This Week August 28, 2018

Dear Folks,

What a great weekend it was!  Thank you to everyone who participated in any way with the 6th Annual Bruce E. Hartel Memorial Car Show. Fabulous event!

Speaking of the car show, if you have yard signs, please return them ASAP so we can safely store them for another year.

This Sunday, September 2, is the Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost.  The sermon is the 2018 Auction Sermon for David Beardsley.  The scripture is John 6:1-21. The title is "It's A Miracle!"  Holy Communion will be celebrated.

We have a very full September coming up, so please note these dates:

September 9:    Advance Directive Planning Seminar by Connie Glenn following worship

September 16:  Outdoor Worship and Picnic!  Note, the time will be 11 A.M. at Pemberley (the Parsonage).

September 23:  Safety Seminar following worship

September 30:  Meeting for potential confirmands with parents and guardians

We will be starting choir practice on September 13, 7:15 P.M. in the sanctuary.  I will be pulling together some simple songs so we can keep the voices rising as we await James's return.  New voices are always welcome!  No experience necessary, just a willing spirit.  

Let us pray.  O God, as the seasons pass, summer to fall, fall to winter, winter to spring, spring to summer and on and on and on, fill us with the assurance of your steadfast, eternal presence, no matter the clime or the climb.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week August 21, 2018

Dear Folks,

 

Just a reminder that this Thursday is my prayer day.  If you have a joy or concern you would like me to lift up, please let me know.

 

I hope you are all coming out this Sunday, August 26, for the 6th Annual Bruce E. Hartel Memorial Car Show!  It will be held in the HCCUCC parking lot from Noon to 4 P.M.  Great cars, great food, great day!

 

This Sunday, August 26, is the Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost.  The scripture is John 6:66-69.  The sermon is "Words of Life".

 

HCCUCC Women’s Fellowship will be participating in filling the Gifts of the Heart school bag kits in the spring of next year. Since school supplies are now readily available and reasonable, please help us fill our goal of school kits by donating one or more of the following items: ~ 3 spiral notebooks (70 count) ~1 pair blunt scissors (rounded) ~ 1 hand-held pencil sharpener ~ 6 new pencils w/erasers ~ 1 12” ruler (30 centimeters) ~1 box 24 crayons (only 24) ~ 1 large eraser. Please leave any gifts in the CWS Box in Fellowship Hall.

 

4^th Annual F.A.D.E. Walk/ 5K Run for Overdose Awareness will be on Thursday, August 30, 5:30 P.M. to 9 P.M. at the Shelton Pavilion and Riverwalk. All proceeds will benefit BHCare’s Alliance for Prevention & Wellness, formerly known as VSAAC (the Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council) to support its drug awareness/prevention programs.

 

Let us pray.  O Gracious One, through the good times and the bad, you are our constant strength and guide.  May we be grateful.  Amen.

 

This Week July 25, 2018

Dear Folks,

Giving thanks for the much needed rain, but also sending prayers for those dealing with flooding!

If you are planning to attend the Concert on the Green tonight, please check first.  It may be postponed due to weather.

Tomorrow, Thursday, July 26, is my prayer day.  If you have any joys or concerns you would like me to raise up, please let me know.

This Sunday, July 29, is the Tenth Sunday After Pentecost.  Weather permitting, we will have an outdoor service.  Please bring a comfy chair, if you wish.  If the weather is not so good, we will be in the building wherever is cooler!  The scripture is Ephesians 3:14-21.  The sermon is "All the Fullness of God".

Let us pray.  O Holy One, as the waters swirl around us, as the wind rages against us, as the darkness falls heavily on us, please keep us mindful of your ever loving presence.  We are held tightly in your arms.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week June 26, 2018

Dear Folks,

This coming Sunday, July 1, is the Sixth Sunday in Pentecost.  We will have a patriotic hymn sing preceding worship.  The scripture is Mark 5:21-43.  The sermon is "Reaching Out".  We will be celebrating Holy Communion.

Also on Sunday, we will be receiving the Emergency Assistance Fund offering. The Mission Committee has developed the Emergency Assistance Fund to assist people within the Shelton community and/or our church community who have an urgent, unexpected need for financial assistance. EAF offering envelopes (yellow) will be available in the pews. Thank you for your generosity!

6^th Annual Bruce E. Hartel Antique Car Show will be on Sunday, August 26.  During the summer, we are collecting donations of water and soda that can be left in Fellowship Hall marked with a "Car Show" note.  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.

Summer Concerts on the Green continue on Wednesdays through August 29, except July 4! The Men’s Group will sell hot dogs in our parking lot. All men are encouraged to come and help. Our Vitality Team will continue to hand out free water and hold a free gift card give away during this time. If anyone would like to help out, you are more than welcome to come. We also appreciate donations of water and/or a $25 gift card to a local store or eating place.  We need only four more gift cards!  Thank you to all who have donated, who will donate, and who help out!

Let us pray. O God, in spite of uncertain times, we know that your love and care is ever-present and everlasting.  May you fill our hearts with strength, hope, and courage, but most of all, love.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week June 20, 2018

Dear Folks,

Hope this day finds you sensing God's loving presence around you!

