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September 10, 2021
“If any want to become my followers,
let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
                                                                                     ~Mark 8:34b 
Sunday Worship at 10am
We have many options for worship! In an ongoing effort to keep us all healthy and safe, we continue to provide several ways to worship at Kent UCC. Join us in our sanctuary on Sunday for our 10am worship service in person! Or watch our live stream by clicking here. You can also view the service later on our Kent UCC Video page. Click here to print the bulletin for an order of worship for those worshiping online.
 
To prepare for our in person Sunday service:
  • Wear your mask.  All staff, congregants and guests will wear a mask that covers the nose, mouth and chin when inside our church building. If you forget yours, there will be masks provided. 
  • Practice good hygiene and social distancing. Hand sanitizer and sanitizing products are readily available throughout the church. Ushers will seat you every other pew to maintain social distancing. 
  • We will celebrate Holy Communion this Sunday. You may choose among three different options to do so: 1) bring your own communion elements from home; 2) pick up a packaged wafer and cup from the Deacons as you enter worship; or 3) practice “Inner Communion” without any physical elements. 
  • Bring your offerings to place in the secure containers in the narthex. 
  • There will be no childcare or Sunday School but there will be boxes especially prepared for each child/family for use during worship in the pews. There will also be a children’s sermon/Snapchat during the service. The lounge will be available during worship for any parent or guardian in need of a quiet space.
  • We will stay in our pews to pass the peace of Christ.
  • Only our director of music and choir section leaders will sing. We all look forward to singing as a congregation, but for now, this is the safest way to proceed. 
  • There will be no greeting line after worship. The ushers will release you from your pews. There will be no coffee hour or other food or beverages consumed inside.  
In Person Health and Safety Policy
The COVID Advisory Team, staff, and Council have been diligently working to ensure the health and safety of our congregation and community, weighing the physical, mental, spiritual, and financial risks to our health. As we take the next step into a new phase of in person worship and ministry, as a covenantal community we ask you to read our policy HERE. If staff, congregants, friends or guests have any concerns about their health and safety within these guidelines or restrictions, they can reach out to the moderator team or Council for assistance. As a covenantal community of faith, it is up to each of us to support this policy.
This Sunday We Bury the
Time Capsule!
Join us after worship on Sunday for a very special ceremony to (at last!) bury our bicentennial time capsule! Members of our Fellowship Ministry will be at the downstairs double doors leading to the parking lot to distribute treats after worship. You are then invited to participate in burying the time capsule—not to be opened until 2050! Photos of all that is included in the capsule will be shown before and after worship in our sanctuary.  
Fall Adult Education Class
“I wish I knew the Bible better.” “I don’t understand why that’s in the Bible!” “I want a different kind of relationship with the Bible.” If you’ve ever found yourself saying these phrases, our fall adult education class is for you! Join Pastor Kim to discuss Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans. We’ll meet on Zoom from 7-8 pm on Wednesdays, September 29 through Wednesday, November 24. Please sign up HERE.
New Social Justice Book Study
Our anti-racism book club has been meeting diligently for a year now! All are welcome from the church and community at any time. We are now meeting the 4th Monday of every month at 7pm via Zoom. On September 27th and October 25, we will be discussing Our Time is Now by Stacey Abrams. We are happy to welcome LaTesha Dukes, local activist, school board candidate, and Mental Health Board member, as facilitator of this discussion. You won't want to miss this opportunity to learn more about voter rights and how to put our faith into action. Please have the first five chapters read by our first discussion.  
Community Outreach Meal
Our September Community Meal is on Sunday, September 19th. We will serve Johnny Marzetti casserole, fruit, vegetable, rolls, and dessert. We are looking for our church family to donate the Johnny Marzetti casserole with the recipe provided (serving 12) and dessert. Please click HERE to let us know what you can cook/donate. Please contact Gayle Wall if you have any questions. Please bring your donated items to church on September 19th no later than 4pm. Your donations are much appreciated!  
 
Johnny Marzetti
This classic casserole made with pasta, ground beef, and vegetables in a cheesy tomato sauce is perfect comfort food that can feed a crowd!
 
Ingredients:
  • 1 lb. macaroni pasta
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 green pepper, chopped
  • 8 ounces mushrooms, chopped
  • 2 lbs. ground beef (or swap 1 lb. for Italian sausage)
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 (14 oz) cans tomato sauce
  • 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
  • Pinch sugar
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, divided
  • 2 cups Italian blend cheese, divided

Instructions:
1.    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2.    Bring a large pot of water to boil for the macaroni. Cook the macaroni until on the firmer side of al dente, about 7 minutes. I like to under do it because it will continue to soften in the casserole. Drain the pasta, then return it to the pot and set aside.
3.    In the meantime, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, green pepper, and mushrooms to the skillet and sauté until softened, about five minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until no pink remains. Drain the fat off the beef mixture, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
4.    Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, garlic, oregano, Italian herbs, and sugar to the beef mixture. Allow it to simmer for five or so minutes, stirring occasionally.
5.    Carefully pour the beef mixture into the pot with the noodles and stir to combine. Add 1 cup of cheddar cheese and 1 cup of Italian blend to the mix. Pour the mixture into a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. Top with the remaining 2 cups of cheese. Bake for 30 minutes, or until cheese is golden and melted. Top with parsley for serving.
Yard Signs for Sale TOMORROW!
Our mission is to become an anti-racist congregation. Our new yard signs are available for $10. We’ll be outside by the church front entrance on Saturday, September 11 from noon-3 pm. You can also buy one after worship or call the church office to arrange for delivery.  All proceeds will be directed to our Social Justice Ministry and anti-racism work such as workshops and local partnerships like the NAACP. Please help support this important work and join our witness.
Acme Cash Back Program
Please save your Acme receipt slips for the Acme Cash Back program to support our Women’s Fellowship! As we return to worship in our building, look for the baskets on the entry table near Fellowship Hall, one upstairs on the narthex windowsill and one in the office. We need the whole receipt slip for it be counted in our total. Receipts that qualify can be collected through December 25, 2021. The last day for turning in your slips is January 25, 2022. Thank you so much for your support!
Flowers for Worship
If you would like to contribute flowers to adorn our worship space in honor of a loved one or in celebration of a special occasion this fall/winter, please sign up HERE to save a date and make your dedication. Thank you!
Please Update Your Records
Are your records up to date with the church office? Have you moved? Changed phone numbers? Have a new email address? Please check with the church office to make sure your information is up to date. Please email Leah with any changes.
In Our Prayers
Doris Aeschliman
Dorothy Blum Ebright, friend of Debbie Barber
Rudy Capece, grandson of Debbie and Al Barber
Bev Feher, long-time friend of Barb Marken
Carol Horner
Pete Jones and family, friends of Leah Davis
Billy O’Malley, nephew of Annie O’Malley
Bruce Moore
Noel Reeves
Tallu Schuyler Quinn, friend of Pastor Amy
Judy Wilson, niece of Zelma Riddle
Terri, friend of Megan Snyder
This Week’s Scripture Lesson
Mark 8:27-38
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.”  And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.  But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Thanks be to God, who is still speaking!
Whoever you are, wherever you are on life's journey...
you're welcome here!
OUR MISSION:
Enlivened by the grace of Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit,
Kent United Church of Christ does justice, embraces faithful love, and walks humbly with our God to serve and transform lives, our community and the world. (Micah 6:8)