NEWS IN THE PEWS
May 5, 2024
WE ARE CELEBRATING HOLY COMMUNION today. We practice “Open Communion,” meaning all people are welcome to receive Communion, including children. All you have to do to come to our Savior’s Table is to be hungry.
ONA DISCUSSION: There will be an Opening & Affirming (ONA) Discussion today 10:30 A.M. in the Fellowship Hall. We will be discussing what it means to be an Open & Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ as well as discussing New Testament passages in relation to their historical context.
NO BOOK DISCUSSION TODAY: Due to today’s Open & Affirming Discussion in Fellowship Hall immediately after the Service, there will be no Spring Book Discussion today.
JOIN THE CHURCH: If anyone is interested in becoming a member of the church, please speak to Pastor Greg.
FREE CONCERT: The Rochester Oratorio Society's premier group "Resonanz" will perform a free concert at our church on Wednesday, May 22 at 7:00pm. This is the 2nd event of our 200th Anniversary celebration year. Please come and bring a friend! A freewill offering is appreciated.
OFFICE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK: Vicki will be out of the office Monday – Wednesday, May 6 - 8.
CHURCH FUND RAISER - CANAL DAYS PARKING (June 1 & 2): Canal Days is approaching quickly. The church needs your help parking cars during Canal Days on June 1 and 2. Each day has a (9am – 1:15pm) and a (1pm – 5pm) volunteer session. If you are able to help, please sign up via one of the following methods: Rolling bulletin board in fellowship hall, Send an email to Brian Sherry at blsny05@gmail.com, or leave a voice or text message at 585-233-1010. Please include name, day and volunteer session availability when sending information to Brian. Each time slot has a limited number of spots. Be sure to sign up quickly to guarantee your preferred time slot. Pizza will be served for lunch and water will be available during the day. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions.
CLEANING THE COFFEE MAKER: After talking to several of our longtime coffee hour hosts, it is confirmed that our tradition for cleaning the coffee maker after use has been to rinse it in water and sometimes wipe with a paper towel. The owners’ manual with our new coffee maker states that it should be cleaned with warm soapy water and a sponge or other non-abrasive wipe. This makes sense to get rid of the oil that can build up over time and decay and harbor bacteria. There is dish detergent in the kitchen. Of course, cleaning includes running the water through the spigot and rinsing everything very well.
LIVE STREAMING AND SOUND SYSTEM: We are looking for volunteers to help with the Sunday Live-Streaming and Sound System. If you are able, please speak to Dennis Dudley (Live-Streaming) or Jim Franzen (Sound System). Thank you.
THE ANNUAL CHURCH PROGRAM MEETING (NOTE DATE CHANGE) will be held following worship on June 9th. Annual reports will be distributed, and the election of officers and board members will be held. Each board must submit their Annual Report for the church year May 2023 through April 2024 AND their roster of 2024-2025 members (and chairperson) to the church office no later than 9:00 am on Monday May 20. Please email your report and your roster to vsherry.ucc@gmail.com. Thank you.
LIFE LINE SCREENING will offer affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings at First Congregational UCC on Saturday, May 11th. A package of four screenings to identify risk for stroke, heart disease and other chronic conditions will be offered. Register by calling toll free 1-844-591-7160, text the word "circle" to 216-279-1607 or online at https://llsa.social/HC. A limited number of vouchers are available on a first come, first served basis. Each voucher is good for 1 individual screening (worth $85) or $55 may be applied toward any vascular package valued at $159 or more. Contact the church office to inquire about a voucher before registering for your screening.
FIRST CHURCH BOOK CLUB will meet Monday, May 20 at 1:00 pm in Fellowship Hall to discuss Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. All are welcome. Any questions call Irene Utter at 425-7408.
IN-PERSON WORSHIP: The bulletin can be accessed via the QR code on your mobile phone or tablet. Prayer requests must be emailed to Pastor Greg at revgregrup.ucc@gmail.com by 8:00am on Sunday with the subject line Joy or Prayer Concern. You can view the Virtual Worship Service on Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/First-Congregational-United-Church-of-Christ-Fairport-NY-174043249305098/. An audio Worship Service will be uploaded to our church’s website each week, usually on Monday.
PERINTON FOOD SHELF most needed items include pancake mix & syrup; coffee, tea, juice boxes & shelf stable milk; soup; crackers; canned pasta; canned meat/seafood; canned stew, beans, chili, hash, & sloppy Joe; peanut butter; jelly; canned fruit and vegetables; boxed potatoes; pasta & sauce; tomato sauce/paste; diced or crushed tomatoes; salad dressing, oil, mayo, ketchup & mustard; rice; mac & cheese; hamburger/tuna helper; suddenly salad; baking mixes and frosting; cereal & oatmeal; stuffing; gravy; salt; sugar; boxes of cookies, granola bars, pop tarts; Jello & pudding mix; dried fruit; chips/pretzels; shampoo; bar soap; deodorant; toothpaste; paper towel; toilet paper; tissues; laundry soap & dish soap. SMALL SIZES ARE PREFERRED.
LIGHT THE NIGHT: Thank you to Cathy and Dennis Dudley for “lighting the night” through the month of May in memory of Dorothy and Dick Dudley.
THIS WEEK IN THE CHURCH
Sunday:
10:30 AM ONA Discussion
Monday:
1:00 PM Knitting Club
VS Out of the Office
Tuesday:
4:30 PM Board of Deacons
5:30 PM Board of Missions
VS Out of the Office
Wednesday:
11:00 AM Book Discussion Group
7:00 PM Board of Worship Ministries
VS Out of the Office
Thursday:
7:00 PM New Life AA
Saturday:
Life Line Screening
6:00 PM Boy Scout Planning Meeting (SR)
Rev. Gregory J. Rupright, Pastor
Rev. Dr. John N. Cedarleaf, Pastor Emeritus
Beatrice Benedict, Organist
Heather Watras, Director of Music Ministries
Vicki Sherry, Administrative Assistant
Christian Copyright Licensing International #2320160
Phone: 585-223-0224; Website: fairportucc.org
Office email: vsherry.ucc@gmail.com
