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

01/25/2009

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

Rev, Dee’s Office Hours for the week of Feb. 1^st:

Wednesday 10:15 a.m.- 2 p.m. and Thursday 1-4 p.m.

Please note that Rev. Dee will be off on Monday, Feb. 2^nd, and Friday, Feb. 6^th.

Office Administrator’s Hours:

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

Prayers for Healing: Merrilyn H., David, Adele, Walter N., Mary Ann, Ed. S., Marion D.,Wally R., Maryanne D., Norma, Linda C., Gene D., Frank, Priscilla, Rebecca, Diane, Celeste, Barbara C., Ellen, Donna O., Ruth, Myrna, Nancy M., Colin Q., Heather, Marilynn, Kathleen, and Anne

Prayers for Presence: The Families of Bill Schaffer, the Families of Elsie Gorton, the Families of Bertha Pease, Marian and Len Cawrse, Inez, for our church school, all teachers, for our country’s new leaders, and for those leaving office, for our troops wherever they are stationed, for our world neighbors in their various needs, for those in our own lives who face new challenges, and for the people and leaders of Israel and Palestine.

Prayers for those in the Military: Michael Alderman, Capt. David Moran, Lance Corporals Rachel Lacroix Keefe, and Matthew Keefe.

THANK YOU

. . .you for gracing us with your presence

. . .to Ushers/Greeters,

. . .to Lay Reader, Laurie Mase

. . .to our dedicated Sr. Choir

. . .to the Jr. Choir and their leaders, Bill Bray and Audrey Pierce,

. . .to Nursery Coordinator, Flannery Wiemer

. . .to Christian Ed/Church School/Youth for hosting coffee hour

. . .Flower Chair, Terry Vogel at (413) 203-1742 or at

foghollowfarm@charter.net

FLOWERS this morning are given by Kate Miller Carl in loving memory of Lewis Miller.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DEACONS’ EMERGENCY FUND: Envelopes are placed in the pews on Communion Sunday, usually the first Sunday of the month. This fund is administered according to the discretion of Rev. Dee and the Diaconate and is used to purchase vouchers to assist those who need emergency assistance. Please consider making a donation.

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY: The Youth Group invites you to enjoy a cup of homemade soup during Coffee Hour today, as they accept monetary donations for the Souper Bowl of Caring, a nationwide youth event on Super Bowl Sunday. All of your contributions will go directly to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts to help feed those in need. Thank you for supporting our winning team!

COMMISSIONING SUNDAY: If you were elected to serve on a church board or committee for 2009, or are currently serving the church in an elected capacity, please make a special effort to attend worship on February 22^nd , so that the congregation may recognize and covenant with our new leaders and church officers.

BIG Y STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM: Beverly Ruszala is the person to see if you need Big Y gift cards. She will receive your orders and distribute the 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” which Beverly checks each week.

OFFERING ENVELOPES: Offering envelopes are available downstairs in the Old Sunday School Room. If you made a formal pledge to the church for 2009, a box of envelopes with your name is available. If you have not made a pledge yet for 2009, but plan to give, you are invited to pick up one of the unlabeled boxes for your giving. Thank you.

ANNUAL STATEMENTS: 2008 Statements of giving are available at Coffee Hour. Please help to defray postage costs by picking up your statement.

WE NEED YOUR PALMS! “Sunday’s palms are Wednesday’s ashes”, so the hymn goes…You are invited to bring any palm branches that you may have at home from last year and place them in the designated basket in the Old Sunday School Room. They will be burned to make the ashes for the Ash Wednesday service. Please remember to bring your palms to church by Sunday, February 22^nd. Thank you!

FROM THE PASTOR’S BOOKSHELF: Recommended reading for Lent: Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter is a collection of readings and devotions by some of our most celebrated Christian writers. From the back of the book: “Containing selections grouped around such themes as temptation, crucifixion, resurrection, and new life, Bread and Wine can be dipped into at leisure or used as a guide to daily devotions and returned to any time of the year for spiritual revitalization.” A limited number of copies of the book are available in the church office. Cost is $12.00. Please make check payable to Rev. Dee.

THE BROWN BAGGERS: The “Brown Baggers” will resume on Feb. 26^th, with a new discussion on prayer. See upcoming Cornerstone newsletter or bulletin board for details. A sign-up sheet is available in the Parish Hall. Books are available now in the church office. Cost for book is $15. See Rev. Dee for details.

