Weekly Newsletter
Week of November 25th - December 1st
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Gilead Congregational Church, UCC |
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Meetings and Services this week:
Wednesday, November 25th:
-9:30 a.m. Bible Study on Zoom
Thursday, November 26th:
-Happy Thanksgiving!
Sunday, November 29th:
-10:00 a.m. Sunday Worship Service live-streamed on our Gilead Church Facebook Page
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About Us:
Pastor:
Reverend Dr. Denise Esslinger
Minister of Music:
Danielle Hoehn
Minister of Communication and Technology:
Lisa Cox
Administrative Assistant:
Sally Fritsche
Worship: 10:00 a.m. on Gilead Church Facebook Page
Gathered: 1748
Meeting House: 1838
Fellowship Hall: 2008
We are an Open & Affirming Church
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Hebron Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
This year, in lieu of our traditional Community Thanksgiving Service, faith community leaders recorded a message to share. Speakers include: Diane Maran (United Brethren Synagogue), Father Ron Kolanowski (St. Peter's), Father Michael Phillippino (Church of the Holy Family) and Pastor Denise. Tressa Giordano, Executive Director of AHM Youth & Family Services, also shares about the important work they are doing in our community. The service is about 15 minutes long and can be found at:
Special thanks to Robert Mangiafico, from St. Peters, for compiling and editing this for us.
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Sunday Worship Live Streamed
Sunday, November 29th
This Sunday, November 29th, we will worship at 10:00 a.m. via live stream only. Our Board of Deacons has made the decision, given the rising Covid-19 cases in our town and state, that we will return to live-streaming only of our worship services for now. They will continue to monitor the case numbers weekly.
On Sunday we will welcome Margot Sheehan as our guest preacher. Margot has been a member of the Gilead Church for ten years and currently serves on the Board of Deacons. Two years ago she retired after working in Hartford for 45 years. For 35 of those years Margot was a classroom teacher, and the last 10 she supervised student teachers for UCONN. Her heart is in the city! Margot has been married to Joe for 46 years and they have two adult sons, Daniel and Brian. Margot and Joe are eagerly awaiting a granddaughter in mid January!
You can connect with our service on our Gilead Church Facebook page at http://tinyurl.com/GileadChurchUCC. Following the service, it will be posted to the site, so you can view it at any time.
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During worship this past Sunday, November 22nd, we saw a wonderful video with many members and friends standing next to our Gilead Church "Planting Seeds of Hope" sign. If you missed it or would like to see it again, here's a link to it:
We're sorry that, due to the way we were able to order quantities of the signs, that we weren't able to get one to everyone. We are grateful for your understanding and also to everyone who has already returned their 2021 "Planting Seeds of Hope" pledge card. If you haven't yet, we ask you to return it to the church as soon as you can. You can mail your pledge card to the church (672 Gilead St, Hebron CT 06248) or drop it off in the bucket on the porch door of the Parish House at any time.
We give thanks always, but even more especially in these days, for the seeds you so generously plant in so many ways as part of our community of faith.
The Stewardship Committee,
Mark Bierbaum, Lisa Cox (Co-Chair), Charles Daniels, Lauren Henry (Co-Chair), and Bruce Langevin
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The Season of Advent begins this Sunday, November 29th. In keeping with our church theme for the year, "Planting Seeds of Hope," we have "Hope-Full Living" Advent devotionals that are available for you to pick up in a tub next to our Little Lending Library by the double doors to the Church from the parking lot. If it would be helpful to have one delivered, please contact the Church Office at 860-228-3077 or at gcc@gileadchurch.net. It is our hope and prayer that these devotionals will be meaningful as we watch, wait, and prepare for Jesus' birth.
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Advent in a Box for Sunday School Families
Our Board of Christian Education is putting together Advent boxes for all of our Sunday school families, which includes those with children up through and including 8th grade. The boxes will include an Advent wreath and devotional for families to use each week during Advent. It will also include other crafts, stories and ideas for making this season holy and special. Boxes will be available for pick up in plastic tubs outside the church beginning today. Advent begins this Sunday, November 29th. Each box will have a family name on the outside so you'll know which one to take. Any boxes not picked up will be delivered to families the week of November 30th. Please feel free to reach out to Karen Risley or Sandy Waldo, who Co-Chair our Board of Christian Education, with any questions.
