First Church

TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY
4 November 2007

No matter  who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

“Growing in God’s Love”

Don’t Forget! Harvest Fair goodies will be available in Fellowship Hall between the services: Baked Goods, Candy, Dried Flowers and Handcrafts!

Deaconess for November is Kelly Garcia (458-2602).  Please make her aware of new births, adoptions, or anyone who needs a note of encouragement or sympathy.  Audiotapes of worship services are available to sign out in Spencer House.  Pam Welch (458-2340) coordinates our Prayer Shawl Ministry; please call her for more information.  

Deacon for November is Marcia Myhre (453-5116).  If you have questions, concerns or compliments and do not know where to direct them, please speak with Marcia.

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.

UCC 50th Anniversary Year-End Celebration.  There will be a web-streaming event tonight at 7 pm on www.ucc.org/50 featuring a retrospective look at UCC’s 50th anniversary year, hosted by John Thomas, UCC general minister and president, including in-depth highlights from General Synod.

Top 10 Reasons to Pledge, courtesy of the Stewardship Committee

  3.  Gratitude for the fellowship, inspiration, and support. (Amen)
  4.  250 Church School children learned about God last year. (really!)
  5.  Mary may play either half the postlude or the entire postlude with one hand. ((ha, ha)
  6.  Susan is designing a windmill generator to replace our steeple. (not really)
  7.  Heat and light in the Sanctuary during worship add to the experience. (true)
   8.  It’s convenient - just remember to add an extra zero! (okay?)
  9.  Daphne may resort to conducting Church School online. (just kidding)
 10.  It’s the perfect gift: it’s easy to wrap; it always fits; and you don’t have to walk it. (true)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Adult Form Today at 11:15 am in the Chapel.  Fran Rzeznik from our congregation will be presenting clips from “One Nation Under God,” a video she produced for PBS about the attempts by the religious right groups to “cure” homosexuality.  Funny, sad, outrageous, and thought-provoking.

Contemporary Worship Service Today at 5:00pm.

Called to Care Meeting Today at 11:15am in the Minear Library.. For more information, call Marilyn Leslie 453-3295.

UNICEF Boxes Due Back Today, or as soon as possible.  There is
a collection box outside the Church School Office door.

Family Breakfast - Families of Church School children in the crib room, 3's, Pre-K, and Kindergarten are invited to a potluck breakfast social on Sunday, November 11th, at 9:00am in Fellowship Hall.  This is an opportunity to acquaint yourselves with the families of your child's classmates.  Please bring a dish to share. Coffee and juice will be provided;.  There will be supervised activities for the children.  Call Geoff Fix (458-0438) or Daphne Stitt (453-5249) if you have any questions.

Music and Transformation:  Classes meet Tuesdays from 11am-12:30 pm in the choir room.  Join us on this journey; no previous experience needed.  Come as your schedule permits.  For information call Mary in the Music Office at 458-9701.
A Sacred Place Benefit Concert Friday, Nov. 9th 7:30 p.m. at First Cong. Church, Old Lyme, features the Bluegrass Gospel Project of Vermont.  The whole family will enjoy the classic and original gospel-inspired bluegrass music.   A Sacred Place provides spiritual programs for women incarcerated at York Correctional Institution in Niantic.  Tickets are $25 for general admission or $20 for seniors and students.  Call Charlotte White for tickets or questions (453-3727).
Thanksgiving Dinners:  The Meals on Wheels Program will deliver turkey dinners to Guilford families on Thanksgiving morning.  If you would be willing to deliver dinners or bake desserts, please email Stephanie Ayles at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call the Church Office at 453-5249.  

Pot Luck Breakfast Social for families of Church School children in the crib room,  3's, Pre-K, and Kindergarten next Sunday, November 11th, at 9:00am in Fellowship Hall.  This is an opportunity to acquaint yourselves with the families of your child's classmates.  Coffee and juice will be provided, please bring a dish to share.  Supervised activities will be provided for children.  Call Geoff Fix (458-0438) or Daphne Stitt (453-5249) for information.

Can-Can Thanksgiving!  Church School children are encouraged to celebrate Thanksgiving by bringing in cans of food for the Guilford Food Bank during the month of November.  A collection box will be in the Narthex.

CHURCH CALENDAR

(FH-Fellowship Hall, GH-Griswold Hall, CSB-Church School Bldg,
CR-Choir Room, ML-Minear Library, SHK- Spencer House Keeping Room)

Sunday, November 4:   Susan  preaching

9:00am  Choir Rehearsal-CR
10:00am  Worship/Nursery/Church School (Pre-K- Gr. 8) -CSB
11:15am  Adult Forum-Fran Rzeznik – Chapel
11:15 am  Called to Care – Minear Library
5:00pm  Contemporary Worship Service- Sanctuary
7:00-9:00  PF

Tuesday, November 6:

11:00am  Music and Transformation-CR
6:00pm  Music Committee-CR
7:00pm  Board of Deacons-ML
7:00pm  Board of Christian Education-GH

Wednesday, November 7:

10:00am  Staff Meeting-ML
3:00pm  MSYG –Bells/Sanctuary
4:00pm Junior Choir - FH
4:00pm  Cherub Choir - GH
7:00pm  Bd of Community & World Concerns-SHK
7:15pm  Praying Through Stories of Jesus - ML

Thursday, November 8:

10:00am  Bible Study-ML
7:00pm  Boy Scouts - FH
7:15pm  Sr. Choir Rehearsal-CR

Saturday, November 10:  Senior Choir Retreat
Sunday, November 11:  Susan preaching

8:30am  Worship – Chapel
9:00a.  Choir Rehearsal-CR
10:00am Worship/Nursery Care/Church School (Pre-K - Grade 8)
11:15am  Inquirers’ Meeting –Minear Library
7:00pm  Pilgrim Fellowship-FH

12 Step Meetings at First Church This Week:
AA:  Sunday, 7:15am – GH             Alanon:  Tuesday, 7:30pm – Chapel
         Tuesday, 7:30pm – GH                               Wednesday, 10:00am - FH
         Friday, Noon & 8:00pm – FH        NA:  Sunday, 12:00noon – GH
         Saturday, 7:30am – GH     Alateen:  Tuesday, 7:30pm – CSB#9
Young People’s AA:  Wednesday, 7:00pm – FH