CHURCH CALLTHE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

COVENTRY, CONNECTICUTThe Pastor’s Message April 2016

Dear Friends and Members,Growing up in my home church, when we gathered for worship and received the morning

offering, we sang these words, “we give thee but thine own, all that we have is thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from thee.” I think that is a beautiful way to think about giving and sharing out of what we have. Those words have stayed with me and been a part of how we decide our annual pledge.

This month our Stewardship Committee is asking us to consider and make our pledge commitment for the 2016-2017 fiscal year. The theme they have given this campaign is “Grace-full Giving.” I believe each of us has been graced with life itself and are blessed to share through our church the teachings of Jesus Christ. In the first church I served, the senior pastor would always say to the congregation, “Give until it feels good.” I like that way of making one’s annual gift. Think on it, consider what God has entrusted to you, and give out of what’s been given to you, not until it hurts, but until it feels good!

Bill and I support First Congregational Church of Coventry because it has become our faith home and we want it to flourish and be a beacon of hope for years to come. So many of you are committed in a variety of ways with time, talent, or resources; all of which adds up to strengthen our body of believers. Thank you for each and every way you all give. On April 3rd we hope you can join us for brunch after worship to receive your pledge packets. If you can’t join us for brunch, the packet will be mailed to you the next day. We will say a prayer of blessing upon all the pledges received on Sunday, April 17th, in worship.

Our pledge and your pledge, along with everyone else’s, allows for every ministry, mission, outreach, service, and study to keep reaching more and more people with the word and love of God. Together for over 300 years we have and we will serve God faithfully because of your tremendous commitment. Thank you.

Peace always, Pastor Sara

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Worship Schedule for April 2016April 3: Second Sunday of Easter – Communion Sunday

Title: “Doubting as a Path to Believing”Scriptures: Psalm 118:14-29 and John 20:19-31

April 10: Third Sunday of Easter Pulpit Swap with 2nd Congregational ChurchPastor Maria comes here, and Pastor Sara goes to 2nd Church

April 17: Fourth Sunday of Easter – Blessing of PledgesTitle: “A God of Miracles”

Scriptures: Psalm 23 and Acts 9:36-43April 24: Fifth Sunday of Easter – New Member Sunday

Title: “Putting on Christ, Putting our Fires”Scriptures: Psalm 148 and John 13:31-35

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Stewardship Committee Introduces Annual Campaign in April

Each spring, the church asks each of us to pledge, or provide an estimate of giving for the mission and ministry of the church. By pledging, we aid in sound fiscal planning for the year ahead as it provides an estimate of how much money there will be to accomplish the church’s missions.

The Stewardship Committee’s theme for this year’s campaign, Grace-Full Giving: To Our Church, To Our Community, represents how important our collective stewardship is to the care and growth of our church and its ministries.

The church budget for the coming year is estimated to be around $293,000, almost 4% higher than last year. Copies of the proposed budget are posted outside the Church office, and copies are available in the Church office as well. With your help, we are working toward a 2016-2017 pledge goal of $160,000.

April is our Stewardship Month. We will announce our campaign on April 3rd and invite you to join us for brunch at our Stewardship Social Hour following service that day. Your personal Stewardship packet, with more budget details, pledge information and pledge card, will be available that day as well.

If you are unable to join us, we will mail your packet the following day. We have also attached a pledge form below which you can detach and return to the Church office or put in the offertory basket on Sunday. Please indicate if you would like weekly envelopes. We ask that you return your pledge to the Church on or before Sunday, April 17th.

If you have any additional questions about pledging, do not hesitate to call the Church office or contact any member of the Stewardship Committee.

May God Bless You,

Karen Burinskas, Marcia Campbell, Kris Jacobi, Eric Leverson, Penny and Wayne Whitaker Stewardship Committee

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J OYS AND CONCERNS IN THE CHURCH FAMILY In Memoria: In loving memory of Lou Watson

Raymond and Vincentia Fricano Elaine & Robert Thornton John & Maureen AllenWilliam & Joan Oros Tonya & Ernest Affricano Bruce & Lois JohnsonRobert Gregan Lori & Donald Sharp Czapla Paul & Patricia WatsonClimax Chapter 98 O E S Heidi & Joseph Chamberland Swan & Hunt Electric CompanyMark & Cyndy Skripol Jim & Karen Bement Mark & Susan CampbellLaferriere Betty & Brett Uriel Lodge #24 A.F. & A.M. Linda KeenanMarjorie Roach Gregory & Karen Watson Mike HayesThe Walter Foster Family

Prayer Concerns: We extend our prayers for a return to better health and wholenessMarion Cahill Judy Merrow Scott Ethel Green Megan GodiErnest Johnson Joseph Sansone Carl Larson George Larkin Jo-Ann JohnsonLinda Kocian Tom DeMichael Judy Boccetti Edward Juselis Juliane SilverKeith Nasin Joanne Bagley Barbara Larson Marilyn Barrette ScottJan Petit Harmony Faith Sue Brooks Winter, Hayden, & NoraLyn

Those in Long-Term Care Facilities or Assisted Living:Bill Brainard, Regency Healthcare Jill Hackett, Marlborough HealthcareBarbara Carlin, Douglas Manor Priscilla Gillon, Woodlake at TollandLucille Morse, Vanderman Place, Willimantic Joan Kristoff, Douglas ManorJean Cochrane, The Village at Buckland Court Mary Ida Olson, Brookdale Mountain Laurel, GlastonburyYvonne Giglio, Vanderman Place, Willimantic

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JOIN US FOR BRUNCH APRIL 3!Pick up your Stewardship packet and stay for brunch! We want to celebrate being a church family, and you are part of us. Please attend! We will have Stewardship Q&A following worship for the first 3 Sundays in April. Questions about our budget or how to pledge can be directed to Karen Burinskas, Wayne Whitaker, Penny Whitaker, Marcia Campbell, Kris Jacobi, or Pastor Sara.

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LOOKING AHEAD:UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES!

THEOLOGY ON TAP IS BACK!!! Hold the dates and join the conversation June, July, and August at Lakeview Restaurant on TUESDAYS, 6:00-7:00 pm every week. More details/sign up in May!BYOB & B: (Bring your own bible and bag supper) Wednesdays, 5:00-6:15pm - Join this 10-week-long small group for summer…In good weather we’ll picnic on the side lawn and do our study. Help me decide between the Book of Genesis and John. Please sign up and mark your preference by May 2 nd ! Join a lively and animating look at what scripture is offering us for our living. Happening June 15-August 24. Speak to Pastor Sara with questions, and sign up soon.

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BECOME A MEMBER!We’d love for you to make this your church home! Our next New Member Sunday is April   24 . If you have questions or want Pastor Sara to visit so you can learn more, simply leave a note in the offering plate or church office. New Member Orientation is Sunday, April 17, at 11:15 a.m.

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COMMUNION SERVERS FOR MAY AND JUNE 2016

Deacons purchase the bread/juice and set it up; they just need more hands to pass the trays during service. Will just 6 or 7 people commit to a first Sunday of the month

to take us through the school year? Five of the six spots are still open for April 3, May 1, and June 5. Signup sheet is posted across from the office, or e-mail/call Marcia at church, 860-742-8487.

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TURKEY SUPPER – APRIL 9We will host a Turkey Community Supper on Saturday, April 9, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Meal includes all the fixings! – stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, beverages, and dessert. Cost is $12 adults, $10 seniors, $6 children 7-12, and free for children 6 and under. Takeout is available for $12, and sit-down service is also available.

Come Volunteer with Us!Please check the signup sheets posted next to the kitchen and sign up for food donations, volunteering, or both! Consider donating/ helping to help make the dinner succeed. Food donations greatly help to offset the cost of the dinner (and increase funds raised for the church), and volunteers make the dinner run smoothly so that people return the next time. Consider donating or volunteering to make this dinner a success.

Volunteering for church suppers is a great way to complete community service hours for middle or high school! Ask a Supper Committee member to sign off when you’re done working.

Questions? See Mark Skripol, Emma Jane Wright, David Cayer, or Kim Smith for more information.

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SEEKING LIVER DONORJuliane Silver, the daughter of our Interim Minister, Pastor Jim Silver, is desperately in need of a liver donor, type A or 0 is the first screen. The donor gives a portion of their liver, which then grows back again in two months. All of the donor’s expenses will be paid, including lost wages. Anyone interested should call Yale at 866 925-3897. Please spread the word, and know that Pastor Jim and Janet covet your prayers.

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LILLY GRANT APPLICATION SENT!The application is complete and mailed! We will not hear the results until August, but if Pastor Sara receives this grant, she will be using her sabbatical to enrich our church. Both she and our congregation will be studying, praying, and trying out ideas to discover ways that we can reach more people with God’s Word in a way that matches this church’s personality. What a marvelous opportunity! Thank you to everyone who has supported Pastor Sara during the process to apply for a Lilly Foundation Endowment Grant this spring: those who attended the information sessions, the unanimous vote of approval at the special church meeting, and to Bill Worcester and Nancy Tomastik for their attention to details and their editing expertise.

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Pumpkin Patch Meeting Sun., April 10 (new date)Everyone is invited to attend this informal meeting

following worship in Johnson Hall.! Find out how you can help, or just get more information on the Patch. Feel free to call Robin Carlson beforehand at (860) 742-6618

with any questions you may have. We will distribute informational flyers after worship on April 3.

THANK YOU!FOR BEING WONDERFUL

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” --Winston Churchill

To Crystal Snow, Becky Bement, Doris Provost, and Edwina Rodrigues, for assembling the March Call.

To Crystal Snow, Laura Hill, Doris Provost, Pam LaMarche, Bob LaMarche, Edwina Rodrigues, Becky Bement, and Rod Rodrigues for assembling pieces of the Stewardship packet and pieces of the April Call.

To Becky Bement, and Bertha Rappe for painting and Susan Campbell for cleaning Apt. 2 in February.

To Marj Roach and Jim Wicks for meeting with the fire inspector for the walk through.

To the Youth Group, for helping out at all of our community suppers! The energy and the smiles have made the suppers lighter and more fun. Keep it up!

To Jaime & Ken Thompson, Ed Ingraham, Sue Gamache, Caroline Johnson, Michael & Darlene Suchecki, Marcia Campbell, and several others for donations to the Easter activities and egg hunt.

To the Deacons for hosting Soup Supper, leading Tenebrae, and hosting refreshments follow our joint Maundy Thursday service.

If we’ve overlooked your awesomeness, it wasn’t intentional. We appreciate you! If you catch someone

being awesome, please let us know for next time!MISSION TRIP BAKE SALE – APRIL 10

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The Mission Trip group will be selling baked goods in Johnson Hall following worship on April 10. Sales proceeds will offset costs for group members going to DC in June.

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CARING FOR OTHERSThis group is meant to support those who already give care to others. We will meet the 2nd Wednesdays of each month from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on these dates: April 12, May 6, and June 8. Whether you have a child, a spouse, a close friend, or someone you support through health concerns or ongoing needs, this may help. We will come together to share, listen, and pray for each other. Please ask Pastor Sara about this group if you think this might fit for you or someone you know. It’s fine if you can’t make all of them.

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SMALL GROUPS ONGOINGPARABLES FOR TODAY based on the book by Alyce McKenzie – Wednesdays, 6:00-7:00 p.m. through April 27. This new small group spiritual growth class uses Jesus’ teaching to inform our living. Each class stands alone, so join us anytime!

THE MORNING MESSAGE (Resumes April 3!) Sunday AM Bible Class, 9:00-9:45a.m. Explore the scripture to be preached that day so that you get more from worship each week. Readings for April are:

April 3 – John 20:19-31April 10 – No Class, Pulpit Swap w/2nd ChurchApril 17 – Acts 9:36-43April 24 – John 13:31-35

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APRIL/MAY YOUTH GROUP PLANSApril 3, 11:00-12:30 – Attend the Stewardship Brunch!

Eat then help clean up as a group.April 9, 4:30-6:30pm – Serve/assist at Turkey SupperApril 17, 11:30AM-1:00pm – “Why do bad things

happen?” and group games. Lunch provided.April 24, 12:00-2:00pm – Miniature Golf, Cost: $10.May 1, 11:30am-1:00pm – Walk to Subway and plan

YG for next Fall. Bring $7 for food.May 7, 9:30-11:00am – Bake for May 8 Coffee Hour. May 8, 11:00am – Host Coffee Hour for Mother’s Day!

Call/text Pastor Sara at 413-374-6553 with any questions. Bill, Pastor Sara, and Karen look forward

to seeing you!2016 MISSION TRIP MEETING

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 11:30AM-1:00PM

Two months to go until First Church’s 2016 mission trip to Washington, DC! The focus of this year’s trip is food insecurity, and we will be coordinating our efforts with partner agencies who work to address this problem in our nation’s Capitol. There will be a meeting on Sunday, 4/10 from 11:30m-1pm in the Sunday School area. Deposit of $150 is due this date.

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MOBILE Foodshare at First ChurchWednesdays, 10:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Upcoming dates: April 6, April 20,May 4, and May 18

Please bring your own bag; pick up for only yourself.

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BOARD OF MISSIONS – APRIL 2016During the month of March, we supported Pastoral Services at Windham Hospital. The Chapel has recently been moved to a space on the first floor, presenting a need for written materials, booklets, etc. It is hoped the new space will be a welcoming and reassuring space for people of all faiths and beliefs. The Pastoral Services budget has been cut drastically over the past several years. We continue to support this vital service and benefit to all who use Windham Hospital.

In April, we will support Silver Lake and the Sunday School. It is our goal to provide scholarship support to First Church students who wish to attend Silver Lake this summer. Silver Lake is a wonderful, spiritual place to awaken your faith or to make it stronger. What a great opportunity for the youth of our Church!

Our Pumpkin Patch last year generated $10,000 toward keeping our church vital, growing, and connected to the community – and volunteers were the biggest part of that success! Members of our Board presently make up the core of Pumpkin Patch coordinators. You will see information in the worship bulletins each week asking for participants as we plan for the Patch this fall. Please complete the form if you are able to help in any way and leave it in the Pumpkin Patch box on our Mission Board table in Johnson Hall. We will hold an informal Q & A following the service on April 10th. Once again, this is an all-church effort -- many hands make light work!

Respectfully,Robin Carlson, Lil Ford, Bobby Johnson, Anne Marie Perkins, Edwina Rodrigues, Cyndy Skripol and Joyce Wicks

SILVER LAKE CAMP SCHOLARSHIPSWe have 4 youth so far planning to attend Silver Lake Camp. Why not join them for a fun Christian experience

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at Silver Lake Conference Center? The brochure is posted across from kitchen, or look online: http://silverlake.ctucc.org/summer.php. We also have financial assistance for those needing to defray the costs of camp. Please speak to Pastor Sara or Caroline Johnson for more details.

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THRIFT & GIFT SHOPLOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

The Thrift & Gift Shop, a mission of First Church located at the corner of Rtes. 31 and 275 (lower level), is looking for a few more volunteers to help sort and price items. If you have a couple of hours per week you can give, any day/any hours, we can use your help! We are all volunteer, we sell donated items, and all profits are returned back to the local community. Wouldn't you like to be a part of this mission? See Sue Gamache, Crystal Snow, Beth Reynolds, Becky Bement, or Joyce Wicks for more information.

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ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARINGThrough One Great Hour of Sharing, lives are literally changed daily. Your support provides clean water, food, medicines, shelter, healthcare, education and so much more. One Great Hour of Sharing is the special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that carries God’s message of love and hope to people in crisis. The UCC works with international partners to provide sources of clean water, food, education and health care, small business micro-credit, advocacy and resettlement for refugees and displaced persons, and emergency relief and rehabilitation. OGHS also supports domestic and international ministries for disaster preparedness and response. Almost 60 percent of the UCC's offering supports international development initiatives, including annual support for missionaries. Currently there are 4 OGHS supported missionaries and 2 Global Mission Interns working in disaster relief, health care, education, sustainable agricultural development, and refugee support. The offering also funds disaster preparedness and response, and disaster-related volunteer initiatives in the U.S. On average, of every dollar given to One Great Hour of Sharing, 92 cents is used directly for mission programming; 6.5 cents for interpretation materials and 1 cent for administrative costs and .5 cents for program monitoring and evaluation (accountability). Most administrative costs are paid by gifts to Our Church's Wider Mission National Basic Support.

Use the OGHS envelopes enclosed or visit the website at www.ucc.org/oghs, and click on the “Donate”

button. Thank you for your consideration and support.

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First Congregational Church of CoventryP. O. Box 355Coventry, CT

YOU CAN E-MAIL THE CHURCH AT First.congregatnl@snet.netCHECK US OUT ON THE WEB!! www.firstchurchcoventry.org

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: facebook.com/pages/first-church-of-coventryOR JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP: facebook.com/groups/firstchurchcoventry/

PREFER TO RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER BY E-MAIL? GREAT!!!!Maybe you’d rather unsubscribe? Understood. Either way, let us know:

First.congregatnl@snet.net

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STUFF TO USE IN CASE OF EXTRA SPACE

Baptisms: We send our congratulations to:Chase Anthony Ford, son of Jenna Gabrielle and Nathan C. Ford, baptized Dec. 6, 2015Vera Morgan, daughter of Brendan & Sarah Morgan, baptized Dec. 27, 2015

Weddings: We extend our best wishes for a life of love, health, and happiness to those recently marriedJodi Lynn Johnson and Jeffrey Joseph Manville on September 19, 2015, at the Mark Twain House.

Deaths: Our prayers are extended to the families and friends of those who died recentlySherwood Rose, January 30, 2016Lucius Watson, February 11, 2016

ADD FOR MAY CHURCH CALL

CATS (Christian Actors Theater & Skits): – Wednesday nights, 6:30-7:30pm, June 15-August 17. Would you like to be a part of a summer theatre troupe for our church and wider community? Could you see yourself performing a reader’s theater for worship? Or sharing the gospel by putting on a one-act play in August? Ages 12 thru adult welcome; we need a minimum of 6-8 people to run. Sign up by May   17 near church office and see Pastor Sara with questions.

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CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PROGRESS (updated but not used in March)We are so grateful to the donors who continue to honor their pledges in support of the major work being done throughout the church. Through January 17, the Capital Campaign Fund has received $142,622.46. Some of the fire alarm sensors are in areas that get very cold and will alert even when all is well. So Thompson Electric needs to do some fine tuning before calling it complete. We received our new air handler and it was baptized by ice mid-February; Johnson Hall is one big space to try to heat. We’re learning how best to operate the new HVAC equipment in the sanctuary and offices to optimize heating in the winter while keeping costs contained, and we’re nearly there. Finish work in the upstairs bathrooms is complete. As additional donations arrive, we will work on getting the church roof prepared for a new roof and renovated steeple. So again, we can’t thank you enough for your steady giving in support of these projects.

You may still donate monthly, quarterly, or set up automatic bank withdrawals. For questions about your pledge, or to set up EFTs, speak with Karen Burinskas.

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INTERGENERATIONAL MISSION TRIPWASHINGTON, DC, JUNE 19-25, 2016

Join First Church's 6th annual intergenerational mission trip June 19-25, 2016, which is open to all members and friends of members ages 13 years or older. This year, we will travel by van to Washington, DC, to engage in urban ministries such as soup kitchens, homeless shelters, food pantries, etc. Our host site is Washington Seminar Center, located 3 blocks from the U.S. Capitol, so great sightseeing opportunities in our free times. Cost is $500 per person, some of which can be offset by fundraising. Don't let lack of funds hold you back - speak confidentially to one of the trip committee members about available scholarship money. Information is available on the Mission Bulletin Board or talk to Fred North III for more information.Next meeting: March 13 @ 11:30am.

CHANCEL FLOWERSThey add to worship and anchor us in loving tributes. To donate flowers for the sanctuary in honor of or in memory of a loved one, simply sign up on the chart on the office bulletin board. Then grab a form near the chart as a reminder to fill out and submit when your date draws near.

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VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME Windham Area Habitat for Humanity

This small all-volunteer group seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, community, and hope. We are recruiting volunteers and new Board Members. However, if long-term commitments are difficult, we offer chances to help out with small recurring tasks. Maybe you love to paint and want to help on those days only, or maybe you can make sandwiches for a crew of 12 once a month. If you can help in small ways, please talk with David Cayer at 860-202-2821.

ThinkScrip® NewsJanuary 6, 2016

Thanks to all who participated in our scrip fundraising program during 2015! We processed orders for $13,700.00 worth of gift cards and raised $645.00 for the church. If you have not joined the program yet, please consider joining in 2016. We are working on improvements to the program, based on our members’ feedback, so stay tuned!Key Points:To sign up, call or email Fred North II, and he will give you the church account number and a link to the

website to sign up, or he can do it for you.FCCC’s plan allows subscriber’s to use 3 methods of ordering/paying:1.) The written order/pay by check (or cash) method is preferred when you want traditional plastic cards. Because of shipping costs, we accumulate family orders and place a group Purchase Order twice a month. You may pay the shipping if you need to expedite an order. 2.) ScripNow! allows you to download and print gift cards right away, using PrestoPay, which automatically withdraws payment from a linked bank account. 3.) MyWallet allows you to manage your scrip orders from your smartphone. Payment is through PrestoPay.In addition to one-time plastic cards, there are also plastic cards that may be reloaded online. Lists of the available cards are posted on the bulletin board. Ask Fred if you want a copy and are not yet enrolled. If you are enrolled, the lists may be downloaded from the Great Lakes Scrip Center (GLSC) website www.shopwithscrip.com. One of our goals for 2016 is to get some local vendors to join. If you have a company to suggest, especially if you have a personal contact, please let us know.Remember — with a little planning, just by spending money you do anyway, we can help our church. So when you think of shopping —

ThinkScrip®

Fred North II860-498-0551 Home860-455-5037 Mobilefrederickn@usa.net

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