Parents! Save the date, Sunday June 4 at 9:00am in the library. Eric will lead a discussion on the book Parenting in the Pew by Robbie Castleman. This lively discussion will help parents better handle those uncomfortable Sunday morning moments and will encourage families to worship together!  Pick up your copy in the church office or at Elm Street books today.

The community is invited to a gala benefit concert at 7:00pm on Saturday, May 20 at the church. A festive reception in Smith Hall, hosted by the Music Ministry Team, will follow after the concert. There is no admission charge and childcare is provided.

The program will include a variety of music that will entertain all ages and musical tastes. Broadway, opera, jazz, and popular repertoire will be presented by the Chancel Choir, its professional section leaders, and the Spirit Singers, Joyful Noise, and Sonshine Singers choirs. The benefit is now in its eleventh year and is organized by our Director of Music Ministries Dr. Jo Deen Blaine Davis, who recently remarked, “This is a fun and entertaining hour for the entire family. What a great way to enjoy fellowship and musical favorites.”

Solos will be performed by the church’s professional section leaders, Diana Benton, Anne Maguire, Antonio Abate, Aram Tchobanian, Stephen Clark, and LaMarcus Miller, some of whom have sung solo and title roles at The Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera, as well as oratorio and solo work with orchestras and theater companies throughout the United States and Europe. Miller was the lead in the 2016 world premiere of Fallujah, which was featured at New York City Opera. Also included is Director of Children’s Music Noëlle Francis.

A free-will offering will be taken, with proceeds benefiting the church’s Mary Bradley Clarke music fund, which was established in 1973 by the wife of former minister Rev. Merrill Fowler Clarke to provide singers and instrumentalists for special musical programs held at the church throughout the year. For more information please contact Dr. Davis at music@godsacredev.wpengine.com or (203)966-2651, x4.

Calling all youth from 3rd-12th grade for our final Youth Worship service of the year!

Join us for a special outdoor Youth Worship in the garden on Wednesday, May 17 led by our YG Senior Leaders.

Dinner will be served at 6:30pm in Smith Hall and our service will conclude by 8:00pm. Can’t wait to see our fish there!

In May, the Sunday morning Lifelong Learning events will focus on opportunities for Christian Formation here on God’s Acre.

• Sunday, May 7: Come learn what the Bible says about caring and visitation and hear about the Stephen Ministry program.  Going through the Stephen Ministry training is a great way to deepen one’s faith.  “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galations 6:2)
• Sunday, May 14: Come and learn about the place of mission in the Christian faith.  You will hear from participants of the OG Mission trip to Nicaragua and learn about other mission opportunities here on God’s Acre.  If you’ve thought about putting your faith into action and wanted to learn more, this is your chance.
• Sunday, May 21: Come and learn about spiritual gifts and our unique programs to assist in discovering and using those gifts. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, Paul wrote, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all people.” Members of the Gifts and Talents ministry will provide information on discovering spiritual gifts and spiritual discernment.

These learning events will each take place in the Library at 9:00am.

Also, be mindful of the following Bible studies in May. All Bible studies are open to everyone and always welcome new members. Just show up!

Lifelong Learning: May Bible Studies
Mondays, 6:30-7:30am, Library: “James, 1 Peter and 1 John”
Tuesday Women’s Group, 9:30-11:00am, Parlor, “James, 1 Peter and 1 John”
Wednesdays (ongoing), 9:30-11:00am, Parlor, Chapin’s class

On May 6, 8:00am-4:00pm, we will repair the home of a veteran in our greater community. For 25+ years we’ve worked local projects preventing neighbors-in-need from having to decide between groceries and a leaky roof or faulty wiring. Join us this year!

Sign-up (ages 14 and older) in Smith Hall or contact Marianna Kilbride at marianna@godsacredev.wpengine.com.

Our Children’s Choirs are proud to present: Godspell Jr. as their spring 2017 Musical. This version of the 1970 Broadway classic has been revised especially for kids and will surely have you smiling!

All five children’s choirs have come together to bring the Word of God alive in this fun production. Come and enjoy the story of faith as told through parables and song!

Preview Show, Wednesday April 19 at 5:00pm and in the Worship Service on Sunday, April 30 at 10:00am. All ages welcome!

Holy Week and Easter @ God’s Acre

Palm Sunday, April 9
Worship Services at 8:00 and 10:00am
Blessing of the Palms

Wednesday, April 12
Lenten Meditation, 9:00am and 8:00pm, Chapel
Prayer, music, Scripture, and reflection; communion will be served.

Thursday, April 13, Maundy Thursday
Tenebrae, 8:00pm, Meeting House
Join us for a dramatic candlelight service with Scripture readings and music by the Chancel Choir. Communion will be served

Friday, April 14, Good Friday
Chapel open for prayer; Church Office Closed
Pivot Good Friday Prayer Breakfast at Woodway Country Club, 7:00am
In support of our Pivot Ministries brothers in Christ, The Congregational Church and Men’s Fellowship Group (MG) are reserving tables at Pivot’s annual Good Friday Prayer Breakfast. $50/person, payable at the breakfast. The breakfast is open to all so please bring the family! This event will feature special guest speaker: Distance Runner & 2016 Rio Olympian Abbey D’Agostino who is the most decorated Ivy League athlete. Abbey will share her story of faith and her experience in the Rio Olympics where her selfless actions and sportsmanship, during the 5,000 meter qualifier, gained worldwide attention!  Please RSVP for this event by clicking here.

Sunday, April 16, Easter Sunday
Contemporary Sunrise Worship Service, 6:00am, Church Steps
Run by our YG Fish and YG Worship Team. A light breakfast follows in the Parlor.
Traditional Worship Services, 9:00 and 11:00am, Meeting House Please note the worship time change!
Preludes will begin at 8:45 and 10:45am. Childcare will be provided.

Looking at Privilege: A discussion with Debby Irving, author of Waking Up White

Time and Place: In order to accommodate as many members of the community as possible, New Canaan Interfaith Council and New Canaan Library are working together to deliver the same presentation by Debby Irving twice on April 5. The first lecture will take place from 3:45-5:30pm at United Methodist Church at 165 South Ave., New Canaan. The second lecture will take place from 6:00-7:30pm at New Canaan Library at 151 Main St. New Canaan, CT.

3:45-5:30pm talk at United Methodist Church, 165 South Ave., New Canaan – Registration not required

6:00-7:30pm talk at New Canaan Library, 151 Main St., New Canaan – Register at www.newcanaanlibrary.org/calendar

Description: Author Debby Irving discusses her personal journey confronting the issue of white privilege in this illuminating talk about one individual’s experience coming to terms with the topic of race. Attendees will be encouraged to share their own experiences with bias, stereotypes, and tolerance in a guided interactive session led by Debby. Presented in partnership with the New Canaan Interfaith Council.

After working as an organizer and teacher for 25 years, Debby became aware of how the world around us is shaped by race and it led her to tackle the issue of racial justice and tolerance. In “Waking Up White”, Debby shares her struggle to understand racism, unpacking her beliefs about colorblindness and being a good person. She now studies racism and works to undo its harmful effects by helping to educate other white people who may be confused and frustrated by racism, as she once was.