This Week February 28

Dear Folks,

We are on the brink of the Lenten season, a time for reflection, repentance, and renewal.  May we make the most of it.

The first meeting of Quiet Hour has been changed from March 1 to March 8.  Please note the change. 

I will be in the office tomorrow morning from 9 A.M. to noon, then by arrangement the rest of the day if anyone would like to stop by for ashes.

The Ash Wednesday Service will be held at the Huntington United Methodist Church at 7 P.M. tomorrow.  I will be preaching on Psalm 51.

This Sunday is the First Sunday in Lent.  We will be celebrating Holy Communion.  I will begin a Lenten Sermon Series on the Lord's Prayer.  The scripture for all six weeks will be Matthew 6:9-13.  This week, the sermon is on Matthew 6:9.

The deadline for Membership Dues, $12 per member for 2017, is tomorrow.  If you have not already done so, you may place your dues contribution in the offering plate or by on-line giving. Visit huntingtonucc.org or contact the church office for more information.

Tickets for the Corned Beef and Cabbage Supper will be sold this Sunday following the service.  The supper is on March 12 at 5:30.  Adults are $13, children are $8.

The 28^th Annual Bowl-2-Benefit The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services will be held on Saturday, March 11^th at AMF Milford Lanes. Team HCCUCC is bowling in the 2 P.M. slot.  If anyone is interested in bowling, please see me or Judy Tucker.  Packets are available at church.  You can also join our team and fund raise online: 

https://www.firstgiving.com/team/345631

Or, you can also visit this site and make a donation.  We will be taking an offering following worship this Sunday.

Let us pray.  O God, may the coming 40 days of Lent not just be another set of days just to muddle through.  Help us to truly grow closer to you and to one other by listening to your Spirit speaking to our hearts.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week February 21

Dear Folks,

Here's hoping this message finds you well!

This coming Sunday, February 26, is Transfiguration Sunday.  The scripture is Matthew 17:1-9.  The sermon is "In The Presence".  Kenley Rose Liggins will be baptized.

Please join us immediately following the service in Fellowship Hall this Sunday for the Sunday School Breakfast and Game time!  It will be a simple pancake and sausage breakfast followed by various games like Pictionary, Apples to Apples, and Trivial Pursuit.  Bring the whole family! You are welcome to just stay for breakfast or stay for the whole time!  There will be a free-will offering to cover costs of the breakfast and to benefit the Sunday School.

The deadline for Membership Dues, $12 per member for 2017, is March 1^st.  If you have not already done so, you may place your dues contribution in the offering plate or by on-line giving. If you need a convenient way to make regular offerings or for additional gifts, we encourage you to check out our electronic giving options. As life can be hectic, you may find electronic giving an easy way to make contributions. Visit huntingtonucc.org or contact the church office for more information.

Ash Wednesday is March 1^st. Service will be held at the Huntington United Methodist Church on Walnut Tree Hill Road at 7 p.m. Please join us. Watch for the Wednesday Lenten Service schedule in upcoming bulletins and in the March Belfry.

If anyone is unable to come to the evening Ash Wednesday service but would like ashes, you are welcome to stop in the church between 9:30 and 10 A.M. and 11 A.M. to noon.  Other times can be arranged, just contact me.

The HCCUCC Confirmation Class with St. Paul's Youth Group is sponsoring a collection of diapers and wipes through March 1for  CT Partnership for Children, Inc. This group is raising awareness & collecting diapers & wipes to help babies who are living in poverty clean, dry, & 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!

Everyone is invited, at no cost, to attend our annual six week Quiet Hour sessions, beginning Ash Wednesday, March 1 at 10 a.m. in the church library. The book is “SIMPLE WAYS TOWARDS THE SACRED” by Gunilla Norris.  I will be leading the discussion. 

The 28^th Annual Bowl-2-Benefit The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services will be held on Saturday, March 11^th at AMF Milford Lanes. If you wish to join our Team or would like to make a donation, please see Judy Tucker or Rev. Lucille. We will be taking an offering following worship this Sunday and next. Please be generous. Thank you!

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 God of grace and goodness, may you continue to bless us with a desire to continue to be witnesses to Christ where ever we are and to whomever we meet.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week February 14, 2017

Dear Folks,

Happy Valentine's Day!  I hope you all got a chance to say "I love you" to someone today.  I love you all!!  There, I did!!

Sunday, February 19 is the Seventh Sunday after Epiphany.  We will also be observing Women's Sunday since worship was canceled this past Sunday.  The scripture is Matthew 5:38-48.  The sermon is "Go Against the Flow".  We will also have the children's Bag Message.

Please join us immediately following the service in Fellowship Hall on February 26 for the Sunday School and Game Breakfast. There will be a free-will offering to cover costs of the breakfast and benefit the Sunday School. Pancakes and sausage will be served. Hope to see you there!

The HCCUCC Confirmation Class with St. Paul's Youth Group is sponsoring a collection of diapers and wipes through March 1for  CT Partnership for Children, Inc. This group is raising awareness & collecting diapers & wipes to help babies who are living in poverty clean, dry, & 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!

Everyone is invited, at no cost, to attend our annual six week Quiet Hour sessions, beginning Ash Wednesday, March 1 at 10 a.m. in the church library. The book is “SIMPLE WAYS TOWARDS THE SACRED” by Gunilla Norris. The discussion will be led by Rev. Lucille. Please sign-up 0n the easel in the alcove or call the church office (203-929-1223). 

The 28^th Annual Bowl-2-Benefit The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services will be held on Saturday, March 1^th at AMF Milford Lanes. If you wish to join our Team or would like to make a donation, please see Judy Tucker or Rev. Lucille. A collection will be taken following worship on February 26 and March 5.

Women's Fellowship will be collecting items for Church World Service Kits during February and March until April 5. Items needed are: School Kits:~ blunt scissors~ Box 24 crayons (only 24)~ Pencil sharpeners-hand held ~ Spiral notebooks-70 sheets~ 12 inch rulers ~ New Pencils w/erasers~ Large eraser. Hygiene Kits: ~ Combs (wide tooth only) ~ Bath size soap in wrapper~ Nail clippers~ 3” Band-aids~ Washcloths~ Hand towels~ Toothbrushes in original package. Your donations can be left in the CWS box or Women’s Fellowship box in Fellowship Hall. Please see Laura Salvio with any questions.

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 God, everyday to say "I love to you" to us through every breath we take.  May we say "I love you" back through our words and our actions of compassion, generosity, and kindness.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

Devotional February 12, 2017

Hi Folks,

So, since we are not having worship service at HCCUCC today, I thought I would offer you a little devotional.  It's still the Sabbath, after all!

Matthew 5:21-24:  “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift."

This is the continuation of Jesus's "Sermon on the Mount".  The Sermon on the Mount is a series of ethical and moral teachings.  These teachings were, for the time, revolutionary.  They went beyond the strict literal interpretation of the law and instead looked to the spirit, the heart at which the laws were aiming.

In today's scripture, we have Jesus expanding and enlarging the commandment, "You shall not murder."  It's not just about literally killing someone, but, goes further into the relationship between people.  If we harbor ill will, if we say things that are rude and unkind, that's just as serious as literally taking their life.  This sounds pretty severe on Jesus's part, but, I believe that he wants to make it clear how important good relationships are.  We know that when we are angry at someone or holding a grudge, it really casts a pall over all our dealings.  Anger eats at us.  Grudges sap our energy.  Jesus calls us to be in good relationship with others, and calls us to let go of the negativity.  He goes on to insinuate that when we do not have good relationships with others, we do not have a good relationship with God.  "So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift."

You know I'm all about being one, one with God and one with one another.  If we we cannot get along with the people we can see, how can we get along with the God we do not see?  We are all interconnected.  When one relationship hurts, all hurt.  But,this is not a perfect world and there are many broken relationships that can never be restored.  Yet, that does not mean we have to harbor the anger, the grudge, the guilt.  Let it go.  Allow God to work healing and reconciliation into our souls.  Do not allow the anger and resentment kill our spirits.  Let's take that deep breath, knowing we are held in God's eternal love. Let go and let God.  Amen.

Let us pray.  O God, we live in a world filled with hatred, violence, and broken relationships.  Help us all to bring some healing and hope by our own letting go of anger, judgments, and grudges, against others and ourselves, trusting the power of your love. Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week February 7, 2017

Dear Folks,

Hope you stay safe and warm during these few days of crazy weather! 

My prayer day is this Thursday, February 9.  Please let me know if you have a joy or concern you would like me to raise up.

James Wannagot, husband of Lori and father of Amanda and Joey, passed away this weekend.  Calling hours will be on Friday, February 10, 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. at the Adzima Funeral Home in Derby.  The funeral will be on Saturday, February 11, time to be determined at St. Margaret Mary's Roman Catholic Church on Long Hill Avenue.  Please keep the family in your prayers.

Sunday, February 12 is the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany.  We will also be observing Women's Sunday.  The scripture is Matthew 5:21-24.  The sermon is "Let It Go".

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.

The HCCUCC Confirmation Class with St. Paul's Youth Group is sponsoring a collection of diapers and wipes through March 1for  CT Partnership for Children, Inc. This group is raising awareness & collecting diapers & wipes to help babies who are living in poverty clean, dry, & 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!

Please join us immediately following the service in Fellowship Hall on February 26 for the Sunday School and Game Breakfast. There will be a free-will offering to cover costs of the breakfast and benefit the Sunday School. Pancakes and sausage will be served. Hope to see you there!

Everyone is invited, at no cost, to attend our annual six week Quiet Hour sessions, beginning Ash Wednesday, March 1 at 10 a.m. in the church library. The book is “SIMPLE WAYS TOWARDS THE SACRED” by Gunilla Norris. The discussion will be led by Rev. Lucille. Please sign-up 0n the easel in the alcove or call the church office (203-929-1223). 

The 28^th Annual Bowl-2-Benefit The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services will be held on Saturday, March 1¹ at AMF Milford Lanes. If you wish to join our Team or would like to make a donation, please see Judy Tucker or Rev. Lucille. A collection will be taken following worship on February 26 and March 5.

Women's Fellowship will be collecting items for Church World Service Kits during February and March until April 5. Items needed are: School Kits:~ blunt scissors~ Box 24 crayons (only 24)~ Pencil sharpeners-hand held ~ Spiral notebooks-70 sheets~ 12 inch rulers ~ New Pencils w/erasers~ Large eraser. Hygiene Kits: ~ Combs (wide tooth only) ~ Bath size soap in wrapper~ Nail clippers~ 3” Band-aids~ Washcloths~ Hand towels~ Toothbrushes in original package. Your donations can be left in the CWS box or Women’s Fellowship box in Fellowship Hall. Please see Laura Salvio with any questions.

Let us pray.  O God of wisdom and grace, may you grant us clear discernment on we can best, in our own individual lives and as a community of faith, be your light an love in this world.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille