This Week May 22, 2018

Dear Folks,

May you all have an enjoyable and safe Memorial Day weekend.  Don't forget to stop for a moment to remember and to give thanks to those who gave their all for our freedom.

Tomorrow's LEO (Let's Eat Out) will be at Calorosa, 100 Center St., Shelton at 6:30 P.M. Please let me know ASAP if you would like to come!

If the rain stops, we will be having our outdoor clean up day at the church on Saturday, May 26 at 8:30 A.M.  Bring your gardening tools and your enthusiasm!  Coffee and donuts will be provided.

This Sunday, May 27 is Trinity Sunday.  The scripture is Isaiah 6:1-8.  The sermon is "Here Am I".  We will be celebrating the baptism of Rocklin Thor St. Germain.

Women’s Fellowship’s Annual Outdoor Tag & Bake Sale is scheduled for Saturday, June 9^th (note date change) from 9 A.M. to 2 P.M. in the church parking lot. The cost is $20 per spot and/or donate your proceeds to Women’s Fellowship for their projects and missions. We will also be looking for bake sale items. For more information, contact Denise Wilson.

GRADUATES! We want to hear from graduates of high school, vocational school, and colleges (both under-graduate and graduate degrees). These adults & young adults will be recognized at the June 17^th worship service. We will need the names for the Graduate Sunday bulletin.

We need help in all areas! This year, VBS's theme is Rolling River Rampage. We will be learning God's words and works Monday, June 25 thru Thursday, June 28 from 5:30-7:45 P.M.  If you'd like to volunteer to help during VBS, contact Kirsten Keith if you're able to help in any way. 

Please take note of the poster in the Alcove with suggested items for the Valley Food Bank bin in Fellowship Hall. 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! Thank you!

My Sister’s Place bin is back in Fellowship Hall for your tax-deductible donations of lightly used clothing & household items. 

Let us pray.  O Holy One, we offer our thanks for the passion you instilled in those who came before us who strove for freedom, justice, and peace.  May we continue to work in their memory to increase freedom, justice, and peace for all in whatever way we can.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week May 15, 2018

Dear Folks,

As the Day of Pentecost approaches, may our hearts be open to the movement of God's Spirit!

This Thursday, May 17, is my prayer day.  If you have any joys or concerns you would like me to lift up, please let me know.

This Saturday, May 19 is our grounds clean up day.  Bring your tools and join us at 8:30 A.M.  Coffee and donuts will be provided!  Many hands make light work!

This Sunday, May 20, is Pentecost, commonly recognized as the Birthday of the Christian Church.  We will also be celebrating our Music Ministry with Music Sunday.  The scripture is Acts 2:1-21, the sermon is "Follow Your Passion".

Following worship, we will be heading out on a Prayer Walk, followed by lunch at Sassafras.  Please join us!  In case of rain, we will just do lunch!

HCCUCC offers official church members college scholarships for those who are continuing their education in the fall (not restricted to high school seniors). Please contact the church office for an application form due ASAP! Scholarships will be presented during the worship service on Graduate Sunday, June 17^th. We would also like to hear from graduates of high school, vocational school, and colleges (both under-graduate and graduate degrees). These adults & young adults will be recognized at the worship service. We will need the names for the Graduate Sunday bulletin.

Our next LEO (Let’s Eat out) will be on Wednesday, May 23 at Calorosa, 100 Center St., Shelton at 6:30 p.m. Please sign up in the alcove. Come one, come all!!

Following worship on June 3, join us for a coffee hour conversation in Fellowship Hall on how our faith-based community can have an impact on the opioid epidemic! Participants will learn about the epidemic, how communities can address the epidemic, and gain information and awareness on effective prevention strategies. The presenter is Pam Mautte, BHCare Division Director, Alliance for Prevention and Wellness. This event is jointly hosted by HCCUCC and St. Paul's.

Women’s Fellowship’s Annual Outdoor Tag & Bake Sale is scheduled for Saturday, June 9^th, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the church parking lot. The cost is $20 per spot and/or donate your proceeds to Women’s Fellowship for their projects/missions. Having so many people together prompts more people to browse. We will also be looking for bake sale items. For more information, contact Denise Wilson.

This year, Vacation Bible School's theme is Rolling River Rampage. We will be learning God's words and works Monday, June 25 thru Thursday, June 28, 5:30- 8 p.m.  HELP IS NEEDED!  If you'd like to volunteer to help during VBS, contact Kirsten Keith.

Please take note of the poster in the Alcove with suggested items for the Valley Food Bank bin in Fellowship Hall. 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! Thank you!

The bin for My Sister's Place is back in Fellowship Hall, just waiting for your gently used donations!!

Let us pray.  O God, you never force your Spirit on us, only inviting us to allow it to blow through our lives, bringing about change, challenge, and renewal.  May we be receptive to its power and passion.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week May 9, 2018

Dear Folks,

Don't you just love when the lilacs are blooming?  I sure do!

This Sunday, May 13, is the Seventh Sunday of Easter.  Happy Mother's Day!  The scripture will be John 17:6-11.  The sermon is "As We Are One".  We will be celebrating the baptism of Tessa Pearson.

This Sunday, we will also be taking the Church World Service Blanket Offering. This offering provides blankets, tents, and emergency supplies in the wake of disaster.  The funds also provide material assistance, education training and small enterprise loans as part of sustainable development programs.  Envelopes for donations can be found in the pews.  Please give generously and help those less fortunate with a gift of hope.

To emphasize the importance of blankets, the Mission Committee requests that folks bring in their favorite blanket with an explanation of why it’s so special. Blankets will be displayed and explanations read. If could bring them before May 13, that would be great, but, the morning of is OK, too.

Check out the bulletin board in the Alcove!  Missions Committee has put together a list that attempts to target items for the Valley Food Bank that may be needed more during certain seasons or months.  Of course, all items are gratefully accepted! Thank you!

On Pentecost, May 20, we will be celebrating the Birthday of the Church.  We will also be celebrating Music Sunday!  The Choral and Bell Choirs will be offering their gifts of music as well as the Sacred Dancers offering their gift of dance.  

Following coffee hour on May 20, we will have a Prayer Walk!  We will take a stroll down Church and Huntington Streets and then head to Sassafras for lunch.  Join us!  If you have a HCCUCC T-shirt, please wear it!

Our next LEO (Let's Eat Out) will be on Wednesday, May 23, 6:30 P.M. at Calorosa, 100 Center Street in Shelton.  Watch for the sign up sheet in the Alcove!

Put June 9 on your calendar of our annual Tag Sale.  More info will be coming out soon.

Let us pray.  You, O God, have made the beauty of each flower bud and of each human face.  In each of them we see you.  Thank you!  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week May 1, 2018

Dear Folks,

Happy May Day!  Hope you are enjoying the spring weather!

It's almost here, the 10th Annual Treasures, Talents, and Tastes Auction!  It's this Saturday, May 5, 6 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall. If you have not already, please register by calling HCCUCC at 203-929-1223. Registration is $10 and worth every penny! The food alone is worth it!

This Sunday is May 6, the Sixth Sunday of Easter. The scripture is John 15:9-17. The sermon is "Advocate". We will be celebrating Holy Communion.

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, May 19 beginning at 8:30 A.M., please sign up on the poster in the alcove and don’t forget to bring your tools. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided. Rain date is May 26.

Check out the bulletin board in the Alcove! Missions Committee has put together a list that attempts to target items for the Valley Food Bank that may be needed more during certain seasons or months. Of course, all items are gratefully accepted! Thank you!

Our next LEO (Let's Eat Out) will be on Wednesday, May 23, 6:30 P.M. at Calorosa, 100 Center Street in Shelton.  Watch for the sign up sheet in the Alcove!

Let us pray.  O Holy One, as the days march into weeks, the weeks into months, the months into years, please fill our hearts with your assurance that you are with us every step of the way, offering us love, peace, hope, and joy.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week April 24, 2018

Dear Folks,

I would like to once again thank everyone for the cards, flowers, food, prayers, and thoughts during this sad time for my family and myself.  Mom was a great woman and will be remembered fondly with smiles and laughter.  I would like to especially thank Sue and Laura for coming all the way to Barnesville, Pennsylvania to attend Mom's funeral, to Pat, Justine, and James for handling the Sunday service, to Joe and Joan for taking such good care of Lexie and Luna, and, of course, to Karen for so wonderfully holding down the fort.  I am so blessed by you all!  You are in my heart!

This Sunday, April 29, is the Fifth Sunday of Easter.  The service will feature the 2017 Auction winners:  The Fassbender's sermon and the Melsenti-Wilson's hymns.  The scripture is Genesis 1.  The sermon is "What A Wonderful World".  You still have time to send me pictures of people, places, and things that bring you joy.  Definite deadline is Thursday, April 26.

Congratulations to Denise Melsenti Wilson who will be honored on Saturday by the Connecticut Women of the United Church of Christ at their annual meeting in Mystic.  We are so grateful for all she does!

It's almost here, the 10^th Annual Treasures, Talents and Tastes Auction on Saturday, May 5^th, 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. It's Cinco De Mayo, so, the Auction will have a Mexican flair!  There is still time to sign up, so please see Linda or Bob Sember for more info.

Let us pray.  O Holy God, the circle of life continues to turn.  You are the loving, eternal  hub.  Thank you.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week April 10, 2018

Dear Folks,

Winter is still hanging on, but, I hear that soon the warmth will come!  Keep your fingers crossed!

This Sunday, April 15, is the Third Sunday of Easter.  The scripture is Luke 24:36b-48.  The sermon is "Witnesses".  We will be having a Bag Message with an item provided by Lucy McCarthy.  Laura Salvio, our Moderator, will also have a Moderator Moment.

The Auction sermon for the Fassbender's and the Auction hymns for the Melsenti-Wilson's will be on April 29.  As part of the presentation, please send me pictures of the people, places, things, etc. which bring your life meaning, purpose, and happiness. 

The 10^th Annual Treasures, Talents and Tastes Auction is fast approaching!  Come, celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us, Saturday, May 5^th, 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. For more info, please contact Linda or Bob Sember.  

Time to do some work on our church grounds!  If you are able to help with the Church Ground Clean-Up on Saturday, May 19^th beginning at 8:30 a.m., please sign up on the poster in the alcove and don’t forget to bring your tools. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided. Rain date is May16^th.

Let us pray.  O Holy God, now that we are days past from the celebration of Easter, may we not lose the new life it inspired in us.  Help us to be Easter people 365 days a year, spreading love, hope, and joy!  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week April 3, 2018

Dear Folks,

Christ is risen, Christ is risen, indeed!  Life, love, and hope abound!

This coming Sunday, April 8, is the Second Sunday of Easter.  The scripture is John 20:19-31.  The sermon is "And Let It Begin With Me".  We will be celebrating the baptism of Owen Gary Reichert.

It's coming, the 10^th Annual Treasures, Talents and Tastes Auction, Saturday, May 5^th, 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hal.  Please see Linda or Bob Sember for more info.

Speaking of the Church Auction, the Fassbender's Auction Sermon will be on April 29.  As part of the presentation, please send me pictures of the people, places, things, etc. which bring your life meaning, purpose, and happiness. I would appreciate those pictures sent to me via my email or text by April 23.  Thank you all for your time and help!

Let us pray.  O God, even when the sky is cloudy, the sun still shines. Even when life is complicated, your love still reigns. Even when death looms, the resurrection looms even larger. Thank you.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille