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First Congregational

United Church of Christ

... exploring the frontiers of faith in Jesus

Super Bowl Subs!

sub Don't forget to pick up your subs after church this week - February 5. The youth will be making them fresh during the Sunday School hour!

Staff Corner: Tim Ensworth

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?

Tim and Stoney These words, from Isaiah 40, open the anthem our chancel choir will be singing this Sunday morning. The anthem, Have Ye Not Known/Ye Shall Have a Song, was composed by the American composer, Randall Thompson, and is my absolutely most favorite piece of music ever!

I first heard it sung in 1969, in Plymouth, Massachusetts, by the Massachusetts high school all-state chorus. I was a sophomore in high school, playing in the all-state band. This piece of music moved me to tears then, and still does every time I hear it.

This will be the second time our choir will have sung it . They performed the piece for my installation sixteen years ago! But this will be the first time I have sung it ... ever. I couldn't believe it when I saw it sitting among the new pieces to pick up at choir rehearsal several weeks back. I said to Maggie: “We are really going to sing this?” Good choice, Maggie!

I love music, and I love poetry, because of their ability to use language to come close to describing what is otherwise beyond description, for their ability to come close to conveying emotions that can otherwise not be properly conveyed. Objective language, prose, the language of science, simply cannot express some things that are true, the truest of truths, simply cannot even hint at the wonder of some things that are beautiful, the most beautiful of beauties. Only poetry, only music, suffice. And then it's only an approximation, an image, a taste of the reality!

That's exactly why so much of the Bible is poetry, because objective language, prose, the language of science does not do justice to the majesty and the glory and the love and the grace of God! What we know, what we have experienced, what we feel, the emotions that the felt presence of God raise in us, must be sung!

And so we will sing ... I hope you will hear it and enjoy it and be moved, too!

Parabola Returns to Speed Theatre!

dramaLast year the Waterloo Community Playhouse hosted a one day theatre challenge called Speed Theatre. Each participating group was given a topic (based on a song) on Friday evening and the groups had exactly 24 hours to write, rehearse, gather props, find costumes, learn lines and be ready to perform by Saturday evening. Parabola was the only youth group to participate and the very first to perform. They did an impressive job and were awarded 2 of the 4 awards given that night. This year they will risk failure and strive for laughs again as they take part in WCP's second annual Speed Theatre offering. If you would like to support our Parabola youth, and see several other entertaining groups, please call the WCP box office (291-4494) and reserve your tickets for Saturday, February 11, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are only $10 a piece. Performances are in the Walker Building (across the street from the Center for the Arts).

Free NAMI Class

NAMI The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a free 12-week class for family members who have relatives with mental illness. The course includes current research about mental illness; information about medications; effective treatments to promote recovery; problem solving, listening, and communication techniques; and coping with worry, stress, and emotional overload. The class will run every Thursday from 6:30 to 9:00 pm starting March 8 and ending May 24. The location is the First Congregational Church in Waterloo, 608 West 4th St. Call the NAMI office at 319-235-5263 if you have any questions or would like to register for the class.

Sunday School
February 5, 2012
9:15 am

The Mustard Seeds
Children, Ages 3 - Grade 4
Led by Lynne Ensworth and Jayne Slaughter. Meet in the second floor elementary classroom, creating art and learning about faith through a program called “Discipleland.”
Children’s Sunday School Room

The Wondering Juveniles
Middle and high school youth
The Youth will be making Super Bowl Subs!

Young Adults
We will view and discuss a video by Rob Bell entitled “Open.”
Friendship Room

Adults
Meet with Andrea Nelson.
We will be reviewing and discussing faith and the environment.
Chapel

The Ski Trip!

Ski Trip Group

Our youth took on the challenge of the slopes this past weekend at Welch Village in Minnesota. Other than one unfortunate injury (where Craig Bennett broke his arm on the first run of the first day) the weekend was filled with supportive friends and newfound skills. This Sunday the youth will be hard at work constructing Super Bowl subs in order to pay all the bills. Thanks to all of our church members for their support. Click on any of the images for a larger view!

Ski Trip

Ski Trip

Special Valentines Events February 12!

Valentine’s Day Luncheon after Church
hearts
Don't forget to sign up for the Church Friendship Luncheon to be held Sunday, February 12th, 11:30 am! There will be a catered sack lunch, games, and prizes! The cost is $ 7.00 per person.
The sign up sheet is in the Crossroads area; or call Teri at the church office.

Valentine’s Day Concert
“Recital of Romance” featuring our section leaders:
Mack Whitney, Megan O’Brien, Eric Eichelberger, and Natalie Takes
follows the luncheon at 1:30 PM There is no cost - please bring your friends and join us!

Children's Choir

Children's Choir Children’s Choir will start again on Wednesday, February 15th, at 4:00 pm! Come join the fun!
Details next week!

Theatre Event Coming Soon!

AndroclesSteben's Youth Theater, will present "Androcles and the Lion"
on Feb. 26th, at 3:00 pm. This performance is appropriate for the whole family, is free of charge and open to the public!