First Church

THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
7 March 2010

Church School Communion Sunday: Today the children of the church will be learning about and celebrating Communion as a whole church family! Children will leave for their regular classes during the first hymn and the classes will gather together to learn about Communion. When the children return to the Sanctuary, 3-8th grade classes will be dismissed to sit with their parents. Children in the Pre-K to 2nd grade classes will be sitting together in designated pews to celebrate Communion. Following worship, parents are invited to pick up their children from their classes in the Sanctuary. In our church, when children receive Communion is the decision of a family. If you would prefer that your child not receive Communion, please communicate with Lisa Horst or your child's teacher.

“Rooted and Grounded in Love”
- Ephesians 3

All are invited to the Adult Forum at 11:15am in the Chapel.  Today we welcome John Mele, Mentor Supervisor at Manson Youth Correctional Institute.  Come hear about his work, the prison and First Church’s ministry there.  Please join us!

Deaconess for March is Mary Norris (203-457-9483.)  Please make her aware of new births, adoptions, or anyone who needs a note of encouragement or sympathy.  CDs of worship services are available to sign out in Spencer House and sermon recordings are available on our website: wwwfirstchurchguilford.org.   Mary Norris is also the contact for our Prayer Shawl Ministry.  We are seeking additional knitters – yarn and directions are provided - if you are interested, please contact Mary.

Deacon for March is Kathy Abbatello (203-457-0475). If you have questions, concerns or compliments, please speak with her.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pilgrim Fellowship meeting tonight 7pm in Fellowship Hall: guest speaker Aiyana Ehrman, founder of Who Cares?, who will share with us her latest trip to Cambodia.  Leadership meets at 6:30pm.

Lenten Supper & Program This Wednesday - Join us at 6:00pm in Fellowship Hall for fellowship and a pot luck supper (please bring a main dish, salad, or side dish to share.)  This Lent our program focus is forgiveness.  Led by Kendrick and Susan we are exploring the many facets of this central tenet of the Christian faith.  So please join us for one, some, or all of these evenings of Christian community and spiritual growth.

Church School Assistant Position—The Board of Christian Education is currently searching for a 6 hr/week Church School Assistant. Seeking an individual with good communication skills, comfort and creativity with hands-on craft projects, facility with email, and availability primarily on weekends and Sunday mornings. Contact: Lisa Horst (203) 453-3324 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Adult Forum Next Sunday: “Advance Directives”  As a follow-up to Kendrick's sermon last spring on the importance of advance directives and end-of-life planning, Jennifer Willcox will speak about Connecticut laws regarding appointing health care representatives, executing advance directives and other ways to document your decisions about end-of-life care. There will be a Luncheon following the Adult Forum for those in the Called to Care Lay Ministry, but anyone interested in learning about this ministry is most welcome to attend.  Please call Marilyn Leslie, Chair, Called to Care Ministry, for more information 203-453-3295 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Reminder from House Committee – All unclaimed and unlabelled plates and dishes in Fellowship Hall kitchen will be donated to the Alpha Rummage Sale on March 26 & 27.  They are on the cart beside the gas stove, or on the shelf above the serving counter.  Thank you!

Consociation Choir Concert March 14th at 4:00pm: Next Sunday in our Sanctuary the choirs from the 10 churches in the New Haven East Consociation, UCC, will gather to raise their voices in song.  All are invited!

Joyful Noise! Concert Sunday, March 21st 4:00pm: Chanteymen of the Ancient Mariners. Enjoy this return engagement of the 8-man a cappella group - which includes Larry Donahue!  You won’t want to miss it!

Broadway on Broad Street Part Deux! You are invited to participate in our final Joyful Noise! Concert on Sunday May 23, 2010.  To plan the event we need to know in advance what Broadway show tune you'd like to sing as a solo, duet, or small group.  Please sign up for one of three dates to come sing for us: Sat., March 20th and Sun., March 21st from Noon until 2:00 pm and Tues., March 23rd from 6:30 to 8:00pm.  Sign up in the Choir Room.  This will be a fun and entertaining concert for all ages.   The Music Committee

Junior Choir Musical will be our 10:00am Family Service on Sunday, March 21st. The Junior Choir will sing an original musical by Director Liza Catino - it will be an experience not to be missed!

Alpha Club Spring Rummage Sale will be held in Fellowship Hall on Fri., March 26th 6:30-8:30pm and Sat., March 27th  9-11am.  Donations will be accepted in Fellowship Hall during set-up hours:  Wed., Mar. 24th 7 – 9pm; Thurs., Mar. 25th 10am-3pm and 7 – 9pm and Fri., Mar. 26th 10am – 3pm.

Journeys in a Jet Age August 2010: Pakistan, Japan, Indonesia and Brazil are the countries to be featured at our Christian Education summer program, to be held Monday through Thursday, August 2 - 5, from 9:00am to Noon.  All children grades one and up are welcome.  Mark your calendars!

Silver Lake Summer Conferences Silver Lake is our Conference UCC Camp in Sharon, CT.  Online registrations are now being accepted for this summer.  Check the poster in Fellowship Hall.  To register visit www.silverlakect.org.  Some scholarship assistance is available, contact Lisa at 453-3324 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Haiti: How to Help - Pray for the people of Haiti, their leaders, and emergency and humanitarian aid workers; Assist impacted families by sending a check payable to First Congregational Church with "OGHS – Haitian Relief" on the memo line.  The accumulated fund will be sent through our Conference to Wider Church Ministries.

Guilford Food Bank Needs: 100% fruit juices; canned fruit, tuna, ham, hash, stews; pancake/meal/potato/cake mixes; boxed mac & cheese; dry milk, canned tomato products, dry cereal.  You may bring your donations to worship and leave them in the narthex.

CHURCH CALENDAR

Sunday, Mar. 7:       Kendrick preaching
8:30  Communion – Chapel
9:00am  Bible Study – Griswold Hall
9:00am  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
10:00am  Communion, Nursery, & Church School
11:15am  Adult Forum - Chapel
6:00pm Contemporary Worship Service- Sanct.
7:00pm  Pilgrim Fellowship – Fellowship Hall

Monday, Mar.. 8:
11:00am  Music & Transformation – Bride’s Rm
3:00pm  GS Troop 2303 – Fellowship Hall
7:00pm  Confirmation 2 – Church Schl Bldg # 9
7:30pm  Welcoming & Inclusion Comm- Minear Library

Tuesday, Mar. 9:    
3:00pm  Middle School Youth - Fellowship Hall
7:00pm  Church Council– Fellowship Hall

Wed., Mar. 10:  
4:00pm  Junior Choir – Fellowship Hall
4:00pm  Cherub Choir – Griswold Hall
6:00pm  Lenten Supper & Program – Fellowship Hall
7:00pm  Deepen Spiritual Connections–Minear Lib
7:00pm  Community & World Concerns – CSB Rm 9

Thurs., Mar. 11:
6:00pm  Bell Choir – Sanctuary
7:00pm  BS Troop 474 – Fellowship Hall
7:00pm  Youth Volunteer training for Auction – CSB #9
7:15pm  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
7:30pm  Peace, Affirmation & Justice – Minear Library

Saturday, Mar. 13    
6:30pm  Time, Talent & Treasure Auction- Greene Comm. Center\

Sunday, Mar. 14:      Susan preaching
8:30 Worship – Chapel, Susan preaching
9:00am  Bible Study – Griswold Hall
9:00am  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
10:00am  Worship/Nursery care/Church School
11:15am  Adult Forum – Chapel
12:30pm  Called to Care Luncheon – Fellowship Hall
4:00pm  Consociation Choir Festival - Sanctuary

12-Step Meetings at First Church This Week:
AA:  Sun.,  7:15am – GH             Alanon:  Tues., 7:30pm – Chapel
Tues., 7:30pm – GH                             Wed., 10:00am - FH
Wed. 7:30pm–GH                   Alateen:  Tues., 7:30pm-CSB#9
Fri., Noon & 7:30pm – FH      NA:          Sun., 1:00pm – GH
Sat., 7:30am – GH                   OA:        Weds., 7:30am - FH

Time, Talent & Treasure Auction
Saturday, March 13th
6:30–9:00pm
Nathanael B. Greene Community Center
32 Church St.

In memory of Rachel Garcia, this fundraiser will benefit her two spiritual homes: First Church and Silver Lake Conference Center.  Please join us for fellowship, refreshments and to bid on many wonderful items.  Check the website for a complete listing: www.firstchurchguilford.org.

Refreshments Needed:  Can you donate two-dozen finger food items on a disposable plate to serve at the Auction on Saturday, March 13th?  We are looking for appetizers, fruits, vegetables and desserts (finger food, only please).  Contact Nancy Aery, 203-453-9783 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to sign up.  Food can be dropped off in the Alexander Room at the Community Center from 3:30-5:00pm, or in the Guilford Whitfield Room kitchenette after 5:00pm.  Thanks!

All are welcome at the auction and childcare will be provided. Children in Grade 1 or younger will be on the first floor in the Sachem Room, while children in Grades 2 - 6 will be upstairs in the Menunkatuck Room. Youth who are 7/8th grade or high school are invited to be helpers by attending the mandatory youth meeting on Thurs., March 11th 7-8pm in Room 9 of the Church School Building.  Youth not helping will be under parent supervision.

Auction Youth Helper Meeting: March 11, 7-8pm, Room 9
7/8th Grade and High School youth, we need your help! Join us at this informational meeting to learn how you can help at the auction. Bring your enthusiasm and creativity! This meeting is mandatory for all youth who would like to help with the auction. Questions or conflicts?  Contact Lisa Horst at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (408) 858-0346.