This Week November 27, 2018

Dear Folks,

The Season of Advent is almost upon us.  May we take many moments in this busy time to contemplate the gift God gave us in Jesus Christ.

This Wednesday is our LEO (Let's Eat Out).  If you haven't signed up, please let me know ASAP if you will be coming.  Deadline is tomorrow at noon.

This Sunday, December 2, is the First Sunday in Advent.  The scripture is Luke 21:25-33.  The sermon is "Reading the Signs."  Holy Communion will be celebrated.  We will be taking the Emergency Assistance Fund offering which is used to help people in our church community as well as our wider community with help in the event of an emergency.

Immediately following worship will be a meeting for all members of the Huntington Congregational Church UCC for the purpose of presenting a draft budget for 2019. 

Following the Congregational meeting, the Deacons will be decorating the sanctuary for Christmas.  Any help would be greatly appreciated!

St. Paul's is hosting a Carol Sing on Sunday at 4 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal (historic) Church.  All are invited.

On Friday, December 14, Holly Fassbender will be preparing a Christmas meal for the residents of Spooner House Homeless Shelter. Please look for Holly or Gerry in the alcove or Fellowship Hall after services on today and next Sunday to make a donation to help cover the cost of both the meal and gifts for the children.

The Mission Committee is sponsoring the Under the Tree program to benefit needy adults and children at BH Care in Ansonia. Watch for tags listing gift requests on our Christmas tree in the alcove and select a gift request to help make Christmas a little brighter for someone in need. All purchased gifts need to be returned by Sunday, December 9. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Please take note of the poster in the Alcove with suggested items for the Valley Food Bank bin in Fellowship Hall. Of course, all items are gratefully accepted, but the Missions Committee put together a list that attempts to target items that may be needed more during certain seasons or months. The need is great, so please be generous!

Women’s Fellowship is offering Keep Christ in Christmas magnets for $4.00 located on the table by the coat rack. Please leave your money with Sue Lindley or Karen in the church office.

Let us pray.  O Holy God, be with us as we watch and wait for signs of your loving presence among us.  If we do not see it, help us to be it.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week November 20, 2018

Dear Folks,

 

How quickly the time is flying!  It's already the holiday season!  Starting with the Thanksgiving, a time of gratitude, may the season it be a blessing to us, as we in turn are blessings to the world.

 

Tonight, Tuesday, November 20 is the Shelton Clergy Association's Interfaith Thanksgiving Service.  It will be held at 7 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church of Shelton, Long Hill Road and Rocky Rest.  I will be preaching. Non-perishable food items are welcomed for the Valley Food Bank.  The monetary offering will go to Spooner House, our local homeless shelter.  After the service, everyone is invited to fellowship time featuring pumpkin desserts.  Please feel free to bring your favorite to share!

 

This Sunday, November 25, is the Reign of Christ.  The scriptures are II Samuel 23:1-7 and John 18:33-38.  The sermon is “Higher Ground".  Mr. Eric Gramse will be bringing the message.  Eric is a student of the New York School of Ministry, a Member in Discernment with the Fairfield East Association, part-time pastor at the United Church of Christ of Bridgeport, and a chaplain at Griffin Hospital.  I am his mentor.

 

Our next “LEO” (let’s eat out) is Wednesday, November 28, 6:30 P.M. at Carmine’s on River Road.  Please sign up in the Alcove.

 

On Friday, December 14, Holly Fassbender will be preparing a Christmas meal for the residents of Spooner House Homeless Shelter. Please look for Holly or Gerry in the alcove or Fellowship Hall after services on December 2 & 9 to make a donation to help cover the cost of both the meal and gifts for the children.

 

The Mission Committee is in the process of connecting with BH Care sponsoring the Under the Tree program to benefit needy adults and children at BH Care in Ansonia. Watch for tags listing gift requests on our Christmas tree in the alcove and select a gift request to help make Christmas a little brighter for someone in need. All purchased gifts need to be returned by Sunday, December 16. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

There will be a meeting for all members of the Huntington Congregational Church UCC

immediately following the worship service SUNDAY, December 2, 2018 for the purpose of presenting a draft budget for 2019.  Please be sure to come!

 

Following the budget meeting, the Deacon's will be decorating the sanctuary for Christmas.  Please help!!!

 

Let us pray.  O Generous God of All Good Things, may our thanks and praise be continual as we not only acknowledge but cherish all the blessings with which we have been blessed.  Amen.

 

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week November 14, 2018

Dear Folks,

Ah, a winter storm is coming!  Stay safe and warm!

Hopefully, the storm will not interfere with our Pumpkin & Holly Fair, this Friday, 5:30 P.M. to 8 P.M., and Saturday, 9:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.  Come on down!!

This Sunday, November 18, is the Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost.  The scripture is Matthew 6:25-33.  The sermon is "Abundantly Blessed".

The Shelton Clergy Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 7 P.M., at First United Methodist Church of Shelton, 188 Rocky Rest Road. Following the service will be a time of refreshment featuring pumpkin desserts, please bring your favorite! A donation of non-perishable goods will be collected for the Valley Food Bank. Monetary donations will benefit Spooner House. Please write your checks to the Shelton Clergy Association.

If you have not done so, please be sure to return your Faith Promise (Pledge) Cards to HCCUCC as soon as possible. Your faithful generosity makes our ministry in the name of Jesus to our community and our world possible!

There will be a meeting for all members of the Huntington Congregational Church UCC immediately following the worship service on Sunday, December 2, 2018 for the purpose of presenting a draft budget for 2019.

Let us pray.  As the weather changes, throwing monkey wrenches into our plans, such too is life.  But, O God, you are always present, no matter what.  Help us to put our trust in you.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week November 6, 2018

Dear Folks,

I voted, did you?

This Sunday, November 11, is the Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost.  The scripture is Psalm 127:1-2.  The sermon is "Unless".  We will be also taking time to honor our veterans.

After worship, we will be setting up for the Pumpkin & Holly Fair.  Any help would be appreciated!!  Sunday is also the deadline for bringing items in for Santa's Attic.

Speaking of the Pumpkin & Holly, it's quickly approaching:  Friday, November 16 starting at 5:30 P.M., and Saturday, November 17, starting at 9:30 A.M.  All hands on deck!!

The Shelton Clergy Thanksgiving Interfaith Service will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 7 P.M. at First United Methodist Church of Shelton. Following the service will be a time of refreshment featuring pumpkin desserts, please feel free to bring your favorite! A donation of non-perishable goods will be collected for the Valley Food Bank. Monetary donations will benefit Spooner House.

Let us pray.  O God, as the water falls from the sky to quench our physical thirst, may your Spirit fall from your heart to quench our spiritual thirst.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille