First Church

FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
14 March 2010

“Rooted and Grounded in Love”
- Ephesians 3

All are invited to the Adult Forum at 11:15am in the Chapel.  First Church member and attorney 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 welcome to attend.

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: www.firstchurchguilford.org .  Please call Mary for more information about the Prayer Shawl Ministry;

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Consociation Choir Concert Today at 4:00pm in our Sanctuary. All are invited to hear the choirs from the 10 churches in the New Haven East Consociation, UCC, as they raise their voices in song.  

Pilgrim Fellowship Tonight 7:00 - 9:00pm in Fellowship Hall. Important Tool Safety session! Only 4 weeks 'til the Mission Trip!

Lenten Supper, Service of Prayer & Healing, Lenten Program - Join us Wednesday at 6pm in Fellowship Hall for a pot luck supper - please bring a main dish, salad, or side dish to share, at 7pm for the Service of Prayer and Healing in the Sanctuary, and at 7:30pm the program.  We continue our exploration of forgiveness, a central tenet of the Christian faith.  All are welcome.

Next Sunday Family Service 10:00am: Junior Choir Musical
The Junior Choir will sing an original musical by Director Liza Catino - it will be an experience not to be missed!  
Volunteer Church School Assistant Position—The Board of Christian Education seeks a 6 hr/week Church School Assistant: an individual with good communication skills, comfort and creativity with hands-on craft projects, facility with email, and availability primarily on weekends & Sunday mornings. Contact: Lisa Horst at (203) 453-3324 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Joyful Noise! Concert March 21st at 4:00pm: Chanteymen of the Ancient Mariners.  Enjoy this return engagement of the 8-man a cappella group - which includes Larry Donahue!  !

Broadway on Broad Street Part Deux! The Music Committee invites you to participate in the final Joyful Noise! Concert on Sunday May 23rd.  We need to know in advance what Broadway show tune you'd like to sing as a solo, duet, or small group.  Sign up in the Choir Room 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.

Alpha Club Meeting Tuesday, March 23 - Join us in Fellowship Hall at 7:30pm.  Marjorie Colton will present the program “A Creative Evening with Hope.”  All are welcome!

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.

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 leave your donations in the narthex.

CHURCH CALENDAR

Sunday, Mar. 14:    8:30am  Worship – 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
12:30pm  Called to Care luncheon – Fellowship Hall
4:00pm  Consociation Choir Festival - Sanctuary

Monday, Mar. 15: 11:00am  Music & Transformation – Bride’s Room
7:00pm  Confirmation 2 – Church Schl Bldg # 9
7:30pm  Business Committee – Spencer House Kit.

Tuesday, Mar. 16:  3:00pm  Middle School Youth - Fellowship Hall
7:00pm  Human Resources – Minear Library

Wed., Mar. 17:        4:00pm  Junior Choir – Fellowship Hall
4:00pm  Cherub Choir – Griswold Hall
6:00pm  Lenten Supper & Program – Fellowship Hall
7:00pm  Service of Prayer and Healing - Sanctuary

Thurs., Mar. 18:    10am  Prison Prayer Group – Minear Library
6:00pm  Bell Choir – Sanctuary
7:00pm  BS Troop 474 – Fellowship Hall
7:15pm  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
7:30pm  Peace, Affirmation & Justice – Minear Lib
Saturday, Mar. 20:  9:30am  Junior Choir Rehearsal - Sanctuary

Sunday, Mar. 21:     8:30am  Worship – Chapel
9:00am  Bible Study – Griswold Hall
9:00am  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
10:00am  Junior Choir Musical, Nursery care
11:15am  Reception – Fellowship Hall
11:30am  Confirmation 1 – Minear Library
4:00pm  Joyful Noise! Concert: Ancient Mariners
7:00pm  Pilgrim Fellowship – Fellowship Hall

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