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Sundays at 10:00 a.m.

300 Union Street
Northfield, MN 55057
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Who Is to Blame?

fig122_print So … does God send disasters to punish people?  Here’s what Jesus had to say about that …

Who Is to Blame?

Psalm 63:1-8; Luke 13:1-9 

Jesus is asked a great many questions in the book of Luke. Most of the time he answers with a story or a parable or another question. But in the passage we just heard this morning, he twice answers clearly and succinctly: “No.”

Continue reading Who Is to Blame?

March 2010 Chronicle

 Please click on the  March 2010 Chronicle for church news and interesting events happening at First UCC this month!

Sign-Up Early For Church Directory Pictures!

photographerOur church will be producing a new pictorial directory with Olan Mills.  Our photography dates are Monday, April 5 through Thursday, April 8.  If you wish to sign-up early you may click on https://signup.olanmills.com/familyinfo.aspx?chcontract=50699 for online sign-up through Olan Mills.  Once you enter your name and home address information click “SAVE” at the bottom of the screen and the available times will then be displayed for you.  You may also call 1-800-866-2263, Mon-Fri, 8AM to 9PM Central Time to schedule or change an appointment.  Remember, our directory won’t be complete without YOU!

Tempted … Again

tempt22_print When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, he didn’t seem to agonize over what to do.  I wonder what we can learn from his encounter with these temptations …

Tempted … Again …

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Luke 4: 1-13 

The devil asked Jesus the question we would like to ask him: Who are you, really? And because he was the devil, he phrased the question in a provocative way: If are the Son of God, then …” He made it sound as if everyone knew what the Son of God would think and do, and so the only question was whether Jesus would meet those expectations or not.

Continue reading Tempted … Again

Resources on the Topic of Depression

rainOn February 14, Andrea Een presented an Adult Forum talk at First UCC concerning her struggles with, and journey through, depression.  As a follow-up to her presentation, she has offered to share the text from the Chapel Talk she gave at St. Olaf College in December, as well as a list of book resources on the topic of depression.

Optional Illuminations

transfig_6328 The story of Jesus’ transfiguration has a lot to teach us, even if we are discomforted by the mysterious details. (The original title of this sermon was “Optical Illuminations,” but you’ll see why I changed it.)

Optical Illuminations

Exodus 34:29-35; Luke 9:28-36 

I thought a lot about the title of this sermon. Early this week I settled on “Optical Illuminations,” because I wasn’t sure I wanted to go out on a limb with the title that was really in my head – “Optional Illuminations.” But that’s the question that wouldn’t leave me alone these last few days: Do I have to believe this story about mysterious lights, ghostly appearances, and words from heaven?

Continue reading Optional Illuminations

Children’s Prayer and Fundraiser for Haiti Relief

feed the hungryThis prayer was thoughtfully written by the children in the grades 4, 5 and 6 Sunday school class who participated with Feed My Starving Children, last fall.  In response to the tragedy befalling the people of Haiti, they have made bean soup mix to sell to our congregation with the proceeds going to relief efforts.

Praying for the Worldcircle haiti relief

God of all people and places,

We know that you care about all that is wrong in our world.

Therefore, we pray for all the people who have suffered

Losses from the earthquake in Haiti.

We also pray for those who are helping them.

Jesus teaches us of your love.  Help us to make a difference

By giving what we can to the people of Haiti,

and helping them to know that you are with them.

Help us to show your healing love through giving and loving,

Helping those who are hurt,

And working at Feed My Starving Children. 

Amen.

Deep Water

tip340 What do these things have in common:  Church camp, Muir Woods, and Jesus helping the disciples fish?  Find out here <grin>!

Deep Water

Isaiah 6:1-8; Luke 5:1-11

About two weeks before my friend Katherine Mulhern and I left for seminary – she to Eden Seminary in St. Louis and I to Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley – we drove across the state of Washington to our beloved church camp on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene just over the state line in Idaho. Our friend and pastor Todd Wyrick was just finishing a week with the Senior High Camp, and he had promised to give us a blessing for our journeys.

Continue reading Deep Water

February 2010 Chronicle

 Please click on the  February 2010 Chronicle for church news and interesting events happening at First UCC this month!

Haiti Earthquake Response Update

Haiti ReliefWe’ve received two important documents from the Disaster Response office of the UCC in Cleveland that we now pass on to you. You can download the Haiti Earthquake Frequently Asked Questions sheet here. You can also find a brief summary related to the possibilities for Hatians coming the U.S. The Disaster Response office reports that some UCC congregations have been asking how they may provide a welcome to Hatians who are coming to the U.S. Their recommendation is to connect with any Hatian community in their local setting and offer their assistance.

Pilgrim Point Camp Schedule for 2010

Pilgrim Point LogoPlease click here to see the 2010 camp schedule of events for Pilgrim Point.  For more information visit www.pilgrimpoint.org.

O for a Thousand Body Parts

hands I don’t usually think of St. Paul as a funny guy, but he makes some broad jokes while trying to persuade the Christians in Corinth to honor the gifts of all of their members.  Let’s laugh with him, and then listen again to that important message …

 A Thousand Body Parts

1 Corinthians 12:12-31a; Luke 4:14-21 

Last week was Part One of the message(from 1 Corinthians 12): There are varieties of gifts. This week is Part Two: All of them are equally important.

And did you notice that St. Paul wrote Part Two with humor?

Continue reading O for a Thousand Body Parts

Many Gifts, One Spirit

gifts There are no words of scripture that I quote more often than these from 1 Corinthians 12:  “There are varieties of gifts.”  Here is why I think it is so important …. (after I say a few words about my June 30 retirement that I announced earlier this week) …

1 Corinthians 12:4-11;  John 2:1-11 

Many Gifts, One Spirit

I was looking forward to preaching a sermon this morning about weddings. The evocative story of Jesus providing 150 gallons of good wine for the wedding in Cana

Continue reading Many Gifts, One Spirit

Prayers for Haiti

Some of you may be familiar with the UCC’s Daily Devotional.  Today the writing team has posted several very moving prayers for the people of Haiti.  Click here to read them …

Another Way to Help in Haiti

Our own Paul Miller, who led the programs in our church about Haiti, invites our gifts to Partners in Health as a way to donate to relief efforts in Haiti.  Click here for their website and online donations.