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Loving all people, growing in faith,
working toward God's vision of
justice, healing and joy​
An Open and Affirming/Creation Justice Congregation
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SUNDAY, November 30 – ADVENT Begins!
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This Sunday, November 30, we begin the sacred season of Advent. During these weeks, we prepare to once again welcome Jesus, the embodiment of God and God‘s ways for us in the Christian spiritual community, into the world.
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Our theme for this year is, “What ARE We Waiting For?"
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During the four Sundays of Advent, we will explore waiting, a central concept in not just Advent but the Christian spiritual tradition, from a variety of perspectives and biblical texts.
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ADVENT DEVOTIONALS Available This SUNDAY!
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In conjunction with the start of Advent next Sunday, November 30, hard copies of the Advent daily devotional A Calendar of Devotions by Jan Turrentine will be available in the Narthex.
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A number of digital copies are also available. If you would like one of those, please contact Mark and provide your preferred email address so he can send you a copy.
ALSO SUNDAY, November 30th - Trim The Holiday Tree
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We invite you to be a part of a cherished tradition in our church by gathering together after Worship to decorate the SCUCC Christmas tree in the Narthex.
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Ornaments will be provided, but you are also welcome to bring your own contribution in order to help fill our tree with warmth and memories.
NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7th – Advent Music Festival “Preview” Next Sunday, December 7, the Choir will be singing two excerpts from The Christmas Oratorio by Camille Saint-Saens that they will be performing in full the following Sunday, December 14.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14th – A Choir Presentation
The choir and guests will present the full Christmas Oratorio, which is St. Luke’s story of shepherds, angels, cattle, a manger, and the birth of Jesus. There will be soloists, our own church choir, a guest organist, and a string orchestra. Be sure to come early that morning and bring friends or family who love great music.
​The Office is regularly open from 9am-3pm on Monday through Friday.
​​Mackenzie Albert, our Director of Music, is normally on campus each Wednesday and some Fridays. Please make an appointment by phone or text at 203-517-5427.
BIBLE STUDY
Will meet on Thursday, December 4 at 10:30am on Zoom.
​Each week, we explore the Scripture passage(s) being used in Worship that coming Sunday. The sessions are largely “guided discussion” in approach, focusing on your questions and insights from reading the text ahead of time, with Mark facilitating and adding relevant context and detail as needed or wanted.
This approach allows for participants to engage with the Bible creatively, and with an eye toward how the texts speak to us in our time and lives. In addition, they are great preparation for getting more out of the Sunday Messages!
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Our Next SPIRITUAL EXPLORATION Unit Begins Tuesday, December 2
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“Letters From the Edge of the World: Part 2”
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Tuesdays: December 2, 9 and 16
7:00-8:15pm on Zoom
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Back by popular demand!
After the success of Part One of this unit last Advent, we continue with more from Ruth Boling’s book, Season’s Greetings.
During our time together, we will explore more letters Boling imagined having been written by characters associated with the Christmas stories in the Gospels. Each week, we will review and discuss the content, context and spiritual concerns expressed in one or two of those letters, with an eye on gaining new insights regarding the meaning of Christmas for us in the Christian community and for the world.
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The information needed for you to join in, as well as any advance reading or other preparation, will be sent by email each Monday afternoon.
Look Here!!
The Sanibel UCC and Bat Yam Temple of the Islands collaborative monthly Food and Paper Products Drive has begun with a BANG!!
This week’s collected donations will benefit local neighbors in need through F.I.S.H. and the Gladiolus Food Pantry. Your donations will help many families have a happy and fulfilling Thanksgiving.​
Thank you!​
If you are interested in assisting with this effort, please contact the church office.
SCUCC T-Shirts. Please check out our new t-shirts. They will be available for sale in Fellowship Hall on Sundays after Worship. A $10 donation is suggested.
Christmas Eve Beach Service Volunteers
As previously announced, the Christmas Eve Beach service we sponsor will return this year after several year’s absence on December 24 at 5pm!
Please help us make it as warm and welcoming as possible for the Sanibel community and its holiday guests.
If you can give some time to volunteer in one of several ways, please check out the opportunities on the sign-up sheets in Fellowship Hall.
CHRISTMAS EVE at SCUCC
With the return of the Christmas Eve Beach Celebration, we will celebrate Christmas Eve as a SCUCC spiritual community at 9 pm in the Sanctuary.
We will join together for a time of readings from Luke’s Christmas story, inspiring music, the Sharing of Light, and a from Mark.
Floral Dedication Reminder
If you would like to honor a loved one by dedicating flowers to a Worship Celebration, please fill out a Flower Donation Form and your dedication will appear in the bulletin for that Celebration. Donation forms can be found in the Narthex. Christmas Eve flower donation forms are also available.
Drop off your request to the office or place it in the appropriately marked basket. Checks for floral donations should be made out to SCUCC and include Christmas Flowers or Flower Donation on the memo line. Please place your check in an envelope before placing it in the basket. If you prefer, you may give it to an usher, place it in the collection plate, or you may call, visit or email the office to make a request.
The Green Team is Growing!
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Are you interested in the stewardship of our natural world?
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Want to meet new friends?
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The Green Team invites you to join us!
Simply put, the Green Team seeks to fulfill our SCUCC mission in nurturing God’s Creation. We share resources and help sponsor programs and speakers to raise awareness on how we are all intimately connected with our environment. Periodic planning meetings are online. For more information contact the office.
“Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right”
~ Theodore Roosevelt
​Ushers Needed
Please contact the office if you would like more information, or to be added to the contact list to be an usher during our Worship Celebration. Our office phone number is: 239-472-0497 and our email address is: office@sanibelucc.org
Liturgists Needed
Please reach out to the office if you would like to be added to the contact list to serve as a liturgist during our Sunday Worship. Availability begins October 19th. Please call the office an email with any and all dates that you are available. Our office phone number is: 239-472-0497 and our email address is: office@sanibelucc.org
Men’s Group December Luncheon
The Sanibel Congregational UCC Shell Point Men’s Group will have its next monthly luncheon meeting on Tuesday, December 9 at 11:45am at the Palm Grill in the Woodlands Common. Please call the office to let us know you would like to make a reservation for this luncheon. Our office phone number is: 239-472-0497 and our email address is: office@sanibelucc.org
.​​​​Women’s Group December
Luncheon
​The Sanibel Congregational UCC Shell Point Women’s Group will next meet on Friday, December 12 at 11:30am at the Palm Grill in the Woodlands Common. Please call the office to let us know you would like to make a reservation for this luncheon. Our office phone number is: 239-472-0497 and our email address is: office@sanibelucc.org
Interested in Joining SCUCC???
If you are considering becoming a member of SCUCC, or would simply like to find out more about us, please let Rev. Mark know. After you and he discuss the expectations and, as the old commercial says, “the benefits of membership”, you and he can schedule a Sunday that works best for you to become an official part of the SCUCC community.
​​​​​​​​​Like A Ride To Worship?
​If you would like a ride to Sunday Worship from Shell Point or Cypress Cove, please contact the Church Office at office@sanibelucc.org by noon on Thursdays.
Calling all Shell Point Members
If you would like to have shuttle service to and from Shell Point for Worship on Sundays, please add your name to the sign-up sheet that can be found in Fellowship Hall. The office needs to know how many people would be interested in this service before it can be arranged. Please add your contact information no later than Friday, December 5th.
The Santiva Islanders,
Cardio & Strength Classes
​Please join Mahnaz Bassiri at SCUCC for cardio & strength training. Classes are held from 9:30-10:30 AM, Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Fellowship Hall.
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Now Showing in Fellowship Hall
Our mission is to love all people…grow in faith…and work toward God’s vision of justice, healing and joy. Our character is to reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ: acceptance, forgiveness, kindness, respect(for each person, our islands and our earth), joy and love toward one another. You'll find us a positive,non-judgmental place for you to worship, praise, rejoice and find the purpose our Maker has for each of us, provided each week in a positive and uplifting message. Our church is one where you will be loved, accepted, supported, and affirmed regardless of your age, class, ability, race, ethnicity, gender identification, or sexual orientation. No matter who you are, or where you are in your life journey, you are welcome here!
