First Church

Anastasis (The general resurrection), Kariye Museum, Istanbul

EASTER
4 April 2010

“Rooted and Grounded in Love”
- Ephesians 3

Our thanks to the Senior Choir for their gift of special music for the Easter Festival Services.

All are invited to Fellowship Hall for coffee & fellowship after worship. The Pilgrim Fellowship Cookie Walk begins at 10:00am - freshly baked cookies, including gluten- free, fresh flowers, plants and hyacinth bulbs with mini dragonflies can be purchased to support the Mission Trip to Tennessee.  Thanks to all for making this year's PF Mission Trip possible with your generous donations.

Deaconess for April is Dianne Hughes (203-453-4529).  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 sermons are available on our website: www.firstchurchguilford.org.  Mary Norris (203-457-9483) coordinates our Prayer Shawl Ministry; please call her for more information.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

First Quarter Pledge Statements Available in Narthex today - Please help us save postage costs –pick yours up!  Thank you. 

“Journeys” – First Church’s Children's Summer Program - August 2 to 5, 2010 Displays and registration forms are in Fellowship Hall.  For more information, please call Betsy Work (203-458-7708) or Lisa Horst (203-453-3324.)

Connecticut Women of the UCC Annual Meeting will be held Sat., April 24th at the United Church of Christ of Southbury .  The keynote speaker will be Susan Campbell, Hartford Courant columnist and author of the book Dating Jesus: A Story of Fundamentalism, Feminism and the American Girl.  For more information and transportation, call Betsy Work, 203-458-7708.

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.

A Sacred Place Benefit Concert - Bluegrass Gospel Project on Sat., April 10th  7:30pm the Niantic Community Church.  Appropriate for the whole family.  Concert to support spiritual programming for women at York Correctional Inst.  Tickets at the door - $25; seniors & students-$20.  Call Laurie Etter 860-739-4518.

Rhode Island in Haiti! UCC Churches of the RI Conference have a partnership with a Haitian counterpart dedicated to providing quality health care, education, pastoral training and community services for the people of Haiti. The pre-earthquake relationship of shared worship and joint advocacy provides motivation and channels for financial, medical, agricultural support following the recent disaster and continuation of educational programs to make a difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters there. (April 9 Excerpt from the U.C.C. Calendar of Prayer)

CHURCH CALENDAR

Sunday, Apr. 4:       6:00pm Contemporary Worship Service- Sanct.

Monday, Apr. 5:      Church Offices Closed
11:00am  Music & Transformation – Bride’s Room
3:00pm  GS Troop 2303 – Fellowship Hall
6:00pm  Confirmation 2 – Benton Beach
7:00pm  Board of Deaconesses – Minear Library

Tuesday, Apr. 6:     3:00pm  Middle School Youth - Fellowship Hall
5:00pm  GSA Troop – Fellowship Hall
6:00pm  Music Committee – Choir Room
7:00pm  Board of Deacons – Minear Library
7:00pm  Board of Christian Education– Bride’s Room

Wed., Apr. 7:      4:00pm  Junior Choir – Fellowship Hall
4:00pm  Cherub Choir – Griswold Hall

Thurs., Apr. 8:      6:00pm  Bell Choir – Sanctuary
7:00pm  BSA Troop 474 – Fellowship Hall
7:15pm  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room

Friday, Apr. 9:  Pilgrim Fellowship departs for Mission Trip

Sunday, Apr. 11:    Robert Raines preaching
8:30 Worship – Chapel
9:00am  Bible Study – Church School Bldg Rm 9
9:00am  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
10:00am  Worship/Nursery/Children’s Vacation Pgm
11:15am  Adult Forum – Chapel

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