Next Week atFirst Church

LAST SUNDAY LIGHT SERVICE TO BE MAY 18th

It is with regret that we note that Sunday Light will be held for the last time on Sunday, May 18^th at 6:00 p.m.

This worship service has been held nearly every Sunday for more than two and a half years. The Sunday Light team of volunteers consisting of Chairperson Susan Anderson, Paula and Dan Bartlett, Amy Belliveau, and Meg Nieman deserve our admiration and thanks for the work they¡¯ve lovingly provided and for their dedication to this worship service. Sunday Light will continue on Sundays at 6:00 p.m. through May 18, except on April 20 (Jack¡¯s installation) and May 11 (Mother¡¯s Day).

REMEMBER TO SIGN UP FOR THE MAY 3RD RETREAT

An all-church retreat will be held on Saturday, May 3 at First Church. Any and all church members are encouraged to attend. A sign-up sheet is in the church office.

Rev. Jack Cook has been with us for more than three months now. He needs to hear from us as to what we, the FCC congregation, think are the church¡¯s most compelling priorities. Come and be a part of moving our church forward.

REBUILDING TOGETHER

There is still time to sign up to participate in Rebuilding Together on Saturday, April 26^th. Contact Glenn at 229-6777 or Pete at 229-4040. Applications are in the church office.

YOUTH NEWS

What a weekend!

Last Saturday, the Youth Team, (Paula Bartlett, Sarah Flythe, John Thomas, Tori Anderson, Nick and Aaron Mangan) spent the day at our yearly training event in Avon. This seminar, by Youth Specialties, is always a fun valuable day with laughter, tears, and learning all mixed in. This year¡¯s presenter was Dave Ambrose, author and children¡¯s Christian educator for over 15 years. His topic was, Generation Change ¨C ¡°¡°Encouraging students to Generate Change in their world- it¡¯s about Generating Hope, Justice, Peace, Love, generating a NEW mind in our churches, to generate a new heart in me.¡±? Awesome experience!

A very special Thank you to First Church member, Dave Anderson for sharing his extensive skill at leading game challenges and team building games with the Youth Group this past week! A favorite annual event the youth and adults just love. The squeals of laughter and smiling faces told the whole story for me! Thanks Uncle Dave!

~ MARK YOUR CALENDARS ~

First Church¡¯s 3^rd Annual Talent Show and Coffeehouse

Calling all uniquely talented people!

Singers, Drama, Musical acts, Comedians!

Come on out to have a First Church good time!!

Friday May 9, 2008 7 - 9:00 pm

This is a fundraiser for the Hartford Mission Project

Upcoming Dates April

4/20 - No Meeting (school vacation)

4/27- 2^nd hour Bake Sale for Damu, No Evening Meeting

May

5/4 - Regular meeting 6 - 8:30 pm.

SUNDAY LIGHT

INFORMAL WORSHIP AT 6 PM

April Dates

April 20 - No Sunday Light

April 27- The Music & Wisdoms of the Rev. Chuck Ericson

The Rev. Chuck Ericson, pastor of the Bolton Congregational Church UCC  has  compiled, over the years, a repertoire of wonderful Christian folk songs he has written, as well as many secular songs with biblical meaning. We look forward, as always, when Chuck comes to visit and share his wisdoms and talents with us. I will see you on the 27th; I¡¯ll save you a seat!

Dates for Sunday Light to mark on your calendar:

May 4 - The music of Shawn Mangan, Speaker Jack Cook

May 11- No Sunday Light (Mothers Day)

May 18 - The lively worship music of Red Letter Day

AND

ALL ARE INVITED!!!

To share with us THE  last Sunday Light Service being held on May 18^th. There will be a Celebration of Love, Praise and Worship, Music and Remembrances, starting with a dinner at 5 pm followed by a Service of Thanksgiving at 6 pm!

Come see and hear RED LETTER DAY (Who was our very first band 3 years ago)!

 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO FIRST CHURCH !

What a special day this Sunday will be. Our church will be celebrating its 250^th anniversary. It¡¯s kind of like having a birthday - and that¡¯s a lot of years. We will take some time to learn a few things about our church¡¯s history and we might even get to look at pictures of some moms and dads when they were your age!

It¡¯s time to think about Silver Lake and going to summer camp! There is a large calendar of events at Silver Lake, and their camp schedule on the bulletin board in the CE wing. If you need more information, you can visit the website at silverlake.ctucc.org. 

Hope you¡¯re having a good week taking care of the earth!

See you Sunday,

Sharon Chamberlain, Coordinator of Christian Education

SLIGHT CHANGE OF PLANS!

I know that many of you look forward to hearing the Hot Cat Jazz Band in our service on Mother¡¯s Day. This year, allowing for the availability of the band, and the fact that Mother¡¯s Day is also Pentecost Sunday, the guys will be with us one week earlier, on Sunday, May 4. Mark your calendars, and don¡¯t miss it!

~ Jim Gower, Minister of Music

WHAT IS  A¡°5 FOR 5¡± CHURCH?

A ¡°5 for 5¡± church is one that fully supports the UCC¡¯s  ¡°Our Church¡¯s Wider Mission¡± by giving to Basic Support and all four Special Mission Offerings: The Christmas Fund, One Great Hour of Sharing, Strengthen the Church and Neighbors in Need.

On May 11^th, parishioners will have an opportunity to give to the Strengthen the Church offering.  This offering builds the UCC¡¯s future; from funding new congregations to invigorating existing ones, from fostering tomorrow¡¯s leaders to nurturing today¡¯s.

First Church of Christ                           New Britain, CT 

April 16, 2008

FIRST CHURCH NEWS

Vol. 56, No. 15  

From the Anniversary  Committee: