WEEKLY CALENDAR

Sun. 14 Church School Registration, 9:30 a.m.

Tues. 16 Heart Walk, 10 a.m.

Wed. 17 Prayer Group, 9 a.m.

Choir/Community Chorus, 6 - 9 p.m.

Women's Missionary Society picnic at the church, 12

noon Thurs. 18 New Member Class, 7 p.m

Sat. 20 Men's Breakfast, Easthampton Diner, 8:30 a.m.

Sun. 21 Church School Registration, 9:30 a.m.

Music Committee, 11:15 a.m.

Birthday party for Bertha Pease, Parish Hall, 2-4

p.m.

LOOKING AHEAD

Sun. 28 Church School begins/Rally Day at the Duncans' home

Adult Christian Ed begins-

Living the Questions: An Invitation to Journey,

9:00-9:45 am

Food Basket Sunday

Tues. 30 G.I.L. Book Group, 7 p.m. Holes by Louis Sachar

is the first book we will be exploring.

Cornerstone Material for the October Cornerstone is due by September

20th....

Rev Dee's Office Hours for the week Sept 14:

Monday 9 - 12, Wednesday 2 - 4

Please note that Rev. Dee's office hours are subject to change. Please

call in advance.

Office Administrator's Office Hours:

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

Members and friends in need of healing prayers

Prayers for Healing: Darlene's mom, Adam, Evie, Deb, Karl, Frank G,

Wally, Gary B., Ellen C, Donna C., Donna O., Pam, Ruth, Dan, Jim, Myrna,

Debra, Nancy M., Colin Q., Heather, Marilynn, Kathleen, Anne, and Alexis

Prayers for Presence: Josie Alderman and family, the Sullivan Family,

the Enko Family and friends, Irma F., Myles McCarthy (Coast Guard

Academy), Inez, Marian and Len, all teachers, for those suffering from

recent hurricanes, for our country's leaders, for our troops wherever

they are stationed, for our world neighbors in their various needs, for

our students as they return to classes, and for our church school and

children.

Prayers for those in the Military: Capt. David Moran, Lance Corporals

Rachel Lacroix Keefe and Matthew Keefe, Michael Alderman (Iraq)

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

SUNDAY THANK YOUS

. . .to you for gracing us with your presence . . .to Acolyte, Alyssa

Hawkes . . .Ushers/Greeters, Kate Fleming and Libby Fleming . . . Tim

Huber and Diana Federman for their contributions to today's service . .

.to Missions Committee for hosting Coffee Hour . . .to our dedicated and

talented Choir and Music Director . . .to Flower Chair, Terry Vogel at

(413)203-1742 or at

foghollowfarm@charter.net <mailto:foghollowfarm@charter.net>

TODAY WE WELCOMED Mr. Andrew Gustafson as our speaker this morning.

Mr.

Gustafson has served as the Associate Conference Minister for

Stewardship and Financial Development in the Massachusetts Conference

since 2004.

Previous to being called to this position, he was a practicing attorney

with a concentration in child welfare law. Mr. Gustafson is a member of

the Townsend Congregational Church where he has served on Finance,

Diaconate, and as Moderator.

FLOWERS this morning are given by Terry, Betty, and John Vogel in

celebration of the birth of Rachael Elizabeth Theroux. Parents are Nancy

and Wayne Theroux.

IT'S CROP WALK TIME! The Missions Committee will host a sign-up table

in the Parish Hall during coffee hour, beginning today through Oct.

12th. This year's walk takes place on Oct. 19th in Chester, and raises

funds for Church World Service to fight hunger at home and abroad. Both

walkers and sponsors of walkers are needed. Stop by the table for forms

and information. Please participate in this spirit-lifting community

effort! Call Dave Jacque at 527-9292, for further details, or see any

member of Missions. Thank you.

FROM THE MUSIC COMMITTEE: The Music Committee's fundraiser toward a

baby

grand piano for the sanctuary is off to a great start! As of July 31st,

gifts totaling $1,295 have been received. $200 buys a "key." However,

any donation is most welcome! Please make checks payable to First

Congregational Church of Southampton and designate for piano. There are

envelopes in the pews. The community has responded generously, as well

as have church members. We are hoping to conclude the fundraiser by

September 30th.

CONCERT: Paula Rapalus will be playing the piano this afternoon,

Sunday, 14th, at the Holy Cross Church in Holyoke, at 3 p.m. The

concert is a benefit for the Kidney Foundation. More information can be

found downstairs on the hallway bulletin board.

NEW MEMBER CLASSES: The next meeting of the New Member classes is

scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 18th, in the church parlor. The third and

final meeting will be on Wednesday, Sept. 24th. If you are curious

about this community of faith and would like to be a participant in this

church as the body of Christ in the world, please come and learn more.

New Member Sunday will be on October 5th.

NURSERY: Volunteers are needed to cover our thriving nursery! Please

consider working as a team with someone. Also, we are looking for a

responsible, paid nursery care provider for the 2008-2009 year. This

person would need to be willing to be cori-checked and willing to commit

to providing nursery care for a majority of Sundays during worship.

Please see Rev. Dee if you are interested or know someone in our

community who may be interested.

BIRTHDAY PARTY: You are cordially invited to an open-house celebration

of

Bertha Pease's 95th birthday on Sunday, September 21st, in the Parish

Hall from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. The family requests that you please do

not bring presents, just yourself. Cards are welcomed.

FAMILY DAY: On Monday, September 22nd The Strategic Planning Initiative

for Families and Youth is collaborating with Look Park, the Northwestern

District Attorney's Office and Friendly's Ice Cream to sponsor a "A Day

to Eat Dinner with Your Children", a national movement that is helping

to support the data that kids who are eating with their families are

less likely to smoke, drink or use drugs. Look Park is waiving the

entrance fee and picnic site fees and offering free train rides between

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

There will also be free burgers, hot dogs, and ice cream. Please RSVP

to Ruth at (413) 586-9225.

ALL-CHURCH RALLY SUNDAY: On Sunday, September 28th, immediately

following the service until 3 p.m., at the home of Gene & Karen Duncan,

148 Brickyard Rd., Southampton. Games are being planned. Hotdogs,

hamburgers and drinks will be provided. A sign-up sheet is available to

sign up to bring a salad, casserole or dessert. In the event of rain,

activities will be moved to the Parish Hall.

HAMPSHIRE ASSOCIATION: Members of the Hampshire Association are invited

to attend the installation of the Rev. Eric C. Fistler, Minister of

Education, at the Edwards Church of Northampton on Sunday, September 28,

2008, at 3:00 p.m. A reception will follow.

RIDE NEEDED: Marian Cawrse and a friend at Loomis House would like to

attend worship service here once a month, beginning in September. We are

looking for someone who would be willing to offer a ride. If you are

able to assist with this, please contact Rev. Dee #413-527-1173 We have

Marian's contact info/phone in the church office.

NOTE TO COMMITTEE CHAIRS: Please return your Schedule of Events to the

office as soon as possible.

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."

DID YOU KNOW??? Bunny Huntley and Ingrid Warren have volunteered to be

co-chairs of the Church Fair in November. If anyone is interested in

assisting them in any way, please contact Ingrid at 527-4991 or Bunny at

527-4748.

TELL A FRIEND! There is an art exhibit featuring painting by Florence

Sholl in the Parish Hall. Please take a look. These beautiful

paintings were donated to the church by Florence's family. The

paintings are available for purchase, and the funds to support the

church. Thank you to everyone who has purchased a painting thus far!

TREASURER'S REPORT for August, 2008*:

Total Revenues $2,250

Total Expenses $8,252

Income for July $(6,003)

8/31/08 Church Operating Balance: $(3,111.75) *(Some pledges still need

to be deposited.)

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 Sunday flower coordinator. She may be

reached at (413) 203-1742, and at foghollowfarm@charter.net

<mailto: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.

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.