Weekly Newsletter

Week of April 17th - April 23rd

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Meetings and Services this week:

Wednesday, April 17th:

-9:30 a.m. Wednesday Morning Book Discussion

-7:00 p.m. Choir

Thursday, April 18th:

-7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service

Friday, April 19th:

-Noon - 3:00 p.m. Sanctuary Open for Prayer

Sunday, April 21st:

-6:00 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service 

-10:00 a.m. Easter Festival Worship  

-No Sunday School 

-No Coffee Hour 

Monday, April 22nd: 

-7:30 p.m. Board of Christian Education

Tuesday, April 23rd: 

-11:15 a.m. Bible Study in the Music Room

-7:30 p.m. AA Meeting



Lenten Theme - "Resurrection Joy"  - Easter 

 

Luke 24: 1-12

"He is not here, but has risen!"

Luke 24: 5

Where do you see and hope for new life?

How can you share new life with others?

Flags

You may have noticed this past Sunday that o ur American and Christian flags, that were at the front of our Sanctuary, have been moved to the main entrance of the church. The Deacons made the decision to do this so that the flags will be more visible and will also serve as a reminder, as we enter and exit the church, of our citizenship in God’s kingdom and in the United States of America , a country in which we are fortunate to live. The Deacons also feel that aesthetically, with the removal of the drape and repainting of the front of the Sanctuary, it looks cleaner and simpler and is in keeping with the congregational meeting house tradition. The flags will be returned to the Sanctuary for worship services held around Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veteran’s Day. If you have any questions or feedback regarding this move, please feel free to speak with Pastor Denise or with one of our Deacons (Bill Cox, Amy Huhn, Jon Kimball, Jim Ledbetter, Katie McClaine, Teresa Olio, Gary Sarra, Margot Sheehan, and Doug Stewart.)



Parking Lot Improvements

The Trustees voted at their last meeting to move ahead with improvements to the back parking lot (behind the stone wall). The work to be done includes taking out top soil, installing stabilization fabric, and adding millings and concrete. Lines to identify parking spaces would also be added. The changes will not only add additional spaces, but will also allow people to park there without the possibility of getting stuck in the mud during the spring and fall. The work will likely be done over the summer months. If you have any thoughts or concerns that you would like to share, please contact Terry Lukow ( [email protected] or 860-228-3435) who is Chairperson of our Board of Trustees. 



Easter Egg Hunt at The Farm at Woodsong Hollow 

Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 2:00 pm

Here is an invitation to the littlest ones of our Church family. Joy and Joe Zuzel are hosting a large Easter Egg hunt at their farm (126 Grayville Road, Amston, CT) on Saturday, April 20th at 2:00 p.m. It's free, but Joy and Joe ask you to please R.S.V.P through the facebook site for The Farm at Woodsong Hollow or directly to Joy Zuzel at [email protected] . Parking is available across the street at Grayville Park. Join us as we celebrate Easter!



Mission Trip to Puerto Rico

 O ur Mission Team headed off to Puerto Rico early on Sunday morning. A picture taken a little after 3 a.m. that morning is below. 

Pastor Denise sent them off with this prayer: 

Holy God,

go this day with each person around this circle.

Be with them as they travel to Puerto Rico

to be the hands, the feet, the face of Christ.

May their travels be safe.

May their hearts be open.

May their spirits be flexible and strong.

May they be your love in action

in our world, in these days.

We pray it all in the name of your son, Jesus,

the one who lived your compassionate love.

Amen.

Please pray for our team while they are working in Puerto Rico this week. Updates and photos from their experience can be found on our Gilead Church Facebook page. They will be returning on

Saturday, April 20th and will be sharing with us about their experiences in worship on Sunday, April 28th. 

Palm Sunday Brunch

 Our Men's Fellowship hosted an all Church Palm Sunday Brunch following the 10:00 a.m. worship service this past Sunday, April 14th. Special thanks to Patrick Fagan and his entire team for preparing and serving a wonderful meal!

Foodshare's 36th Annual Walk Against Hunger  

Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 8:45 am

Join us for Foodshare's Walk Against Hunger which will be taking place on Saturday, April 27th. We'll meet at the church parking lot at 8:45 a.m. to car pool together. The walk starts at 10 a.m. from Dunkin' Donuts Park (home of the Yard Goats) in Hartford. The walk is an easy 1.5 mile walk, which raises money for both Foodshare (our regional food bank) and for Hebron Interfaith Human Services (our local food bank). HIHS obtains 80% of the food it distributes from Foodshare for a fraction of the retail cost.

If you'd like to join as a walker or support one of our walkers, go to www.foodsharewalk.org and search for our team, which is "HIHS Heroes." Either join the team or select a walker to donate to. Also be sure to click on Hebron Interfaith Human Services as the benefiting agency. HIHS will receive 50% of the donation made in their name. Last year they received $2,500!

If you have any questions, please speak with Pastor Denise. 

  

AHM Youth & Family Services Drug Take Back Day 

Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 10:00 am  

AHM Youth and Family Services is hosting a free collection and safe disposal of unwanted medications on Saturday, April 29th from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at RHAM High School (85 Wall Street). Drop off your unwanted medications. Medications must be in original containers, with name crossed out. No needles or sharps will be accepted. For further information, please contact AHM Youth and Family Services at 860-228-9488.

Faith and Film Series

Friday, May 3, 2019 at 6:00 pm    

Join us on Friday, May 3rd at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall for our Faith and Film Series. We will gather for a potluck supper followed by watching and discussing the movie, "On the Basis of Sex" (PG-13). Inspired by the powerful true story of a young Ruth Bader Ginsburg, "On the Basis of Sex" depicts a then-struggling attorney and new mother facing adversity in her fight for equal rights. When Ruth takes on a ground-breaking case, she knows the outcome could alter the courts' view of gender discrimination. Stronger together, Ruth teams up with her husband, Martin Ginsburg, to fight the case that catapults her into one of the most important public figures of our time. Bring a dish to share and join us!

Favorites Tea

Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 2:00 pm

The Fellowship Committee will be hosting their annual ladies "Favorites Tea" in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, May 4th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Please bring your favorite teacup and a sweet or savory treat to share. Also, please feel free to invite your "favorite female" as your guest. There will also be a home décor, kitchen gadget and accessory swap (such as jewelry, hats, scarves, belts, purses, etc.). Please sign up on the sheet outside of the Sanctuary. If you have any questions, please contact Penny Besmond at 860-228-4282.



The Worship Center's Dedication Celebration 

  Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 4:00 pm

Rev. Mark Santostefano invites all of us to join The Worship Center for a dedication celebration of their new building on Saturday, May 4th at 4:00 p.m. The Church is located at 99 Marjorie Circle in Hebron. There will be a time of refreshments following the dedication service and Rev. Esslinger will be taking part in the dedication service.

Easter Dinners   

Thanks to everyone who helped us to collect the needed items to help bless a family with an Easter Dinner. Our Confirmation Class assembled the 52 Easter meals for Hebron Interfaith Human Services and those in need after worship this past Sunday. Bob Owens, Joe Sheehan, Tucker Haines and Stephanie Haines delivered the dinners along with potted daffodils as a message of love and hope!     

Gilead Open Golf Tournament 

Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 9:00 am

WANTED....Persons interested in having a good time for a good cause....previous experience not necessary. For the nominal entry fee of only $100.00 you will be entitled to 18 holes of golf with cart, a continental breakfast, a bag lunch, and an all you can eat prime rib and chicken marsala dinner. The date is Tuesday, May 21st at the Blackledge Country Club. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. with the Shot Gun following at 10:00 a.m. If you are not a golfer, you can support the cause with a $100.00 tee sponsorship or an individual donation of your chosen amount. Also, donations for raffle prizes would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to speak with any of the Golf Open Committee members who include Ken Cook, Harry Desruisseaux, Glen Hadley, Jack Hooker and Doug Stewart.

Spring Work Day

The Trustees would like to thank everyone who came out this past Saturday, April 13th to spruce up the Church grounds as well as do some deep cleaning inside our building.