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 FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
21 February 2010
“Rooted and Grounded in Love”
- Ephesians 3
SERVICE OF THE WORD (8:30 & 10:00 am)
SCRIPTURE Luke 4: 1-13 Deacon Grant
SERMON: "A Balancing Act" Rev. Horst
FORUM (11:15) "Islam and the World" Omar Bajwa
Join us in Fellowship Hall following the 10:00am service for a reception honoring Andrea Schmidt, who leaves her position here as Coordinator of Children’s Programs to spend more time with her family. Andrea will continue her membership and participation here. All are invited!
At 11:15am the Adult Forum welcomes Omer Bajwa, coordinator of Muslim Life at Yale who will present “Islam and the World: Present Situation, Future Directions.” Born in Pakistan, Omer grew up in Binghamton, NY and has a Masters in Communications and Near East Studies from Cornell University. Currently he is completing a Graduate Certificate in Islam Chaplaincy at Hartford Seminary. He will speak about what it is like to be a Muslim in today’s America, Sharia law, the status of women and homosexuals in Muslim countries and what the Koran has to say about war and peace.
Deaconess for February is Peggy Russell (203-458-0660.) Please make her aware of new births, adoptions, or anyone who needs a note of encouragement or sympathy. CDs of worship services are available to sign out in Spencer House. Mary Norris (203-457-9483.) coordinates our Prayer Shawl Ministry; please call her for more information.
Deacon for February is Michael Smith (203-458-6622). If you have questions, concerns or compliments, please speak with him.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lenten Supper & Program Begin this Wednesday! Join us at 6:00pm for supper (this Wednesday’s is provided – Italian- but please bring a dessert to share) and fellowship. At 7:00pm we will have brief vespers followed by the program, which will end at 8:30pm. Our topic this year is forgiveness. Except for the command to love, there is nothing is more central to the Christian faith. And, few things are harder. We will spend five weeks dealing with issues of forgiving others and accepting others, of forgiving ourselves and accepting ourselves. We will offer the answers given by traditional and contemporary theology and psychology. There will be much to learn, to consider, to experience. So please join us for one, some or all of these evenings of Christian community and spiritual growth.
Pilgrim Fellowship: Meeting tonight 7:00-9:00pm in Fellowship Hall. Any high school students are welcome. Leadership meeting at 6:30pm.
Purple Lenten flyers are in the pews, please take one home to reference during Lent – it lists all the opportunities for worship, education and fellowship here at First Church.
Next Sunday at 10:00am worship, the service will center on the Requiem of Gabriel Fauré. A small orchestra including harp and organ will accompany the Adult Choir. The piece explores themes of life and death, repentance, darkness and light, and paradise, making it a beautiful spiritual message in this time of Lent. Please invite friends and neighbors for this special musical offering.
Alpha Club Annual Comfort Evening Tues., Feb. 23rd 6:00pm Join us in Fellowship Hall for soup, bread and dessert. Bill Speed, Director of Music Ministries, will present the program: “Hymns of Faith, Past and Future.” All are welcome!
Church School Assistant Position—The Board of Christian Education is currently searching for a 6 hr/week Church School Assistant. Seeking an individual with good communication skills, comfort and creativity with hands-on craft projects, facility with email, and availability primarily on weekends and Sunday mornings. Contact: Lisa Horst (203) 453-3324 or
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It’s Not Too Late for Silver Lake! Silver Lake is our Connecticut Conference UCC Camp and online registrations are now being accepted for summer conferences. Check the Silver Lake poster in Fellowship Hall. To register visit www.silverlakect.org. Some scholarship assistance is available, please contact Lisa at 453-3324 or
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.
Time, Talent & Treasure Auction Sat., March 13th 6:30–9pm at the N. B. Greene Community Center, 32 Church St. Come for fellowship! Come to bid! Donate items! Our fundraiser, in memory of Rachel Garcia, will benefit her two spiritual homes: First Church and Silver Lake Conference Center. Please see the flyer & donation form in the pews for details.
Grocery Cash Cards for Bishop’s & Stop & Stop are available for purchase ($100 in cash or check) on Sundays after worship from Bob Howard, Shannon Clarkson or Joe Catino.
Help for Haiti: One Great Hour of Sharing funds are being rushed to our Haitian partners to support their initial emergency response. As damage assessments are made and plans for relief, recovery and rehabilitation are developed, additional OGHS funds will be shared with our partners. How to help: Pray for the people of Haiti, their leaders, and emergency and humanitarian aid workers; Assist impacted families by sending a check payable to First Congregational Church with "OGHS – Haitian Relief" on the memo line. The accumulated fund will be sent through our Conference to Wider Church Ministries.
CHURCH CALENDAR
Sunday, Feb. 21: Lisa preaching
8:30am Worship – Chapel
9:00am Bible Study – Griswold Hall
9:00am Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
10:00am Worship/Nursery care/Church School
11:15am Reception for Andrea Schmidt - Fellowship Hall
7:00pm Pilgrim Fellowship Meeting – Fellowship Hall
Monday, Feb. 22:
11:00am Music & Transformation – Bride’s Rm
3:00pm Girl Scout Troop 2303 – Fellowship Hall
7:00pm Confirmation 2 – CSB # 9
Tuesday, Feb. 23:
3:00pm Middle School Youth Group – Fellowship Hall
6:00pm Alpha Club Comfort Evening – Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, Feb 24:
1:00pm Junior Choir Rehearsal
No Cherub Choir today
6:00pm Lenten Supper & Program – Fellowship Hall
Thursday, Feb. 25:
6:00pm Bell Choir Rehearsal- Sanctuary
7:00pm Boy Scout Troop # 474 – Fellowship Hall
7:15pm Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
Sunday, Feb. 28
8:30am Worship - Chapel
9:00am Bible Study – Griswold Hall
9:00am Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
10:00am Fauré Requiem/Nursery/Church School
11:15am Adult Forum – Chapel
11:30am Confirmation 1 – Minear Library
4:00pm Joyful Noise! Concert- Sanctuary
5:30pm Confirmation 2 – Griswold Hall
7:00pm Pilgrim Fellowship Meeting – Fellowship Hall
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
Wed. 7:30pm–GH Alateen: Tues., 7:30pm-CSB#9
Fri., Noon & 7:30pm – FH NA: Sun., 1:00pm – GH
Sat., 7:30am – GH OA: Weds., 7:30am - FH
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