Update and Resources

February 6, 2026

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

~ Matthew 5:16

Sunday Worship at 10:00 AM

Join us for worship this Sunday. You can always worship online via our live stream or anytime on our Kent UCC Video page. Click here to print the bulletin for an order of worship for those worshiping online.

This Sunday is

Scout Sunday

Each year on Feb. 8, the Boy Scouts of America celebrates its birthday. Also known as Scouting Anniversary Day, this is the primary date to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting. This can be particularly meaningful when the Scout unit itself is chartered by a religious organization, as is the case for Pack 3256, Troop 253 and Troop 7253 with our Chartering Organization, the Kent United Church of Christ. Troop 253, the oldest of Kent UCC's Scouting groups, is over 100 years old, having been continuously chartered through Kent UCC for its entire lifespan!

Interested in Joining the Church?

If you are interested in joining our church, or simply have questions, please let Pastor Amy Gopp or Eileen West know or sign up here. We are eager to talk with you about becoming a member of our congregation. We will receive new members in worship on Transfiguration Sunday, which is next Sunday,

February 15. 

Parking

Due to the construction, questions have been raised regarding parking at the church and whether we have enough spaces for Sunday worship and other events. We want to remind everyone that parking is free on the KSU campus on the weekends. If you are unable to find a spot, please park across from the Newman Center in the KSU lot. You can also now park in the front half-circle lot by driving around the barriers.

Hiking Group Not Meeting This Sunday

The hiking group will not be meeting this Sunday do to the cold temperatures. Look for notices for our next hike here and in the Sunday bulletin.

Have a Heart

Have a Heart Sunday is an annual tradition at Kent UCC, when we share our love by donating food to Kent Social Services to feed those in need. Our children have decorated bags that will be available THIS Sunday, 2/8. Fill a bag or two with: 

• canned fruit and vegetables 
• canned soup
• peanut butter, jellies and jams
• canned tuna/salmon/chicken
• pasta and pasta sauce
• cereal 
• Meal-in-a-Box (Tuna or Hamburger Helper)
• boxed mac & cheese, Ramen noodles, or rice. 
• Paper products and toiletries are also welcome

Bring the bag(s) back next Sunday, 2/15. If you are able to do so, bring the bag up to the narthex; if not, leave by the table near the lower level entrance.  We will make sure bags get to the narthex. Thanks to all of you from the Outreach and Benevolence Ministry AND Sunday School children and families!

SOUP-er Bowl Fundraiser

It's that time again! The Kent UCC United Youth Force (UYF) is taking orders for Soup-in-a-Jar - just in time for Soup-er Bowl Sunday! All proceeds support UYF's upcoming service trip to Denver, CO focused on Environmental Justice.  

Soups will be available for pick-up on Feb. 8. You may also place your order here. Each jar is 16oz (4-5 servings), and are a suggested donation of $12.  

This year, we've added a 3rd soup choice - Chicken Noodle!  

UYF - SOUP-er Bowl Fundraiser:

CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

This classic soup is great for these cold winter days! Includes dried chopped onions, dried minced garlic, bay leaf, rosemary, sage, thyme, celery seed, chicken bouillon cube, and wide egg noodles.  

RED LENTIL SOUP  

A delicious Red lentil soup with 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion flakes, paprika, curry, turmeric, cumin, vegetable bullion, and joy. Soup add ons, celery, carrots, butter, coconut milk, and spinach

GREEN SPLIT PEA SOUP

A flavorful split pea soup with yellow and green split peas, onion powder, garlic powder thyme, black pepper, turmeric, vegetable bouillon, and love. If you'd like, add cooked ham at the end for classic split pea and ham soup.

Thank you for your support of UYF!  

The Law and My Neighbor: 

Poverty in Plain Sight

THIS Wednesday, February 11

Our Social Justice series continues with a timely program this coming Wednesday, February 11, 7 pm, Chapel, focusing on current issues affecting our financially vulnerable neighbors. Many of us know John Kennedy, former Portage County treasurer and an active NAACP member. He has recently been appointed executive director of the Community Action Council of Portage County. He’ll share his insights from his work in these roles. The Social Justice and Outreach Ministries are co-sponsoring this program.

February Community Meal

The February Community Meal is on Sunday February 15th at 5pm. We will serve soup and sandwiches and Valentine's Day desserts! You are invited to donate soups and desserts. We are providing the recipes so they will be consistent. Please consider picking one of the soups to make and bring to church on 2/15 or drop off the soup around 4pm that day before the meal starts. 

Here are the soups: Broccoli Cheese, Tortellini Soup (from the church cookbook), Chicken Noodle, and White Bean Vegetable with Meatballs. If one of those grabs your attention and you want to make it please contact Gayle Wall and she will send you the recipe. You can also sign up on the sign up genius, enter which soup you are making, and Gayle will send you the recipe. We are looking for 2-3 pots of each kind of soup. 

Also in need are Valentine-themed desserts and volunteers for cooking and set up at 3:30pm, and dishes at 5pm. Any contribution you can make to help with this February Meal will be greatly appreciated! Please come and join us at the meal and see how wonderful this hands-on ministry is at our church. Click HERE to sign up on the sign up genius.

You Light Up My Life

The Creation Justice Ministry would like to thank everyone who donated to the fundraising campaign for the church’s Sustainability Fund during Advent. Stars were purchased for $10 and were put on display on Epiphany Sunday, January 4^th.  A total of $3,160 was raised from donations and 111 stars that were purchased. A special thank you to Julie Wallace, member of the CJM, who led the campaign. The stars added a beautiful golden charm to our Narthex while displayed. 

Candygrams

Join us in spreading the love this Valentine's Day! For a $3 donation, you can fill out a candygram and send a sweet treat to your loved one. All proceeds benefit UYF's 2026 Summer service trip to Denver, CO! Members of UYF will be selling the Candygrams on Feb.15.  

Roundabout Information

Please click here for a current update on the roundabout being built near our church.

Host Coffee Hour

We need one or two volunteers each week to simply brew a pot of coffee or two, prepare some pitchers of cold water and perhaps bring a few snacks. Members of Fellowship are happy to coach you through it. Sign up here!

Kent Social Services

Volunteers Needed!

Our primary local partner, Kent Social Services, helps us provide food security to our neighbors. We are seeking volunteers on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 10am -1pm to help serve lunch. Sign up here to indicate when you can help. Thank you so much for your willingness to work in our community, share God’s love, and help those in need.

ACME Cash Back Program

It's that time of year again to submit your receipts for the ACME Community Cash Back program. Every year, participate in this special program that gives money to local non-profits. At the end of the program, we tally up the receipts we have collected, and we receive a portion of it back. Please submit your ACME receipts from August 1, 2025 through February 15, 2026. You can drop them in the baskets that are labeled around the church and in the church office. Thank you for participating!

Sign Up to Greet

Please sign up to be a Kent UCC Greeter. This is an easy but IMPORTANT job! Just come to church before the service at 9:35am, stand by the lower doors and welcome and greet people as they come in! It is so imperative to have a friendly face to welcome everyone as they come in to church. You are coming to church anyway so just come a little early and spread our Kent UCC extravagant hospitality to all who enter our doors. Click here to access the greeter sign up sheet! If you have any questions please contact Gayle Wall. 

• TONIGHT, Friday, February 6 – Cleveland Chamber Choir Concert, 7:30pm in the Sanctuary

• Sunday, February 8 – Scout Sunday and pancake breakfast after worship in VMH; Human Resources, 11:15 in the Chapel

• Wednesday, February 11 – “The Law and Our Neighbor: Poverty in Plain Sight” Social Justice lecture series with John Kennedy, 7pm in the Chapel

• Thursday, February 12 – Dwelling in the Word Bible Study, 2pm in the Chapel

• Sunday, February 15 – Transfiguration and Have a Heart Sunday; Special Coffee Hour Celebrating Inez Jackson

• Wednesday, February 18 – Ash Wednesday service, 7pm in the Sanctuary 

• Wednesdays, February 25-March 25, Soup Suppers & Lent Programs, 6-8p

This Week’s Sacred Text

Matthew 5:13-20

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.