First Church Messenger April Newsletter 2017

Transcription

1 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 214 Main Street South, Woodbury, CT First Church Messenger April Newsletter 2017 Dear Members and Friends, We are well on our way in this year s Lenten journey. These forty days that the church sets apart in preparation for the celebration of the resurrection are special days for Christians. We are called to look at ourselves anew during this period. Where do I need more discipline in my spiritual life? How can I better understand God s workings in my life? How can I be more accepting and tolerant of other people? Perhaps the last question is on our minds more than ever. As a nation, we seem to be moving into camps that are polar opposites. How can each one of us be an agent for reconciliation? How can we listen to others in honesty and caring? Not easy questions, but important ones for us right now. I hope that you will be able to be a part of the special worship services during Holy Week: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. Each one of these adds to the true meaning of Easter. I would especially like to thank Sandy, the members of the choir, and the deacons for their faithful work throughout the year, but particularly during the Lenten and Easter seasons. A final word to those who have been away from the Church: I sincerely welcome you home this Easter. It is my fervent hope and prayer that by worshipping with us, and celebrating the sacrament of Holy Communion you will encounter the Risen Christ. Yours in Christ, Rev. Howard

2 Women Helping Women The First Church will be collecting diapers, baby wipes and diaper cream from Sunday, April 2 - Friday, April 7. Items can be brought to church on Sunday, dropped off during office hours Tuesday - Friday or left in the marked collection barrel near the road. All items collected will be donated to Safe Haven in Southbury. While this outreach is being spearheaded by Women's Fellowship it is hoped this will be supported by the community. Please spread the word to friends and neighbors! Seated: Muffy Munson, Kathy Masiulis, Audrey Jannetty Standing: Marcia Pattillo, Joan Bengtson, Linda Osterman Hamid April 9 Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday Worship 10:00 am April 13 Maundy Thursday w/communion Service 7:30 pm April 14 Good Friday Ecumenical Service 7:30 pm at United Methodist Church Woodbury April 16 Easter Sunday Sunrise Service 7:00 am at Hollow Park Easter Sunday Service 10:00 am

3 Come join us after worship for a new Bible Study Sundays at 11:30 am. This is a ten-week series looking at the book of Genesis that began on February 26. Here is one description of the project: The stories in the book of Genesis-- creation, humanity s fall, the flood, Abraham and Isaac, Joseph in Egypt, and more--have intrigued and inspired Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike for millennia. Join journalist Bill Moyers as he leads some of the most passionate and thoughtful Bible discussions ever conducted. We hope you will consider joining us after coffee hour each Sunday for this stimulating program. If you can t be there every Sunday, please join us when you can. By the way, if you are looking for a good edition of Genesis (and who isn t?), Rev. Howard recommends the one done by Robert Alter. You can easily find it on Amazon.com. The retail price new is $13, but there are many used copies for thirty cents plus shipping. Confirmation Class Schedule for the month of April April 2 Session One: Location: First Church 9 Palm Sunday No Class 16 Easter Sunday No Class 23 Session Two: Location: North Church 30 Session Three: Location: First Church Red Barn News We would like to remind everyone of the re-opening of the Red Barn Thrift Shop on Tuesdays, 10 am to 3 pm. Drop in and visit, while you browse, with our Tuesday volunteers at the Red Barn: Audrey Jannetty, Bonnie Gardella, Helga Weed, Joan Bengtson, Marcia Pattillo, Linda Osterman Hamid, Muffy Munson and Kathy Masiulis! We are planning on re-opening the Barn proper during our Earth Day event on Saturday, April 22, The flow of donations has increased significantly, as spring cleaning commences! We will be having free refreshments, and a sidewalk sale, if weather permits. We will also give away FREE BLUE JEANS for the fifth year in a row. It s always a busy day, and a fun one! Saturday, April 22, am to 3 pm

4 Is April 2 Communion Sunday is when First Church collects foodstuffs for the Woodbury Food Bank. Please leave your donations in the basket at the back of the Sanctuary or in Fellowship Hall If you have a change of address, cell phone or house phone number, or address, please let the Church Office know so that we may keep our database up-to-date. Do you know of someone who has given his or her time in providing an act of kindness? Please let us know so that we, too, may recognize that person. Just leave a note for the Church Office. Note paper is available for your thoughts in the basket on the office door. Or call the office at DON T FORGET Please have your announcements and articles for the Sunday bulletin into the Church Office no later than Wednesday Noon. Thanks! Maria If you know a member or friend of First Church who is ill or in the hospital please let the Church Office know CHURCH CLERK NEEDED If you are interested in filling the position of the Clerk of First Church, please contact the Church Office at CHURCH HISTORIAN NEEDED If you are interested in history please consider becoming the historian of First Church. Contact the Church Office at LaBonne s Cash Back Program - THANK YOU one and all for your support of this fundraiser! Please continue to drop your receipts in the basket marked La- Bonne s located on the counter in Fellowship Hall. April 15

