Dear Friends,
We are 275 years old, this month: happy birthday to the Congregational Church of Salisbury, UCC! On November 24th we will mark our anniversary by gathering up your thoughts, prayers, and reflections. What has our Church meant for you? How have you connected with friends, neighbors, and God's good news?
Last Sunday I asked you to answer a few simple questions, like those above. A number of you did (thank you!); you can easily share your words by
clicking on this link
and typing in your responses.
In 1744 our ancestors gathered in God's name and welcomed the Holy Spirit to lead them in new paths of faithful praise and service. 275 years later, we'll give thanks for the same spirit, leading us into new gospel adventure and ancient gospel mystery. Add your voice (
here's the link again
), and gather on the 24th for joyful worship!
Christlove,
Pastor John
PS: On 11/24 we'll have a potluck lunch after worship: look below for info from Cynthia LaPier.
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Sermon & Readings
This Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost, November 17, Pastor John's sermon will be "Bucket Lists."
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From Jack Bowman, Minister of Music
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Our choir anthem this Sunday is
All My Sins Been Taken Away, a traditional spiritual arranged by Robert Townsend. Dr. Townsend is a prolific composer and arranger; he resides in the Indianapolis area where he remains active in music education and music ministries. The organ prelude this week is a masterpiece for organ written in 1881 entitled
Grand Chorus Dialogue by the great, late-nineteenth century French composer, Eugene Gigout who served as the organist of the French capital’s Saint-Augustin Church for 62 years. The “dialogue” is created by the contrasts between two choruses of the organ.
Soli Deo Gloria, Jack
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From Barbara Collins,
Director of Religious Education
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Special thanks to the Youth Discussion Group for creating a poster in honor of our Veterans and for serving at the Coffee Hour on November 10th, all under the leadership of Jenn Surdam. Well done!
On Sunda
y, November 17 - There will be Nursery Care and Sunday School
(age 4-Grade 5). There will be
NO Youth Discussion Group
(Grades 6-12) in the morning but members of the group will meet at the church at 2:30 to travel to Torrington to help with the Community Dinner.
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Christmas Giving Project: Christian Action
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Report from the Christmas Giving Project: Our Christmas trees this year will be filled with requests for gifts in the form of household items, cash cards and checks to support three charities which support families, parents and children in maintaining a safe and loving home environment. It may not be as much ‘fun’ as selecting a toy — but most importantly, it is what the agencies involved tell us is needed. Some thank-you’s from last year’s gifts illustrates this best:
“Thank you so much for all the household and personal products we received. Our parents struggle to buy these high priced items that are not included in food assistance programs and yet are so necessary. The parents were so happy to take these items home and we were able to establish
a supply closet for emergency needs.”
—
Athena, from Astor House
“Thank you so much for including WSS in the SCC Giving Tree. We have had a number of clients in shelter and these gifts will
significantly aid in their transition.”
—
Shelly, from Women’s Support Services.
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SATURDAY, November 16 4:00-5:30 p.m.
at the Scoville Memorial Library:
Salisbury Community Talk, Dialogue and Discussion: Identity, Bias and Systemic Racism presented by Gwendolyn VanSant, Director Multicultural BRIDGE: a
collaboration of the Scoville Memorial Library and the Congregational Church of Salisbury, UCC.
Click here to learn more
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Board of Christian Action:
Report from the Christian Giving Project
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The Board of Christian Action has chosen three charities to receive gifts through the Christmas Giving Tree Project this year:
Simply Smiles,
Astor House, and
Women’s Support Services. In addition, we will donate to support our sister church,
Nourish Bridgeport through a donation to fund the annual F
eel the Warmth Dinner. Anyone interested in assisting in this endeavor should contact Joanne Hayhurst or Margie Vail or attend the initial meeting on November 18th at 1pm in the Council Room (2
nd floor of the Church House).
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MONTHLY NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
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275th Anniversary Pot Luck Luncheon Celebration
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Please join us for a pot luck lunch in the parish hall after worship on Sunday November 24th to celebrate the 275th anniversary of our church!
If you are able, please bring a dish that serves 4-6 people (a small index card with ingredients is helpful for those with allergies.) Dishes can be dropped off at the church kitchen before worship and will be kept warm or cold per your instructions.
Please come whether you are cooking or not - there is always enough food for all and we need you there to celebrate!
Please contact Cynthia LaPier
cynthia.lapier@gmail.com
413 854-7602 with any questions, or to make arrangements for dropping off food before Sunday morning.
For this day, we are collecting
stories of service to our neighbors, near and far
. Can you share how you have put your faith in action? Please contact Pastor John (
click here
) or the church office.
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Fall Action Weekend at Silver Lake Conference Center
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Dates: 11/22/2019 - 11/24/2019
Grade Level: 9th Grade - Adult
Cost: $45 per High Schooler; By donation for adults
Catch up with old friends, make new friends, and work hard to prepare YOUR conference center for the coming season. From chopping wood to repairing buildings, moving picnic tables to raking leaves, there’s a project for everyone, high schoolers through adult.
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Deacon's November Message ~ Submitted by Kathy Mera
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Women's Bible Study meets on Thursdays at 4:30pm in the Parish Hall Library.
Men's Bible Study meets on Fridays at 7:45am in the Parish Hall.
All are welcome! If you are interested in participating in either Bible Study, please contact
Pastor John.
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Our Church's 275th Anniversary
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On
Sunday, November 24, we will have an all-church Celebration to commemorate the Church's 275th Anniversary. Mark your calendar an exuberant worship service and potluck luncheon birthday party following the service!
For that day, we are collecting
stories of service to our neighbors, near and far. Can you share how you have put your faith in action? Please contact Pastor John (
click here) or the church office.
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If you would like to provide flowers for a Sunday service
, contact Linda Estabrook at
(860) 824-5896
by Wednesday of the week the flowers will be donated.
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Please contact the office if you would like to add a name to the prayer list, by calling the office 860-435-2442 or emailing
kwigginsscc@gmail.com
.
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The Coffee Hour sign up
is in the Parish Hall. If you have never served at Coffee Hour and would like to “learn the ropes,” please sign your name in the column marked “helper” and you will be paired with an experienced Coffee Hour server.
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Click above to access our secure site
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Melissa Adam, Financial and Communications Assistant, is in the office Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00-2:00. Her email is:
sccmelissa@gmail.com
Kathy Wiggins, Administrative Assistant, is in the office Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8-3 and Thursday from 8-2.
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The Congregational Church of Salisbury, United Church of Christ
125 Main Street, PO Box 392, Salisbury, CT 06068
Phone (860) 435-2442
email: salisburyucc@gmail.com
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