First Church

THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
17 February 2008

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

“Growing in God’s Love”

Deaconess for February is Mary Torello (453-5038).  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.  

Deacon for February is Clyde Work (458-7708).  If you have questions, concerns or compliments, please call Clyde.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Movie Night:  Offered by the Welcoming and Inclusion Committee, please join us on Friday, Feb. 22nd to see The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.  Afterwards, join us for a cup of coffee and a great discussion. Call Carrie Federici for more information @ 458-6726.

Red Tent will meet this Sat., Feb. 23rd 9 – 11am in the Minear Library to reflect on our faith journeys this Lent.  Each woman is asked to bring something to share (a poem, reading, or picture, experience, etc.) that speaks to, or represents, her Lenten journey this year.  The Red Tent welcomes any woman interested in spiritual reflection and fellowship.  For information, call Penelope: 453-5249.

Alpha Club Annual Comfort Meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 26th at 6:00pm in Fellowship Hall.  Soups, breads and desserts will be served.  Mary Morreale will speak on Music & Spirituality.  All are welcome!

Safe Church Training Session:  Saturday, March 1, 9:30 – 11:00am in Fellowship Hall.  All adults who have responsibility for the care of children and youth in church programs are required to attend a “Safe Church” training session and complete a screening form to be kept in a confidential file.  This includes all Church School teachers & helpers, as well as PF advisors.  Please call the Church Office (453-5249) if you plan to attend.

Blanket the World with Love:  During February every family is invited to donate $5 to purchase a Church World Service blanket or basic tools to help another family in need somewhere in the world.  There are CWS envelopes in the pews, and there is also a collection jar in the narthex.  You may pay with cash or a check payable to First Congregational Church (memo: blankets).  

Silver Lake Summer Camps: Registration has now started online at http://silverlake.ctucc.org.  Silver Lake, in beautiful Sharon, CT, is the outdoor ministry of the United Church of Christ in Connecticut.  It offers weeklong camps all summer for students entering Grade 4 up through High School.  A detailed list of camps is posted in Fellowship Hall.  All camps offer great opportunities for friendship, fun, spiritual development, swimming, challenge activities, serving one another, and creating connections with the environment, each other, and God.  Talk with Daphne or Kendrick if you need some scholarship assistance.  Sign up soon to get your first choice of camp.

CHURCH CALENDAR

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

Sunday, February 17:  Kendrick preaching
                       8:30am  Worship - Chapel
                 9:00am  Choir Rehearsal - CR
               10:00am Worship/Nursery care/Vacation week program
                                  for children PreK through grade 4
               11:15am  5 x 5 Bells - Sanctuary
Monday, February 18: Offices Closed in observance of Presidents’ Day
                        7:30pm  Business Committee – SHK
                        7:30pm  Peace, Affirmation & Justice- ML
Tuesday, February 19:
                       11:00am  Music & Transformation – CR
Wednesday, February 20:  
                    10:00am  Staff Meeting – ML
                      6:00pm  Lenten Supper (Thai food) & Program - FH
Thursday, February 21:
                      6:00pm  5 x 5 Bells – Sanctuary
                      7:15pm  Choir Rehearsal-CR
                      7:30pm  Board of Finance - SHK
Saturday, February 23:
                     9:00-11:00am  Red Tent - ML
Sunday, February 24: Susan preaching
                           8:30am  Worship - Chapel
                           9:00am  Choir Rehearsal-CR
                   10:00am  Worship/Nursery/Church School
                   11:15am  Adult Forum - Chapel

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