC GENEROSITY

Fiscal Year to Date
thru September 4, 2016

ACTUAL

Identified Giving $211,841
Plate Collection $ 3,899

Grocery Card Net $ 3,475

BUDGET

Identified Giving $ 211,811
Plate Collection $ 3,219

Grocery Card Net $ 2,095

SURPLUS OR (DEFICIT)

Identified Giving $ 30

Plate Collection $ 681

Grocery Card Net $ 1,380

YTD AVERAGE PER WEEK

Identified Giving $ 11,150

Plate Collection 205

Grocery Card Net 183

Donation Envelopes can be found in the Black Friendship Books in each row at the church. If you wish to contribute cash (it is not necessary to use the envelopes for contributions made by check) and would like it applied to your identified giving, please place the cash in the envelope and put your name on it. Your cash contributions can then be allocated to your annual statement from CUC.

Want to know where you stand with your pledge year-to-date? Call CUC's Business Manager, Lee Ann Smith, in the church office, or email her at leeann@columbinechurch.org.

_________________________

King Soopers Cards

Don't forget that you can donate to CUC simply by purchasing a King Soopers card at the Welcome Spot. Each time you reload the card at the store, CUC receives 5%!

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

This week in Sunday School...we will be learning about the plagues in Egypt! We will talk about Moses and his work to get the slaves out of Egypt. We will talk about about the plagues God sent to help free the slaves. There were ten. Can you name them all? Bring your list on Sunday and we'll see how you did!!

Calling Parents and Volunteers! Can you sing, dance, laugh,and learn? Join us downstairs for the whole hour as a Teacher or Shepherd or for just 15 minutes as a Set-Up Helper, Greeter, Prize Counter Helper and Clean-Up Helper!

Join us downstairs for Sunday School and spend time with our amazing kids! Helping with set-up, greeting, helping with the prize counter and helping clean-up are simple, quick ways to improve our ministry. These also give you a chance to welcome new families to our church! You can also help teach our children as a Teacher or Shepherd.

Check out the Sign-Up Genius for Fall:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4eaba929a13-20161

Sprouts Parents - Parents of Preschool and PreK Kids!

The Amazing Miss Tanya is back teaching our Sprouts class, so we will need parents to help out! Tanya has some great games, activities and lessons planned. She can always use extra help. Take a look at your schedule and see where you can volunteer. Check out the Fall Sign Up.

YOUTH MINISTRY

1st Fall Middle School & High School Youth Groups Sunday, September 18th from 6:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Snacks, games, activities, worship, and teaching. Everyone will meet in the High School room and then 6th-8th grade will split off from our high school students after the first activity. Haven't been in awhile? There will be LOTS of new faces - come meet some new friends!

Middle School Student Leadership Team We will have our first meeting on Sunday, September 18th at 5:00 p.m. If your 6th-8th grader is interested in being on the leadership team, please have your student contact Pastor Justin via text at

(720) 608-0373.

High School Student Leadership Team We will have our first meeting on Sunday, September 18th at 7:30 p.m. If your 9th-12th grader is interested in being on the leadership team, please have your student contact Pastor Justin via text at

(720) 608-0373.

Parent & Volunteer Advisory Team If you are interested in serving on this team, please contact Pastor Justin via text - (720) 608-0373 or email - justin@columbinechurch.org. First meeting will be on Sunday, September 18th - time to be determined.

CUC Fall Youth Retreat Our Middle School and High School students are scheduled for our Fall Youth Retreat at Camp LaForet. The retreat runs from the evening of November 4th through the early afternoon on November 6th. The cost is $150 - discounts and scholarships are available. Contact Justin (justin@columbinechurch.org or

720-608-0373) regarding discounts and/or scholarships. This is a retreat put on by the Rocky Mountain United Church of Christ. Our students will be joining students from across Colorado for the weekend. It should be a fantastic retreat that we know your teenagers will enjoy! Registration and signup will be sent out in a few weeks.

ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Faith Forum Come join us on Tuesday, September 13th, for the kick-off of an exciting new season of Faith Forum. We meet every Tuesday at 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. in Fireside Chapel. This past Sunday Pastor Justin Spurlock suggested in his sermon that we always have options and opportunities - we can choose good or evil, blessing or curse. Our choices impact our attitudes, lives, and our world. During our first Faith Forum, Dr. Tom Rehling will help the group explore the choices we make in life, how we focus those choices, and learn new ways to focus on positive choices.

