Trees background
Central UCC
Central Congregational
United Church of Christ
 
IN THIS ISSUE
Sunday Worship: Sept 14
Annual Mtg & Luncheon Sept. 14
Inquirers' Series Coming Soon
Conversations about Jesus
Sacred Journeys
Practical Theology
Pre-School Sunday School
K to Second Grade GODLY Play
3rd to 5th GODLY Play
For Youth - Sexuality Education
Young Adults
Lena's Place Coffeehouse
October FOG Oct. 4
Women's Daytime Book Group
Pathways
Toco Hills Grant Awarded
Ongoing Outreach Ministries
Wildwood Celebration
Books for Montclair Elementary
Human Rights Luncheon
Gardening & Pond Restoration
Desserts for Plymouth Harbor
Quart Jars
Flowers for Sunday
Sermons Online
Happy Birthday George
Rev Ginnie Away this Weekend
 
Phone

Office Phone: 
404-633-4505

24-hour Pastoral Care:

              678-672-7637


Email Links



Senior Minister

Associate Minister

Lacey Brown, M. Div.
Pastoral Fellow

Older Adult Day Program
Central Social Media
 
Like us on Facebook
 
Follow us on Twitter

Table Talk on Facebook: 
Like us on Facebook

Senior Minister's
Social Media 

Like me on Facebook 
Follow me on Twitter

United Church of Christ 






Sunday, September 14, 2014 
Proper 19

LECTIONARY READINGS (Click to read them)
 
8:30 AM Service of Word and Table
11:00 AM Service of Word

FOCUS TEXT:  Matthew 18:21-35
Rev. Michael, preaching    
 
WORSHIP NOTES  

 


The above is a great quote from Anne Lamott; it is certainly helpful in my thinking about "forgiveness." In the text for Sunday, when Peter asks Jesus about how many times one should forgive, he thinks he is "safe" in suggesting "as many as seven times."


 

Forgiveness is not a safe business, but it is so elemental to our spiritual life that it is in the "Jesus Prayer."  We fundamentally forgive others, I think, for our sake, not theirs; because we no longer wish to take a toxin deep into our soul.


 

I am cautious about platitudes or placards about forgiveness; I'm often simultaneously in awe and a little skeptical when I read about someone seemingly so simply offering it to an offender.  Forgiveness is a highly personal journey and, for me, centers around a elemental question:  do I wish to be well or continue to drink a poison?  My most vulnerable answer to the enquiry often startles, confounds and even embarrasses me.


 

Let's struggle with this in a sermon on Sunday.

-Rev. Michael 


Central UCC
Annual Meeting & Luncheon
Sunday, September 14
12:15 PM, Fellowship Hall

The church has an annual meeting to formally conduct the business of the church. We will have celebrations as well as business. All members and associate members are requested to attend. The youth will be busy in the kitchen preparing our second Sunday luncheon of tacos! Please bring a side dish, dessert, or drink to share. Visitors and friends are welcome to join us for both the meeting and the lunch!

 

Over the last year, Rev. Ginnie and Joan Moore have gone through the membership rolls as they are, not adding or removing others. It is requested that we re-align the total membership, members and associate members, with the Power Church Plus database. We will bring that number to the Annual meeting for a vote by the congregation to be the count for the official membership of the church. This new number will then supersede the number of members listed in the 2013-2014 Clerk's Report voted at this same Annual Meeting.
Adult Spiritual Formation

INQUIRERS' SERIES 

Sundays, 9:45-10:30 AM -

Sr. Minister's Conference Room

Are you interested in learning more about Central?  Have questions about our theology or ministries?  Want to get to know a small group of people who are also new to the community?  The next Inquirers' Series will meet on  Sundays Sept 21, 28 and Oct 5 in the Sr. Minister's Conference Room (in the office suite) from 9:45 to 10:30.  Hosted by Rev. Michael, the series is an opportunity to get to know each other a little better and centers around participants questions about the community.  For those who wish to join the church, the next Joining Day will be Sunday, October 12.  An RSVP is helpful (but not required): Rev. Michael.  

Conversations about Jesus 

On Sundays beginning Sept. 14,  

9:30 AM, Room 204

"Saving Jesus Redux" is a 12 session DVD-based small group exploration of a credible Jesus for the third millennium. Join folks from Central in a lively conversation while living the questions of Jesus for the 21stcentury. Questions? Contact Sally Harrell.
ONGOING SUNDAY GATHERING: 
Sacred Journeys

Sundays, 9:30 to 10:50 AM

Fellowship Hall, Steinhaus Library

Each week this group explores how spirit guides our personal journeys, and we gain new insights by listening to each other. It is a sacred hour +, from 9:30 to about 10:50. We close the door to create a quiet space but you are welcome to come in.

For the next several weeks, we will be discussing the book, The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew - Three Women Search for Understanding by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver and Priscilla Warner.
ONGOING SUNDAY GATHERING:
Practical Theology
Sundays, 9:30 to 10:50 AM, Room 206

The Practical Theology class (Room 206) studies, explores and takes action on current issues.  The class shares leadership and begins each class with "How was your week?" and a devotional.   

