Announcements and Calendar for the Week of April 1, 2012

CHURCH NOTES

COMPASSION CAMP REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Camp week will be July 23-27 and forms are posted online and on the kiosk in Harrison Hall. All youth currently in grade 6 and up are invited to attend our week-long program of fun and service work in the local community.

EASTER TREATS-- Chocolate Covered Coconut Eggs are available for pick up during coffee hour. We have a limited number of EGGStra EGGS so stop by our table in Harrison Hall. Thank you to the 70 workers who participated in this fun intergenerational project. (FYI- Lisa Arsenault was the winner of the super egg!) This fundraiser supports our summer scholarships for Silver Lake and Compassion Camp, as well as our travel fund for NYE.

SAVE THE DATE for our next Giv2 Event on Sunday, April 15. Giv2 NE will visit TEEG in Thompson to help prepare the new facility for the spring ribbon-cutting ceremony. Wear your work clothes and come help with painting or landscaping projects from 12 to 4 PM. Youth in grades 7 and up are invited to attend and friends are always welcome. Lunch will be provided. We will need adult volunteers to assist——speak to Debby Kirk if you would like to get involved.

HUNGER GAMES movie trip is scheduled for Wednesday, April 18. Youth ages 13 and older are invited so invite a friend and mark the date.

EVENTS OF HOLY WEEK

Today, Sixth Sunday of Lent: Palm Sunday. The Junior Choir and church school children will sing together and lead a grand processional with a parade of palm waving and lots of excitement as we celebrate Jesus’ entry in Jerusalem. Communion will be served.
Thursday, April 5: Maundy Thursday. Service of Tenebrae at 7:30 p.m The service will include a Ritual Handwashing, Commemoration of the Last Supper and the Tenebrae (Christ’s Seven Last Words). An 18-hour prayer vigil will begin after the service, concluding at 3:00 p.m. on Good Friday.
Friday, April 6: Good Friday: The Church office will be closed. The sanctuary will be open for individual prayer and reflection.
April 8: Easter Sunday. Sunrise service, with all of the churches in Woodstock participating, at 6:00 a.m. on the common at Woodstock Academy. Traditional Easter service here at 10:00. There will be no coffee hour today. Have a wonderful Easter celebration!

SEARCH COMMITTEE SECOND HOUR DISCUSSIONS

The Search Committee asks you to attend three consecutive second hour discussions, starting on April 22nd. We on the committee seek your vision for the future ministry of our church. Should we search and call a part-time pastor or a full-time pastor? How should we fund such a position? What are the key functions of our next pastor? What are our core visions and mission as a church, and how can our next pastor help us? To answer these questions, and others you may have, please join us on:

▸ April 22nd – the Search Committee will host a second hour to review your responses to the congregational survey and to provide an opportunity for additional discussion.

▸ April 29th – the Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Clough, Interim Eastern Regional Conference Minister, will preach in church and lead a second hour discussion. Tom understands well both the struggles of main-line churches such as ours, and the qualities of candidates looking for ministry positions.

▸ May 6th – the Rev. Dr. Robert R. LaRochelle, Pastor of the Congregational Church of Union, and author of Part-Time Pastor/Full-Time Church, will lead a discussion focusing on part-time models of serving a church.

We plan to request a Special Congregational Meeting after these sessions – date to be determined – to debate these issues further and finally decide what direction to take. Blessings to all, and thank you for helping the Search Committee in this important work.

~The Search Committee


Sunday School News: In Sunday School today, we will gather to reflect on our Lenten Journey and review the symbols of Holy Week. We will then make some simple and fun Easter crafts together as a group.

Immediately following church, we are planning to put together hygiene kits for the Access Emergency Shelter of Danielson. Please plan to stay for this important event. Pizza will be served as well as snacks and beverages to celebrate a mission project well done!!!

There will be no Junior Choir Rehearsal today. Choir rehearsals will resume on April 15th.

Next Sunday, Easter Sunday, is a time of Family Worship. Come and celebrate!

We will begin our next Sunday School rotation on Sunday, April 15. It is entitled “Three Women of Faith.” Jennifer Beck will lead us in what promises to be an inspiring unit of study! We will become familiar with the stories of Priscilla, Lydia, and Dorcas, and discover how these women used their skills and resources in service to God. We will learn about the importance of hospitality, come to understand that women had an important role in the spreading of the Gospel, and come to know these women of faith as role models along with other female, spiritual leaders.

Stay tuned for our next Mission Project: “Furry Friends.” Ginny Viteri has another wonderful project lined up! This time our youth will be helping local children who are faced with the prospect of a hospital admission at DKH.

The Sunday School will be offering summer blooming Dutch Mill Bulbs for sale April 15 – April 29. Please support our Sunday School Fundraiser and watch your garden grow!

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CALENDAR OF THE WEEK
Today
9:15 a.m. Children rehearsal (downstairs)
11:30 a.m. Easter Egg pickup
11:45 a.m. Compassion Camp Staff Meeting (EW)
Monday
7:30 p.m. AA (library)
7:30 p.m. Sr. Bells (balcony)
Wednesday
9:00 a.m. Parish Care Team
6:30 p.m. Deacons
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
Thursday
10:30 a.m. Bible Study
6:00 p.m. Bell Choir warm up
7:30 p.m. Service of Tenebrae - Vigil begins afterwards
Friday Good Friday - Office closed
3:00 p.m. Vigil ends
Saturday Bible Study at Sharon Bonney’s - time TBA
Easter Sunday:
6:00 a.m. Sunrise service at Woodstock Academy
10:00 a.m. Worship service

Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Mar. 25

CHURCH NOTES

THE FLOWERS THIS MORNING are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Jean H. Brush, by her son David.

THANK YOU to Susan McKechnie for preaching today while Mike is on vacation.

PICTURE FOR ANI: Please, everyone, go out on the front steps at close of service. We want to take a group picture for Ani Colt to have as a surprise remembrance of her years with us. The Sunday School classes and teachers will also join us. Thanks.

COVENANT TO CARE: Our CTC social worker liaison, Monica Smith has sent out a request for Easter. She has asked us to donate $20 gift cards from Walmart, Big Y and/or Stop & Shop so that families will be able to provide food and Easter supplies for their DCF children. We will need to have these gift cards in by Sunday, April 1 in order to get them to Monica in time for Easter. You can purchase the gift cards yourself, or write a check made out to FCCW with Covenant To Care written in the memo section. Please turn the gift cards and checks over to one of the people listed below. We also accept cash so if you want to donate in this manner, the following people will gratefully accept it: Lynn & Tom Singleton, Diane Peterson, Diane Gioco, and Brittany LaFleur. Thank you for your help.

THE FINAL program of this year’s Lenten series will be on Wednesday March 28th at East Woodstock. The topic of discussion will be “What does heaven look like?” as well as Hollywood on death and film clips of heaven. What do YOU think heaven is like? Join us at 6:00 for a light supper and interesting conversation.

COMPASSION CAMP REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Camp week will be July 23-27 and forms are posted online and on the kiosk in Harrison Hall. CIT/Counselor applications are also available. All youth currently in grade 6 and up are invited to attend our week-long program of fun and service work in the local community. Register before March 31 and receive an Early Bird Discount!

EASTER TREATS-- Order your Chocolate Covered Coconut Eggs now for delivery on April 1. Fill out your order form and leave it in the church office today. Youth will be making these treats to raise funds for summer programs——Silver Lake, Compassion Camp, and NYE. We need many hands for this project! Check our schedule in the calendar and plan to come to one of the Egg Factory sessions.
SAVE THE DATE for our next Giv2 Event on Sunday, April 15. Giv2 NE will visit TEEG in Thompson to help prepare the new facility for the spring ribbon-cutting ceremony. Wear your work clothes and come help with painting or landscaping projects from 12 to 4 PM. Youth in grades 7 and up are invited to attend and friends are always welcome. Lunch will be provided. We will need adult volunteers to assist——speak to Debby Kirk if you would like to get involved.

CALENDAR OF THE WEEK
Today
11:15 a.m. Junior Choir (downstairs)
11:30 a.m. Youth Ministry Team (art room)
12:30 p.m. Easter Egg Factory (downstairs)
2:00 p.m. Fashion Show (Harrison Hall)
Monday
7:30 p.m. AA (library)
7:30 p.m. Sr. Bells (balcony)
Tuesday
7:00 a.m. Morning Watch
2:30 p.m. Easter Egg Factory (kitchen)
7:30 p.m. Giv2 Conference Call
Wednesday
3:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry (library)
6:00 p.m. Lenten Program (EW)
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
Thursday
10:30 a.m. Bible Study
7:00 p.m. Sr. Choir/Gospel Mass rehearsal
Saturday Early Bird deadline for Comopassion Camp registration

Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Mar. 18, 2012

CHURCH NOTES

TODAY’S FLOWERS are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Elle Farquhar.

ATTENTION: Calling all Crafty men and women. As you may be aware there is no longer an Ornament Table at our Christmas Fair. We would like to organize a group to produce a variety of handcrafts….sewing, woodworking, knitting, painting, you name it, be creative. We will have an organizational meeting to work out the details and talk about projects. If you are interested please join us and bring your ideas and samples if you have any. All are welcome. We will meet on Wednesday evening March 21st at 7 pm at the home of Mary Roberts, a former ornament maker. Her number is 974-1171. If you have questions please call or speak with Kelly Bottieri 974-1344 or Cheryl Swenson 923-9077.

MORNING WATCH -- 7:00 to 7:30 am on Tuesday mornings during Lent. RENEW your prayer life ~ REFRESH your spirit ~ RECONNECT with God. Give yourself a gift of thirty minutes peace before you begin the work or school day. Invite God into your day with scripture, silent meditation, and prayer. MORNING WATCH is open to adults and high school students in the community. We will meet at the Hill Church for the convenience of WA Students.

COMPASSION CAMP REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Camp dates are set for July 23-27, 2012 and forms are posted online and outside Deb’s office door. CIT/Counselor applications are also available. All youth currently in grade 6 and up are invited to attend our week-long program of fun and service work in the local community. Register before March 31 and receive an Early Bird Discount!

Order your Chocolate Covered Coconut EASTER EGGS now for delivery on April 1. Fill out your order form and leave it in the church office today. Youth will be making these treats to raise funds for summer programs——Silver Lake, Compassion Camp, and NYE. We need many hands for this project! Plan to come to our Egg Factory tonight from 6 to 8 PM or check with Debby for details about other times after school.

Sunday School News: The Sunday School began its Easter: Go and Tell Rotation on March 11th with the children and teachers exploring the following concepts:
▸ Jesus rose from the dead.
▸ Through Jesus, God offers new life to people everywhere.
▸ Jesus expected his followers to continue the work he started.
▸ What Jesus told his followers applies to Jesus' disciples today.
▸ Each of us has unique abilities we can use to tell the good news of Jesus.

Thank you to our teachers Brittany LaFleur and Diane Peterson for teaching the Cookery Workshop where the children are baking sweetened Resurrection Rolls and making Jelly Bean Prayer packages all while exploring the concept of the empty tomb and the symbols of Easter. Thank you to Joseph Giulietti for jumping right in as a new church member and teaching the Art Workshop! Joseph's classes are coloring blown eggs with Pysanky egg dye and creating beautiful reminders of new life. And thank you to Jennifer John for leading the Story Telling Workshop. Last week grades 5 – 8 created a video entitled “A Special News Report” where the children took on various Biblical roles and were interviewed by reporters at the scene of the empty tomb live from Jerusalem. You can view our very first Children on the Hill video production on Facebook ; just go to the “Children on the Hill” Facebook page. Don't forget to click the like button!

While visiting the Children on the Hill Facebook page, scroll down to view the pics of the amazing Lenten Easter Gardens which the children made recently. The gardens are lush and thriving!

This week's offering for the Access Shelter in Danielson, CT, is washcloths. Our baskets are brimming with necessaries! Next week the children should plan to bring in hand towels. We will be assembling hygiene kits for the shelter immediately after church on Palm Sunday.

REMINDER: On Friday evening, March 23rd we will be showing the Oscar award winning film Hugo from 6p – 8:30p. Come enjoy some fellowship and fun! Wear your pj's, and bring a friend! We will be serving popcorn and drinks. If anyone would like to bake some cookies (no nuts, please,) our hungry youth would be ever so appreciative!

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

CALENDAR OF THE WEEK
Today
8:30 a.m. Breakfast
11:15 a.m. Junior Choir (downstairs)
11:30 a.m. Second Hour (library)
6:00 p.m. Easter Egg Factory (kitchen)
Monday
7:30 p.m. AA (library)
7:30 p.m. Sr. Bells (downstairs)
Tuesday
7:00 a.m. Morning Watch (sanctuary)
6:30 p.m. Trustees (library)
7:30 p.m. Hillbillies (sanctuary)
Wednesday
6:00 p.m. Lenten Program (EW)
Thursday
10:30 a.m. Bible Study (library)
Friday
6:00 p.m. Movie Night
Saturday SYG “March in the Son”, Cheshire, all day
Next Sunday
2:00 - 4:30 HiLites Salon using Great Room for Fashion Show to benefit Danielson Women’s Shelter


Please have bulletin materials in by Wednesday this week. CL&P will be working on a pole on Friday and electricity will be turned off at church for several hours. Bulletins will be printed on Thursday.

SHARE deadline for April issue - next Sunday

Announcements and Calendar for the Week of March 11, 2012

REMINDER! ANNUAL MEETING ADJOURNED TO TODAY, 11:15 am The regular Annual Meeting of the First Congregational Church of Woodstock held on January 22, 2012 was adjourned to March 11, 2012.

The Order of the Day for the Adjourned Meeting is:
1. To act upon the proposed budget for calendar year 2012 based upon the results of the 2012 Stewardship Campaign and the activities of the Ways and Means Committee.

CHURCH NOTES
TAKE NOTE! BENEFIT CONCERT FOR HEIFER INTERNATIONAL- East Woodstock Congregational Church - TODAY at 3:00 p.m. Enjoy the wonderful music of the acclaimed acapella vocal ensemble, Take Note! This program will support Heifer’s mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth. There will be a free will offering and a reception following the concert.

MORNING WATCH -- 7:00 to 7:30 am on Tuesday mornings during Lent. RENEW your prayer life ~ REFRESH your spirit ~ RECONNECT with God.
Give yourself a gift of thirty minutes peace before you begin the work or school day. Invite God into your day with scripture, silent meditation, and prayer. MORNING WATCH is open to adults and high school students in the community. We will meet at the Hill Church for the convenience of WA Students.

COMPASSION CAMP REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Camp dates are set for July 23-27, 2012 and forms are posted online and outside Deb’’s office door. CIT/Counselor applications are also available. All youth currently in grade 6 and up are invited to attend our week-long program of fun and service work in the local community. Register before March 31 and receive an Early Bird Discount!

Order your Chocolate Covered Coconut EASTER EGGS now for delivery on April 1. Fill out your order form and leave it in the church office today. Youth will be making these treats to raise funds for summer programs——Silver Lake, Compassion Camp, and NYE. We need many hands for this project! Plan to come to our Egg Factory on Sunday, March 18 from 6 to 8 PM or check with Debby for details about other times after school.

DEACON’S BREAKFAST: Next Sunday, March 18th. The deacons will host another before-church-breakfast, downstairs at 8:30, for a time of informal fellowship. We’ll have REAL (and decaf) coffee. All are welcome. If you could, please sign up at the kiosk or call Bev Brazeal at (860) 963-0288, so we have a general count of how many to expect (but we’ll plan extra, so please, if you don’t call, come anyway).

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP: The regular monthly meting of the Women's Fellowship will take place on Wednesday, March 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Maria Sangiolo will be our guest instrumentalist & vocalist, singing a wide array of tunes for all ages.


SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS: Last week, the Sunday school concluded the “Man Beside the Pool” rotation. The rotation was enjoyable to the teachers and students alike. It was quite impressive to hear the thoughtful and meaningful discussions from each child about their understanding of God’s healing powers and how He is always at work. Be sure to ask your children how they are helping carrying out God’s work! Once again a very special thank you to our teachers, Meg Bishop, Felix Klee, Eva Hulme, and Maria Sangiolo, for generously donating their time and talents.

With the Lenten season upon us, the children will begin a new lesson of reflection called, “Easter: Go and Tell.” Jennifer John will be coordinating this rotation along side teachers, Diane Peterson, Brittany LaFleur, and Joseph Giulietti.

We continue to see the pictures of the children’s Lenten gardens. They are growing beautifully. Very shortly we will be posting the photos for all to see!

The children are doing a wonderful job remembering to bring in their offering for their weekly mission. It is obvious this mission is meaningful to them -thank you, parents, for your support. This week the children should have brought in soap and deodorant. Next week's collection will be for wash cloths.

Reminder – March 23rd - we will be having another popcorn/ movie night. The movie is the Oscar award winning film Hugo.



Feeding Our Bodies and Our Souls
Mission Project
Access Emergency Homeless Shelter


Week 5: March 18th

What can I bring?

Wash Cloth
Things to think about…..

Call a Sunday school friend this week and remind them to bring in at least 1 wash cloth for this week…..

