First Church

PALM SUNDAY
16 March 2008

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

“Growing in God’s Love”

The Board of Christian Education invites everyone to a Palm Sunday Brunch following the 10am service.  Please 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.  Parents are asked to keep their children with them as food is being served.

 Deaconess for March is Pam Welch (458-2340).  Please notify her
of births, adoptions, or anyone who needs a note of cheer. CDs of worship services are available to sign out in Spencer House.  Please call Pam for information about our Prayer Shawl Ministry.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

Nursery Care Needed for 9:00 & 11:00 Services on Easter: please contact Daphne if you are available to help: 453-3324.  Thank you.

Heifer International Book Fair is Sunday, April 6th in Fellowship Hall.  Used books – in good condition – will be collected 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 start of 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).  Please leave them in the Narthex.  Thank you.                Community & World Concerns

Pilgrim Fellowship Cookie Walk Easter Sunday Between the Services in Fellowship Hall:  Pick out your own assortment of homemade goodies to enjoy and know you are supporting the PF Mission Trip in April.  Thank you!  Pussywillows will be available for sale in Fellowship Hall next Sunday as well.

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 way 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 for the Silent Auction: Saturday, March 29th from 6-8:30 pm at St. George’s Church Hall.   Admission is $5.00. 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 Meets Next on Tuesday, March 25th at 7:30pm in Fellowship Hall when Merrillyn Garcia will speak on "Discovering the Gifts You Have."  All are welcome.
Alpha Club Rummage Sale April 4th & 5th:  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 hours: Friday, 6:30–8:30pm and Saturday 9 – 11am.  

Save the Date!  Sunday, April 6th 11:00am in the Sanctuary:  Please join the Church Property Study Committee after worship on April 6 for a report and discussion.  Please see flyer in your pew.

Shoreline Soul Returns!  Led by Angela Clemmons this community choral workshop invites people of any age/ability to participate in the 5 Monday night sessions (April 7, 14, 21, 28, & May 5) from 6:45 – 8:45pm.  Culminates in a free public concert on Sunday, May 18 at 4:00pm.  Meets at the First Church, Madison.  To register call 245-6944 or shorelinesoul@comcast.  Fee: $90 ($80 if paid by 3/24).

For Follow-up to the Last Two Sermons you may check out any of these titles set aside on the fireplace mantel in Minear Library: Hungry Ghosts; Choosing Mercy; Why Forgive; The Fall of the Prison; Dead Man Walking; Words of Encouragement; Couldn’t Keep It to Myself; I’ll Fly Away and Amazing Grace: the Story of a Song that Makes a Difference with Bill Moyers on DVD,.

Holy Week Services and Event

Maundy Thursday, March 20  7:30pm  Worship – Sanct.

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

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

CHURCH CALENDAR

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

Today, March 16  Palm Sunday: Kendrick preaching
                     8:30am  Worship - Chapel
                     9:45am  Ecumenical Blessing of Palms on the Green
                     10:00am  Worship/Nursery/Church School
                     11:15am  Spring Family Brunch - FH

Mon. March 17:  7:30pm  Business Committee – SHK
    7:30pm  Peace, Affirmation & Justice - ML

Tues. March 18: 11:00am  Music & Transformation – CR
             7:30pm  Human Resources - SHK

Wed. March 19: 10:00am  Staff Meeting – ML
     3:00pm  MSYG – FH
     4:00pm  Junior Choir – FH
     4:00pm  Cherub Choir – GH
     7:30pm  Bd of Finance - SHK

Thurs. March 20, Maundy Thursday:
      6:45pm  Choir Rehearsal – CR
      7:30pm  Worship – Sanctuary
      8:30pm  Choir Rehearsal - CR

Fri., March 21, Good Friday:

6:45pm  Choir Rehearsal - CR
7:30pm  Worship - Sanctuary

Sunday, March 23, EASTER!:  Susan preaching
     7:00am  Sunrise Service, Indian Cove Beach, led by PF
     8:00am  Choir Rehearsal – CR
     *9:00 & 11:00am  Festival Services (change of times)
      *Nursery &a Special Pgm for children up through Grade 4.  
                              PF Cookie Walk – Fellowship Hall

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