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Meetings and Services
this Week:
-9:00 a.m. Worship Service
-Coffee Hour
Monday, July 23rd - Friday, July27th:
-9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Vacation Bible School
-11:00 a.m. Foodshare's Mobile Van at Church of Hope
-12:00 p.m. Summer Picnic at Hebron Douglas Library
-7:30 p.m. AA Meeting
Wednesday, July 25th:
-6:00 p.m. Summer Potluck & Prayer
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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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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 this Monday, July 23rd through 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.
Registration is $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 bring your check and registration form to Gilead Congregational Church Office or bring them on the morning of July 23rd. We hope you will join us!
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Summer Potluck & Prayer Gatherings
Please plan to join us on Wednesday evenings July 25th, August 8th and August 22nd for our summer Potluck and Prayer gatherings. We'll meet on the Gathering Terrace at 6 p.m. Our Deacons will grill up hamburgers and hot dogs and have lemonade and ice tea to share. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. After dinner, we'll close our evening with a brief time of worship and prayer. All are welcome!
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Back to School Drive - July 15th to August 12th
Help to send children back to school with a healthy start!
The Children's Subcommittee of our Board of Missions is hoping to provide our local food bank, HIHS, as well as RHAM High School with much needed back to school supplies. Please consider donating any items below or making a donation. For a $25 donation you can sponsor a young person to go back to school with a fully stocked back pack!
Collection bins to place your donations will be available outside the Sanctuary. If you are making a monetary donation please make checks payable to Gilead Congregational Church with "Blessing of the Backpacks" in the memo. Your specifically labeled check can be placed in the offering plate during worship service.
School Supplies Needed:
- heavy duty, zip-up, 3-Ring Binders (large)
- sturdy backpacks for teens
- earbuds
- flash drives
- scientific calculators (with sin, cos, tan buttons)
- graphing calculators (TI-84 Plus CE)
- 24 pack crayons
- 12 pack colored pencils
- 12 pack colored markers - fine tip
- pencils/pens
- dry erase markers
- pencil cap erasers
- pack of glue sticks
- high lighters (varied colors)
- sturdy plastic folders with pockets
- 3 ring binder (one inch)
- 3 ring binder (D-ring 3 inches)
- dividers for 3-ring binders
- zipper pouches to hold pens, pencils, etc.
- spiral, single subject notebooks
- wide ruled composition books
- lined notebook paper
- graph paper
- contained pencil sharpeners
- 3 X 5 index cards
- ruler
- agenda books
- combination locks for PE lockers
- compasses/protractors
Healthy Non-Perishable Snacks needed:
- snack-size fruit cups
- raisins
- pretzels
- microwave popcorn
- trail mix
- granola bars
- whole grain crackers
Items can be placed in the designated bins outside the Sanctuary through August 12th. Thank you so much for your support!
On August 26th we'll be having our annual "Blessing of the Backpacks". We will be offering our prayers as we send off our young people, teachers and school professionals for the new school year ahead. We hope you will join us!
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| Rev. Esslinger on Sabbatical - Returning August 7th
Our Pastoral Relations Committee, Deacons and Trustees have approved Pastor Denise taking some of her sabbatical time this summer. She was due for sabbatical time two years ago, but made the request to reserve the time for the future. Denise is taking one month of the three months granted. Pastor Denise is away and will be returning to the office on Tuesday, August 7th. This includes one month of sabbatical time along with one week of vacation.
Rev. Dr. Sharon Ledbetter will be providing worship leadership and pastoral care while Denise is away. Deacons will be on call for pastoral care and emergencies. They can be reached by calling the Church Office (860-228-3077). This Sunday, July 22nd, when Rev. Ledbetter will be away, Steve Weir will be providing pulpit supply.
If you have any questions about this time, please feel free to speak with Phyllis Kurz who serves as Chairperson of our Pastoral Relations Committee.
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Take Me Out to the Ball Game!
Hartford Yard Goats, Friday, August 3rd at 7:00 p.m.
Young people ages 8 - 14 from the programs of the Gilead Congregational Church in Hebron and Mothers United Against Violence in Hartford are invited to enjoy an evening game of baseball, develop friendships and have fun! Transportation will be provided from the GCC parking lot. Hebron children are to be dropped off at 5:30 pm. Please plan to eat dinner before the game. Money can be brought along for snacks. Chaperones Jeff and Stephanie Haines as well as Bruce and Annette Langevin will be present and provide rides to and from the game. Please sign up to register outside of the Sanctuary as tickets are limited. If you should have any questions please call the church office at (860) 228-3077.
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Summer Picnics at the Hebron Douglas Library
Please join us for complimentary "Summer Picnics" at the Douglas Library in Hebron, 22 Main Street. Enjoy a delicious lunch at 12 pm in the library community room along with a surprise visit from a guest "Mystery Reader" for children of all ages. The dates are as follows: July 24th, picnic provided by Georgia's Restaurant and July 31st, picnic provided by Something Simple Café. All are welcome to enjoy!
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Steeple Chase Bike Tour - Saturday, August 18th
On Saturday, August 18th, Jeff Brown will be riding in the 27th Annual Steeple Chase Bike Tour, which raises money for Perception Programs, Windham Area Interfaith Ministry, and the Windham Region No Freeze Project. If you would like to support Jeff, please contact him. If you would like to participate in this event, you can find more info at www.steeplechasebiketour.org.
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AHM Summer Youth Theater - Special Preview on Thursday, July 26th
AHM Summer Youth Theater will present a special free preview of "13 The Musical" on Thursday, July 26th at 2:00 p.m. in the RHAM High School Auditorium. All are welcome!
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Thank You
Dear GCC Family,
I am fine and recovering fast. I had 4 surgical repairs on my heart in 6 hours and spent 4 days in ICU before heading to the cardiac stepdown unit. On June 24th, I moved to Mansfield Rehab Center where I have been receiving wonderful care. They plan on discharging me on July 11th.
I owe my good health and healed heart to all of you for your powerful prayers and blessings.
Thank you with all my heart,
Elaine Aubin
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Thank you to Steven Schoeck for opening the office window this past week; and for the air conditioner donated by the Langevins; and for the installation work completed by Bruce Langevin and Steven and Noah Schoeck. I'm ready for the next heat wave!!!
Sally Fritsche
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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
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Sympathy
Our Church family expresses its deepest sympathy to Cyndi and Warren Thomas and to Bill and Bev Raymond on the recent death of their mother, Jean Raymond. A Memorial Service will be held at Gilead Church on Monday, August 13th at 11:00 a.m.
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Upcoming Sunday Worship Servers
Ushers for this Sunday: Gloria and Jon Kimball
Ushers for next week: Penny Besmond and Sandy Waldo
Deacon of the Day for this Sunday: Bill Cox
Deacon of the Day for next week: Bill Cox
Liturgist: Margot Sheehan
Coffee Hour Host for this Sunday: Deb Scarpa
Coffee Hour Host for next week: Potluck
Greeter for this Sunday: To be determined
Greeter for next week: To be determined
Summer Sunday School Teachers for this Sunday: PreK/K: Kim Hills
Grades 1-3: Melissa Lunderville
Summer Sunday School Teachers for next Sunday: PreK/K: Deb Scarpa
Grades 1-3: Karen Risley
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Scripture Reading and Prayer for the Week
Ephesians 2: 11-22
O God, gather us in your presence and strengthen the bonds of affection that hold your people together. Bless us with grace to cooperate with one another in love and service that we may be signs of your uniting love in our fractured world. Teach us to show compassion to those in need, to face challenges with imagination, and to counter disappointments with prayerful trust. 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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