DEACON'S MEETING MONDAY MARCH 28th, 2022
at 7:30PM on Zoom
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Please remember to pick up your Pledge Envelopes in the Church Office
(as they are no longer in the sanctuary!)
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Do You Know Jonah?
Save the Dates!
Click to register:
How in the world can you make a full study out of the Book of Jonah??? Watch us! Please join Rev. Suzanne for a four week Bible study on the Book of Jonah on Thursday evenings March 31 at 7:00 pm.
Using the Viva Series we will think more deeply on themes that appear in the Book: Trouble, Time Out, Trabajo, Temper Tantrum. We hope you'll join us. The weekly study will last for one hour and be offered via Zoom. All you need is a Bible!
Please register and you will be sent the Zoom link. Registration is open throughout the study, but you only have to one time.
As a follow up Rev. Suzanne will be preaching on Jonah for four Sundays in Lent.
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Symbols on the Lenten Banner |
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Symbols on the Lenten Banner in the Sanctuary and what they represent. References to them can be found in the stories of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, one Gospel was sighted.
Palm Branch: Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Matthew 21:8
Rooster: The rooster crows three times and Peter betrays Jesus: Mark 14:72, Matthew 26: 34 and 75
Cup: The Last Supper. Matthew 26:26-28
Basin and Towel: Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. John 13:5
Gavel: represents the trial where Jesus is condemned to die. Mark 14:64
Nails: represent the crucifixion. Matthew 27:35
Crown of thrones: Crown made by the soldiers for the King of the Jews. Matthew 27:29
Dice: Soldiers play a game for Jesus’s clothes Matthew 27:35
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The Town of Bethel Energy Committeee and local nonprofit, PACE, have partnered to bring you HeatSmart Bethel. The program helps Bethel residents learn how to improve their home’s energy efficiency. We connect you with Energize CT-certified technicians who will do a comprehensive energy analysis of your home and seal up air leaks ($50 or, for income-eligible participants, at no-cost ), we provide information about heating and cooling systems, and help you take advantage of the many rebates and incentives currently available. Taking advantage of this program could save individuals hundreds of dollars annually on their energy bills. HeatSmart Bethel participants who complete the assessment will be automatically enrolled for a November drawing for a $250 Amazon gift card and also receive a $25 Bethel Chamber of Commerce E-gift card.
For More information, Click HERE
ATTENTION:
On April 7th at 7PM, we will be having a zoom presentation about HeatSmart. Feel free to join us and learn about the program.
The link is below:
Topic: HeatSmart with Bethel First Congregational
Time: Apr 7, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 885 1532 2812
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Meeting ID: 885 1532 2812
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PRAYER REQUESTS
Please click below to send prayer requests. If you would like to add a name to this list or if you have a confidential prayer concern, please indicate in the email.
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Watch previous sermons on YouTube.
Subscribe to FCCB channel. Click the link below, click on the Subscribe button on the FCCB Channel page. Watch archived sermons anytime.
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Click on and read our Monthly Newsletter for our Congregation and their Families! Find fun and useful tips and more |
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Christian Outreach Ministries, Inc. is launching an exciting new opportunity for you to participate in that will bring our family in Christ and our community together for approximately 2.5 hours on Saturday April 30th from 10AM- 12:30PM walking from City Hall Danbury to Rogers Park. All participants should wear light blue T-shirts for the march.
The event is a march entitles, "Pick up your Cross and follow Jesus." The march will be the precursor to multiple ongoing outreach events, in which we can actively demonstrate Matthew 16:24-26. Missionary teams, families, outreach teams, youth groups, small groups, and Pastors can participate in ways that we can accomplish the great commission of going out into the highways and byways to reach souls for Christ.
For further information, please feel free to contact Rev. Wanda Payton or Diana Netto at 203-748-2266 or at info@ccominc.org.
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Local Retreats, Summer Programs and Events: |
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Messiah April 10, 2022 (for PSAs and outreach)
The Valley Music Series presents MESSIAH SING on Palm Sunday, April 10, 2022 at3 pm. All are invited to a community sing-along of Parts II & III of this great masterwork by G. F. Handel. Bring a score or borrow one at the door.
A true community event with professional soloists and organ featuring: soprano Kristen Plumley, mezzo-soprano Jessica Ann Best, tenor Nicholas Simpson, bass-baritone Andrew Dwan, organist Linda Sweetman-Waters and conductor Eric Dale Knapp.
Come to sing or come to listen to Handel’s glorious masterpiece.
VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
21 West Whisconier Road Brookfield, CT 06804
203.775.2624
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Coalition 50th Anniversary National Gathering in August!
Dear Open and Affirming family!
Fifty years ago, in 1972, a courageous and visionary band of queer leaders in the United Church of their Christ (with their straight allies) founded the "UCC Gay Caucus," the forerunner of the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ.
Earlier that year, the Golden Gate Association in California ordained Bill Johnson—the first openly gay man to be authorized for ministry in an historic Protestant denomination.
This year's National ONA Gathering will celebrate this milestone in our beloved church. We'll celebrate the past 50 years and the extraordinary growth in our movement from small beginnings, honor our elders, and learn from each other the ways our movement needs to expand its vision at the beginning of our second half-century.
Join us on Zoom August 5, 6, 7 for this once-in-a-lifetime event. Events will be scheduled in the evenings, enabling Hawai'i and western time zones to participate. We'll announce registration in the spring, but in the meantime please mark these dates on your calendar!
As with National Gatherings in the past, there will be soul-expanding worship and mind-expanding keynotes. I'm looking forward to seeing each of you!
With every blessing,
Andy Lang
Executive Director
Open and Affirming Coalition
United Church of Christ
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We're excited to see 2022 retreat offerings at Mercy by the Sea!
MERCY BY THE SEA
167 Neck Road
Madison, CT 06443-0191
Tel: (203) 245-0401
Fax: (203) 245-8718
A New Way to Register
This year, they are implementing a new online registration process. Here are some helpful hints so you know exactly what to expect and what you need on Thursday.
- Registrations will open on Thursday, January 20 at 9 a.m.
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Go to the retreats page on their website and choose your retreat date.
- Click on the name of your requested retreat director. Each name is its own link and will take you to that director's specific page.
- If the retreat director is full, a waitlist form will appear. Fill in your name and contact info to be added to the waitlist. If there are openings for the director, a "register" button will appear in the lower right corner. Click and follow the instructions.
- Have your credit card available to process your $250.00 deposit or full payment.
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Mercy For All funds provide financial assistance for those who cannot afford the full fee, thanks to contributions from generous donors and the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. To inquire about assistance, we invite you to contact Sister Ann McGovern.
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If you are unable to register online, please call (203) 245 0401 where staff will assist you. Or email Sister Ann McGovern. Note: these requests will be processed after all the online registrations are fully processed.
Upcoming Programs and Retreats
Easter Triduum Retreat at Mercy by the Sea
Holy Thursday, April 14 – Easter Sunday, April 17
Register now for this year’s Triduum with Father Ed Dempsey and Mercy by the Sea Staff. In times that often feel hopeless, it is our faith and the strength of community that enables us to hold the pandemic, the suffering, the violence, and the darkness of our world and which invites us to embrace a hope that arises in and amongst us. In these holiest of days, hearts are transformed and thawed and our hopelessness evolves into a knowing that our time is now to be the living presence of Christ in the world. View more details and register here
2022 Directed Retreats
Registration is ongoing for our 2022 silent, directed retreats. View all our offerings here and email Karen Rossignol to register. Thank you for entrusting us with your precious
retreat time!
Summer Sabbath
Each summer, Mercy offers two sabbath weeks for anyone who needs to renew their connection with life’s animating Spirit. Facilitated by seasoned retreat leaders, Andrea Minelli and Carol Villaggio, these times can be as unplanned as you like, although there will be opportunities to gather for reflection and prayer. Spiritual direction is also available by request. Join us from July 31-August 7 or August 7-12. To register, email Karen Rossignol.
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Registration for Silver Lake summer camp is now open!
223 Low Road | Sharon, CT 06069 | 860.364.5526 | Fax: 860.364.1000
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CITYFEST
GET READY FOR RE:NEW
Hundreds of churches are coming together to launch a unified region-wide movement called CT CityFest.
This Gospel movement is dependent on the Holy Spirit, but also dependent on you. And it starts with us right now. Getting our hearts and our minds rightly focused... spiritually invigorated.
This launch for the festival is called RE:NEW. This is a special night to gather the church together to worship as one body, preparing our hearts for this powerful season of outreach.
We're excited to announce that Grammy award-winning artist Israel Houghton will be leading us in worship and will be joined by Adam Durso (President | LEAD.NYC) and Andrew Palau who will be challenging our hearts toward sharing the Good News.
Encourage your congregation to plan to attend. It's free. RE:NEW is an event for the whole church.
The RE:NEW Gathering
March 17 | 7 p.m.
Kingdom Life Christian Church in Milford
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR MARCH 17
Join church leaders from across the region at the CityFest Pastors and Leaders Conference. This time is designed to be a blessing and refreshment to all of the amazing leaders in Southwestern Connecticut.
Mark your calendars now for March 17 at Black Rock Church and plan to join pastors and leaders from all over Southwestern Connecticut in a time of worship, fellowship, and teaching.
Pastor, teacher, and author AR Bernard will be bringing the keynote address, as well as encouragement to every pastor in their daily walk as shepherds to their local congregations.
You won't want to miss this exciting time!
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