First Church

SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
CHOIR SERVICE
28 February 2010

“Rooted and Grounded in Love”
- Ephesians 3

Heartfelt thanks to the Senior Choir and guest musicians for our worship this morning

At 11:15am at the Adult Forum we welcome Omer Bajwa, coordinator of Muslim Life at Yale who will present “Islam and the World: Present Situation, Future Directions.”  He will speak about what it is like to be a Muslim in today’s America, Sharia law, the status of women and homosexuals in Muslim countries and what the Koran has to say about war and peace.

Deacon for February is Michael Smith (203-458-6622). If you have questions, concerns or compliments, please speak with him.

Deaconess for February is Peggy Russell (203-458-0660.)  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.  You may also listen to today’s sermon on our website: www.firstchurchguilford.org.  Mary Norris (203-457-9483.) coordinates our Prayer Shawl Ministry; please call her for more information.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pilgrim Fellowship: Mission trip parent meeting at 6pm in the Sanctuary. We will be collecting the $200 trip deposit, so please bring a check if possible. There will be a regular PF meeting at 7pm in Fellowship Hall.

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.)  At 7:00pm we will have brief vespers followed by the program, which will end at 8:30pm. Our topic is forgiveness. Except for the command to love, there is nothing is more central to the Christian faith.  And, few things are harder.  Led by Kendrick and Susan, we will spend five weeks dealing with issues of forgiving others and accepting others, of forgiving ourselves and accepting ourselves.  We will offer the answers given by traditional and contemporary theology, and psychology. There will be much to learn, to consider, to experience. So please join us for one, some or all of these evenings of Christian community and spiritual growth.

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.  Currently they can be found on the cart beside the gas stove, or on the shelf above the serving counter.  Thank you!

Grocery Cash Cards for Bishop’s & Stop & Stop are available for purchase ($100 in cash or check) on Sundays after worship from Bob Howard, Shannon Clarkson or Joe Catino.

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

Time, Talent & Treasure Auction Sat., March 13th 6:30–9pm at the N. B. Greene Community Center, 32 Church St.  Come for fellowship!  Come to bid!  Donate items!  Our fundraiser, in memory of Rachel Garcia, will benefit her two spiritual homes: First Church and Silver Lake Conference Center.  Please see the flyer & donation form in the pews for details.

Refreshments for the Time, Talent & Treasure Auction: 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.  The 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.  Thank you.

Harvest Fair 2010 Survey Results are in and we need your help!

New Areas/Rooms: We hope to add Themed Gift Baskets and Re-Gift It! to our 2010 Fair, provided we can recruit a Chairperson(s).  HF Committee will assist you with ideas, but then let you handle staffing (if needed) and details.  Themed Gift Baskets: Chairperson to work out details, but HFC suggests collecting donated items to fill gift baskets (few or many) according to themes: gourmet, bath & beauty, yoga, kids’ games, crafts, etc.  HFC suggests that we sell Fair visitors raffle tickets for the chance to “win” the baskets.  Re-Gift IT! Chairperson will advertise and collect BRAND NEW ITEMS ONLY that Church members purchased or received as a gift, but did not choose to keep.  Items might be priced or offered for donation only.  For more details re: decisions resulting from the Survey, please consult the March Landmark.  If you can help, contact Nancy Patton, Chair at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 203-457-6947.

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 .

Jobs for 2010 Census: Temporary, part-time jobs with pay rate of $16 – 24.25 per hour.  Mileage reimbursement.  Call 1-866-861-2010 or contact www.2010censusjobs.gov.

Help for Haiti: One Great Hour of Sharing funds are being rushed to our Haitian partners to support their initial emergency response. As damage assessments are made and plans for relief, recovery and rehabilitation are developed, additional OGHS funds will be shared with our partners.  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.

CHURCH CALENDAR

Sunday, Feb. 28
8:30am  Worship - Chapel
9:00am  Bible Study – Griswold Hall
9:00am  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
10:00am  Fauré Requiem/Nursery/Church School
11:15am  Adult Forum – Chapel
11:30am  Confirmation 1 – Minear Library
4:00pm  Joyful Noise! Concert- Sanctuary
5:30pm  Confirmation 2 – Griswold Hall
7:00pm  Pilgrim Fellowship Meeting – Fellowship Hall

Monday, Mar. 1:  
11:00am  Music & Transformation – Bride’s Rm
3:00pm  Girl Scout Troop 2303 – Fellowship Hall
7:00pm Board of Deaconesses – Minear Library
7:00pm  Confirmation 2 – CSB # 9
7:00pm  Board of Finance – Spencer House Kitchen

Tuesday, Mar. 2:
3:00pm  Middle School Youth Group – Fellowship Hall
6:00pm  Music Committee – Choir Room
7:00pm  Board of Deacons – Minear Library
7:00pm  Board of Christian Education – Bride’s Room

Wednesday, Mar. 3:  
4:00pm  Junior Choir – Fellowship Hall
4:00pm  Cherub Choir – Griswold Hall
6:00pm  Lenten Supper & program – Fellowship Hall

Thursday, Mar. 4:
6:00pm  Bell Choir Rehearsal- Sanctuary
7:00pm  Boy Scout Troop # 474 – Fellowship Hall
7:15pm  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room

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

12-Step Meetings at First Church This Week
AA:  Sun.,  7:15am – GH             Alanon:  Tues., 7:30pm – Chapel
Tues., 7:30pm – FH                             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