Yoga/Fresh Yoga and Fresh are back! Beginning Tuesday evening, September 13th, Rev. Dr. Steve Poos-Benson will facilitate the class in the sanctuary. Yoga will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. followed by Meditation, Prayers of Peace, and Teaching from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Adult Sunday School Sunday, September 18th, will be the start of the fall Adult Sunday school classes. The first class will continue the Relationship Violence series from last spring with this class titled Technology Use/Abuse in Teen Relationships. The class will meet in Fireside Chapel, 9:10 - 9:50 a.m.

Advanced Spirituality Tuesday, September 20th, will be the return of Advanced Spirituality. The first class will introduce us to the study of Sufism, which is defined as a mystical approach to the Islamic faith. A guest speaker will lead the discussion. Please join us from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in Fireside Chapel.

CUC MISSIONS

LOVE Inc. is celebrating their 7th Annual Empty Bowl Fundraiser; Oct. 13th at the Wildlife Experience at 5:30 p.m. Our speaker is Adolph Coors IV who will be sharing about the transforming power of faith, hope, forgiveness and love. You can purchase a seat for the fundraiser online at www.loveinclittleton,org or contact the Love INC office at 303 798 0037. Tickets for the event are $50 per person or you can get a table for 10 for $550. Bring friends and support this amazing and worthwhile local ministry. See you there!!!

Want to go to Nicaragua but Can't Afford it?

The Water Committee has chosen Jan. 14 -23, 2017, which includes the Martin Luther King holiday weekend, as the dates for the next Mission/Work trip to Nicaragua. There is still room for more people to sign up. See Bretha Mahe at the Welcome Spot or contact her at bewellnow@msn.com or (303) 798-4556 for details. Also, thanks to the generosity of two CUC families, funding is available to a few people who would like to go on the trip but can't afford to pay the full amount. Cost of the trip is about $650 for airfare plus $1,175 for lodging, food and transportation in Nicaragua. In the past, the CUC Mission Committee has donated $250 to each person going on the trip. Sponsorships are available to CUC members 16 and older, but youths under age 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent. Keep in mind that these are work trips, and though they are a lot of fun too, they're not vacations. If you'd like to apply for a sponsorship, write a two-paragraph letter to the CUC Water Committee by September 25th stating the reasons why you would like to go and your financial situation and how much you'd need to make it happen: $600 or $1175. Include your name, email address and phone number in your letter. Email the letter to Bretha Mahe, bewellnow@msn.com or mark it to her attention and give it to Josie or Dot in the office during the week or at the Welcome Spot on Sundays. All applications must be received by Sept. 25th. Questions? Email Bretha or call her at 303-798-4556.

Food Items Needed When you're shopping for food items to donate, they are in desperate need of canned fruit, oatmeal and jelly. Also, they need peanut butter, crackers, boxed/bagged rice, small juices, and boxed potatoes. And, did you know that non-food items cannot be purchased with food stamps? Please add hand soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste to your shopping list. Your generosity continues to help support families in need. Thank you.

Coffee Mission Sales We will be selling coffee from Cafe Justo, a Presbyterian USA supported mission to build a self-sustaining coffee cooperative in Mexico. Please come visit us between services every second Sunday of the month. We have regular and dark roast for $13.00 per pound, and smaller sample sizes for $3.50. Thanks for supporting this great cause while enjoying a cup of coffee!

CUC MUSIC

Bells & Choir Rehearsals are in session. Bells will rehearse at 6:15 pm and choir will start at 7:30 pm.

The Band rehearses at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.

CUC FINANCES

We're grateful to the congregation of CUC for your generosity, and want to continue to offer quality programming and staff to each of you.

Donate to CUC via Thrivent Financial Choice Dollars! We are pleased to announce that CUC has been enrolled as a participating organization in Thrivent Financial's Thrivent Choice� program. Thrivent Choice is a charitable grant program that allows eligible members to recommend where Thrivent Financial distributes part of its charitable outreach grant funds each year. CUC is listed in the program's searchable online catalog. Eligible Thrivent Financial members can direct Thrivent Choice Dollars� to CUC in a particular month. The funds may be used to carry out the religious, charitable or educational purposes of CUC. If you have Choice Dollars available to direct, please consider directing them to CUC. To learn more about Thrivent Choice, visit Thrivent.com/thriventchoice. Or call Thrivent at 800-847-4836, and say "Thrivent Choice" when prompted.

