First Church

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
11 April 2010

“Rooted and Grounded in Love”
- Ephesians 3

All are invited to the Chapel at 11:15am for the Adult Forum presentation of the movie “The Combatants for Peace and the Billboard from Bethlehem: Where the Enemy gets a Face.” (This includes a light lunch which will be eaten while we watch the movie.)  Made by Bruce Babbitt, owner of a New Haven billboard company, the movie engages Israeli soldiers and Palestinian resistance fighters in a story of personal transformations leading to a compelling vision for peace in the Holy Land.  Bruce will be present to talk about the film and answer questions afterwards.  Childcare will be provided.

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.

Deacon for April is Barbara Bishop (203-453-9710). If you have questions, concerns or compliments, please speak with her.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pilgrim Fellowship: Please keep everyone on the Mission Trip to Tennessee in your hearts and prayers this week. Thank you for your generosity and support that have made the mission trip possible.

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.

Shoreline Soul Workshop at First Cong. Church, Madison begining May.  For information or registration, please call 203-245-6944 or visit This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

What is Siyabathanda? Sixteen years ago, South Africans elected Nelson Mandela president to end apartheid, a big step, but only the beginning of solving the desperate problems the people faced.  The United Congregational Church organized Siyabathanda a community based organization in Kwazulu-Natal Province to fight unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, hunger, HIV/AIDS including development of an orphanage with the help of Global Ministries.
(April 12 Excerpt from the U.C.C. Calendar of Prayer):

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.

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.

CHURCH CALENDAR

Sunday, April 11:      Bob Raines preaching
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

Monday, April 12:
11:00am  Music & Transformation – Bride’s Room
7:30pm  Welcoming & Inclusion – Minear Library
Tuesday, April 13:
7:00pm  Church Council – Fellowship Hall

Wed., April 14:
7:00pm  Board of Community & World Concerns-CSB Rm 9
7:00pm  Deepening Spiritual Connections- Minear Library

Thurs., April 15:
10:00am  Prison Prayer Group- Minear Library
7:15pm  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room

Sunday, April 18:   Kendrick preaching
8:30am  Worship – Chapel
8:45am  Prison Mentors Meeting – Minear Library
9:00am  Bible Study – Griswold Hall
9:00am  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
10:00am  Worship, Nursery care, Church School
11:15am  Adult Forum – Chapel
11:30am  Teachers’ Meeting- CSb Room 5

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