First Church

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
9 December 2007

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

“Growing in God’s Love”

Deacon for December is Gail Thompson (458-7938).  If you have questions, concerns or compliments, please call Gail.

Deaconess for December is Peggy Russell (458-0660).  Please notify her of births, adoptions, or anyone who may need a note of encouragement.  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.  

ANNOUNCEMENTS

On December 17th Herthyl Snow Withey, a member of our First Church family, will turn 100!  She was born and raised in Michigan. She and her husband of 71 years, the late Ray Withey moved to Guilford in 1988.   Herthyl would appreciate hearing from her church family.  Cards may be sent to her at 46 Copper Hill Drive in Guilford.

Join Us Later Today for the Service of Lessons & Carols at 4:00pm in the Sanctuary.  Our choirs have prepared beautiful music to share, we’ll hear once again the well-loved Advent and Christmas lessons and sing favorite carols.  Stay for the Pilgrim Fellowship Soup & Bread Supper at 5:30pm in Fellowship Hall.  Tickets are $7 and are available in the narthex after worship and at the door.  Enjoy a variety of homemade soups, breads & desserts prepared and served by members of the PF; it’s a great way to stay in touch with the spirit of the season.

Christmas Poinsettia Orders due in Church Office Today!  Poinsettias adorn the Sanctuary before Christmas and are then delivered by the Deaconesses and others to those who are homebound or in need of some cheer.  Poinsettias are $12 each.  If you wish to give flowers in memory of loved ones, please use the form in the Landmark or one on the desk in the Narthex, enclose a check and drop it off in the Church Office today!  Thank you!  For questions, please call the Church Office at 453-5249.

Alpha Club Christmas Party on Tues., Dec. 11th at 7:00 pm at Carin Small’s, 52 Church Street.  We continue our tradition of collecting new, unwrapped toys to be donated to Christian Community Action in New Haven for distribution to children in need and this year we will also collect new adult-sized socks, hats, scarves & mittens.  All are welcome.

A Service of Prayer and Healing on Wednesday, Dec. 19th 7:00pm in the Sanctuary.  All are invited to this service of music, scripture, prayer and reflection and will include the laying on of hands and anointing with oil for those who choose.
The Patchwork of Compassion is Here!  Copies are available in the Narthex and in the Spencer House kitchen.  The Board of Deaconesses invites you to take a copy of this collection of inspirational messages contributed by members and friends of First Congregational Church – perfect for Advent devotions.  For more information, please call Mary Torello at 453-5038.

Pilgrim Fellowship Cookie Walk is December 23rd after the 10:00 service.  Don't miss out on the goodies!  Correction to last week’s bulletin:  coffee cans are not needed.

Parking Reminder:  Please remember to leave the parking spaces closest to the Church available for those persons with physical limitations who need to park closest.  Those individuals are asked to display a Priority Parking Card which is available from the Church Office.  We thank all able-bodied persons for your cooperation.  A copy of the Parking Guide is in the narthex.  

Stewardship Update:  Our 2008 Stewardship Goal is $540,000.  As of Dec. 4th, we have $420,125.16 pledged.  We have $119,874.84 remaining to meet our goal.  If you have pledged, thank you.  If you have not, please take a moment to do so today.  Every pledge makes a difference – truly.  We need everyone’s support.  Thank you.

Christmas Eve Pageant Rehearsal:  Sat., Dec. 22nd - 9:30-11:00am in the Sanctuary.  Costumes and parts will be given out at this time.

Christmas Eve Services: 

5:00pm Christmas Pageant and
10:00pm  Candlelight Communion Service-  note earlier time

Sing with the Choir Christmas Eve 10:00pm.  Family & friends are most welcome to sing with the choir.  Come to the choir loft at 9:00pm for rehearsal and join us in singing the glorious music of the season.  

Holiday Cards Requested: If you wish to send holiday cards to soldiers recovering at Walter Reed Hospital during the holidays, please use this address:

Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Attn: SFAC
6900 Georgia Ave – NW
Washington, DC  20307.

Holiday Opportunities for Giving and Sharing:  

   Clothing Box benefits Fair Haven Parents’ Ministry
   Toy Box for Fair Haven Parents’ Ministry and Covenant to Care
   First Church Hat & Mitten Tree – for Guilford Welfare Gift Fund
   Giving Tree – for families in need in Guilford
   Alternative Giving – organized by the Board of Community & World
          Concerns and benefits the organizations you choose.  Please
          consider giving to any charitable organization in lieu of buying a
          present.  It is the perfect gift for the person who ‘has everything!’
          Pick up a green Alternative Giving Flyer in the narthex or at the
          Church Office and feel the true meaning of Christmas.  Contact
          Gail Pappas (453-0100).

CHURCH CALENDAR

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

Sunday, Dec. 9:   Second Sunday in Advent, Susan preaching

  8:30am  Worship - Chapel
10:00am  Worship/Nursery/Church School (Pre-K- Gr. 8)
11:15am  Adult Forum - Chapel ????
  4:00pm  Service of Lessons and Carols - Sanctuary
  5:30pm  Soup & Bread Supper hosted by Pilgrim Fellowship - FH

Monday, Dec. 10:

      6:15pm  Confirmation 2: “God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit” – GH

Tuesday, Dec. 11:

      7:00pm  Church Council – FH
      7:30pm  Alpha Club Christmas Party at Carin Small’s

Wednesday, Dec. 12:

      3:00pm  Middle School Youth Group – FH
      4:00pm  Junior Choir – FH
      4:00pm  Cherub Choir – GH

Thursday, Dec. 13:

    10:00am  Prison Prayer Group-ML
      6:00pm  Festival Bells – Sanctuary
      7:00pm  BS Troop 474 – FH
      7:00pm  Church Property Study - ML
      7:15pm  Senior Choir Rehearsal – CR

Sunday, Dec. 16:   Third Sunday in Advent, Rev. Michael Penn-Strah, preaching

  8:30am  Worship - Chapel
10:00am  Worship/Nursery/Church School (Pre-K- Gr. 8)
11:15am  Adult Forum - Chapel

Twelve-Step Group Meetings This Week:
AA: Sunday, 7:15am – GH                 Alanon: Tuesday, 7:30pm – Chapel
        Tuesday, 7:30pm - GH                               Wednesday, 10am – FH
        Friday, 12noon & 7:30pm - FH   Alateen: Tues., 7:30p – CSB#9
        Saturday, 7:30am – GH               NA: Sun., Noon-GH
                Young Peoples’  AA: Wed., 7p- FH