Inspired, encouraging, serving and seeking… Together in life’s joys and challenges… Making a difference! 

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If you want to include any special announcements in this Weekly Email, please reach out to me in the Church Office via email at:

office@thefirstchurch.org


Thank You & God Bless,


Spencer Aguiar

Church Administrator

COATS! COATS! COATS!

Lynn superstar Peter Cipriano is collecting gently used winter coats. After collecting the coats they go to Anton’s cleaners to be cleaned and then distributed to organizations all over New England for men, women and children that are in need. The coats are always free to anyone in need. If you, or anyone you know would like to donate a coat please porch drop off at 18 Merrill Ave Lynn 01902. The Missions team will add a bin in the Narthex as well.

Click here for Patty's Blooper Reel!

Missions Team:  

We are sending $1,000 to the United Church of Christ (UCC) because it partners with other churches and organizations that are already in Gaza and Israel/Palestine.  A couple of the organizations are: the Dept. of Service for Palestinian Refugees of the Middle East Council of Churches and the al-Ahli Arab Hospital of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. 


Communion 2024:

We are formulating a communion committee for 2024.

If you are interested in helping out, call Carole Bannister 781-775-3107

Training will be provided.

Interfaith Support:

Who wants to meet me (Siobhan) at Temple Emanuel this Friday, November 10th at 5:30ish for a special opportunity? Let's show our neighbors we care for them. Rabbi Crystal sent me this note (abbreviated here):

"My thought is that the group could arrive between 5:30-5:45 for an introduction and then we can talk again after the service. I will take out the Torah after services."


Thank-you to the awesome show of support for our neighbors at Temple Emanuel on October 13th. We had ten of us there and the service was really lovely.



Sunday School:

We are so grateful for the book donations that are coming in for our Sunday school library! Shout out to Danna Gobel, the Kinchleys, Don Fullerton, and Lorraine Follis. We have already used two of your books as part of our lessons and the kids loved them! 

Here is our Amazon wishlist. If you order here the books will be delivered to my house (Siobhan) and I will put a bookplate in them and bring them to church. 

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Our first annual Blood Drive is November 20th 9am-2:00pm. We need YOU to make this a success! 


Please use this link to set up a donation! If you can help in any other way (Help set up the awesome snacks I'm getting for the workers for example) or keep me company for a wee bit just let me know siobhanarts@gmail.com

There are 42 open appointments right now! Get them while they're hot! 

LET IT SNOW FAIR!

 

Saturday, November 18, 2023 - 9:00 am – 2:00 pm 


Le Bistro: (Joan Sawyer, Heidi Whear, Richard Buchanan, Christoph Hofbauer) Volunteers needed to help prepare and serve the scrumptious food at the café. Menu includes New England Clam Chowder, Beef stew and vegan lentil soup. 


Silent Auction: (Karen Brown, Carole Bannister) Need donations of gift cards, tickets, items or services. Do you know a business that would donate merchandise or gift certificates? Items should have a $40 dollar value. Donation forms are available. Set up help is needed. 


Jewelry: (Dale Orzalli, Betty McNeill) Clean out your jewelry boxes and drop off your gems at the church office. 


Christmas Tree: (Susan Hamilton). Collecting tastefully, new gift items. Do you have anything that we can re gift? Items should be $20 or greater in value. 


Kids Christmas Tree: (Amanda Grant Rose) Collecting kids gifts valued at $5 or greater. 


Bake Table: (Ellie Casteel) Homemade baked goods. Pies and cakes sell best. We also need cookies, muffins, cupcakes, and brownies. 

 

Country Store/Frozen Foods: (Maureen Wark, Sue Burgess) Homemade jam, pickles, candy and more in the Country Story. Frozen Foods needed. Freeze your favorite soup, stew or casserole for this popular table. Contact Maureen Wark or Donna Hicks for containers. Volunteers needed. 


Everything Christmas: (Betsy Pugh, Lorraine Angel, Sharon Bochnak) Donate items in good condition that you no long use, or new items are also welcome. Items needs and volunteers for set up and fair day in the booth. 


White Elephant: (Susan Buchanan, Dianne Cadigan) Clean out your closets and save all clean, usable household items. NO stuffed animals, broken items or items with missing pieces. Help is needed sorting and pricing Tuesday, Thursday afternoons the week before the fair, and all-day Friday, November 17th. 


Furniture/Electrical: (Clarke Orzalli) ITEMS MUST BE SMALL ENOUGH FOR ONE PERSON TO CARRY! Furniture and working electrical items needed (no computers, TV’s or exercise machines). 


Collectibles: (Barbara Gherzi, Don Behnke, Priscilla O’Hara) Collectable items needed, volunteers for day of needed. 


Books: (Janet Fischer/Sharon Thomas) Paperback, Hardcovers, CDs, DVDs, puzzles needed. Please no VHS or magazines. 


Questions:

Karen Brown – 617-291-7690 – krosebrown@comcast.net

OR

Donna Hicks – 617-417-1180 – hicks.donnam@gmail.com 


Donation Form: https://forms.gle/RWc7atX2y6gAwUux5 

Volunteer Form: https://forms.gle/Zvv4QGMZgY1JG5gH9


FAIR TIME-LINE 

Upcoming Meetings: November 5th – First Church Library at 11:15 am after Sunday Services.  


November 1 -15:

Place labeled donations for Silent Auction, Christmas Tree, and Kid’s Christmas Tree in the copy room. 

November 12: 

White Elephant – Library 

Everything Christmas – Clarke Hall 

Collectables – Clarke Hall 

Jewelry – Clarke Hall 

Small Furniture/Electrical – Clarke Hall 

Books – Nursery 

November 17:  

Baked Goods and Frozen Foods - Clarke Hall 

Questions:

Karen Brown – 617-291-7690 – krosebrown@comcast.net

OR

Donna Hicks – 617-417-1180 – hicks.donnam@gmail.com 


Donation Form: https://forms.gle/RWc7atX2y6gAwUux5 

Volunteer Form: https://forms.gle/Zvv4QGMZgY1JG5gH9


Spiritual Conversations with Coffee


Group led conversations before church, about scripture and the life of faith, and the journey we are on with God and each other.


Continues on October 29 at 9:10 AM in the Library.

A Service of Community and Thanksgiving

The First Church in Swampscott, 40 Monument Avenue  

7:00pm, Sunday, November 19th

Coming Together to Share Music and Words that Inspire.

 

CALLING ALL SINGERS!

Singers from the community are invited to join an interfaith choir to sing for this celebration service of thanksgiving, unity, and song:

 

Interfaith Choir Rehearsals

Thursday, November 16, 7:30pm

Sunday, November 19, 6:15pm/Rehearsal, 7pm service

 

For more information, contact Patricia Clark, music@thefirstchurch.org


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Al-Anon is an organization that offers experience, strength and hope to families who are

struggling with alcoholism and addiction. It is a very safe place to share the challenges of

difficult family situations.

We at Al-Anon are very grateful to the First Church of Swampscott which has offered us space

to hold our meetings

Tuesday nights at 7:30

Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in the library

Thursdays at noon in the library

Please join us

For more information, please email Jodie at jodierobbin@gmail.com or Laurie at

lsueasher@gmail.com


The First Church Swampscott

40 Monument Avenue

Swampscott, MA 01907


Senior Pastor: The Rev. Ian Holland

Director of Music Ministries: Patricia Clark


Church Council 2022-2023

Clerk: Sharon Thomas

Treasurer: Sharon Scofield

Members: Diana Beaupre, Betty McNeil, Susan Hamilton,

Clarke Orzalli (chair), Heidi Whear, Melissa Foye

The First Church in Swampscott UCC |
SWAMPSCOTT, MASSACHUSETTS
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