5 Joys & Concerns of Our Church Family 4/2 Steve Acri 4/5 Lou Gurry 4/9 Hannah Munson 4/14 Sean O Neil 4/15 Sylvia Green 4/15 Rhonda Stokes 4/16 Helga Weed 4/27 Bette Gurry 4/28 Louise Green 4/28 Dave Jaffin 4/30 Sarah Griswold April15 PHOTO INFORMATION Photos are taken during Church events. If you are an adult that does not wish to have their photo on Facebook, our Church website or in other advertising, please let us k now. If you, as a parent, do not wish your child s photo used in any of the mentioned advertising venues stated above, please let us know that also. Dot Walker is at a rehabilitation center while she recovers. The address there is: Beacon Brook Health Center 89 Weid Drive Naugatuck, CT I m sure she would love to hear from you!! April 2017 Deacons, Greeters, Stewards, Coffee Hour and Flower Schedules Deacon(s) of the Week Sunday Stewards 4/2 Lisa Nanes-Sulliman 4/2 Roberta O Neil & Billl Garms 4/9 Muffy Munson 4/9 Virginia Garms & Bonnie Gardella 4/13 Muffy Munson Lisa Nanes-Sulliman, Kathy Masiulis, Linda Osterman Hamid 4/16 Virginia Garms & Ed Masiulis 4/23 Virginia Garms & Dave Jaffin 4/16 Linda Osterman Hamid, Muffy Munson 4/30 Roberta O Neil & Helga Weed 4/23 Kathy Masiulis 4/30 Audrey Jannetty Fellowship Hour Page 5 Greeters 4/2 Bill Garms 4/9 Bonnie Gardella 4/16 Ed Masiulis 4/23 Dave Jaffin 4/30 Helga Weed 4/2 Joan Bengtson 4/9 Open 4/16 Easter No Fellowship 4/23 Open 4/30 Open April Flowers 4/2 Open 4/9 Open 4/16 Easter Flowers 4/23 Open 4/30 Open

6 Coming in May! Mark your calendars! Women s Fellowship will be holding their annual Plant & Pie Sale on Saturday May, 20th! We are looking for donations of anything pertaining to plants (especially perennials) and pies! More information to follow in next month s newsletter! The First congregational church of Woodbury presents Award winning journalist Tracey o shaughnessy Associate features editor Republican American WEDNESDAY April 19, :00 pm Her speech, hope for reconciliation, Will take place in the church sanctuary Followed by a signing of her new book Put the kettle on refreshments in fellowship hall All are welcome to attend Page 6 First Congregational church 214 Main street south, Woodbury, CT

7 I/We wish to order the following plant(s) for Easter Sunday: $10.50 ea. = $ $10.50 ea. = $ $10.50 ea. = $ $13.50 ea. = $ Total: = $ * The above Easter flower(s) are being purchased for the following: In Memory Of In Honor Of In Celebration of: *Please print clearly the name of the person(s). (If additional space is needed, please use the back of this sheet) If you would like a listing in the EASTER FLOWER TRIBUTE on Easter Sunday, your order must be in the office no later than Sunday, April 9. You can either place this order, along with payment, in the offering plate or drop it off at the Church Office. *Please make checks payable to the FLOWER FUND of FIRST CHURCH Please print your name(s) below as you would like printed in the Easter Sunday Tribute. *You can take your flowers home with you after Easter Sunday, if you like.

8 FIRST CONGREGATI ONAL CHURCH OF WOOD BURY 214 Main Street South Woodbury, CT Phone: FIRST CHURCH STAFF Ministers to the Community Congregation Minister Rev. Dr. Howard Mayer Music Director Sandy Mehinovic Office Administrator/Newsletter Editor Maria Platt Red Barn Thrift Shop Manager Mary MacLeod Church Sexton Doug Schlicher Office Hours: Tuesday Friday 10 am 2 pm Phone: Red Barn Phone: mail@firstchurchwoodbury.org Website: Facebook: We re on the web! We re on the Web! FirstChurchWoodbury.org Firstchurchwoodbury april 15