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Late last spring, our Nordic Track broke and I had to find a different form of exercise until it was repaired. I chose to walk the streets of our neighborhood. I have gotten to know all the dog-walkers and their pets. I have watched the leaves come out, turn from chartreuse to dark green to red and yellow and finally drop to the ground. I observed up close the damage from Irene and the Halloween snowstorm and the gradual clean-up that followed. And because I walk at about the same time each day, around 6 AM, I have experienced the lengthening and shortening of the days in a more intimate way. Back in May, I would take off in the early morning light, but by the end of June, the sun was fully up. By late fall, I had to tuck a flashlight in my pocket to pull out when a car approached so as to be seen. Come December, I needed that same flashlight to see where I was going. Now, again, with mornings just a bit brighter, the flashlight is back in my pocket. By late next month, when darkness and light balance each other, it will be left at home.
While the days grew shorter and the mornings darker, we at church were making our mornings brighter as we lit Advent candles. By the time the sun was least available, we had all our candles, including the Christ candle, illumined.
Now that the days grow longer, we begin to mark Lent. In some churches, Lent is marked like a reverse Advent. Week by week, a candle is extinguished-much as we do in our Maundy Thursday service-until finally only the Christ candle is left. Then it too is removed and "buried" in the church's undercroft until Easter.
In my experience of early morning, I have been struck anew about how the church's practices of light (at least in the Northern Hemisphere) run counter to nature's. Last December, while the world hunkered down in the lengthening night, we were busy declaring in word and deed that the true light was coming into the world. Now, while the world welcomes the growing light, we are remembering and immersing ourselves in the darkness of Jesus' sacrifice.
It's good to have such contrast, I think, because we are reminded that we are often called to stand over against what the world is saying and doing-promise and hope against the darkness of despair, sacrifice made out of love against easy selfish satisfaction.
But there is something else to remember-it is not one or the other. Exodus tells us that Moses went into the thick darkness where God was to receive the commandments. In Isaiah, God declared, "I form light and create darkness." In Genesis, God named both the light and the darkness and called both good. The psalmist declares that the darkness is not dark to God, but is as light, while the prophet Joel declares the day of the Lord will be marked by deep darkness. Both darkness and light come from God and God inhabits both. God is at work in both light and dark, nudging us from our places of comfort and calling us to risk trusting the divine presence that calls forth life from us.
As we begin the Lenten journey into the deep darkness of Jesus' passion and death, may we be open to the transforming work of God's Spirit to use that darkness to bring us to Easter's light.
Mary
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 Add your two cents - or at least
your seven words.
We are borrowing an idea from The Christian Century magazine for our Lenten E-Devotional this year. They invited readers to summarize the Gospel in seven words or less.
Here are a couple:
"God refuses to be God without us." "We live by grace." If you are willing to give it a try there is a sign up sheet outside David's office or email him at drvd@fishchurch.org.
And then when you have your seven words, email it to sevenwords@fishchurch.org or give it to David.
We want to be able to send out at least one a day through Lent which begins on Feb. 22. |

Financial Responsibility for 2012
It bears repeating one last time - GREAT JOB in 2011 and LET'S DO IT AGAIN!
Please come to the Annual Meeting February 26 following Worship and hear about our finances. While much remains to be done, the news is better than it has been. We did not have to dip into our remaining unencumbered endowment funds in 2011. Thanks to some unforeseen gifts, the Extra Measure Campaign and increased facility use, we did not have a budget deficit in 2011.
Looking forward to the rest of 2012 and the next few years, we have a further opportunity to continue our financial responsibility as we expand our fund raising. Session has taken on board the Vision we adopted and in the financial area we have keenly examined Goal IV "Fund our future ministry through implementing new and innovative means to generate the revenue needed to support our vision, goals and aspirations, and to balance the budget by 2015".
We need every one to help and recruit your friends - 2012 will be an existing year of opportunities to give and to serve FPC. Along the way, let's enjoy ourselves and make an impact on our community of faith and our larger Stamford and world communities. Please consider ways to give of your resources, time and talents.
If you have not made a pledge for 2012, please do so this month!
Janna Bellwin for Serving People Session Team
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The 159th Annual Meeting of the Congregation & Corporation will be held on Sunday, February 26th. Again this year we will gather in Fellowship Hall for a soup and sandwich luncheon prior to the meeting. In order to let the Session know how much food will be necessary we are asking folk to sign up on the bulletin board outside Room 12. The cost of the lunch is $5 (4 years and above). This is an important meeting and so please try to do everything you can to be in attendance! |
"Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler"
Venir celebrer
Mardi Gras
Fevrier 21, 2012
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Prix--- L'enfants $2 Adultes $5 Famille $12
Menu- les"pancakes', saucisson, salade, gateaux
Avec musique
Porter des costumes, masques, chapeaux
Les billet en solde hors de la salon:
Feb.5
Feb. 12
Feb 19
AND YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD'N READ FRENCH!!!
Just in case there's a translation later in Stepping Stones
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Among the great mysteries of the faith the Transfiguration surely stands out. The odd story of a shining Jesus standing with Elijah and Moses on a mountaintop can be difficult to understand.
We will try to unravel some of the mystery during a three-part series led by Rabbi-in-Residence Phil Schechter and Mary Thies.
Sundays, February 5 & 12.
11:30 a.m.
Don't miss it!
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Creative Learning
We have had a wonderful holiday season with special days that included talented volunteers. Thank you to all who have contributed time, talent and donations. Here are some highlights: One December afternoon, Dylan Abel played Silver Bells on the Violin while Diana played it on piano. This lead to holiday singing as Debbie Parker became the pianist and the children sang along. Mike Nosenzo remembers the day with delight. It was such fun!! Christine Negroni invited us to send a greeting to those she would meet on her trip to Ethiopia. William Ng created the art below and everyone signed his card, wishing them "Joy". Christine went to Africa with our card and, through photos, told the story of joining people across the globe. She posted this story on her blog, expanding our connections with the world.  Sue Pritchard Downing helped us to make "Beth's Soup" for one of our early release days. We peeled, chopped, measured and mixed. This was a fun way to remember a dear friend and have a delicious meal together. (The chili was good!!) Dianne Orlando joined us for an afternoon of Gingerbread house decorating. Hansel and Gretel would have been as tempted as we were by the delightful sweets used to make our beautiful house. See our bulletin board for photos!! Just before Christmas, we wrote thank you cards for our volunteers and each writer earned a "chance" to win our festive creation. Liridona was the happy raffle winner. (Her dad loves candy!!) As the new year begins, we invite you to share your special skills with Creative Learning @ FPC. Do you have a special Valentine's day project or Spring idea? Our children will learn about the world as each of you brings something to us. (We will help!!) You can call me at 203 965-8390, email: jmcreativelearning@gmail.com or stop in between 3 and 6:30 pm any school day and feel what God is doing here. (We are in the classrooms under the church office.) Please keep praying for God's leadership as we do this work together. Joanie Merrell
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Put it on your calendar and invite your friends NOW!
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Let The Good Times Roll Come celebrate Shrove Tuesday February 21, 2012 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Price-Children $2-Adults $5---Families $12 Menu-Pancakes, sausages, salad and cake, with music. Wear costumes, masks, hats Tickets will be sold outside the lounge Feb. 5 Feb. 12 Feb. 19 Hope you join in the GOOD TIME! |

Dear Church Family,
I am lost for words and deeply touched by the heartfelt wishes of sympathy you have extended to our family during this time of loss. Thanks for all the prayers and cards throughout my brother's illness and passing. They have helped to sustain us. My thanks also to THE GATHERING for the beautiful Prayer Shawl. You chose my favorite colors & it has been my Security Blanket. I know it was made with lots and lots of love from people of faith. Thanks again, Sophia Adade & Family
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Meetings, Events & Notes in February
Tiny Tots
Mondays, 9:30 a.m. in the Lounge
Christian Yoga
Thursdays, 6:15 p.m. in the Lounge
Inquirer's Class
Saturday, Feb. 4 at 9 a.m. in Room 32
Pacific House Dinner Preparation
Saturday, Feb. 4 at 3:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
Teacher Training
Sunday, Feb. 5 at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall
Valentine Making
Sunday, Feb. 5 at 11:30 a.m. in Room 32
Transfiguration
Sundays, Feb. 5 & 12 at 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel
Soup Kitchen at Yerwood Center
Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 10:30 a.m.
Officer Training
Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lounge
The Gathering
Saturday, Feb. 11 at 10:00 a.m. in the Lounge
Deacon Meeting
Sunday, Feb. 12 at 11:30 a.m. in Room 32
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Tuesday, Feb 21. at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
Session MeetingTuesday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lounge Ash Wednesday Vesper Service Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel Annual Meeting of the Congregation Sunday, Feb. 26 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Centering Prayer Wednesday, Feb. 29 at 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel
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Lectionary & Preaching Schedule
February 5, 2012 - David Van Dyke
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm147:1-11, 20c; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23;
Mark 1:29-39
February 12 2012 - Mary Thies
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27;
Mark 1:40-45
February 19 - David Van Dyke
Transfiguration of the Lord
2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6;
Mark 9:2-9
February 26 - David Van Dyke
1st Sunday in Lent
Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22;
Mark 1:9-15
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First Presbyterian Church 1101 Bedford Street Stamford CT 06905 203-324-9522 www.fishchurch.org
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