Sunday, January 20

Our scripture selection for this second Sunday after Epiphany is from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, the twelfth chapter, verses 1-11. Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, exhorting the members to come together as a cohesive, loving unit in order to share the spiritual hope that Jesus Christ has given to them. When one becomes a follower of the Risen Christ, one becomes a new person, Paul says. Is this still the case today, some 2000 years later? Or do we come together in the church simply because we enjoy the group of people we worship with? Are we still changed, as Paul describes it, or do we become part of a church without really making any adjustments in our lives? Interesting questions that have real meaning for Christianity in the 21st century.

The Meeting House Choir will sing All Things Bright and Beautiful by Paul deLespinasse and Many Gifts, One Spirit by Allen Pote. Gavin D. Craig, our organist, will play Plain Jeu by Fraincois Couperin, Cana of Gallilee by Robert E. Kreutz, and ST. GERTRUDE arr. by Raymond H. Haan. Our congregational hymns will be Forward Through the Ages (ST. GERTRUDE), Not for Tongues of Heaven's Angels (BRIDEGROOM), and High in the Heavens, Eternal God (TRURO).

This Sunday is celebrated as the baptism of Jesus. It sure doesn't take long for Jesus to be born and grow to adulthood! His baptism in the Jordan river signifies the beginning of his ministry in the world. Our own baptism has symbolic meaning, but also very real meaning for our lives. It is a beginning of life based on God's hope rather than the world's despair. But, it requires each one of us to intentionally consider where God is calling us to. For Jesus, it was to a cross. Along the way, Jesus was able to show what God's kingdom was like and to invite each of us to join in that journey. How will we begin the journey? Where will it take us? Those are the questions a loving God helps us to ask, for in the asking, we find the answers.

The Meeting House Choir will sing Jubilate Deo by Benjamin Britten and The Baptism of Jesus (Traditional Irish tune) arranged by Austin C. Lovelace. During the Offertory, Tracy Jacob Shirk, tenor, along with the Meeting House Choir, will sing Ain't got time to die by Hall Johnson. Gavin D. Craig, our organist, will play Allein Gott in der Höh sei Her by Samuel Scheidt andVI. Final from Symphony in F Minor, op. 13, no. 4 byCharles-Marie Widor. Our congregational hymns will be Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (LOBE DEN HERREN), Wild and lone the prophet's voice (LA GRANGE) and I was there to hear your borning cry (WATERLIFE).

Spirit Houston

Tomorrow ~ January 12 at Grace UCC

Join UCC on January 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for Spirit Houston, honoring Spiritual Education in Houston. Visit with guest speaker Mayor Annise Parker, along with Melanie Lawson (KTRK news anchor), and James Drury (star of The Virginian TV show). This fundraiser is supported by Houston's own Foundation for Contemporary Theology. All proceeds will be used for scholarship funding for United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ seminarians in need. A live auction will also be part of the event. Light refreshments will be served following the event. A special offering will be collected. All contributions are deductible and all donations are accepted. To make reservations so we can anticipate your attendance, please e-mail the church at graceucchouston@sbcglobal.net or call the church office at (281) 575-7866. Address: 8515 Brookwulf, Houston 77072-3838. Grace UCC is located in Southwest Houston, one block south of Beechnut Street, between Dairy Ashford Road and Synott Road. Alexander Elementary of Alief ISD is just across the street.

(http://graceucchouston.com/gucc/welcome)

This Sunday, January 6, is the celebration of the Epiphany of Jesus, the visit of the Wise Men to the Christ child. Epiphany is roughly translated at "revelation" or "discovery." In many Christian cultures the celebration of Epiphany is the most important part of the Christmas season. The manger and the shepherds take a back seat to the gifts of the Wise Men! Their gifts symbolize the light of God's love that is ours to share with the world. How do we allow that light of God to shine through our lives today? What gifts does God share with us and how do we use them?

FCC Piano Festival, Saturday, January 19

Third Annual FCC Piano Festival - "Winter Nights" at 7:00 PM.
The Piano Festival is free and open to the public, and will feature five accomplished pianists, all of whom are members of First Congregational Church, Houston. We invite the whole family to come and listen to the music of Chopin, Debussy, Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, and more, including a duet or two

This Sunday is December 30, so most of the Christmas leftovers should be history by now, just in time to start working on the New Year's Eve/Day leftovers. Then, by Epiphany (January 6) we'll be all ready for New Year's resolutions and exercise regimens. And so it goes, or seems to, every year! So, if Christmas is here and gone, what do we have to show for it? We've had some great worship services and celebrations, but do all those things really make any difference in our lives? We will ponder those thoughts on Sunday as we prepare to enter a new year.

Rosann Naim, soprano, and Keicee Naim Newton, mezzo-soprano will sing The King of us all by Jill Galina. Organist Gavin Craig will play Où s'en vont ces gais bergers by Claude-Bénigne Balbastre; Love Came Down at Christmas by Charles V. Stanford; and Fanfare on ANTIOCH by Gerre Hancock. Our congregational hymns will be Once in royal David's city (IRBY), Love came down at Christmas (WHITNEY), and Joy to the world! (ANTIOCH).

Christmas Eve Services

A week from tomorrow is Christmas Eve. FCC will host two worship services on December 24^th as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. The 5:00 p.m. worship service will be geared toward children, with several activities which they will be invited to take part in. We will also join in Holy Communion which the children are invited to participate in, at the direction and discretion of their parents. Our 7:30 p.m. worship service will be a traditional scripture and carols service which will include Holy Communion. The Meeting House Choir will sing at the 7:30 p.m. service. Both services will close with the candlelight service. Come join us on this night of all nights, and bring a friend or neighbor.