 

September 14th

Study:  Occupy the Bible: What Jesus Really Said (and Did) About Money and Power,  by Susan Thistlethwaite. 

Leader:            Jackie

Devotional:     Gail

Preparation:   Read Chapter 1, "Reading the Bible from the Streets," in Occupy the Bible.  In addition read the short biblical texts in italics at the beginning of each chapter of Occupy the Bible, starting with Chapter 2.  As you have time, start reading the whole Gospel of Mark.  Be sure to get a New Revised Standard Version.

This book can be purchased from Amazon or Barnes and Noble - paperback only.  Both Amazon and B & N have used copies available for  � to 1/3 the price of a new copy.

 

Questions? Contact Jackie and George Dominick.

Children and Youth

PRE-SCHOOL SUNDAY SCHOOL

11:00 AM TO 12:00 PM (Rm 205)

The preschool children can begin in Childcare during the early morning. They will be taken to Room 205 at 11:00 AM or you may take them to Room 205 any time between 11:00 AM and 12:10 PM. After 12:10 PM, the children will return to Childcare. Parents may pick up their children in Childcare at the end of church.

 

Through storytelling, games, and arts and crafts, the 3 and 4 year old children learn Bible stories and begin to explore ways to be kind to each other and our world.

K TO 2nd GRADES - GODLY PLAY

Please take your child to Room 201

Class in Room 207 from 11:10 AM - 12:00 PM

 

11:00 AM The children remain or rather in Rm 201

11:10 AM The Children are brought to Rm 207 for Godly Play.  

 

Children who arrive later than 11:10 AM will be brought to Room 207 by the Door Person when the story is finished. Because the story requires a focus of the storyteller and the children, we are requesting that children wait for the completion of the story before joining the others for the remainder of Godly Play time. Door Person will go to Room 201 after the story is told to invite other children to the class in Room 207. The children will return to Room 201 around 12:00-12:10pm. You may pick up your children in Room 201 following worship.

3rd TO 5th GRADES - GODLY PLAY

Please take your child to Rm 201 at 9:30am

Class in Rm 208 from 9:50 AM to 10:55 AM

At 9:30, the children are invited to go to Room 201 where the childcare workers will play with the children in the room or on the playground. The door person will bring the children to Room 207 at 9:50am.

The 3rd to 5th Grade Sunday School will be exploring the Old Testament all year.  

OUR WHOLE LIVES   

(Sun, September 21, 9:30am-12:30pm Rm 102)
Our first OWL class for 7-9th grade is Sept 21. OWL will be consistently offered every Sunday morning until December 7. The cost is $25 for members and $100 for non-members. We only have a few spots left. Contact Lacey if you are interested.
Adult Gatherings
Young Adults 
Please join us at Jonathan and Melissa Burch's house on Friday, October 10 for a potluck. We will gather at 7pm to share good food and conversation. Contact [email protected] for directions. Friends are welcome!
Lena's Place Coffeehouse 
Saturday, September 13, 8:00 - 10:00pm

Since 1984, Lena's Place Coffeehouse is a monthly opportunity to experience an eclectic mix of acoustic artists in a coffeehouse atmosphere. Lena's is staffed by volunteers who love (and often play) music and who take pride in a professional presentation.

When?

Second Saturday of each month.

What time?

8:00-10:00 pm; Doors open at 7:30 pm 

First set starts at 8pm, second set starts at 9pm

What else?

Candlelit coffeehouse setting. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, snacks, and yummy desserts available. Plenty of free parking. Wheelchair accessible. Great sound system. Wonderful, full audience of appreciative listeners.

All proceeds go to a chosen charity of the month. 

  

September Show:  

Supported Charity for the month: Men Stopping Violence

8:00: JustBe'Cause (Jerry Brunner, Bruce GilbertCyndi Craven)

9:00 :: Out of the Rain (Ron Hipp & Carol Statella)

October FOG 

(Saturday, October 4th 7:00 PM)

 

Dianne and Paul have chosen German wines of any kind as their selection for the month, and, as well any German beer of our choice.  Any and all  appetizers or dishes, desserts or snacks to share that will pair with German wines and beer will be appreciated.  For those not familiar with FOG, attending is of the best ways to meet Central's members and visitors of all ages and stages of life in a casual setting.  The tastings are not formal, just informative.  You don't have to be a church member to attend and all are welcome!  Event Details: October 4th, 2014 at 7:00pm.  RSVP to hosts Dianne and Paul here for their new address. If you would like to be added to the mailing list for FOG, contact coordinator  Robin Lee Fitch.  We look forward to seeing you at FOG.

Women's Daytime Book Group

(Thursday October 9, 1:30 PM)

 

The next gathering is The next gathering is Thursday, October 9 at 1:30 in the Fireplace Room.  Each reader will make a personal selection of fiction or non-fiction related to WWI. From Hemingway to historian Margaret MacMillan, we anticipate a stimulating  round-robin conversation. Send an e-mail to Geneva Benoit to request a sample reading list or to add your name to the group's email list.  

 

PATHWAYS   

Transformative Theological Education for a Changing World

PATHWAYS is a SE conference wide approach to theological education and ministry formation, bringing theology into the midst of the people, for the purposes of individual, congregational, and global transformation. To read more, click here

 

Click here for the PATHWAYS website.

Outreach Activities 

Grant Awarded to Our Neighborhood Community Outreach Partner

Toco Hills has just received word that we have been awarded a Capacity Building Grant from the Atlanta Community Food Bank. We applied hoping to get a walk in freezer and a walk in cooler. We have to increase our purchasing from the food bank by 10 per cent annually for the next three years. Our grant is for $23,700. Wonderful news!

ONGOING OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AT CENTRAL UCC

Our life is full here at Central UCC. Through the year, we serve our local community in many ways. To read about the activities, please  click here. 

A Wildwood Homecoming Raises $1,112 for Wholesome Wave Georgia!

A huge thank you to the singers, musicians and other performers who made last week's Wildwood a success. The music was great; audience was fantastic; the multitude of baked desserts were delicious- thank you. The show would NOT have been possible without John Moore who spent most of the day setting up and running the sound. And a huge shout out to the folks who stayed to tear down and clean up after the show. By then we all were tired and needed all the help we could get! Together we raised over $1,000 for a very important cause and worthy non-profit organization. To lift a verse from the final song of the night- it really did "Feel Like Home".


 

Montclair Elementary School

Statistics show that almost 30 million people in the U.S. read below a fifth-grade level, which means that nearly 14 percent of the adult population doesn't read well enough to fill out a job application.  Our denomination is seeking to address this problem through their Reading Changes Lives Literacy Campaign which launched on Sept 8 and continues through the spring. Central UCC is doing their part by helping to secure reading level appropriate books for Montclair. Curious about more details? Contact [email protected]

Human Rights Luncheon
with Brenda Wood

Friday, Sept. 12, 11:00am, Downtown
Church Women United (Atlanta) will honor TV journalist Brenda Wood with its annual Human Rights Award on Friday, September 12 at First Presbyterian Church (next to High Museum). The celebration will take place from 11:00am-2:00pm with lunch provided. Tickets are $30.00. Contact Joyce Myers Brown if interested.

Next Gardening Workday and Other Happenings

Saturday, Sept. 20, 9:00 - 11:00 AM

Several of you cannot always make the regular monthly workday (normally the third Saturday), and asked what you could work on during the week. There is always a need to pull weeds. In fact, weeding could be less of a focus for our regular workdays if some of it was done weekly.

 

John Cox plans to begin our pond restoration on Thursday, Sept 11. He'll begin by draining it, and then cleaning it with a pressure washer. Questions? Contact Ron Smith

Plymouth Harbor - 100%
Please Donate Desserts
Plymouth Harbor recently received 100% on the inspection, Congratulations!!!!!  
We can no longer accept desserts made outside of our own CCUCC kitchen, all items must be catered, store bought or made in house.  Please feel free to donate sweets to our participants.  Sale at the bakery?  Sure, Plymouth Harbor would greatly appreciate it!  Please label and place any donations in the Plymouth Harbor fridge.
 
Plymouth Harbor Donations
Plymouth Harbor would appreciate donations of empty quart jars for a project, lids are optional.  Please put them under the table next to Kay's office.  Please contact Laura Winebarger with any details.

 

Flowers for  

Sunday Morning Worship 

Would you like to give flowers in honor or in memory of someone? There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board between the double entry doors and the nursery.

Sermons Available Online
If you would like to hear a sermon from this week or an earlier week, they are available on our website. Go to www.central-ucc.org. Click on the "Worship" tab at the top of the site. On the drop down menu, you will see "Sermon", click on "Sermon". Click on "Audio (mp3)" and you will see a list of the sermons by date and, recently, by name. The date is year/month/day with no spaces in between. If there is a certain sermon for which you are searching, please contact Rev. Ginnie and she will help you find the date.

Humble Wisdom at Age 96!

Twenty six years ago, the Reverend George P. Dominick, Chaplain, addressed The Metropolitan Atlanta Recovery Residencies

on the title "Reflections On My Life At Age 70."  In part he shared:

"We are all recovering people working with issues that last a lifetime and can mean, if we succeed, living more responsible, satisfying, useful lives.  Here is what consumes the energy of recovering persons:

�       Risking in order to grow up.

�       Learning to grow in honesty.

�       Learning not to take everything       personally.

�       Being open to criticism so you can search your own soul.

�       Learning to be human in spite of your profession.

�       Coming to terms with fears.

�       Fears of non-acceptance.

�       Fears of looking or acting immature.

�       Fears of not being responsible.

�       Fear of not knowing the right answer.

�       Accepting that the buck stops with you and that you take full responsibility for what you do.

�       Giving without counting on a return.

�       Learning to know yourself so you can give others a chance to know themselves.

Not many can achieve this.....George DID!!

 

The Rev. Dr. R. Woods Kent

Rev. Ginnie Away this Weekend

Rev. Ginnie is away this weekend at the third of three weekends finishing the core courses in the Advanced Training for Environmental Education in Georgia (ATEEG). It is a nationally accredited, professional certification program for formal and non-formal educators.