prEview April 25, 2019
IN WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Pastor Rachel begins a new sermon series, based on the "Be the Church" banners that will soon grace our sanctuary and building. This first week we will celebrate Earth Day, with the theme, "Protect the Environment." Pastor Rachel will preach a sermon entitled, "Matters of Life and Breath," based on Job 12:7-10. Randy Stephens will be Deacon of the Day. Marcia Merritt be Lay Reader. Dr. Jane Ellingwood will offer a Creation Care Moment, and musical leadership will be provided by Zoe Vandermeer and the Sanctuary Choir. Please join us for coffee hour following the service.
Over the next few weeks you may notice photographs being taken at various times during various church functions. The Ad Hoc Website committee is working on obtaining some up-to-date photographs that can be used on the FCCB website. Most photographs will be of group shots from a distance in order to capture a large area in the photograph. If for any reason you wish not to be included in a photograph that may be used for the website, please notify one of the Ad Hoc Website committee members (Jim Welsh, Wade Anderson, David Oskandy, Bill Beckman) or the Church Secretary (Heather). Thank you.

Saturday
April 27, 2019
 10 AM – 3 PM

Bethel Municipal Center Lawn
The Bethel Community Earth Day event, which will be hosted on the lawn of the Bethel Municipal Center, will include local vendors, non-profit organizations, community groups, artists, craftspeople, farmers, animals and animal lovers, and others who are dedicated to environmental awareness and preserving our planet.

Bethel Community Earth Day will be a day for fun, learning, growth, and community-building for people of all ages.
Poetry of the Earth
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Presented by the Friends of the Bethel Public Library in conjunction with Bethel Community Earth Day.
Please join other members of the Bethel community as we read some of the world's greatest poetry about our natural world.
This program is appropriate for all ages!

Registration is required.
CONTACT: 
Friends of the Library 
203-794-8756, ext 13  

LOCATION: Maria Parloa Community Room
Bethel Community Hike at Wolfpit Preserve

Sunday
May 5, 2019
1:30 PM

Join us on May 5th for a Sunday afternoon hike at Wolfpit Preserve. We will be starting out from the entrance at 37 Wolfpits Road in Bethel. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear and clothing.

This hike is being hosted by the Bethel Land Trust in conjunction with Bethel Community Earth Day, which is co-sponsored by the Town of Bethel Parks and Recreation Department and the First Congregational Church of Bethel.
CTUCC Meet Up at Bethel Pride Parade
Saturday
May 4, 2019
12 PM – 5 PM
Join First Congregational Church of Bethel + Newtown Congregational Church as we turn up at Bethel Pride!

We will meet at the Parade Check In (across from the Bethel Train Station) at noon. The parade starts at 1:00 PM and the celebration continues until 5:00 PM. Bring your signs, your rainbow gear
and your pride!

Parking will be available behind the Municipal Center, on Main St, the train station or the library. More info available here: https://bethelctpride.com

See you there!
Vacation Bible School
Dates July 29th- Aug 2nd
Times 9:00am - 12:15pm



Office Hours
Tuesday 9am-12pm
Thursday 9am-12pm
Friday 9am-12pm
LAY READERS AND COFFEE HOUR HOSTS

Thanks to everyone who has volunteered! Sign-up sheets are available, we need volunteers for May-June
Lay Readers are needed starting
April 28th.

In Our Prayers
Below are the people that are on our public prayer list. The Prayer Chain members also maintain prayer lists that are used in their personal devotions - these names are kept confidential. If you would like to add someone to either list, please email Pastor Rachel Fay Beam at fccbpastor@firstchurchbethel.org
No names will be removed from the list until a request has been made to do so. Please contact Pastor Rachel or Heather if you would like your name -- or a loved one's name -- removed from the list.

  • Prayers for Tammie Emmons, recovery from illness.
  • Prayers for those who continue to be victimized by gun violence.
  • Prayers for Becky Everhart, recovery from complete knee replacement surgery.
  • Prayers for Gary, the uncle of Michelle Knapp, continued recovery from brain cancer, now in remission.
  • Prayers of healing for Jill Shaw.
  • Prayers for Jeff Lawrence, recovery from eye surgery.
  • Prayers for Callie Furlong, 2-year-old granddaughter of Carole Furlong, recovery from kidney cancer.
  • Prayers for Joe, Lisa and Patrick Conciatore and their family, following the death of Joseph Conciatore, Sr.
  • Prayers for Joan Gourley, recovery from illness and surgery.
  • Prayers for Helen Chapman, recovery from illness.
  • Prayers for David Samuelson following the death of his brother Harry.
  • Prayers of healing for Bob and Judy Andrews.
  • Prayers for Logan Gene and Loki Robert Ferguson, grandchildren of Cindy Ferguson who were born 12 weeks premature.
  • Prayers for Jack Kessinger, recovery from hip surgery and health issues.
  • Prayers for Renee Kelahan, sister of Julie Sorcek
  • Prayers for healing for June Fry.
  • Prayers for Melissa Mable and her family, following Tim's death.
  • Prayers for the Milsap Family, following Mark's death.
  • Prayers of healing for Charlie Smith.
  • Prayers for Richard Hill, recovery from illness.
  • Prayers for Richard Merritt, recovery from illness.
  • Prayers for the members and friends of FCCB who are on our "call and visitation" list and cannot be with us on Sundays.
  • Prayers for all caretakers, including those who are caring for older parents and ill family members.
  • Prayers for our UCC partners in ministry in Fairfield East Association, the CT Conference and the national office.
  • Prayers for Bethel Police Department and Fire Companies and all emergency responder's.
First Congregational Church of Bethel, 46   Main   St Bethel , CT  06801
Phone # 203-743-1877
An Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ.