Christmas Eve: Choir, Candlelight, & Communion This year we will return to a single service for Christmas Eve. On Wednesday, December 24th at 7:00 p.m. friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, and seekers of all sorts will gather in our ma-jestic sanctuary for a service of rich music, heartfelt prayers, sacred stories from scripture, Holy Communion, and candlelight. Please take time now to mark on your calendars this important service, and invite someone you’ve never asked before to join you for Christmas Eve services at your church. Remember even though we are welcome to use the Lutheran Hospital lot across Franklin Blvd. parking will be at a premium. Please carpool or take public transportation to allow as many open spots for our visitors as possible.

The Messenger Frankl in Ci rc le Chr ist ian Church

Pastor’s Page 2 iAlert Information Pledge Card CWW / CCF

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Serving Schedules Community Hour Attendance Food Ministry Outreach and Community Service

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Member’s 411 In Sympathy

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Christmas Offering Poinsettia Ordering

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Calendars 7,8 World AIDS Day Lake Catholic Concert

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December 2014

A Series Of Special Services For Advent November 30 is the First Sunday of Advent and Pastor Allen and the worship leaders will guide us through this holy season through the eyes and hearts of the shepherds. But more than simply the familiar shepherds who gathered at the manager that first Christmas night, these services will offer a new, insightful twist on what we often call the traditional “Christmas Shepherds.” The first week, we will explore Christmas through the life of the shepherd, Abraham, and his wife, Sarah. The second week, we will explore Christmas through the life of the shepherd, Moses, and his successor, Joshua. The third week, we will explore Christmas through the shepherd, King David, and his son, Solomon. It will not be until the fourth week that we will explore Christmas through the life experiences of the shepherds of Bethlehem. Each week will include special music, a dramatic interpretation of the story, special Children’s Minutes, and Pastor Allen’s thoughtful reflections on how all of us are both shepherds and in need of shepherding. All this as we prepare our hearts and minds for the night when all of us gather at the manager to witness God’s Love Made Real in the Christ Child. Won’t you join us for this intriguing and creative approach to an age-old story?

“While Shepherds Watched”

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Commitment Commitment. It is a concept that I work with a lot as a pastor. It’s

most evident when I am counseling couples who are planning on having a commitment ceremony or a wedding. We spend a lot of time talking about the vows the couple will make to each other, and about what it means to make promises and stay faithful to them. We pastors also talk a lot about church membership as commitment and the changing nature of membership in the 21st century. Younger folks are definitely willing to commit to organizations - they just don’t come at it the same way their parents and grandparents did, or with the same assumptions as previous genera-tions. Commitment is also central to our recent stewardship emphasis, From Bread And Wine To Faith And Giving. For four weeks we talked about what it is that makes this congregation “tick” and why on earth we would want to support it. We had four wonderful testimonies from a variety of folks in our community: Kathy Moody-Arndt, David Muich, Larissa Stewart and her family, and Nim Bryant. I also preached on the topic. At the end of that time we asked you to consider committing yourself to support the mission and ministry of the church in the coming year. And then we partied at our Transformation Dinner!

This pledge, as I said in my November 16th sermon, is a promise between you (and your fam-ily if that is your situation) and God. In the same way vows aren’t binding in a legal contractual way, your pledge isn’t a contract, but a commitment. Pledging involves the heart, soul, body, and mind… your all.

Likewise, with other promises and vows we make, we sometimes have to renegotiate our pledges - especially when our circumstances change. In reality, you don’t need to tell anyone at all if your giving needs to decrease or increase. Some folks drop a note to the Treasurer, because he’s the only person who sees your pledge. But even that’s not needed.

What my sermon on the 16th really focused on was that commitment is about giving your all, your everything, to something larger than yourself that makes a real difference in this world. I hap-pen to be of the viewpoint that Franklin Circle Christian Church changes lives for the better every single day, and that it’s presence in our community makes the conversations we are having more honest, more relevant, and more inclusive.

I am passionate about this church, and I have been committed to it for over 13 years now! I gladly give weekly to help support the amazing ministry FC3 is doing for those who come into our building, as well as those out in the community who are touched in some way by our presence here. I have increased my pledge for the coming year, and I would like to invite you to make your pledge to support this dynamic and diverse urban community on Cleveland’s near west side in 2015. A pledge card is included in this newsletter. And if you already pledge to our church, I invite you to consider increasing that commitment for the coming year, as I did.

If you want to read my stewardship sermons, copies are available at the church, or on my Pastor’s Blog online at: http://wp.me/p19lcV-wa. If you would prefer to watch the video of me preach-ing it, you can go online here: http://youtu.be/phH2-g7M00E. If you would like a copy of the Finan-cial Report, which includes an up-to-date summary of the church’s finances as well as the 2015 op-erating budget passed on November 16 at the Congregational Meeting, please call the church office and it will be sent to you.

Thank you, as always, for your commitment to Jesus Christ, to Christ’s body on earth, the Church, and to this particular manifestation of God’s will and work in the world: Franklin Circle Chris-tian Church.

Gratefully Your Pastor, Allen

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Christian Children Fellowship Officers are Bobby Horrocks, President; Kelly Jo Brown, Vice-President; Liana Horrocks, Secretary. We are doing fundraisers to get the floor in the Worship Center repaired and replaced. So far, the Popcorn Fundraiser has earned us $203.50. The Grand Total will be given to you next month because the Messenger deadline is the 12th and all orders and money are due the 16th. Stay

tuned. Children Worship & Wonder is going great. We are getting ready for Advent. The children are working hard to help raise money for the floor. I want you to know I am trying some new things this year. First we are trying Class Dojo. This is to help have more communication with parents. Second, we have a YouTube channel, FCCC CWW. Blessings, Michelle

iAlert Instant Closing Alert System You may or may not know, but Franklin Circle Christian Church partici-pates in the iAlert Instant Closing Alert System. Through one message the church sends to iAlert, the following news outlets will share the news about pos-sible delays or closings for church programs: WKYC-TV 3, Newsradio WTAM 1100 AM, WMVX, WMJI, SGAR, WAKS, WMMS, WHLO, WKDD, Radio Free Ohio 1350 AM, WVIZ/PBS Ideastream, 90.3 WCPN Ideastream, WCRF 103.3 FM, WCLV 104.9 FM, WKYC.com, WTAM.com, WMVX.com, WMJI.com, WGAR.com, kisscleveland.com, WMMS.com, 640whlo.com, wkdd.com, 1350radiofreeohio.com, and WeatherPLUS Time Warner Digital 522. Please note that we are not responsible for programs run by other groups who use our space (Yoga, Tumbling, etc.). You must contact them directly for schedules. You can call the church office for more information on the phone message system.

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10/19 65 7 10 83 10/26 67 8 75 11//2 66 9 75 11/9 94 8 102 11/16 76 6 8 92

Date Sanctuary Children Youth Total

12/7 Steve Rubin 12/14 Available

12/25 Christmas Meal For the Community in Gym

12/28 Circle Sabbath Sunday No Community Hour

12/21 NO 3rd Sunday Meal

Elders And

Deacons Communion Set-up

Claire Munley

Deacons Steve Rubin Nim Bryant

Lilly Conn “Tiny” Byrd Greeters Diane Howard

Date Presiding Elder Table Elder Table Elder 12/7 Robert Horrocks Larry Crell Carrie Walking 12/14 Brian Colvin Larry Crell Sharon Thomas 12/21 David Muich Brian Colvin Sharon Thomas 12/28 Scott Posey Robert Horrocks Carrie Walker

Worship Leader Jada Eccleston

You are all invited to the ORCS meeting on January 19th, at 6:15 p.m. in the chapel, to hear about our Christmas Bazaar 2015. We will have information con-cerning how to have a successful Christmas bazaar and what works for vendors and organizers. We will also choose the date to hold the event. If you are inter-ested in helping us bring about a successful bazaar, or if you have information or

input, please come join us. We are looking forward to having several speakers who have been in-volved in this type of fundraiser before. We are giving you an opportunity to test and retest your chili recipe to see if you make the best chili at Franklin Circle Church. February 15th will be the date of the 2015 Chili Cook-Off. If you are inter-ested in testing your skills, please let one of the team members sign you up. Contact Kevin, David, Larry, Marge, or Bev.

