First Church

First Sunday After Easter
30 March 2008

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

 “Growing in God’s Love”

We warmly welcome Tim and Anne Hughes, co-Directors of the Silver Lake Conference Center, and the conferees from last year’s Good News Conference under the direction of Simon Murtha-Smith.  We thank them for their leadership in worship today.  

We also thank the Band and vocalists from our Contemporary Worship Service for their gift of music.  The Contemporary Worship Service is held the first Sunday of the month at 5:00pm in the Sanctuary.

The Forum at 11:15am in the Chapel will be a conversation with Tim Hughes, co-Director of Silver Lake Conference Center.  It is not just for adults today: children and youth are invited to attend as well as their parents to learn more about this ministry of the Connecticut Conference of the UCC.  Numerous children from First Church have participated in Silver Lake camps over the years. 

Deaconess for March is Pam Welch (458-2340).  Please notify her of births, adoptions, or anyone who may need a note of sympathy or encouragement.  She also coordinates our Prayer Shawl Ministry; please call her for more information.  CDs of worship services are available to sign out in the Spencer House kitchen. 
 
Deacon for March is Kathy Abbatello (457-0475).  If you have questions, concerns or compliments please call her.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Collection for Prison Resettlement Ministry Today:  Please leave donations in the narthex.  Contact Marcia Myhre at 453-5116 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

“Sweet Spirit” Meeting – Recall Charlie Cummings’ piece in the February Landmark?  He issued an invitation to others to join him in forming a group for fellowship and support.  Come and meet with Charlie today in the Minear Library at 2:30pm – bring your ideas, too!

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

Heifer International Book Fair Next Sunday, in Fellowship Hall. Used books in good condition are being collected until Fri., April 4th; leave them in Fellowship Hall or the Grade 1 classroom.  Heifer Ark Banks: Please remember to return your bank on April 6.

Next Sunday, April 6th 11:00am in the Sanctuary-  Please join the Church Property Study Committee for a report and discussion. 

Church School Spring Cleaning – Show pride in your Church School building & join our Spring Cleaning crew!  Thursday, April 17th, 10:00am – 12:00noon.  Snacks to follow in Fellowship Hall.  A great opportunity for community service hours.  Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult.  Interested but can’t be there?  Snacks & cleaning products can be donated. Sign up sheets & information about appropriate donations are outside the Church School office & in Fellowship Hall.  Call Andrea Schmidt (458-2872) for more info.

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 30: 
                8:30  Worship – Chapel, Mary Morreale
                9:00 – 9:15am  Teachers’ Meting - GH
               10:00 a.m. Family Service: Silver Lake/Nursery care
               11:15am  Adult Forum – Silver Lake
              11:15am  Confirmation 1 Check-in – Grade 1 Classroom
                2:30pm  “Sweet Spirit”/Charlie Cummings - ML
                 5:00pm  Confirmation 2 Belfry visit & class - GH
Tuesday, April 1:
               11:00am  Music and Transformation - CR
                6:00pm  Music Committee - CR
                7:00pm  Deacons – ML
                7:00pm  Board of Christian Education - GH
Wednesday, April 2:
                10:00am  Staff Meeting- ML
                3:00pm  MSYG-FH
                4:00pm  Junior Choir - FH
                4:00pm  Cherub Choir-GH
                7:00 – 9:00pm  Rummage Sale Set-up - FH
Thursday, April 3:
               10:00am – 3:00pm, 7:00 – 9:00pm Rummage Sale Set-up
                6:00pm  Intermediate Bells - Sanctuary
                7:15pm  Choir Rehearsal – CR
Friday, April 4:
               10:00am – 3:00pm  Rummage Sale Set-up – FH
                6:30 – 8:30pm  Rummage Sale – FH
Saturday, April 5:
                9:00 – 11:00am  Rummage Sale - FH
Sunday, April 6: 
                9:00am  Choir Rehearsal – CR
                10:00am  Worship & Communion, Nursery Care,
                                       Church School (PreK – Grade 8)
                11:15am  Adult Forum – Church Property – Sanctuary
                11:15am  Heifer International Book Fair - FH
                5:00pm  Contemporary Worship Service - Sanctuary

12-Step Meetings at First Church This Week:
AA:  Sun., 7:15am – GH       Alanon:  Tues., 7:30pm – Chapel
         Tues., 7:30pm – GH                      Wed., 10:00am - FH
         Fri., Noon – FH                     Alateen:  Tues., 7:30pm-CSB#9
         Fri., 7:30pm – meets elsewhere      NA:  Sun., Noon – GH
        Sat., 7:30am – GH                  Young People’s AA:  Wed. 7:00pm–FH