First Church

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
5 October 2008

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

Deacon for October is David Knapp (453-1395). If you have questions, compliments or concerns, please speak with Dave.

Deaconess for October is Irene Kubitsky (45453-6672). Please notify Irene 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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CROP Walk TODAY!! 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).
Contemporary Worship Service Today at 5:00pm – Come lift your hearts, spirits and voices with our dynamic band, seasoned vocalists and a message by Rev. Todd Shipley. All are welcome!

A Service of Prayer and Healing will be held this Wed., Oct. 8th at 7:00pm. We will gather in the Sanctuary for prayer, music and stories of God’s love and presence amidst struggle. We will join our hearts together to ask God’s healing in our lives, the lives of those we love, and God’s world. You may receive the laying on of hands and anointing with oil if you desire it. All are welcome.

Quarterly Financial Statements are available in the narthex. Please help us save postage costs and take yours with you. Thanks!

Peace, Affirmation & Justice Collection Lists Available Today: On Sun., Oct. 19th we’ll collect supplies for men & women being released from prison and for the resettlement houses in Hartford. See Marcia Myhre for a list of requested items, or call 453-5116.

HARVEST FAIR PREPARATIONS!

Harvest Fair Bakery Room: Please call Debbie Peluse 453-5517 or Karen Kalbfeld 458-7990 if you are willing to call people to remind them to bake for the Harvest Fair - Nov 1st. You may call whatever number of people you wish. Thanks.

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 Jewelry Counter is accepting those items that are languishing in your drawers and closets: scarves, belts & bureau top boxes as well as jewelry. Please donate early to allow for our refurbishing. Call Rebecca Bunting @458-1783. Items are being collected in Spencer House Kitchen. Thanks!

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).

Calling All Singers, American Idols &Stage Hams!!!!! We want YOU to audition for "Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" on Sunday, Oct. 19th from 1:30 - 3 pm or Tuesday, October 21st 7 - 9 pm in the Choir Room. Be prepared to sing a song of your choice. Signups are in the Narthex & Choir Room for 10 minute slots. Rehearsals (2x Twice a week rehearsals start in January. Liza Catino: 453-0494 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Hartford Resettlement Tea & Silent Auction: 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 Corr. Inst. See flyers in pews or call Gail Thompson 458-7938. $25 suggested event donation, or send donations to Hartford Resettlement, Attn. Deb Rogala, 110 Bartholomew Ave, Hartford, 06106.

Did you know that…
For the first 80 years in our congregation, men sat on one side and women on the other with Deacons at the front of the pulpit facing the congregation. At first, boys were seated up front near the Deacons to minimize disruptive behavior. Later, young people could sit in the gallery under the oversight of members appointed to help “tythingmen” keep order. Also present during services during the late 1600’s were seven soldiers who sat near the door – each armed with an English gun. This was required by the early laws of the New Haven and Connecticut colonies to guard against sudden Indian attack. After our second, larger church was built in 1713, the segregation of the sexes extended to the gallery. Women who chose to sit in the gallery ascended the “Women’s Stairs” in the southeast corner of the building while the men used the “Men’s Stairs” in the southwest corner.

With the changing times, some aspects of First Church life, important in one era, slowly faded to obscurity over the course of our long history. If you think you are especially sharp, you can take a guess at the definition and purpose for the “Amen Corner” and the “Commander”. Hint: The Commander was not a person and the Amen Corner was also known as the “Amen Pews”. The definitions for these terms will appear in the December Landmark.
Investing in First Church
It’s Our Turn Now!

CHURCH CALENDAR

FH-Fellowship Hall, GH-Griswold Hall, CSB-Church School Bldg, BR-Bride’s Rm
CR-Choir Room, ML-Minear Library, SHK- Spencer House Keeping Room

Sunday, Oct. 5:

8:30am Worship – Chapel -- Kendrick preaching
9:00am Senior Choir Rehearsal – CR
9:00am Bible Study - ML
10:00am Communion & Family Service -- Kendrick preaching
1:30am CROP Walk – Guilford Green
5:00pm Contemporary Worship - Sanctuary

Monday, Oct. 6:

3:00pm GS Troop 62303 – FH
7:00pm Confirmation 2 - GH
7:00pm Music & Transformation Class-BR
7:00pm Board of Trustees - SHK
7:30pm Board of Deaconesses – ML
7:30pm Welcoming & Inclusion Com - FH

Tuesday, Oct. 7:

9:15am Teddy Bear Rhythms – GH
11:00am Music & Transformation – CR
5:00pm GS Troop 62117-FH
6:00pm Music Committee - CR
7:00pm Board of Christian Education – GH
7:00pm Board of Deacons - ML

Wednesday, Oct. 8:

3:45 - 5:00pm Junior Choir – FH
4:00 – 5:00pm Cherub Choir - GH
7:00pm Service of Prayer & Healing – Sanc.
7:00pm Dried Flowers Wksp– B. Brown’s

Thursday, Oct. 9:

1:00pm Dried Flower Wkshp – B. Brown’s
3:15 – 4:30pm Middle School Youth Grp-FH
7:15pm Senior Choir Rehearsal – CR

Sunday, Oct. 12:

8:30am Worship – Chapel -- Susan preaching
9:00am Senior Choir Rehearsal – CR
9:00am Bible Study – ML
10:00am Worship/Nursery/Church School -- Susan preaching
11:15am Adult Forum

12-Step Meetings at First Church This Week:
AA: Sun., 7:15am – GH Alanon: Tues., 7:30pm – Chapel
Tues., 7:30pm – FH Wed., 10:00am - FH
Fri., Noon – FH Alateen: Tues., 7:30pm-CSB#9
Fri., 7:30pm – FH NA: Sun., 1:00pm – GH
Sat., 7:30am – GH Young People’s AA: Wed. 7:00pm–GH