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Sunday August 19, 2018

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Worship Service 9:00 a.m., Meetinghouse

Rev. Suzanne Personette Preaching

Scripture Lessons: Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 21:42

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Summer Worship is each Sunday at 9am in the Meetinghouse through September 9.

On September 16 we return to two services, at 8am and 10am

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Life Among the Believers

Hahahahaha. After church last Sunday I took Augie, our almost 12 year old Golden for a walk. In April Augie had to have his right eye removed because he’d developed Golden Retriever Uveitis, with complications. Coincidentally, that’s when his arthritis and other issues started kicking in. We’ve recently begun shorter walks with him, but Augie is a great swimmer and still retrieves balls from the river - he lives for the waves! On Sunday, because it was a little cooler and it had rained, I decided we’d walk from home to the Essex dock. Augie had a short swim, then on the way back, the sky opened and we got drenched! But, as you know, it can be very fun walking in the rain… with the one you love. Here’s a pic of our happy boy.

This past Sunday, Rev. Trucksess concentrated on the natural world in her sermon, and the bulletin cover was a picture of 3 trees. It reminded me of a story I wrote 19 years ago about a girl named Jessie, called The Cornerstone, which I’ll tell this Sunday. We’ll sing All Things Bright and Beautiful, and a special song from another hymnal, which some of you may know, I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry. We’ll have the Time of Passage: Farewell to Julia Novaco as a staff person. (she remains a church member!) We’ll then move into Pilgrim Hall where we’ll have our Celebration Party to show our gratitude to Julia for all that she accomplished in her tenure with us, as well as for all of the lives she touched with her special way. As we close one office chapter at FCCB, we open a new one as we welcome our new Administrative Assistant, Betsy White today! Betsy will train with Julia through next Thursday. I invite you to come in and introduce yourself to Betsy, or send her an email at betsyw@firstcongregationalbranford.org. (note the w after betsy) Betsy is a resident of Branford, and she looks forward to her new position with us.

Our Homecoming Sunday is September 16, 2018, in which we’ll return to our 8am and 10am Worship Services, Sunday School, and Choir. I’d also like to introduce a Blessing of the Backpacks during children’s time in our 10am service. Our youth are invited to bring their backpack to church that morning. When they arrive, they should place their backpack in front of the communion table, or they’re free to bring it with them when they come forward for children’s time. We’ll bless the backpacks, children, and teachers! Here’s to a blessed 2018-2019 school and church season, FCCB!

Making Christ’s Love Known in Word and Action,
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

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Hospitality

We have a new approach for all to participate in during the coffee hour after the 10:00 AM service where we’ll greet each other, share a cup of coffee and meet new friends.

Each month, a group will be asked to donate a snack or treat and when possible serve coffee. In September, all those whose last names begin with an A or B, are asked to bring a snack or treat and serve one Sunday in September.

In October, those members whose last names begin with a C or D, are asked to bring a snack or treat and serve coffee one Sunday during the month. That means you are asked to bring food and serve coffee only once during the year!

John has the coffee ready for us each Sunday. Each month supplies will be available in the kitchen: milk, half & half, sugar and juice for the children.

In September, last name begins with A or B, send me an email if you can serve one Sunday during the month. doconnell28@comast.net or call 203-483-8039. We’re counting on everyone.

If you have any questions, email or call me.

Deanna O'Connell

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We will begin our next confirmation class this fall. There will be an informational meeting on September 16th at 4:00pm.  If you are not sure about joining the class, I would recommend coming to the meeting in order to receive information about the program.    I would also be happy to answer any questions you might have or meet with you individually.

I truly am excited about what this year’s class will offer. I only wish every child chose to go through confirmation. It is a great place to help our youth with their faith development, and to provide a safe atmosphere for them to share and become critical thinkers. In other words I highly recommend participating in this program even if they ultimately decide not to be confirmed.

The Rev. Theresa Borchetta
203-488-7201

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Book Group

I hope everyone is enjoying the second half of the summer.
The Book group will meet again in September. As a reminder, here are the books we have chosen for the remainder of the year:
September 5-Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner
October 3-The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
November 7-Ethan Frome by Elizabeth Wharton
December 5-Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
January 8-Biography or memoir of your choice

Please join us for our first meeting on September 5, whether or not you have finished the September book.
Barbara Colley

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Our weekly worship service is recorded and replayed on
Channel 18 for Comcast customers,
Channel 6004 for Frontier customers
at 5:30pm on Sundays.

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For Our Prayers This Week

We give thanks for......
The steadfast service and ministry of Julia Novaco
The democracy of our country that gives us the right to vote; and the right to vote safely

We pray for.....
The faithful efforts of the Discernment Team and Governance Committee at work this summer
Our earth and waters as weather patterns become more extreme,
with high temperatures, fires, droughts, earthquakes and floods

We grieve with.....
Sharon Criscuolo at the death of her father, George Firth
The people of Genoa Italy in the bridge collapse that resulted in the loss of many lives
The people and lands that have been destroyed by the California wildfires

Ongoing prayers for…
Grace Chaplin (Paul’s mom), Judy Whittaker, Cory Martens (Kelly Marten’s brother), Rick Barker, Jeff Buggee, Walter Woods (John’s brother), Jim Bolan, Betsy & Peter Boynton, Rick Buggee, Edward DeFrancesco, Dormer Family, Robert & Margaret Gehm (parents of Nancy Gehm), Martha Hickman (Lil Sakai’s mom), Alison Hobbie (Betsy Gay’s daughter), John D. Kelly (Mindy Yester’s brother), Ethel Marchesseault (Linda’s mother), The Family of Sharon Reynolds, Sylvia O’Brien, Debbie Pearl (friend of Lil Sakai), George Spear, and Lou Wells.

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Looking Ahead…

August 23: Julia Novaco’s last day

August 28: Betsy White’s first official day as our Admin. Asst.

September 2: Holy Communion

September 15, 9am: Men’s Group Organizational Meeting Pilgrim Hall (men 17 years old and above)

September 16: Homecoming Sunday, return to 8am & 10am Worship, Blessing of the Backpacks, and Sunday School; Confirmation Meeting, 6pm

Life Among the Believers

Sunday, August 19
9:00 am Worship Service Meetinghouse
10:00 am Celebration for Julia Novaco Pilgrim Hall

Monday, August 20

Tuesday, August 21
10:00 am Staff Meeting Russel Room

Wednesday, August 22

Thursday, August 23
9:00 am Julia Novaco’s Last Day
10:30 am CDC – Happy Feet Pilgrim Hall
6:30 pm Summer Jazz Series Town Green

Friday, August 24

Saturday, August 25

Sunday, August 26 – Fresh Salad Collection
9:00 am Worship Service

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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.

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Notifications

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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/

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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.

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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 will now only be sold after worship on Sundays.

 Big Y  Stop and Shop  Shop Rite 

 
 
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