First Church

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
20 June 2010

“Rooted and Grounded in Love”
- Ephesians 3

Deaconess for June is Catherine Gilbert (203-453-0758.)  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 on our website: wwwfirstchurchguilford.org.  Call Mary Norris (203-457-9483) for information about our Prayer Shawl Ministry.

Deacon for June is Pamela Dear (203-458-6040).  If you have questions, concerns or compliments, please speak with her.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dear First Church Members:

For good Congregational transparency, I want to let you know that this week I organized a Financial Summit with members from the Board of Finance, Stewardship, Finance Council, Trustees, present and former Chairs of Church Council and a few invited guests to begin addressing the issues around our remaining debt on God’s Acre (the 19 Church Street property.)  We had a very fruitful, pragmatic and spirit-inspired discussion.  We will meet again in September.  Once ideas are crystallized and proposals are up for consideration, all this information will be shared with the entire congregation for discussion and action.  If you have any questions or ideas you would like to share, please do not hesitate to call me at 203-453-5249.

Kendrick

Pilgrim Fellowship Director Sought: The First Congregational Church, Guilford, is seeking a dedicated individual to serve as Director of its high school youth group, the Pilgrim Fellowship. The mission of PF is to create a broad-based and close-knit fellowship, provide an atmosphere where the moral and faith issues of the day can be explored, give opportunity for youthful exuberance and the joy of life to be fully expressed, and to serve those in need. In collaboration with a team of well-seasoned adult volunteers, the Director will plan and lead regular Sunday evening meetings (academic year) of approximately 60-100 teens, organize local service projects, and retain relevant speakers as necessary.  In addition the PF director will coordinate fundraising efforts, and organize, supervise and participate in an annual mission trip during April school vacation, in concert with a team of adult advisors.  September through June. $17,000. For more information please contact Kurt Linske at (203)453-6838 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We desire to fill this position by the beginning of August, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  A detailed job description is available upon request.

Bookkeeper needed: Our church bookkeeper is leaving.  If you know of anyone who may be interested in the job, please call Debbie Peluse at 203-453-5517.  The yearly budget for this job is $2,600.  Hours are flexible and it entails about 2 hours of work weekly. 

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 during July and August. For ‘Safe Church’ policies, we ask that two unrelated people sign up together to provide this service to our little people.  To volunteer contact Lisa Horst (203) 453-3324 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  
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 Three R’s: Reuse, Reduce and Recycle: Two years ago the Massachusetts Conference Minister and President, the Rev. Jim Antal announced the UCC churches’ commitment to the green movement with the invitation for churches to ring their bells 350 times as a wake-up call and as a symbolic gesture that a long term, sustainable level of carbon in the atmosphere is 350 parts per million (ppm). Churches, including our own, took up the cause to improve their efficiency and practice the three R’s and reuse, reduce and recycle. Unfortunately, today the level of carbon is 388 ppm and continues to grow. Can we, as a country, as a community and as a congregation do better? (From the UCC Calendar of Prayer for June 24, 2010, brought to your attention by the Board of Community and World Concerns)

CHURCH CALENDAR

Sunday, June 20:  Kendrick preaching
8:30am  Worship – Chapel
10:00am  Worship/Nursery/Summer Sunday Schl
11:15am  Lemonade & Fellowship

Monday, June 21:  7:30pm  Business Comm – Spencer House Kit.

Tuesday, June 22:    7:00  Pilgrim Fellowship Comm- Minear Lib

Sunday, June 27:  Susan preaching
8:30am  Worship - Chapel
10:00am  Worship/Nursery care/Summer Church Schl
11:15am  Lemonade & Fellowship

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

SUNDAY WORSHIP HYMN SERVICE

On Sunday, July 11th at both the 8:30am and 10:00am services we will have an old-fashioned hymn sing.  We missed this last summer, but it has been a well-loved service in the past. This is your chance to sing your favorite hymn.  From that special hymn of your childhood to that new hymn that has recently meant so much to you, you get to choose what we will sing.  If you are interested in participating, and I strongly encourage you to, please fill out the form below and put in the offering plate or return to the church office: 122 Broad Street.  Thanks.    

Kendrick

Name: _________________________________________

Phone #: ____________________

Service Attending:  8:30____ 10:00_____ both ____

Please choose 1 to 3 favorite hymns in rank order (others may pick your #1):

1._____________________________________________

2.______________________________________________

3._______________________________________________

Will you be willing to say a few words about why this hymn is meaningful to you? This adds great meaning to the service as we hear from one another about our spiritual journeys. Those who will share are given first priority if more hymns than are needed are proposed.
Yes_____ No_______