First Church

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
2 May 2010

“Rooted and Grounded in Love”
- Ephesians 3

Today we warmly welcome to our pulpit the 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.  We also warmly welcome and thank C. Denise Cox, pianist, and Adrienne Senior, soloist, who join us today at the 10:00am worship service.

Church School Today: Children and youth, Pre-K through Grade 8, are invited to gather in Church School after the first hymn. This morning, Pre-K to Grade 8 classes will be learning about Heifer International. Questions for the car: Heifer helps communities by giving animals; families who receive them pass on the gift by giving the first offspring to another family. What are gifts that we have received in our family? How do we "pass on the gift" to others?

Heifer Book Fair in Fellowship Hall After Worship: There will be books for all ages - come stock up on your summer reading!  Each year the church school raises 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.  In turn, the families pass on the gift of the animals’ offspring to others. Our gift helps a whole community!

Deaconess for May is Peggy Russell (203-458-0660).  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.   Mary Norris (203-457-9483) is the contact for our Prayer Shawl Ministry.  New knitters always welcome–yarn and directions are provided- please call Mary.

Deacon for May is Rebecca Bunting (203-458-1783). If you have questions, concerns or compliments, please speak with her.

Deacons’ Fund Collection: In the pew rack you will find Deacons’ Discretionary Fund envelopes.  Contributions are used by the ministers to meet urgent needs in our community.  Thank you for your generosity.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Children's Day is coming on May 23! Join us as we celebrate Pentecost with wind, doves, music, and languages aplenty – and see how God makes all things new!  Children & youth are encouraged to come to Church School on May 9 & 16 as classes prepare.

First Inquirer/New Member Meeting Today at 11:30am in the Minear Library in Spencer House (corner of Broad & State Streets) We invite anyone interested in learning more about First Church, or in becoming a member, to attend.  (The next meeting will be on Sunday, May 16 at 11:30am in the Minear Library.)  Refreshments will be served.  Child care can be available (please request through the Church Office: 203-453-5249.  New members will be received on Sunday, June 6th at 10:00am.  For information, please call Rebecca Bunting (458-1783), Wendy North (453-4134).

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 today, and/or sign up for one or both cooking class/dinners. Arabic Brunch Today Noon–2pm at Ann West’s home, 58 Nut Plains West (last left on State St. before the fork where Nut Plains Rd and Little Meadow Rd branch off.)  $20 each includes generous buffet, printed menu & recipes.  Or sign up for Arabic Cooking Class/Dinners with Nagam:  Sat., May 8th 4-6pm (hosts Wendy & Doug Scales) or on Sat., May 15th 4-6pm (hosts Betsy & George Platia.)  $50 tuition for instruction, printed menu, recipes and dinner!  Please call Ann West (203 453-0291) for more information or to make your reservation.

Change of Venue for “Getting it Together with John’s Gospel” Join us on Saturday, May 15th from 9:00am – 3:00pm in Griswold Hall.  Wayne Rollins will lead us through various ways of looking at the gospel of John- Getting to Know John: Surveying the Terrain; The Four Faces of God; Christology and Paradox: the I-Am sayings and Zen; and John’s Men But Especially John’s Women–and Us.  Snack & lunch will be provided.  A $5 donation is appreciated, but not necessary.  To help us in food planning, please register with the Church Office (203 453-5249). See you then!

Pinchbeck Scholarship Application Forms are available for students from First Church going to 2 or 4 year schools for the 2010-2011 academic year. Forms are in a manila envelope on the door of the church office.  Completed forms must be returned by May 24th.  For more information, call Kathy Abbatello (457-0475) or Barbara Bishop (453-9710).\

One Great Hour of Sharing Collection: The Board of Community and World Concerns reports that we collected over $3,200 to donate to OGHS, which responds to the many needs and crises that arise across the globe.  Thank you for your generosity.

Sylvia’s Children: Providing education, health care, and housing to the growing orphan population in the villages of Uganda, Sylvia’s Children is a venture that is certain to serve as a model for change. Working with the Mbirizi Advanced Primary School since 2003, Sylvia’s Children has created an economically self-sustaining model to help rebuild struggling schools and villages, and is bringing out the best and the brightest in the children of Mbirizi. (May 3 excerpt from the UCC Calendar of Prayer).

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).

CHURCH CALENDAR

Sunday, May 2:
8:30am  Communion – Chapel
9:00am  Bible Study – Griswold Hall
9:00am  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
10:00am  Communion, Nursery, & Church School
11:15am  Heifer Book Fair – Fellowship Hall
11:30am  Inquirer/New Member Meeting – Minear Library
4:00pm  Pilgrim Fellowship Committee Mtg- Minear Library
6:00pm Contemporary Worship Service- Sanct.
7:00pm  Pilgrim Fellowship – Fellowship Hall

Monday, May 3:
No Music & Transformation today
7:00pm  Confirmation 2 – Church Schl Bdg# 9 & Sanct.
7:00pm  Board of Deaconesses – Minear Library

Tuesday, May 4:
3:00pm  Middle School Youth Group - Fellowship Hall
5:00pm  GSA Troop 2117 – Fellowship Hall
6:00pm  Music Committee – Choir Room
7:00pm  Deacons Meeting – Minear Library
7:00pm  Board of Christian Education-Bride’s Room

Wed., May. 5:
4:00pm  Junior Choir – Fellowship Hall
4:00pm  Cherub Choir – Griswold Hall
7:00pm  Board of Finance – Minear Library

Thurs., May 6:
6:00pm  Bell Choir – Sanctuary
7:00pm  BS Troop 474 – Fellowship Hall
7:15pm  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room

Sunday, May 9:      Kendrick preaching
8:30am Worship – Chapel
9:00am  Bible Study – Griswold Hall
9:00am  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
10:00am  Worship/Nursery care/Church School

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