Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Feb. 24, 2013

TODAY IS UNDIE SUNDAY! Sound personal? It is! There are never enough socks and underwear to go around at the shelter. You can help by donating these items for people who find themselves homeless. Our youth group members will travel to Boston on March 8 to do service work with the City Mission Society and will deliver our gifts then. So, please, get personal! Place your donation of new socks or underwear in the basket in Harrison Hall today or anytime up until March 8.
THE ANNUAL MEETING of the Woodstock Cemetery Association will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2013 in the library at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome.
SHARE deadline is tomorrow!!

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH By Ellie Donahue

This morning’s service will be intergenerational. There will be no church school classes so that families may worship together.

Infant/Toddler Childcare

Child care for infants and toddlers is located on the lower level. Various signs are posted to direct you to our colorful, spacious room. A speaker is located in the room if you wish to linger awhile with your child and listen to the morning worship service as well!

Next Sunday our Lenten Rotations Begin

Lower Grades –– Passover/Pretzels/Prayer

Upper Grades –– Banner Making with Kate Murdock

Lenten Programs:

Woodstock Hill Church and the East Congregational Church will be doing a slightly different, shared Lenten Program.

As in the past, we plan to meet the five Wednesday evenings during Lent, from 6 – 8pm. And, as in the past, we will share a light supper of bread and soup, made by the deacons of both churches, followed by the program.

But, this year, the programs will take place in individuals’ homes. We will begin the Lenten programs with two sessions at Rev Sue Foster’s home. Sue will be facilitating the discussion both evenings on the theme of "hospitality"; the hospitality of God, the (often) lack of chances that we have to actually sit and talk with one another, the chance to know and be known. The third program will be an in-home service at Bev & Earl Brazeal’s and the last two programs will be a discussion on “Conversations on Being a Christian” hosted by Jock & Jean McClellan and facilitated by Bob Kirk. Please come and join us for any or all of this year’s Lenten Programs.

Schedule and locations (6-8 PM on Wednesday evenings):
2/27; “Hospitality-2”, Sue Foster’s home (please carpool)

3/6: "A Crisis of Faith - Our provocative cast of speakers takes a critical look at materialism in America and the spiritual fallout we are experiencing because of the choices we have made individually and as a society. Mirroring the subject and rhythm of the film, the imagery and soundtrack is powerful, challenging, disturbing and inspiring."

Following a light soup supper, we will watch the DVD, "A Crisis of Faith" and then Rev. Dr. Debbie Pallatto-Fontaine will offer questions to spur our discussion of the subject. (At the Brazeals' home

3/13; “Conversations on Being a Christian-1”, Jock & Jean McClellan’s home
3/20; “Conversations on Being a Christian-2”, Jock & Jean McClellan’s home.   CALENDAR OF THE WEEK
Today
9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School
9:15 a.m. Bell Choir warm-up
11:30 a.m. Boston Urban Outreach trip orientation @East
Monday
7:30 p.m. AA
7:30 p.m. Bell Choir
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
6 - 8 p.m. Lenten Program
Thursday
7:00 p.m. Giv2 Conference Call
7:00 p.m. Outreach
Next Sunday
9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School
12:30 p.m. Giv2 Event (downstairs)

Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Feb. 17, 2013

THE ITALIAN DINNER, postponed due to last week’s blizzard, has been rescheduled for Feb. 23rd.!!

PLEASE JOIN US for a special worship service next Sunday honoring Sabiha and Osman Botonjic and their 20th anniversary among us. If you would like to say a few words pertaining to our refugee resettlement ministry, please contact Debbie Pallatto-Fontaine. We hope to see you there.

GIFT CARD bonus earnings for the church until Feb 15: Walmart- an extra 3%, Caribou Coffee- an extra 1 %, Bath and Body Works - we earn up to 13% and Sephora Jewelry - we earn 5% and it can be used at the Sephora counter in JC Penneys. Gift card order will go out Feb 11th and 25th. Get your orders in! Lenten Programs:

This year the Woodstock Hill Church and the East Congregational Church will be doing a slightly different, shared Lenten Program.
As in the past, we plan to meet the five Wednesday evenings during Lent, from 6 – 8pm. And, as in the past, we will share a light supper of bread and soup, made by the deacons of both churches, followed by the program.

