This Week April 9, 2019

Dear Folks,

Can you believe it?  Sunday is Palm Sunday!  Time is flying!

The last Lenten Quiet Hour for 2019 will be tomorrow morning at 10 A.M.

Our outdoor Spring Clean Up is this Saturday, April 13, starting at 8:30 A.M.  Any help would be greatly appreciated!

As mentioned, Sunday, April 14, is Palm Sunday.  The scripture is Luke 19:28-40.  The sermon is "Palms to Nails".

Sunday is the final deadline for Easter flower orders. Green order forms can be found on the shelf in the alcove and can be given to Judy Tucker, Mary Jane Liddel, or left in the Flower Chair mail slot above the coat rack.

Butter Braid Fundraiser for the nursery school can be picked up on Sunday in Fellowship Hall, OR call the church office (203-929-1223) for a pick-up time.

Manhattan and New England Clam Chowder orders can also be picked up after worship on Sunday. 

Sunday is the deadline for Seder reservations, Thursday, April 18 at 6:30 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall. A sign-up sheet is posted in the alcove or call the church office. Payment is due at the time of sign-up to Pat Tober. Cancellations will be taken up until April 14. If you cancel after that and there is not a fill in, you may have a takeout order, but money will not be refunded. The cost is Adults: $15; Children: $10.

The 11^th Annual Treasures, Talents and Tastes Auction is fast approaching, Saturday, May 11^th, 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.  Please see Linda or Bob Sember for more info.

Let us pray.  O God, as our Lenten Season comes to a close, help us to not have our reflection, repentance, and renewal comes to a close as well.  May we cultivate our relationship with you at all times and in all places.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week April 2, 2019

Happy April!!

Quiet Hour meets tomorrow morning at 10 A.M.

Tomorrow evening's, Wednesday, April 3, Ecumenical Lenten Service will be at St. Lawrence.  Dinner is at 6 P.M., the service at 7 P.M.  This will be the last Ecumenical Lenten service for 2019.

Sunday, April 7 is the Fifth Sunday of Lent.  Holy Communion will be celebrated.  The scripture is John 12:1-8.  The sermon is "A Gift From the Heart".  Charlie Kuchenbrod, the Executive Associate Conference Minister of the Connecticut Conference UCC will be sharing his Lenten Testimony.

A sign-up sheet is posted in the alcove for the 6:30 p.m., April 18 Seder Meal reservations. Payment is due at the time of sign-up to Pat Tober. Cancellations will be taken up until April 14. If you cancel after that  and there is not a fill in, you may have a takeout order, but money will not be refunded. Adults: $15; Children: $10.

There are still open slots for Seder and Tenebrae readers. Please sign the sheet in the alcove if you would like to be a participant or call the church office.

Women’s Fellowship will prepare and sell Manhattan and New England Clam Chowder and a variety of homemade breads. To place your order, see the sign up on the sheet in the alcove or call the church office (203 929-1223). Pick-up will be next Sunday, April 14. Chowder is $10 per quart. The prices on the homemade breads vary.

Help needed for our church grounds clean-up, on Saturday, April 13 beginning at 8:30 A.M. Please signup in the alcove and don’t forget to bring your tools. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided.

The 11th Annual Treasures, Talents and Tastes Auction will be held on Saturday, May 11, 6 P.M. in Fellowship Hall.  Please see Linda or Bob Sember for more info.

O Holy God of All, help us to trust in your eternal goodness, love, and grace, so we may face the days with hope, compassion, and courage.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week March 26, 2019

Dear Folks,

Hope you are enjoying this bright sunny day!

The Ecumenical Lenten Service will be held tomorrow evening, March 27 here at HCCUCC.  Dinner will be at 6, the service at 7.  The Rev. Barbara Schaffer will be preaching.

This Sunday, March 31 is the Fourth Sunday of Lent. The scripture is Luke 15:1-3, 11b -32.  The sermon is “Filled  with  Compassion". Sue Lindley will be sharing her Lenten Testimony.

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

Lenten Quiet Hour continues Wednesdays in Lent at 10 a.m. in the church library.  

Women’s Fellowship will prepare & sell Manhattan and New England Clam Chowder and a variety of homemade breads. To place your order, see the sign up on the sheet in the alcove or call the church office (203 929-1223). Pick-up will be on Sunday, April 14^th. Chowder is $10 per quart. The prices on the homemade breads vary. 

Sign up sheets are in the Alcove for Maundy Thursday, April 18. This includes the Seder Dinner meal as well as the readings for Seder and Tenebrae.

Now that the days are warmer, it is time to do some work on our church grounds. If you are able to help on Saturday, April 13^th beginning at 8:30 a.m., please watch for the signup sheet in the alcove and don’t forget to bring your tools. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided.

Let us pray.  O God, for all the pain and suffering of our world, we pray for your deep compassion, earnest healing, and everlasting strength.  Help us to know you are here, holding us, leading us, and loving us.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week March 13, 2019

Dear Folks,

We are a week into Lent.  This evening's Lenten dinner and service is at Trinity Lutheran Church, 183 Howe Avenue.  Dinner is at 6 P.M., service at 7 P.M.  The Rev. Ken Smith will be preaching.

This Sunday, March 17, is the Second Sunday of Lent.  The scripture is Luke 13:10-17.  The sermon is "Free".

