Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Oct. 28, 2012

IN OUR SHOES—youth in grades 7-12 are invited to a special gathering on Sunday, November 4 from 5 to 7 PM. We will have a light supper, decorate shoes for our display to fight bullying, and hear inspiring stories of courage. Friends are welcome! Take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. ––Elie Wiesel


SENIOR CAFÉ—Youth Group will be serving a meal for seniors from 11:30 to 1:00 PM on Monday, November 12 in honor of Veterans Day. Invite a friend and plan to join us at the East Woodstock Congregational Church. “Admission” is one canned good for the Daily Bread Food Pantry. Please RSVP by November 9 by calling Heidi at 860-928-7449. Youth who can help with food prep, serving, or baking should call Debby at 860-377-2675.

THE FINAL STRETCH: Open and Affirming congregations in four states are active in campaigns for marriage equality. In Maine, Maryland and Washington, voters on Nov. 6 will decide the fate of laws that allow LGBT couples to marry. In Minnesota, advocates of equality are working to defeat a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as exclusively a relationship between a man and a woman.

ONA congregations take their covenant seriously when they stand with the LGBT community to protect our basic rights as citizens. This Sunday and next, please join in prayer for ONA churches in these four states, and post messages of encouragement on the Coalition's Facebook page. We'll be sure to share your support with UCC organizers in each state. From Ripples, the UCC Coalition for LGBT newsletter.


REQUEST FROM THE GROUNDS COMMITTEE - On Saturday morning, November 3rd, Boy Scout Troop #27 again will be helping the Grounds Committee with the annual fall clean-up of our church and parsonage properties. If anyone would like to lend a hand -- or a rake -- we'd love to have you join us. We'll start at 9:30 am, and plan to finish by noon, with refreshments along the way. If you are interested please contact Bruce by phone (860-928-9187) or email btlyman1@gmail.com

CHRISTMAS ON THE HILL, NOVEMBER 17, 10-2 P.M. The Silent Auction is our biggest money maker at Christmas on the Hill, but we depend on your to donate antiques or collectables. Call Diane Bradley 860-942-4035 if you are not sure you have a donation they will be glad to auction! Also be sure to order your Christmas wreath in advance!! Please see Nancy Horsfield if you have any wreath questions.

THERE WILL BE A RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE on Monday, November 5th in the downstairs area from 1 - 6. If you would like to make an appointment to donate blood for the critical winter months, please call 1-800-RED CROSS.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS FOR OCTOBER 28, 2012:

Today is our third and final Sunday of People Who Made a Difference. Jen Beck and Karen Cloutier will lead the children in learning about the child prophet Jeremiah and the judge and prophetess Deborah. If you’d like to recap these stories with your children this week, the Bible passages are Jeremiah 1:4-8 and Judges 4:4-15.

Thanks to our nursery attendant today, Joan Fortin. And happy birthday to Katie Fortin! We love having you in Sunday School.

Next week, the children will participate in the Bells of Hope intergenerational service. The nursery will be staffed. Nov. 11 and 18, we will study the Power of Being Thankful.

Parents and grandparents, please consider signing up to bring an item for coffee hour next week, which is hosted by the Sunday School. The sign up sheet is in Harrison Hall, or see Ginny Viteri. Many thanks!

Anyone willing to volunteer to staff the nursery on Nov. 25, please contact Jen Beck at outofthebox3@yahoo.com or 860-450-0945.

Become a Facebook friend of Children on the Hill. Hit “like.” Only 4 more, and we’ll be able to track our activity. Enjoy the photos and updates.

CALENDAR OF THE WEEK


Today

9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School

6:00 p.m. Bad Girls of the Bible

Monday

7:30 p.m. AA

7:30 p.m. Bell Choir

Tuesday

3:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry

Wednesday

10:00 a.m. Floral work at Swensons

7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts

Thursday

7:30 p.m. Senior Choir

Saturday

1 - 4 p.m. Footes using downstairs area

Next Sunday

9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School

5:00 p.m. “In Our Shoes” (Downstairs)


















































































































MEETING FOR WORSHIP

October 14, 2012 10:00 am

THE PEOPLE GATHER

PRELUDE



INTROIT “Come, My People” Instrumental

WELCOME Debby Kirk



NEWS OF THE PARISH



CALL TO WORSHIP Diane Peterson



*HYMN “Come, My People” No. 12 From the Sing! Prayer & Praise hymnal



*MORNING PRAYER (unison)

Creator God, for the rich abundance of the land we give you our thanks. For the fluttering golden leaves that make our spirits dance, we offer our praise. For this body of believers and the kindness of these friends, we are grateful. We are in awe of the blessings we have received and yet we confess that our tendency is to hold them tightly for ourselves. Help us to share the good news and to be generous. Help us to release your gifts that their healing power may bring peace and justice to our world. In this time of worship, we draw close to you and listen for your word. Let us trust in your ways so that our courage and faith will be renewed.

