First Congregational Church
 Weekly Update
September 12, 2018

Pastor's Message
   
 
     This week is Rally Sunday! During our worship we will celebrate all that makes First Congregational Church the central component to our faith. Together we will pray, sing, and proclaim the good news that comes from our sacred music ministry, our Christian education goals, and our calling to love our neighbors by focusing on mission and social action. All that the church does and is begins within our worship. In worship we all come together from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences, yet by coming together, we come to know that we are all equally loved and forgiven by the God who has created us and challenges us to live in community.

     Getting out to church on Sunday mornings is not always the most convenient use of our time. Life is busy and complicated and often it seems so much simpler just to leave church out of the equation. But I challenge you to remember that while you may not personally need to be present in church, it is so often the case that someone else benefits from your presence in church. Your smile, your presence, your participation might be the light of God that keeps someone going for another week in this imperfect world.
 
I look forward to seeing all of you soon!
Faithfully,
Joe


 

From Amy Middleton...

  New beginnings - This time of year brings to mind crisp paper, freshly sharpened pencils, empty notebooks, soon to be filled.  It is a time of promise and hope and new beginnings as many of our young people embark on a new year of school.  The new year also can mean lots of adjustments and transitions, stretching oneself and at times being uncomfortable. 

   The linked article below, written by a UCC pastor in Rehobeth, Massachusetts, is a great reminder that churches come up against this as well.  This Sunday is Rally Sunday, when we start a new church school year.  After a summer hiatus for most, committees are now regularly meeting and calendars are getting filled with events and programs.  In the midst of all of this, it is important that we are open to change, new voices and suggestions. 

   This article really hits on all of these points and I encourage all of you to read it.  The UCC offers many wonderful articles, devotions, workshops, etc.  The Spotlight series is one of them.  Enjoy!

 Read the article Here


Calling All Families!
Rally Sunday is This Sunday, September 16th

 Church School and J2A kick off! Hot dogs, popcorn and games to follow worship and church school on the church lawn. Please go to the this link to register for church school and J2A. This registration may be familiar to many of you as it is used for Monomoy sports and other organizations. Even if you've long been part of our program we ask that you register to ensure that we have the correct information.

Click  this link to download the Worship Schedule of acolytes, Jr.greeters, etc.




AED training
(automated external defibrillator)  
Learn how to save a life
We invite you to participate in AED training.
with Sergeant William Massey of the Chatham Fire Dept.
This Sunday, September 16 after Worship service-
no need to sign up, just plan to be there!

Sprucing Up!
Check out these before and after photos of our wall out front! Cam Koblish arranged to have Roy Papenfuhs power wash the wall and walkway today. The wall will also be getting a new coat of gray stain and will look like new! 








Jimmy Fund Walk-update...

I am happy to say that three of our teens - Amy Hinesley, Leah & Kathryn Nash have registered for the Jimmy Fund Walk on September 23. We will drive up to Boston together and walk from Boston College down to Copley Square, sharing our desire for an end to cancer with many hundreds (thousands?) of other walkers. We are so grateful to those in the Congregation who have supported us in this. As you may know, with school starting and all the things that go on in young peoples' lives, individually raising $300+ is not an insignificant task, especially when college looms closer and closer.

 PMC Kids Ride
If there are funds left, I am hoping to also sponsor our younger children in the Lower Cape PMC Kids Ride on September 30. Although I cannot be there this year (the first time in many years), I will be working on the preparation and cleanup of the ride. The ride itself will be at the Stony Brook Elementary School in Brewster. The very young children will ride a very short course always within sight.  Tricycles, scooters and 2-wheelers are okay for this one. A little older, and they will traverse the on campus street around the school. The older kids will ride from the school down the bike path to the bike path rotary in Harwich and back. All of these kids will have chaperones. Some parents ride with their kids on this one.

 PMC Kids Bike Ride provides kids a good time and an opportunity to do good work all while raising money for  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
 
Please go to Facebook and Like the PMC Kids Lower Cape Ride where updated information will be posted.

-Karen McPherson




Healing Service
Tuesday, September 18 at 7:00 pm
All are welcome!


From the Trustees...

            "Everything you wanted to know about Church Finances" ( part 1)
Please join the Trustees after church on Sunday, September 30th to discuss church finances. This chart depicts the income stream for the Operating Budget.


The 2018 income numbers are the budgeted numbers, except the pledge number, which is the actual pledge amount as of 2/19/2018 of $247,944. (Note: At the January budget meeting the 2018 budgeted pledge amount was estimated at $258,810.)
 
* Excludes Missions

If you'd like to download the above chart, click HERE


Upcoming Benefit Events...
Buy tickets online or after church


Buy tickets online for Love Letters
tickets will be emailed to you:
__________________________________________

Buy tickets online for Bridal Fashion Show
tickets will be emailed to you :

Tickets for the Concert below will be available at the door



Donate $20 or more to the church and
receive a nifty Chatham beach towel! 
Look for the table in the Fellowship Hall or see Pat Caswell
 

Hey folks, let's give our Bonanza a big push!
Too pricey for your budget? 
Grab a friend or two...or more... and split the cost of an entry!
There are enough great things to win for everyone!

This is a fundraiser for our church with the potential of raising  $17,000!
If everyone got 2 people to participate, we'll meet our goal in no time and can choose a winner! 



Mail or bring a check to the Church office.
Include your phone number
And even more not listed!


Upcoming in  September...

Sunday, September 16 - Rally Sunday!
                                         Church school begins.
       AED Training - after church

Tuesday, September 18 - Deacons - 4pm
   Healing Service -7pm                                         
Tuesday, September 26 - Council - 7pm
Saturday, September 29 - Pumpkins  arrive at 9am- all hands on deck!                                             Organ & Bagpipe Concert - 7pm
             Sunday, September 30 -
             "Everything you wanted to know about Church Finances" - 
               after church




Prayer List 

Addison Pratt
Anne Follett
Barbara Howard
Betty Blair
Betty Barber Rorabaugh
Bill Schwalm
Beth Eldredge
Bob Harned
Bud Heidebur
Del Archibald
Emily Garfunkel
Emily King
Harriet Larsen
Hugh Jones
JoAnn Mets


 




John Emison
Kate Poskanzer
Mary Anne King
Matthew Hamilton
Michele Creen
Michael LaCava
Mun Long
Nicholas Tucker
Stuart Patterson
Dean Hamilton
Glenn Bryant
Harriet Larsen
Eunice Geist
Robin Wilkins