The Senior Minister and the Associate Minister Search Committee are excited to announce that we have nominated The Rev. Eric Dupee to be our Minister of Christian Formation.

Materials about Eric were mailed this week that describe his faith journey and how he will share his passions and strengths with our community on God’s Acre (click here for the call brochure). Eric and Chapin have known each other for a very long time, and both are eager to partner in ministry.

We hope you will join us for a time of conversation with Eric on Saturday, April 30 from 3:30-5:00pm in the Parlor.

He will preach a Call Sermon at our 9:30am service on Sunday, May 1, followed by a congregational meeting and a vote to officially call the Rev. Eric Dupee to be our Minister of Christian Formation.

We look forward to your meeting Eric and know you will share our joy of the possibility of his joining Chapin in ministry on God’s Acre.

 

Enjoy fellowship and a delicious lunch at the lovely Roger Sherman Inn, 195 Oenoke Ridge Road on Wednesday, April 27 from 11:30am – 1:30pm.

Checks payable to The Congregational Church, $30.00, can be mailed or dropped off to church.

Questions?  Please contact Stephanie Radman at stephanieradman@aol.com or (203)966-4439.

The Children and Family Ministry Team invites you and your family to our Second Annual Easter Egg Hunt and lunch on Palm Sunday, March 20 from 1:00 – 3:00pm in Smith Hall.

We’ll all enjoy fried chicken, pasta salad, biscuits and corn on the cob together and hunt eggs in three different age groups.

Please bring $20/family to cover the event and a non-perishable item for the New Canaan Food Pantry.  This is a favorite event not to be missed!

On Maundy Thursday, March 24, all members of the youth ministries community and their families are invited to partner with the Children and Families Ministry team for an evening of worship and fellowship.

Maundy Thursday will give us a chance to participate in a Living Last Supper, share in a worship experience, and enjoy an eastern inspired meal.

Join us at 6:00pm in the Meeting House and stay for dinner. All are welcome!

God said, “Is this not the fast I choose, to loose the bonds of injustice…? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and to bring the homeless poor into your house?” Isaiah 58:6-7

Giving to someone in need is a fast that pleases God. Consider bringing some food for the hungry each time you come to the church as part of your Lenten practice, holding in tension how very blessed we are and the great need of the world Christ gave his life to save.

Person-to-Person has been serving low-income families and individuals for close to five decades, providing emergency assistance for basic needs in the form of food, financial assistance, and clothing, to support individuals and families as they move towards greater stability. Over the years, P2P’s services have been refined to advance the vision of communities of financially stable, hunger-free homes, with educational opportunities for all. This year alone P2P’s services will touch the lives of more than 25,000 individuals – including 10,000 children.

Food needs: Canned Fruit & Vegetables, Rice (1lb bags), Canned Hearty Soups, Pasta & Spaghetti Sauce, Tuna & Canned Meat, Cookies & Crackers

The New Canaan Food Pantry is staffed entirely by volunteers and resides in St. Marks Church. Clients are referred to them by New Canaan Health and Human Services. Need has continued to grow over the past few years and the number now served every two weeks approaches 200.

Food needs: Juice Boxes, Canned Meats (Ham, Vienna sausages, Spam, Deviled Ham), Canned Stew, Cookies, Snacks (Pretzels, Tortilla Chips, etc.),Maple Syrup

Food should be returned to boxes in Smith Hall

Contact Marianna Kilbride at marianna@godsacredev.wpengine.com with questions.

Please join us on Easter Sunday, March 27

Join us as we celebrate the joy of the Risen Lord!

 

6:30am Sunrise Service
Held on the Church Steps
This service is run by our YG Fish and YG Worship Team with a meditation offered by Caroline Ainsworth, Youth Minister. Warm drinks and Easter treats to follow in the Parlor!

9:30 and 11:15am Services
A 15 minute prelude will precede these services

The Reverend Dr. Stephen Chapin Garner, Senior Minister, will be preaching a sermon titled, “Earth Shattering” and Scripture will include Matthew 28:1-10.

Hear the Chancel Choir with trumpets, trombones, tympani, and organ proclaim the joyous resurrection. Music sung by the Chancel Choir will include “This Joyful Eastertide” by Philip Ledger, “Medieval Easter Chant” by Nancy Grundahl, and “Christ the Lord is Risen Again” by Philip Stopford. The service will close with the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Georg Frederick Handel’s Messiah followed by Charles-Marie Widor’s “Toccata” from Fifth Symphony arranged for organ, brass, and percussion.