CALENDAR OF THE WEEK
Today
9:15 a.m. Junior Choir (downstairs)
9:15 a.m. Bell Choir warm up
11:15 a.m. Annual Meeting
3:00 a.m. “Take Note!” Concert at EW
Monday Community Kitchen
7:30 p.m. AA (library)
7:30 p.m. Sr. Bells (in balcony)
Tuesday
7:00 a.m. Morning Watch
Wednesday
10:30 a.m. Women’s Fellowship
6:00 p.m. Lenten Program (EW)
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
Thursday
10:30 a.m. Bible Study
7:00 p.m. Sr. Choir/Gospel Mass rehearsal
Next Sunday
8:30 a.m. Breakfast hosted by Deacons 11:15 a.m. Second Hour with Mike: “God’s Story”
6:00 p.m. Easter Egg Factory (Kitchen)

nnouncements and Calerndar for the Week of Mar. 4, 2012

CHURCH NOTES

REMINDER! ANNUAL MEETING ADJOURNED TO MARCH 11, 2012, 11:15 am The regular Annual Meeting of the First Congregational Church of Woodstock held on January 22, 2012 was adjourned to March 11, 2012. The Order of the Day for the Adjourned Meeting is:
1. To act upon the proposed budget for calendar year 2012 based upon the results of the 2012 Stewardship Campaign and the activities of the Ways and Means Committee.

THANK YOU to all who supported the recent SYG Italian Dinner. The Youth Group raised ~$1500 to be applied to the 2012 budget for both churches. This was a team effort that involved 40 volunteers! Hats off to our wonderful chefs, Charlie Bottieri and Jim Nowak who have organized this event for the past 9 years.
MORNING WATCH -- 7:00 to 7:30 am on Tuesday mornings during Lent. RENEW your prayer life ~ REFRESH your spirit ~ RECONNECT with God. Give yourself a gift of thirty minutes peace before you begin the work or school day. Invite God into your day with scripture, silent meditation, and prayer. MORNING WATCH is open to adults and high school students in the community. We will meet at the Hill Church for the convenience of WA Students.
DIVE INTO SERVICE WITH GIV2—— Youth who have pre-registered to help at the Special Olympics Swim Meet should meet at EWCC at 7:30 am to carpool to Windham High School. Lunch is provided but you may want to bring a little money for the snack bar. We need one more adult to drive one way; please speak to Andy Perry or Debby Kirk if you can help.
COMPASSION CAMP REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Camp dates are set for July 23-27, 2012 and forms are posted outside Deb’’s office door. CIT/Counselor applications are also available. All youth currently in grade 6 and up are invited to attend our week-long program of fun and service work in the local community. Register before March 31 and receive an Early Bird Discount!

WE NEED SOUP AND BREAD for our Lenten program on Wednesday evening. Please see Lib Putnam at Coffee Hour if you can help.

SAVE THE DATE! DEACON’S BREAKFAST: Sunday, March 18th. The deacons will host another before-church-breakfast, downstairs at 8:30, for a time of informal fellowship. We’ll have REAL (and decaf) coffee. All are welcome. If you could, please sign up at the kiosk or call Bev Brazeal at (860) 963-0288, so we have a general count of how many to expect (but we’ll plan extra, so please, if you don’t call, come anyway).



SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

The children are concluding the “Man Beside the Pool” rotation this week. They learned about God at work, God’s healing powers, and the Sabbath. A very special thank you to our teachers this rotation: Meg Bishop, Felix Klee, Eva Hulme, and Maria Sangiolo. We are so grateful to you sharing your talents and time!

Next week, the children will begin a new Sunday school rotation called “Easter: Go and Tell.” This is a wonderful seasonal topic the children are sure to enjoy!

Parents- send us pictures of your children’s Lenten Gardens! We know they are growing and are anxious to see them!

Thank you children and parents for the overwhelming response to our mission this rotation. It is wonderful to see the children bring in their offerings. We believe they are really benefiting from this exercise! Since it is tangible, they are seeing the baskets downstairs fill up, and are gaining an appreciation for giving! Next week, the children are asked to bring in soap and/ or deodorant. We can’t wait to put together our hygiene kits on Palm Sunday.

We are looking for a volunteer to cover the nursery on March 11, 2012. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the CE team. Thank you!


CALENDAR OF THE WEEK
Today
11:15 a.m. Junior Choir (downstairs)
11:30 a.m. NYE Meeting at EW
Monday
7:30 p.m. AA (library)
7:30 p.m. Sr. Bells (downstairs)
Tuesday
7:00 a.m. Morning Watch
Wednesday
9:00 a.m. PCT
6:00 p.m. Lenten Program (Hill Church)
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
Thursday
10:30 a.m. Bible Study
6:30 p.m. Deacons
Friday John Family using downstairs area all evening
Saturday
7:30 a.m. Giv2 Trip to Special Olympics (meet at EW)
10:00 a.m. Cemetery Association (library)
all day Democratic Convention Soup Dinner
Next Sunday
9:15 a.m. Bell Choir warm up 11:15 a.m. Continuation of Annual Meeting 3:00 p.m. Heifer Benefit Concert at EWCC