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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"And on the seventh day God finished the work that [God] had done, and [God] rested on the seventh day from all the work that [God] had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that [God] had done in creation." – Genesis 2:2-3
Loved ones:
This Sunday, the featured scripture selection is Exodus 20:1-17. Which is where we find the so-called Ten Commandments…or the Decalogue...or the ten statements – God’s self-disclosure and pledge to protect and provide for God’s people.
Actually, we’re just going to look at the statement that seems, on the surface of things, to forbid work: “Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work…”
What if I told you that the fourth commandment is, maybe, the most misinterpreted of the ten. It doesn’t so much outlaw labor as much as it invites a sacred work stoppage. I’ll say more when I see you. The sermon is entitled: Remember the Sabbath Day.
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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Call to the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Congregation
Notice is hereby given that a Congregational Meeting of the First Church of Christ Congregational of West Hartford, Connecticut, UCC, will be held in the Meetinghouse on Sunday, March 10, 2024 starting at approximately 11:15 a.m.
This meeting is called to transact the following items of business:
To consider and vote on the minutes of the Annual Meeting of First Church held on March 12, 2023.
To consider and vote on the proposed slate of Officers, Team Leaders and Team Members for First Church for the coming year.
In accordance with the By-laws of First Church, action will be taken only on matters included in this Call to Meeting.
Notice given on February 20, 2024
Linda Bronstein, Secretary
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Introducing “Open Chapel”: sacred space for quiet reflection and prayer
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.
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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Harvest Pack Meal Packing 2024
This 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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First Sunday Breakfast
This Sunday, March 3 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the Auditorium
The JPW Library and the Outreach cordially invite you to join us for breakfast! Enjoy a smorgasbord of fruit, hot breakfast casseroles, bacon or sausage, bagels, pastries, and more – plus coffee, juice & tea. Delicious gluten-free options, too. All are welcome!
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One Great Hour of Sharing on Sunday, March 10
For over 70 years, the One Great Hour of Sharing has provided churches of many denominations around the world the opportunity to help our neighbors in need. This special Lenten mission offering supports disaster and refugee/immigration and development throughout the world and the opportunity to share God’s love with our neighbors. This month make your contribution through the Church Website Giving Page by clicking on One Great Hour of Sharing in the drop-down menu or Text OGHS to (860) 222-7870 or using the special pew collection envelope. The need is great and so is our calling
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Soup and Sharing: Clean Heart Conversations
March 17 at 11:15 a.m. in the Auditorium
We’ll engage in guided small-group discussion based on David’s desire for cleansing and a new and right spirit (Psalm 51:10). Soup (and bread) will be served! Sign-up HERE in advance or drop-in that morning.
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Arts in the Center Series presents an Evening with Andrew Thomson
Friday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel.
Please join us for this upcoming Arts in the Center concert!
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Easter Donations
This is a wonderful opportunity to make a donation in honor of, or in memory of, a loved one! Easter Lily and Organ & Carillon donations can be made online HERE. Click HERE for a printable form and return it to the church office with your payment. If you wish to have your donation listed in the Sunday Bulletin, please make your donation by Sunday, March 24. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah at [email protected] or 860-233-9605.
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Easter Baskets For Our Covenant to Care Children
It is almost Easter and that means Easter Baskets. Please consider signing up to donate a filled Easter basket. We will provide the basket, filler/grass, cellophane bag, and bow. You need to fill the basket with the suggested items from the list we will provide. Sign-ups will start March 3. Please return filled baskets by Palm Sunday, March 24.
For any questions, please contact Maryanne Barry at (860-593-7248 or [email protected]) or Diane Bohman at (860-490-5908 or [email protected])
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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 the Ackerman Family in loving memory of Harry L. Ackerman, Jr.
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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
A New Sunday School class is forming for students in Grade 6 and up. The class will be led by Michael Protos and will meet 1-2 times per month. They will use Echo the Story, a curriculum prepared especially for upper elementary students that uses storytelling, creative reflection, conversation, and dialogue to dive deeper and find meaning and identity in the biblical narratives. On weeks when there is no class meeting, these students are invited to the PreK-Grade 1 class to assist with reading, crafts, and games.
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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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Awakening the Spirit, led by Rev. Tom Carr, meets Mondays from 12-1:30. Bring a bag lunch; beverages and desserts are provided. On March 4, the group finishes its discussion of Amy-Jill Levine’s The Difficult Words of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to His Most Perplexing Teachings.
Their next book is On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Growing Old by Parker Palmer. “This book is not for elders only. It was written to encourage adults of all ages to explore the way their lives are unfolding. It’s…a set of meditations in prose and poetry that turn the prism on the meaning(s) of one’s life, refracting new light at every turn.”
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Food for Thought’s next meeting is this Tuesday from 5:00-6:30 p.m. (Please note the time change!) to discuss The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. Their next book is The Measure by Nikki Erlick: “Today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to the exact number of years you will live…Imagine waking up tomorrow with the opportunity to learn when you will die. Would you want to know the date, or would you prefer to remain blissfully ignorant?” (Amazon) | | |
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JPWL Gallery Talk, Expressing Faith on Canvas – a Form of Prayer, Reflection, and Therapy w Aida Mansoor
Thursday, March 21 at 2:30 p.m.
The JPWL Gallery invites you to a gallery talk with Chaplain Aida Mansoor, whose calligraphy paintings are currently on exhibit. Aida is the Director of Field Education at Hartford International University. She also serves in the community and works with the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut and the Islamic Association of Greater Hartford.
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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
Court Lewis and Al Day enjoyed a sunny day skiing at Okemo VT!
For more Family News, click HERE.
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March Reach Out: My Sisters’ Place
Every day, throughout the Greater Hartford area, there are hundreds of people who have found themselves homeless due to domestic violence, eviction, unemployment, or mental illness – the overwhelming majority often women and children.
My Sisters’ Place mission is committed to ending homelessness by empowering women, families, and others in Greater Hartford to achieve independence and stability in their community by providing housing and supportive services.
My Sisters’ Place provides a comprehensive array of outreach and services that is unmatched by any other organization in the Hartford, Connecticut region. From safe housing and education to employment and empowerment, My Sister Place provides real, life-changing benefits to clients. For more information please visit: My Sisters' Place, Inc. (sistersplacect.org) or call 860-895-6629.
To donate on line thru the church: HERE or you can donate directly at: My Sisters' Place, Inc. (sistersplacect.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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