LIVING THE QUESTIONS STUDY GROUP: The first class will meet next Sunday, Feb. 8^th, from 1-2:30 p.m. While there is no fee for the course, a suggested donation of $10. would be welcome to off-set the cost of the curriculum, if you have never participated in a Living the Questions study. Please make check payable to Rev. Dee. A sign-up sheet is available in the Parish Hall. A schedule of classes will be distributed at our first meeting.

GOD IN LITERATURE: We will be discussing the bestseller, The Shack, as the God In Literature book selection on Feb. 17^th, at Dorothy Forster’s home. We will meet at 6:30 p.m. for a potluck and discussion. Please bring a dish to share. Also, there are Shack study guides available on the table in the narthex. Please take one and bring it with you to the discussion. Please R.S.V.P. to church office, 527-1173, if you can come.

NURSERY: Please welcome Adam Federman who will be assisting in the Nursery during the coming year. If there are any adult (18+) volunteers who would like to assist Adam, please contact Flannery Wiemer at flannery@knfwiemer.net or at (413) 222-3660

PARENTS PLEASE NOTE: There are children’s bulletins and Bible activities available on the table in the narthex area (outside the sanctuary) for your children to participate in the weekly Bible lesson during worship. Please be sure to pick one up! Also, a take home family devotion book called, “This Season at Home” is available for our families on the tables both downstairs and upstairs. This guidebook has activities for families to enrich their spiritual lives. Please take a copy. EPIPHANY MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE DOWNSTAIRS —PLEASE TAKE A COPY FOR YOUR CHILD(REN) AND FAMILY.

YOUTH CHOIR: Calling all singers over 8 years of age! Come, sing a new song! No experience necessary. Directed by Kathy Marks, Bill Bray, Nancy Hughes, and Audrey Pierce.

Youth Choir Schedule (All practices meet at church from 5:00-5:30 pm)

Rehearsals on January 22^nd and 29^th Sing on February lst

Rehearsals on March 5^th and 12^thSing on March 15^th

Rehearsals on March 26^th and April 2^nd Sing on April 5^th

Rehearse on April 9^th Sing on April 12^th

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 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.

		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 01/25/2009 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 Rev, Dee’s Office Hours for the week of Feb. 1^st: Wednesday 10:15 a.m.- 2 p.m. and Thursday 1-4 p.m. Please note that Rev. Dee will be off on Monday, Feb. 2^nd, and Friday, Feb. 6^th. Office Administrator’s Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Prayers for Healing: Merrilyn H., David, Adele, Walter N., Mary Ann, Ed. S., Marion D.,Wally R., Maryanne D., Norma, Linda C., Gene D., Frank, Priscilla, Rebecca, Diane, Celeste, Barbara C., Ellen, Donna O., Ruth, Myrna, Nancy M., Colin Q., Heather, Marilynn, Kathleen, and Anne Prayers for Presence: The Families of Bill Schaffer, the Families of Elsie Gorton, the Families of Bertha Pease, Marian and Len Cawrse, Inez, for our church school, all teachers, for our country’s new leaders, and for those leaving office, for our troops wherever they are stationed, for our world neighbors in their various needs, for those in our own lives who face new challenges, and for the people and leaders of Israel and Palestine. Prayers for those in the Military: Michael Alderman, Capt. David Moran, Lance Corporals Rachel Lacroix Keefe, and Matthew Keefe. THANK YOU . . .you for gracing us with your presence . . .to Ushers/Greeters, . . .to Lay Reader, Laurie Mase . . .to our dedicated Sr. Choir . . .to the Jr. Choir and their leaders, Bill Bray and Audrey Pierce, . . .to Nursery Coordinator, Flannery Wiemer . . .to Christian Ed/Church School/Youth for hosting coffee hour . . .Flower Chair, Terry Vogel at (413) 203-1742 or at foghollowfarm@charter.net FLOWERS this morning are given by Kate Miller Carl in loving memory of Lewis Miller. ANNOUNCEMENTS DEACONS’ EMERGENCY FUND: Envelopes are placed in the pews on Communion Sunday, usually the first Sunday of the month. This fund is administered according to the discretion of Rev. Dee and the Diaconate and is used to purchase vouchers to assist those who need emergency assistance. Please consider making a donation. SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY: The Youth Group invites you to enjoy a cup of homemade soup during Coffee Hour today, as they accept monetary donations for the Souper Bowl of Caring, a nationwide youth event on Super Bowl Sunday. All of your contributions will go directly to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts to help feed those in need. Thank you for supporting our winning team! COMMISSIONING SUNDAY: If you were elected to serve on a church board or committee for 2009, or are currently serving the church in an elected capacity, please make a special effort to attend worship on February 22^nd , so that the congregation may recognize and covenant with our new leaders and church officers. BIG Y STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM: Beverly Ruszala is the person to see if you need Big Y gift cards. She will receive your orders and distribute the 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” which Beverly checks each week. OFFERING ENVELOPES: Offering envelopes are available downstairs in the Old Sunday School Room. If you made a formal pledge to the church for 2009, a box of envelopes with your name is available. If you have not made a pledge yet for 2009, but plan to give, you are invited to pick up one of the unlabeled boxes for your giving. Thank you. ANNUAL STATEMENTS: 2008 Statements of giving are available at Coffee Hour. Please help to defray postage costs by picking up your statement. WE NEED YOUR PALMS! “Sunday’s palms are Wednesday’s ashes”, so the hymn goes…You are invited to bring any palm branches that you may have at home from last year and place them in the designated basket in the Old Sunday School Room. They will be burned to make the ashes for the Ash Wednesday service. *Please remember to bring your palms to church by Sunday, February 22^nd.* Thank you! FROM THE PASTOR’S BOOKSHELF: Recommended reading for Lent: Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter is a collection of readings and devotions by some of our most celebrated Christian writers. From the back of the book: “Containing selections grouped around such themes as temptation, crucifixion, resurrection, and new life, Bread and Wine can be dipped into at leisure or used as a guide to daily devotions and returned to any time of the year for spiritual revitalization.” A limited number of copies of the book are available in the church office. Cost is $12.00. Please make check payable to Rev. Dee. THE BROWN BAGGERS: The “Brown Baggers” will resume on Feb. 26^th, with a new discussion on prayer. See upcoming Cornerstone newsletter or bulletin board for details. A sign-up sheet is available in the Parish Hall. Books are available now in the church office. Cost for book is $15. See Rev. Dee for details. LIVING THE QUESTIONS STUDY GROUP: The first class will meet next Sunday, Feb. 8^th, from 1-2:30 p.m. While there is no fee for the course, a suggested donation of $10. would be welcome to off-set the cost of the curriculum, if you have never participated in a Living the Questions study. Please make check payable to Rev. Dee. A sign-up sheet is available in the Parish Hall. A schedule of classes will be distributed at our first meeting. GOD IN LITERATURE: We will be discussing the bestseller, The Shack, as the God In Literature book selection on Feb. 17^th, at Dorothy Forster’s home. We will meet at 6:30 p.m. for a potluck and discussion. Please bring a dish to share. Also, there are Shack study guides available on the table in the narthex. Please take one and bring it with you to the discussion. Please R.S.V.P. to church office, 527-1173, if you can come. NURSERY: Please welcome Adam Federman who will be assisting in the Nursery during the coming year. If there are any adult (18+) volunteers who would like to assist Adam, please contact Flannery Wiemer at flannery@knfwiemer.net or at (413) 222-3660 PARENTS PLEASE NOTE: There are children’s bulletins and Bible activities available on the table in the narthex area (outside the sanctuary) for your children to participate in the weekly Bible lesson during worship. Please be sure to pick one up! Also, a take home family devotion book called, “This Season at Home” is available for our families on the tables both downstairs and upstairs. This guidebook has activities for families to enrich their spiritual lives. Please take a copy. *EPIPHANY MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE DOWNSTAIRS —PLEASE TAKE A COPY FOR YOUR CHILD(REN) AND FAMILY.* YOUTH CHOIR: Calling all singers over 8 years of age! Come, sing a new song! No experience necessary. Directed by Kathy Marks, Bill Bray, Nancy Hughes, and Audrey Pierce. Youth Choir Schedule (All practices meet at church from 5:00-5:30 pm) Rehearsals on January 22^nd and 29^th Sing on February lst Rehearsals on March 5^th and 12^thSing on March 15^th Rehearsals on March 26^th and April 2^nd Sing on April 5^th Rehearse on April 9^th Sing on April 12^th 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 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.