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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“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.” – John 20:1
Loved ones:
A few weeks ago – at the start of our conversation concerning the Sabbath day -- I posed this question: “What is the first day of the week in your world?” I encouraged you to Google it and go to God with it because your answer will tell you something about how you’re predisposed workwise and worship-wise.
My sermon “research” revealed that Sunday is the first day of the week for roughly half the world. Monday is the first day of the week for the other half. 67 countries and over 4 billion people start the week on Sunday. 160 countries and roughly 3.3 billion people start on Monday.
I mention these things only to implore you that this particular Sunday is most decidedly the first day of the week – the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it! In fact, let’s revisit the ingredients of gladness that Chef Rev. Fredd shared last Easter during the confetti-infused children’s message. The homily for all ages is entitled: Easter Joy: The Revised Recipe. I’ll say more when I see you.
Holy Week blessings,
Rev. Fredd
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Please join us!
Good Friday - March 29 - 6 p.m. service in the Meeting House
Easter Sunday - March 31 - 10 a.m. worship service featuring a brass quintet
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Introducing “Open Chapel”: sacred space for quiet reflection and prayer
Friday, March 29 -- Noon to 1 p.m.
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. Join us to experience the sacred silence of Lent.
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First Church Annual Easter Egg Hunt!
Easter Sunday, 11 a.m. on the Labyrinth (church front lawn)
Seek and you shall find! The annual First Church Easter Egg Hunt takes place after the worship service on Easter morning. In case of rain, the hunt will be on the 4th Floor of the Christian Education wing. Bring your own baskets or bags (plastic bags will be available on site). Please note that there is a staggered start, so the youngest children (under 5 years old) can get a head start on finding the eggs. We’ll wait for our friend Ralph Worth to begin the fun! Please return your empty plastic eggs; they will be recycled for future use. Have fun!
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DO GOOD Friday - March 29 at 9:30 a.m. in the Auditorium
On Good Friday, some of us have a day off from school or work. Let's take time to honor the good work of Jesus, who shared his life and love with everyone he met. We’re calling it DO GOOD Friday! Join us to make 90 bagged lunches and Easter/Spring cards for Loaves & Fishes; bake brownies for the lunches; and stuff eggs for our annual Easter egg hunt. All ages are welcome to participate – and if you can’t make it, please consider making a donation toward the lunches! See Jennifer for more information, or contact her at [email protected]. Let’s Do Good Friday on March 29!
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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 Moffitt Family in loving memory of Richard Moffitt.
Nicole Jackman and Family in loving memory of Dudley Jackman.
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Sunday Bible Study
Exploring Truth in the Great Biblical Myths: Exploring Genesis 1-11
Sunday mornings, April 7 – June 2 from 9 - 9:45 in the Fellowship Room
Do you wonder what’s behind the stories we find in the first 11 chapters of the book of Genesis? What were – and are! - the truths the storytellers wanted us to understand? Did God really create the Earth in seven days? From the two Creation stories, to Adam and Eve, to Cain and Abel, to Noah and his ark, to the Tower of Babel, these ancient myths compel us to ask questions and reflect on their meanings for our individual and collective lives. Our conversations will be led by Rev. Tom Carr.
See Jennifer with questions.
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First Sunday Breakfast
April 7 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the Auditorium
The JPW Library and the Outreach team cordially invite you to join us for a pre-worship breakfast next Sunday! 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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If you are interested in joining First Church, please plan to attend an information session for prospective new members following worship on Sunday, April 14 at 11:15 a.m. We expect to receive new members into the life of the church during the 10 a.m. worship service on Sunday, April 28. Please contact Rev. Fredd in person, by telephone at 860.233.9605, or via email [email protected].
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What should GHIAA work on next? The answer will come out of small-group meetings where people are invited to share a story about an experience that happened to them or someone close to them -- something that made them think, "That's not right!" or "There ought to be a law against that!" The more people who share stories, the better chance we have of zeroing in on the most important issues that need our attention. Click HERE to register for one of the upcoming meetings. First Church is hosting several small-group meetings at First Church on April 14, 4:00-5:30pm, along with our partners Congregation Beth Israel and Westminster Presbyterian Church. If you can't make it on April 14, choose a session on another date, at another local GHIAA congregation. Any questions? Contact Linda Bronstein or Terry Schmitt.
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From the Inreach Team:
Coffee Cans Needed
Please donate empty coffee cans for the Parish Care Ministry. Each Sunday, the altar flowers are broken down into smaller flower arrangements and delivered to church members.
A Request from the Inreach Team
If you have taken any tablecloths or dish towels home to be laundered, please return them to the church at your earliest convenience. We will be using them for upcoming events.
Thank you!
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Happy Easter!
Children are invited to remain in the pews with their families during Sunday's worship service– no Sunday School! Be sure to pick up an Easter activity booklet and crayons to use during the worship service! Have a blessed day!
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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 p.m. Please note: this group will not meet on Monday, April 1. Bring a bag lunch; beverages and desserts are provided. They are reading On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Growing Old by Parker Palmer. Tap here to join the group. | | |
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Food for Thought’s next meeting is Tuesday, April 2 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. (Please note the time change!) to discuss The Measure by Nikki Erlick. Tap here to join this group.
The group’s next read is The Guncle by Steven Rowley. "The Guncle is a moving tribute to the power of love, patience, and family in even the most trying of times” (Amazon.com).
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WeHa Grows, the JPWL Seed Library, is ready for spring!
Thanks to generous seed donations from the UConn Master Gardener Program and Ocean State Job Lot, we are pleased to offer a variety of flower, fruit, and vegetable seeds for your gardens. Stop by the JPW Library or the Sunday Bookmobile and “seed” for yourself!
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Family News
Bob and Jane Cave with their kids and grandkids!
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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