This Week March 29, 2022

 Dear Folks, 

Brr!  Stay warm today but enjoy the sunshine!

 

Continued prayers for peace in the Ukraine and in all of our world.

 

This coming Sunday, April 3, is the Fifith Sunday in Lent.  The scriptures are Isaiah 43:16-21 and John 12:1-8.  The sermon is "Costly Love".  We will be celebrating Holy Communion, so be sure to either bring or have your elements ready.  The service is on-site and live streamed on Facebook at 9:30 A.M.

 

Sign-up sheets are available in the Alcove for Sunday morning lay readers and for Maundy Thursday Tenebrae readers.

 

Also, there is a sign-up sheet in the Alcove for the Maundy Thursday Seder Meal.

 

Easter Flower order sheets are available in the Alcove.  Please have your order in by April 10,

 

Please submit your $12 gift per member to offset our commitment to the Fairfield East Association and the Southern New England Conference UCC ASAP. This can be done by in-person, mail, or through our website on-line giving. Thank you for your continued support and faithfulness.

 

The Valley Food Bank at Spooner House is in need of these items: shelf stable milk and powdered milk, pancake mix and syrup, peanut butter and jelly, canned fruit and applesauce, garbanzo and navy beans, canned tuna and chicken, oatmeal and other cereals, and pasta sauce.  There is a box in the Alcove and also the "wishing well" in Fellowship Hall for your donations.  Please be generous!

 

Community Tag Sale: Women’s Fellowship will again be holding our annual tag sale on June 4 (rain date June 11). You are welcome to have your own space or donate items to the church table. Please note that we cannot take items yet, and they may not be dropped off in Reuman House. As the time gets closer, there will be information on where and when to do this. Until then, please consider us as you do any spring clean-out!

 

Please continue to support HCCUCC with your contributions.  Now more than ever, our mission of being the beacon of love and light on the Huntington Green and beyond is vital. Contributions sent in by mail are welcome. Please consider donating at our website, www.huntingtonucc.org. Electronic Fund Transfer giving is also available. Please email the church, hcc@snet.net if you would like a form to set that up. Any way you give is a blessing and is greatly appreciated.

 

Let us pray.  Holy God, help us all to put aside the distractions of our lives to truly see our purpose as your people in this world.  This purpose is to be love.  Amen.

 

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week March 22, 2022

 Dear Folks,

 

Enjoy the sunshine!

 

Continued prayers for peace in the Ukraine and in all of our world.

 

This coming Sunday, March 27, is the Fourth Sunday in Lent.  The scriptures are II Corinthians 5:16-21 and Luke 15:1-7.  The sermon is "Lost and Found".  The service is on-site and live streamed on Facebook.

 

The One Great Hour of Sharing offering will be taken on March 27^th. Through OGHS, lives are literally changed daily. Your support provides clean water, food, medicines, shelter, healthcare, education and so much more. Please give generously.

 

The Valley Food Bank at Spooner House is in need of these items: shelf stable milk and powdered milk, pancake mix and syrup, peanut butter and jelly, canned fruit and applesauce, garbanzo and navy beans, canned tuna and chicken, oatmeal and other cereals, and pasta sauce.  There is a box in the Alcove and also the "wishing well" in Fellowship Hall for your donations.  Please be generous!

 

Please continue to support HCCUCC with your contributions.  Now more than ever, our mission of being the beacon of love and light on the Huntington Green and beyond is vital. Contributions sent in by mail are welcome. Please consider donating at our website, www.huntingtonucc.org. Electronic Fund Transfer giving is also available. Please email the church, hcc@snet.net if you would like a form to set that up. Any way you give is a blessing and is greatly appreciated.

 

Let us pray.  Holy Creator, may we seek your presence in our everyday moments, knowing you are always there.  For that and all things, we offer you thanks.  Amen.

 

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

 

 

This Week March 15, 2022

  

Dear Folks,

 

Hope you are all well.

 

Continued prayers for peace in the Ukraine and in all of our world.

 

This coming Sunday, March 20, is the Third Sunday in Lent.  The scripture is Isaiah 55:1-9.  The sermon is "Our Thoughts".  The service is on-site and live streamed on Facebook.

 

The One Great Hour of Sharing offering will be taken on March 27^th. Through OGHS, lives are literally changed daily. Your support provides clean water, food, medicines, shelter, healthcare, education and so much more. Please give generously.

 

The Valley Food Bank at Spooner House is in need of these items: shelf stable milk and powdered milk, pancake mix and syrup, peanut butter and jelly, canned fruit and applesauce, garbanzo and navy beans, canned tuna and chicken, oatmeal and other cereals, and pasta sauce.  There is a box in the Alcove and also the "wishing well" in Fellowship Hall for your donations.  Please be generous!

 

Please continue to support HCCUCC with your contributions.  Now more than ever, our mission of being the beacon of love and light on the Huntington Green and beyond is vital. Contributions sent in by mail are welcome. Please consider donating at our website, www.huntingtonucc.org. Electronic Fund Transfer giving is also available. Please email the church, hcc@snet.net if you would like a form to set that up. Any way you give is a blessing and is greatly appreciated.

 

Let us pray.  O Holy One, may this Season of Lent be a time for us to renew our commitment to you.  May we allow the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts, giving us the strength and inspiration to be your love and light in this world.  Amen.

 

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week March 8, 2022

 Dear Folks,

 Hope you are well and not too wind-blown!

 

Continued prayers for peace in the Ukraine and in all of our world.

 

Thursday, March 10 is my Prayer Day.  If you have any joys or concerns you would like me to lift up, please let me know.  Be assured you are all held in prayer!

 

Remember to turn your clocks ahead before you go to sleep on Saturday night.  You don't want to be late for worship!

 

This coming Sunday, March 13, is the Second Sunday in Lent.  The scripture is Luke 13:31-35.  The sermon is "Gathers".  The service is on-site and live streamed on Facebook.

 

The Valley Food Bank at Spooner House is in need of these items: shelf stable milk and powdered milk, pancake mix and syrup, peanut butter and jelly, canned fruit and applesauce, garbanzo and navy beans, canned tuna and chicken, oatmeal and other cereals, and pasta sauce.  There is a box in the Alcove and also the "wishing well" in Fellowship Hall for your donations.  Please be generous!

 

Please continue to support HCCUCC with your contributions.  Now more than ever, our mission of being the beacon of love and light on the Huntington Green and beyond is vital. Contributions sent in by mail are welcome. Please consider donating at our website, www.huntingtonucc.org. Electronic Fund Transfer giving is also available. Please email the church, hcc@snet.net if you would like a form to set that up. Any way you give is a blessing and is greatly appreciated.

 

Let us pray.  O God, in this wilderness season of sickness, war, fear, and death, remind us again of your ever-present presence.  Calm our fear, heal our hearts, and help us to live lives filled with passion and courage to work for justice and peace in your world.  Amen.

 

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

Ukraine Appeal

 Dear Folks,

 

If you are like me, you may be thinking, "What can I do about the illegal war in Ukraine?".  

 

Well, first of all, pray.  Pray for peace.  Pray for safety.  Pray that hard hearts would be softened. Pray, pray, pray.

 

Second, give.  The United Church of Christ Emergency Ukraine Appeal is targeting the most in need:

 

Ukraine Emergency Appeal - United Church of Christ (ucc.org)

 

You can give directly from this website, or you can give through HCCUCC, noting "Emergency Ukraine".  

 

There are also other charities to whom you may also want to give.

 

Another effective way to give locally to Ukraine is to book nights at an Airbnb in some Ukrainian city.  This helps individuals and families directly.  I have two nights booked in Kyiv for March 7-9.  Send a note of support to your host.  Slava Ukraine!

 

Third, work for justice and peace in our own communities.  The ripple effect can be amazing.

 

Fourth, take care of yourselves and your loved ones.  These are very stressful times, on top of a pandemic.  We are already emotionally exhausted.  Be gentle and nurturing.  Don't sweat the small stuff.

 

Fifth, remember you are, we all are, God's Beloveds, eternally loved.  We are not alone; we have never been alone.

 

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

 

 

This Week March 1, 2022

Dear Folks,

Hope you are well!

Continued prayer for peace in Ukraine.

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of our Lenten Journey.

Ash Wednesday service will be held at 7 P.M. on-site and Facebook live-streamed. The service link will be sent out later that evening. Please watch for the email with the bulletin and link later today.

This Sunday is the First Sunday in Lent. The scripture is Luke 4:1-13. The sermon is "Wilderness Companion". We will be celebrating Holy Communion. Those of you who will be worshipping on-site may bring their own elements. Those worshipping on-line, please have your elements handy.

We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to of collection for bags to give out to the homeless. The Bridgeport Rescue Mission is happy to take them and hand them out to people who seek shelter there. We will reach a wider base of folks who will appreciate getting the warm socks and other items in the bags. Again, thank you for your generosity!

Women’s Fellowship will be providing corned beef dinners as we have in the past. However, due to Covid restrictions and to be safe, this year the meals will be take-out only. Pick-up will be Saturday, March 12, and meals must be pre-ordered. Watch for details on registering!

The Valley Food Bank at Spooner House is in need of these items: shelf stable milk and powdered milk, pancake mix and syrup, peanut butter and jelly, canned fruit and applesauce, garbanzo and navy beans, canned tuna and chicken, oatmeal and other cereals, and pasta sauce. There is a box in the Alcove and also the "wishing well" in Fellowship Hall for your donations. Please be generous!

Please continue to support HCCUCC with your contributions. Now more than ever, our mission of being the beacon of love and light on the Huntington Green and beyond is vital. Contributions sent in by mail are welcome. Please consider donating at our website, www.huntingtonucc.org. Electronic Fund Transfer giving is also available. Please email the church, hcc@snet.net if you would like a form to set that up. Any way you give is a blessing and is greatly appreciated.

Let us pray. O Holy God, please help each of us to find that peace that you give us, a peace that surpasses all human understanding. Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille