First Church

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
18 April 2010

“Rooted and Grounded in Love”
- Ephesians 3

All are invited to the Adult Forum at 11:15am in the Chapel:  Fighting the Arab Slave Trade. The international effort to end the Arab slave trade in East Africa was the greatest human rights campaign of the late 19th century.  In this illustrated talk, historian Robert Harms, will provide insights into the nature of the East African slave trade, its connections to Connecticut, and the unintended consequences of humanitarian action.  Please join us!

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 sermon recordings are available on our website: www.firstchurchguilford.org.

Please call Mary Norris (203-457-9483) for more information about our Prayer Shawl Ministry.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OFFICIAL CALL TO A SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING on Sunday, April 25, 2010

To the Members of the First Congregational Church of Guilford, Inc.

A special meeting of the First Congregational Church of Guilford, Inc., has been called by Church Council.  It will be held on Sunday morning, April 25, 2010, immediately following the 10:00 a.m. worship service to:
Act upon the 2010 proposed budget
Approve disposition of funds from the sale of 245 Boston Street
Authorize the re-negotiation of the 19 Church Street loan

Respectfully submitted,  Dianne Hughes, Clerk

The Pilgrim Fellowship Mission Trip group will return to First Church late this afternoon. Many thanks for your prayers & support!

Inquirer/New Member Meetings: We invite any person interested in learning more about First Church or interested in becoming a member.  The meetings will be conversations on our journey of faith as a First Church, and as a United Church of Christ congregation. Scheduled for Sundays, May 2 & 16 at 11:30am in the Minear Library in Spencer House (corner of State and Broad Streets.), child care will be available (please request it through the Church Office (453-5249) and refreshments will be served.  New members will be received on Sunday, June 6th at 10:00am.  For further information, call Deacons Rebecca Bunting (458-1783), Wendy North (453-4134), Kathy Abbatello (457-0475) or Walter Ostroski (453-0767).

Haitian Contributions: In a "Thank You!" letter from the UCC Sharing Office for our recent $5,552.50 contribution to the Haitian Relief fund, we are reminded that much remains to be done.  The Government reports 300,000 dead and1.2 million homeless.  Long-term rebuilding costs are expected to be more than $11 billion.  Our donations will be well spent through our partners there, CONASPEH and the House of Hope.  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 Cong. Church with "OGHS – Haitian Relief" on the memo line.  The accumulated fund will be sent through the Ct Conference.

Church Mini-Retreat:  “Getting it Together with John’s Gospel”
Dr. Wayne Rollins, professor emeritus of New Testament, returns to lead us on this Friday night/Saturday May 14th-15th retreat at what used to be The Chester Inn.  A premier biblical scholar and a passionate person of great faith, Dr. Rollins makes his subject come alive with meaning.  During our retreat—which will include meals starting with Friday dinner, brief worship, fellowship and reflection times—There will be six presentations: (1) Getting to know John: Surveying the Terrain, (2) The Poetry of the Prologue: Inner Space and Outer Space, (3) John’s Men But Especially John’s Women—and Us, (4) Christology and Paradox: The I-Am sayings and Zen, (5) The Four Faces of God in John’s Gospel, and (6) John at the Movies and Us. The rates are: single--$174, double--$129, triple--$113.  Please join us! Space is limited; please reserve your place by calling the Church Office at (203)453-5249.

3rd Annual Memorial Concert Next Sunday 4:00pm and features Peter Eldridge, a member of the double Grammy-winning quartet, New York Voices.  Peter will perform in memory of his father, Charlie Cummings, a long-time, enthusiastic member of our church, and also as a loving tribute to his mother, Betty Cummings. We invite you to commemorate your loved ones in our program with their name, photo and comment for a donation of $50 or more.  Please contact Stuart Wilkie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (458-9253) or Bill Speed, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (458-9701) by this Tuesday.

Pinchbeck Scholarship Application Forms are now available for students from First Church going to 2 or 4 year schools for the 2010-2011 academic year.  Applications forms are in a manila envelope on the door of the church office.  Completed forms must be returned by June 1st.  For further information please call Deacons Kathy Abbatello (457-0475) or Barbara Bishop (453-9710).

Alpha Club meets on Tues., April 27th at 7:30pm in Fellowship Hall. A program on the ABC House will be presented.  All are welcome!

Connecticut Women of the UCC Annual Meeting will be held Sat., April 24th at the United Church of Christ, 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.

Is there a Toxic Waste Dump Near Your House? The UCC is committed to preservation of the earth and justice for all people.  The two causes merged in a report on the eve of “Earth Day” in 1987, released by the UCC Commission on Racial Justice documenting for the first time in history that race, not poverty, was the most significant factor in location of toxic waste dumping sites. The African American, Latino, Native American, and Asian American communities were the dumping grounds for our waste and pollution. (April 18 Excerpt from the U.C.C. Calendar of Prayer)

CHURCH CALENDAR

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

Monday, April 19:
11:00am  Music & Transformation – Bride’s Room
3:00pm  GS Troop 2303- Fellowship Hall
7:00pm  Confirmation 2 – CSB # 9
7:00pm  Auction Committee – Narthex
7:30pm  Business Committee – Spencer House Kitchen

Tuesday, April 20:
3:00pm  Middle School Youth Group Fellowship Hall
5:00pm  GS Troop 2117 – Fellowship Hall
7:00pm  Human Resources – Minear Library

Wed., April 21:
4:00pm  Junior Choir – Fellowship Hall
4:00pm  Cherub Choir – Griswold Hall
7:00pm  Service of Prayer & Healing - Sanctuary

Thurs., April 22:
7:00pm  BS Troop 474 – Fellowship Hall
7:15pm  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room

Sunday, April 25:      Susan 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  Special Congregational Meeting - Sanctuary
4:00pm  Annual Memorial Concert: Peter Eldridge - Sanctuary

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

NOTICE TO PARENTS: On Sunday, April 25th, Susan will be doing a dialogue sermon with Aiyana Ehrman about her powerful ministry with Cambodian girls and women who are trafficked in prostitution. This topic may be inappropriate for children under high school age. We encourage parents to have their children attend Sunday School rather than stay in the sanctuary during this service. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to talk with Susan.