First Church

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
25 April 2010

“Rooted and Grounded in Love”
- Ephesians 3

We welcome back to First Church Aiyana Ehrman, who shared with us in an Adult Forum earlier this year about her foundation, Who Cares?  Aiyana returns to dialogue with Susan in today’s sermon.

NOTICE TO PARENTS: Today 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.

Church School this Sunday: Children and Youth, Pre-K through Grade 8, are invited to gather in Church School this morning after the first hymn. Nursery care is available for infants and toddlers. If your child is feeling fussy, the Bride’s Room is available in the Narthex with sound from the service.  This morning, Pre-K to Grade 4 will be learning about the Great Commission and Jesus' promise to be with us always . Questions for the car: How do we help show our faith? How do we know God is with us "wherever we may wander"?.

All are invited to the Special Congregational Meeting in the Sanctuary immediately following the 10:00am service. Please see the call to meeting under announcements.

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

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

Third Annual Memorial Concert Today at 4:00pm features Peter Eldridge, a professional composer and musician currently with the New York Voices, a world renowned four-person vocal ensemble.  Son of Charlie and Betty Cummings and brother of Gail Etter, Peter will perform in memory of his father and as a loving tribute to his mother.  Peter is bringing along some special musician friends and this concert is sure to entertain one and all.  Admission is free and the free will offering will be contributed to future Memorial Concerts.

Next Sunday the guest preacher will be Rev. Charles Woody. Rev. Woody serves as minister to St. Stephen’s AME Zion Church in Branford, and as Chaplain at Connecticut Hospice.  As an outgrowth of our Sacred Conversation on Race in America, we have entered into a sister-church relationship with St. Stephen’s, with some members from both churches gathering to continue the conversation.  Kendrick preached at St. Stephen’s earlier this year; next Sunday we will welcome Rev. Woody to our pulpit at our 8:30 and 10:00 services.

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!

Heifer Book Fair on May 2nd following worship in Fellowship Hall. There will be books for children and adults - come stock up on your summer reading! Each year in church school we help to raise money for Heifer International, an organization which combats poverty by gifting animals to people in poverty around the world. These animals help provide families with food, clothes, and extra income and in turn, families pass on the gift of the animals offspring to others. Our gift can help a whole community! Join us for this fun event!

It Takes a Village:  The Melita Refugee Resettlement Committee encourages you to help the Khammas Family become independent by supporting Nagam in her new catering venture. Enjoy visiting and tasting her tasty brunch buffet after worship on May 2nd, and/or sign up for one or both cooking class/dinners. Nagam is also available to cater private events.  Arabic Brunch Sunday, May 2nd Noon–2pm at Ann West’s home, 58 Nut Plains West.  $20.00 per person includes generous buffet, printed menu & recipes.  Or sign up for Arabic Cooking Class/Dinners with Nagam:  Sat., May 8th 4-6pm with hosts Wendy & Doug Scales or on Sat., May 15th 4-6pm with hosts Betsy & George Platia.  $50 tuition includes instruction, printed menu, recipes and dinner!  For details & reservations please call Ann West  203 453-0291

Journeys in a Jet Age: If you would be interested in volunteering as a crew member for the children's program, Journeys in Jet Age, August 2nd through 5th, (9 a.m. to 12 noon) please contact Lisa (203-453-3324) or Betsy Work (203-458-7708).

Inquirer/New Member Meetings: We invite any person interested in learning more about First Church, or in becoming a member, to attend.  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 more information, call Rebecca Bunting (458-1783), Wendy North (453-4134), Kathy Abbatello (457-0475) or Walter Ostroski (453-0767).

Church Mini-Retreat:  “Getting it Together with John’s Gospel”
Please see the flyers in the pews for full details.  Please join us! Space is limited; please reserve your place by calling the Church Office at (203)453-5249.

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 May 24th.  For further information please call Deacons Kathy Abbatello (457-0475) or Barbara Bishop (453-9710).

Rethink Afghanistan? Bath Church in Akron, Ohio puts movie fun and education together in a time called, “Micah 6:8”  Asked to come together to agree and disagree as Christians, they use this time to think about hot issues of the day.  Recently they viewed “Rethink Afghanistan” a ground breaking, full length documentary focusing on the key issues of the war which raises critical questions that Congress and the administration must face. (Excerpt from the UCC 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.

CHURCH CALENDAR

Sunday, April 25:      Susan and Aiyana Ehrman preaching
8:30am  Worship – Chapel
9:00am  Bible Study – Griswold Hall
9:00am  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
11:15am  Special Congregational Meeting - Sanctuary
4:00pm  Annual Memorial Concert: Peter Eldridge – Sanctuary
6:00pm  Confirmation 1&2 Pot Luck Supper – Fellowship Hall
No Pilgrim Fellowship meeting tonight

Monday, April 26:
11:00am  Music & Transformation – Bride’s Room
6:30pm  Peace, Affirmation & Justice – Griswold Hall
7:00pm  Confirmation 2 – CSB # 9
7:30pm  Peace, Affirmation & Justice – Griswold Hall

Tuesday, April 27:
3:00pm  Middle School Youth Group Fellowship Hall
7:00pm  Pilgrim Fellowship Meeting
7:30pm  Alpha Club – Fellowship Hall

Wed., April 28
No Junior or Cherub Choirs today

Thurs., April 29
7:00pm  BS Troop 474 – Fellowship Hall
7:15pm  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room

Sunday, May 2:      Rev. Woody preaching
8:30am  Worship – Chapel
9:00am  Bible Study – Griswold Hall
9:00am  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
10:00am  Communion, Nursery care, Church School
11:15am  Heifer Book Fair – Fellowship Hall
11:30am  New Member Meeting- Minear Library
6:00pm  Contemporary Worship Service- Sanctuary

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