Holiday Fair Nov. 19

Nov8


Come join us for our Holiday Fair on Nov. 19th, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Crafts, Baked Goods, Jewelry, Collectibles, Wreaths and Centerpieces, Silent Auction, Raffle, Kids Boutique, Thrift Shop, Santa Shop for Kids, Picture with Santa! New Vendors!
Luncheon served from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Pastor Rick’s Message: Nov 2011

Oct27

November is often thought of as the month of Thanksgiving. That is true with multiple opportunities this month.

We begin with the service of installation for me and First Church at 4 p.m. on November 6. We celebrate the work of God’s Spirit and the Search Committee providing me with the opportunity to serve in ministry in Willimantic. The worship service, called by the Windham Association installs me as the settled Senior Minister at First Congregational Church of Willimantic, affirming the call agreement that I and the congregation signed last year. I am excited for this celebration and I hope as many members as possible will be present for this service.

On the 13th of November, we have Pledge Sunday, the culmination of our stewardship program. As we make our commitments to the church we celebrate our experience of God’s love in our lives and the love we have for the church. I have witnessed the great love for the church in our cottage meetings and that provides the basis for our commitment and support of this church. This act is an act of Thanksgiving for our faith heritage.

We celebrate the national day of Thanksgiving on November 20. The holiday brings out a great spirit of celebration for our congregation and for the community as we also share the interfaith Thanksgiving service. It is important to share this celebration in community particularly during the difficult economic times that we are experiencing.

I am thankful for these celebrations in November and I hope you will join me.

Pastor Rick’s Message: Oct 2011

Oct1

I have been thrilled with the beginning of the program year since Rally Day. There have been so many members resuming their faithful roles and others stepping up to new roles. September is always good because it marks the return of the choir to its usual leadership in worship. You don’t realize how much you have missed them until they return and worship just seems so much more beautiful. We are fortunate to have such a wonderful choir.
With church school resuming, our Christian Education committee and our church school teachers have really stepped up to provide Church School during two worship services. I really appreciate their dedication to our children.
The new contemporary worship service has far exceeded my expectations. John Hinckley has done a wonderful job forming our worship band. We have active members taking on new positions and we have members returning to become involved. Members are staffing the projection system and the video camera. We have members and new people playing instruments in the band and singing in the band. Opportunities for people to be involved in worship and the church have increased dramatically. The commitment of so many helping with leadership demonstrates that worship really is the work of the people.
The Deacons have done their service with more frequent communion. Our greeters and ushers complete the picture. What a great beginning to the program year. So many involved that I can’t name them because I would surely leave someone out. But thanks to each of you for giving leadership to provide wonderful worship opportunities to the people of Willimantic and the surrounding area.
May we continue to experience the grace of God and to offer it generously to all.

Pastor Rick’s Message: Sept 2011

Sep6

Church is where you need to be on Sunday, September 11, 2011.

First, it is our traditional Rally Day and we welcome back our church school students to a new Church School program year. Our church school staff is excited to welcome students offer them faith lessons that will help them mature and handle the challenges of their development. As our youth head back to school we recognize that their spiritual development is just as important. Church School will be offered at both the 9:30 and 11:15 service.
Church School registration will be at 9 and 10:45.

Second, it is a new beginning for our church as we offer two services each Sunday. The Traditional Service will continue at its summertime start of 9:30 a.m. John Hinckley, Phil Simmons and the Choir will be prepared to offer their wonderful musical gifts in leadership. The new Contemporary Service will begin at 11:15 a.m. John Hinckley has been recruiting and rehearsing a worship band that will give musical leadership for the new service. I will be giving the same message at both services so I encourage you to pick the service that fits your style and schedule and join us.

Finally, as you probably noticed when you read the date of Rally Day, it is the 10th anniversary of 9-11, 2001. Such an infamous date that has altered our lives in many ways. We will mark this anniversary with a special remembrance together as children of God. On this date we need to be together as a faith community.

Pastor Rick’s Message: July/Aug 2011

Jun29

Beginning Sunday, July 3 we will begin our worship service at 9:30 a.m. For the summer we will try to worship in the sanctuary. However, if there is a long stretch of hot weather and it is oppressive even at the early hour we may move into the auditorium to be more comfortable. Except for family Sunday, July 3 there will be Church School offered for children up to grade 6 during worship. Summer vacations are a real blessing, but if you are in town try to join us for worship on Sunday mornings.
When we begin our new program year in the fall our Traditional Worship service will remain at 9:30 a.m. We make this adjustment to accommodate a new Contemporary Worship service at 11:15 a.m. While some welcome the early worship time, the earlier hour asks sacrifice from other members, particularly the choir, to adjust their Sunday routine. We make these changes in response to Jesus’ call to share our faith and to make disciples. By offering two worship services with two different music styles we meet a society that expects choices.
Christian mission has taken off in places like Africa and Korea as indigenous music and forms of worship have been incorporated into Christian worship. Our outreach through our Contemporary worship service will utilize the music styles of our culture to present the gospel to new generations.
We, as a congregation, have benefitted from the sacrifice of previous generations who provided the financial backing to build and support a church but also those who sacrificed to cross an ocean in order to worship and express the Christian faith differently. We express our heritage by doing what is necessary for Christian ministry even if it presents challenges for us.

Pastor Rick’s Message: June 2011

Jun7

As I write this it seems like we have gone suddenly into summer weather. With the end of our church school year, our program year turns toward summer as well. But this year we are making some changes to our summer program. We are offering Summer Church School on a smaller scale for children up to 4th grade. Hopefully, families will find worshipping in the summer easier knowing there is childcare for our younger children. I know our summer calendars are different but I encourage all ages to make an effort to attend worship when you are in town. To staff our summer church school we are asking members to consider teaching one week. Materials are available now for preparation. This is a wonderful opportunity to give teaching a onetime try and it also allows are regular teachers a vacation.
We are thankful for our church school teachers who give so much of their time throughout the year. In addition to recognizing them on Children’s Sunday the Board of Christian Education is also honoring them at a dinner on Monday, June 6. Our teachers, assistants and substitutes are listed in this newsletter. We give huge thanks for our dedicated church school staff.
We are also adding Vacation Bible School for children in grades 1-8. Vacation Bible School will be held July 25-29 from 9 a.m. to noon. Children and youth will be learning and presenting the musical: Joseph, From the Pit to the Palace. There will also be crafts, games and lessons to accompany the musical. Cost for the week is $10 and children are welcome to bring friends.
We hope all of our members will relax and refresh over the summer but don’t forget the slower pace may offer some wonderful opportunities to nurture your spiritual life.