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Youth This Week
Sunday Worship
We invite you to join us this Sunday, October 25, for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost.
Our virtual worship service will be held at 8:00am here.
Please join us from home as we worship together.
The sermon is titled “Message in a Mason Jar” and the Scripture Lesson is Exodus 16 (Excerpts).
Click here this week’s virtual bulletin.
For all our sermons and podcasts, click here.
Trunk or Treat
on God’s Acre
Join us as we celebrate Halloween distance-style!
Dress up in your creative best,
We’re setting up for a Halloween fest,
YGers will set the scene,
We promise to keep our event distanced and clean,
Likely we don’t need to ask,
But please remember to wear a mask!
Trunk-or-Treat on God’s Acre!
Sunday, October 25th 4:30-5:30pm
Children Preschool-6th Grade
Parents must remain with their children
4:30-5:00pm Last names A-L
5:00-5:30pm Last names L-Z
Meals on Wheels of New Canaan
Meals on Wheels of New Canaan, Inc. is dedicated to providing nutritious meals to residents of New Canaan whose physical, emotional, mental, medical or social condition makes it difficult to provide these meals for themselves. Meals are delivered to clients homes between 11:00am and 12:30pm Monday-Friday by volunteers from the community. Meals on Wheels is in great need of volunteers at the moment, having been affected by COVID like everything else. If you can help now and then or would like to join newly reforming teams that serve once a week, please contact Ann Gervase, anngervase1@gmail.com or Marianna Kilbride, marianna@godsacredev.wpengine.com.
Meals on Wheels’ mission is to ensure that every potential client identified by the Town of New Canaan or the Southwestern Connecticut Commission on Aging, or referred to them by family, friends, medical personnel or church group will receive services for as long as circumstances warrant. Clients without the necessary resources are provided meals without charge, helping to maintain their health and independence while remaining at home with ties to their community unbroken.
Pivot Ministries
Our plate offering in October will be donated to our longtime partners, Pivot Ministries. Pivot is a faith-based recovery program for men. Their mission is to treat drug and alcohol addiction as a spiritual problem and return men to their families usefully whole. Watch for Pivot to join us virtually on October 25!
In addition we have the opportunity to help the men with some very specific gently used clothing needs to get them started on the road to recovery. In short supply are small and extra large sizes of the following: white shirts, navy blazers, khaki pants and men’s dress shoes. They could also use gently used working watches. Items may be brought to Sunday services or contact Marianna Kilbride, marianna@godsacredev.wpengine.com to drop off or arrange a pickup.
Pivot is also planning a Virtual Gala on November 14, 2020.
Contact Pivot Board Member, Eben Breed, breed@hotmail.com or Marianna Kilbride, marianna@godsacredev.wpengine.com with questions.
October 2020 news@God’s Acre
Enjoy the new October 2020 newsletter edition of the news@godsacre. All the seasonal events and news is in there. Click here to read.
Submissions for the November newsletter are due October 19th. Please contact Laurel Carr, laurel@godsacredev.wpengine.com.
A Pilgrim Journey
This year marks the 400th Anniversary of the journey of faith our Pilgrim mothers and fathers embarked upon that brought them to the shores of New England, bringing our congregational tradition with them. The Pilgrims we not perfect people, nor did they perfect the Christian faith, but they are our people, and we are a significant part of their legacy.
Click here for the week-by-week program guide.
September on God’s Acre
A September to Remember on God’s Acre
We invite you to join us for Outdoor Worship Services this September at 8:00 & 9:15am. Our virtual service will continue for those more comfortable at home. Please don’t forget to RSVP, bring a chair or blanket and wear your mask! Worship will take place rain or shine and the front lawn will be tented beginning September 13. Please remember to RSVP through the email invitation or contact Laurel Carr, laurel@godsacredev.wpengine.com
Sunday, September 6 – Welcome Rev. Kibbie
Rev. Kathryn Kibbie Laird joined our church family as the Associate Minister to Children, Youth, and Families this August. She is excited to meet all of you.
Sunday, September 13 – Kickoff Sunday “COVID” Style.
Come and learn about all we have in store for you this year on God’s Acre!
On Kickoff Sunday, instead of eating a meal together, we invite everyone to bring non-perishable food items to support the Inspirica Food Pantry in Stamford.
