News and Notes - August 16, 2017

Last Sunday ... We're grateful to Art McCain for leading our early service, a beautiful reflection on 'Home' (and how we find it here at church) ... At 9:30, our service included  music from Emma Macklin, Wendy Gerbier and Alex Beyer -- wow! - while David's sermon, coming a day after the events in Charlottesville, reflected on what it means to 'show Jesus' to the world.  You can listen or watch it online at:  'We Would See Jesus' - video ... 'We Would See Jesus' - audio (includes Wendy singing 'Precious Lord' at the end).  

This Sunday :  
8:15 a.m.  Outdoor Worship will be led by Don Lord!
9:30 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary, David preaching.
Vacation Bible School is a hit! We have over 120 kids taking part in this year's VBS and you can feel the energy on any given morning in the Church House! Singing, laughing, meeting new friends, and learning about some great Hero Bible Stories... just a few of the things taking place this week! 
Military Honor Open: Golf Outing and Dinner.  Our own Chris Kenney, the Head Golf Professional at the Patterson Club, is organizing the second annual Military Honor Open, with a dinner on August 27, followed by a tournament on August 27. This is the second annual, supporting the work of Folds of Honor and MetPGA Hope -- offering  college scholarships for the children of veterans who have died in combat, and helping veterans through PTSD.   To learn more, and to register or donate, click here . 
Alida seeks youth group leaders!  Want to be part of our wonderful GHCC youth programs? Alida is eager to talk to you about serving with her on the leadership teams for our youth groups -- especially  JPF and YPF!  JPF, for 6th and 7th graders, meets each Sunday from 5 to 6:30 ... YPF, 4th and 5th grades, has a monthly meeting, normally 3rd Sundays at 2:00.  Shared leadership by a team means that no one is expected to make all the meetings! -- we're happy to work with your schedule.   Please click here to contact Alida!! 
ASP 2017 in pictures! ... Here's something fun! -- this year's video of our kids and adults at work in West Virginia!   Click here to watch the ASP 2017 video!
Fellowship Bike Rides - Summer is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy biking the beautiful country roads of Fairfield. Scott Craighead has been leading some "Fellowship Bike Rides" with the emphasis on easy exercise and camaraderie. Scott has some predetermined routes that will vary based on the attendance and ability. All are invited, the young and young at heart!  Contact Scott for more information.
This fall Greenfield Hill Church Nursery School will be opening enrollment to all past and current families, as well as church members, for the 2018-2019 school year - beginning Monday, September 11, 2017. We will accept applications through September. If you'd like more information or would like a tour of our beautiful Nursery School, don't hesitate to call our Director, Susan Rippey at 203-259-7957.
Of course we are talking about our Advent Devotional!!   We would love for you to write a devotion!  Just let David or the Church Office know you'd like to write;  After Labor Day we'll give you a scripture... take time to r eflect. Then you w rite a 250 word devotion... not long at all!  Add a 2-3 sentence simple prayer and you've done it!  Please s ay YES! You'll be glad you did!
Mercy Learning Center could use your help!  MLC is seeking volunteers to teach English Language Learners and basic reading and math in their tutoring program.  Tutors meet with their students two times a week for two hour sessions.  Upcoming training sessions will be on 8/28, 9/8, and 9/29 from 9-3pm with lunch provided.  For more info call 203-334-6699 or email Lynn Gabriel.  Thank you!!
Take our GHCC Adult Ed Survey!  Our Adult Education Board has come up with a list of 8 possible activities they are considering for the fall but would like to see what YOUR thoughts are!  Click here to let them know what you would be most interested in participating in from this list:   
1) NPR Story type interviews on faith related topics of personal experience and wisdom from various church members... 2) Professor of History Glenn Sunshine lecture on the legacy of the Reformation... 3) Church field trip to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in NYC... 4) Lecture by Rev. Jennifer Gingras from the Monroe Cong. Church on Searching for Peace in the Middle East... 5) Our own Sandy Timmermann's "Initiative on Aging"... 6) The female comedian, Negin Farsad, who uses humor to break down stereotypes regarding Muslims in the eyes of Americans... 7) Other possible NYC trips (Ellis Island, The Tenement Museum, or a Broadway show like "Come From Away"... OR... 8) An education series called "Financial Peace University" which is taught at churches across America by Dave Ramsey Solutions and addresses financial well being issues. We'd LOVE to hear from you!!  Please take just one minute to let us know your thoughts, which topic you are interested in, or maybe you have another idea!  Let us know!!
Prayer Concerns :
  We invite you always to be in touch with your prayer concerns; you can also click here to contact Rachel, our ministerial assistant and prayer chain leader. We also welcome new members of the prayer chain (members of our church family who commit to pray regularly for those in need).  Just let Rachel know! 

We rejoice with Shenton and Kelcey King  on the arrival last Thursday of their new baby girl, Pepper!

Please keep Greg and Dulcy Ambrosio and their family in your prayers on the death yesterday of Greg's mother, Elizabeth. 
Like us on Facebook