Sunday, November 20, 2022

Please join us for worship service on Sunday at 10:00 AM.

Bulletin

Music

Prayers of Intercession

(new names added will be in red)

To view the live-streamed 10 AM service, please use one of the links below.

Youtube Link

Facebook Link

The Children's Faith Formation News and Information is updated weekly!

Gun Buyback Program: Saturday, November 19, 9 am–12 pm

Drive and Drop Off unwanted guns at Cheshire Police Department, 500 Highland Ave

The First Church 2022 CCA Turkey Run is coming! On Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20 – we will be rounding up turkeys again for needy families in New Haven through our partner, Christian Community Action. Thanks again to all those who signed up to donate in advance during our October 2 fellowship hour with our CCA friends Rev Bonita Grubbs and Charmain Yun.

Please plan to drop off one (or more) frozen turkeys between 10 am and 12 pm on either day. For anyone else who wants to contribute, please join in. The more the merrier! Just drop by and drop off. Members of our CCA Action team will be there to greet you - and it will put a smile on your face. 

Greeter Gathering: Sunday November 20, 11:15 am. in Chapel

Current greeters and anyone interested in learning more about the Greeter Ministry, will gather after Sunday worship in the Chapel. Help yourself to a cup of coffee, then come on down to learn about new opportunities. 

Decorating God’s House! 

Sunday November 27, beginning at 3 PM

All ages are invited on Sunday afternoon, November 27, to come and prepare the sanctuary, church campus, and Parish Hall for Advent with greens, stars, candles, Chrismon and Christmas tree, and of course, our larger than life Advent Wreath on the Green. There are tasks for all ages and skills! Join the fun and festivities while enjoying music, hot chocolate and Christmas cookies! Our time together ends with a brief Vespers service, around 5:15 PM. Come for part of the time; come for all of it!  

Raffle Basket Donations for Christmas Fair: Due by November 27

Your help is needed for our 2022 Christmas Fair Raffle! Once again, we want to have all kinds of gift baskets for shoppers to take a chance on winning.

We’d love it if each church family would donate a gift basket. Build it as a family project! The Christmas Fair Committee is also asking each Ministry Group to consider making a Christmas Basket for the raffle! Get creative and think outside the "basket"!

Some great ideas for creating one-of-a-kind and enticing themed gift baskets to help get your imagination started!

Any questions or concerns, contact Darby Bronson or Betsy DePaolo

Bible 101: Wednesday, November 30 , in person and on Zoom at 7 PM

We've heard it said many, many times; "I'm embarrassed to admit I don't know much about the Bible!" If you have said or thought this, fear not! Join me on Wednesday, November 30 and together we'll open our Bibles and explore what's inside. Our conversation will be tailored to individual questions. Please email Pastor Alison  to attend. 

We’re back with a Christmas Fair as usual!

Saturday, December 3

9 AM - 2 PM

Gift Basket Raffle, Handcrafted items,

Cookie Walk, Homemade chocolates, Poinsettias, Boxwood Trees, Granny’s Attic, Treasure Room,

Jewelry, $1 jar for kids,

Lunch and our signature corn chowder

More Information about the Ways You Can Help, Granny's Attic Drop-off, Bakers Needed and Jewelry Sale...

Questions, please contact Martha Lape  

Music with Friends: Sunday, December 4

“Prepare the Way of the Lord” by singing with Music with Friends for 10:00 worship on Sunday, December 4. Come learn a simple Advent song at 9:15 just prior to the service. All you have to do is show up and sing! This month, we will practice and sing from the choir loft. To learn more about participating in Music with Friends or the chancel choir, please contact Music Director, Joe D’Eugenio.

General Food Collection 

Due to the economic challenges that families and fixed income residents in particular are currently facing, we are resuming food donations to the Cheshire Food Pantry and (GWIM) Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministry. Donations can be dropped off at church in the parlor shopping basket. 

Would You Like to Serve on One of the Church’s Ministry Groups?

The Nominating Committee is looking for members (or soon-to-be members) who are interested in potential service on a Ministry Group next year. Here’s a short description of each Ministry Group. Please email Karen Helene or phone 203-671-4702 if you’d like to learn more.

Read more about Opportunities Available...

First Church Survey of Interests

Church Council and The Re-engagement Team are conducting a survey to help us determine what everyone’s talents & interests are and to categorize what aspects/events the congregation may be interested in. It is only a page long and will only take a moment to complete. Please join us in the spirit of generosity, by taking this short, but very important survey by the link or scanning the QR code. 

Sunday Flower signup

Would you like to donate flowers for Sunday worship service in memory or in honor of someone? There is a signup sheet in the Parlor for you to fill in your name and contact info. Any questions, please contact Jane Brown.

Fellowship/Coffee Hour

Caring Ministry invites all members of the congregation and their families to join together and host an after service coffee hour in the coming months. Guidelines and assistance will be provided to all hosts. To schedule a coffee hour, please sign up on Board in the parlor or email Jane Brown or by phone at 203-535-9193.

Flower Delivery to Home-bound

Caring Ministry and Parish Care are once again able to deliver altar flowers to members unable to attend services. If you would like to participate in this uplifting program and help brighten someone’s day, please email Jane Brown or call (203) 535-9193.

Tips for Having a Less Wasteful Thanksgiving... 

To learn more about our church’s Environmental Justice Team, email Anne McNulty or Karen Schnitzer

Week of November 20

Calendar and Announcements

Sunday, November 20

10:00 a.m. Worship, Sanctuary

11:00 a.m. Fellowship, Parish Hall

11:15 a.m. Greeter Gathering, Chapel

11:15 a.m. Budget Committee, Room 11

Monday, November 21

7:00 p.m.  Faith Formation, Whiting House

7:30 p.m.  Facilities Ministry, Parish Hall

Tuesday, November 22

2:00 p.m.  Parish Care, Library

4:00 p.m.  Staff Meeting, Chapel

Wednesday, November 23 (office closes at noon)

Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25

Office Closed, Happy Thanksgiving

Sunday, November 27 – 1^st Sunday of Advent

Ronald McDonald House Volunteer (see Todd Skrzyniarz for info)

10:00 a.m. Worship, Sanctuary

11:00 a.m. Fellowship, Parish Hall

11:30 a.m. Confirmation Class, Whiting House

                  Confirmation Parents, Room 11

3:00 p.m.  Advent Church Decorating and Preparation