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First Parish Sunday Update
August 17, 2008
CHURCH OFFICE SUMMER HOURS 9:00AM to 1:00PM daily.
Deacons and Ushers today are: Casey Sheehan, Keith Meiler, Gisele Cantin, George and Norma Gorham.
Greeters today are: Tony and Carole Nero.
Coffee Fellowship this morning is hosted by the Flower and
Altar Committee.
We are proud to serve Fair Trade/Fairly Traded Coffee.
Attendance Last Sunday: 124 One Room Church School and Nursery: 27
Every Sunday at First Parish:
THE NURSERY is staffed this morning by our coordinator Kathy Lee and Lori Raftis. Our nursery is located on the Lower Level. There is an easy to use pager system available and all parents are asked to take one when dropping off a child. Please do not leave any food with your child. Cheerios are available if a snack is needed. Baby bottles/sippy cups are allowed. The nursery is available for little ones up to age three. Your little ones are important to us OUR “QUIET ROOM” (at the back of the Sanctuary) is available for anyone who needs to leave the service but would still like to remain connected with the worship. (Simply ask an usher for assistance.)
FIRST PARISH YOUTH FELLOWSHIP has their own “CLYNK” account. This is a very exciting new “drop & go bottle return system. There is a special green bag that has our own “barcode” on it. Just fill up the bag and drop it off at Hannaford’s or bring it back to church and we will take care of it. Please see Kris Galasyn, or email Kris: kris@firstparishsaco.org Thank you.
TODAY IS STRAW HAT SUNDAY Did you bring a straw hat, your favorite sports team hat or any other hat that you feel good about? During our prayer time, we will wear our hats as a symbol of solidarity with those who are journeying with cancer.
A CASE FOR SMILES: The pillowcases surrounding our chancel were made for ConKerr Cancer. This is a program that provides a sick child with a smile, through a pillowcase made with fun fabrics. These pillowcases were made at Pilgrim Lodge during an interest group at Senior High Expectations. They will be given to the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center. www.ConKerrCancer.org
GREAT BIBLE ADVENTURES are happening during our summer Sundays. Today our teachers are Mary Sicard and Heather Galasyn. We provide the curriculum (Great Bible Adventures) and the children (ages 4 through 4th grade) we need YOU to provide the leadership. For our CE committee to continue offering Summer Sundays we encourage adults in our congregation to sign up for a Sunday.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: BEACH PARTY We had a fabulous week with wonderful Bible Story tellers, snacks, games, singing, crafts and amazing science experiments. We give thanks to all of the magnificent adults and youth helpers. It worked so splendidly because of all of you.
PENNIES FOR PEACE was our Mission Project for this year’s Vacation Bible School. We will be carrying this mission project into our Church school program year. This project helps children learn to share and work together to become members of a global Family dedicated to peace. The penny, 1% of a dollar, is essentially worthless in the U.S. In Pakistan and Afghanistan, however, a penny buys a pencil and empowers a child to read and write. Pennies for Peace is a mission project related to the Central Asia Institute and the book Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. Check out: www.penniesforpeace.org If you are looking for a “home” for your pennies please consider helping us fill our jar located in the atrium.
HOW ARE FIRST PARISH'S FINANCES??
As of Aug 5th: Total Operating Income $208,167
Total Operating Expenses $208,784
Total Budget for 2008 $407,850
If budget were spent evenly thru the year, 7 months of the budget would total $237,912.
DID YOU MISS IT? The Messenger deadline was Friday, August 15th. Please submit your articles as soon as possible, so that they may be included in the September messenger.
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SACO FOOD PANTRY NEEDS
Our food pantry is grateful for any food item and money is always appreciated. During the playing of the Doxology, we will bring forward and bless a basket of food which is illustrative of the items that have been donated, along with the morning offering during each of the identified weeks. Thank you for your participation. |
MENS BREAKFAST: the September meeting will be held at Bunny's Restaurant in Saco on September 4, 2008 at 7:30AM. (Bunny's is located on North Street in the Fenderson Village Shops. It is just beyond the Shell Station on the right side of the street going out of town. Coming into town it is a short distance beyond Saco's Public Works garage. Bunny's is in the building to your left). Bring a friend especially one who cannot drive.
PILGRIM LODGECOMINGS AND GOINGS This week, August 18th - 20th, is Grandparents & Grandchildren Camp. We have Polly Curtis and granddaughter, Kaeley Brann, Norma and George Gorham with grandchildren, Hannah and Nicholas Galeucia and Lindsey and Owen Roberts. Abby Campbell will be a resource person for the session and Duncan and Keenan Campbell will also be attending with their grandparents, Betty Ann and Ben Haskell. Please try to write a note to our campers (they love getting mail) and please use this address: Make it QUICK though it is a very short camp!!!
Camper’s Name
Name of Session example: (Grandparents & Grandchildren)
Pilgrim Lodge
103 Pilgrim Lodge Lane
West Gardiner, Maine 04345
BRASS AT FIRST PARISH : Beginning on Thursday, September 11th, at 4:30 PM, all interested brass players, OLD AND YOUNG, are invited to be a part in our first ever Brass Ensemble, to add to our worship on Sunday Mornings. John Raymond, brass teacher will be directing this ensemble and facilitating learning. John is a music teacher with a strong commitment to furthering brass in worship. All are welcome, from young children to senior citizens. If you need an instrument, please call Peter 793-8247 and he will scrounge one up for you. Our goal is to make joyful music and have fun.
We are a
faith community of diverse people whose common ministry is to rejoice in God's
love, as well as to heal the brokenness with each other and with God. Responding
to that call, we welcome all persons of every age, race, gender, ethnicity,
sexual orientation, marital standing, physical and mental ability, economic
status and family structure into the life, membership, leadership and ministry
of this church. We affirm each person as a child of God, worthy of God's love
and our love, and covenant to support one another in our celebrations, sorrows
and spiritual growth. We invite all over the threshold of Christ's open door to
engage with us in the work of this church in the world.
As a result of our Statement of
Inclusion, the United Church of Christ recognizes First Parish as a part of the
family of Open and Affirming UCC Congregations throughout the United
States.
For the full statement,
please click here.
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Church Members and Friends |
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Every Sunday at First Parish |
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Parking At Our Church Building- It is our sincere hope that we will leave the most immediate parking spaces at the church
open for those who most need that accessibility. On Sunday’s, Dyer Library, Burns
School and surrounding streets can be utilized for our parking. Please remember at all
times to be courteous to our neighbors and to use caution when crossing the streets around
the church. Cell Phones We ask that you remember to turn off your cell phones as you enter the Sanctuary. Thank you for your courtesy and cooperation DID YOU FORGET YOUR GLASSES? Borrow a pair of "Readers" (Mag +1.5 to +3.5) at the Listening Receiver Table. They are bagged to keep them clean. An enclosed alcohol wipe will help keep them clean.. OUR
“QUIET ROOM”-
(at the back of the Sanctuary)
is available for anyone who needs to leave the service but would still
like to remain connected with the worship. Simply ask an
usher for assistance There is a wheelchair in
the Coat Room located off the Atrium that may be used to assist anyone who needs help transferring from a vehicle. Thank you for
your courtesy and cooperation. |
FIRST PARISH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
is committed to maintaining an environment free of
peanut/tree nut allergens on the lower level of the church.
Therefore, only food that is free of peanut/tree nut allergens are allowed
on the lower level. This includes foods that
may have trace amounts of allergens introduced during the manufacturing process. Please read all labels carefully. Signs will be posted and a brochure
with more information will be available.
Please remember NO food is to be brought into the nursery. CHECK IT OUT! Please visit the Green Table just outside the Sanctuary. You will find updated church calendars, inserts, opportunities to recycle and the church’s efforts to keep America green by reducing the amount of paper you receive in your weekly bulletin.
AUDIO / VISUAL MINISTRY: Each Sunday worship service is now
available on DVD shortly after the service. If you would like to
experience an aspect of the morning again, or if you would like to bring
the service to someone who could not be here this morning, please look
in our lending library (half way up the center stairs from the atrium)
for the DVD’s. |