Hi Folks,

I hope you all had an enjoyable Fourth of July holiday!

Tonight (Tuesday) is our latest "LEO" (Let's Eat Out).  There is still time to come!  Meet at the church at 6:15 or at Ruby Tuesday's on Bridgeport Ave. at 6:30. Come and join the fun!

Wednesday is the Concert on the Green featuring "The Highland Rovers".  The Vitality Committee will be handing out water and offering a sign up for a free gift card and the Men's Fellowship will be selling $2 hot dogs.  Stop by and say "hi!".  Donations of water and gift cards are most welcome to help out in this outreach to our community.

This Thursday is my prayer day.  If you have any prayers you would like me to lift up, please let me know.

This Sunday's, scripture is 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-15.  The sermon is “Joy!”.

Toys for "Halle's Closet" are still being accepted through this coming Sunday.  Thank you to all who already donated! as a reminder, the VBS outreach project this year was for "Halle's Closet", one of the projects of "Halle's Hope".  Halle was a five year old girl who passed away.  Her family wanted to do something in her memory to help other children.  They founded "Halle's Hope", an organization to make children's lives a little better.  This past winter, the HCCUCC Sunday School collected mittens and hats.  For VBS, they decided to collect toys for "Halle's Closet".  There is actually a closet in Bridgeport Hospital where they keep toys for the sick children and their siblings.  These toys can brighten a child's day.

We had our Open and Affirming (ONA) process introduction meeting on June 28.  Thank you to everyone who came out.  Handouts from that meeting are available in the Alcove.  Also in the alcove is a box for any questions or comments you may have about this process.  Please note that only signed items will be accepted.  Watch for more information for future ONA events for Fall.

The 3rd Annual Bruce E. Hartel Antique Car Show will be held on Sunday, August 30^th During the summer, we are collecting donations of water and soda that can be left in Fellowship Hall marked with "Car Show".  Food and beverage proceeds will benefit HCCUCC’s General Operating Fund. All other proceeds will benefit the Organ Fund and the American Cancer Society.  If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help with the car show, please contact Robin Hartel at 203-929-7689 or robin.hartel@yahoo.com.

If you or anyone you know has a 3 or 4 year old, please note that the Huntington Center Nursery School (HCNS) is planning on offering the option of a full day preschool program starting September 1^st, 2015. We will continue to offer our regular and extended day programs. We want to be able to meet the needs of everyone in our community, therefore; the full time program will allow those families that need the longer hours to take advantage of our quality preschool program. Please contact our Director, Linda Rizzitelli at 203-929-7197 for more information. HCNS is open to the public.

Please be sure to check out our HCCUCC website: www.huntingtonucc.org and our HCCUCC blog which can be accessed from the website or:  www.huntingtonucc.blogspot.com/. We are also on Facebook and Twitter!!

Let us pray.  O God, may we look to your earth for a glimpse of your majesty.  May we look to your people for a glimpse of your love.  Help us to be open and aware to your presence in everyone and everything.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille