Greetings Friends in Christ!

 

Myriad activities give witness to a positive direction in the St. Stephen’s Community Church, United Church of Christ community in becoming a teaching and learning community of hope, praise, possibility and boundless faith – Vacation Bible School, church picnic- frequent celebrations including worship – involvement of youth and the gratitude expressed freely by many in support of youth trying to be and become.  Many activities, energy and involvement help us in our experience of the ONE – the Holy- the Still Speaking God.  We are enriched by praise, praise music, musicians, liturgists – people called to be and do sometime in unexpected ways.

 

We support brothers and sisters, friends – members of the community as they experience pain, adversity, illness and death.  Our companionship, support, prayer and action is always with those – all who journey in the difficult and challenging places called life – living.  New births remind us that there are beginnings and endings – fulfillment – communion with our God.

 

Let me focus for a minute: I believe that we have accepted, as a faith community, a major thrust of the challenges during these days and toward the future, is to grow spiritually, programmatically and numerically.  We are attempting to address some of these challenges in myriad ways; Vital Growth in a Faith Community in May offered invaluable resource providers, June 12 & 19^th – Appreciative Inquiry with Curtis DeMars-Johnson as a primary facilitator, Unbinding the Gospel, Bible Study, prayer groups, enrichment opportunities, worship opportunities, worship opportunities where the gifts of the gifted community are shared in the promise of today and tomorrow are vital ingredients of a journey toward the future with God.

 

The next session of Appreciative Inquiry – July 29, 2010 (at 6:30 p.m.) could very well be a defining moment – it is in that session with people committed to a future with God, we will begin to formulate and conceptualize vision, mission and ministry possibilities for the church.

 

Worthy of note: special programs, ministries, opportunities being offered at the Greer Learning Center and the Outreach Ministry are noteworthy and worthy of our support.  Those who planned, promoted and supported the recent Golf Outing have earned special commendation for the joy in the Lord – to help young people in their move toward tomorrow and the Sunday School and Children’s Bell Choir Recognition and Awards Ceremony during regular worship service Sunday, July 11, 2010 did make hearts sing.

 

Grace and Peace,

Herman Haller

 

2010 Golf Outing Scholarship Applications Now Available!

 

The scholarship applications are available in the front entryway of the church. Graduating seniors and returning undergraduates are invited to apply. Applications are due by July 18, 2010, and late applications will not be considered.

 Students are requested to submit an essay along with the application on the topic of the role of the youth in the church, and give specific ideas for activities and/or programs to enhance the youth ministry. Essay must be 200-300 words in length, typed, and double-spaced.

 

Please submit completed applications to Board of Trustees Chairperson Bettie Trice.  

 

SSCC Health Ministry presents

“Don’t Let Them See You Sweat!”

presented by Brother Alan Haller

Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.

In Mobile Unit 1

 

Church Anniversary Planning Meeting

The first meeting of the Twenty-third Church Anniversary planning committee will take place Monday, July 19, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.

All those who are called to serve on the anniversary committee are encouraged to attend.  Thereafter, the committee will meet every Sunday after morning service in the Music Room. (Lower Level)

For more information, please see Brother JC Hemingway or Sister Lisa Morgan

 

The SSCC Missionaries will be meeting on Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, please see Sister Aversa Radford

 

 

 

 

 

Support Our Youth!!

 

Kappa Express Football!!

The Kappa Express Football is looking for athletes ages 8-14!

Sign up will take place on Monday, July 19^th at 6:00 p.m.

at St. Joe Park (Behind Sexton High School)

The mission of the Kappa Express Football program is to develop Scholar Athletes.

For more information, please contact

Brother Bill Tansil

 

High School & College Graduates!!

We want to acknowledge you in the “Habari Gani”!!

Contact the church office with your accomplishments!

 

Young People!

Announce your activities and achievements to the E-Letter!  Just e-mail them to sscc.ucc@sbcglobal.net or call the church office at 484-2180. Be sure to get your parent’s permission first!

We are here to support you!!!

 

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REMEMBER: Please advise the church office of any updates to the prayer list. (Additions and removals)

 

If you require a word of prayer or would like to be included on the prayer list, please contact the church office at 484-2180.

 

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Franklinton Center Day

Please Join us for the 2010 Franklinton Center Day!

Each year, many who are interested in the unique spiritual and cultural contributions of Franklinton Center at Bricks return to celebrate the past and focus on the future. We talk, listen, eat, laugh, pray, preach, remember, rededicate and rest. Vendors display jewelry, clothes, books, artifacts, food and more. Kids play and swim. Reunions, joy, praise, worship and fun are everywhere!

This year, Rev. Michael Murphy of People's Congregational Church in Washington, DC will bring the message. Music will come from the Camp Kwanzaa choir and others. The Camp Kwanzaa choir is composed of young people and counselors from the camp which meets between Christmas and the New Year. This exciting group will truly set the stage for worship and especially for Rev. Murphy's powerful message. Come join the JOY!!

This has been a challenging and exciting year. We have begun the process of recovering from the economy's ups and downs. There have been personnel changes with others to come. Programming has been crafted to meet the needs of those to whom we minister. The Board has entered into covenant with JWM. Maintenance and upkeep of the facilities here has been, as always, a real challenge. Yet, thru God's mercy, manifest in great measure by financial support primarily from individuals and churches, we celebrate the mission and mandate of FCAB's "Sacred Space."

Franklinton Center Day is a significant fundraiser for the Center's operational budget. No gift is too large, too small. Participants traditionally make their maximum possible contribution on this day. In our current economic climate, with donations to non-profits on the downturn and needs for our ministries on the upswing, Franklinton Center Day financial support is more important than ever. Gifts may be made by check, credit/debit card or online. They may be brought to the Center on the 7th of August or called in at any time. Contact us at 252-437-1723, 1-800 345-1850, or at franklintoncenter@ucc.org  at miltone@ucc.org.  Hope to see you there!

When: August 7, 2010
Where: Franklinton Center at Bricks
            281 Bricks Lane
            Whitakers, NC 27891

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In & Around Town

Allen Neighborhood Center Farmers’ Market

Every Wednesday on the corner of Allen and E. Kalamazoo Streets

2:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Featuring locally grown organic produce, eastside vendors, kids’ area, health information table, and live entertainment weekly.

For more information, please call 517-367-2468