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

This Week February 22, 2022

 

Dear Folks,

 

Hope you are well and staying dry!

 

This coming Sunday is Transfiguration.  We will be celebrating Women's Fellowship Sunday.  The scripture is Luke 9:28-36.  The sermon is "Changed". 

 

Also, this Sunday we will be taking an offering for Silver Lake Camp and Retreat Center.  Silver Lake is a place where young people experience nature, make new friends, and explore their faith. With more than 60 acres of wooded land on lakeside shores, Silver Lake offers many opportunities for young people to take risks and try new things with the support of an intentional Christian community. 

 

 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, with the winds of war blowing across our world, may you instill in us a passion for peace.  Help us to work for a more loving and just world.  Amen.

 

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week February 15, 2022

 Dear Folks, 

Hope you are all keeping warm on this frigid day!

 

This coming Sunday is the Seventh Sunday after Epiphany.  We will be celebrating Scout Sunday.  The scripture is Luke 6:27-38.  The sermon is "What Jesus Said...".

 

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, help us to continue to breathe deeply of your life-giving breath.  May we be filled with your presence, a presence that sustains through all the goodness and the badness we encounter in our lives.  Amen.

 

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week February 8, 2022

 

Dear Folks,

 

Hope you are all well!

 

Thursday, February 10 is my Prayer Day.  If you have any joys or concerns you would like me to raise up, please let me know.

 

This coming Sunday is the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany.  We will be celebrating Women's Fellowship Sunday.  The scripture is I Corinthians 13.  The sermon is "A Mirror Dimly".

 

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 of all love and compassion, as Valentine's Day approaches, the symbols of love are all around us.  May we, as Christ's followers, have that love in our hearts that isn't sappy, sweet, or fleeting.  May our love for you, our neighbors, and ourselves be powerful, selfless, and extravagant, reflecting your unconditional love for us all.  Amen.

 

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week February 1, 2022

 Dear Folks,

 

Happy February!  Here's hoping the ground hog doesn't see his/her shadow tomorrow.

 

This coming Sunday, February 6, is the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany.  The scripture is Luke 5:1-11.  The sermon is "Do Not Be Afraid".  We will be celebrating Holy Communion, so please have your elements with you in person and ready if you are on-line.  We will have "Miracle Meals" available in person if you do not bring your own.

 

Looking ahead:  February 13 is Women's Fellowship Sunday and February 20 is Scout Sunday.

 

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!

 

Homeless Bags Update: Thank you to all who have donated items to the box in the alcove. Your generosity is so very appreciated! Please note that warm cold weather socks (new, not used) are needed as well as nail clippers, hats/gloves (new or gently used), bars (like granola), personal wipes for hands, lip balms, masks, hand sanitizer and toothpaste (small so they fit in a gallon plastic bag with other items).

 

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, around us we see the unsettling rise of hatred and intolerance.  Help us to stay strong in your extravagant love and combat the hatred with acts and words of kindness, justice, and peace.  Amen.

 

Peace,

Rev. Lucille