Tuesday, January 31, 2017

This Week January 31

Dear Folks,

One year ago today, January 31, 2016, we voted to become an Open and Affirming congregation.  We are living out our commitment to inclusivity and extravagant welcome.

Here again is our Open and Affirming covenant:

“No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”

Huntington Congregational Church, United Church of Christ is called to spread the love and light of God like a beacon into the community and the world.  We seek to embody Jesus’ great commandment to love God, and our neighbors as ourselves (Luke 10:25-27).  In keeping with this calling, we, the members of Huntington Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, declare ourselves as “Everybody’s Church”.  We welcome and affirm all persons of every race, age, gender, marital status, physical or mental ability, socio-economic status, nationality, life history, faith background, and sexual orientation or gender expression or identity into the full life and ministry of this community of faith, including membership and leadership. We welcome and embrace the God-given gifts that each person brings to the life of our congregation.
As an Open and Affirming church, we join our sisters and brothers in the United Church of Christ and all persons who are committed to the struggle for justice, peace, love, equality, and inclusivity, with the example and teachings of Jesus Christ as our guide.

May God continue to bless us with the will, the desire, the energy, and the faith to continue to live up to this covenant.

This coming Sunday is the Fifth Sunday After Epiphany.  We will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion.  The scripture reading is the continuation of the Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:13-16.  The sermon is "Well Seasoned".

The HCCUCC Confirmation Class along with St. Paul's Youth Group is sponsoring a diaper and baby wipe drive from February 1 to March 1 to benefit CT Partnership for Children, Inc. This group is committed to raising awareness through the collection of diapers and wipes to aid babies who are living in poverty to be clean, dry, and comfortable. Gift cards to stores who carry these items are also welcome.  Please donate by leaving your donated items in the box in the alcove and/or give the gift cards to Jennifer McCarthy or Rev. Lucille. Thank you for your generosity!

My Sister’s Place bin is in Fellowship Hall for you to make your tax deductible donations by filling out the donation form, take your copy and attach or enclose their copy in with your items.

Let us pray.  O Holy One, fill us with your light and love that we can be a beacon of hope to our community and our world.  Amen.

In Christ's love,
Rev. Lucille

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

This Week January 24, 2017

Dear Folks,

Hope you are all safe and warm on this bone chilling day!

This coming Sunday, January 29th, is the Fourth Sunday After Epiphany. The scripture reading is Matthew 5:1-12.  The sermon is "Blessed".

The Women's Fellowship annual meeting will be this Sunday following the church service (approx.10:30am). All women of the church are encouraged and welcomed to attend. We will be meeting in the library to approve our budget and elect officers; refreshments will be served.

The bin from My Sister’s Place is in Fellowship Hall for you to make your tax deductible donations. Please fill out the donation form, take your copy and attach or enclose their copy in with your items.

Let us pray. O God, we are grateful that we are safe and warm on these bone chilling days. We lift up our prayers for those who are not. May you be in those dangerous places, those harsh environments, those horrify circumstances. May your peace, your hope, and your healing reign. And may you move us to do what we can to be a part of that peace, hope, and healing. Amen.

In Christ's love,
Rev. Lucille

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

This Week January 17, 2017

Dear Folks,

There are heavy leaden skies out there; iffy weather once again.  Watch the temps and watch the precipitation!

The next LEO (Let's Eat Out) will be this Wednesday, January 18, 6:30 P.M. at Trattoria Roma in the White Hills Plaza.  Please let me know ASAP if you would like to go.

This coming Sunday, January 22, is the Third Sunday After Epiphany.  The scripture is Matthew 4:12-23.  The sermon is "Together".

THE 293rd ANNUAL MEETING OF THE HUNTINGTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC WILL BE HELD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2017 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING OFFICERS, ACCEPTING THE 2017 BUDGET, AND CONSIDERING AND VOTING ON ANOTHER OFFER FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE BISHOP PROPERTY. Child Care will be Provided. The Snowdate is Sunday, January 29, 2017.

Let us pray.  Holy One of love and light, thank you for calling us to serve you, no matter who we are, no matter where we are on life's journey.  May we be faithful to the task.  Amen.

In Christ's love,
Rev. Lucille

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

This Week January 11, 2017

Dear Folks,

Deep freeze to 50 degrees, oh how fickle is our weather!  Hope you are all bearing up!

Tomorrow, Thursday, January 12 is my prayer day.  If you have a joy or concern you would like me to raise up, please let me know.

This Sunday, January 15, is the Second Sunday After Epiphany.  The scripture reading is Isaiah 49:1-7.  The sermon is "Let It Shine".  There also will be a Bag Message with Lukas Zinsky supplying the bag item.  So, what will it be?!

The next LEO (Let's Eat Out) will be on Wednesday, January 18, 6:30 P.M. at Trattoria Roma in the White Hills Plaza.  If you would like to go, please sign up in the Alcove.

Just a reminder: we started a New Year's tradition: the Prayer List is wiped clean.  If you would like to relist someone or add someone, please let Karen or me know.

THE 293rd ANNUAL MEETING OF THE HUNTINGTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC WILL BE HELD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2017 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING OFFICERS, ACCEPTING THE 2017 BUDGET, AND CONSIDERING AND VOTING ON ANOTHER OFFER FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE BISHOP PROPERTY. Child Care will be Provided. The Snowdate is Sunday, January 29, 2017.

Let us pray.  O God, thank you for those who fill our hearts with joy.  They are your blessings to us!  Amen.

In Christ's love,
Rev. Lucille

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

This Week January 3

Dear Folks,

Happy New Year!  May this 2017 be filled with the abundant blessings of God in our lives!

Happy Epiphany on January 6! 

This Sunday, January 8, is the Baptism of Christ.  The scripture is Matthew 3:13-17.  The sermon is "Take Me to the River".  Why, yes, that is the title of my favorite "Talking Heads" song.

Following worship, the Deacons will be undecorating the sanctuary.  Any help would be appreciated!

We are starting a New Year's tradition: the Prayer List is wiped clean.  If you would like to relist someone or add someone, please let Karen or me know.

THE 293rd ANNUAL MEETING OF THE HUNTINGTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC WILL BE HELD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2017 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING OFFICERS, ACCEPTING THE 2017 BUDGET. Child Care will be Provided. The Snowdate is Sunday, January 29, 2017.

Let us pray.  Like those wise ones from the East, may we too, O God, search for the Christ Child, not in some far off land, but rather in our hearts and in the faces of all we meet.  May you give us the wisdom and the faith to do so.  Amen.

In Christ's love,
Rev. Lucille