Vacation Bible School 2015

This Week

Dear Folks,

So far, we've had two wonderful nights of Vacation Bible School.  We learned about Moses' call from God to move the Israelites out of Egypt and the caring friends of the paralzed man who brought him to Jesus, who cared enough to heal him.  Tonight we will hear about the blind man, Bartimaeus who Jesus healed of his blindness.  Then, Bartimaeus followed Jesus.   Our final night will be the story of Jesus' resurrection. His followers were to share this Good Neews!  Four key words of our 2015 VBS are:  Move, Care, Follow, and Share!  Thanks to everyone who helped out this year!

This Sunday's scripture is Mark 6:1-13.  The sermon is "Sent with Power". We will also be celebrating the sacrament of Holy Communion.

HCCUCC will be hosting the 3rd Annual Bruce E. Hartel Antique Car Show. Sunday, August 30^th. 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 HCC-UCC’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.

As an outreach and to get the news of HCCUCC out to the community, the Vitality Team gives out free water and holds a free gift card give away each Wednesday evening during the Concerts on the Green during the summer. If anyone would like to help, you are more than welcome to come on out and/or donate water and/or a $25 gift card to a local store or eating place. Contact Rev. Lucille for more info.  Thank you!

Please remember to tell all your friends that have preschool aged children that starting September 1^st, 2015 Huntington Center Nursery School will be offering the option of full day preschool. We will continue to offer our regular and extended day programs. We want to be able to meet the needs of everyone in our community, therefore; the full time program will allow those families that need the longer hours to take advantage of our quality preschool program. Please contact our Director, Linda Rizzitelli at 203-929-7197 for more information. H.C.N.S. is open to the public.

Let us pray.  O God, just was we taught our long people this week, help us all to move closer to you, care about each other, follow Jesus, and share the Good News of God's love!  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

The Greatest Commandment

The Rainbow

I posted a picture of a double rainbow previous to this blog post.

Today was a historic day when love won in our country.  Now, two people who love one another can publicly and legally make a commitment to one another in marriage.  Two people, no matter what gender.

The rainbow symbolizes hope realized, diversity celebrated, joy embodied, and love celebrated, for all.

What could be more in keeping with Christ's call to us to love God, our neighbors, and ourselves?  The Gospel boils down to a simple word: love.

Love wins!

Peace,
Rev. Lucille

Double Rainbow

Update on Reaching New People

Hi Folks,

As some of you may remember, we embarked on the "Reaching New People" project a little over a year ago to promote our church and reach out to our community with the love of Christ.  The Vitality Team was formed to be the organizing body of this endeavor.

One of our activities has been our outreach to folks who park in our parking lot for the Concerts on the Green.  We hand out free bottles of water and offer a free sign-up for a chance to win a gift card of a local business.  Last summer, it took awhile for folks to even approach us.  It's amazing how suspicious people can be of "free" things and of church people.  But, by the end of summer, folks were smiling and happy to see us.

We had our first Concert on the Green give away this past Wednesday, and the atmosphere was totally different from last year's first events.  People were expecting us!

With the Vitality's Team work and the Men's Fellowship's Hot Dog sale, we are truly showing our presence to our community in a positive way, sharing God's love and light.

However, this work is not only for the Vitality Team and Men's Fellowship.  All the members of HCCUCC are truly part of this endeavor to show forth God's presence in our community.  It's all our work to be sharing Christ in our words and actions.  It is all our work to invite people to join us in worship and mission.  All members are on the Vitality Team!!

One way anyone can help is to donate water for our Wednesday give away.  We gave away almost 3 cases this Wednesday alone.  Also, we would welcome donations of $25 gift cards from local businesses. 

The Vitality Team is also sponsoring a LEO (Let's Eat Out) on Tuesday, July 7 at Ruby Tuesday's.  We will be meeting at the church at 6:15 P.M. for those who would like to carpool and meeting at the restaurant at 6:30 for those who want to meet us there.  We are asking that people consider bringing a friend who is not a church member.  There will be a sign-up sheet in the alcove on July 5.  Please consider joining us for this fun time!

Please contact me if you would like any more info how we can better reach out to our community with the extravagant welcome of Christ.  This is everybody's church, and we all have a responsibility to it.

Peace,

Rev. Lucille

From Praying With the Earth: A Prayerbook for Peace by John Philip Newell

From Praying With the Earth: A Prayerbook for Peace by John Philip Newell

May we know that we are of You

May we know that we are in You

May we know that we are one with You, together one.

Guide us as nations to what is deepest

Open us as peoples to what is first

Lead us as a world to what is dearest

That we may know the holiness of wholeness

That we may learn the strength of humility

That together we may live close to the earth

And grow in grounded glory.