First Congregational Church of Southampton

First Congregational Church of Southampton
United Church of Christ
212 College Highway, P.O. Box 145
Southampton, MA 01073
Phone: (413) 527-1173

Weekly Update

3/09/08

www.shcong.org

Rev. Dee’s E-mail: revdee@shcong.org

Church Office E-Mail: churchoffice@shcong.org

Church Office: 527-1173

http://www.shcong.org

WEEKLY CALENDAR

Mon. 10 Confirmation Class #6, 7-8:30 p.m.

Tues. 11 Heart Walk, 10 a.m.

Jr. Choir, 4:30-5:00 p.m.

Diaconate, 7 p.m.

Wed. 12 Prayer Group, 9:15 a.m.

“Holy Rollers”, 2-4 p.m., Schaffers’ home

Sr. Choir, 6 p.m.

Community Chorus, 7 p.m.

Thurs. 13 Trustees, 7 p.m

Finance and Operations, 7 p.m.

Sat. 15 Men’s Breakfast, Easthampton Diner, 8:30 a.m.

Sat. 15 Palm Folding at the church, 10-12 noon ( Please help us to fold palms!)

Sun. 16 Palm Sunday/ Easter Egg Hunt

Thurs. 20 Maundy Thursday Service, 7:30 pm

Sun. 23 Easter Sunrise Service, 6:30 a.m. followed by pancake breakfast

Please take note that there will be no Child Care on Easter Sunday.

Thurs. April 3 Next Church Council Meeting, 7 pm

Thurs. April 10 Meeting Night at Church, 6:45 pm

Material for April Cornerstone is due by March 20th

Office Administrator’s Office Hours:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Rev. Dee’s Office hours for the week of March 9^th :

Mon 1-4

Wed. 10:15- 2 pm.

*If you wish to meet with Rev. Dee, kindly call her in advance of coming to the church, if possible, as her office schedule is subject to change to accommodate pastoral visits and emergencies. Thank you.

Members and friends in need of healing prayers

Prayers for Healing: Jocelyn, Wayne, Deb, John, Paula, Dan, Richard, Marian (at Loomis), Jim, Ron, Susan, Myrna, Sarah, Debra, Laura, Ken, Nancy M., Colin Q., Heather, Jimmy W., Marilynn, Kathleen, Anne, and Alexis

Prayers for Presence: Terry Vogel and husband David Theriault, the Huntley Family and Bertha Pease, the Sears Family, the Miller Family, the Champagne-Superneau Family, the Versace Family, Inez, for our country’s leaders, for our troops wherever they are stationed, for our world neighbors in their various needs, and for our confirmands

Prayers for those in the Military: Capt. David Moran, Rachel Lacroix, Eric

If you have a prayer concern, please notify Rev. Dee. Please let her know if the concern is confidential. Confidential concerns will not be shared at Prayer Group or in public worship.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SPECIAL THANKS: A very special thank you to Diaconate member, Gene Duncan, for creating the lovely hand-crafted bible stand which now holds our pulpit bible!

FROM OUR CHURCH SCHOOL: Each year the Sunday School children take on a mission project. In the past, they have helped build a house with the help of Habitat for Humanity, they have helped a village become more self sufficient with the help of Heifer Project International, and they have given poor kids the chance to enjoy fresh grow vegetables, with the help of Interval Farm in Westhampton. This year they will again be donating to working with Heifer Project International. HPI is a Christian based charity that helps poor families become more self sufficient, buy supplying them with animals and they educating them on how to raise the animals, the receiving families are they asked to give an offspring of their gift to another family, thus sharing the gift they have been given. The children are also going to be making up school kits to be distributed to children in need thru Church World Service.

The goal the kids have set is $1000, this will be divided equally amongst the two projects. Your help in reaching this goal is greatly appreciated; there are banks in the Parish hall, and a deposit station in the old Sunday school room (look for the red barn) Thank you for supporting our project and we will keep you posted about our progress.

EASTER FLOWERS: Lilies or tulips for the Easter service may be ordered on the enclosed order form and placed in the collection plate, or mailed to the church together with payment by Palm Sunday, March 16^th. Proceeds will be donated to the Deacon’s Emergency & Sunshine Funds. Thank you for helping us to adorn our sanctuary in celebration of Christ’s resurrection!

TAIZE SERVICE: At Immaculate Conception Church, 33 Adams St., Easthampton, on Tuesday of Holy Week, March 18, 7 p.m. “Please join us in the traditional ecumenical Lenten service of readings, singing, and silence. You will leave invigorated and restored by this candlelit, one-hour service. Matt Alcombright, choir director; E. Lary Grossman, organist.” For more information, please call 527-9778.

PRAYERS TO CARRY TO THE WESTERN WALL: Rev. Dee is collecting prayers to take to the Western Wall (the last remnant of the Jerusalem Temple which Jesus knew) when she travels to the Holy Land, beginning on March 24^th. Please deposit your written prayers in

the designated box at the front of the sanctuary, give them to Rev. Dee directly or send via e-mail at revdee@shcong.org before Easter Sunday.

SHELTER NEWS: The next shelter meal sponsored by our church will be on Saturday, March 29^th. David Jacque and the Missions Committee will be leading a team. Please contact David at 527-9292, if you would like to assist in any way.

LENTEN SERIES: You are invited to join a Lenten Book discussion on “The Last Week” by Borg and Crossan. The fifth and final class will be March 16th at 1:30 p.m. Please read final chapters. You may join in the discussion at any point, even if you haven’t yet gotten the book! Also, we are watching a devotional series, called NOOMA as part of the class. Each class focuses on a different “theme.” Join us for lively conversation and discovery. There are presently seven people participating, including Rev. Dee

PLEDGE ENVELOPES are available on the bench in the Old Sunday School room.

OPERATION SOLDIERS: The TRIAD S.A.L.T. Council of Southampton is collecting for our soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Items will be picked up weekly by a committee member for packing and shipping. There is a collection box in the Parish Hall if you care to make donations. Please note carefully the suggestions written on the box. These are approved items for shipping. Thank you.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR COFFEE HOUR HOSTS: Please make sure that coffee hour refreshments do not contain any form of peanuts or peanut products! Any contact (even when not consumed) can trigger serious health danger for some in our congregation.

FLOWERS: Terry Vogel is our new flower coordinator for 2008. She may be reached at (413) 203-1742, and at foghollowfarm@charter.net Please let Terry know if you would like to donate your flowers to those who may be shut in, hospitalized, or in need of a cheerful pick-me-up. The Flower Sign-Up clip board is hanging on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall.

BIG Y STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM: Beverly Ruszala is the person to see if you are in need of Big Y Gift Cards. She will receive your orders and distribute gift cards during coffee hour, at a designated table. Order forms (available on the table in the Old Sunday School Room or online) may also be placed in the “Green Box.” Beverly checks the box each week.

TREASURER’S REPORT for February: Total Revenues $8,199

Total Expenses 8,764

Feb. Deficit $ 565

2/29/08 Church Operating Balance: $(692.64)

Shriner’s Aluminum Tab Collection: Rachel would like to thank everyone again for collecting the aluminum tabs. Shriners uses the money from recycling the tabs to purchase medical equipment for the hospital. Keep collecting!!!

If you no longer wish to receive this weekly update or other church news, please e-mail Rev. Dee at revdee@shcong.org and we will remove your e-mail address from the list. Also, if you change your e-mail address, please let us know if you wish to continue receiving church e-mail.

We hope you all have a pleasant and peaceful week.

