May 8, 2015

First Edition  
Let's Journey Together! 
Thinking about the summer
Jesus was a memorable storyteller, and one of his favorite techniques was to use analogies.  "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed" or "The love of God is like a father who runs out to meet his long-lost son."

Our worship theme for summer "cafe church" in Cook Hall (Sundays at 9:30 in July and August) follows that pattern: "Faith is like..." We're looking for your ideas. Here's the list we've got so far. Faith is like...
...an acorn (see Granby Oak, above!)
...a baseball game
...weeding a garden
...repairing a house
...a picnic
What topic would you like to explore? Think summer! Think outside the box! Send Ginny or Rebecca your ideas!

Saturday is Food Collection Day


G CREW IS SELLING STOCK
Last Sunday we almost reached our mark!  Thanks to all who bought stock in the G Crew mission trip. We will be in Cook Hall again this Sunday selling stock in $10 units. This money goes to underwrite the cost of four vans and gas to get to West Virginia. You have been very generous already and we so appreciate it. We are almost there! Each stockholder will receive a personal note from a G Crew member, midway through our work week in Appalachia. Mission Trips Change Lives!
 
G Crew will take this Sunday off to be with our MOMs ! 
 
The One-Room Sunday School
Last Sunday we were at the Wilhelm Farm hearing Ann tell us about the 70 year old forest they recently logged and why.    

Old trees come down and open up light for new young trees, giving hope to a new generation.   

THIS SUNDAY >>>
We travel to Hayes' SWEET PEA FARM to see what Spring brings to a working farm.  All children through 8th grade are welcome.  Meet in the parking lot at 10am!

Mother's Day Luncheon Sunday
"One Hundred Years From Now"
One hundred years from now 
It won't matter 
What kind of car I drove 
What kind of house I lived in 
How much money I had in the bank 
Nor what my clothes looked like 
BUT
The world may be a little better
Because, I was important
In the life of a child.

 

Please join us in Cook Hall for Mother's Day Luncheon and bring someone dear to you!

Pork Tenderloin

Roasted Sweet potatoes

Tossed Green Salad with Dried Cranberries, Pecans and Feta

Dessert

 

Spring Concert Sunday
Come hear Pastor Ginny and Doug perform with Celesti Sondato, the adult chamber ensemble of the Hartt School of Music this Sunday evening, May 10. What a lovely way to cap off your Mother's Day celebration! The theme is "Songs of War, Hope, and Love" and will also feature the Connecticut Men's Chorus, The Riddlers of Avon Old Farms School, and narrator Glyn Dowden. Concert time is 7:30 pm at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 872 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford.
 
Time to mulch the flower beds  
After a long winter, it is time to rejuvenate the flower beds around the church. Can you help us distribute mulch in our gardens? Saturday, May 16, 10am. Please contact Vicki Bale-Saunders, Peg Giles or Marian Rowles if you are able to join us. Whatever time you can give is very much appreciated. Please bring a wheelbarrow, shovel or pitch fork.

NEXT SUNDAY (May 17) IS PLANTING DAY
Time to put your seedlings in the ground. Following worship next Sunday, we'll go across to our community garden and plant! Bring gloves and trowels. Many hands make light work.

Come make cards!

Please RSVP to Kris Letendre (formerly McManus) at 860-622-9363 (text or call) or via email if you plan to participate on Saturday, May 16th, 6:00p.m. in Cook Hall -- we're trying to gauge interest to plan the meeting. The goal is to stock First Church with a supply of cards that can be used to send personal messages to those celebrating special occasions, needing sympathy or encouragement, or just to let them know they are in our thoughts. We will meet every four to six weeks, depending on interest and scheduling. Initially we need help with supplies if you have any, including: 

  • Card stock (8.5 x 11) in different colors
  • Stamp sets
  • Ink in various colors
  • Scissors
  • Paper trimmer
  • Adhesive
  • Big Shot or similar embosser/die cutter
  • Embellishments as desired
  • Other tools / supplies as desired
NO worries if you don't have any supplies yet - those who have them will share! Adults and teens/tweens welcome - bring a friend! Hope to see you then.

Strawberry Supper - SAVE THE DATE, Saturday, June 13 

Mark your calendar to attend an "Old-Fashioned Strawberry Supper." We'll have ham, potato salad, baked beans and strawberry shortcake with Connecticut-grown strawberries and fresh whipped cream. Make your reservations for the 5:00 or 6:00 seating by calling the church office or signing up outside of Cook Hall. Save the date!


Seeking donations - furniture and household items 
We have received a request ffrom the Hartford Maternal and Infant Help Program (which we support through the Covenant to Care). Three clients are in need of the following furniture and household items: crib; toddler bed; twin beds (2); Full size beds (2); dressers (4); living room sets (2); and small household items - towels, shower curtains, lamps, dishes, pots and pans. Please bring smaller items to the Church and if you have larger items, please contact Gail Pillow for more information on donating.

Read more about Ginny and Doug's trip to Korea   (click here) 

Come for breakfast - Stay for lunch!
Breakfast is served Sunday mornings from 8:30am to 10am in Cook Hall.  Lunch is served hot or to-go following worship. Often there is a gluten-free offering available - if interested, ask the cooks!

Lunch Containers
Please bring back your to-go lunch containers so they can be recycled.



Countdown to Applefest: 133 days
 
       
           
Prayer List

FCC Children & Youth Safe Church Policy

 CT UCC News

 FCC Calendar 
 

Contacts 

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

Rebecca Brown (Leader, Children & Youth Ministry 

Jerron Jorgensen (Music Director)

Church Office Phone: 860-653-4537   

Facebook logoLike First Church on Facebook!