Welcome to the First Church newsletter. Please notice that just about everything is "clickable"! In other words, click an image, a logo, or a button to find out more details! | |
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"Lord, who throughout these forty days for us did fast and pray, teach us with you to mourn our sins and close by you to stay." – Chalice Hymn #180
Dear friends:
Many years ago, I gave up Lent for Lent. Let me explain…
I never really understood how fasting and praying would ever matter or make any difference. But, I tried it wishing for elevated faith. I thought that penitence and penalty meant the same thing. So, I attempted to quit carbohydrates and chocolate; and to curb certain unhealthy and unhelpful appetites. I thought such sacrifices were the price of repentance.
I memorized and rehearsed prayers – committed to reciting them first thing in the morning and before bed…once recorded a personal best five days in a row! I’ve since forgotten every prayer; but I do remember the feeling of failure. Which is the reason why I gave up.
I rededicated myself to Lenten devotion when I learned that this sacred season is supposed to be life-giving not soul-crushing. It’s a time to commemorate the testing that Jesus endured in the wilderness – forty days that prepared him for his public ministry and his passion. It’s a time for ridding ourselves of regret and remorse so that we’re ready for Easter. I’ll say more when I see you on the first Sunday of Lent. The sermon (based on Psalm 51) is entitled: Clean Heart. Clear Path.
Be blessed. Be a blessing.
Rev. Fredd
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Please join us for upcoming Lenten activities at First Church
Read the complete Sunday Notes below or click HERE for more information and detailed descriptions of upcoming events.
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The First Church Office and the JPW Library will be closed on Monday, February 19 in observance of Presidents’ Day. | |
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The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner has been postponed!
Due to the snowstorm, the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner has been postponed to Sunday, February 18. Join us after worship for a pancake lunch (gluten free options also available) and some “Fat Tuesday” fun!
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Chamber Music Concert
This Sunday, February 18 at 3 p.m. in the Chapel
This program is designed to bring great music performances to an audience in an intimate setting. Each presentation offers a variety of musicians, often including flute, oboe, piano, and others. The concert is free. A free will offering will be received at the door.
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Introducing “Open Chapel”: sacred space for quiet reflection and prayer
Beginning on Tuesday, February 20, the Spirit Team will offer an alternative way to experience Lent. We are calling it “Open Chapel.” Although it will take place in our chapel, it is not a typical worship service. Simply put, Open Chapel offers a still and quiet place for silent reflection and prayer.
Open Chapel was inspired by the need for stillness amid the tumult of our world and the demands of our daily lives. Open Chapel welcomes you to come in to sit quietly for just a little while or for the whole hour. You may choose to leave a written prayer request in our prayer basket or pick up a Lenten card on which to reflect. Our weekly schedule will be flexible, and we hope you will find a time that is convenient. Join us to experience the sacred silence of Lent.
Tuesday, February 20 -- 5 to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, February 27 -- Noon to 1 p.m.
Sunday, March 3 -- 5 to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, March 12 -- Noon to 1 p.m.
Tuesday, March 19 -- 5 to 6 p.m.
Friday, March 29 -- Noon to 1 p.m
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Souper Bowl Sunday was a great success!
With an original goal of 250 cans, then moving the goal posts to 300, 384 cans of soup were donated by First Church members. The soup is being distributed to the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen and the West Hartford Food Pantry. Monetary donations came to $36 and will be given to Loaves and Fishes on behalf of the winning team, the Kansas City Chiefs. Thank you for participating in this collection. We hope you will continue to remember your neighbors when you grocery shop. The Outreach Team.
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Light The Steeple in honor of a Loved One
For a $25 donation, you are invited to "Light the Steeple" for one week in honor of a loved one. Similar to making a flower donation we will ask that you pick a date at least one week in advance of the desired week, and all donors will be acknowledged in our weekly Happenings. Please note more than one donor can fall on any given week. Donations will be added to the Save the Steeple fund. Click "Light The Steeple for a loved one" found on the “Save the First Church Steeple” web page or click here.
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Light the Steeple
Our steeple this week was lit by:
--Tandy Jarvis, in loving memory of Josephine Riley Medlin.
-- The Briggs family, in loving memory of Gary Briggs.
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FCAYC February Love Collection
The First Church Academy is collecting items to be donated to South Park Inn. Items needed include Everyday Supplies: laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, white cotton towels and face cloths. Housewarming Baskets: pots and pans sets, dishes, silverware. Retail Gift Cards: Stop & Shop, Big Y, Target, Walmart. For more information about the South Park Inn or to see the complete list of needed items, click HERE. For more info., contact Dawne Quinn at: [email protected] or 860-233-9605 ext. 133. Thank you for your support!
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Dialogue Circles with Peacebuilders from Hartford International University for Religion and Peace (HIU)
Sunday, February 25 at 11:15 a.m. in the JPW Library
You’re invited to participate in Dialogue Circles with Master of Arts in International Peacebuilding (MAP) students from HIU. The conversations are conducted as part of the MAP curriculum. Students are training to become community change agents by developing proficiency in conflict transformation and fluency in the religious traditions of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. The ability to facilitate fruitful conversation is an essential skill for MAP students and all peacebuilding people. Which is why your participation is vitally important. We will form break-out groups to consider the topic ‘Beyond Thoughts and Prayers: How does our faith shape our approach to national and international issues when we gather?’ The goal is to get 20-25 volunteers. The hope is that everyone who gives to the circles will gain lessons and blessings! Please register here!
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Harvest Pack Meal Packing 2024
Saturday, March 2 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Meal packing events are an incredible way to highlight our community, generate positive energy, and foster pride in working together for the benefit of others. Come by yourself or with a friend and join a team to pack meals for a few hours. We’ll feed you a pizza lunch for all your hard work. Recommended donation is $10 per family. View Flyer HERE.
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REVISED Mission Trip Plans: Jennifer is planning a mission trip to Providence to work with Incredible Days, a service planning organization that partners with the Southern New England United Church of Christ (SNEUCC). We’re planning to stay at Edwards House in Framingham, and volunteer in soup kitchens or shelters in the Greater Boston area. The trip is scheduled for Friday (afternoon), April 19 – Sunday, April 21. Interested students aged 12 and up, and any interested adults, should contact Jennifer in the JPW Library.
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First Church Online Technology Assistance is Available!
Struggling with using CCB, online pledging, or trying to create repeating payments on our website? The First Church office staff is happy to help! Please reach out to us in person, via email or call the main office and we can walk you through it.
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Acolytes
Church acolytes play an important role in our Sunday services. Children will be lighting the candles before worship as well as putting the candles out to conclude the service. This can be a meaningful way for our children to serve their faith community. If your child is interested in helping out, please see or email Amanda Bethune at [email protected].
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FAITH FORMATION
Sunday School Students in Grades 1-6 will attend a special Communion workshop next Sunday, February 25 during class time. They will learn why we share communion, and why it is an important sacrament for Christians.
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Book Group News
The church’s John P. Webster Library coordinates two regular book groups.
Copies of the books are provided for participants. New members are always welcome! For more information, please contact Jennifer or Molly at 860-232-3893 or [email protected].
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Writing Workshop with David Pontrelli
Wednesdays, February 28 - April 3 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the JPW Library
Write in the form of your choosing – poetry or prose or a little of each. We do group warm-up activities, and then write alone – together. There will be an optional time for sharing with the chance to receive safe, positive feedback from other group members. If you are looking to connect with a community, these workshops will allow you to do just that. No experience is necessary, and all genres and skill levels are welcome! Free workshop -- sponsored by the library. Register here.
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Lenten Devotionals are available at the entrances to the Meeting House and in the Rotunda entrance hallway. This year’s devotional “Bent” was written by the Still-Speaking Writers Group of the United Church of Christ. “Jesus modeled flexibility: hardship and persecution bent but didn't break him. Change and challenge strengthened his ministry. Impossible situations yielded to healing and release.”
You may also access a daily devotional from the United Church of Christ here.
Check out this week's complete Sunday Notes for other online devotionals and studies for Lent.
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Family News
This is the Lumbruno-Wigglesworth clan on the last weekend of 2023. Anna and her boyfriend Peter DelBuono have embarked on a yearlong experience of travel nursing. Anna is an ICU nurse and Peter is an Emergency Room nurse. Benjamin is serving his last year as a Marine based in New River, North Carolina. We are thrilled to share his engagement to Hannah Stephenson, a kindergarten teacher in Erwin, North Carolina. They are planning a December wedding in a beautiful chapel in the woods of Goldsboro, NC. Life is good for the Wigg-Lums! For more Family News, click HERE.
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February Reach Out: South Park Inn
South Park Inn’s Emergency Shelter provides a safe, temporary residence to individuals that are literally homeless. The shelter welcomes individuals from all walks of life and has space to accommodate up to 85 men, women, and children every night. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, never closing their doors.
Their emergency shelter, veterans’ programs, respite, and supportive housing provide personalized support to each of the men, women, and children that enter their doors. South Park Inn offers many services, including nutritious meals, personal hygiene supplies, laundry facilities, and bus passes for transportation. South Park Inn’s goal is to provide a safe, temporary place to stay as individuals identify the support and opportunities that lead to their own long-term housing solutions. For more information: www.southparkinn.org.
To donate on line thru the church: HERE or you can donate directly at: www.southparkinn.org. Thank you for your support!
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Spreading Your News
The Communications Team is made up of members of our Outreach Ministry, and the church Office Administrators.
Sunday Notes/Happenings submissions are due by noon on Tuesdays to Sarah
Website, flyer, and Social Media additions or changes can be sent to Amy and Joy anytime.
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Taking Photos in Church and Sharing Policy
Taking photos and documenting life events is commonplace now and more and more common in church settings. Lots of members are asking about taking photos at church events and wondering how to share them and to avoid confusion, we came up with some guidelines. Most important: be sure phone is in silent mode and skip solo selfies when tagging church events! Laminated copies of guidelines are at each entrance to the Sanctuary and at auditorium entrance, or view policy here or go to website>Photo Gallery page. Thank you, Amy and Joy.
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Please use the links below to find us all over the internet, and you can also email the office by clicking the envelope. | |
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Hours: The church office hours are Monday thru Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Main number is 860-233-9605 | Email: [email protected]
Copyright © 2022 First Church West Hartford, All rights reserved.
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