First Church

FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
2 March 2008

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

“Growing in God’s Love”

Each year the choir sings special music during Lent.   “A Service of Darkness” by Dale Wood consists of seven choral meditations on the last words of Christ on the cross.  The work is adapted from the ancient tenebrae, written for choir and organ.  Each meditation is preceded by the scripture that is the basis for the music.   “A Service of Darkness” musically depicts Christ’s suffering and can reflect our own times of sorrow and searching.

We are grateful to Mary Morreale and the Senior Choir for bringing us this special music service.   Mary would like to thank the Senior Choir and Liza Catino for their dedication to presenting this music with prayerful and thoughtful meaning this Lent. 

Deacons’ Fund Collection:  In the pew rack you will find Deacons’ Discretionary Fund envelopes.  Contributions are used by our ministers to meet urgent needs in our community.  Thank you.

Deaconess for March is Pam Welch (4582340-).  Please notify her of births, adoptions, or anyone who may need a note of sympathy or encouragement.  Please call Pam for information about our Prayer Shawl Ministry.  CDs of Sunday worship services are available to sign out in Spencer House.

Deacon for March is Kathy Abbatello (457-0475).  If you have questions, compliments or concerns, please speak with Kathy.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Contemporary Worship Service today at 5:00pm.   Join us!

An Exhibit of Old Communion Silver and related memorabilia is at the front of the Sanctuary this morning.  All are invited to view this part of First Church’s history.  Ruth Nettleton and Edith Nettleton, Church Historians, will be on hand to answer questions

Follow-up to Last week’s Sermon with Susan and Sharon Cody:
For all those interested in exploring further the issues raised during last week’s sermon, the following titles are available to borrow in Minear Library on the fireplace mantel:  Hungry Ghosts; Choosing Mercy; Why Forgive; The Fall of the Prison; Dead Man Walking; Words of Encouragement; Couldn’t Keep It to Myself; and I’ll Fly Away.

Our Lenten Journey Continues this Wednesday night beginning at 6:00pm with supper in Fellowship Hall.  Food is provided (pizza!)  We are exploring the meaning and significance of Water & Tears in the Bible and in our lives.  Please join us for any part or all of the evening;

Movie Night!  Welcoming & Inclusion Committee is organizing another movie night for Friday, March 14. We are going to the 7:00pm? show at ____________to see Miss Pettigrew- Lives for a Day.  Looks like a great movie. Call Carrie Federici for details @ 458-6726.

Palm Sunday Brunch:  The Board of C.E. will host a light brunch at 11:15am following the morning service on March 16.  This event takes the place of our annual Spring Supper, and we encourage everyone to come and enjoy this time of fellowship together.  Lenten activities will be available for people of all ages to enjoy together.  Bring your Palm Sunday palms for a special project.

Silver Lake Summer Camps: Registration has begun online at http://silverlake.ctucc.org.  Silver Lake, in beautiful Sharon, CT, is the outdoor ministry of the UCC in Connecticut.  It offers weeklong summer camps for students entering Grade 4 up through 12th.  A detailed list of camps is posted in Fellowship Hall.  All camps offer opportunities for friendship, fun, spiritual development, swimming, challenge activities, serving one another, and creating connections with the environment, each other, and God.  Talk If you need some scholarship assistance, call Daphne or Kendrick.    Sign up soon!

PF Silent Auction  Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 29th
From 6-8:30 pm at St. George’s Church Hall.  Admission is $5.00.
This is a great opportunity to support our fine young adults in
Preparation for their mission trip.   Please consider donating items.
They can be left on tables which are set up in Fellowship Hall.  There are donation forms on these tables that should be completed for each item.  Any questions, please call Pat Dudley-Gregory in the evenings (453-5985) or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

CHURCH CALENDAR

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

Sunday, March 2:  Special Choir Service
                           9:00am  Choir Rehearsal-CR
                   10:00am  Worship/Nursery/Church School
                   11:15am  Coffee Hour – FH
                     5:00pm  Contemporary Worship – Sanctuary
                                Rev. Todd Shipley preaching
Monday, March 3: 
         6:15pm  Confirmation 2:   - GH
         7:30pm  Deaconesses – ML
         7:30pm  Welcome & Inclusion – FH?
Tuesday, March 4:
                      6:00pm  Music Committee - CR
                7:00pm  Deacons – ML
                7:30pm  Board of Christian Education
Wednesday, March 5:
                      3:00pm  Middle School Youth Group – FH
                      4:00pm  Junior Choir – FH/Cherub Choir -GH
                      6:00pm  Lenten Supper & Program - FH
Thursday, March 6:
                 7:00pm  Church Property Study Committee - ML
                 7:00pm  Boy Scouts – FH
                 7:15pm  Senior Choir-CR
Sunday, March 9: 
                 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