Greetings, beloved of God!
First, thank you for the wonderful cards, gifts and prayers! The sweetness that y’all bring to my life has been affirming and sustaining! I appreciate you so much!
What a rollercoaster our last three services have been! Whew!
The absolute beauty of Christmas Eve, the harsh cyber attack on Christmas Day and the wonderful gifts of story and song, with our sister church, Admiral UCC, this past Sunday! I guess the lesson is we just keep going and keep giving God the glory — through joy and adversity!
As we roll into this new year, some of us are battling illness, some are weathering loneliness, others are in fresh grief — let’s remember one another in our prayer time and, as we are able, provide support for them.
As is my habit every year, I pray and meditate for a focus for the year. What came to me this year was a simple prayer that I offer to you to consider:
God, please bless me with what frees me
And free me for what will bless me.
Bishop Yvette A. Flunder is known for saying, “Free people free people!” And so, getting/being free isn’t just about the individual. It’s a catalyst for change and possibility!
I am excited about beginning a new year with y’all and look forward to us continuing to bless and free each other!
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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The feast of Epiphany brings the Christmas season to an end. To mark the day, here’s a litany called “The Work of Christmas” composed by Howard Thurman, an African-American theologian, educator, civil rights leader and mentor to Martin Luther King Jr.
When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flocks,
the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among the people,
to make music in the heart.
The poem “The Work of Christmas” is from Howard Thurman’s The Mood of Christmas and Other Celebrations.
— Cinda (she/her)
Bonus Video:
During its 2017 Christmas Party, the young heroes of Urban Hope recited and reflected on Howard Thurman's classic litany. Please join them here.
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Welcome to "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 people in prayer.
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.
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Continuing prayers of protection and support for the people of Afghanistan ... and for migrants everywhere experiencing upheaval and distress.
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:
Jim and Sandy’s friend Mary Jane on the death of her husband Jim; Dan K's family mourning the passing of his sister-in-law Helaina, family and friends of Julia P's brother Wayne B, 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, Julia C's friend Joan, Vicky's friend Janelle O, Julia C's friend Peter, Emily H's friend Donna, 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,
January 9 at 10:00 am
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First Sunday after Epiphany
"January Jesus"
Rev. Louis J. Mitchell
Contemporary Voice:
“For some reason, the most vocal Christians among us never mention the Beatitudes (Matthew 5). But, often with tears in their eyes, they demand that the Ten Commandments be posted in public buildings. And of course, that's Moses, not Jesus. I haven't heard one of them demand that the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes, be posted anywhere. 'Blessed are the merciful' in a courtroom? 'Blessed are the peacemakers' in the Pentagon? Give me a break!” ― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country
Scripture Readings:
Mark 8:27-30 (NRSV)
Luke 3:15-16 (NRSV)
Sermon:
“Who is Jesus?” Part One
Guest Accompanist:
David Duvall
Click here for Order of Online Worship, including the scripture text.
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Food/Clothing Drive
Sunday, January 16
11:00 to 3:00 pm
Front Courtyard
Non-perishable food items distributed by the White Center Food Bank.
Donations of blankets/new or gently used men's and children's cold-weather clothing requested: coats, jackets, hats, gloves, etc. and, as always, new men's socks.
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New Zoom Link and Protocol
to Attend Virtual Sunday Worship
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After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with your unique login link, which should not be shared.
Note: All attendees are placed in a ‘waiting room’ until the Alki UCC tech host admits you shortly before the service begins. Please be on time!
Your tech team,
Shannon, Gary & Joe
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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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Sunday Worship Videos Posted on YouTube
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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
6115 SW Hinds
Seattle, WA 98116
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