First Church

TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
28 September 2008

‘God has given us a ministry of reconciliation.’
from 2 Corinthians 5: 18

Adult Forum at 11:15am in the Sanctuary: Today we welcome two facilitators from the Community Mediation Center of New Haven who will help us learn communication skills that promote good group process. All planning to participate in the Sacred Conversation on Race in America are encouraged to attend; all are invited.

Deaconess for September is Mary Jo Puchini (458-6522). Please notify Mary Jo 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.) CDs of Sunday worship services are available to borrow from the Church Office.

Deacon for September is Pamela Dear (458-6040). If you have questions, compliments or concerns, please speak with Pamela.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pilgrim Fellowship Meeting 7 pm. in Fellowship Hall. For more info contact Mike Dalton, Director - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Pat Dudley-Gregory, Comm. Chair at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Calling All Singers, American Idols and Stage Hams!!!!! We want YOU to audition for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" Come to the Sr. Choir Room on Sunday, October 19th from 1:30 - 3 pm or Tuesday, October 21st 7 - 9 pm. Be prepared to sing any song of your choice. Try out for a principal role or a minor role or be in the chorus! There will be signups in the Narthex and in the choir room for 10 minute slots. Joseph will be performed three times: Fri., March 20th at 7 pm, Sat., March 21st at 2 pm and Sun., March 22nd at 10 am. Twice a week rehearsals will start in January. For information contact Liza Catino: 453-0494 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Confirmation II Meeting Tomorrow 7:00 – 8:15pm in Griswold Hall for Confirmands only.

Music & Transformation Classes offer a musical interpretation of the stages of transformation. Offered twice weekly with the same content: Mondays, 7:00 – 8:30pm in the Bride’s Room and Tuesdays 11:00am – 12:30pm in the Choir Room. Participants attend as they are able. For information, please call the Church Office 453-5249.

Alpha Club Rummage Sale will be Fri., Oct. 3rd 6:30 – 8:30pm and Sat., Oct. 4 from 9 – 11am in Fellowship Hall. Set-up dates are Oct. 1st 7-9pm; Oct. 2nd 10am – 3pm & 7 -9pm and Oct. 3rd 10am-3pm. We need someone with a truck that can come at noon to take left-over items to Goodwill in Guilford & Branford. Contact Betty Allen (453-1553) or Cindy Magee (453-5487).

Service of Prayer and Healing: Each month we offer this special service of prayer, Scripture, music and quiet. The next service will be Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary. All are welcome.

CROP Walk Sunday Oct. 5th 1:30pm Gather at the Green. There are options of 2 or 5 miles. Pledge envelopes are in the Narthex. Volunteers are needed, call Karin McNamara (458-6375) or Betsy Work (458-7708).

Peace, Affirmation & Justice Collection: On Sun., Oct. 19th we’ll collect supplies for men & women being released from prison and for the resettlement houses in Hartford. Lists of requested items will be given out Sun., Oct. 5th. Contact Marcia Myhre (453-5116).

HARVEST FAIR PREPARATIONS!

All Crafters Welcome to the meeting on Wed., Oct. 1, 6-8pm in Church School Bldg Rm 9. Bring your own craft or join in ours!
Dried Flower Workshops Wednesdays & Thursdays - Join in the fun & creativity: Weds., 7 - 9pm & Thurs. 1 - 3pm at Betty Brown’s, 56 Norton Ave. All are welcome. Call Betty at 453-9564.

The Plant Room seeks the silk or live plants, garden books, garden-themed accessories or decorative baskets that you'd like to donate to the Fair. Donations cheerfully accepted by Holly Bollier (458-0776).

Hartford Resettlement Tea & Silent Auction Fundraiser: Sun., Oct. 26th 3:30 – 5:30pm at Pond House, Elizabeth Park, Hartford. The only fund raiser for Hartford Resettlement, our partner in the Prison Ministry at York Correctional Inst. Flyers are in pews or call Gail Thompson 458-7938. $25 suggested donation for event. Or donations may be sent to Hartford Resettlement, Attn. Deb Rogala, 110bBartholomew Ave Hartford, 06106.

Did you know that…
to help pay for the cost of our current First Congregational Church building in 1829, the pews on the main floor were sold to highest bidder. Presumably, the more expensive seats were near the front for families who could afford them. By 1850, all pews became the property of the church although they were then rented to families willing to pay for their reserved seats. “Pew rent” remained a basic source of church income until the 1920’s.

In 1925, First Church had a membership of 475 and an annual budget of $4000. In the “Every Member Canvas”, each household in the congregation was called on by a team of 2 church members – an older and a younger man. Within a few years, the women of the church also began to serve in this role. We’ve come a long way since then but the financial needs of our church still require our annual support.
Investing in First Church, It’s Our Turn Now!

CHURCH CALENDAR

FH-Fellowship Hall, GH-Griswold Hall, CSB-Church School Bldg,
CR-Choir Room, ML-Minear Library, SHK- Spencer House Keep. Rm,
BR-Bride’s Room (off narthex)

Sunday, Sept. 28: 8:30am Worship – Chapel,
Susan preaching 9:00am Senior Choir Rehearsal – CR
9:00am Bible Study - ML
10:00am Worship/Nursery/Church School
11:15am Adult Forum – FH
12:15pm Facilitator Training – ML & Chapel
6:00pm PF Parent Meeting – Sanctuary
7:00pm Pilgrim Fellowship - FH

Monday, Sept. 29: 7:00pm Music & Transformation - Brides Rm
7:00pm Confirmation 2 –GH
7:00pm Rummage Sale set-up - FH

Tuesday, Sept. 30: 9:15am Teddy Bear Rhythms - GH
11:00am Music & Transf. – CR
7:00pm Rummage Sale set-up - FH

Wednesday, Oct. 1: 10:00am Staff Meeting – ML
3:45pm Junior Choir – FH & Sanctuary
4:00 – 5:00pm Cherub Choir - GH
6:00pm Harvest Fair Crafters- CSB Rm 9
7:00pm Rummage Sale Set-up – FH
7:00pm Dried Flowers – B. Brown’s
7:15pm Community & World Concerns-ML

Thursday, Oct. 2: 1:00pm Dried Flower Wrkshp- Brown’s
3:15 – 4:30pm Middle School Youth Grp
7:00pm Rummage Sale Set-up - FH
7:15pm Senior Choir Rehearsal – CR

Friday, Oct. 3: 10:00am – 3:00pm Rummage Set-up – FH
6:00 – 8:30pm Rummage Sale – FH

Saturday, Oct. 4: 9:00 – 11:00am Rummage Sale – FH
Sacred Conversation Dinners in homes

Sunday, Oct. 5: 8:30am Communion – Chapel
Kendrick 9:00am Bible Study - ML
preaching 9:00am Senior Choir Rehearsal – CR
10:00am Communion/Nursery/Church Schl
11:15am Adult Forum – Chapel
1:30pm CROP Walk – Guilford Green
5:00pm Contemporary Worship Service

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
Fri., Noon – GH Alateen: Tues., 7:30pm-CSB#9
Fri., 7:30pm – meets elsewhere NA: Sun., 1:00pm – GH
Sat., 7:30am – GH Young People’s AA: Wed. 7:00pm–GH