We pray these words in the name of Jesus, the one who taught us to pray...



*OUR LORD’S PRAYER

Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil; For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.



STEWARDSHIP MOMENTS Mary Beth Gorke-Felice

Donna Dufresne







TO LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD



SCRIPTURE LESSON Mark 10:17-27



*HYMN “Seek Ye First” No. 405

(Children and teachers leave for classes)



SERMON “Cultivating the Spirit” Debby Kirk



*HYMN “We Plow The Fields And Scatter” insert



TO RESPOND IN FAITH



JOYS AND CONCERNS



PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE



PRAYER RESPONSE Medema/arr. Schrader

Lord, listen to your children praying,

Lord, send your spirit in this place;

Lord, listen to your children praying,

Send us love, send us pow’r, send us grace.



THE MORNING OFFERING

Offertory “Wilt Thou Walk Beside Me, Lord?” Haydn

*Doxology No. 95



*PRAYER OF DEDICATION



*HYMN “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” No. 664



BENEDICTION



*RESPONSE “Alleulia” No. 186

Please join hands in a symbol of unity and caring as we sing together our benediction response.



ORGAN POSTLUDE







DEACON LEADER: Diane Peterson

USHERS: Shirley Fields and Dawn Hill

LAY READERS: Members of the Youth Group

COFFEE HOUR: Senior High Youth Group (downstairs)

FLORAL ARRANGER: Ruth Stevenson

NURSERY: Jeanne Foote



THERE WILL BE a Board of Outreach meeting, Wed. October 17, at 7 p.m.

CHRISTMAS ON THE HILL, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 10-2 Many hands make light work! Please help Women’’s Fellowship set up tables for the Fair on DRESS DOWN TO SET UP SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, after church. Plan now to help in this huge task. All help is greatly appreciated! Call Susan at 860-923-2887 for details. Joan Fortin will be selling Rada knives & other items produced by Rada. Do you need a carving set or one of those fantastic paring knives? See Joan to be sure she’ll have what you need. 860-928-9504.



GIFT CARDS: Oct 6-19 - Joanne Fabric gifts cards will earn 8%; Oct 6-Dec 31 - Jiffy Lube gift cards will earn 3%; and until Oct 12 Marriott travel cards earn 2% more.



CROP WALK FOR HUNGER Thirty-five members of Giv2 Northeast participated in the Killingly/Brooklyn Crop Walk last Sunday and we raised over $1200 for Church World Service. These funds will be used to support the Friends of Assisi Food Pantry in Danielson as well as hunger programs around the world. Thank you to all our walkers and sponsors for taking steps to fight hunger!



FLASHLIGHT NIGHT AT FORT HILL FARMS Senior High Youth Group is going to the CORN MAZE in Thompson on Saturday, October 20. We will meet at the East Woodstock Church at 7 pm. Cost is $10 per person if we qualify for the group rate, so pass the word and invite your friends!



MISSION TRIP TO COLOMBIA: We have received the itinerary & cost estimates for the projected mission trip to visit our mission partner, the Rev. Michael Joseph & the people he serves. The trip is scheduled for March, 2013 & the information is posted on the Bulletin Board outside the church office. Take a look & speak with Susan, 923-2887 if you have any interest.









































































































































CALENDAR OF THE WEEK

Today

11:15 a.m. All church meeting and Second Hour

**There will be no “Bad Girls of the Bible” tonight**

Monday Community Kitchen

7:30 p.m. AA

Tuesday

7:00 p.m. Council

Wednesday

10:30 a.m. Women’s Fellowship

7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts

Saturday Roseland Craft Fair/Art Show B&B/Lunch/Dinner

Next Sunday

9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School

11:30 a.m. Youth Ministry Team Huddle

6:00 p.m. Bad Girls of the Bible



















































































































































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Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Oct. 21, 2012

BREAKFAST CLUB begins this morning. Youth in grades 7 and up will meet downstairs for cocoa and conversation when the children leave for church school.

