Welcome
Welcome to the home page of Marine United Church of Christ.
The church has often been described as a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints. In other words, it is not necessarily meant to be a place for those who have their act all together (who does?), but for those looking to put the pieces of their lives together in company with others. That would seem to be an apt description of Marine United Church of Christ.
We come from different backgrounds, different careers, different family settings, different socio-economic statusus, and different levels of education to find in this family of faith a place which puts its emphasis on following in the path of Jesus, the one who points us to God. It is by following in that path that we find a God who is, above all things, a God of love.
It is that love that allows us to move beyond our sinfulness and brokenness to help bring about the Kingdom of God in this world. It is that love which allows us to see beyond our differences and recognize our commonalities.
Members and non-members alike have found barriers broken down both in sharing joys and in commiserating with those suffering deep pain. We like to think of it as living out the New Testament at its best. We could also think of it as living out the Old Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures) at its best. Few have put this walk we are on together as beautifully as the prophet Micah: “…and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
If you are looking for a church family, we invite you to visit us and see if you feel the urge to come again. If you don’t feel that urge, we part in peace as children of God.
For some new to the Christian tradition, this congregation may be like Robert Frost’s “road less traveled,” the one which turned out to make all the difference. For others it may be a well traveled road, but perhaps seen from a new perspective.
From the perspective of an anonymous priest, “We are simply asked to make gentle our bruised world, to tame its savageness, and to be compassionate of all, including oneself…”
May peace be with you and all those you love.
Whoever you are and wherever you are, you are welcome here.
Sunday School
- Sunday School will begin again in September.
- September thur May
Worship Service
- Worship Service at 10:10 a.m.
Pastor Phil
- Dear Friends, Can it be? Yes, it can. It has been 10 years since we celebrated our 150th anniversary as a congregation. This year marks 160 years.
- The novel Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles is a novel about a young girl’s experience in southeastern Missouri during the Civil War. It was a terribly difficult time during which the girl saw her father beaten and dragged off by rogue Union militia, her home torched, and she herself was accused of being a Confederate spy and was incarcerated in a hellhole of a prison in St. Louis, about 30 miles from where this new congregation was being established in Marine.
- It is all too easy to romanticize the past as “the good ol’ days,” but the truth is, without in any way dismissing the significance of the problems we currently face, people have never had it so good as we have it in this day and age. Gratitude is certainly an appropriate emotion in which to indulge when we think back to those folks who were led by God to make today possible.
- As Adair Colley, the 18-year-old girl in Enemy Women languished in a St. Louis prison, she surprisingly finds love – and with it the strength to carry on.
- No doubt there was much love to be found across the river among the people of Marine, as well, and with it the strength to carry on. One hundred and sixty years later we still find love and the warmth of companionship and shared faith in this congregation.
- Perhaps such love has gotten some through some of the hellholes of life as we strive to be present for one another, as we strive to help carry each other’s burdens. That is what Jesus has called us to. We give thanks for those who 160 years ago got the ball rolling here in Marine.
Peace, Pastor Phil
A MESSAGE FROM THE COUNCIL
Dear Marine United Church of Christ Family,
Offerings and donations during Sunday services are most routine and accustomed, and our congregation has proven to be remarkably generous. During this upcoming, uncertain period, we ask that church members be diligent to continue offerings, despite the temporary suspension of worship services. Our Church is not in a position to successfully sustain a lengthy period with a significant loss of income. Weekly tithing maintains the operation of the Church, and the Council asks all contributors to continue their regular support.
In addition to delivering contributions to the Church, there are several options for remote giving:
- 1. Mail a check to:
- Marine United Church of Christ
- P.O Box 396
- Marine, IL 62061
- 2. Set up automatic withdrawal with your bank. Please send it to the Marine UCC General Fund at Bradford National Bank. Or, have your bank issue a check to the Church at the address above.
- 3. Visit the Church's website (www.marineucc.org). On the homepage, scroll and click on "Donate"
The Church offices will remain open, with Pastor Phil available as always. Suggestions and opportunities to serve those in need in our community during the coming weeks are encouraged.
Facebook users, please join the Marine UCC Facebook Group and routinely check for updates and church-related information.
The Marine UCC is a caring, welcoming, and generous congregation. We have and always will support each other in times of grief, illness, and distress. Please routinely check on those at risk and continue to communicate regularly with our church family. Despite not being physically together, we WILL remain close, assist wherever and whenever needed, and get through this TOGETHER!
May God bless you and keep you safe.
Marine UCC Church Council
Sunday School
Each week on Sunday's a new lesson will be up on the Sunday School page. Anyone is able to join in and will have the entire week to do the lesson before the next one is posted.
Below is the link to the website:
Nicole D.
Sausage Dinner - Serving dinners for Over 70 Years
- Drive Thru Whole Hog Pork Sausage Dinner
- Sunday, November 5, 2023
- My PrayerPlease Pray for Me.
- Contact the ChurchContact the Church Office.
Church Services
Marine UCC Services on our YouTube Channel
Contacts
PleaseContact Us.
Monthly Quote
"The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it." (Henry David Thoreau)
Donation Now
While we don't want to discourage the ease of using PayPal, please be aware that each donation carries a fee of 2.9% of the amount, plus 30 cents. Your donation is the total amount, and the wording will suggest that the church is getting the full amount. In reality, PayPal gets their cut and the church receives less than you expected.
If you want to ensure Marine UCC gets your intended donation, please mail to the address at the top of the home page. Thank you for your generosity, no matter which method you prefer to use.
Trivia Night
- To Be Rescheduled
- 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30)
- For more information
"Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right." Abraham Lincoln
Organzations
- Quilters
- Women's Guild
- Widening the Circle
- Book Lovers
- Meals for our members in need.
"if they pray to me and repent and turn away from the evil they have been doing, then I will hear them in heaven, forgive their sins, and make their land prosperous again."
2 Chronicles 7:14