 Greetings beloved ones!
Our theme for this first week of Advent is anticipation and hope.
We’ve been centering those traits for the last few weeks!
We are in early “labor” of this movement to be church anew!
Hallelujah!
This week many of us will celebrate Indigenous People’s Day or Thanksgiving or some other observance. Whatever you celebrate, take some time to be kind and good to yourself! Take a few minutes to write (yep, I said write) a gratitude list! Take a deep breath and thank God for all the good things in your life!
Even if there are crummy things going on, there are likely some good ones too! Notice them, lift them up, savor them.
I’ll be celebrating my sobriety anniversary! On November 23rd, 1983, I crawled back into recovery rooms — hopeless and defeated. I felt certain that whatever they were doing wouldn’t work for me.
First of all, they were old and out of touch! Most of them were at least 30! It seemed to me that they were all sparkly-eyed and cultish. They were way too cheerful — all that clapping and hugging. I did not want what they had, but I didn’t want what I had either. I really didn’t believe they were sober — they were way too happy!
Little did I know that my life was just beginning — on a whole new footing!
I didn’t have the imagination to dream of the life full of joy, love and peace that I live today.
The Big Book of AA says it better than I ever could!
“If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through.
We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.
No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.
That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.
We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.
Self-seeking will slip away.
Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.
Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.
We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.
We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Are these extravagant promises? We think not.
They are being fulfilled among us — sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly.
They will always materialize if we work for them.”
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I praise God for a new start and the fruits of integrity, humility and grace that recovery has given me! I am, indeed, very, very, very thankful!
May the grace of God, the teachings of Christ and the fire of the Holy Spirit surround, inform and infuse us as we go!
Blessings,
Rev. Louis
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In-Person Worship Returns
this Sunday, November 28
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"I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD!”
— Psalm 122:1
 Advent Sunday, November 28, marks the beginning of "hybrid" worship at Alki UCC. You can still stream our 10:00 am service online live via Zoom, or gather in the Sanctuary to join other actual people in prayer. Finally!
Rev. Louis says: "I look forward to worshipping in person with y'all and seeing your (masked) faces! I also thank the leadership of this church for their prudence, thoughtfulness, patience and preparation.
Blessings and welcome back! "
Your safety is our number one priority. Kindly note the following guidelines
- You must be fully vaccinated for COVID to attend in person. You only need to present your proof of vaccination on your first visit.
- Face coverings are required.
- Social distancing is encouraged.
In order to make the check-in process efficient,
Online pre-registration for this Sunday closes today at Noon
so just show up if you find you can make it.
Pre-registration is highly encouraged, but no worries … you can also register when you arrive so just show up! All are welcome.
Check-in Process at the Church
Enter through the Hinds Street front entrance and take an immediate left to sign in at the Parlor registration table. You will then be guided to an open pew and asked to sit socially-distanced from those who are not part of your family/friends unit.
During Worship
The Order of Worship and hymn/song lyrics will be displayed on a big screen near at the front of the sanctuary; paper bulletins will not be available. You can also request a hymnal for reference to some of the musical selections.
When service ends, exit through the rear sanctuary doors and proceed outside, where you are welcome to gather for conversation under the courtyard tent. As you arrive and exit, please note the collection plates at the back of the sanctuary.
Please email Shannon P if you have any questions.
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Call for Advent/Christmas Choir Members
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 Raise your voice in glorious song!
Not only is the congregation welcome back to the sanctuary this Sunday, but the choir has started Sunday rehearsals to sing anthems during Advent and Christmas services.
We would love to have more of your voices to join us, and this is a very short term commitment, starting this Sunday from 11:30 am to1:00 pm.
Interested? Please contact Joe M.
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Volunteer Opportunities for In-Person Worship
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Altar Arrangements Committee
For many years, Verona R's lovely and distinctive altar arrangements have been an important part of Sunday worship.
Now that Verona is staying home for a while as she recovers, we're forming a creative team to provide and arrange flowers (or other) decorative altar arrangements for Sunday worship.
Tidying Up!
Humans needed to :
- Take extraneous items from the Lost & Found box to Goodwill or another donations site.
- Organize the Narthex nametag wall and drawers in the lamp table/Parlor cupboard. They look like they've been in a cat fight.
- Cast your creative eye on the church bulletin board in the narthex and offer suggestions on how to make it informative and welcoming.
Contact: office@alkiucc.org
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Julia P requests: Prayers for Wayne B, my brother, and our family at his passing Saturday, November 20, 2:45 pm after losing his fight with COVID. We are so sad and broken hearted. Thank you for your prayers. Julia and Rod P
Prayers of caring, support and sustenance for migrants on the border of Belarus and Poland being cruelly used as political pawns ... and for migrants everywhere experiencing upheaval and distress.
Continuing prayers of protection and support for the people of Afghanistan.
Special prayers of support and safety for Kirstin, Jeff, and all the educators and students in our community and beyond ... and for all who work in the school environment.
Special Prayers for the family, friends and communities of Ronald Greene, Andrew Brown Jr, Adam Toledo, Ma'hia Bryant, Andrew Brown Jr, Daunte Wright, Walter Wallace, Jonathan Price, Jacob Blake, Rayshard Brooks, Manuel Elllis, George Floyd, Elijah McClain, Dreasjon (Sean) Reed, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the heart-breaking list of African-Americans and other people of color murdered or wounded by police or self-declared vigilantes in our nation over many decades. We mourn with you and we stand for justice and healing.
