First Church

FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT
9 March 2008

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

“Growing in God’s Love”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Our Lenten Series Concludes Wednesday night.  We begin at 6:00pm with a Pot Luck supper in Fellowship Hall.  After a short Taizé service we will conclude our exploration 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 Madison for the early evening show of Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.  Looks like a great movie. Call Carrie Federici for details @ 458-6726.

Red Tent Retreat on Saturday, March 15th 8:30 – 11:30am at the Mercy Center, Madison:  Women of any age are invited to join with us as we explore themes of Lent and Spring.  For more information, please call Penelope in the Church Office, 453-5249.

Palm Sunday Brunch Next Sunday  – The Board of Christian Education invites everyone to Fellowship Hall after worship for a Palm Sunday Brunch.  Enjoy this time of fellowship and food; Lenten activities will be available for people of all ages to enjoy together.  Families are asked to contribute breakfast breads or fruit – coffee, tea and juice will be provided.  Bring your Palm Sunday palms for a special project.

Landmark Deadline for the April issue is Monday, March 17th.

Heifer International Book Fair is Sunday, April 6th in Fellowship Hall.  Used books – in good condition – will be collected for the Fair until Sunday, March 30.  Please bring them to Fellowship Hall or the Grade 1 classroom.

A Vigil of Remembrance and Hope: Join the Peace Affirmation and Justice Committee in marking the 5th anniversary of the Iraq War on Wednesday March 19th 5:00 - 6:00pm on the southwest corner of the Guilford Green.

The Guilford Food Bank needs food all year not just at holidays.  Some things that are needed now are: canned meats (stew, hash, ham), canned fruit and juices, dry cereal, paper products (bathroom tissue, facial tissue, paper towels).  They can be left in the Narthex.  Thank you.  Community & World Concerns

PF Silent Auction Items Requested - Please consider donating new and "like new" treasures, theme baskets, professional services, gift certificates, house sitting, lawn mowing, etc.  This is a great opportunity to support the PF mission trip.  Leave your item(s) on the tables set up in Fellowship Hall and complete a donation form for each.  Thank you & don’t forget to save the date: Saturday, March 29th from 6-8:30 pm at St. George’s Church Hall.  Questions - please contact Pat Dudley-Gregory: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,  453-5985.

Alpha Club Rummage Sale April 4th & 5th:  Start your spring cleaning!  Donations of saleable items will be accepted during set-up hours: Wed., Apr. 2nd 7 – 9pm; Thurs., Apr 3rd 10am – 3pm & 7 - 9 pm; Fri., Apr. 4th 10am – 3pm.  Sale is Friday, 6:30pm – 8:30pm and Saturday 9 – 11am.  Good deals to be had by all!

EASTER FLOWERS

It is now time to place order for Easter memorial flowers.  These lilies and tulips decorate our Sanctuary on Easter and are then distributed by the Deaconesses to those who are ill, grieving, homebound or reside in nursing homes.  Plants are $12.00 each.  The deadline is Monday, March 17th.  Please complete the form below and mail it with your check to:   The First Congregational Church, 122 Broad Street, Guilford, CT  06437

Please note “Easter Flowers” on your check.  Thank you!
If you have questions, please call Barbara Wells, Flower Committee Chairperson, at 453-5949.

I wish to give _______ Easter plants ($12 ea.).  Total: $_______

Given in loving memory of:

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Given by:______________________________________________

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Holy Week Services and Events

Sunday, March 16, Palm Sunday
      8:30am  Worship - Chapel
        9:45am  Ecumenical Blessing of Palms - Green
    10:00am  Worship/Nursery/Church School
    11:15am  Palm Sunday Brunch (see announcement)-FH

Thursday, March 20, Maundy Thursday
      7:30pm  Worship – Sanctuary

Friday, March 21, Good Friday
      7:30pm  Worship – Sanctuary

Sunday, March 23, EASTER!
      7:00am  Sunrise Service, Indian Cove Beach led by PF
    *9:00am  Festival Service (note different time)
    *11:00am  Festival Service (note different time)
         At both Festival services: Nursery Care & a Special
         Easter Program for Children up through Grade 4.  Older
         children stay in worship.
    

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 9:  Kendrick preaching

8:30am  Worship - Chapel
9:00am  Choir Rehearsal - CR
10:00am Worship/Nursery/Church School (PreK - Grade 8)
11:15am  Adult Forum - Chapel

Tuesday, March 11:

11:00am  Music & Transformation – CR
7:00pm  Church Council - FH

Wednesday, March 12:  

10:00am  Staff Meeting – ML
  3:00pm  MSYG – FH
  4:00pm  Junior Choir – FH
  4:00pm  Cherub Choir – GH
  6:00pm  Lenten Supper (Pot Luck) & Program - FH

Thursday, March 13:

  7:00pm  Church Property Study Committee - ML
  7:00pm  BSA Troop 474 - FH
  7:15pm  Choir Rehearsal-CR

Friday, March 14:

  4:00pm  Confirmation Class meet for trip to St. John the Divine

Saturday, March 15:

  8:30 - 11:30am  Red Tent Retreat- Mercy Center

Sunday, March 16  Palm Sunday: Kendrick preaching

  8:30am  Worship - Chapel
  9:00am  Choir Rehearsal-CR
  9:45am  Ecumenical Blessing of Palms on the Green
10:00am  Worship/Nursery/Church School
11:15am  Spring Family Pot Luck Brunch - 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