IN OUR SHOES—youth in grades 7-12 are invited to a special gathering on Sunday, November 4 from 5 to 7 PM. We will have a light supper, decorate shoes for our display, and ring the steeple bell to honor all foster children. Friends are welcome!

DID YOU EVER WONDER why “ONA” is used for “Open and Affirming”? “ONA” is the “caps” version of “O ‘n A” (as in “salt ‘n pepper”). The Open and Affirming Ministries in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) use “O&A” to identify their welcoming congregations. (Look for other short facts about ONA in bulletins leading up to our ONA Anniversary!)

REQUEST FROM THE GROUNDS COMMITTEE: On Saturday morning, November 3rd, Boy Scout Troop #27 again will be helping the Grounds Committee with the annual fall clean-up of our church and parsonage properties. If anyone would like to lend a hand -- or a rake -- we'd love to have you join us. We'll start at 9:30 am, and plan to finish by noon, with refreshments along the way. If you are interested please contact me by phone (860-928-9187) or email (btlyman1@gmail.com). Thanks! Bruce

CHRISTMAS ON THE HILL, NOVEMBER 17, 10 A.M. TO 2 Be sure to order your holiday wreath in advance! The wreaths arrive only the day before the Fair, so they are guaranteed fresh! Odd sizes for out buildings or barns can be special ordered. Got questions? Call Nancy at 860-774-5093.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS: Today we enjoy a science rotation to learn more about People Who Made a Difference, especially the Roman centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant and the child prophet Jeremiah. Ginny Viteri and Jen Beck will teach the whole group. Next week we conclude this unit.

Sunday School parents or grandparents, on November 4, the Sunday School will host the coffee hour in honor of The Bells of Hope service honoring adoptive parents and recognizing the need for foster parents in CT. Please see Ginny Viteri to sign up to bring something. This will be an inter-generational service with the children participating.

The Dutch Mill Bulbs have arrived. See Jen Beck to pick up your order, and thank you!

CALENDAR OF THE WEEK


Today

9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School

9:15 a.m. Bell Choir warm up

6:00 p.m. Bad Girls of the Bible

Monday

7:30 p.m. AA

7:30 p.m. Bell Choir

Wednesday

5 - 7 p.m. Elder Care Panel

7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts

Next Sunday

9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School

6:00 p.m. Bad Girls of the Bible

Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Oct. 14, 2012

GIFT CARDS: Oct 6-19 - Joanne Fabric gifts cards will earn 8%; Oct 6-Dec 31 - Jiffy Lube gift cards will earn 3%; and until Oct 12 Marriott travel cards earn 2% more.

FLASHLIGHT NIGHT AT FORT HILL FARMS Senior High Youth Group is going to the CORN MAZE in Thompson on Saturday, October 20. We will meet at the East Woodstock Church at 7 pm. Cost is $10 per person if we qualify for the group rate, so pass the word and invite your friends!

CHRISTMAS ON THE HILL, Nov. 17, 10-2. Many hands make light work! Please help Women’s Fellowship set up tables for the Fair on DRESS DOWN TO SET UP SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, after church. Plan now to help in this huge task. All help is greatly appreciated! Call Susan at 860-923-2887 for details.
Joan Fortin will be selling ada knives and other ada items.  Do you need a carving set or one of those fantastic paring knives?  See Joan to be sure she'll have what you need.

THERE WILL BE A Board of Outreach meeting, Wed. Oct. 17, 7 p.m.

CROP WALK FOR HUNGER Thirty-five members of Giv2 Northeast participated in the Killingly/Brooklyn Crop Walk last Sunday and we raised over $1200 for Church World Service. These funds will be used to support the Friends of Assisi Food Pantry in Danielson as well as hunger programs around the world. Thank you to all our walkers and sponsors for taking steps to fight hunger!


MISSION TRIP TO COLOMBIA We have received the itinerary & cost estimates for the projected mission trip to visit our mission partner, the Rev. Michael Joseph & the people he serves. The trip is scheduled for March, 2013 & the information is posted on the Bulletin Board outside the church office. Take a look & speak with Susan, 923 2887 if you have any interest.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
Today we begin our new unit, People Who Made A Difference, with teachers Jen Beck and Ginny Viteri. We will study people of faith who were outsiders, including the prophet Deborah, the child Jeremiah, the Gentile centurion’s servant, and the outcast Samaritan woman at the well. As people of faith, we, too, can respond to God and make a difference, even if we are very young or feel we sometimes don’t belong. Knowing God loves us gives us courage and the desire to help others.
Today's nursery volunteer is Jeanne Foote. The nursery schedule was distributed via the church e-mail list and is posted on the Harrison Hall kiosk. Ladies, please check for which week you have been assigned. Thank you so much!
We placed the Dutch Mill Bulbs order, and we'll alert you when it arrives.

What better way to celebrate the season than by assisting Leslie Sweetnam and Eva Hulme in December with preparation for the Christmas pageant? If interested, see Jen Beck, and thank you!



The Children on the Hill are meeting the challenge…..can you?
Then God said, "Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear"; and it was so. God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas; and God saw that it was good. Gen 1:9-10
Week 3 Challenge: “Keepin it Good”

• Let’s help keep our world as God intended.

• This week commit to taking all your recyclable plastic beverage containers back to the supermarket, Donate the money you receive to the Water Project.

• Prayer for the week, “Thank you God for our beautiful Earth and the gift of clean water.”

It’s not too late…you can join us for the remaining 3 weeks or participate for just one week and help us bring water to areas of the world where there is no access to clean water.
So pick up a blue bracelet, bank and challenge sheet for the week in Harrison Hall.


CALENDAR OF THE WEEK


Today

9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School

9:15 a.m. Band rehearsal

6:00 p.m. Bad Girls of the Bible

Monday

7:30 p.m. AA

7:30 p.m. Bell Choir

Tuesday

7:30 p.m. Hillbillies

Wednesday

7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts

7:00 p.m. Outreach

Thursday

7:30 p.m. Senior Choir

Saturday

7:00 p.m. SYG Corn Maze (Meet at EW)

Next Sunday

9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School

9:15 a.m. Bell Choir warm up

6:00 p.m. Bad Girls of the Bible

Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Oct. 7, 2012

CALL TO MEETING: A special meeting of the First Congregational Church of Woodstock is called for today, immediately following worship to act upon the recommendation of the Board of Deacons to bestow the honor of Pastor Emeritus upon the Reverend Jamie Harrison.    Diane K. Miller, clerk

BRING YOUR QUESTIONS. Please come to a Second Hour after the meeting. The Search Committee and the Stewardship Team, and perhaps a Trustee or two, will be on hand to entertain your questions about the search process, the budget for 2013, and the path to our future as a church. We will provide sustenance (food!) to carry you through the hour, and we look forward to being in your company.

ROSELAND COTTAGE Week-end Chicken Fest! We need help preparing and setting up for Lunch and then the Artisan Dinner on Saturday Oct 13th. Some prep will take place Thursday evening and again on Friday morning. If you can give any time to help us in this event we would appreciate it. Please sign up in Harrison Hall or speak with Jim Nowak or Cheryl Swenson.

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ADULTS starts next Sunday, October 14th before worship service from 9:00 -9:45 a.m. in the library! Join us as we begin reading the Gospel of Mark, and ponder together Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?” For more details contact discussion leader Bob Kirk (860-974-2463). Come whenever you can and the Spirit moves you!

CHRISTMAS ON THE HILL, Nov. 17, 10-2, Have you created a Christmas shopping list yet? Got a sport’s enthusiast on it? Order some Dried Fruit & Nuts---especially the Trail Mixes for him or her. They make good stocking stuffers for all. See the Sandwich Board sign in the Great Room for order forms. Do it now, for delivery at the Fair. AVOID THE RUSH!


GIFT CARDS: Oct 6-19 - Joanne Fabric gifts cards will earn 8%; Oct 6-Dec 31 - Jiffy Lube gift cards will earn 3%; and until Oct 12 Marriott travel cards earn 2% more.

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP, “AARP - WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?” The Women's Fellowship invites all women, their spouses, friends and seniors in general, and that would include senior men, to their program on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 10:30 a.m at the church. There will be an AARP speaker from the Connecticut State Office to discuss issues of concern and interest to seniors such as Social Security, Medicare and the many other services and programs that AARP offers. Please put this program on your agenda even if you are not a member of the Women's fellowship and/or you do not belong to AARP. If you have any questions about this very informative program, please feel free to contact Lynn Singleton at 860-963-7229 or e-mail at evalynnsingleton@yahoo.com.

