Loving all people, growing in faith,
working toward God's vision of
justice, healing and joy
An Open and Affirming/Creation Justice Congregation
IAN
RECONSTRUCTION
Enormous Gratitude To The SCUCC Choir!!!
April 28th is the last Sunday during which our wonderful Choir will sing until next September, we offer our endless appreciation to them for their outstanding efforts and vital contributions to our Worship since last fall – first at Refuge Church, then in our Fellowship Hall, and finally, back in our Sanctuary.
We greatly look forward to their return and continued inspiration in the fall!
Join us this Sunday to listen to our brand new organ!
Dr. MacKenzie Albert will be playing for us.
Next Sunday, May 5
Next Sunday, May 5, with both Mark and Mackenzie away, we will be blessed by the gifts of our four leaders for the day. Kathy Carter will serve as the day’s Worship leader, offering the Welcome and Final Blessing, as well as presiding over the Time of Prayer. Jan VanBuskirk will serve as Liturgist. Pastor Brian Culbertson, our friend from Refuge Church, which was our home from October 2022-October 2023, will deliver the morning’s Message, and Shirley Witte, Chair of our Music Committee, will serve as our musical leader.
Church Office Hours
Church Office is open Monday-Friday from 9am-3pm.
Mark is normally on the church campus Tuesday-Thursday pending pastoral visits or off site meetings. Please feel free to just “drop by” or make an appointment directly with him by email: mark@sanibelucc.org or text/phone call: 908-477-5426
Bible Study
Will meet on Thursday, April 25 @ 10:30. Each week, we explore the Scripture passage(s) being used in Worship that coming Sunday. These sessions are largely “guided discussion” in approach, focusing on your questions and insights from reading the text(s) 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 text speaks to us in our time and lives. In addition, they are great prep for getting more out of the Sunday messages! You will receive the information you need to join in on these sessions, as well as the passages you need to read in advance, on Wednesday afternoons. If interested in attending for the first time, we have Zoom information to attend the study on our Calendar page.
Spiritual Exploration
Our next unit has begun: The topic will be: “Blessed Are Who???: The Beatitudes Then and Now”
Tuesdays: April 30; May 7, 21 and 28
7:00-8:15pm on Zoom
The “Beatitudes” are among the most influential spiritual teachings in human history. They have appeared in and influenced literature, politics, and moral and ethical philosophy.
In this five-week unit, we will explore the Beatitudes as they are presented to us by both Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospels, how they would have been understood in Jesus’ time and the time those gospels were written, and how they might speak to us in this time.
Yoga Classes
Please note, both the Wednesday and Thursday Yoga Classes are currently on hold. An update will be provided when the classes are to resume.
A Request from the Mission & Benevolence Committee
Thank you for your continuing support of the Gladiolus Food Pantry. If you plan on contributing in the near future, there is a special request for the following items: children’s cereal, pasta, and spaghetti sauce.
Donations can be placed in the collection chest inside the entrance to the Sanctuary.
Shell Point Women’s Group May Luncheon
The Sanibel Congregational UCC, Shell Point Women’s Group will have its next monthly luncheon meeting Friday, May 10th at 11:30am at the Palm Grill in the Woodlands Common. Please make reservations with Emily Kletzien at emily.kletzien@gmail.com.
Shell Point Men’s Group May Luncheon
The Sanibel Congregational UCC Men's Group will have its next monthly luncheon meeting on Tuesday, May 14th at noon at the Palm Grill in the Woodlands Common. Please make reservations with Candy Atchison at JimAtch@aol.com or 561-714-4655.
Fellowship Time Volunteers Needed
If you would like to help prepare and serve refreshments for Fellowship Time after Worship on Sundays, please sign up on the sheet found on the table in the back of the Fellowship Hall. It is easy, and assistance will be available if needed. For more information, please sign up in fellowship hall on the sign up sheet.
Ushers Needed
If you are interested in ushering for Sunday Worship, please contact Inky Meng at inkymeng@hotmail.com.
Liturgists Wanted
If you would like to be a Liturgist for our Sunday Worship celebrations, please contact Sharon Hannon, skbhannon@aol.com for information.
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.
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!
