A JOYFUL COMMUNITY

DIVERSE IN SPIRITUAL BACKGROUNDS & BELIEFS

NOVEMBER 14 - NOVEMBER 21

IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION

Senior Pastor's Message
Giving Trees
H.O.M.E. Craft Fair & Pre-Sale Party November 21-23
Harvest Sunday - November 23
Tree Sale Sign Ups Are Open
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Greenwich High Folsom Care Closet
Silver Lake Camp and Retreat Center Final Season
Adult Faith Formation Opportunities
CPR Training - Saturday, November 15
Medicare Part D Assistance
Community Corner
Regular Weekly Happenings

THIS WEEKEND

GIVING TREES - LAST CHANCE TO GET TAGS THIS SUNDAY!

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW

FOR SUNDAY'S BULLETIN

SENIOR PASTOR'S MESSAGE

Dear Friends,

This Sunday, we’ll hear the powerful story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three young men who learned to live faithfully in Babylon without losing who they were. They were flexible where they could be, but unshakable where it mattered most.

Join us as we explore what it means to stand firm on our deepest principles and to trust that God’s presence is with us, even when the heat is on.

Grace & Peace,

Patrick

Giving Trees Available - FINAL SUNDAY

The Giving Trees for H.O.M.E. and Pilgrim Towers is underway. In the back of the Meetinghouse, the trees are displayed with Christmas gift tags through Sunday November 16. You may also make your selections online via SignUp Genius link HERE or by scanning the QR code to the right.

All gifts should be returned to the stage in the auditorium before or after the

10 a.m. services on Sunday November 16 , 23. or to the Harvest Sunday drive-by drop off on Sunday November 23 between 11.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. they can also be dropped off at the Church office hours during the week or in the big bin by the office entrance

Thank you in advance for making a holiday wish come true for a client of H.O.M.E. in Orland, Maine or a resident of Pilgrim Towers in Stamford, CT.

H.O.M.E. Craft Fair November 21-23

Harvest Sunday - November 23

Shelf Stable Food for Neighbor to Neighbor and H.O.M.E.

We will hold our traditional collection of shelf-stable food during the 10 a.m. service on

Harvest Sunday, November 23.

Shopping bags will be available in the Meetinghouse this Sunday November 16. No bag? No problem. Use any paper or reusable bag.

If you prefer, food may also be delivered to the drive by drop-off on Sunday, November 23 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the church parking lot.

Suggested food:

Canned Meats, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Pasta and Sauce, Oatmeal, Rice, Beans, Canned Vegetables, Coffee, Tea

Donate Fresh Food for Neighbor to Neighbor

Use the online option to shop for fresh food donations from the comfort of your home. The fresh selections will be delivered to Neighbor to Neighbor as they need so nothing spoils!

CLICK HERE

to shop at #GIVEHEALTHY for fresh food donations requested by Neighbor to Neighbor.

59th Annual Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale

Tree Sale Volunteers - Sign Ups Now Open

The 2025 Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale begins on Saturday, November 29th and runs through Sunday, December 7. Volunteers are the KEY to the success of the sale, which raised over $52,000 for local charities last year.

It is also a wonderful introduction to First Church for new residents in the community. There are jobs for ALL volunteers - welcoming greeters, cashiers, and salespeople.

Please SIGN-UP HERE. Help us help those in need and make First Church shine!

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Greenwich High School Folsum Care Closet

On Nov 2, Kristin Toretta spoke in worship on a moment for ministry about a need in the Greenwich community. If you'd like to hear her presentation, click HERE to watch this segment of worship.

Recent Greenwich statistics reveal that students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch benefits if family income is below federally specified levels. 19% of Greenwich High School students qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch benefits.

Students at Greenwich High School, who receive free/reduced price meals at school during the week, are going without food and basic essentials each weekend. Greenwich High School teachers are addressing this need through creation of the Folsom House Care Closet, open on Friday afternoons at dismissal, where they’re working to provide provisions weekly for around 45 students.

Please consider donating non-perishable food and hygiene items in the bin at the back of the Meetinghouse. This will be an ongoing drive. Suggested items include dried 1lb bags of white rice, dried 1lb bags of red or black beans, canned tuna, pasta, tomato sauce, granola bars, shampoo, and soap/body wash.

Larger orders can be shipped directly to Folsom House Care Closet at Greenwich High School at 10 Hillside Rd, Greenwich, CT 06830. Financial donations can also be made online to the GHS PTA - Folsom Care Closet Donations by clicking HERE .

Questions or if you would like to help with drop-off, please reach out to Pam Speer pspeer22@gmail.com or Kristin Toretta ktoretta@gmail.com. Thank you!

Silver Lake Camp And Retreat Center Final Season

As so many of First Church members have either attended camp or worked at Silver Lake over the years, it comes as sad news that the 2026 season will be Silver Lake's final season.

Full information on the decision and future, as well as a link to a FAQ page, can be found HERE.

Adult Faith Formation Opportunities

CPR Training Saturday, November 15

Medicare Part D Assistance

- COMMUNITY CORNER -

HAPPENINGS IN OUR FIRST CHURCH BUILDING

STICK YOGA: Saturday mornings, from 10.30 - 11.30 am

FREE TRIAL CLASS for members of First Church and after that $20 per class.

Bamboo stick yoga is a captivating fun way to explore stretching, balancing, conscious breathing and coordination, using a long light (bamboo) stick. It improves spatial awareness, posture, mobility and a mind-body connection, releasing stress. Supporting flexibility, stability and ease in our bodies, appropriate for any age. Some movements come from a Qigong method.

Please bring a yoga mat, and a yoga stick. You can purchase one online (e.g. the Karma Heart Yoga Stick), or make one, or use a broomstick. The stick should be approximately as tall as you. It could also be helpful to have a blanket if you like support for your head or knees. Email teacher Herma Hale for more information: hermahale@hotmail.com

TAI CHI: Monday or Thursday (with advance sign up). All monies go directly to First Church. Please sign-in before class.

Contact Will Morrison for more information: wdmorrison@gmail.com

Classes

Monday, 9:30 - Drop-in / Fundamentals Form

Thursday, 8:30 - Drop-in / Fundamentals Form

Please confirm your attendance in advance

New joiners:

Where: 108 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich. Enter the church’s parking lot from Forest Avenue and park anywhere. Please give the parents dropping off their children lots of room.
Which entrance: Enter through the door labelled Church Offices noted by the arrow. Once inside, go up the stairs immediately to your left which lead directly to the Auditorium, where we will be playing.

REGULAR WEEKLY HAPPENINGS

Bring your little ones to church -

we completely EMBRACE them.

At First Church, we believe the way we welcome children in worship directly affects the way they respond to God, to the church, and to one another.

To welcome children as they are in worship, we have our PrayGround, located in the Chapel (front right side of the Meetinghouse), where children and others of all ages can engage in worship through movement, sensory materials, and prayerful play.

The presence of all God’s children is a gift to the church, which offers hope for all. Scan the QR code to access PrayGround FAQs and Helpful Tips.

GET YOUR FAMILY WEEKLY CHURCH SCHOOL &

RYM (REGIONAL YOUTH MINISTRY) NEWSLETTER

Using your smartphone camera, scan the QR code here to sign up for our weekly Family Ministry newsletter. You can read about Church School, Regional Youth Ministry, and more!

FCCOG VOLUNTEER SIGNUP CENTER -

One location for all volunteer sign ups!

We have consolidated all volunteer signups for all Committees and events at FCCOG. This will help Committees fill volunteer needs and will help volunteers easily signup for projects and events of interest.

There is a link on the FCCOG website homepage titled

FCCOG VOLUNTEER SIGN UP CENTER

This link will also be publicized in every Friday e-blast and the Sunday Bulletin. You can also access the Volunteer Signup Center by scanning this QR Code. Thank you so much for the time you give volunteering for First Church!

THE RUMMAGE ROOM

The Rummage Room's store's donation hours are

Monday - Thursday 11am - 3pm.

Closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING

Did you know that maintaining a healthy blood pressure is one key to preventing a stroke? Others include a healthy diet, regular exercise, and refraining from smoking. Learn more at heart.org or stroke.org.

Your Parish Nurse, Sue Asselin, RN is available for blood pressure screenings and health consultations following today’s worship service, in her office to the right of the Auditorium stage.

During the week, she is available by appointment. Email susana@fccog.org or call 203-637-1791 extension 821.

NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR DONATIONS

Every donation directly helps those in need.

This basket is in the Meetinghouse near the front door, and donations can be dropped to the Church Office. Most needed items include canned meat, cereal, canned fruit, canned vegetables, and shelf-stable milk.

We have a sign-up-page to read scripture, usher, or read a call to offering. All of the previous individual pages are now combined in one, with tabs at the top of the page to flip between each signup.

Simply click on each to navigate to the appropriate signup. To access that signup, click here