Cohort X, (last names A-L) please bring – Canned Soup, Canned Green Beans, Canned Fruit & Vegetables, Non-perishable/Powdered Milk, Pasta & Sauce
Cohort Y, (last names M-Z) please bring – Rice, Macaroni & Cheese, Cereal & Granola Bars, Baby Food & Formula
Sunday, September 20 – Confirmation Sunday
Our 2019-2020 8th Grade Confirmands will join our church family as members at the 9:15am service.
Sunday, September 27 – Farewell Eric
Hear Eric preach his final sermon on God’s Acre and wish him well as he begins his next chapter in York, Maine.
Looking Ahead: Children and Youth
Youth Ministries, Church School, & Children’s Choir have teamed up to create an offering built around faith, fellowship, and unconditional love. Our program year will start this October. Please be on the lookout for an email to register your child(ren) for our offerings this fall. See you soon!
Sunday
YG (High School) #1: 4:00-5:30pm
YG (High School) #2: 7:00-8:30pm
Monday
7th Grade: 3:00-4:30pm
8th Grade: 5:00-6:30pm
Tuesday
K, 1st, & 2nd Grades: 4:00-5:00pm
Quest: 8:00-9:00pm
Wednesday
5th Grade: 1:00-2:30pm
3rd & 4th Grades: 3:00-4:30pm
6th Grade: 5:00-6:30pm
Adult Formation
Wednesday Morning Bible Study with Chapin
Wednesdays, 9:30-11:00am, on Zoom
Garden Meditation
Thursdays, 9:00-9:30am, Church Memorial Garden. Join Marianna Kilbride, marianna@godsacredev.wpengine.com for Lectio Divina.
Fridays with Merton
Fridays, 8:00-9:00am, on Zoom. Join Marianna Kilbride, marianna@godsacredev.wpengine.com to discuss Thomas Merton’s Thoughts in Solitude
Men’s and Women’s Small Groups
Small groups are forming now for the 2020-2021 program year.
Contact Marianna Kilbride, marianna@godsacredev.wpengine.com for Women’s Groups and
Steve Case, scase135@gmail.com forMen’s Groups.
Missions and Outreach
Inspirica
Our offering plate donations at the Sunday outdoor services in September will go to Inspirica. The Sneaker Tree Project begins on September 13. We encourage you to buy a pair of sneakers for a homeless child in need. Donate a catered meal for 30. For more details visit www.godsacre.org.
Noble House Renovation
Join us on Saturdays – 9/19 and 9/26 – to continue renovating this sober living space in Bridgeport.
Filling in the Blanks
Back to School Backpack Collection. Bring a new backpack to the outdoor worship services or drop off in the bin outside of the church office to help a child in need this fall. Contact Marianna Kilbride, marianna@godsacredev.wpengine.com for a complete list of our mission opportunities!
Music
Musical Moments
Jody Blaine Davis resumes her virtual 30 minute organ recitals each Wednesday beginning on September 2. Click here to watch.
Handbell Choir
If you are interested in being a part of the Handbell Choir contact Jody, music@godsacredev.wpengine.com to learn more!
Sabbath Picnic on God’s Acre – August 30th!
All are invited on Sunday, August 9, from 5:30-7:00 PM, to a Sabbath Picnic on God’s Acre!
Continue readingSummer on God’s Acre
Adult Formation
Garden Meditation
Thursdays, 9:00-9:30am, Church Memorial Garden
August 6-27
Join Marianna Kilbride, marianna@godsacredev.wpengine.com, on Thursdays at 9:00am in the garden for Lectio Divina, a spiritual meditation.
The Essential Paul Bible Study
Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00pm on Zoom
July 1-22, no class on 7/15
Paul is second only to Jesus as the most important person in the development and spread of Christianity. There is a consensus among scholars that some letters of the New Testament attributed to Paul are authentic, meaning they are assumed to be written by Paul. Others are disputed. A third set of these letters are assumed to be inauthentic. They might be important and influential, but generally, scholars believe they are not of Paul’s hand.
In coming weeks, we will explore Paul’s letters and focus on themes that seemed most important to him. What theological themes repeat in Paul’s letters? What seemed to be most important to him to proclaim about Jesus and the life of faith? Contact Eric Dupee, eric@godsacredev.wpengine.com to learn more.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study with Chapin
Wednesdays, 9:30-11:00am, Church Memorial Garden and on Zoom
July 15-August 26
Mission and Outreach
Gospel Garden Givers
Support the New Canaan Food Panty
Donate produce from your home garden!
Contact Debbie Shew, scwheatenterrier@yahoo.com
We are pleased to join our friends at St. Mark’s in support the New Canaan Food Pantry, Person-to-Person, and others with food insecurity locally by donating extra produce from our home gardens. Contact Debbie Shew scwheatenterrier@yahoo.com to sign up. (Debbie will even harvest for you if you are out of town!)
Person to Person
July Plate Donations at Outdoor Worship
Volunteer to sort and pack clothing or deliver food.
Contact Marianna Kilbride, marianna@godsacredev.wpengine.com
Our plate offering at the outdoor service in June and July will be donated to Person to Person in aid of those especially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, in the form of financial assistance, food, and clothing, or household necessities. In addition, we have the opportunity to volunteer by sorting and pre-packing clothing and/or delivering food to clients.
Pivot Ministries
Provide a Meal for our friends at Pivot.
Contact Mary Aly, maryaly@pivotministries.org
We continue to have the opportunity to provide our Pivot friends with meals or contribute to that cause. Visit our website for full information and a link to their Meal Train.
Pacific House
Off-site Volunteer Opportunities are available.
Contact Suzanne Brannan, suzbrannan1@mac.com
Suzanne Brannan has continued to find creative ways to serve meals to the men at Pacific House while they are not receiving volunteers on site. If you would like to participate, please contact Suzanne.
Filling in the Blanks
August Plate Donations at Outdoor Worship
Backpack Collection for Back to School
Contact Marianna Kilbride, marianna@godsacredev.wpengine.com
In August our plate offering will go to Filling in the Blanks, who provide weekend food to children in school meal service programs. In addition, we will collect backpacks for them.
Children and Family
Creative Christian Summer Camp
Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30pm, Children’s Garden
July 7 – August 11
Contact Anush Avetisyan, anush@godsacredev.wpengine.com
Creative Christian Camp is a place of community for the kids of New Canaan run by Director of Children’s music and Drama, Anush Avetisyan. Our activities include developing drama skills, acting out Bible stories, playing fun instruments like bells and drums and team building exercises that help exercise our kind Christian muscles! Please sign up and tell a friend. We are open to anyone who is looking for a place of welcome and creativity this summer! If you can’t come for the full 6 weeks, no worries – weekly sign ups are possible.
Fellowship
Sabbath Summer Picnic – New Date!
Gather with your church family on God’s Acre!
All are invited on Sunday, August 30, from 5:00-6:30 PM, to a Sabbath Picnic on God’s Acre! To RSVP or if you have questions please contact Caroline Leather, caroline@godsacredev.wpengine.com.
There is plenty of space for all to spread out for social distancing and still enjoy each other’s company.
Food trucks will be in the front circle serving dinner and dessert, however you are welcome to bring your own food and drinks if you wish! Bring blankets and/or lawn chairs and be sure to leave space between you and your neighbor (6 feet please)!
Chapin will lead us in Sabbath Dinner practices and bless the children as they begin a new school year.
Kids, church school and youth ministries have some great socially distance games in store for you!
It’ll be a nice, relaxing evening of food, fun, and fellowship “COVID Style.” Don’t forget to wear your masks when you enter and exit the church property or when you are mingling from a distance off your blanket.
Music
Patriotic Concert on God’s Acre
Saturday, July 4 at 12:00pm
Contact Jody Davis, jody@godsacredev.wpengine.com
On Saturday, July 4 at noon, hear Jody Blaine Davis play a patriotic concert on God’s Acre. Church windows will be open so bring a chair, wear a mask, and keep 6 feet in distance for this 30 minute organ program. *Concert will take place weather permitting.
Virtual Musical Moments
30-minute organ recitals
Wednesdays, godsacre.org/musical-moments/
Youth
Summer Quest
Thursdays, 7:00-8:00pm, Church Memorial Garden
July 16-August 27
Contact Erik Burns, burns@godsacredev.wpengine.com
Summer Quest begins on July 16, from 7:00-8:00pm meeting in the Memorial Garden. Quest meets every Thursday until August 27. Location may vary based on the week (church calendar will be updated to reflect those changes). Quest is open to all high school students grades 9-12.
Garden Meditation
Thursdays, 9:00-9:30am
Church Memorial Garden
August 6-27
Join Marianna Kilbride each Thursday in August at 9:00am in the garden for Lectio Divina, a spiritual meditation. This group will meet weekly throughout August, drop in anytime!
Gospel Garden Givers
We will be joining the Gospel Garden Givers program in their efforts to support the New Canaan Food Pantry, Person-to-Person, and others with food insecurity in our community.
Continue reading