MISSION STATEMENT

First Church is a community of faith that is rooted and grounded in God’s love for all people. Affirming the teachings of Jesus Christ, we seek to provide a caring and open environment where diversity is welcome and all are respected as children of God.  We support and encourage one another to live our faith through service to others.

 GREETINGS FROM THE PASTOR

On my walks with Mabel, I’ve begun to see signs of spring, including an increase in wildlife activity, crocus and daffodils pushing through the soil, and best of all longer and warmer days. These are the many ways in which nature is being called forth out of winter and into a time of re-birth and renewal. These are all signs that point not only to the season of Spring, but also to Easter! This year, Easter is rather late, April 21^st, which means we still have several weeks to go on our Lenten journey.

To encourage self-reflection, and to deepen our relationship with God and one another, a prayer of confession has been included in Sunday worship every week in Lent. To mark our journey with Christ to Jerusalem and towards the cross, there is a cross on the altar area and it is next to this cross that our weekly prayer of confession is prayed. On Palm/Passion Sunday even as we celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with shouts of “Hosanna!” we know that we are drawing closer to the cross and his crucifixion. On that Sunday, blank pieces of paper will be provided so that each of us can write our own prayer and leave it at the cross.

May we look forward to Easter’s arrival with a renewed sense of hope, having travelled with Jesus through the winter and spring of Lent and Holy Week.

Peace,

Rev. Margret

 

2019 LENTEN SCHEDULE

 Wednesday, April 10th, Lent 5, South Church      

Dinner, 6 pm and Program, 6:45 pm

Palm/Passion Sunday April 14^th

Worship in the Sanctuary, 10 am

Maundy Thursday, April 18th

Tenebrae Service in the Sanctuary, 6:30pm

Easter Sunday, April 21^st

Worship in the Sanctuary, 10 am, followed by 2^nd Hour Egg Hunt

 

APRIL 2019 LECIONARY READINGS

Sunday, April 7^th, Fifth Sunday in Lent

Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126, Philippians 3:4b-14 and John 12:1-8

Sunday, April 14^th, Passion /  Palm Sunday

Palms: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29  and Luke 19:28-40

Passion: Isaiah 50:4-9a , Psalm 31:9-16, Philippians 2:5-11 and Luke 22:14—23:56

or Luke 23:1-49

Sunday, April 21^st, Easter

Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 1, Corinthians 15:19-26 or

Acts 10:34-43 and John 20:1-18 or Luke 24:1-12

Sunday, April 28^th, Second Sunday of Easter

Acts 5:27-32, Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150, Revelation 1:4-8 and John 20:19-31

 

830 Corbin Avenue 
New Britain, CT 06052 
860-229-3709

Contact us at firstnewbritain@snet.net

“ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN LOVE.” . . .  Ephesians 3:17