A special Easter Sunday Chapel Service will be held for Church School at 9:30am. Children in Kindergarten through seventh grade should begin in the Meeting House with their families.

Join us as we prepare for Easter with:

Living Last Supper Worship and Dinner; Thursday, March 24, 6:00pm, Meeting House and Smith Hall
All are invited to this Last Supper reenactment; stay for a family friendly dinner to follow in Smith Hall.

Tenebrae; Thursday, March 24, 8:00pm, Meeting House
A dramatic candlelight service with Scripture readings and music by the Chancel Choir; Communion will be served.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 10. We have a variety of worship and programs offerings this Lent, and a Lenten Devotional with devotions on The Gospel of Matthew taken from Chapin’s book As the Spirit Moves is also available. We hope you will join us for this Lenten season!

Lenten Worship and Program Schedule
Worship	Programs
Ash Wednesday, February 10 Meeting House, 8:00pm	Yale Bible Study: The Gospel of Matthew Mondays, 6:30am, Parlor Tuesday Women’s Group, 9:30am, Parlor
Wednesday Meditations Weekly, February 17 – March 23 9:00am and 8:00pm, Chapel Chapel open daily, 7:00am Fifteen minutes of music, prayer, scripture, and contemplation; Communion served.	Wednesday Morning Bible Study with Chapin Wednesdays, 9:30-11:00am, Parlor
Mozart Requiem, March 13 Meeting House, 9:30 and 11:15am Presented by the Chancel Choir and guest musicians during Sunday worship; preludes begin 15 minutes before the service.	Give It Up: Lenten Study Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00pm, Parlor (and online at Laura’s blog) A study based on Give It Up and led by Rev. Laura. See Laura for copies of the book or more information.
Palm Sunday, March 20 Chapel, 8:00am Meeting House, 9:30 and 11:15am Blessing of the Palms and a Procession with a Live Donkey, 9:15am. Guest Trumpeters at 9:30 and 11:15am.	Easter Egg Hunt, March 20 Smith Hall, 1:00-3:00pm Family lunch and three-age-group egg hunt. $20 per family and a non-perishable item for the New Canaan Food Pantry.
Tenebrae; Thursday, March 24 Meeting House, 8:00pm A dramatic candlelight service with Scripture readings and music by the Chancel Choir; Communion will be served.	Living Last Supper, March 24 Meeting House, 6:00pm All are invited to this Last Supper reenactment; stay for a family friendly dinner to follow in Smith Hall.
Easter Sunday, March 27 Church Steps, 6:00am Meeting House, 9:30 and 11:15am

From April 3-9, 2016, OG will go forth to Mobile, AL to partner with Raise the Roof Project, whose dual mission aids in healing homes in a forgotten district and the hearts and minds of all involved. Come with us!

Signups begin Sunday, January 31 at Fellowship Hour or with Marianna Kilbride at marianna@godsacredev.wpengine.com.

Join one of our Yale Bible Study groups and learn about Matthew’s gospel, the focus of all-church scripture for the rest of the program year.  Sign up during mid hour, materials are available on line.  We hope to see you in the Parlor on Monday, January 25 at 6:30 am, or Tuesday, January 26 at 9:30 am (Women’s Study Group).  Any questions contact Diana Beecher at beecherd@optonline.net.

Join us for Epiphany Sunday, January 10 at 8:00, 9:30, or 11:15am as we celebrate the new year and Live Generously by bringing our gifts to Jesus.

We will dedicate our 2016 Stewardship Pledge Cards during the services so please make sure we have yours!

If you still need to make your pledge, please stop by the Church Office or click here.

Learn more about the Covenant Campaign here.

Have you ever wondered what you should do with your life?  Unwrap your gifts and talents to find out!

The Gifts and Talents Team is hosting a Gifts and Talent Workshop retreat style on Friday, January 8 from 6:00 – 9:00pm and Saturday, January 9 from 8:30am – 4:00pm.

For information, visit us during fellowship hour or contact Kathy Johnston at kjohnston4@optonline.net or (203)561-8519.