		First Congregational Church of Southampton United Church of Christ 212 College Highway, P.O. Box 145 Southampton, MA 01073 Phone: (413) 527-1173
	Home Information: Our Beliefs Worship Service Christian Education Pastor Staff Youth Group Directions History Committees: Trustees Church Council Diaconate Finance and Stewardship Hospitality Missions Nominating Publications: Weekly Newsletters(Email) Cornerstone Forms(Rental,Big Y) Special Programs: Big Y Gift Cards Links: United Church of Christ(Nat'l) United Church of Christ(MA) God is Still Speaking * Opens new window	Weekly Update 3/09/08 www.shcong.org Rev. Dee’s E-mail: revdee@shcong.org Church Office E-Mail: churchoffice@shcong.org Church Office: 527-1173 http://www.shcong.org WEEKLY CALENDAR Mon. 10 Confirmation Class #6, 7-8:30 p.m. Tues. 11 Heart Walk, 10 a.m. Jr. Choir, 4:30-5:00 p.m. Diaconate, 7 p.m. Wed. 12 Prayer Group, 9:15 a.m. “Holy Rollers”, 2-4 p.m., Schaffers’ home Sr. Choir, 6 p.m. Community Chorus, 7 p.m. Thurs. 13 Trustees, 7 p.m Finance and Operations, 7 p.m. Sat. 15 Men’s Breakfast, Easthampton Diner, 8:30 a.m. Sat. 15 Palm Folding at the church, 10-12 noon ( Please help us to fold palms!) Sun. 16 Palm Sunday/ Easter Egg Hunt Thurs. 20 Maundy Thursday Service, 7:30 pm Sun. 23 Easter Sunrise Service, 6:30 a.m. followed by pancake breakfast *Please take note that there will be no Child Care on Easter Sunday.* Thurs. April 3 Next Church Council Meeting, 7 pm Thurs. April 10 Meeting Night at Church, 6:45 pm Material for April Cornerstone is due by March 20th Office Administrator’s Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Rev. Dee’s Office hours for the week of March 9^th : Mon 1-4 Wed. 10:15- 2 pm. If you wish to meet with Rev. Dee, kindly call her in advance of coming to the church, if possible, as her office schedule is subject to change to accommodate pastoral visits and emergencies. Thank you. Members and friends in need of healing prayers Prayers for Healing:* Jocelyn, Wayne, Deb, John, Paula, Dan, Richard, Marian (at Loomis), Jim, Ron, Susan, Myrna, Sarah, Debra, Laura, Ken, Nancy M., Colin Q., Heather, Jimmy W., Marilynn, Kathleen, Anne, and Alexis Prayers for Presence: Terry Vogel and husband David Theriault, the Huntley Family and Bertha Pease, the Sears Family, the Miller Family, the Champagne-Superneau Family, the Versace Family, Inez, for our country’s leaders, for our troops wherever they are stationed, for our world neighbors in their various needs, and for our confirmands Prayers for those in the Military: Capt. David Moran, Rachel Lacroix, Eric If you have a prayer concern, please notify Rev. Dee. Please let her know if the concern is confidential. Confidential concerns will not be shared at Prayer Group* or in public worship.* ANNOUNCEMENTS SPECIAL THANKS: A very special thank you to Diaconate member, Gene Duncan, for creating the lovely hand-crafted bible stand which now holds our pulpit bible! FROM OUR CHURCH SCHOOL: Each year the Sunday School children take on a mission project. In the past, they have helped build a house with the help of Habitat for Humanity, they have helped a village become more self sufficient with the help of Heifer Project International, and they have given poor kids the chance to enjoy fresh grow vegetables, with the help of Interval Farm in Westhampton. This year they will again be donating to working with Heifer Project International. HPI is a Christian based charity that helps poor families become more self sufficient, buy supplying them with animals and they educating them on how to raise the animals, the receiving families are they asked to give an offspring of their gift to another family, thus sharing the gift they have been given. The children are also going to be making up school kits to be distributed to children in need thru Church World Service. The goal the kids have set is $1000, this will be divided equally amongst the two projects. Your help in reaching this goal is greatly appreciated; there are banks in the Parish hall, and a deposit station in the old Sunday school room (look for the red barn) Thank you for supporting our project and we will keep you posted about our progress. EASTER FLOWERS: Lilies or tulips for the Easter service may be ordered on the enclosed order form and placed in the collection plate, or mailed to the church together with payment *by Palm Sunday, March 16^th.* Proceeds will be donated to the Deacon’s Emergency & Sunshine Funds. Thank you for helping us to adorn our sanctuary in celebration of Christ’s resurrection! TAIZE SERVICE: At Immaculate Conception Church, 33 Adams St., Easthampton, on Tuesday of Holy Week, March 18, 7 p.m. “Please join us in the traditional ecumenical Lenten service of readings, singing, and silence. You will leave invigorated and restored by this candlelit, one-hour service. Matt Alcombright, choir director; E. Lary Grossman, organist.” For more information, please call 527-9778. PRAYERS TO CARRY TO THE WESTERN WALL: Rev. Dee is collecting prayers to take to the Western Wall (the last remnant of the Jerusalem Temple which Jesus knew) when she travels to the Holy Land, beginning on March 24^th. Please deposit your written prayers in the designated box at the front of the sanctuary, give them to Rev. Dee directly or send via e-mail at revdee@shcong.org before Easter Sunday. SHELTER NEWS: The next shelter meal sponsored by our church will be on Saturday, March 29^th. David Jacque and the Missions Committee will be leading a team. Please contact David at 527-9292, if you would like to assist in any way. LENTEN SERIES: You are invited to join a Lenten Book discussion on “The Last Week” by Borg and Crossan. The fifth and final class will be March 16th at 1:30 p.m. Please read final chapters. You may join in the discussion at any point, even if you haven’t yet gotten the book! Also, we are watching a devotional series, called NOOMA as part of the class. Each class focuses on a different “theme.” Join us for lively conversation and discovery. There are presently seven people participating, including Rev. Dee PLEDGE ENVELOPES are available on the bench in the Old Sunday School room. OPERATION SOLDIERS: The TRIAD S.A.L.T. Council of Southampton is collecting for our soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Items will be picked up weekly by a committee member for packing and shipping. There is a collection box in the Parish Hall if you care to make donations. Please note carefully the suggestions written on the box. These are approved items for shipping. Thank you. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR COFFEE HOUR HOSTS: Please make sure that coffee hour refreshments *do not contain any form of peanuts or peanut products!* Any contact (even when not consumed) can trigger serious health danger for some in our congregation. FLOWERS: Terry Vogel is our new flower coordinator for 2008. She may be reached at (413) 203-1742, and at foghollowfarm@charter.net Please let Terry know if you would like to donate your flowers to those who may be shut in, hospitalized, or in need of a cheerful pick-me-up. The Flower Sign-Up clip board is hanging on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall. BIG Y STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM: Beverly Ruszala is the person to see if you are in need of Big Y Gift Cards. She will receive your orders and distribute gift cards during coffee hour, at a designated table. Order forms (available on the table in the Old Sunday School Room or online) may also be placed in the “Green Box.” Beverly checks the box each week. TREASURER’S REPORT for February: Total Revenues $8,199 Total Expenses 8,764 Feb. Deficit $ 565 2/29/08 Church Operating Balance: $(692.64) Shriner’s Aluminum Tab Collection: Rachel would like to thank everyone again for collecting the aluminum tabs. Shriners uses the money from recycling the tabs to purchase medical equipment for the hospital. Keep collecting!!! If you no longer wish to receive this weekly update or other church news, please e-mail Rev. Dee at revdee@shcong.org and we will remove your e-mail address from the list. Also, if you change your e-mail address, please let us know if you wish to continue receiving church e-mail. We hope you all have a pleasant and peaceful week.