There will be no 3rd Sunday meal in December. The meal will be on Christmas day, December 25th. Come join us for a delicious meal or to volun-teer. We will provide end of month supply bags to those who may have need on the last Sunday of the month. Volunteers will bag the supplies starting at

8:30 a.m., if you wish to help. Immediately after Church, the supplies may be picked up in the gym.

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Dennis McMillan preached at his home church, Wycliffe Christian Church, for three Sundays in November. Thanks to Jim Schimmel for teaching an always popular Sun-day School class in September and October. Thanks to the volunteers from Chagrin High School that helped with organizing our archives. We are grateful

to Al Betts for directing their efforts. Kristine Mahoney is teaching a Bi-ble Study at the residence where she lives. John and Judy Whalen cele-brated their 50th wedding anniversary at FCCC on August 29th and Den-nis McMillan officiated. Thanks to Caroline Rubin, Norma Stearns, and Beverly Wurm for cleaning up and organizing our Food Pantry earlier in the fall.

We celebrated the visit of Alice Umstott (92) who was baptized here in 1941. She was accompanied by her daughter, Donna Umstott Werner, who was bap-tized when she was 9 or 10 (around 1952) and Donna’s husband, Bill. They moved from FCCC to help found Parma Christian Church in the early 1950’s. There were lots of folks who helped with the Transformation Dinner on November 16, but a special word of thanks to our chef, Chuck Mesrobian, and Larry Crell, chair of the Board of Elders, for taking the lead that day. Thanks to our Elder Vice-Chair and Stewardship Campaign Chair, Robert Horrocks, Jr. for his vision and hard work in making the commitment effort a success. Pastor Allen offered

testimony before a City Council Committee on the effort to remove discriminatory language to transgender persons from the city’s 5-year old non-discrimination ordinance.

Amber Bessner and Wolfe Pavlick attended the Senior Leadership Retreat in Hocking Hills November 14-16. They will be part of the leadership of CYF Conference. Sarah Beveridge participated last year. Thanks to Monica Pavlick for driving them! Kyle Cathcart began a new job with PNC Bank in October! Thanks to Caroline Rubin for organizing the Deacons Communion Preparation Room. Thanks to Monique Lowther, Xena Lowther, Jeff Mazo, Colleen Munley, Caro-line Rubin, and Pastor Allen for helping with Polishing Day in the sanctu-ary on November 15. Thanks to Cody Corrigan, Ruth Kroll, Kathy Moody-Arndt, Claire Munley, Jake Pruitt, Cliff Wilson, Cheryl Yurcak, and Pastor Allen for their work getting the word out to the neighborhood about the church by putting on door knobs bags of hot chocolate, doggie treats (if there were signs of doggies) and/or bubbles (if there were signs of kiddos) as well as info about the church, on November 22nd.

We mourn the death of… - Lizzie Butler (Brian Colvin’s maternal grandmother) on November 8. - Mrs. Fulton (Tony Fulton’s mother, cousin of Diane Howard) on November 15. - Barry Kennedy (older brother of Todd Kennedy) on October 27. - Ethal Martin (Kim Posanti’s grandmother) on November 9th in Indiana. - Tamir Rice (student at Larisa Stewart’s school) who was shot and killed on November 22. - Joseph Sidoti (Kevin Kurth's uncle) on Sunday, Nov. 9th in Richmond Heights. - Francis Veber (Michelle Hudson’s foster-father on Wednesday, November 5th. - Fred Volk (brother of David Volk, dear friend of several members of our congregation) on October 24th. - Arlene, via Betsie Zenda: “our niece Kalie's grandmother,” on November 3.

