Who is Jesus, anyway?

The Jewish view is that Jesus was an ordinary Jewish preacher living during the Roman occupation of Israel/Palestine in the first century C.E. The Romans executed him (as they also executed many other nationalistic and religious Jews) for speaking out against Roman authority. After his death, Jesus' followers claimed he was the Messiah prophesied in Jewish scripture and eventually that Jewish religious movement split off from mainstream Judaism and evolved into Christianity.

The Muslim view of Jesus that emerged eight centuries later was that he was a great prophet. Muslims respect all prophets but Jesus in particular because, according to Muslims, he foretold the coming of Muhammad. A Muslim does not refer to him simply as "Jesus," but adds the phrase "peace be upon him" as a sign of respect.

But what do you think? Who is Jesus for you? 

The weeks between Christmas and Lent are a season for us to consider our response to the invitation from Jesus to "Come, follow!" So who is this Jesus, anyway? This week we'll meet Jesus the teacher again... or for the very first time. 

Lent begins February 18

(Can Spring be far behind?)

Do plan to take part in our annual Ash Wednesday meditation service. This non-traditional worship experience takes place in Cook Hall on Ash Wednesday (February 18) at 7 pm. The room will be set up with several "meditation stations." Quiet music sets the tone for us to reflect on what we need to release or what we want to practice in the weeks leading up to Easter.

 

Women's Fellowship Valentines Tea Party

Thursday, February 12, 12pm 

Meet at the church at 12pm to carpool to Rosa Bale's home in Hunt Glen. Bring a valentine card and wear a hat (red preferred)! Menu includes tea sandwiches, cookies and beverage. Entertainment will be a program of music. If you need a ride, we can make arrangements to pick you up. 

 

 

MARDI GRAS PARTY (third annual!)

SATURDAY February 14th, 6:30pm 

GREEN, GOLD and PURPLE are the colors of Mardi Gras and a fun social for adults is planned for Saturday February 14th starting at 6:30 p.m. The festivities will take place at the Lamperts' home in North Granby. Come as you are or wear your green, gold and purple as well as beads, boas and masks. We'll have plenty of extra beads, music, and group games. Sign-up sheets are outside the kitchen. Bring a dish to share. BYOB.

Childcare at the church will be arranged if there is enough interest and rides are available if you prefer not to drive. Contact Linda Betsch at 860-653-0744 or via e-mail. 

 

REPORT FROM "DOWN-UNDER"...

G-CREW is building the G-Cave (formerly known as B-14) to be used as a youth room. This week we received a donation of as well as a coffee table. Four gaming stools were purchased from RESTORE with Habitat for Humanity. Special thanks to Sherry Kittelsen for lots of travel & shopping hours this week with Rebecca. Coming up> 

• Winter Retreat at the Karlsons' place in Otis March 20-22 
• Save March 28th for the Pasta Dinner/Dessert Auction, G Crew fundraiser to help underwrite...
• Our summer work trip (August 8-15), this year with Appalachian Service Project in the mountains of West Virginia. We will be rebuilding homes for families in need. NOTE: the trip is open to high school and college-aged youth and some adults (two adults per five youth). Sign-ups will begin this month. Construction experience is a plus

Sunday School: Some new ideas and a vision are emerging!  No Sunday School on Feb 15th.  Children are welcome in the church service!

 

Guiding Eye Puppies - Update

Five dogs who spent the last year in puppy training here, as part of the local Guiding Eyes for the Blind chapter, "graduated" to go on for testing to see if they go for advanced training... and all five made it:  Richie, Simon and Persia (who were in worship January 11 to be blessed) as well as Shade and Bob. Congratulations, and HUGE THANKS go to all the families who give their time, commitment and love to raising these special dogs. 

 

INTERFAITH FILM SERIES  

SUNDAYS, February 8 & 15, 2pm  

Stay for lunch after worship then head to the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford for film and discussion.

  

This Sunday: "Kinyarwanda"Three interwoven stories: a young Tutsi woman and a young Hutu man fall in love amidst chaos; a soldier struggles to foster a greater good; and a priest grapples with his faith in the face of unspeakable horror. 2011. USA. 100 min. Not Rated. Subtitles. Directed by Alrick Brown. A guest speaker will talk before the screening and will lead a post-movie Q&A.

  

On February 15 at 2 pm, "Eve and the Fire Horse"  

  

Presented by the Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding. For more info: Wadsworth Atheneum. 

 

Did you know that First Church has a Community Garden?

Yes we do - located across the street next to the Grange.  Our goal is to provide fresh vegetables to those in our church community as well as to the Waste-Not Want-Not Kitchen.  In fact, we estimate that we harvested about 600 pounds of fresh vegetables last year.

Chances are, you know someone who has gone hungry. Too often people think that hunger only hits the poor, the unemployed, or the homeless. But every day, people in our own community here in Granby are forced to choose between buying food for their family or paying rent. These are hardworking people--our friends, our colleagues, our neighbors--and, together, we can help them. Together, we can make someone's day brighter. How can you help?  We need: 

• Your time! Volunteers to plant, weed, and harvest! No experience necessary. Can you spare just 30 minutes once a week? How about just a couple of hours on a Saturday?
• Plastic cups or pots to start seedlings
• Potting Soil
• Landscape Weed Fabric (estimate about 5 rolls 4ftx220 ft)
• Fertilizer
• Stretch Plastic Fencing (approx 300 feet)
• Steel Fence Poles (40)
• Loan/donate a small trailer that will be left at the site with a 275 gallon water tote/container for watering the garden
• Garden Hose (50' or 100')

Please email Anne Marie Elder, Pete Betsch or John Reek if you are able to assist with the Community Garden with your time or donations. Remember, no community outreach project can survive for long without the support of volunteers!

 

Come early for Breakfast...and stay for LUNCH 

EVERY Sunday morning from 8:30am-10 am, Cook Hall

Lunch served after worship, hot or to-go

SNOW CANCELLATIONS...   

In case of poor weather, please check one of the following sources for information about delays and cancellations:

• On TV, check NBC Connecticut (WVIT)
• On radio check CBS Radio Hartford Storm Center (AM 1080)
• By email! We'll send a message to everyone registered to receive the weekly mailing
• On-line, check our website 
• Or call the church number (860-653-4537) and listen to the message