(Click this)  First Congregational United Church of Christ   (Click it)

Grand Junction, Colorado        Diversity is what UNITES us.

          We shared hospitality and friendship at our Fifth Sunday celebrations, over Shrove Tuesday pancakes, ice-cream socials and picnics, and at our new Sunday-after-Christmas and Holy Humor Sunday breakfasts-with-worship. Our Men’s Breakfast group continues to provide fellowship and chances to connect and share, as does our new Phone Buddies lunch group. Our Women’s Fellowship initiated sales of Equal Exchange Fairly Traded Coffee and the Book Project, the proceeds of (both) which go to support mission. We installed Dan Wilkie as our new Assistant Minister, and were delighted to have Linda Randolph join our staff as our Facilities Manager. Our members served at the Association and Conference levels of our denomination, attended Annual Meetings, participated in the special RMC workshop offered by Paul Nickerson, shared their musical gifts by caroling our shut-ins at Christmas, in community handbell concerts, and with our sister congregation in Silverton, traveled to Collbran to share in their Women’s Fellowship, and participated in Church Women United celebrations. Outside the church, our members supported the work of organizations like the Lions, Elks, Kiwanis, Eagles, the Salvation Army, the Counseling & Education Center, they volunteered at St. Mary’s, Hospice, the Visitor’s Center, the Blood Bank, and more.
          Folks, if all of that isn’t “growth,” I don’t know what is! We have so much to be proud of here. We are “being church” in remarkable ways. And it would be easy to rest on our laurels for awhile. However, our still-speaking-God is always calling us to continue to grow, learn, and explore new ways of sharing our faith with others. This year let us truly rejoice in all that we have accomplished – and let us newly resolve to continue to look, to listen, to feel for the Holy Spirit, as it blows through us and among us, stirring again the possibilities of what we may be and become as Christ’s church.

Blessings, Pastor Sharyl

          Announcing a creative and artistic way to acquire a new sound system for our sanctuary! Several very talented women of our congregation are ready to begin making an exquisite, quilted wall-hanging of a bookcase. Here’s the idea. There will be books and many other objects to be sewn into the wall hanging. Each book and bookcase item will be individually priced. You may select a book(s) or an item(s). With your donation, your family name (or any name of your choice) will be embroidered on the book or bookcase object. The goal is to help raise $3000.00 or more to install a new sound system in our sanctuary.
          This quilted wall-hanging will be heirloom quality, colorful, and elegant. You won’t want to miss this special opportunity to be a vital part of this project. Upon completion, it will be displayed in our church.
          A new sound system will do wonders to enhance our weekly worship services, special services such as weddings and funerals, and insure high quality sound for our congregation and guests throughout the year. This is your chance to be heard! Literally!
Watch your Tower Chimes and Sunday church bulletins for more information on how YOU can be a part of this unique project AND contribute to funding our dream of a new sound system. The time line for completion of the quilted wall hanging is Fall 2008.
          Join us and be a part of A Sound Investment!