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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"Whoever you are, you are human. Wherever you are, you live in the world, which is just waiting for you to notice the holiness in it. So welcome to your own priesthood, practiced at the altar of your own life. The good news is that you have everything you need to begin.” -- Barbara Brown Taylor from An Altar in the World
Loved ones:
On Sunday, the Hot Cat Jazz Band returns to First Church to add some swing to that worshipful thing we do. If you’ve heard these cats before, you know what I’m talking about. If you don’t know, come and behold!
Last time we were together, Jesus was teaching in the synagogue, and he cast out an unclean spirit. Everybody was amazed by his authoritative ability to give directions to demons. This week, we’ll pick up where we left off. “As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John… [and Jesus healed Simon’s mother-in-law…and they brought to Jesus bunches of believers who needed help. And Jesus cured many and cast out more demons.]” Amazing!
In the morning, the Savior stole away to a secluded spot to save his own spirit. Which is equally amazing! The sermon studies that strategy. It’s called “An Unpopulated Place for Prayer”. I’ll say more when I see you.
Blessings meantime,
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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Souper Bowl Sunday!
Help your neighbor and have fun with Super Bowl 58! Donate cans of soup now until February 11, the day of the Super Bowl. Our goal is 250 cans of soup to be distributed to the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen and West Hartford Food Pantry. Leave your donations in the blue buckets & the Outreach Team will take to the pantries. When teams are determined, you may make a financial donation on behalf of your team. Funds will be given to the food pantries. No expired food please. Vegetarian soups are appreciated. Thank you! 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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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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First Sunday Breakfast, This Sunday!
February 4 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Church Breakfast is Baaack! Enjoy a smorgasbord of fruit, hot breakfast casseroles, bacon or sausage, bagels, pastries, and more – plus coffee, juice & tea. Yummy gluten-free options, too. All are welcome! Sponsored by the JPW Library and the Outreach Team.
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Faith on Film: Lars and the Real Girl
The search for true love begins outside the box.
Friday, February 9 at 7 p.m. in the JPWL
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, a movie about love!
Extremely shy, Lars finds it impossible to make friends or socialize. His brother and sister-in-law are worried about him, so when he announces that he has a girlfriend he met online, they are overjoyed. But Lars' new lady is a life-size plastic woman. On the advice of a doctor, his family and the rest of the community go along with his delusion. Rated PG-13; watch trailer HERE.
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Mission Trip Plans Are Underway!
Informational Meeting Sunday, February 11 at noon in the JPW Library
Jennifer is planning a mission trip to Rhode Island to work with Incredible Days, a service planning organization that partners with the Southern New England United Church of Christ (SNEUCC). The details are still being worked out, but we’re planning to stay at the Irons Homestead, and we’ll volunteer in soup kitchens and homeless shelters in Greater Providence. The trip is scheduled for Friday (afternoon), April 19 – Sunday, April 21. Students age 12 and up, and any interested adults, are welcome to attend.
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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Tuesday, February 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium
Join the Faith Formation Work Group and the Inreach Team to celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a fun evening of pancakes, games, and music!
So, wear your wackiest outfits, put on your beaded necklaces, eat pancakes, and goof off with us! For planning purposes, please RSVP by Monday, February 12.
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Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, February 14 at 6 p.m. in the Chapel
Please join us for this sacred service, as we begin the season of Lent with the imposition of ashes.
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Chamber Music Concert
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 from 5 to 6 p.m., 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. There is no sermon or singing, or even talking, although you may hear a whisper or soft music now and then. 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. Information on future dates to follow.
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Community Update
The Town of West Hartford will hold a project update meeting on West Hartford Center streetscape improvements on Wednesday, February 7 from 8:30 to 10 a.m., at the Town Hall Auditorium, 50 South Main St. This meeting is for abutting business owners, business managers, and interested members of the public to review design options for improvements to LaSalle Road and Farmington Avenue as a result of feedback from previous meetings.
For information about the West Hartford Center Streetscape Improvements, email [email protected] or [email protected].
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FAITH FORMATION
Do you have a talent for working with children? Do you love arts and crafts? The Faith Formation Work Group is looking for help in our church school. Hours are 9 to 12 every Sunday (September through June 16), plus prep time during the week. See Jennifer if interested or email her at [email protected].
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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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And That’s a Wrap: The Handiwork of Nancy McClelland Ball
The JPWL Gallery currently has an exhibit of our own Nancy Ball’s vibrant, hand-knitted shawls and scarves. Nancy, a self-declared “compulsive knitter,” chose over 30 of her amazing creations for the display, which runs through February 11.
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Family News
Joanne and Ralph White with their gang, July 2023. Look closely and you’ll see just one grandson! All the cousins really love each other and had a great time being together for a week. 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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