CROP WALK FOR HUNGER is this afternoon! Over 20 members of our youth group are registered for this event which is our first Giv2 action of the year. We walk in solidarity with the millions of people (mostly women) who walk 4-6 miles each day to collect water. If you would like to take steps against hunger here and around the world, sponsor one of our walkers with a check payable to CWS/Crop. You can also support our Giv2 Northeast team members online at www.churchworldservice.org Speak to Andy Perry or Maria Sangiolo for more information. Walkers should plan to meet here at 12:30 to carpool to the Danielson Little League Field.

FLASHLIGHT NIGHT AT FORT HILL FARMS Senior High Youth Group is going to the CORN MAZE in Thompson on Saturday, October 20. We will meet at the East Woodstock Church at 7 pm. Cost is $10 per person if we qualify for the group rate, so pass the word and invite your friends!

NEIGHBORS IN NEED: We will be collecting our Neighbors in Need offering today. Please use the envelope you received in the mail or use one that is in the pew, but please do make a contribution! You can also leave your donation in the church office - be sure to write "Neighbors in Need" in the memo line. So many who are less fortunate are counting on us, so be generous! -Your Board of Outreach


A chicken in every pot? Absolutely! and then some!
As you may know the Roseland Arts & Crafts Festival is being held on October 13th and 14th.
How does this relate to chickens you ask?
Well, in an effort to capitalize on the tourist traffic associated with the festival a few fun raising events are being planned, including...

-renting church space to area artisans on Saturday and Sunday showcase their crafts. *New fun raiser!* Thank You Karen McFarlin!

-hosting a Bed & Breakfast for out of town crafters. Thank you Cheryl Swenson!

-offering a tasty, hot supper on Saturday evening to weary crafters. Thank you Cheryl Swenson!

- and finally a Saturday Luncheon offering our world renowned, as in the Quiet Corner; Personal Chicken Pot Pies! *Another new fun raiser!
I'm looking forward to repeating the amazing success we enjoyed with our 1st Annual Potato Salad Production.

In order to do this we need YOU!

There are a number of ways you can participate. Cheryl Swenson and I are joining forces and drumsticks for the Chicken Pot Pie Luncheon and Supper taking place on Saturday the 13th. Your help - big or small, from produce to poultry, any way you can lend a wing and a prayer would be greatly appreciated.

Our Wish Bone List Includes:

Chicken Prep Thursday evening October 11th.

Chicken Pot Pie Prep and Dining Room set-up on Friday the 12th.

Dining Room Crew, Cashier, Kitchen Crew including Dishwasher, Lunch/Dinner Transition Team, Clean-up too!

We'll need over 100 Pounds of Poultry! 30 pounds red skinned potatoes, 25 pounds carrots, 15 pounds onions, 15 pounds frozen peas, 2 pounds frozen corn, 10 pounds of fresh cranberries, 12 Golden Delicious Apples, 12 Large Oranges, 5 pounds of granulated sugar
2 cases bottled water, 1 Case Coke-a-Cola, 1 case Diet Coke, 1 case Orange Soda, 1 case Sprite
Assorted "Fall" Pies for luncheon dessert
Apples and ingredients for supper dessert
5 loaves of Italian Bread
2 Large Containers of Cool Whip
4 Gallons of Cider
Cheese and Assorted Crackers
Tossed Salad Ingredients
Chicken Feed $ for those incidentals which add up quickly!

Please contact Cheryl @ 860-923-9077 or cheryl.swenson@gmail.com or myself, Jim Nowak @ 860-974-1367 or jnowak@mapfreusa.com to let us know how you can contribute towards this goal or for more details on how you can take part. Please leave supplies in the church kitchen prior to Thursday the 11th.

Thank you all for your consideration!

Jim Nowak the Pot Pie Piper!


CALENDAR OF THE WEEK

Today

11:15 a.m. All church meeting and Second Hour

**There will be no “Bad Girls of the Bible” tonight**

Monday Community Kitchen

7:30 p.m. AA

Tuesday

7:00 p.m. Council

Wednesday

10:30 a.m. Women’s Fellowship

7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts

Saturday Roseland Craft Fair/Art Show B&B/Lunch/Dinner

Next Sunday

9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School

11:30 a.m. Youth Ministry Team Huddle

6:00 p.m. Bad Girls of the Bible