First Church



SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
6 April 2008


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

“Growing in God’s Love”

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 April is Peggy Russell (458-0660). Please notify her of births, adoptions, or anyone who may need a note of sympathy or encouragement. For information about our Prayer Shawl Ministry, please call Pam Welch (458-2340.) Audiotapes of Sunday worship services are available to sign out in Spencer House.

Deacon for April is Carlos Garcia (458-2602). If you have questions, compliments or concerns, please speak with Carlos.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Today’s Adult Forum at 11:15am will meet in the Sanctuary. The Church Property Study Committee will report on information gathered thus far, and will lead a discussion aimed at naming and discerning First Church property needs as we look to our future. Your ideas are important; if you are unable to make the meeting, please speak with a member of the committee: Stephen Dudley & Sara Nelson, Co-Chairs.

One Great Hour of Sharing Collection Today - One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is the relief, refugee and development fund of the United Church of Christ. As part of Our Churches Wider Mission, it is a Special Mission Offering received by the United Church of Christ. Through donations to OGHS the UCC works with international partners to provide sources of clean water and food, education and health care, small business micro-credit, emergency relief, and advocacy and resettlement for refugees and displaced persons. OGHS also supports domestic and international ministries for disaster preparedness and response. Nearly seventy percent of UCC congregations participate in OGHS. Please see the insert in today’s bulletin and give generously! Thank you! -- Linda Cantley, Community & World Concerns

Book Fair to Benefit Heifer International Today in Fellowship Hall. Church School children will be taken by class to choose books during the service. (Parents, please note that children’s books are $0.25each or 5 for $1.00.) Others are invited to shop after the service. Stock up now for summer reading! Heifer Ark Banks should be returned to the Church School office as soon as possible.

Contemporary Worship Service today at 5:00pm- join us!

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.

Called To Care Luncheon Next Sunday - All current members of the Called to Care Committee and any persons who are interested in the Called to Care program are invited to attend this Luncheon Sunday, April 13th after the Adult Forum (approximately 12:15pm) in Fellowship Hall. This will be a time of food and fellowship. Any questions, please contact Marilyn Leslie, Coordinator at 453-3295 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Pinchbeck Scholarships: Applications are available to apply for a William E. & Harriet W. Pinchbeck scholarship. The criteria for selection of recipients are as follows: that the scholarship money be used annually to assist needy and deserving students, whether or not affiliated with First Congregational Church, or residing in Guilford, in obtaining their education (including postgraduate education.) The Board of Deacons of the First Congregational Church will make the selections. Applications are in a marked manila envelope on the Church Office door. Completed applications must be received by the Church Office by June 1st. Recipients will be notified by the Board of Deacons after their meeting in early June. For more information, call Gail Thompson at 458-7938.

CHURCH CALENDAR

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

Monday, April 7:
6:15pm Confirmation 2: - GH
7:30pm Deaconesses – ML
7:30pm Welcome & Inclusion – FH
Tuesday, April 8:
11:00am Music and Transformation-CR
7:00pm Church Council - FH
Wednesday, April 9:
11:00am Staff Meeting - ML
3:00pm Middle School Youth Group – FH
4:00pm Junior Choir – FH
4:00pm Cherub Choir- GH
7:00pm Music Search Committee-ML
Thursday, April 10:
6:00pm Intermediate Bells - Sanctuary
7:00pm Church Property Study Committee - ML
7:00pm Boy Scouts – FH
7:15pm Senior Choir-CR
Friday, April 11: Pilgrim Fellowship departs for Mission Trip
Sunday, April 13:
8:30am Worship – Chapel
9:00am Choir Rehearsal - CR
10:00am Worship/Nursery care/Church School (PreK – Gr. 8)
11:15am Adult Forum: - Chapel
11:30am Called to Care Luncheon - 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