Next Week atFirst Church

REBUILDING TOGETHER

First Church¡¯s long tradition of caring is set for Saturday, April 26^th.  This year¡¯s house is at 46 Underhill Lane in New Britain.  We will be painting, raking, cleaning, and providing our ¡°First Church magic¡± for a deserving homeowner. All skill levels, or lack of, are needed.  Just bring a caring heart!

Contact Glenn @  229-6777 or Pete at 229-4040 if you are interested in helping out.  Applications are in the office. Thank you.

Glenn Anderson

YOUTH NEWS

Sunday April 13th at 11:15 am

HARTFORD MISSION SUNDAY

Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me - Jesus

The Hartford Mission Project

June 24-28, 2008

For Grades 7-12 ~ $100 per student

Price includes; 3 meals a day plus snacks for 4 days also include 2 T-shirts for Outreach events.

(More than one student discounts available.)

This is an excellent affordable opportunity for experiencing mission work right here at home, a way to connect with God and others in our capitol city through words and deeds!

Parent and Youth Information Event

Sunday April 13th 11:15 am

Come hear and see what the Hartford Mission Project is all about.

Upcoming Dates: Please make note of any changes

April - Bake sale, Snack prep, and Bottles and cans- The Ohanesian Family

4/6- Regular Meeting 6 ¨C 8:15 pm

*4/12- CORE LEADER TRAINING 9 AM -3PM*

*4/13- Game night/ Challenge night 7 - 8:15 pm

4/20-No Meeting (school vacation)

4/27- 2^nd hour Bake Sale for Damu ¨C No Evening Meeting

SUNDAY LIGHT

INFORMAL WORSHIP AT 6 PM

Upcoming dates:

April 6 ¨C Musical message by PS 32

April 13- NO Sunday Light

April 20- NO Sunday Light (Rev Jack¡¯s Installation Service)

April 27- Music and wisdom of Chuck Ericson

POT LUCK SUPPER & BACK BAY MISSION PROGRAM

For many years, First Church was the scene of  Shrimp Boil Dinners sponsored by the Back Bay Mission.  I¡¯m sure many of you have enjoyable memories of those dinners. On Sunday, April 13^th ,  at 6 :00 p.m, Rev. Shari Prestemon, Executive Director of the Back Bay Mission will join us for a Pot Luck Supper and to update us on their work and ministry. Come join us - I think there may be some shrimp for you shrimp lovers!  Please bring the following based on your last name:

A-H  Main Entr¨¦e             I-P    Salad           R-Z    Dessert

See you there!

Judy Robertson, Missions Ministry Chair

 AND THEN THERE WERE 10!

For those of us in Chapel last Sunday, (and there weren¡¯t many of us!) we had the pleasure of meeting two of Jesus¡¯ Disciples; Simon Peter and Thomas. They told us their stories of ¡°denial¡± and ¡°doubt¡±. When the service was over, one of the children said that they would like to learn about the other 10 Disciples. So, that¡¯s exactly what we will be doing this week! When you arrive at church, please go directly to the Chapel. We will be splitting up into groups again and moving to the classrooms from there. Wonder how many Disciple names we will remember from last week?

Save the dates of July 14^th-July 18^th! Children who will be entering Kindergarten through 5^th grade in September, are invited to ¡°Bible Camp Olympics¡±! More info to follow!

See you Sunday,

Sharon Chamberlain

Coordinator of Christian Education

GIRL SCOUT SILVER AWARD

CHILDREN¡¯S CORNER PROGRAM

Items to stock the cabinet continue to accumulate weekly for the Fellowship Hall Children¡¯s Area.  I have received about 1/3 of the approximate $475 that I will need to purchase a cabinet.  I will continue to have a collection box in Fellowship Hall on Sundays for any donation items.  Cash or checks should be given to my project advisor, Sharon Chamberlain or left for her in the church office.  If you wish to drop off items during the week, mark them with a note for the project and leave at the office.  Thank you for your support.

Sarah Mangan, Cadette Girl Scout

First Church of Christ                              New Britain, CT

April 2, 2008

Dear Friends,

We have a busy April before us! Let me invite and encourage your participation!

Sunday, April 6 is Communion Sunday followed by a special congregational meeting to act on a recommendation from our Finance Committee and Church Council to return our church fiscal year to a calendar year basis (January 1 - December 31). I urge you to vote in favor of this proposal!

Sunday, April 13, at 6:00 P.M., The Rev. Shari Prestemon, Executive Director of Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, MS, will be here to share a pot - luck supper with us and a conversation about the many ministries of the Mission. You will find her to be a dynamic, competent, engaging, passionate advocate for ministry to, with, and among the poor and marginalized of our society. You will be informed and inspired by what she has to say. Don¡¯t miss this very special opportunity!

Sunday, April 20, at 10:00 A.M., Mayor Timothy Stewart will present us with a Proclamation as we launch our 250^th anniversary celebration. At 3:00 P.M., I shall be installed as the 25^th ¡°settled pastor¡± in the history of First Church. Our resident musicians and some additional guests will share with us their gifts of song and music. The Rev. Dr. Michael Penn-Strah, CT Conference UCC Regional Minister, will preach the sermon; representatives from the Central Association will lead us in the installation order; and The Rev. John Smalley, D.D., will return from the grave to deliver The Charge to the congregation and me. A reception will follow with historic displays on exhibit. Don¡¯t miss this once-in-a-lifetime celebration!

Sunday, April 27, at 10:00 A.M., Sue Butler Woodward will be with us in worship and present a Second Hour program on the CT Conference UCC  ¡°Now for the Future: The Campaign for Silver Lake.¡± Proceeds from this capital campaign will go primarily to benefit the Silver Lake Camp and Conference Center, but a tithe (10%) will go to Back Bay Mission. Come and learn about this new opportunity available to us!

Happy April! See you in church! Blessings always!    Jack

FIRST CHURCH NEWS

Vol. 56, No. 13

 First Church website - www.firstnewbritain.org.

From the Anniversary  Committee: