THE STEEPLE. Vol.16 No. 10 October, Messages from the Pastor...2 Stewardship...4 Childcare..6 Trustees...7 Pachaug Ladies Fellowship... 8&9..

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1 First Congregational Church of Griswold 878 Voluntown Road, Griswold Connecticut Vol.16 No. 10 October, 2012 THE STEEPLE Messages from the Pastor Stewardship Childcare..6 Trustees...7 Pachaug Ladies Fellowship &9.. Now has come the glory season. Glory in the bountiful fruits of God s earth. Glory in the breathtaking multi-colored leaves of the trees. Glory in the invigorating smells of Fall. Even glory in the sparkling frost-blanket covering the grass and putting it to sleep for the winter. Glory, glory everywhere we News and current events of the First Congregational Church of Griswold. An Open and Affirming Congregation 20 1

2 Messages from Pastor Mobby I love the first Sunday of October more than any other Communion Sunday. It is the day we celebrate as World Communion Day. It s not just a day to celebrate as a congregation, but as the whole church of Jesus Christ! We call this celebration by different names, it s true: Holy Communion a sacred gathering to share what we have in common; Eucharist an act of thanksgiving; the Last Supper, naming the meal Jesus and the disciples shared before his arrest and crucifixion; or simply, the Lord s supper, since it became a ritual meal after Jesus had shared it with new significance. In the New Testament we read of the agape ( love ) meal, which was shared whenever the followers of Jesus gathered. Jesus took the bread and the wine, both everyday staples of mid-eastern diet, and gave us all something to remember him by. We re-call his presence with us whenever we do this, as he commanded. Some of us believe that the bread and wine are symbolic of this presence; some believe they are changed into the body and blood of Christ; and some believe that they are still bread and wine, but that his presence is somehow also in them. Communion is one of the two sacraments in the Protestant church, the other being Baptism. In our tradition, a sacrament ( holy action ) is something Jesus commanded; and it uses earthly elements to connect us with God. Some churches used wafers and wine; others use bread and grape juice; others may also offer gluten-free bread, so that all may truly participate. Some cultures use their own form of bread, and whatever grape drink is produced locally. In some churches people go up to the railing to receive; in others, trays with bread and grape juice are passed around. The age at which children are included in this family meal also varies. 2 First Congregational Church of Griswold Directory Phone Fax Machine On the WEB: Mail: 878 Voluntown Road, Griswold, CT Pastor: Rev. Dr. Mary B. Larson (Pastor Mobby) (home) mobbylarson@gmail.com bylarson@gmail.com Deacons: Samm Racich - Head Deacon Jake Longacre Linda Merchant Steve Ford-King Cindy Phillips Nick Waterman Prayer Chain Coordinator: Dolores Spaulding Church School Superintendent: Carol Seaman Moderator: Glen Norman Chair of Trustees: Jim Kendall Steeple Editor: Andrea Charron Addresses First Church: firstchurch@firstchurchgriswold.org Web coordinator: maureen.greene@sbcglobal.net Steeple Editor:: jcharron04@snet.net People need love, especially when they don t deserve it. 19 ~Author Unknown

3 First Congregational Church of Griswold A Member of the United Church of Christ An Open and Affirming Congregation A Handicap Accessible Church Phone www:firstchurchgriswold.org First Congregational Church of Griswold is an Open and Affirming congregation which respects the worth and dignity of all persons who come to our Church family regardless of race, age, marital standing, gender, economic status, mental or physical challenges, nationality or sexual orientation Some churches celebrate a First Communion at age 7 or 10, or even at a young person s Confirmation. Other churches leave it to the parents to decide when a child has some understanding of the sacredness and the community. To me, it doesn t matter how we celebrate just that we do. On this day of World Communion we remember that we are not isolated, nor alone. We are united with Christians all over the world; and we are united with followers of Christ from the days of his earthly ministry. We are united with all those saints who have gone before us; and we are united with all the saints yet to come. Praise God! OUR CHURCH MISSION Created by God, called by Jesus Christ, we are The First Congregational Church of Griswold. We come together as members of the Body of Christ. Reaching out to the community and to the world with love, by teaching and learning the good news of Jesus Christ, doing the work of local ministry and mission, and growing in our love and trust in God in our daily life. Amen. October's Party" October gave a party; The leaves by hundreds came The Chestnuts, Oaks and Maples, And leaves of every name. The sunshine spread a carpet, And everything was grand, Miss Weather led the dancing, Professor Wind the band. ~George Cooper Page 3 answer: D (See Daniel 1:1-6 and 6:13.) Blessings, Pastor Mobby BIBLE QUIZ Where was Daniel living when officials of King Darius conspired to have Daniel thrown into the lions den? Why was Daniel living there? A. Egypt; he wanted to see the pyramids built by his ancestors, the Hebrew slaves B. Jerusalem; he was serving as a priest in the temple C. Samaria; he was visiting his friend Micah D. Babylon; he was one of the Israelites who d been taken into exile there. (answer on page 18) Eternal God, Grant us gratitude enough to look backwards and be thankful; Courage enough to look forward and be hopeful; Faith enough to look upward and be humble; Kindness enough to look outward and be helpful. Amen. 18 3

4 Stewardship Many in the congregation supported the contribution from our church to the bicycle riders of "Braking The Cycle". The riders were scheduled for a stop at our church as an oasis on September 28th. They rode from Boston to N.Y. City in memory of loved ones who died from HIV/AIDS and to support a center in NYC that supports the victims(children and adults ) with AIDS. The 2012 Neighbors In Need offering will be in October. A theme of "IMAGINING ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE" will be raised during "Mission Moments"on September 30th and October 7th. The offering for "NEIGHBORS IN NEED will be received on October 7th. We have a tradition of strong support from our church. A Fellowship Hour with luncheon is planned for October 21st. We appreciate the generosity of the Fellowship Committee to help begin "A SEASON OF GENEROSITY", our fall Stewardship program. This liturgical season of five Sundays will give us all an opportunity to explore the relationship of our giving and generosity to the Christian Journey, as we move forward to the "in-gathering" on Stewardship Sunday, November 18th. At our next meeting on October 9th plans will be final! ized for Sunday October 28th.?Skit, special music, perhaps children's participation during worship. During this Liturgical Season Of Generosity and throughout the year we need to remember this phrase: Stewardship is what I do, with all that I am, and all that I have, after I say I BELIEVE. Thank you to all who support our church and its mission, as we share together this Christian Journey. Your Stewardship Committee, Rob, Harriet, Sulma, Erika, and Mona A Prayer for Lonely People Loving God, there are times in each life when there is no one. No one with whom to share a word, a laugh, a sad remembrance, a gentle touch, a fond embrace, a kiss of love. Bless each one who suffers from such loneliness. Enrich life with a friend or gentle stranger who will spend a moment noticing and loving. In those times your love shines through, the world is reborn, and Christ is known. So be it! Amen. By Vienna Cobb Anderson TRUE COMMUNION The Holy Supper is kept indeed In what we share with another's need; Not what we give, but what we share: For the gift without the giver is bare. Who gives himself with his alms feeds three: Himself, his hungering neighbor and Me. James Russell Lowell, The Vision of Sir Launfal 4 17

5 " My Prayer for Middle-Age" "Lord, Thou knowest better than I, that I am growing older and will someday be old. Keep me from getting loquacious, and particularly from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to try to straighten out everyone's affairs. Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all; but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end, at least enough for pallbearers with a mourner or two. Do not let the editor head my obituary with the words, 'Old crab dies at last, everybody glad.' "Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains; they are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others' pains, but help me to endure them with patience. I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cock-sureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken. "Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a Saint; some of them are so hard to live with, but a sour old woman is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people, and please give me the grace to tell them so." ~Author Unknown BIG SECRET don t tell anyone! December 1st, Nursery Room, and Coit Room With surprise guests in Nursery Room! More in the November Steeple Better plan to be there! Griswold First Congregational Church Annual Turkey Supper November 1, :00 to 6:30 PM At the Griswold Volunteer Fire House Adults $13.00 Children $7.00 (See Kris, Linda or Andrea for tickets.) 16 5

6 Child Care List October 7, January 27, 2013 Oct 7 No Child Care - Columbus Day Dec 9 Ina Macko Oct 14 Cindy Phillips Ruth Phillips Abigail Merchant Dec 16 Mona Ames Oct 21 Andrea Charron Sam Guillemette Ruth Phillips Dec 23 No Child Care Christmas Oct 28 Mona Ames Dec 31 No Child Care New Year s Heidi Sajkowicz Jan 6 Cindy Phillips Nov 4 Valerie King Rebecca Starkey Sam Guillemette Jan 13 Heidi Sajkowicz Nov 11 Liz Longacre Danielle Longacre Rebecca Starkey Jan 20 No Child Care Martin Luther King Jr Nov 18 Carol Seaman Jan 27 Valerie King Danielle Longacre Abigail Merchant Nov 25 No Child Care Thanksgiving Dec 2 Andrea Charron Abigail Merchant Faith is to the soul what life is to the body. Prayer is to faith what breath is to the body. How a person can live and not breathe is past My comprehension, and how a person can believe And not pray is past my comprehension, too. ~J.C. Ryle In nothing need I anxious be-- Discouraged or dismayed, For in my heart His peace abides-- On Him my cares are laid. He bids me come to Him in prayer And each request make known, So why should I be anxious when His very peace I own! --"Be Anxious For Nothing," by Norma Helgerson in Poems of Grace & Glory I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. ~ Helen Keller General Child Care Age Guidelines: Upstairs: Second grade and younger Please make arrangements with another child care provider on the list if you are unable to do child care on the date assigned to you. If no one is available to do child care then no child care will be provided during service. Point of Contact: Heidi Sajkowicz at Thank you for your help! 6 15

7 Upcoming CTUCC Events: Connecticut Conference Annual Meeting: Fall Session Oct. 20 Fall Action at Silver Lake Oct , 2012 CT Women of the UCC Fall Retreat: Who Are We in God s Eyes Oct BACK INTO ACTION Four major spinal surgeries left Dr. Rob Traultoff permanently disabled, in pain and bedridden. He thought his medical career was over. To combat discouragement, Traultoff watched services at Saddleback Church via computer. Pastor Rick Warren s messages made Traultoff want to serve, so he asked God to use him. But he prayed, You re gonna have to bring it to me cause I can t move. First, Traultoff hosted a small group online. Then, as part of Saddleback s P.E.A.C.E. Initiative, he began providing real-time virtual advice to doctors in Rwanda. Thanks to technology, Traultoff and other physicians offer immediate medical consultations about complicated cases. God s given me a wonderful second chance to be able to share my faith and to help care for patients literally around the world, Traultoff says. He s taken me off the shelf, dusted me off and put me right back into action. 14 GOD CHANGES WORLD Feelings come and feelings go, And feelings are deceiving; My warrant is the Word of God Naught else is worth believing. Though all my heart should feel condemned For want of some sweet token, There is One greater than my heart Whose Word cannot be broken. I ll trust in God s unchanging Word Till soul and body sever, For though all things shall pass away, His Word shall stand forever! ~Martin Luther TRUSTEE'S REPORT The Trustees met on August 27, 2012 at 7 p.m. On August 14, the furnace was cleaned by an Ed's Garage employee. Scott repaired/replaced some shingles on the steeple. He is also getting the posts that we need to put up the new church signs. Ernest attended our meeting, and we discussed what to do with a bank CD that is due. Liz has agreed to be our representative for the new committee being formed by the church Council. It was suggested that the Trustees clean and wax the hallway and kitchen floors and clean out the upstairs library room. This will get done as time permits. The foundation for the chimney is in and we will soon erect the piping. Also, the handrails on the handicap ramp have been painted, and the back corner of the church was power washed. 'Braking the Cycle' will be here on Sept. 28, Brian has agreed to leave his freezer here to store ice cream for the riders. Our next meeting will be on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jim Kendall Head Trustee Faith is a living and unshakable confidence, a belief in the grace of God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake. ~Martin Luther 7

8 Hats, Mittens, and Snowflakes Thanks to those who have started knitting or crocheting hats and mittens to be donated to those in need of warm clothing this winter. These will be hung on our tree in the sanctuary and donated before Christmas. If possible, a few crocheted snowflakes would add to the beauty of the tree. If you need supplies, we could arrange that. Contact Val King with questions. ( ) Pachaug Ladies Fellowship Ladies come and join us as we fellowship together Tuesday, October 16 th, at 7:00, at the church. Rev. Mobby Larson will lead us as we study together an undisclosed topic. Come enrich your life and enjoy some Christian fellowship. CAN YOU TOP THIS? When my sister was about 3, my mom overheard her talking with a neighborhood friend. My dad works for an insurance agency! proclaimed the other girl. Clearly pleased with her status as a pastor s kid, my sister responded haughtily, Well, my dad works for God! Heidi Mann The Newsletter Newsletter Just as I Am is a well-known hymn, written by Charlotte Elliott in 1835, first appearing in the Christian Remembrancer, of which Elliott became the editor in The final verse is taken from Elliott's Hours of Sorrow Cheered and Comforted (1836) Charlotte Elliot wrote this song about how to find salvation through Christ. It has been used by many as the call to the altar at the close of services, as it brings a quiet simple message of sin, forgiveness, and salvation to all that turn from sin and trust in Jesus. The night before the bazaar Charlotte was kept wakeful by distressing thoughts of her apparent uselessness ; and these thoughts passed by a transition easy to imagine into a spiritual conflict, till she questioned the reality of her whole spiritual life, and wondered whether it were anything better after all than an illusion of the emotions, an illusion ready to be sorrowfully dispelled. The next day, the busy day of the bazaar, she lay upon her sofa in that most pleasant boudoir set apart for her in Westfield Lodge, ever a dear resort to her friends." The troubles of the night came back upon her with such force that she felt they must be met and conquered in the grace of God. She gathered up in her soul the great certainties, not of her emotions, but of her salvation : her Lord, His power, His promise. And taking pen and paper from the table she deliberately set down in writing, for her own comfort, "the formulae of her faith." Hers was a heart which always tended to express its depths in verse. So in verse she restated to herself the Gospel of pardon, peace, and heaven. "Probably without difficulty or long pause" she wrote the hymn, getting comfort by thus definitely "recollecting" the eternity of the Rock beneath her feet. There, then, always, not only for some past moment, but " even now " she was accepted in the Beloved "Just as I am." Billy Graham claims that he was saved in 1934 in a revival meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina led by evangelist Mordecai Ham hearing the altar call song "Just As I Am". This song became an altar call song in the Billy Graham crusades in the latter half of the twentieth century. Graham used the title of the hymn as the title of his 1997 book - Just As I Am: The Autobiography of Billy Graham. Resources The One Year Book of Hymns and wikipedia.org 8 13

9 THE ORIGINs OF JUST AS I AM By Charlotte Elliot Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without, Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea, all I need in Thee to find, Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because Thy promise I believe, Just as I am, Thy love unknown Hath broken every barrier down; Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, Just as I am, of that free love The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove, Here for a season, then above, O Lamb of God, I come, I come! Pachaug Ladies Fellowship October 16- Study with Pastor Mobby 7:00 PM November 20- Christmas craft 7:00 PM December 1- Breakfast with Santa 7 AM-11 PM, bazaar 9 AM-2 PM December 18 assemble cookies plates 7:00 PM January 15- Snitch Bingo 7:00 PM February 12- Take a friend to lunch March 19- Discover The Possibility with Mosaic 7:00 PM April 16- PLF meeting 7:00 PM May 21- Worship meeting 7:00 PM June 18- Picnic at Hopeville State Park 10:00 AM 12 9

10 October 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat AM Prayer Group 7 PM Choir World Communion Day :30 Sunday School for all 11 Worship with Communion Observance of Columbus Day 6 PM Stewardship 6:30 PM Deacons 7 PM Church Council 6:30 PM Church Life and Growth :30 Sunday School for all 11 Worship 7 PM Pachaug Ladies Fellowship 7 PM Christian Education 7 PM Trustees 9 AM Prayer Group 7 PM Choir 21 Reformation Sunday :30 Sunday School for all 11 Worship Fellowship with luncheon 9 AM Prayer Group 7 PM Choir Nov. 1 Nov. 2 Nov. 3 9:30 Sunday School for all 11 Worship Reformation Sunday Reformation Day Happy Halloween Remember to bake pies for Saturday. Annual Turkey Supper tomorrow! 10 11