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Evergreen Swag Workshop
Sunday, December 6, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Our Fellowship Committee invites you to make a traditional evergreen swag on Sunday, December 6th from 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Individuals or families(3 or less) can sign up on "Sign up Genius" for a 15 minute time slot in which you will gather your greenery and then assemble your swag at separate tables. Please sign up on the below link:
Please enter the Church via the parking lot entrance, and exit through the back of the Fellowship Hall. Face masks should be worn and social distancing will apply. Gloves and hand sanitizer will also be provided. Please contact Annette Langevin, 860-228-1313 or Thelangevins@comcast.net with questions.
Contact Annette also if you have any greenery you could donate (holly, arborvitae, spruce, red cedar, etc..)
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Introducing our GCC YouTube Channel!
GCC now has a YouTube channel filled with video’s from our weekly service, sermons, stewardship and special events. In the coming weeks we will be live streaming the worship service simultaneously to YouTube and Facebook. Please go to our channel page and click on subscribe. Contact Lisa Cox at coxlm@comcast.netwith questions.
https://youtube.com/channel/UC-jpzpH8LNxgKoq4aoF1p3Q
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Hebron Food Pantry - Reverse Advent Calendar
During the season of Advent, Hebron Interfaith Human Services, invites you to fill a box or a bag each day with items that are needed by those they serve. The suggested dates and items are below. The calendar begins a little early and ends a little early so you have time to drop off your collection at the food bank before Christmas. Feel free to call them 860-228-1681 with any questions.
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Holiday Pies to Support HELO
It is that time of year again! Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner and who doesn't love homemade pies? We will be making apple and pumpkin pies to order for anyone who is interested. You can pick up curbside following worship on any of the following Sundays: November 29th, December 13th and December 20th or request a different date if needed. Pies will also be available today between 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 23rd with the time to be determined. If you do not want a pie, but would like to make a donation, all proceeds will support HELO, an orphanage in Les Cayes, Haiti. Please make checks payable to HELO. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Destiné at (860) 462-0919 or email at pvault1459@gmail.com. (Here is a google form to complete or you can see Amy Destiné to sign up. Pies for HELO)
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Christmas Angel Gift Tags |
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Thanks to everyone who fulfilled an Angel Tag gift wish this year. All our gifts have been delivered to Jeff Brown, a Gilead Church member and our Department of Children and Families' Social Worker. We are so thankful for your generosity and continued support of the Christmas Angel Tag mission for the special children and youth in the DCF system. Thanks also to Nancy Bennett, our Gilead Church Covenant to Care for Children liaison, for all of her extra work to make this mission happen and possible this year!
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New Member Gatherings on Zoom
On Sunday, December 6th at 12:30 p.m., we invite anyone interested in exploring membership with the Gilead Church to join us for a Zoom new member orientation meeting. This will be a time when our Deacons and Rev. Esslinger will share information on the Gilead Church. If you are interested in attending this meeting, please contact the Church Office at 860-228-3077 or at gcc@gileadchurch.net.
On Wednesday, December 9th at 7:00 p.m. new members will join on Zoom. The ceremony will be recorded and the recording will be shared during worship on Sunday, December 13th.
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Minister of Music Search
Given Danielle's departure at the end of the year, we are looking for a new Minister of Music. A Search Committee has been formed, has met, and is receiving resumes. Carolyn McConnell is serving as Chairperson. If you know of anyone who might be interested in this position, please reach out to her or to our Church Office (gcc@gileadchurch.net).
Until we find someone, Carol Geyer will be serving as our Interim Minister of Music beginning in January. We give thanks for Carol's gifts and her willingness to serve during the interim. That said, Carol is relatively recently retired and would like to share this interim position with someone else. If you know of anyone who might have interest, please contact Carol (carolgeyer@sbcglobal.net) or the Church Office (gcc@gileadchurch.net). Thank you!
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AHM 2020 First Annual Online Holiday Auction
AHM Youth and Family Services has launched its first ever online holiday auction. Since holding a charity auction in person presents too many problems during the pandemic, the AHM Board of Directors and staff are hosting this virtual fundraiser instead.
AHM is a local public charity that helps people of all ages from the towns of Andover, Columbia, Hebron, and Marlborough through programs and services such as school and community based counseling, wellness events, a family resource center, project graduation, juvenile review board, recovery support groups, mentoring for children and teens, summer youth theater, youth worker programs for seniors and so much more.
The AHM auction features nearly 50 items, including a wine making experience, dining gift cards, vacation packages to Cape Cod and Newport, a CT Teachers Retirement Planning package, gifts for children, families, and pets, a cord of firewood, paintings, automotive services, a wine trail experience, camping items, a drone, gift cards to local businesses, jewelry and so much more.
To start your bidding, please visit the website page at:
Additional questions or inquiries can be directed to Joel Rosenberg, at AHM, Joelr@ahmyouth.org or at 860-228-9488.
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Bible Study on Zoom
Our weekly Bible study, led be Rev. Bob Woodward, meets on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. on Zoom. The group is currently exploring and discussing the book of Exodus. The book of Exodus, the second book in the Bible, is about the people of God’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt, their wandering in the wilderness on their way to the promised land, and God’s presence with them. It is a relevant and appropriate book for the times we are living in, which can sometimes feel like wilderness times. All are invited and welcome to join this discussion and study. Come when you can! To join, click on the this link at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday mornings:
If you have any questions or need assistance connecting with Zoom, please contact our Church Office (gcc@gileadchurch.net or 860-228-3077).
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Lord's Bounty II Cookbooks
Our Women's Fellowship continues to sell copies of their Gilead Church Lord's Bounty II Cookbooks. If you'd like a copy, please contact Margaret Gibbs at 860-384-4327. She will deliver! Cook books are only $10 each and make a wonderful gift. Checks can made payable to Gilead Church Women’s Fellowship.
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Foodshare's Drive-Thru Food Distribution - December Schedule
Community members can access help through the following:
• Mobile Foodshare: An outdoor pantry-on-wheels, to find a site near you please text “FOODSHARE” to 85511 or go towww.foodshare.org/mobile.
• Food Pantries: To find a food pantry and other resources near you, call 2-1-1 or go to www.211ct.org.
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Church Office Hours and Protocols
Sally, our Church’s Administrative Assistant, is in the Church Office on Monday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon. She will continue to work from home on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon. If you need assistance from Sally, the best way to reach her is to contact her via email or phone (gcc@gileadchurch.net or 860-228-3077). If you need to come to the Church Office, we ask that you make every effort to contact Sally ahead of time to let her know you are coming. Face masks are required to enter the building and when you arrive, please come to the Parish House side door and knock. Sally will let you in. If you are having any symptoms (e.g. fever, sore throat, coughing, etc.) or not feeling well, we ask that you do not come. We will be happy to make other arrangements to conduct any Church business that you need.
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Congratulations
Congratulations to Jesse Huhn and Shane Richardson who were married at Gilead Church on Saturday, November 21st. Rev. Esslinger officiated. Best wishes to the newlyweds!
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Thank Yous
Dear Gilead Members,
We would like to thank Denise and the Gilead Congregational family for the support during Jerry's recent surgery and recovery. The prayers, the beautiful prayer shawl, and the delicious goodies left on our doorstep were all so very much appreciated.
In this time of separation it is comforting to know that others are thinking of you.
In Peace & Health,
Nina & Jerry Krasser
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To my Gilead Church Family,
How delightful! A shower of cards each with a wish for a "Happy Birthday" -- many including a note.
Thank you for your cards and flowers and for making my day a little brighter in these crazy times.
Bea Stokes
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Gilead Church
A wonderful prayer shawl! Such high quality weaving. The first surprise I found when returning home after successful heart surgery. I intend to do all I can to continue a good recovery. Slow and steady.
Thank you,
Bob Phelps
(Heidi Byrne's father)
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Scripture Reading and Prayer for the Week
1 Corinthians 1: 3-9
Loving God, in Jesus you chose to come to the world in humility. You chose the path the world saw as foolish. You used what the world considered weak. You are greater than we can understand; so open our eyes this day that we may see the truths you have shown us in Jesus. Help us to learn what you want us to be. Amen.
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Contact Info
Sally Fritsche
Administrative Assistant
672 Gilead St
Hebron, Ct 06248
860-228-3077
Office Hours: Our Administrative Assistant, Sally Fritsche, will be in the Parish House Office on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 8:00 a.m. - Noon. She will be working from home on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:00 a.m. - noon.. She is available for assistance via email (gcc@gileadchurch.net).
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