Now You Can Text Your Offering! In less time than it takes to write a check, you can now make your contribution to CUC with a quick text message! Text @cuc and the dollar amount you would like to donate to 52014. For example, if you would like to donate $200, your text to 52014 will read "@cuc 200." If this is your first text gift, you'll receive a text back to set up your giving account. Thank you for our continued support of CUC! Your time, talent and resources are helping us to change the world!

How Can You Help to Change the Financial Picture of CUC?

* Stay on top of your annual pledge. It's helpful for the church's cash flow if you're able to spread your giving throughout the year, rather than waiting until the end of the calendar year. Need to know how much is remaining on your pledge? Just send an email to Lee Ann at leeann@columbinechurch.org.

* King Soopers gift cards. You can purchase a gift card from the church office during the week, or at the Welcome Spot on Sunday mornings. Your gift card comes loaded with $5 that you can use at King Soopers. For CUC to benefit, you simply have to load the gift card with funds at the check-out, before they ring up your groceries. CUC receives 5% of the funds that you load onto the gift card! You can also use your gift card to pay for gas! Just load your card at the check-out when you're getting groceries, or the gas attendant can load it for you, too. Questions about this program? Email Lee Ann at leeann@columbinechurch.org. This month, our check was over $1,000!

GROUPS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CUC Book Club Please join us in the Parlor on Thursday, September 15th at 1:30 p.m.. We will be discussing

Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee. Everyone is welcome.

Skis, Poles & Sleds There are still a couple of sleds, skis and poles which have not been picked up from Vacation Bible School. Stop by the office to retrieve them as soon as possible.

Blood Drive Bonfils & the Kiwanis Club of Columbine will be sponsoring a blood drive at CUC on Monday, September 12, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Childcare will be provided between 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Appointments are not necessary, but appreciated. You can make your appointment at www.bonfils.org and reference Group No. 0527.

Acolyte Schedule & Signup Schedule your child to be an acolyte! Check out our Acolyte Sign-Up Genius page to schedule your child. Also, if your child wants to acolyte, is in 2nd grade or older, and has never been trained, please let Pastor Justin know.

Scotland The CUC Scotland trip, Sept. 25 - Oct. 5th has 2 vacancies. If you were wanting to travel with us but didn't get to sign up, this is your opportunity. Please contact Barbara Rudolf, (303) 358- 3410, by Sunday night, Aug. 28th for information.

It's Time for the Lunch Bunch (CGs) It's that time again-time for the CGs monthly luncheons. We've been working all summer on new menus and programs and hope to present an exciting and delicious event every month, not to mention the trips we've got planned. Everyone is welcome, regardless of your age. September 8th at noon is our first function, and it's our traditional picnic. We'll have Phyllis' famous fried chicken with all the fixin's, after which, you may sit back and relax and be entertained by dual piano players. Please join us! Sign up now for our trip to Lonetree Cultural Center to see the

Denver Concert Band on Saturday, September 17th. See Josie for details.

CUC Job Opening...Director of Children and Youth Ministries.

You can learn more about this full time position by checking out our website www.columbinechurch.org/job/. You may apply by sending a cover letter and resume to Pastor Justin at justin@columbinechurch.org.

CUC Council Elder Installation

On September 11th at the 10:00 a.m. service, CUC's Council Elders will be installed.

Greeters Needed for the 10:00 a.m. service each Sunday. If you're friendly and welcoming, contact Ginny Anstine at (303) 794-2815.

CUC T-Shirts and Stickers for Sale Show your CUC pride with these newly designed t-shirts and stickers! They will be available for sale at the Welcome Spot. T-shirts are $10 for small through extra large, and $12 for larger sizes. Stickers are $2. Cash or credit card accepted.

Volunteers Needed for Sunday Mornings to assist with the continental breakfast! If you're able to help with a 60 minute shift, let Josie know at (303) 798-1845 or josie@columbinechurch.org.

Digital Directory We're creating a digital CUC directory!. Send a digital photo of your immediate family to cuc@columbinechurch.org, or bring them in to the office and we'll scan them.