March 17 and 24 are still open for Lenten Testimonies: Church and Faith. Each Sunday in Lent will feature someone’s testimony of how HCCUCC and their personal faith has sustained their lives. If you would like to be one of these “someones”, please sign up in the Alcove.  For more info, contact Rev. Lucille.

Lenten Quiet Hour continues Wednesdays in Lent at 10 a.m. in the church library. 

This is the last call for this year to help out with Church World Service Kits.  Women’s Fellowship will be putting kits together March 19. Any donation will greatly be appreciated. You may place your donation in the red box in Fellowship Hall on the display table or the large white box located in the corner of Fellowship Hall: School Kits ~ blunt scissors~ Box 24 crayons (only 24)~ Pencil sharpeners-hand held ~ 70 count bound notebooks~ 12 inch rulers~ Unsharpened Pencils~ Large erasers. Hygiene Kits ~ Combs (wide tooth only)~ Bath size soap in wrapper~ Nail clippers~ Band-aids~ Washcloths~ Hand towels (no fingertip, bath, dish or micro fiber towels)~ Toothbrushes in original package.

The Huntington Center Nursery School will be holding its annual Butter Braid fundraiser beginning in March. Items will be Braided Pastry & Otis Spunkmeyer Cookies. Order forms will be available after Sunday worship in Fellowship Hall in March.

Women’s Fellowship will prepare and sell Manhattan and New England Clam Chowder and a variety of homemade breads. To place your order, see the sign up on the sheet in the alcove or call the church office (203 929-1223). Pick-up will be on Sunday, April 14^th. Chowder is $10 per quart. The prices on the homemade breads vary. 

Easter Flower order forms can be found in the alcove or you can watch future bulletins and the April Belfry.

The One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) will be taken on March 31. OGHS is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ involves us in disaster, refugee/ immigration, and development ministries throughout the world. When a disaster strikes, or people are displaced or made refugees by violence or extreme poverty, we are part of the immediate response and of the long-term recovery. Through OGHS we engage in holistic development programs including health care, education, agriculture, food sustainability, micro-financing and women’s empowerment. 

Let us pray. In honor of St. Patrick's Day, a prayer of St. Patrick: 

May the Strength of God pilot us. 
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Host of God guard us.
Against the snares of the evil ones.
Against temptations of the world. 

May Christ be with us! May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us, Christ be over all!
May Thy Salvation, Lord, always be ours,
This day, O Lord, and evermore. Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week March 5, 2019

Dear Folks,

March definitely came in like a lion; hopefully, it will go out like a lamb!

Lent starts tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, March 6.  Lenten Quiet Hour begins at 10 A.M. in the church library. We will be discussing the book, “When God Winks: How the Power of Coincidence Guides Your Life” by Squire Rushnell. The discussion will be led by Rev. Lucille. 

Ash Wednesday service will be held at the Shelton First United Methodist Church, Rocky Rest Road and Long Hill Avenue at 7 P.M.  I am preaching.  There will be Imposition of Ashes.  As for all of our Lenten Services, the offering will go to Spooner House.  Please make out your checks to HUMC with SCA in the memo.

Daylight Savings starts on March 10, so be sure to set your clocks ahead one hour before bedtime on Saturday, March 9. You don't want to be late for worship!!

This Sunday, March 10, is the First Sunday of Lent.  The scripture is Luke 4:1-13.  The sermon is "In the Wilderness".   

Each Sunday in Lent will feature someone’s testimony of how HCCUCC and their personal faith has sustained their lives. We do not have the first three weeks covered. If you would like to be one of these “someones”, please sign up in the Alcove.  For more info, contact Rev. Lucille.

Following worship, the Christian Education Committee will be sponsoring a Pancake Brunch.  A free will offering will be taken.  Please, join us for some yummy carbs!

The following items are needed to complete Church World Service Kits that Women’s Fellowship will be putting together on March 19. Any donation will greatly be appreciated. You may place your donation in the red box in Fellowship Hall on the display table or the large white box located in the corner of Fellowship Hall: School Kits ~ blunt scissors~ Box 24 crayons (only 24)~ Pencil sharpeners-hand held ~ 70 count bound notebooks~ 12 inch rulers~ Unsharpened Pencils~ Large erasers. Hygiene Kits ~ Combs (wide tooth only)~ Bath size soap in wrapper~ Nail clippers~ Band-aids~ Washcloths~ Hand towels (no fingertip, bath, dish or micro fiber towels)~ Toothbrushes in original package.

The Huntington Center Nursery School will be holding its annual Butter Braid fundraiser beginning in March. Items will be Braided Pastry & Otis Spunkmeyer Cookies. Order forms will be available after Sunday worship in Fellowship Hall in March.

Women’s Fellowship will prepare & sell Manhattan and New England Clam Chowder and a variety of homemade breads. To place your order, see the sign up on the sheet in the alcove or call the church office (203 929-1223). Pick-up will be on Sunday, March 10^th and Sunday, April 14^th. Chowder is $10 per quart. The prices on the homemade breads vary. The proceeds will go toward Reuman House renovations.

Women’s Fellowship will hold their Annual Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner on Sunday, March 17^th at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $13 for adults and $8 for children 10 and under. Hot dog dinners: 2 hotdogs w/vegetables-$8.00; 1 hot dog w/chips-$4.00. Tickets will be on sale after church or you can call the church office. Proceeds will benefit the church’s Operating Budget.

Let us pray.  O Holy One, as we enter this season of Lent, a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal, may you guide our path.  Help us to discern how we can serve you more faithfully, more lovingly, more fully in Christ's name.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille