1.) MISSIONS… Some recent gifts our church has given:

Christmas Eve Offering--More than $1880 was given, which when matched with Missions funds will provide close to $4000 to help the recently arrived Liberian family of five with housing expenses. ICA--The Moms group took in $1236.78 at their holiday bake sale, which when matched by Missions funds, resulted in a $2473.56 to ICA. The Tree House kids received $630 worth of gift cards at their Christmas party thanks to your donations. A local family of four received Christmas gifts purchased with Missions funds through Holiday Family Giving, a program coordinated by Minnetonka Community Education. CCoE donated $2250 to the UCC-wide Christmas Fund, which helps retired clergy/staff. Finally, our Mitten Tree was heavy laden with warmth—we have given Sharing and Caring Hands (Mary’s Place) 103 hats, 28 scarves, 27 pairs of gloves/mittens, and 3 pairs of boots—many lovingly home-made!

2.) INTERESTED IN SERVING ON CHURCH COUNCIL…? Four new council members will be elected at the 2026 annual meeting. Councilors oversee the pursuit of the mission and the management of the business and spiritual life of the church. Read the following description of the position and reach out to Pastor Jonathan Holtmeier and Moderator John DePaolis by January 12 if you are interested in serving. 

• Church Council Position Description

3.) MONDAY NIGHT LIVE…aka Recovery Alive... Monday night Recovery Alive is changing…to a new and improved “Monday Night Live”.

Monday Night Live format…

5:30-6:15 - Food & Fellowship
6:15-7:30 - Alive in Christ Bible Study
6:30-7:30 - Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Alive in Christ Bible Study is for anyone interested in a group Bible study.  Mike Poehler will be leading a new Bible Study on the ‘Gospel of Mark’.  Everyone is welcome!  Please contact Mike Poehler or Tom Fuxa is interested.

4.) COUNCIL MEETING: TUESDAY, 01/13 at 6:30PM… All are welcome. Draft Agenda Attached

5.)Dinner for (8) Eight…

Dinner for Eight is starting new in 2026!

What?

Dinner for Eight is a fun way to enjoy food and fellowship in groups of (8) eight.  A host will host a group of eight in their home.  The host will contact the group of eight and coordinate schedules to find a date/time that works for everyone.  The host will decide on a main dish (theme).  The group members can offer to bring a side, salad, dessert or something else that will go with the main dish (host provided).  The group of (8) eight will meet at the agreed upon date and time.  Everyone enjoys a meal together and some fun fellowship.

Why?

Our Church Family is growing.  Lots of new faces.  This is an excellent way to meet new people and develop the relationships that make for a strong healthy church congregation.  It is also a lot of FUN!!!

When?

Kick off will be January 2026.  Sign-up sheets will be posted on the bulletin board outside the new Conference Room.  Please include your name, name of your plus 1 and phone numbers.  If you would like to be a HOST write HOST next to your name.

How?

After the January sign-up Hosts will be notified, groups will be assigned to a host, and contact will be made.  Groups can meet anytime between then and the end of March.

We have done Dinner for (8) Eight in the past and everyone who participated had fun.  Please contact Tom Fuxa - 952-374-8858 or Becky Fuxa - 952-297-2577 with questions.  We will be talking to folks in the coming weeks about signing up.

5.) SUNDAY WORSHIP HELPERS NEEDED THIS SUNDAY: signup here

• Altar Flower Donation

• Greeter

• Help with Offering

• Coffee Hour Clean-Up

6.) MUSIC AT CHURCH… A Letter and Calendar for Music at Church 2025-2026

7.) STREAMING INFO
Sunday services are now available LIVE on YouTube, allowing everyone to join the service even if they are only able to be there in spirit. Previous services are also available anytime via the same link. https://youtube.com/@ccoemn/live