November 28, 2014

First Edition  
Let's Journey Together! 

Advent 2014                   

Sometimes the time of the year that is "supposed" to be the happiest and holiest is also the hardest for people to enjoy. And in that tension, the weeks leading up to Christmas can spark in us a strong spiritual longing for more. Although it may never be articulated, we sense beneath those longings is a yearning for an experience of God.

 

Our Advent theme, "Be not afraid!" offers opportunities to explore the Advent promises of God in the face of a frightening world: declaring that love is stronger than hate, peace more enduring than war, hope more powerful than despair, and the light of God's love will extinguish forever the shadows of shame cast by violence, suffering, sorrow, and hate.

 

Through weekly worship and daily email messages, we hope there will be something for everyone... the eager, the skeptic, the over-committed, and the exhausted among us... and the invitation to make perhaps just enough room for God to show up.  

Pastor Ginny 

 

Just a word about Sunday School this Sunday...

All age groups will be meeting in the Middler Room (B-5) to start the Advent season with Christmas Carols.  Come prepared to sing your favorites.  The season always passes too fast to sing them all, so we are starting early!!  Rebecca, our Youth Leader, will have her keyboard.  If you have a special request, bring it with you.  Rebecca will have all the standards! 

Individual Sunday School classes will meet all through the Christmas season, but there will be no classes on Dec 28th.  Stay tuned for special events for some of the grade levels.

Peace on Earth, Good Will to All!

 

Stewardship Campaign

Reminder - Send in your pledge card ASAP! The Finance Committee must propose the final budget for 2015 early the week of December 1. We need to report all pledges on Sunday, November 30. Many thanks for your gifts of Time, Talent and Treasure in support of First Church.

The 2014 Stewardship Team


Christmas Creche Display

On December 7, bring your favorite Christmas creche to Cook Hall before the service so that everyone can enjoy them as a group. Fancy or not, matters not!

 

 

 

  

  

Advent in Sock Feet - Friday, December 5 

All women are invited to join us for a evening of quiet. We will begin with a candlelit labyrinth walk (indoors) at South Church from 6-7pm. Then we move to First Church at 7:15 for Sound Healing with Marcey & Brian Hickey.

  

Call for the Annual Budget Meeting

The annual budget meeting of First Congregational Church, Granby Connecticut, is called for Sunday, December 14, 2014 in the Sanctuary immediately after worship to consider the following: 1) review and vote on the proposed 2015 budget; 2) a review and vote on an update of the current Safe Church Policy for children and youth; 3) initial presentation of material pertinent to completing the Safe Church Policy, which will be reviewed and voted on at the Winter Meeting; and 4) such other business that may properly come before the meeting.

Bill Bentley, Clerk


Habitat For Humanity Dedication

Please join us in dedicating the Cruz-Rivera home on December 6, 2014, 10 am, at 271 Laurel Street, Hartford. Francisco and Ginger are hard working parents that are teaching their sons to follow in their footsteps. Both Ginger and Francisco work at Walmart and are constantly looking for the means to give their sons a good life.  They would like to thank the faith communities that joined together to sponsor their home and look forward to partnering with Habitat and mentoring a new family through the process.

 

4th Annual Gingerbread Build & Showcase - Habitat For Humanity

December 4th - 7th - Blue Back Square, West Hartford

Team Build Competitions, Showcase & Auction, Kids crafts throughout the event, Habitat Volunteer Booth & Gift Ideas, ReStore Booth. Proceeds help Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity build affordable, decent homes that are sold to low income, hardworking families in the community.  For more information visit: www.hartfordhabitat.org 

  

Simply Smiles Mission Trip

The Third Annual FVA Mission Trip is scheduled for May 2-9, 2015. An informational meeting will be held Wednesday, January 7 at 7pm at Avon Congregational Church. Bryan Nurnberger, President & Founder, will be at Terryville Congregational Church on January 11 for Worship at 10am if anyone is interested. Any questions, email zackmabe@hotmail.com.  

 

 

 

 

  

 

Contacts 

Sue Miltenberger (Office Manager)
Rev. Ginny McDaniel (Senior Minister)

Jerron Jorgensen (Music Director)  

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