02/29/2024
Please enjoy the weekly News For The Pews from North Congregational Church!
Please join us on Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 10:00 AM for our worship service.
This Sunday we will celebrate Communion with Rev. Dr. D. Elizabeth Mauro.
Helping our neighbors...Open Door Soup Kitchen and our other area soup kitchens and food banks are serving more people in need than ever before and need our help.
Our contribution of non-perishable foods to these vital services is more essential than ever - especially during the Winter season. Be a joyful giver! Pick up a brown bag or two from our hallway -- each has a current list of most needed items -- and add an item or two every time you go shopping. Kindly plan to bring your donations to church during Thursday office hours (8:00AM-12:00PM), to Sunday Worship (10:00) or to Fellowship Hour (11:00).
The church office is still open on Thursdays, but our hours have changed.You can find Suzanne at North Congregational between the hours of 8:00AM and 12:00PM.
Please reach out! Questions? Comments? Issues? Please reach out to me should you feel the need. You can email Suzanne c/o [email protected] or call me at the church office at 860-379-2466 any Thursday from 8:00AM until 12:00 PM.
IT’S LENT, A TIME TO GET BACK TO LIFE
Lent is a time to reflect on our past year, but also to prepare for the new life that Easter promises us. During this period, our Deacons invite you to join in reading and discussing We Refused to Lead a Dying Church. Folks have started reading, and our first discussion will be on March 10, during fellowship. Ask Clarence Moore to order a book. We can all be inspired by these life-affirming stories shared by other churches that dared to act.
In 2024 we welcome sermons contributed by members of our congregation. Might you feel inspired to present your faith experience or your belief at NCC? Speak to Clarence or any deacon. Indeed, as NCC moves toward our 200th anniversary, let’s all commit to show up more in our community, as helpers, healers and doers. Let’s live our church motto: “Celebrating Community; Rejoicing in the Spirit.” Come and join us.
LOOKING FORWARD…
Sunday, March 3 at 10 AM Rev. Betsy Mauro leads Communion worship
Monday, March 4 Reading Club starts: The Genius of Israel
Wednesday, March 6 at 1PM Big Idea/Missions (everyone welcome)
Sunday, March 10 at 10 AM Worship
Lenten discussion: Chap. 1 of We Refused to Lead a Dying Church during Fellowship
Sunday, March 17 at 10 AM Worship/ Lenten discussion: Chap. 2
Friday, March 22 at 6:30 PM Spring Fever Chili Dinner
Sunday, March 24 at 10 AM Palm Sunday Cantata at Wi******er
UCC
Sunday, March 31 at 10 AM Easter Service
DINNER’S ON! INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!
Posters are up advertising the Spring Fever Chili Dinner on March 22. This is an important community outreach and fundraising opportunity; invite your friends to drop in! It will be both eat-in and take-out. The price will be $14 for adults and $7 for kids under 8. A movie (and free popcorn) will keep kids busy. The menu will be chili, rice, tossed salad, tortilla chips, and homemade cookies for dessert. We could use volunteers for kitchen help and baking; please contact any Missions member.
MOVING AHEAD
We now have quotes for painting the church trim and steeple, a project we hope to finish this summer. Council will discuss. We will seek grant money and individual gifts to offset the cost. Your contribution is much needed and appreciated!
BOOK CLUB CHOOSES THE GENIUS OF ISRAEL
As our first read this year, our book club has chosen The Genius of Israel, by New York Times best-selling authors Dan Senor and Saul Singer.
This book is available in hardcover at bookstores, on Kindle and audio, and on Amazon Books. You can join our group at any time; please tell Donna (860-738-2207). Our reading schedule starts on Monday, March 4, and includes two book discussions. This book promises to be fun and educational, too, as it probes the remarkable vitality of Israeli society, a country learning from its challenges, successes and failures.
FILL A BOX FOR THE JULY TAG SALE
Tag Sale will be Friday and Saturday, July 19 and 20. Now is the perfect time to scour your home for tag sale items. Think also about items from your family and friends.
Awaiting your donations, Missions has tables and empty boxes in the basement of the fellowship hall. If you need a box, feel free to take one and bring it back filled. We can accept only non-perishable items at this time…no clothes yet. For big items, please call Donna at 860-738-2207. The church is open on Thursdays from 8 AM to NOON. If you come in, be sure to go first to the office and tell Secretary Suzanne that you’re in the building.
