|
|
|
Meetings and Services
this Week:
Wednesday, May 23rd:
-9:30 a.m. Book Discussion Group
-7:00 p.m. Choir
-7:00 p.m. Financial Peace University
Saturday, May 26th:
-9:30 a.m. Youth Group to Covenant Soup Kitchen
Sunday, May 27th:
-10:00 a.m. Worship Service
-Sunday School
-Potluck Coffee Hour
-11:30 a.m. Youth Choir
-11:00 a.m. Foodshare's Mobile Van at Church of Hope
-11:15 a.m. Bible Study
-7:30 p.m. AA Meeting
|
|
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
|
|
Ministry Quicklinks:
More About Us
|
|
| |
| |
Upcoming Sunday Worship Schedule
Sunday, May 27th - Memorial Day Weekend:
One Service at 10 a.m.
Sunday, June 3rd:
One service at 10 a.m. with Communion
Sunday, June 10th - Children's Sunday:
One service at 10 a.m.
Sunday, June 17th - Father's Day:
One service at 9 a.m.
Our 9 a.m. worship service time will continue throughout the summer through and including Sunday, September 9th.
|
Youth Group to Covenant Soup Kitchen
Saturday, May 26th
Our Youth Group will prepare and serve a Memorial Day picnic at the Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic this Saturday, May 26th. Youth who would like to go can contact Mrs. Byrne ([email protected]) to volunteer. The Youth Group is asking the congregation for donations of potato and macaroni salads as well as homemade desserts. Please call the Church Office (860-228-3077) if you can provide a dish. Please drop off dishes at the Church on Saturday, May 26th between 9:15 - 9:30 a.m. Thank you!
|
|
Father's Day Cards
On
Sundays, June 3rd and 10th, Father's Day Cards will be available following worship. Cards feature beautiful photos of fathers around the world and are $5. All proceeds will benefit Church World Service and their Tool Kits Program that helps support families in need with emergency assistance and sustainable development. If you should have any questions please contact Stephanie Haines at (860) 228-3077.
|
2018-2019 Confirmation Class Orientation
On Sunday, June 3rd following our 10:00 a.m. worship service, there will be an orientation for all those in 9th grade and higher, and their parents, who are interested in taking part in our 2018-2019 Confirmation Class. The class will begin in mid-September. If you are interested in being part of next year's class, but cannot attend the orientation, please speak with Rev. Esslinger.
|
Children's Sunday - June 10th
"Love Your Neighbor"
On Sunday, June 10th, please join us in celebrating Sunday School and the many ways in which the children have loved their neighbors, bringing beautiful messages of God's love and hope! The children will lead the worship service, entertain you with song, share their mission efforts, reflect on their past year at the Gilead Congregational Church as well as recognize their super Sunday School teachers. Please have young people wear their "Love Your Neighbor " shirts!
Sunday School Superintendent, Heather Franzese, will be reaching out to the children in their Sunday School classes for help with various parts of the worship service. If your child plays an instrument and would like to perform during Children's Sunday, please contact Bruce Gale at [email protected]. We hope this will be a day of celebrating the many gifts our children bring!
We hope you will join us after service and stay for a picnic on the patio. You can bring your own picnic from home or consider purchasing grinders from our Youth Group with proceeds supporting their mission work. A special sweet treat will be provided by the Board of Christian Education! Please contact Susan Fredette at [email protected] if you should have any questions.
|
Youth Group "Holy Cow" Grinder Sale
Hungry? Enjoy a freshly made grinder on Children's Sunday, June 10th. The Youth Group will be taking orders for grinders that will be available for your picnicking pleasure on June 10th. Ham, turkey, veggies or a combo... let us know what you'd like and we'll have it ready and waiting for you following the 10:00 a.m. worship service. Grinders are $7 each or order a combo with chips for $7.50. We will have lemonade and water on hand. See order form in this Sunday's bulletin or stop by our table outside the Fellowship Hall. Proceeds from the grinder sale will be used to help fund the 2020 Youth Mission Trip. Thanks, as always for your support!
|
|
|
|
Cards for Maggie Nolan-Thibault
Maggie Nolan-Thibault is currently in rehab and is expecting to be there until June 8th. She has been in the hospital and rehab for over a month now. If you could send a note or card to lift her spirits, we are sure she would appreciate it. Here's her address:
Maggie Nolan-Thibualt
c/o Mt. Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital
490 Blue Hills Avenue
Room 4105
Hartford, CT 06112
|
|
This past Sunday, May 20th, we celebrated the gift of God's amazing Holy Spirit as well as Rev. Dr. Denise Esslinger's 20th anniversary at the church. Denise's beautiful, fiery spirit was celebrated both in worship as well as following the 10:00 a.m. service. Rev. Esslinger was escorted from the Sanctuary by Patrick Fagan. A hot, sizzling meal was provided and all ages gathered in the Fellowship Hall for a Pentecost Party.
|
|
Thank You!
Dear Members and Friends of the Gilead Church,
What a surprising and amazing day Pentecost was at the Gilead Church!
Thank you for everything you did to celebrate my 20th anniversary with you. I was overwhelmed by everything that was done---from all the pictures and memories from each year that are hanging in the hallway; to the entrance of Patrick Fagan in fire gear and the ride in the fire truck; to the beautiful flowers on the altar; to the moving and funny video during worship; to the video montage in the Fellowship Hall; to the wonderful meal; to all the amazing gifts including: the annual yoga membership, donation to the Carter Center, the hand made glass Pentecost wheel and heart, and the wonderful scrapbooks filled with love; to the cake; to the decorations; to the Choir singing!
I am so blessed to serve as your Pastor and am so grateful for the community of love that we share together. Thank you for "Shining God's Light" in our community and world. Thank you for "Shining God's Light" in my life.
With love and gratitude,
Denise
|
|
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 will be providing some fun facts on occasion.
Here's the first one:
Did you know that 96% of the money needed to operate our church comes from the pledges and offerings of our members and friends?
The other 4% comes from donations made for use of our church along with our fundraisers, which include the Gilead Golf Open, the Maplefest Craft Fair, and parking at the Hebron Harvest Fair. Our Women's Fellowship also makes an annual donation to the church.
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, Bruce Langevin, Duane Sauer and Lorraine Tierney.
|
|
Summer Sunday School Teachers Needed
"He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." - Mark 9:36 -37
Looking for a rewarding and wonderful way to serve? Consider teaching! We are blessed to have a fabulous, fun and vibrant Sunday School Program with dedicated teachers! During the summer months, our teachers take a much deserved rest and we offer classes to children 3rd grade and below.
Summer Sunday School classes are co-taught with a teacher for Preschool - Kindergarten and another for 1st - 3rd grade. This year children will be learning about "Favorite Stories from the Bible". A book, discussion questions and craft is provided for you. All that is required is your presence! A sign-up sheet is located outside the Sanctuary with summer dates that need to be filled. We appreciate your support. If you have any questions please contact Gayle Franchere at [email protected] or Stephanie Haines at (860) 228-3077 or [email protected]. Thank you so much for your support!
|
4th Annual Gilead Golf Open - September 26th
This year's golf tournament will take place at Blackledge Country Club on Wednesday, September 26th. All proceeds from the tournament go to support the missions and ministries of our Church. Here are the various ways in which you can be involved:
Golfer: NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED, just a willingness to have a good time. For a nominal fee of $100 per golfer you 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 any committee member.
Corporate Sponsor: Levels of $425 (includes two golfers) and $200 are available. Each include a banner to be displayed at registration and dinner along with media recognition.
Tee Sponsor: Show your support by making a $100 donation. This level includes a sign placed at one of the tee boxes on the course indicating your support along with media recognition
Individual Sponsor: For a $50 donation you can support the event and receive media recognition. Other monetary amounts will graciously be accepted.
Silent Auction Item: Donate an item of significant value to be auctioned off at the event. For reference past items have included tickets to a college or professional sporting event, one week time share vacation, afternoon of sailing.
Raffle Item: Donate an item to be raffled off at the event. Popular items include gift certificates, gift baskets and golf accessories or apparel.
Please consider being a part of this "fun" and "fund" raising event for our church. Contact a member of the committee to register as a golfer or discuss a donation.
Gilead Open Committee: Ken Cook, Tim Fellman, Harvey Desruisseaux, Steve Petro, Glen Hadley, Jack Hooker, and Doug Stewart
|
|
Willing Weeders Needed!
Our Trustees are looking for folks who are willing to help weed around the church during the upcoming summer months to keep our church grounds looking great. Also, the Garden of Remembrance Committee is looking for folks to help with weeding in the garden. There are sign up sheets underneath the name tags for both opportunities. Weeding in each area takes about an hour. Please consider signing up for a week or two. If you have any questions, please speak with Steve Weir, chairperson of our Board of Trustees, or Diane Desruisseaux, member of the Garden of Remembrance Committee. Thank you!
|
Wednesday Morning Book Discussion Group
The Wednesday Morning Book Discussion Group is reading "Mary Coin" by Marisa Silver. This is a historic fictional portrayal of a time in American history when survival was often a day to day thing and the essentials of family, love, loss and uncertainty are brought forward to the reader. The group meets on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. at the home of Judy Brown and Deena Watson (130 Charles Lane). All are welcome!
|
|
Rolling River Rampage: Experience the Ride of a Lifetime with God
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you!" -Isaiah 43: 2
Vacation Bible School (VBS) is an ecumenical program sponsored by the churches of Hebron, and is open to all children entering kindergarten through fifth grade. This year VBS will be held Monday, July 23rd hrough Friday, July 27th from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm at the Gilead Congregational Church.
This year our theme is "Rolling River Rampage." At the Rolling River Rampage, children will meet our fantastic river guides and Romper, the river otter. After a high-energy opening assembly, children will experience an interactive Bible lesson followed by a variety of activities, crafts, music and recreation as well as a tasty treat in our snack zone. Participants will also be able to contribute to our mission project.
Early Bird Special: All registration forms/payments received by July 4, 2018 will be only $25 per child. All registration forms received after July 4, 2018 will be $30 per child. The fee covers class materials, daily snacks, crafts, and outdoor recreation. Scholarships are available.
Please make checks payable to Gilead Congregational Church with VBS in the memo line and include a completed registration form. Registration forms can be found underneath the name tags outside of the Sanctuary. Please mail checks and registration form to Gilead Congregational Church/VBS, 672 Gilead Street, Hebron, CT 06248 or give them to Stephanie Haines or Lydia Abu-Rahmeh. We hope you will join us!
Items Needed: We are looking for a few of the following items for decorations: two SMALL pup tents, two SMALL inflatable rafts or SMALL kayaks/canoes/innertubes with paddles, two small/medium artificial Christmas trees that don't require too much assembly for the "forest", and a few camp chairs! If you have any of these items and would be willing to let us borrow these items for one week in July, please contact Stephanie Haines. Thank you!
|
Rhubarb at Mapleleaf Farm
Renee and Ned Ellis have an abundance of rhubarb and would like to share some with the congregation. Please stop by the farm (768 Gilead Street) to get some rhubarb or contact Renee at 860-228-3363.
|
|
RHAM Leos Need Volunteers
The RHAM Leos concluded a successful fundraiser to support the packaging and mailing of 10,000 Harvest Pack care packages to needy communities around the world. The RHAM Leos are looking for approximately 50 volunteers to help package and prepare the care packages for shipping on Saturday, June 9 from 9am to 12pm at the Lions Den building at the Hebron Lions Fair Grounds. Please contact Niko at
[email protected] if you are interested in volunteering some time to help a great cause. You can learn more about Harvest Pack at
www.harvestpack.org.
|
|
Upcoming Sunday Worship Servers
Ushers for this Sunday: Janet and David Kline
Ushers for next week: Sandy and Jack Hooker
Deacon of the Day for this Sunday: Amy Huhn
Deacon of the Day for next week: Amy Huhn
Liturgist: Noah Schoeck Acolyte: Tucker Haines
Call to Worship: Ella Cabrera
Coffee Hour Host for this Sunday: Potluck (Please bring something to share!)
Coffee Hour Host for next week: Phyllis Kurz
Greeters for this Sunday: To be determined
Greeter for next week: Tim Fellman
|
Scripture Reading and Prayer for the Week
Mark 3: 20-35
O God, in mystery and silence you are present in our lives, bringing new life out of destruction, hope out of despair, growth out of difficulty. We thank you that you do not leave us alone, but labor to make us whole. Help us to perceive your unseen hand in the unfolding of our lives, and to attend to the gentle guidance of your Spirit, that we may know the joy of life lived in you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
|
Contact Info
Sally Fritsche
Administrative Assistant
Hebron, Ct 06248
860-228-3077
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until noon (Parish House)
|
|
| |
|
