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Meetings and Services
this Week:
Wednesday, September 19th:
-9:30 a.m. Wednesday morning Book Discussion Group
6:00 p.m. Confirmation Class
7:00 p.m. Choir
Thursday, September 20th:
-7:00 p.m. Council
-8:30 a.m. Worship Service
-10:00 a.m. Worship Service
-Coffee Hour
-11:30 a.m. Adventure Bible Workshop
-11:30 a.m. Youth Choir
-11:30 a.m. Organ and Music
Committees
-Annual Reports Due
-11:15 a.m. Bible Study in the Music Room
-7:30 p.m. AA Meeting
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Reverend Dr. Denise M. Esslinger
Minister of Mission and Faith Formation:
Stephanie Haines
Minister of Music:
Bruce Gale
Administrative Assistant:
Sally Fritsche
Worship: 8:30 AM
Worship w/Sunday School: 10:00 AM
Summer Worship:
9:00 AM
Gathered: 1748
Meeting House: 1838
Fellowship Hall: 2008
We are an Open & Affirming Church
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Ministry Quicklinks:
More About Us
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Two Services Resume this Sunday!
On Sunday, September 23rd, we resume our two worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Our 10 a.m. worship service includes our Choir and Sunday school.
(The photo above was taken by Glen Hadley early in the
morning
on Sunday, September 16th.)
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Bible Adventure Sunday - Sunday, September 23rd
The Board of Christian Education is excited to present our third grade children with the Adventure Bible, which is geared toward children 8 -12 years of age. The Adventure Bible is the whole Bible in its entirety, but also includes fun facts, inspirational activities, and explanations about each book. Our Sunday school teachers are currently using this Bible during class. Our hope is that this fun, colorful book of God's adventures will inspire our children to read the Bible more and incorporate all they learn into their everyday lives.
We will be presenting these Bibles to the children this Sunday, September 23rd, during the Children's Message. We hope third grade children will be able to attend church on this day to receive their Bible. If you will not be in church on this date, arrangements can be made to get a Bible to your child at another time.
Parents and children receiving their Adventure Bibles are also encouraged to attend an informational session on this new Bible following our church service around 11:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary. The Adventure Bible's features will be briefly highlighted along with ideas on how families can incorporate Bible reading and learning into their lives.
We hope you can attend this exciting event! If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Stephanie Haines at (860)228-3077 or [email protected].
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Annual Reports Due - Sunday, September 23rd
A reminder to Board and Committee Chairs that Annual Reports are due to Sally ([email protected]) by this Sunday, September 23rd. If you are unable to meet this deadline, please contact Sally. Thank you!
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| The Lord's Prayer
Over the months of April, May and June, we tried using some different words in The Lord's Prayer during worship. The Deacons hope in doing this was to draw our attention to the words we say so often and to help us think about what they mean. During the month of September, we will be revisiting the various words and then in the month of October, the Deacons will be including a brief survey in the bulletin to get your input and thoughts on the words and experience.
"debts and debtors"
September 30th
"forgive and forgiven"
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4th Annual Gilead Golf Open - Wednesday, September 26th
We are just one week away from this year's Gilead Open golf outing taking place at Blackledge Country Club on Wednesday, September 26th. All proceeds from the tournament go to support the missions and ministries of our Church. There is still opportunity to register as a golfer or support the event with a donation.
The Gilead Open committee would like to thank everyone that is supporting the event through Corporate, Tee or Individual sponsorships or through donations for the silent auction or raffle. For those that are still interested in participating or supporting the event please contact a member of the committee. Raffle prize or silent auction items are still welcomed. Themed gift baskets, gift certificates to local business or golf accessories or apparel are great items for the raffle.
Those participating in the event can look forward to a day of fun and great fellowship. Registration starts at 9 am with a shotgun start at 10 am. Golfers will enjoy a continental breakfast, bag lunch, eighteen holes of golf with a cart and an all you can eat buffet dinner featuring prime rib and chicken marsala. Entry forms are available at the sign-up table in the hall or from a committee member.
Again, thank you to everyone for making this a "fun" and "fund" raising event for our church.
Gilead Open Committee: Ken Cook, Tim Fellman, Harvey Desruisseaux, Steve Petro, Glen Hadley, Jack Hooker, and Doug Stewart
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Children & Communion Workshop - Sunday, September 29th
An educational program for children in the 4th Grade and higher on the Sacrament of Communion will be held for young people and their parents on Saturday, September 29th from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Fellowship Hall. If you have any questions, please speak with Rev. Esslinger.
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Acolyte Training - Sunday, September 30th
Young people in the 2nd grade and higher are invited to serve as acolytes at our 10 a.m.
worship service. On Sunday, September 30th after the 10:00 a.m. service, our Deacons will be holding an orientation and training for young people who are interested in serving as acolytes. Please speak with Deacon Jan Andrews if you have any questions.
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Mission Trip 2019 Informational Meeting - Sunday, September 30th
Please join us after worship at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, September 30th to learn more about our upcoming mission trip to Puerto Rico, April 14 - 20, 2019. Cristina Schoeck will share the details of the mission trip and answer any questions you may have. A $200 deposit will be due at the meeting and all participants will be confirmed to finalize our mission team for the spring. Scholarships are available if needed. Please come to learn more or contact Cristina Schoeck at
[email protected]
or Stephanie Haines at
[email protected]
.
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CROP Walk - Sunday, September 30th
Please plan on joining us for our annual three mile "walk to end hunger". The walk route follows the Hop River State Park Trail with easy grades and a smooth walking surface. The walk will begin and end at the Andover Congregational Church, 359 Rt. 6, Andover. Check in/registration starts at 2:30 p.m. and the walk will begin at 3 p.m. A pot luck dinner will be served afterward. A signup is in the hallway for dishes to contribute to the potluck. All money raised by the walkers will go to Church World Service's international hunger relief programs and to our local food bank and soup kitchen. You can donate and register for the walk online by looking up the Gilead team at www.crophungerwalk.org.
You can also speak
with Phyllis Kurz (
860-228-2469
) or Bob Owens (
860-228-9541
) to get more info or for a donation envelope.
ENDING HUNGER ONE STEP AT A TIME
Through the CWS Timor Zero Hunger Program:
$24 = Chickens for a family
$15 = Seeds for a family garden
$64 = Chickens, gardening and clean water access for a family
$150 = Rehabilitate 10 malnourished children at the Therapeutic Feeding Center
$5,000 = Clean water for 200 families
What is the impact of your walking?
Over the last 5 years our CROP walkers have raised over $19,000 - that's a lot of chickens!
Please join our CROP walk or donate to a walker!
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Blessing of the Animals - Sunday, September 30th
Join us on Sunday, September 30th at 1:00 p.m. for a service of Blessing of Animals in our Garden of Remembrance. Bring your pet along for this service to receive a blessing.
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Gilead Helping Hands Projects - Help Needed!
Below is information on two Gilead Helping Hands projects that are coming up. All tools and material will be available at both sites. If you're able to help, please contact Mark Tierney ( [email protected]).
Saturday, September 29 and Sunday, September 30. Home in Coventry. Need four people each day (8 am - 5 pm, but people can work whatever their schedule permits)
o Power washing house and gutters
o Install gutter guards
o Replace bathroom/tub faucet handles
o Replace railing for wooden stairs at kitchen
o Replace stairs and railing at garage
o Seal basement window
o Install two fluorescent lights in basement
o Repair front storm door closer
o Install kitchen shelf
o Repair top of chimney, install chimney cap
o Make front steps level by jacking up precast concrete form
Saturday, October 13. Home in Hebron. Need three people, two of which are comfortable on an "easy" pitch roof. (8 am - 3 pm, but people can work whatever their schedule permits)
o Remove one wooden side on top of barn
o Install flashing
o Install plywood and seal
o Move debris to Hebron town dump
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Faith and Film Resumes on Friday, October 6th
Join us on Friday, October 6th when we will gather at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall for a potluck dinner followed by a film and discussion. We will be watching
"The Post" (Rated - PG 13).
Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep) is the first female publisher of a major American newspaper -- The Washington Post. With help from editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks), Graham races to catch up with The New York Times to expose a massive cover-up of government secrets that spans three decades and four U.S. presidents. Together, the
y must overcome their differences as they risk their careers -- and very freedom -- to help bring long-buried truths to light. Bring a dish to share and join us!
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Finding God in Contemporary Issues - Tuesday, October 9th
We invite you to join us on Tuesday, October 9th at 7 p.m. in the Parish House for a time to talk about contemporary issues and where we see God's movement in them. At this gathering, we will be discussing "Social Media: Blessing or Curse." Articles to read as food for thought will be available on Sunday, September 30th on the table underneath the name tags. Please also bring your ideas to this gathering on topics you'd like us to discuss in the year ahead. Margot Sheehan and John Jenkins will be facilitating our discussions. Please feel free to speak with them about any questions you may have. We hope you will join us!
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Relay for Life - Saturday, October 13th
Its time to join the Gilead Congregational Church Relay for Life Team! The Relay for Life event of Greater Windham is being held on Saturday, October 13th, 2018 at the Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) Sports Center in Mansfield. Gayle Sylvester and Dawn Salan are our Gilead Church co-captains for this year.
This year Relay will be a 12-hour event running from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and we hope you will join the team to support this very important fund raiser to fight cancer. We look forward to your participation on our team. Whether you walk, donate or help with preparation, your help is greatly needed and it will make a difference! The first step is to sign-up and become a member of the team.
You can sign up at:
Search for the Gilead Congregational Church team and join the team or make a donation.
If you have any questions about Relay for Life, please speak with Gayle Sylvester or Dawn Salan. Thank you!
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Harvest Party - Sunday, October 14th
The Fellowship Committee invites the congregation to our 4th Annual Harvest Party following the 10:00 a.m. worship service on October 14th. Enjoy a time of fellowship, fall crafts for children and adults, games, and light refreshments. Youth helpers needed. Please contact Annette Langevin (860-228-1313) with questions or ideas!
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Cards for Maggie
Maggie Nolan-Thibault continues in rehab. If you could send a note or card to lift her spirits or drop by for a visit, we know she would appreciate it. Here's her address:
Maggie Nolan-Thibault
c/o Glastonbury Health Care Center
1175 Hebron Avenue
Room 215
Glastonbury, CT 06033
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Wednesday Morning Book Discussion Group
Our Wednesday Morning Book Discussion Group meets on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the home of Judy Brown and Deena Watson (130 Charles Lane). They are currently reading "Waking Up White" by Debby Irving. It is a nonfiction book about how white Americans are socialized and how that affects views on racial issues. All are welcome!
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The Grief Journey
Bereavement Support Group
The loss of a loved one is not well understood or always supported by our society. Deep emotional wounds often caused by the death of a loved one are not unlike physical injuries. Losing a loved one is a real injury that deserves equally prompt attention. Many individuals have benefited from some guidance through the process of grief. Bereavement Support Group meetings provide a safe place to share stories of our loved ones as well as learn about the process of grief with others.
The Grief Journey: Bereavement Support Group meets on Wednesday evenings, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Church of the Holy Family Parish House, 185 Church Street, Hebron, CT. The group is facilitated by grief educators Michael Glazier and Stephanie Haines. All grieving adults are welcome whether your loss is recent or past and you may come to one session or as many as you would like. This support group is non-denominational and brought to you by a collaborative effort of the Hebron Faith Communities. You may call Stephanie Haines at (860) 228-3077 for more information.
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Youth Group Upcoming Activities
On Sunday evening, September 16th, 30 youth attended our Youth Group kick-off meeting. Forms were filled out, plans for the year ahead were shared, and ice cream was enjoyed. All youth in 7th grade and higher and friends are invited to join our Youth Group. Below are some of our upcoming activities.
September 30th at 3:00 p.m.
October 10th at 2:20 p.m.
- Visit to Colchester Nursing Home
- Goat Yoga and Relay for Life
October 14th from 6:30-8 p.m.
The Youth Group also has plans to make October into Sock-tober at the Gilead Church. More details to come!
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Sunday School Registration
Last Sunday we enjoyed a wonderful brunch prepared by Chef Glen Hadley and team. We also welcomed back children and young adults to fall Sunday school. Sunday school registration forms are available as you exit the Sanctuary. Please be sure to register your child this Sunday if you have not already done so. If you have any questions, please speak with Heather Franzese (860-228-5276). Thank you!
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Sympathy
Our Church family expresses its deepest sympathy to
Margaret Gibbs and her family on the death yesterday of her mother, Rebecca Engstrom.
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Coffee Hour Hosts Needed
Members of the Fellowship Committee are asking members and friends to sign up for co-hosting coffee hour on Sunday mornings after our 10 a.m. service. Please consider serving as a host. You can sign up to host a coffee hour on the sign up underneath the name tags. If you can serve as a host or have any questions, please contact Gloria Kimball (860-228-3817) or Lorraine Kreeger (860-643-4082). Thank you!
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Did You Know?
In an effort to make our congregation aware of our church budget and all that is involved in keeping our community of faith going, our Stewardship Committee is providing some "fun facts" for you to consider
.
Here's another one:
Over $14,000 per year is needed to clean and maintain our Church buildings and grounds.
We hope you know that your giving is important and makes a difference!
If you have any questions about stewardship, giving, or our church's budget, please feel free to speak with Pastor Denise or any member of our Stewardship Committee: Lisa Cox, Charles Daniels, Lauren Henry, Bruce Langevin, and Duane Sauer.
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Ushers Needed
Please contact Phyllis Kurz (860-228-2469) or signup online using the info below.
1) Click this link on
SignUp.com
:
http://signup.com/go/ezSYDT
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on
SignUp.com
.
Note:
SignUp.com
does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact Phyllis and she will sign you up manually.
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Care for Rare Foundation - Jorg Richter's Coast to Coast Bike Ride
Just by chance as he was riding by, Jorg Ritchter stopped and joined us this past Sunday, September 16th for our all church brunch. Jorg is finishing up his 4th Coast to Coast bicycle tour raising awareness for children with rare diseases. He is on his final leg of his trip which began in April 2018 in San Francisco. If you would like to learn more about the Care for Rare foundation or to learn more about Jorg's bicycle tour, please access the following links:
and
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Upcoming Sunday Worship Servers
Ushers for this Sunday: Sandy and Jack Hooker
Ushers for next week: Laurie and Don Larsen
Deacon of the Day for this Sunday: Gary Sarra
Deacon of the Day for next week: Doug Stewart
Liturgist: Glen Hadley Acolyte: Benji Morrissey
Call to Worship: Becca Risley
Coffee Hour Hosts for this Sunday: Debbie Pearson and Karen Cohen
Coffee Hour Host for next week: Potluck Coffee Hour
Greeter for this Sunday: Elaine Aubin
Greeter for next week: Marie Santa
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Scripture Reading and Prayer for the Week
Holy Wisdom of God, you call to us from the depths of our hearts, where we long for connection with you and with one another. You call to us from our busy lives, where human pain and possibility are most urgent. You call to us from our sacred stories to create, challenge, and comfort. Guide us, we pray, and help us to see with your eyes the ways which lead to beloved community where Christ Jesus is at the center. Amen.
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Contact Info
Sally Fritsche
Administrative Assistant
Hebron, Ct 06248
860-228-3077
Summer Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until noon (Parish House)
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until noon (Parish House)
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