Trinity Sunday Worship Service 8:00 a.m., Walker Chapel Worship Service 10:00 a.m., Meetinghouse The Rev. Susan Power Trucksess preaching
Readings: Deuteronomy 10:12-13, 17-21
Psalm 72:1-4, 12-14
I Corinthians 15:1-3, 13 | Reminder that Sunday May 27th is the fresh salad collection for the Branford Community Dining Room | Reminder! The church office will be closed on Monday, May 28th in observance of Memorial Day. | Ponderings….Memorials and the Royal Wedding
Memorial Day is complicated. As a national holiday, it reminds us to remember the thousands upon thousands who have served our nation in wartime and especially all the men and women who gave up their lives in service of our country (and that is still happening). On the other hand, for many Americans the fourth Monday of May portends the coming of summer with BBQs, vacations beginning, flags and parades and all kinds of good things. This coming long weekend holds time and space for both mourning and looking forward to celebrating abundant life (at least for some of us). For me, Memorial Day has a lovely memory and additional special meaning. Indeed, my children wouldn’t even be in existence if their paternal grandfather hadn’t met their maternal grandmother back in 1930 while they were both decorating the graves of fallen soldiers. It was a practice common in those days - both patriotic and social – and in the Trucksess case it led to young love, soon to marriage and the birthing of my husband Jim, and consequently to more delights and blessings. And who doesn’t love love? Like many of you, no doubt, I checked out the recent wedding between Harry and Meghan. I spent an hour or so before the TV, but what interested me most was not the dress, the kiss, the gospel choir, the pageantry, the hats on the guests, or the celebrities who were there – although those details were quite interesting. What riveted me were the words of Bishop Michael Curry, the African-American head of the Episcopal Church of America –words about love - his own words and those he cited from Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Bible (I Corinthian 15, in particular). I’ve been thinking about Memorial Day and what men and women are willing to die for, what our nation stands for (or doesn’t), and where we are today (is it where we as spiritual peoples and followers of Jesus want to be?). And how are we going to go forward- faithfully and righteously? Are these political questions not to be raised in worship – or are they questions of faith? And what’s love got to do with it (“it” being justice and righteousness)? Memorials and weddings. They go together somehow in the greater scheme of things. I hope to see you on Sunday for worship at 8 or 10 as we explore these connections. And then we can celebrate whatever else the days hold.
Peace, Susan PT
Susan Power Trucksess, Associate Minister | Life Among the Believers Two congregational gatherings to share the results from the small groups June 3: 11:30am, Pilgrim Hall; June 10: 11:30am, Pilgrim Hall (Childcare will be available.) If you haven't yet read the Situational Support Consultation report that was done in the Fall 2017, please contact Julia in the church office for a copy, or she can email the report to you. The report may assist us in our Life Among the Believers congregational meetings after worship on June 3 and 10. | Children's Sunday June 3rd The children of our congregation love to serve others. Whether it be cooking a meal and serving the guests, collecting turkeys and baskets for the Branford Food Pantry, serving snack to each other during Sunday school or serving communion to each other in the chapel. It makes them so happy and proud to do something for someone else. The children LOVE Children’s Sunday. It gives them the opportunity to serve the congregation by sharing God’s word and music with all of you. That’s why it’s so important for you to attend the 10am service on June 3rd. We will have Jersey Mike’s Subs for everyone immediately following the 10am service. Follow us into Pilgrim Hall, grab a sandwich for lunch then join Rev. Suzanne for the Life Among the Believer’s large group gathering at 11:30am in the same spot! Please Join us on Sunday, June 3rd at 10am for the Children’s Sunday service. | Summer’s Coming - Ride Easy At last year’s Christmas Fair, the church ran a raffle for an electric bicycle, valued at over $2,000. The Fair Committee made a profit on those sales. Now there’s a bonus. The winner, Bob Criscuolo, who during his life was a great friend of the church, donated the bike back to us for further fund-raising. Church Council has decided to auction off the bike, with first shot going to those receiving the e-spire. Bidding will stay open for two weeks. Highest bid over $1,000 wins. If there’s no successful bidder, we will advertise more broadly, so this is your chance to be on the inside. The bike runs on both a battery (which you can recharge at home) and good old leg power, so you can vary your workout depending on terrain or how you’re feeling that day. It’s a great way to get some exercise and fresh air while you’re running errands or just getting outside. At this price, it’s a can’t miss. You can see the bike in the church office during normal office hours. Bids can be sent to Julia by email (no phone calls or drop-ins – just email bidding). You can check with her – again by email only – as to the highest bid. Julia’s email address is julia@firstcongregationalchurchbranford.org Sorry if this process is a little cumbersome, but we want to be sure that there’s no miscommunication. Good luck and have fun with your new bike. | 2018 Nature Programs on Killam's Point In cooperation with the Branford Land Trust, our church will host four events open to the public giving all who attend the opportunity to enjoy the Point and to learn about how we interact with nature. Space is limited so to register for attendance, please call 203 747- 4184. June 7, 7:00 pm. Protect Our Valuable Neighbors, Horseshoe Crabs Martha Rice will describe the work being done with horseshoe crabs to learn how to protect the species and the research project of Sacred Heart University. Tag a crab and marvel at its complexity. | Attention The Green Committee has asked the town churches to please remind their groups and members that there is NO PARKING on the town grass located anywhere in the center of town, including behind the Baptist church on the All Purpose Room side. | Does anyone have a working electric typewriter they would be willing to donate to the church receptionists? Please call the church office if you have one. | Can you help the Hospitality Committee? Even if you don’t serve coffee/tea on Sunday or bake the cookies, you can greatly help – buy a $25 Shop Rite gift card to donate to the Committee. This money would buy milk, drinks for the kids, and possibly snacks. Here’s another win-win situation. You are not only giving needed support to Hospitality but buying the gift card helps support the church. Just ask Julia or the members who sell on Sunday to give to the appropriate people. Thank you for your support. | For Our Prayers This Week We give thanks for......
The men and women of our armed forces who served to protect our nation’s freedom
The winds of change brought forth through Pentecost We pray for.....
Clarity, discernment, and growth coming from the Life Among the Believers gatherings
Those suffering from the disastrous effects of winds and tornadoes in the Northeast
An end to the violence in the Gaza Strip
Meaningful results from the Poor People’s Campaign across the United States We grieve with…..
The family of Bill Gassman who died on May 13th
Those killed and wounded in conflicts around the world Ongoing prayers for…
Jody Personette & Ray Gosciniak (Rev. Suz’s mother & husband), Rick Barker, Jeff Buggee, Walter Woods (John’s brother), Jim Bolan, Betsy & Peter Boynton, Rick Buggee, Daria Carlson, Edward DeFrancesco, John Paul Dineen, Dormer Family, Eleanor Eadie (Emily Fielding’s sister), Robert & Margaret Gehm (parents of Nancy Gehm), Mary Gundersen (Lynda Barker’s mother), Martha Hickman (Lil Sakai’s mom), Alison Hobbie (Betsy Gay’s daughter), John D. Kelly (Mindy Yester’s brother), Frank Malinconico, Ethel Marchesseault (Linda’s mother), Mary, Kirsten & Rosabelle (Sharon Reynolds’ niece and family), Rose & Tom Moore (mother & brother of Sharon Reynolds), Sylvia O’Brien, Debbie Pearl (friend of Lil Sakai), Lincoln Shaw (Frank Shaw’s brother), George Spear, Lou Wells, and Janet Young. | Church Calendar Sunday, May 27 – Fresh Salad Collection
8:00 am Worship Service Walker Chapel
10:00 am Worship Service Meetinghouse
11:00 am Youth Choir Rehearsal Music Room Monday, May 28
Church office closed for Memorial Day Tuesday, May 29
10:00 am Staff Meeting Russel Room
4:30 pm Youth Bell Rehearsal Sanctuary Wednesday, May 30
10:00 am CDC – CrossFit Pilgrim Hall
11:00 am Evergreen Woods Bible Study Evergreen Woods Thursday, May 31
10:30 am CDC – Happy Feet Pilgrim Hall Friday, June 1
10:00 am Branford Transition Program All Purpose Room Saturday, June 2 Sunday, June 3 – Communion
8:00 am Worship Service Walker Chapel
9:00 am Christian Education Board Meeting Russel Room
10:00 am Worship Service/Children’s Sunday Meetinghouse
11:30 am Life Among the Believers Large Group Pilgrim Hall
1:00 pm Killam’s Point Day Camp Open House Killam’s Point
2:00 pm High School Youth Group Starbucks
6:00 pm Mandatory Mission Trip Meeting Pilgrim Hall/Sunday School Hallway | Sanctuary Flowers The 2018 Sanctuary Flower chart has now been placed on the bulletin board where the board minutes used to be located, outside of the Russel Room. Please come and fill in the dates! A $35 donation to the flower fund is suggested. | Check Out The Church Facebook Page This is a public page for everyone to be able to see everything going on at OUR church. Please be reminded that this page is open to the public and therefore no pictures should be shared of children unless the parents are asked specifically. The FCCB Youth Ministries CLOSED GROUP is where pictures including children can be posted. Click the link below to be brought right to the page and like it! And be sure to share with your friends. https://www.facebook.com/FirstCongregationalBranford/ | Amazon Smiles Donations PLEASE shop at smile.amazon.com, and First Congregational Church can receive donations from AmazonSmile. StartWithaSmile at smile.amazon.com/ch/06-6042800 for your purchases and Amazon donates to First Congregational Church. | Information Regarding The eSpire • The deadline for an article to be published in the weekly e-spire is 12pm on Tuesdays.
• There is no longer a monthly paper spire. Those who have requested a paper copy now receive a copy of the weekly e-spire in the mail.
• The e-spire is only mailed out weekly if it can be done in a timely fashion. | Are You Connected? Make sure you get all emails and updates from First Congregational Church. It’s easy and automatic to sign up for our email list – just go to www.firstcongregationalbranford.org and there is a sign-up form. Don’t miss another issue! The eSpire is now available on our website at http://www.firstcongregationalbranford.org/newsletters.html | Grocery Cards Grocery cards are on sale Sundays after service or in the church office,
Monday-Thursday 9:00-3:00 pm. Big Y Stop and Shop Shop Rite | |
