Season of Epiphany, Sunday January 17, 2021
This Sunday, January 17,we will continue to worship using our zoom format, individually, but still as one body, united in Christ. Rev. Andrew Mead will bring us a message based on the scriptures of Gen. 2:20b-25 & 1 Cor. 6:12-20.
GPS: Join us this Sunday after Zoom worship for the first of a two-part GPS series on the Human Sexuality Report. Synod has shared the Human Sexuality Report with congregations and encouraged church families to have discussions around the contents of this report. This report attempts to define how churches within our denomination should respond to a variety of relational matters, including gay marriage, the stance of the church in regards to LGBTQ members, premarital sex, and other potentially controversial topics. Presenters will guide us through a summary of this report and create opportunities for feedback. We look forward to prayerfully and humbly navigating through this report with all the members of our COS family.
Children’s Ministry
Epiphany: I Spy! This year in Girls, Boys, and Kid’s club we embrace the theme The Living Word Translated for Us by exploring holy habits for kids—drawing close and spending time with Jesus, the Living Word who became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood just to be near to us! In January, during the season of Epiphany, our Girls, Boys, and Kids Clubs will practice the holy habit of I Spy–noticing, paying attention to, and recognizing God’s presence in our lives and the world. I hope your kids will join the zoom calls to pray, play, read the Word, and practice this holy habit together!
Girls, Boys, and Kids Clubs in January:
Each of our clubs will meet once in January on a Sunday from 4:30pm-5:00pm. Below you’ll see the schedules and age groups for each group, along with the zoom link to join.
Boys Club is at 4:30pm on January 17th: All boys in 2nd through 6th grade are invited!
Kids Club is at 4:30pm on January 24th: All children in preschool through 1st grade are invited!
To join the Girls, Boys, or Kids Club Zoom meeting click this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84509390414?pwd=RGxGUjQ1czBqOW1YejZaL0JZYU1VUT09 If a Meeting ID is requested, enter: 845 0939 0414
If a passcode is requested, enter: CLUB
Children’s Worship Old Testament Stories
2020-2021 is an Old Testament Year in Children’s worship. Now that we’ve made our journey to the manger and welcomed the Christ child, we’re heading back to Genesis for stories of God’s faithfulness and promises. You’ll find the story video on the House Church Resource page of the COS website every week, and in the weekly email I send to parents. If you don’t get my email, please send me a note and I’ll add you to my mailing list! Jo.Howe@coscrc.org
Sunday Morning Sing-Along, 9:50-10:00am – Sing and dance along on Sunday mornings from 9:50am-10:00am with Karen Saupe, Evelyn the cat, and John and Neo Verbrugge as they lead the Little Lambs Jam Band for all ages! Simply join the Zoom worship service 10 minutes early to sing along!
Taste and See! A Lord’s Supper Class for Kids and Parents
At COS we love to welcome children to the Lord’s Supper! Our tradition, is for young children to come forward in the communion circle to receive a blessing. As children grow curious and interested in understanding and participating more fully, we encourage them to attend a class with a parent about what the Lord’s Supper is all about. Please send me a note to let me know if you’re interested! Jo.Howe@coscrc.org
Many of us are aware, now more than ever, that we are living in difficult times, “dark times.” We may be asking, “Where is God? What am I supposed to do with my feelings? I know the scriptures say rejoice always, but what if I don’t feel like it?” Every Wednesday evening in January via Zoom, we will spend a half hour (7:30 – 8:00pm) in guided meditation using scripture, poetry, silence and journaling to consider the growth that is happening in the dark. COS member and spiritual director, Andrea Le Roy, will facilitate this time together. We hope you’ll join us on January 20.
Financial Update: Last week’s offering and online giving(includes monthly ACH) : $44,007.92 Current Giving for the month: $61,742.75
Monthly General Fund Budget: $112,926
Pledges: As of midweek, we have 188 pledges totaling $899,618. The average is still high, which is encouraging, but last year we had 163 pledges, and the previous year 205. There is still time for you to make your pledge. Thank you from the Stewardship Team.
Sunday morning scripture readers wanted! If you would like to read scripture on Sunday morning, go to Signup Genius to sign up to read any Sunday. Click here to sign up for any Sunday, from January through the end of May.
Keeping our congregation updated: To our brothers and sisters in Christ, CORR (Congregations Organizing for Racial Reconciliation) continues to offer Understanding Racism workshops in 2021, virtually. These workshops are open to everyone in our congregation. It is our hope and prayer that as COS people continue in this work of understanding racism, Church of the Servant will reveal what Godly antiracism looks like in the community. A Thursday/Friday morning workshop begins in February. Please prayerfully consider taking advantage of these opportunities. We long to meet in person again but for now, this is a wonderful format for all of us to continue to do the Lord’s work in antiracism. Register at CORRnow.org