Special Prayers for all those on the front lines of working to protect us, keep us healthy, sane, grounded, informed, fed and comfortable during the current COVID 19 outbreak: our faith leaders, front-line health care workers, EMTs, police, firefighters, educators, transit bus and rail drivers, farmers, therapists, social workers, shelter operators, engineers, grocery/drug store personnel, caregivers, childcare specialists, pharmacists, custodians, organizations caring for the most vulnerable, sanitation workers, dispatchers and others keeping our supply chains operational, truth-telling journalists and all the many public servants who are so vital to our community.
For those grieving the recent death of a loved one:
Friends and family of Rev. Ron Marshall; friends and family of Bev C; Charlie H and family; Candace G and family; Ed B and family; Todd S and family; Patty M, family and friends of Bob J, family and friends of Jim C; Larry G
Recent hospitalization, illness and other concerns:
Verona R, Vicky's friend Janelle O, Julia C's friend Peter, Emily H's friend Donna, Jim and Sandy's friends Jim S and Mary Jane, Dan's brother Bill and Bill's wife Helaina, Larry G, Dan K, Cinda's sister-in-law, Sue B's friends Mary and Louise, Cindy, Julia P, Jeff and Kirstin's sister-in-law Sue, Sandy and Jim's friend Al, his mom, Sue and friend Kay; Penny M; Kirstin D; Shannon P's father, Rev. Dr. Bill; Verona's younger brother Eric; Julia C's long-time friend Megan; Bonita C; Claire F; Dayle B; Imy P; Kirstin D's father; Don P
For homebound members/friends of Alki UCC: Doris C
Wider World: Prayers for all those affected by the corona virus outbreak; all those suffering from PTSD in the military and around the world; for all those affected by misguided immigration policies; prayers for fewer guns, for all victims and those affected by gun violence; victims and survivors of extremist violence around the world; migrants seeking refuge around the world, and for those who are trying to help them. The rest of the missing schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram, who remain in our hearts as long as they remain missing. The hungry and homeless, the ill and the addicted, the lost and the lonely; the unemployed.
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Worship
this Sunday
November 28
at 10:00 am
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The First Sunday
in Advent
Rev. Louis J. Mitchell
Contemporary Voices:
“Your wholeness will be uncomfortable to those who've grown accustomed to brokenness.”
― Andrena Sawyer
“When we dig in the soil and plant a seed, we enter into a cycle of restoration that produces wholeness in us. Our bodies are restored by the tilling and the harvesting, our minds are restored by the space such repetitive work
opens up within us, the earth is restored by the nutrients provided through the plants, and our spirits are revived as we become better stewards of what we have been given.”
― Jerusalem Jackson Greer, :At Home in this Life: Finding Peace at the Crossroads of Unraveled Dreams and Beautiful Surprises"
Scripture Readings:
Psalm 138
(NRSV – unedited for inclusion, these words attributed to David)
Thessalonians 3:9-13
(adapted from The Message)
Sermon:
“In All Things, Praise!”
Liturgist:
Joe M
Moment of Ministry
Faith Formation
Guest Accompanist
David Duvall
Music Highlights
Welcome to this House
David Cowen
Grateful Nourishment
David Duvall
The Yearning
Craig Courtney &
Susan Bentall Boersma
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Sunday's Order of Worship, including the scripture text, is linked here.
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Church Office Closed
for the Thanksgiving Holiday
Thursday, November 25
Friday, November 26
Happy Thanksgiving/
Indigenous People's Day to all! Have a safe and joyous holiday week.
Outreach/Social Justice
Tuesday, November 30
7:00 pm
Contact: Cinda S
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Dan K would like to share one of his favorite music videos. "I always send the link out to folks this time of year. Enjoy and be sure to watch through the credits; there are some fun scenes there, too! "
He says that 'Grateful' is a reminder for us to really soak in all the blessings we have, amidst the many challenges that surround us. Here's the link!
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Sunday, November 28 is the first night of Hanukkah!
Best wishes to our friends from Kol HaNeshamah and Jews around the world as they celebrate a joyous "festival of lights."
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Zoom Teach-in with Antiracist Educator
Paul Kivel
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On Wokeness and Performativity
Zoom Teach-In
with Paul Kivel
Monday, November 29 7:30-9:00 pm
(Pacific time)
Admiral UCC presents author/organizer/antiracist educator Paul Kivel in the second challenging and engaging Zoom teach-in as part of the church’s year-long study of Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Racial Justice.
Kivel’s Uprooting Racism offers a framework around neoliberalism and interpersonal, institutional, and cultural racism, along with stories of resistance and white solidarity. It provides practical tools and advice on how white people can work as allies for racial justice. Join the conversation!
Register in advance here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on joining the meeting.
Watch July's teach-in here.
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Zoom Registration Link for Sunday Worship
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You only need to register once for Sunday worship.
You will receive a confirmation email with your own unique link to join Sunday worship.
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For secure, online giving through Give Lively, click the blue button below.
You can also send your check, made out to "Alki UCC," to:
Alki UCC Church Office
6115 SW Hinds
Seattle, WA 98116
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Sunday Worship Videos Posted on YouTube
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6115 SW Hinds ♦ Seattle, WA 98116 ♦ 206/935-2661
Check for church news and calendar updates at www.alkiucc.org.
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