Second Sunday of Easter Worship Service 8:00 a.m., Walker Chapel Worship Service 10:00 a.m., Meetinghouse The Rev. Suzanne Personette preaching
Readings: The First Letter of Paul to Timothy 1:12-17
The Gospel According to Luke 15:1-7 | Christ is Risen!
Christ is Risen, Indeed!
Alleluia! Hi, ya, Beloved! I hope you’re still flying high from Resurrection Day! It’s true that the Sunday after Easter is usually a bit of the church coming down from its high. We have mountaintop moments, but most of our life is lived in the valley - where we can still access Easter joy! Usually, when I begin with a church, I like to share a bit of my life and faith story, but Palm Sunday and Easter far eclipsed my own life, lol! I believe you have a right to know a little about my journey, and I think this Sunday is an appropriate time to share. The Choirs have a Sunday off. Katie Jones, our Director of Vocal Choirs, will sing the inviting Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling. I’ll have a time with our youth before they leave for Sunday School - where, Julia Novaco, Christian Education Director, says they will experience the wonder of Jesus’ appearance (John 21:1-14). In worship, our scripture lesson will be Luke 15:1-7, The Parable of the Lost Sheep, and the Message title, Church of the Second Chance. We’ll sing Amazing Grace, and Easter hymns, Thine is the Glory, and Because He Lives. Take a Vet Fishing will host our coffee hours in April. Thank you, TAVF! Rev. Theresa Borchetta tells me our Youth Group will have a coffeehouse this Sunday at 6pm in Pilgrim Hall and they’ll have discussions of life and spirituality as related to teens. I once was lost…. But, now I’m found - at least I pray so! See you believers at 8a and 10a this April 8. To Second (and Third, Fourth, Fifth, etc.) Chances, Rev. Suz, Interim Senior Minister
Office Hours: T-Th 9am-3pm (or 1p-3p visits) if evening mtg., 3pm-9pm
revsuz@hotmail.com; church (203) 488-7201, ext. 107; cell (860) 304-1054 | Spring Fling Sale To welcome our spring season, we will have a Spring Fling sale in Pilgrim Hall on April 29 and May 6 after the 8a.m. and 10a.m. services. Plants from Vaiuso Farms can be pre-ordered and we will offer homemade fudge and handcrafted items for Mother's Day. Please plan to join in on the spring celebration! Do your Mother's Day shopping with us! Make sure you return your payment and order form to the church office by April 29th | Sisters in the Spirit Wednesday, May 9th 6:00-8:00 in Pilgrim Hall It is time, past time, for another evening for some of us to gather as women of faith for a meal and conversation with a sister whose faith journey is inspiring. Perhaps a little different than ours – or perhaps not, since we and our guest are all Christians worshipping the same God. Our guest, Patty Neulsen, describes herself as a Catholic from head to toe, yet her journey has led her to worshipping with the Shalom UCC church in New Haven, drawn by its mission in social justice and moving liturgies. Now that is sort of a switch, since we have been meeting with women of other faiths. But Patty, educated at Albertus Magnus College and Yale Divinity School, influenced by liberation theology, serving as Director of Development for the New Haven/Leon (Nicaragua) Sister City Project, inspired by the Church’s recent martyrs, continues to grow in her commitment and service to “the least of these” within the Christian tradition albeit in different expressions of it. Come share a meal and our faith stories. Save the date and sign up after worship or by calling the church office (203-488-7201). | Easter Lilies - April 1, 2018 In Loving Memory/Honor of Given By
John Wm. & Florence Kelsey Barron The Barringham Family
Harold S. & Lillian Barron Barringham The Barringham Family
Alice Barron Donadio & Ruth Barron McHenry The Barringham Family
In Memory of Gerty Larocque & In Honor of Joe Larocque The Barringham Family
Catherine Beccia Bud & Nancy Beccia
Lucerna Bocciarelli Lou Bocciarelli
Peter E. Boynton Peter & Betsy Boynton
Lois Boynton Peter & Betsy Boynton
Ethna & Carl Lendroth & Robert J. Shields Peter & Betsy Boynton
Loved Ones Colley Family
Victor Gonzalez Theresa & Nicholas Colombo
Jacob Ohanesian Holly Ohanesian Coulter
Elizabeth Yagoobian Holly Ohanesian Coulter
Molly Coulter Holly Ohanesian Coulter
Vicki Dormer Frank, Chris, Sam & Max
William Tuttle & Mary Millett Rowena Gatta
Lucas Anderson Giordano Mike, Jan, Amanda & Chris Giordano
Jean Harrison Russell Mike, Jan, Amanda & Chris Giordano
Stanley & Josephine Porter & George Gundersen Mary Gundersen
Justine Collingwood-Brown Her Loving Family
Barbara M. Collingwood Her Loving Family
Addington & Betty Smith daughter, Carol Hoadley
Lucy Nesta Nancy Johnson
Craig Nelson Peggy Keck
Mom & Dad Love the Kelley Family
Cathleen Mooney Grantland Jennifer McCaughtry
Jean Koistinen Ron & Sue Miller
Edward Ochman Priscilla, Natalie & Chelsea
Vanessa Lynae Ochman Dad, Mom, Natalie & Chelsea
Mr & Mrs Donald Lane The Ochman family
Larry O’Keefe Barbara & Family
Katy Melillo Barbara O’Keefe
Roy Chaplin & Jack Marchesseault Paul & Linda
Marjorie Parks Tim Parks
Glenn Personette, Patricia Peterkin Revs. Suzanne Personette & Ken Peterkin
The First Congregational Church of Branford Revs. Suzanne Personette & Ken Peterkin
All Our Loved Ones Lynn & Mac Plant
Edward & Corinne Reif Barb & Dave Reif
John & Magee Fenn Barb & Dave Reif
Our Parents Alice & Russ Reutenauer
Dr. & Mrs. Anthony J. Russo, Kyle Dr. Peter Russo
Sandra Lane Mrs. A. G. Spring Jr.
The Lauer & Spring Families Mrs. A. G. Spring Jr.
Nancy & Jim Susan PT
Gertrude Larocque Your Joe & Children
Lucerna Bocciarelli, Hugh Buchanan, Bunny & Dave Driessens,
Earl Lind, Louraine Mason, Kate Melillo, Hilde Patterson,
Jane Paulk & Anne Plant Adult Bell Choir | 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. | Lead Deacon The Lead Deacon for the Month of April is Jeff Buggee.
Jeff can be reached via phone: 203-415-6322 or
email at j.buggee@sbcglobal.net. | For Our Prayers This Week We give thanks that......
Our community came together to journey into Eastertide
CHRIST IS RISEN! We pray that.....
Teachers in several states who are demanding higher wages and better classroom resources
The youth of America in their commitment to make a difference
Jim Bolan feels the embrace of God and the community We grieve with…..
All who are feeling loss of loved ones Ongoing prayers for…
Betsy & Peter Boynton, Daria Carlson, Edward DeFrancesco, John Paul Dineen, Dormer Family, Eleanor Eadie (Emily Fielding’s sister), Rowena Gatta, 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), Frank Malinconico, Ethel Marchesseault (Linda’s mother), Joe Mele (Jen McCaughtry’s uncle), Maria & Adam Melillo, Mary, Kirsten & Rosabelle (Sharon Reynolds’ niece and family), Barbara Mehring, 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, Johnny Vaccino (Julie & Keith Shadman’s nephew), and Janet Young. | Sunday, April 8
8:00 am Worship Service Walker Chapel
10:00 am Worship Service Meetinghouse
10:40 am Chime Rehearsal Room 25
11:00 am Youth Choir Rehearsal Music Room
11:15 am Music Board Meeting Room 25
12:00 pm BHS Cast Party Pilgrim Hall
6:00 pm High School Youth Group Pine Room & APR Monday, April 9
9:00 am CDC – Kidscapades Pilgrim Hall
10:00 am Branford Transition Program All Purpose Room
6:00 pm CDC – School Readiness Program Pilgrim Hall
7:00 pm Stewardship Board Meeting Room 25 Tuesday, April 10
9:30 am CDC – Music Pilgrim Hall
12:00 pm Staff Meeting Russel Room
4:30 pm Youth Bells Sanctuary
5:15 pm Family Group Night Pilgrim Hall
7:00 pm Mission Board Meeting All Purpose Room
7:00 pm Diaconate Board Meeting Russel Room
7:00 pm Adult Bell Rehearsal Sanctuary Wednesday, April 11
8:30 am WIC All Purpose Room
11:00 am Evergreen Woods Bible Study Evergreen Woods Thursday, April 12
8:30 am WIC All Purpose Room
10:00 am Knitting, Purling, Praying Russel Room
10:30 am CDC – Happy Feet Pilgrim Hall
7:00 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary Friday, April 13
10:00 am Branford Transition Program All Purpose Room Saturday, April 14
11:00 am Smile Anyway Meeting All Purpose Room
8:00 pm Branford Folk Music Society Pilgrim Hall Sunday, April 15
8:00 am Worship Service Walker Chapel
10:00 am Worship Service Meetinghouse
10:40 am Chime Rehearsal Room 25
11:00 am Youth Choir Rehearsal Music Room
11:30 am Inquirers Class Russel Room | 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 | |