PLEASE NOTE: Vacation Bible School is canceled due to very low registration.  Thank you to everyone who has volunteered or contributed in any way.

Tonight is the first Concert on the Green.  The Vitality Team will be handing out water and signing up folks for the free gift card giveaway and the Men's Group will be selling hot dogs.  The Vitality will be short handed due to a prior commitment with Women's Fellowship, so help would be appreciated. But, keep an eye on the weather!  If anything changes, I will send out an email blast.  Donations of $25 gift cards and water would be greatly appreciated!

Tomorrow is my Prayer Day.  If anyone has any joys or concerns they would like me to lift up, please let me know.

This Sunday, June 24, is the Fifth Sunday After Pentecost.  The scripture is Mark 4:35-41.  The sermon is "All in the Same Boat".  It is the United Church Christ Open and Affirming Sunday, so we will be reaffirming our ONA covenant.

Just as a follow up to my sermon on Sunday, I would like to offer this website for those interested in more information on what action to take concerning the separation of families:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSlGbJ_hCLNs3qF0h4br7rBfvASsAMQlGqMx12xnMiSdR9jyHHu5Hvi_QgR3kD59TYqCaiFAILEyQNA/pub

On June 30 at 4 P.M., we will have a Families Belong Together Prayer Vigil at HCCUCC.  It will be a quiet time of scripture and prayer.  

We will be participating in a Habitat for Humanity workday on Saturday, June 30^th. (We will be done in time for the vigil.) The signup sheet is in the alcove. Each person is now required to register so please contact Bob Moseley for a form.

Please take note of the poster in the Alcove with suggested items for the Valley Food Bank bin in Fellowship Hall.  The June suggestion is canned tuna.  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!

Let us pray.  O Holy God, Mother and Father of us all, we pray for all families, especially those in crisis of any form.  May you give strength and assurance, courage and comfort.  And, may you inspire those who can help to do so.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week June 12, 2018

Dear Folks,

Thank you all for a wonderful Children's/Robert Wilson Sunday!  It was so good to have Gertrude Wilson with us as to celebrate Kirsten Keith's Christian Education ministry among us!

This Sunday, June 17, is Graduate Sunday.  James Bruni and I will be singing a special duet in honor of our grads and for Father's Day. The scripture reading is Mark 4:26-32.  The sermon is "Scatter That Seed".

Vacation Bible School is June 25 through June 28, 5:30 to 7:45 P.M.  It's coming up quickly! If you'd like to volunteer to help, please contact Kirsten Keith.

HCCUCC will be participating in a Habitat for Humanity workday on Saturday, June 30. The signup sheet is in the alcove. Each person is now required to register so please contact Bob Moseley for a form.

The Concerts on the Green will begin Wednesday, June 27. The Men’s Group will sell hot dogs in our parking lot. All men are encouraged to come and help. Our Vitality Team will continue to hand out free water and hold a free gift card give away during this time. If anyone would like to help out, you are more than welcome to come. We are also asking people to donate water and/or a $25 gift card to a local store or eating place. Please consider it!  Thank you!

Let us pray.  O God of love and compassion.  Help us not to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear on those crying out for justice and peace.  Help us to do what we can to bring your grace filled Realm into fruition.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week June 6, 2018

Dear Folks,

Brr! It feels like early April rather than early June!

Anyway...

The Women's Fellowship Community Tag Sale is this Saturday! There is still time to secure your spot and/or donate items to sell. Contact Denise Wilson.

This Sunday, June 10, is Children's/Robert Wilson Sunday. Children will be awarded attendance pins, Robert Wilson will be honored by Gertrude Wilson, we all will honor Kirsten Keith on her retirement from the Director of Christian Education position, and ice cream will be served following worship. The scripture will be Psalm 138, the sermon is "Gathered to Praise".

The "Strengthen the Church" offering will also be taken this Sunday. 10% of the funds go to our United Church of Christ national setting, with the Connecticut Conference retaining 90%. Those funds go toward our Silver Lake Conference Center, youth and young adult ministries, and faith formation. Envelopes will be inserted in your Sunday bulletin, or feel free to go to our website, www.huntingtonucc.org and hit the online giving link at the top. You can also download the "Give Plus+" app on your phone. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Our next “LEO” will be on Wednesday, June 13, 6:30 p.m. at Wild Kanji, 514 Bridgeport Ave, Shelton. Please sign up in the alcove. The more the merrier!

Sunday, June 17 is our Graduate Sunday. Please let Karen know if you are graduating from College, University, High School, Tech School so it can be included the Graduate Sunday bulletin and in the Summer Belfry newsletter.

This year's Vacation Bible School theme is Rolling River Rampage. We will be learning God's words and works Monday, June 25 thru Thursday, June 28 from 5:30-7:45pm. If you'd like to volunteer to help, contact Kirsten Keith.

We will be participating in a Habitat for Humanity workday on Saturday, June 30. Please watch for the signup sheet in the alcove. Each person is now required to register so please contact Bob Moseley for a form.

Let us pray. O God, thank you so much for the people we can count on for a solid shoulder, an open ear, and caring heart. They truly are a reflection of you! Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille