| This Sunday we celebrate WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY, as Christians around the world celebrate our oneness in Christ. World Communion Sunday originated in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1936. The idea quickly spread beyond the PCUSA, and within several years, it was being celebrated on the first Sunday of October by a number of Christian traditions. World Communion Sunday has taken on new relevancy and depth of meaning in a time when fear divides the peoples of God's earth and where peace and justice have yet to be achieved. As we celebrate our unity in the One who is called the Prince of Peace, let us be reminded that, despite all our differences, we are all of God and one with Christ. |
| NEIGHBORS IN NEED, this Sunday, October 2 Neighbors in Needs is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ supports ministries that address poverty, economic development, human rights, peace-making, violence, racial and economic justice, environmental concerns, and public policy advocacy. Imagine today that we live in a land where justice and compassion flourish. Imagine a nation where: - Schools are well funded; beyond the classroom, youth and young adults are prepared to lead America into the first century ever to live in peace with justice.
- People who get sick and need to see a doctor are never sent away.
- Fair trade of goods and services between nations is standard practice, promoting genuine global harmony.
- Global resources are wisely used with the aim of providing everyone with fair wages and livable economic conditions.
- Pollution is cleaned up and further destruction of our environment is prevented.
- Condemnation of varied sexual orientations, races and ethnicities is nonexistent.
- We erect monuments to honor people who strive for justice and compassion instead of monuments to war; the legacies of these heroes who toiled to "make things right" would remind us never again to return to the dark days of bigotry, hatred and homophobia.
- Prisons worked from a philosophy of rehabilitation rather than punishment.
This is the land Neighbors in Need imagines and is working to achieve. We hope that you will give generously when our congregation receives the NIN offering on October 2 as part of World Communion Sunday. |
| HEALING PRAYERS at 11:30 AM this Sunday, October 2nd At 11:30 am this Sunday and on every Communion Sunday (the first Sunday of each month), Pastor Jean will be available in the sanctuary to wrap you in a prayer shawl, hear your private prayers, anoint you with oil, and lay hands on you. If you are in need of any kind of physical, emotional, or spiritual healing, or wish to pray for someone who is... If you are need of reconciliation with someone or wish to make a confession to God... If you need to share your concerns, your fears, your troubles with someone else... If you simply need to know that God cares... please come. |
| SECRET SISTERS! For All Women of Our Church! This is a reminder to All Ladies who would like to participate in the Secret Sister program, but have not yet done so. You will love being a part of such a fun, caring, heart-warming program. Forms for participating and explanation sheets can be obtained from Peggy Webster, Bonnie or Chuck Bittner today; sheets are also available on a table at the entrance to the Fellowship Hall. All participants must have their forms submitted by October 24th. The drawing for Secret Sister name will be on November 13th. |
| HANDBELL CHOIR The Handbel Choir will be meeting on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month beginning this Tuesday, October 4th from 7:00 - 8:30 in the sanctuary balcony. |
| HARVEST SUPPER Saturday, October 22nd 6:00PM All are welcome. Bring Along Friends and Neighbors Old Fashioned Ham & Bean Supper Hand-carved Honey/Maple Glazed baked Ham with Baked beans, scalloped poratoes, rolls hot dogs also available and a variety of home-made pies for dessert! beverages, brewed coffee and tea tickets $10.00 afor adults or 5.00 for children under 12. Look for tickets on sale during coffee hour - get yours early! Call charlene Smith at (781) 344-8819 with any questions. |
| Eat, Drink and Feed the Hungry at Nocera's Thursday, October 6, 2011 Here's another great way you can help support the South Shore CROP* Hunger Walk and MainSpring House just by coming out and enjoying a great meal. You may not be able to walk - but everyone can eat! On Thursday October 6, 2011, bring the fundraiser ticket found in the back of the church or Link and enjoy lunch, dinner or order take-out from Nocera's Restraurant. When paying your check, give the waitperson your ticket. The ticket will be attached to your check. Nocera's Restuarant will contribute 20% of the total bill to the South Shore CROP Hunger Walk. It's that simple. You get great food and you help out a great cause. Please email Marcia Olson at baglole.olson@verizon.net and she will be happy to send you a copy of the flyer so you can share it with your family and friends. Bon Appetit! You can still make an online donation to the South Shore CROP Hunger Walk! 25% of monies raised from the walk will be donated to MainSpring House, a highly respected agency in Brockton which addresses poverty, homelessness, hunger, healthcare, unemployment, substance abuse and more.
* CROP-Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. |
 Theme Raffle Baskets
It's that time of year again to start thinking about the raffle baskets for the Church Fair. In order to make the baskets a success, we need your help! We are asking that everyone please consider contributing towards one of the baskets or sponsoring a basket. Some suggested themes are: a Fall/Thanksgiving Basket, Christmas/Holiday Basket, Snowman/Winter Theme Basket, Baking/Cooking Basket, Fun & Games Basket, Sports Lovers Basket, Arts & Crafts Basket, and a Chocolate/Sweets Lovers Basket. If you have any other suggestions or ideas, please let me know. I would like to have 6 baskets to raffle off at the fair. I have the baskets and shrink-wrap so once you have purchased the items, I will pick everything up and put the basket together. If you would prefer to make a cash donation I will do the shopping for you. If you have any questions or would like to sponsor a basket, please contact me at 781-297-7368 or email me at LeanneK462@comcast.net. Thank you! Leanne Kerman |
| FOR OUR CHURCH FAIR ..........HELP.....HELP......HELP...... PERSON, FAMILY, FRIENDS, COUPLE OR GROUP NEEDED TO RUN SNACK BAR FOR THE CHURCH FAIR. ALSO DO YOU LIKE THE JEWELRY TABLE? WE MAY NOT HAVE ONE THIS YEAR IF WE DON'T GET MORE JEWELRY DONATIONS. PLEASE ASK YOUR FAMILY FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS IF THEY HAVE ANY JEWELRY THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE. DONATION OF IDEAS OR ITEMS NEEDED FOR FAIR RAFFLE COME ON FOLKS!!!!......."IT TAKES A VILLAGE" This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we need everyone's help to make it a success. Don't be afraid to step up - there are plenty of people to help you! Call Gale Porter at (781)344-7032 |
| GET PLUGGED IN TO OUR CHURCH! Internet users now have new and improved ways to receive the latest information about our ministries and programs. We have totally revamped our Facebook page ("First Congregational Church of Stoughton"-- look for our church logo). Facebook is now the way to keep in the loop and up-to-the-minute on things happening at our church. Check us out, and be sure to "like" us! Also, if you have any recent (i.e., less than a year old) pictures of various activities and ministries of our church (e.g., worship, the fair, small groups, fellowship suppers, mission activities, etc., etc.), please send them to Pastor Jean at revjeanlenk@uccstoughton.org so she can put them on our new Fb page (you might even be tagged!). In addition, you are now reading Jean's blog (revjeanlenk.blogspot.com) entitled "UCC Stoughton News & Happenings." It includes "the latest news about the ministries, programs, activities, and happenings at the First Congregational Church of Stoughton, United Church of Christ (with occasional observations and opinions from its pastor)." You can also follow her on Twitter; her handle is @jeanlenk. For those without computers, fear not! Any information on Facebook, Jean's blog, etc. that is not also communicated through Notes & Notices and The Link is posted on the bulletin board at the lower entrance; look for the sign "Pastor Jean's Blog." |
|
|
| First Congregational Church of Stoughton United Church of Christ An Open and Affirming Congregation Our Vision We are called together to embrace God's transformation of our lives and our world by becoming and serving as Christ's disciples. |
|
| Quick Links... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
|
|
|
