CHIME NOTES
The First Church, Swampscott (UCC)
March 2020 | Issue 66
Great to see you, Andrew Focks !
Dr. Andrew Focks returned to The First Church sanctuary on February 23rd, and made new friends and renewed many acquaintances. Click to learn more about what Andrew is up to these days.
Scenes from February 2020!
top to bottom, Blue Big Band concert on 2/8, Winter Walk on 2/9, and the silent auction table at the 2/1 Intl Food Fair
2020 INT'L FOOD FAIR
RAISED $5300 - THANK YOU!
Lenten Opportunities
We are four days into the season of Lent! Ash Wednesday, which was February 26th this year, developed as a day of penitence to mark the beginning of Lent. It is a time for putting aside the sins and failures of the past. Further, it is a day in our life together when we intentionally reflect on our mortality. Many Christian traditions use ashes applied to the forehead or hand as a reminder that "we are dust and it is to dust that we will return." Lastly, it is a special moment in the church calendar for marking new spiritual beginnings. It is a time when the gifts of forgiveness, restoration, reconciliation, and regeneration are shared abundantly by God, with all who ask.

During the month of February, our theme has been "Renewal" - renewal of our sense of the mystery of God, with the love of God, and with our experience of Jesus. Lent brings an invitation to renew our faith journey as we journey towards Easter Sunday. And I want to issue a special invitation to you to commit to Sunday worship attendance for Sundays leading to Easter Sunday on April 12, whether here at First Church, or another place of worship. Recently, we have heard scripture from all parts of the bible, but our services in the weeks to come will focus on the Gospels and the life and ministry of Jesus.  Let's meet him again, together.

This year, some special activities will take place on Wednesday nights of Lent.

Pastor Ian will lead a Lenten study program in the library at 7:00pm on the following Wednesdays:
 
March 4
March 18
April 1

Amy Weston will host a dinner church at 6:30pm in Clarke Hall on these Wednesdays:

March 11
March 25
and April 9 (which is Maundy Thursday)    

As another invitation, the Thursday morning prayer group meets at 7 am for prayers and conversation on the following Thursdays:

March 5
March 12
March 19
March 26
April 2
April 9

We welcome you to join us for a time of devotions and prayers for our church, our community and beyond. These meetings run until 7:25am, and take place in the conference room across from the church office. You enter at the rear door of the church.
IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
David Silva & Bruce Mueller
February 15, 2020
Congrats Bruce & David!
A joyous celebration of love and commitment was held on February 15th, when David and Bruce were married at The First Church in Swampscott. The 3pm marriage ceremony with communion was thoughtful in all details, and full of the gifts of music, poems, and prayers.

At a reception afterwards at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, the grooms donned shiny sequined jackets with tails, and danced the night away with family and friends.
Breakfast on Communion Sundays
Next one coming up
on March 1st, 2020
9:15-9:50 am, featuring
FRENCH TOAST!

and the one after that will be April 5th - breakfast sandwiches!
LENT, key dates for 2020
ASH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020
PALM SUNDAY, April 5, 2020
MAUNDY THURSDAY, April 9, 2020
GOOD FRIDAY, April 10, 2020
EASTER SUNDAY, April 12, 2020
CRAFT FAIR 10 am to 3 pm, Sat. 3/28

Join us to view and purchase handmade crafts from local artisans and vendors! Proceeds from the fair will benefit “A Bed for Every Child,” an initiative that seeks to ensure that local children have a suitable and safe place to sleep.

Raffle tickets will be sold for a chance to win an item from one of the participating crafters. One ticket for $1 or eight tickets for $5.

Receive a FREE raffle ticket if you bring a non-perishable item for the First Church food pantry: cereal, canned fruit, canned vegetables, tuna, soup, crackers, peanut butter, rice, etc.

Free and open to the public!
FUNDRAISER COMING 3/28/20
Lenten Coloring Book!
He is Risen! A Lenten Coloring Book

A great Holy Week activity for church school and at home!

Explaining Lent to young children without glossing over some of the solemn events can be challenging.
He is Risen! A Lenten Coloring Book  is designed to teach young children about Lent—especially Holy Week—in words they can easily understand and a format they're sure to enjoy.

CHURCH COUNCIL
Karen Rose Brown (chair)
Dale Orzalli/clerk, DavidSilva, Bill Brauner, Lynn Lindsey, Anne Potts and Dan Ryan
The First Church in Swampscott| WEBSITE