First Church

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
30 May 2010

“Rooted and Grounded in Love”
- Ephesians 3

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

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Next Sunday, June 6th 10:00am – New members will be received and it is the beginning of Super Summer Sunday School which runs June 6th, 20th & 27th.  Children in grades Pre-K through 4 are welcome to participate in this mixed-age program which will meet in the 1st grade classroom (first floor of the Church School Building.

The Melita Refugee Resettlement Committee is thrilled with the success of the Arabic Dinner May 21st. Nagam & crew served 140 people. Every available table and plate was utilized, and new connections were made for affordable housing and employment.

But wait, there's more: a Plant Sale Sunday, June 6th 11am-3pm.  Cody Christianson, Nagam's employer at North Guilford Nursery has offered to do a benefit plant sale for Nagam. Nagam will be selling a lovely mix of annuals, hanging baskets and vegetables on the church lawn on Broad Street. Choose your plants and then cross over to the Green to enjoy the Strawberry Social!  

Sunday, June 13th: one worship service at 10am – Confirmation  
Come to celebrate and welcome the young women and men as they
begin full membership in First Church!  Then stay for the All-Church Picnic - All are invited to this end-of-year celebration held on the Church Lawn (or in Fellowship Hall if inclement weather.)  We’re asking that folks bring food to share: persons/families with last names A – G - salads; H – N -side dishes; and R – Z – desserts or fruit.  We’ll round out the picnic with hot dogs (some veggie & gluten-free options available), drinks and a cake to celebrate the young people confirmed that day.  Questions, or offers of help, can be directed to Penelope in the Church Office at 203-453-5249 or Geoff Fix, Chair, Welcoming & Inclusion Committee at 203-458-0438.  Please join us!

Pilgrim Fellowship End-of-Year Picnic & Mission Trip Presentation – Sunday, June 13th 3:30pm.

Confirmation Orientation Meeting on June 7th – To prepare for next year’s confirmation program, two meetings have been planned:
6:00pm  Confirmation I (upcoming 9th graders)
7:00pm  Confirmation II (upcoming 10th graders)
All parents and youth are invited to come, learn more about the process and answer questions.  Those in Confirmation II, and their parents, will choose the meeting time for next year! If you are interested, or just curious, please join us to learn more! For more information Lisa Horst (203-453-3324).

Summer Nursery Volunteers Needed! Our regular care-givers need a break, so we are looking for volunteers to staff the nursery during the 10:00am service for the months of July and August. For ‘Safe Church’ policies, we ask that two unrelated people sign up to provide this service to our little people together.  Have a Sunday or two this summer? Please contact Lisa Horst (203) 453-3324 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Thanks!

Big Y, Bishop’s Orchards, & Stop & Shop Cards: Each Sunday after worship these gift cards are available for purchase for $100 each– in cash or with a check made payable to First Congregational Church.  The church receives a percentage of each card sold.  

The Disciples of Christ Church in Congo (EDCC) has developed the Agricultural Sustainability Farm to provide revenue and food for the people of the Republic of Congo.  With support from UCC Global Ministries, this holistic ministry recognizes that many people know how to farm, but lack access to land and equipment.  (From the UCC Calendar of Prayer for June 2, 2010, brought to your attention by the Board of Community and World Concerns.)

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, May 30:   Susan preaching
8:30am  Worship – Chapel
9:00am  Bible Study – Church School Bldg Room 9
9:00am  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
10:00am  Worship, Nursery care available/No Church School

Monday, May 31:  Memorial Day, Church Offices Closed

Tuesday, June 1:
5:00pm  GS Troop 2117 – Fellowship Hall
6:00pm  Music Committee – Choir Room
7:00pm  Board of Deacons – Minear Library
7:00pm  Stewardship – Spencer House Kitchen

Wednesday, June 2:
4:00pm  Junior Choir- Fellowship Hall

Thursday, June 3:
6:00pm  Bell Choir – Sanctuary
7:00pm  BS Troop 474 – Fellowship Hall
7:15pm  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room

Sunday, June 6:     Kendrick preaching
8:30am  Communion – Chapel
9:00am  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
10:00am  Communion, New Members Received, Nursery,
Super Summer Sunday School
11:15am  Reception – Fellowship Hall
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 – 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 - F