But, this year, the programs will take place in individuals’ homes. We will begin the Lenten programs with two sessions at Rev Sue Foster’s home. Sue will be facilitating the discussion both evenings on the theme of "hospitality"; the hospitality of God, the (often) lack of chances that we have to actually sit and talk with one another, the chance to know and be known. The third program will be an in-home service at Bev & Earl Brazeal’s and the last two programs will be a discussion on “Conversations on Being a Christian” hosted by Jock & Jean McClellan and facilitated by Bob Kirk. Please come and join us for any or all of this year’s Lenten Programs.
Schedule and locations (6-8 PM on Wednesday evenings):

2/20; “Hospitality-1”, Sue Foster’s home
2/27; “Hospitality-2”, Sue Foster’s home

3/06; “In-home Service”, Bev & Earl Brazeal’s
3/13; “Conversations on Being a Christian-1”, Jock & Jean McClellan’s home
3/20; “Conversations on Being a Christian-2”, Jock & Jean McClellan’s home.
Christian Education for Children and Youth By Ellie Donahue
“LIKE” us on Facebook! Look for Children On The Hill!

Infant/Toddler Childcare Child care for infants and toddlers is located on the lower level. Various signs are posted to direct you to our colorful, spacious room. A speaker is located in the room if you wish to linger awhile with your child and listen to the morning worship service as well!

Pre-K through Grade 6 REBEKAH – Meg Bishop – Games/Storytelling - Through the story of Rebekah, we are learning to show our hospitality to others.

Grades 7- 12 PEER PRESSURE – Downstairs Teen Room – Kate Donahue Murdock
This morning’s topic- Be a Leader, Not a Follower! During coffee hour, kids are invited to linger awhile in the classroom for fellowship and their favorite board game.

Coffee Hour – as part of our Rebekah unit, the church school is showing hospitality by hosting coffee hour this morning. Be sure to stay awhile for goodies and fellowship.   CALENDAR OF THE WEEK Today
9:15 a.m. Adult Sunday School
Monday
7:30 p.m. AA
Tuesday
7:30 p.m. Hillbillies
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
6 - 8 Lenten Program
Thursday
7:30 p.m. Sr. Choir
Saturday
5:30 p.m. Italian Dinner

Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Feb. 10, 2013

WE ARE HONORED to have the Rev. Mary Lou Howson as our Guest Preacher today. Mary Lou has served churches in CT since 1982, primarily in Fairfield County. She is recently retired and is a certified spiritual director and retreat leader. She is also the chaplain to the Connecticut Women of the UCC. She and her husband, Jim, currently live in Southbury, CT.

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP NOTES: U.C.C. churches around the denomination take this opportunity to honor women in our churches.

It is also the time when our Women’s Fellowship selects one or two women in our midst who will be recognized at the Annual Meeting of CT Women of the UCC in April.

Women’s Fellowship will meet to assemble School Kits on Wednesday, February 13 at 10:30 a.m. Barbara Child will be our hostess & offer worship. Call Service Coordinator, Lynn Singleton at 860-963-7229 for more information.

Next Sunday, February 17 will be SCOUT SUNDAY. Come to support Boy Scout Troop 27 that we sponsor & all people involved in scouting.

GIFT CARD bonus earnings for the church until Feb 15: Walmart- an extra 3%, Caribou Coffee- an extra 1 %, Bath and Body Works - we earn up to 13% and Sephora jewlery - we earn 5% and it can be used at the Sephora counter in JC Penneys. Gift card order will go out Feb 11th and 25th. Get your orders in!

COUNCIL: The next regular meeting of the Church Council will be held on Tuesday Feb. 12 at 7PM. All committees and boards should be represented.

Christian Education for Children and Youth By Ellie Donahue

Infant/Toddler Childcare - Ruthie Kimball. Child care for infants and toddlers is located on the lower level. Various signs are posted to direct you to our colorful, spacious room. A speaker is located in the room if you wish to linger awhile with your child and listen to the morning worship service as well!

Pre-K through Grade 6

REBEKAH –– Music With Maria Sangiolo –– Learning songs to help us be everything God wants us to be.

Grades 7- 12

PEER PRESSURE –– Downstairs Teen Room –– Kate Donahue Murdock

This morning’s topic- Be a Leader, Not a Follower! During coffee hour, kids are invited to linger awhile in the classroom for fellowship and their favorite board game.

THE CHURCH SCHOOL IS SEEKING DONATIONS

THANK YOU Steve Etzel for taking action and resolving our water problem in the downstairs’’ classroom! The church school is MOST APPRECIATIVE! We are excited to be able to use the room again and are hoping to find a COUCH AND COMFY CHAIR to add to it. If anyone has a couch or comfy chair in fairly decent shape that you are looking to find a home for, please see Ellie Donahue. Thank you so much!

PEACE POLE PICTURE! –– In conclusion to our Peacemakers unit in January, the church school gathered round the peace pole on the front lawn for a photo. Check out our photo near the elevator!

NEXT SUNDAY: Lower Grades - Rebekah Unit - Games/ Storytelling –– Meg Bishop

Upper Grades - “Stand Firm!” a continuation of our Peer Pressure unit –– Kate Donahue Murdock

Don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook! Look for Children On The Hill!

THE ASH WEDNESDAY service will be held at the Church of the Good Shepherd at 7:00 p.m. and our church is invited to join in. Sue Foster and Pastor Brian will be participating, and The Rev. Dr. Debbie Pallatto-Fontaine will be offering the meditation.

Lenten Programs:

This year the Woodstock Hill Church and the East Congregational Church will be doing a slightly different, shared Lenten Program.

As in the past, we plan to meet the five Wednesday evenings during Lent, from 6 – 8pm. And, as in the past, we will share a light supper of bread and soup, made by the deacons of both churches, followed by the program.

But, this year, the programs will take place in individuals’ homes. We will begin the Lenten programs with two sessions at Rev Sue Foster’s home. Sue will be facilitating the discussion both evenings on the theme of "hospitality"; the hospitality of God, the (often) lack of chances that we have to actually sit and talk with one another, the chance to know and be known. The third program will be an in-home service at Bev & Earl Brazeal’s and the last two programs will be a discussion on “Conversations on Being a Christian” hosted by Jock & Jean McClellan and facilitated by Bob Kirk. Please come and join us for any or all of this year’s Lenten Programs.



Schedule and locations (6-8 PM on Wednesday evenings):



2/20; “Hospitality-1”, Sue Foster’s home
2/27; “Hospitality-2”, Sue Foster’s home
3/06; “In-home Service”, Bev & Earl Brazeal’s
3/13; “Conversations on Being a Christian-1”, Jock & Jean McClellan’s
3/20; “Conversations on Being a Christian-2”, Jock & Jean McClellan’s


CALENDAR OF THE WEEK


Today

9:15 a.m. Adult Sunday School

1 - 4 p.m. Boy Scout Court of Honor

Monday Community Kitchen

7:30 p.m. AA

7:30 p.m. Bell Choir

Tuesday

7:00 p.m. Council

Wednesday

10:30 a.m. Women’s Fellowship

7:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service at Church of the Good Shepherd

7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts

Thursday

7:00 p.m. Trustees

Next Sunday Scout Sunday

9:15 a.m. Adult Sunday School

Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Feb. 3, 2013

THIS MORNING WE WELCOME the Rev. Dr. Robert J. Wright Jr. to our pulpit. Rev. Wright recently retired as Sr. Pastor of the United Congregational Church of Tolland, where he served for 14 years. Before that he served as Sr. Pastor of the Second Congregational Church, UCC in North Beverly, MA for 18 years and his first pastoral position was in Bethlehem, CT, where he served for 5 years. Bob currently lives in Ashford with his wife Mary. They are parents to four adult children, and are the very proud grandparents to three year old Jonah and newborn, Lila.


Bob will be with us in a modified “Supply” capacity during the month of February. He will be preaching today and on February 17th and he will have office hours on those two Sundays and the following Thursdays (February 7th & February 21st). Please, introduce yourselves to him, and give Bob a warm, “Woodstock Hill” welcome.



WOMEN’S SUNDAY: Be sure to be with us next Sunday, February 10 to celebrate Women’s Sunday. The Rev. Mary Lou Howson will be our Guest Preacher. Come and honor the women in our midst!



THE SERRV CART will be out today for all of your Valentine shopping needs! (There is lots of chocolate!!)



OR, IF YOUR VALENTINE would prefer a gift card, we can do that too! The Gift Card Committee has announced that the next orders will be placed on Feb 11 and 25, and March 11 and 25.

































Christian Education for Children and Youth By Ellie Donahue



Pre-K through Grade 6

REBEKAH –– Art Rotation –– Kelly Bottieri

As we explore the story of Rebekah, we will learn that the servant gave Rebekah a gift of bracelets and a nose ring. These were popular pieces of jewelry in their culture. The children will make Rebekah bracelets to help remind them that God has chosen them, just as God chose Rebekah.

Grades 7- 12

PEER PRESSURE –– Downstairs Teen Room –– Kate Donahue Murdock and Brittany LaFleur

Round table discussion and activity based on 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - bad company can corrupt good character! During coffee hour, kids are invited to linger awhile in the classroom for fellowship and their favorite board game, Apples to Apples!

Next Week

Music with Maria Sangiolo –– Lower Grades

“Be a Leader, Not A Follower” –– Upper Grades


CALENDAR OF THE WEEK
Today
9:15 a.m. Adult Sunday School
Monday
7:30 p.m. AA
7:30 p.m. Bell Choir
Tuesday
7:00 p.m. YMT Conference Call
Wednesday
9:00 a.m. Parish Care Team
6:00 p.m. Deacons Dinner at Brazeals
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
Thursday
7:30 p.m. Sr. Choir
Saturday
5:30 p.m. Italian Dinner
Next Sunday - Women’s Sunday
9:15 a.m. Adult Sunday School
1 - 4 p.m. Boy Scouts Court of Honor