Christmas Offering Ministers Close To Home

“On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” - Mat-thew 2:11

The Spiritual life is a great and unknown journey. Jesus is the light that guides us. The Holy Spirit is the power that moves us. Almighty God is the one who faithfully watches over us and re-veals to us our purpose in life. Walking the spiritual path is challenging, but it is often the most rewarding. Our Spiritual path brings meaning to our lives as we grow in discipleship and service, and grow in wisdom, com-passion and love. As long as we stay faithful and actively participate in our spiritual journey, as long as we respond to God’s call, and as long as we spread love whenever and wherever we can, we follow in Christ’s footsteps - our life is united to God. God rejoices in the gifts of something we can do as long as we give from our heart. Through our Christmas Special Day Offering, received December 14th and 21st, we support our Regional Church Ministry through gifts. This offering goes totally to our own region to help us witness together. Whether it supports Camp Christian, new churches, stewardship, pastoral care, pastoral search committees, or mission emphases to help local churches reach out through mis-sion trips to the Gulf Coast, Chile, and now a new opportunity to partner as a Region with the Dis-ciples of Christ Community of the Congo in Boyeka, your gift is put to work for Christ. Through our Regional Pastor, Rev. Dr. William Edwards, and Associate Regional Pastor, Rev. Stephen Bentley, staff, and volunteers, Ohio Disciples are on the move and witnessing at home and around the world to the love and care of our Lord, Jesus Christ. When we do things together as a region, we stretch the boundaries of our local congrega-tions to be able to minister in ways and in places none of us could reach alone. It is in loving oth-ers, it is sharing our gifts, that we become free to receive the most precious gift of all...the grace, love and mercy of Christ in our own lives. The gift you decide to give will be the best gift God ever received. God always rejoices in what we have to offer him. Let us use the 2014 Christmas Offer-ing to ask “What Gifts Shall We Bring?” and give whole-heartedly to support to our Regional Minis-try together. -Mary Beth Cascio, Ohio Disciples Outreach Committee

Poinsettia Orders Being Taken! Orders are now being received for the 2014 Poinsettias. These will adorn our sanctuary for the Christmas Eve service, and you will be able to take yours home after the service. The list of those who are honored or me-morialized by your purchase will be listed in the newsletter and bulletin. You can choose between: a one-plant pinched (6 1/2" pot) for $6.95; a two-plant pinched (8 1/2" pot) for $13.90; a three-plant pinched (10" pot) for $20.85; a four-plant pinched (12" pot) for $30. All can be chosen in red, white, pink, or marble colors. Please submit your orders to Cheryl Yurcak at the church office by December 7. Payment must accompany order, and please make checks out to "Franklin Circle Christian Church." Thank you for helping to make Christmas even more beautiful and special for our church and all who gather in our historic sanctuary. Forms are available from the office or in the bulletin in worship.

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Key: CH-Chapel: CMC-Chapel Media Center: COM-Computer Room: FR-Friendship Room: G-Gym: K-Kitchen: P-Parlor: S-Sanctuary; Y-Youth Room; CCF-Christian Children’s Fellowship

December 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Nov. 30 – ADVENT 1 12:00 PM Food Bag Ministry 12:00 PM Anti- Racism Team/C 5:00 PM World AIDS Day Service & Restaurant Fundraiser 7:00 PM NA/G

1 - WORLD AIDS DAY 9:30 AM Staff/FR 1 – 3 PM Disciples Closet 5:30 PM Yoga/P 6:30 PM Youth Group/Y

2 9 AM Worship Planning (away) 4-5 PM Anger Management Class/G

3 1 – 3 PM Disciple Closet 5:00 PM Tumbling 6:00 PM Yoga/P 7:00 PM Bible Study

4 4 PM Christmas Tree Lighting at the May Dugan Center 7:15 PM Choir

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6 9:30 AM Christian Women Fellowship 10:00 AM Tumbling 2 – 5 Community Youth Program/G

7 - ADVENT @ 12:00 PM Ideals Class Food Fair/G 12:00 PM Elders/P 12:00 PM Mission Council (tent.)/FR 7:00 PM NA/G

8 9:30 AM Staff/FR 1 – 3 PM Disciples Closet NO Evangelism & Publicity Team Mtg. 5:30 PM Yoga/P 6:30 PM Youth Group/Y

9 9 AM Worship Planning (away) 4-5 PM Anger Management Class/G 6:00 PM Community Meeting (Hosts Needed!) 7:00 PM Out on Franklin /P

10 10:00 AM District 2 Clergy Meeting/P 1 – 3 PM Disciple Closet 5:00 PM Tumbling 6:00 PM Yoga/P 7:00 PM Bible Study

11 7:15 PM Choir

12 MESSENGER NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 4:30 PM Community Youth Program/G

13 10:00 AM Tumbling 2 – 5 Community Youth Program/G

14 – ADVENT 3 Christmas Special Offering For Regional Ministries 7:00 PM NA/G

15 9:30 AM Staff/FR 1 – 3 PM Disciples Closet 5:30 PM Yoga/P 6:30 PM Youth Group/Y

16 9 AM Worship Planning (away) 4-5 PM Anger Management Class/G 7:15 PM Choir Rehearsal/S

17 1 – 3 PM Disciple Closet 5:00 PM Tumbling 6:00 PM Yoga/P 7:00 PM Bible Study

18 11:00 AM ADAMHS Christmas Party/G 7:00 PM Holiday Concert w/Lake Catholic High School & FCCC/S Reception Following/CH

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20 10:00 AM Tumbling 2 – 5 Community Youth Program/G

21 – ADVENT 4 Christmas Special Offering For Regional Ministries 5:00 PM Community Caroling (starts at St. Paul UCC 45th & Franklin) 7:00 PM NA/G

22 9:30 AM Staff/FR 1 – 3 PM Disciples Closet 5:30 PM Yoga/P 6:30 PM Youth Group/Y

23 9 AM Worship Planning (away) 4-5 PM Anger Management Class/G NO Out On Franklin tonight 7:15 PM Choir Rehearsal/S

24 5:00 PM Tumbling 6:00 PM Yoga/P 7:00 PM Christmas Eve Worship Service

25 CHRISTMAS DAY 11:00 – 2:00 Meal/G

26 4:30 PM Community Youth Program/G

27 10:00 AM Tumbling 2 – 5 Community Youth Program/G

28 12:00 PM Food Bag Ministry 12:00 PM Anti- Racism Team/C 7:00 PM NA/G

29 9:30 AM Staff/FR 1 – 3 PM Disciples Closet 5:30 PM Yoga/P 6:30 PM Youth Group/Y

30 9 AM Worship Planning (away) 4-5 PM Anger Management Class/G

31 NEW YEAR’S EVE

Sunday Class and Service Schedule: 9:30-10:30 am * Adult Class 10:30 am * Worship

10:50 AM * Nursery/Children’s Worship & Wonder*12 PM Christian Children’s Fellowship

Franklin Circle Christian Church, 1688 Fulton Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113 ~ www.FranklinCircleChurch.org ~ 216-781-8232 – Twitter: @FranklinCircle

December 2014 Birthdays and Anniversaries‡ Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 Randy Knapp

3 4 5 6 Jimmy Watson

7 Diane Howard

8 Darrin Brogan Jayne Ryan-Kuroiwa Preston Triggs

9 10 11 Joseph Steigerwald,IV Chrissy Stonebraker-Martinez

12 13 Michelle Hudson

14 Robert Horrocks, III Sue Raspe

15 Sue Schimmel

16 17 Ray Betts Betty Cernan

18 Maurice Goldkrantz

19 Barbara Jenkins

20 Jack Cheiky

21 Bill Golicic

22 23 Jay Cheiky Louise Golicic Anne Schilling

24 Janelle Eccleston Wolfe Pavlick

25 ‡Billie Jean Jenkins & Kevin Burns

26 Jason Boggs

27

28 Margie Bivin ‡Mary & Houston Bowers

29 ‡Debbie & Mark Degennaro

30 Sharon Thomas

31 Katerina Betts Jackelyn Butcher ‡Carmalita & Chawn Brent

Community World AIDS Day Service & Restaurant Fundraiser The Cleveland community is invited to join two neighboring churches who have had a long history of support and advocacy for persons with HIV/AIDS for an evening of fel-lowship and worship. On Sunday, November 30 – the eve of World AIDS Day - the congre-gations of Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ and Franklin Circle Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will gather in Franklin Circle’s sanctuary at 5 p.m. for a service of worship. Following the service, worshippers will be invited to go out for dinner to partici-pating restaurants in the Tremont and Ohio City neighborhoods who will donate a portion of their proceeds that night to the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland. The service of worship will be both a time to remember those who have died, honor those who are still living with HIV/AIDS, and be inspired by stories of life in the midst of the epidemic. Mu-sic – including a joint choir – prayers, scripture, the reading of names and a testimonial by a person living with HIV/AIDS will fill out the ceremony. Ultimately, the entire evening will be geared to empower those present to understand the ongoing importance of HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, treatment, and activism. The World Health Organization has declared that between 2011-2015, World AIDS Days will have the theme of "Getting To Zero: Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination. Zero AIDS Related Deaths." This evening will reinforce that theme. Afterwards, we invite participants to enjoy dinner at one of our fine Ohio City or Tremont restau-rants. When you present your bulletin from the service 10% of your purchases that night will be donated to the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland. Participating Restaurants include:

For more information please call either Pilgrim Congregational UCC at (216) 861-7388 or go to their web-site: www.pilgrimalive.org or call Franklin Circle Church at (216) 781-8232 or go to their website: www.FranklinCircleChurch.org

Heck's Cafe 2927 Bridge Avenue

Le Petit Triangle 1881 Fulton Road

Johnny Mango World Café 3120 Bridge Ave

Our Annual Tradition Continues! Lake Catholic High School Band & Chorus Will Join Our Own FCCC Choir For A Holiday Concert Thursday, December 18 at 7 p.m. On Thursday, December 18 at 7:00 p.m., we will once again host both the band and choruses of Lake Catholic High School. The school, located in Mentor, Ohio, has sent its music students to our di-verse and dynamic urban church for over a decade to celebrate the holidays, along with our neighbors, with a burst of energy and harmony. Director of both the band and chorus programs at Lake Catholic is Scott Posey, who has been our soloist for over 25 years. The evening concert, which will offer both secular and religious seasonal favorites, is hosted by our church’s choir. Our choir will perform several pieces they have been working dili-gently on. There will be at least one “all choir” piece sung by both the combined school and church choirs. Following the concert there will be a reception. Volunteers are needed to both bring food items as well as to host the reception.

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Mission Statement Our mission is to empower disciples to serve and glorify God. We care for the spiritual needs of a culturally diverse community, encourage creativity, and

awaken people to the joys of life with Jesus Christ. We are open to and affirming of all people, regardless of gender, race, age, culture, ethnic background, sexual orientation, economic circumstance, or difference in ability as we continue to em-

body our vision of God’s peace and justice.

Contact us:

Phone (216) 781-8232 Fax (216) 781-0013 Visit us on the web at: www.FranklinCircleChurch.org

Pastor: Allen Harris (PastorAllen@FrankinCircleChurch.org)

Secretary: (info@FranklinCircleChurch.org) Editor: Cody Corrigan Messenger@FranklinCircleChurch.org)

December 2014 Franklin Circle Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 1688 Fulton Road Cleveland, Ohio 44113-3096

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

For ALL God’s Children

Sunday Worship - 10:30 am (9:30 am Jun–Aug)

Adult Sunday School - (9:30 am Sept—May)

Children’s Worship & Wonder –10:50 am Sun. (9:50am Jun–Aug)

Mid-Week. Bible Study - 7:00 pm Wed. (Sept-June)

Youth Group (Middle and High School) - 6:30 pm Mon.

Church Office Hours: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Mon-Thur.

We Put The

In

Dysfunction