Prayer Shawl. The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the first Tuesday of each month in the Parlor. If you would like to knit, or if you would like to learn to knit, please feel free to join them at 7:00 p.m. This ministry has been providing comfort to those in need for many years.

Notary Public. Don't forget that Josie is a Notary Public. If you need this service, call the church office.

CUC Global. You can see videos of our sermons and some of our music on YouTube each week. Check it out at youtube.com/user/columbineunited.

JOYS & CONCERNS

JOYS:

We'd like to thank Sandy Birks for her dedication over the years at keeping the database in perfect order. Every single Monday, she's here, meticulously correcting and updating so we can always have the most updated information at our fingertips. Thank you, Sandy.

And a huge thank you to Linda Tafoya, our financial secretary. Linda counts the weekly offering with Dixie Wilmot-Maas and enters it into the computer so everyone gets credit for their generous donations. Thank you, Linda.

Congratulations to Dean Pickett on earning his Certificate of Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Dean was presented with the certificate on Sunday, August 28th during worship on behalf of the seminary.

Congratulations to Janice Marino on the arrival of her grandson, Tucker Marino, born August 5th. Parents are James and Samantha Marino. James is in Afghanistan. Cards may be sent to Janice at 7856 S Pierce Way Littleton, CO 80128.

Thanks for the continued cards, prayers and meal train food deliveries for my cancer journey. We still have a long road ahead of us. Bless all my angels. Judy Simmons and family.

CONCERNS:

Prayers for Braden and his parents, Ben & Jen Sinclair. Braden is the great-nephew of Barb Rudolf. He is undergoing treatment for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and had a severe allergic reaction to one of the chemo drugs this past week.

Prayers for Pat Mesec, who fell and needed surgery on a broken arm.

Prayers for John Abate, friend of Bretha and Fred's son, Frederick. He broke his leg in a hit and run bicycle accident.

Prayers for Jan Vaughn, who is experiencing some health concerns recently.

Prayers for Max Samu, nephew of Mitch. His transplant was performed on August 25th.

Prayers for the family of Carter Davis. Carter, 17 and Natalie Henderson 17, were brutally murdered by a 20 year old gunman in Roswell, Georgia on August 1st. Carter was the nephew of a former kindergarten teacher at Wilder and the son of a former Arapahoe HS teacher. He was a friend of Grace Boorom.

Prayers for Marge Lillie, who fell on August 25th, and broke her hip. She had surgery on August 26th at Littleton Hospital and will be released to a rehab center on Tuesday, August 30th.

Prayers for Dick Husted, who had a malignant polyp removed.

Prayers for Kristin Millan, niece of Dawn McEwen, who has a tumor on her kidney. Surgery will be in a week and the kidney may be removed..

Prayers for Mike Attaberry, he has been moved to Colorado Acute Hospital for rehab.

Prayers for Tom Moore, who is battling cancer.

Prayers for Roger Maxwell, who is undergoing medical treatment.

Prayers for Judy Simmons and family as she continues with chemo treatments every other week in response to stage four pancreatic cancer.. Judy welcomes calls at 303-437-9153, and cards may be sent to 6620 S. Upham Street, Littleton, CO 80123. If you would like to help Judy and Dan out with meals, you can check on the website at mealtrain.com/2g41g8 or text Mary Kuehl at (303) 437-9368 or Kimberly Dillehay at (303) 718-9565.

We ask that you keep the following people in your prayers. Although the immediate crisis may be over, we want our church family to know they continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. Nina and Garrett Ray and their daughter, Sara Harding, Marlene Lepore, Lola Edgell, Heather Beckey, the Leach Family, Jeff and Linda Veres, Kristianne Seaton, Ruth Teason and the Dye Family.

There are other unnamed members and friends of CUC who have requested prayers as they deal with unemployment, financial challenges, significant health concerns and anger management.

Please pray for all our brothers and sisters in the military and those who serve our country around the world.

If you have a life situation you would like your pastors or the congregation to be aware of, please call the church office at 303-798-1845.

COLUMBINE UNITED CHURCH

6375 S. Platte Canyon Rd.

Littleton, CO 80123

(303) 798-1845

cuc@columbinechurch.org

www.columbinechurch.org