This Week April 4

Dear Folks,

Gray and dreary day...remember that April showers bring May flowers!

The final 2017 Shelton Ecumenical Lenten Service will be held Wednesday, April 5 at Trinity Lutheran Church.  The Rev. Amjad Samuel will be preaching.  Dinner is at 6 P.M., the service is at 7 P.M.

Our Habitat for Humanity work day is this Saturday, April 8.  Please contact Bob Moseley for more info.

This Sunday, April 9, is Palm Sunday.  My sermon series on the Lord's Prayer concludes with "Footnote".  The children will distribute the palms.

Following worship, the Sundays School is hosting an Easter egg hunt.

Sunday is the final day to sign-up for the April 13 Seder.  The sign-up sheet is posted in the alcove. Payment is due at the time of sign-up. Cancellations will be taken up until Sunday.  If you cancel after that, and there is not a fill in, you may have a takeout order, but money will not be refunded. Adults: $15; Children: $10.

The absolute deadline for Easter flower orders is this Sunday. The order forms can be found on the shelf in the alcove and can be given to Judy Tucker or left in the Flower Chair mail slot above the coat rack.

Sunday is the pick-up day if you ordered the Women’s Fellowship Manhattan and New England Clam Chowder.

Please note our Holy Week Schedule:

Wednesday, April 12:  The final 2017 Quiet Hour, 10 A.M. in the library

Maundy Thursday, April 13:  Seder, 6:30 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall, followed by Tenebrae at 7:45 P.M. in the Sanctuary

Good Friday, April 14:  Services at Noon and 7 P.M. in the Sanctuary

Holy Saturday, April 15:  Practice for choir, bell choir, and sacred dancers, time to be determined.

Easter, April 16:  Sunrise Service, 6 A.M. at Jones' Family Farm.  I am preaching.

Easter Worship services at HCCUCC:  9 A.M. and 11 A.M.  There will be no fellowship hour or Sunday School.  Child Care will be provided at the 9 A.M. service only.

The 9^th Annual Treasures, Talents and Tastes Auction is on Saturday, May 6^th, 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Please see Linda or Bob Sember for more info or contact them at 203-929-5853.

The First Congregational Church of Stratford presents FRANCE 2017. Eleven Days and Nine Nights— September 26^th – October 6^th. For more information, see the bulletin board in the alcove.

Let us pray.  O God, as our Lenten journey gets ever closer to the cross, may we truly feel the great grace, mercy, and especially love that you have for each of us, eternally.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille