The Monthly Newsletter of the First Congregational Church Of Meriden Feb/March 2018 Volume 7 Issue 1 No matter who you are or where you are on Life s journey, you are welcome here. From the Pastor s Pen... From the Pastor s Pen 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves under God s might hand, that he may lift you up in due time. We schedule these events to help you walk through the Lenten season with intention, creativity and reflection. Join with us and prepare for a fresh Easter experience! God s peace be with you. Pastor Bruce Dear Parishioners, In the ancient church, Lent was a time for new converts to be instructed for baptism and for sinful believers to repent. In time, Christians came to see Lent as a season. Each year we are reminded of the need for penitence and to prepare spiritually for the coming of Easter. In Protestant churches, the emphasis is also on intentional consideration of God to prime us for the deeper experiences of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. Lent can be a time to do something extra as well as a time for sacrifice. We can add some spiritual exercises and discipline to our lives. Within this month s Visitor you will find our full schedule of Lenten programs and worship services, beginning with Ash Wednesday and concluding at Easter. I refer to this season as the Journey to the Cross. With your participation, I promise to you that your faith journey will be enhanced. It will help you to grow in God s grace. Office Hours Tuesday Friday 9-1 Sunday Services 10:00 am FCC Worship 10:00 am TCC Worship 11:00 am Overcomers Tabernacle 2:00 pm Casa de Gozo Wednesday & Saturday 6:00 pm Assurance Christian Ministries FOR PASTORAL EMERGENCIES Please call Pastor Bruce Miller 203-907-9267 He can also be reached by email: bam24up@cox.net P h on e: 20 3-23 5-57 04 Fa x : 2 03-2 35-8 04 4 Web si t e: www. fccmer iden.org
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UPCOMING EVENTS February 4th Meeting February 28th-Family Lenten Program The Legend of the Pretzel March 10th-Family Game Night and Pasta Dinner March 25th-Meeting April 1st- Annual Easter Egg Hunt Come Join Us for FAMILY GAME NIGHT! Saturday March 10th at 6PM A fun filled night with a spaghetti dinner and games for the whole family including a SETBACK Tournament! Tickets available $15 for a family and $7 for individuals Come join the Family Lenten Program We will provide dinner and a craft along with pretzel making! Learn how the little heart shaped treat became so important. A sign up sheet will be in Smith Hall or you can call the office 203-235-5704 or email Meg-firstchurch@sbcglobal.net. Campership & Scholarship Applications are now available online on the church website or in the office. Please contact Meg in the office if you have any questions. All applications are due by May 1st.
All projects support disadvantaged children and their families in the poorest barrios of Nicaragua. Sponsored by First Congregational Church of Meriden Open to all faiths and ideals Trip costs generated by active fundraising. 2015 video: http://www.fccmeriden.org/ click Christian Outreach Call 203-235-5704
Page 5 Deacons Deacon of the Month February Tom Squire March Cindy Eddy Next Meeting Community & Parish News Ash Wednesday Service, February 14th; 6 pm Family Lenten Program, Wed February 28; 6-7 pm The Legend of the Pretzel The Visitor Finance & Administrative Council Next Meeting February 13nd Thursday, March 14th 6 7 pm Lenten Soup & Sanctuary Sunday, March 25th, 10 am, Palm Sunday Service Thursday, March 29th, 7 pm Tenebrae Service If you or someone you know would like to receive a pastoral visit or receive home communion please contact Pastor Bruce at either the church office (203-235-5704) or on his cel phone at 203-907-9267. Due to changes in the law we are no longer notified by the hospitals directly. Friday, March 30th Sanctuary open 10 am-1 pm Sunday, April 1st, 10 am Easter Sunday Service and Annual Egg Hunt Yes it s that time of year again.easter Memorial forms will be available starting now and will be due into the office by March 4th. Copies can be picked up in the office, can be emailed to you or will be available online on the FCC website. Easter Memorials First Congregational Church Annual Meeting May 24, 2018 Committee Chairs please have your reports into the office no later than Sunday April 29th.
Save the Date! Sunday June 10, 2018 An all day music event featuring performances with our organ, piano and by our choirs. SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2018. 9 A.M. 3 P.M. $25 (LUNCH INCLUDED) Progressive Christian Worship Music Workshop Featuring Rev. Bryan Sirchio UCC minister, singer/songwriter, author, and Convergence Music Project CEO Bryan Sirchio will lead a fun, heart-warming and mind-expanding day. Drawing from his critically acclaimed book, The 6 Marks of Progressive Christian Worship Music, we ll sing, talk, and reflect on why worship music is so important and why the language, theology, and message of the songs we sing in worship have unique power to form us spiritually and inspire us to work toward the realization of God s Dream of justice and Shalom for the world. We ll also learn about a new source of progressive worship music called The Convergence Music Project. (www.convergencemp.com).