NEWS IN THE PEWS
February 1, 2026
COLLECTION OF OFFERING: You may recall that we ceased collecting the offering during the Worship Service due to the COVID-19 epidemic. We will once again be collecting the offering during the 10:00 A.M. Worship Service starting TODAY.
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. Please come forward and when the server places the bread in your hand, please dip it in the cup of grape juice. All the bread is gluten-free. If you wish to be served in your pew, please let an usher know. Thank you.
THE PASTORAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE will meet at 11:00 A.M. in the Snow Room next Sunday, February 8th following the Sunday Service. The Pastoral Relations Committee supports the concerns of both the congregation and our pastor. If you have any concerns, please contact any of the members: Paula Boisvert, Brad Bowersox, Ava Grace Cedarleaf, Karl Cedarleaf, David Coon, Pastor Greg Rupright, and Jean Whitney.
LENTEN OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE & SUPPORT: 1) Since people are in need every hour of the day, please consider contributing to "One Great Hour of Sharing" this year. Donations will be accepted each Sunday in Lent (through March 15) in Fellowship Hall, or you may put a check in the offering plate or mail it to the church. Checks should be made out to: First Congregational UCC and write "OGHS" on the memo line. 2) The congregation is also encouraged to write a brief message of encouragement to incarcerated individuals. Please use the special blank notes available in Fellowship Hall (from 2/22- 3/15), where there will also be a collection box for completed notes. They will be delivered to upstate New York prisons at Easter time. Messages should be signed with first names only and no other identifying information about yourself or First Congregational Church. Let's honor Jesus' declaration, "I was in prison and you came to visit me," (Matthew 25:36 NIV) by reminding an incarcerated individual that they are not forgotten! The final day to submit a note is March 15.
MUSIC CONCERT: Come enjoy a concert performed by Joe Crookston on Saturday, February 28th at 7:00 P.M. in our sanctuary. Joe Crookston is a Singer, Songwriter & Folk Guitarist based in Ithaca, NY. He is on a 10-state tour (to include our concert) before traveling to Ireland in July for a week of concerts. We are privileged to have him. Be prepared to enjoy an evening of lively music! Tickets are $20 per person in advance or $25 at the door. Follow the link on the church website to purchase tickets in advance.
WINTER BIBLE STUDY & DISCUSSION GROUP will meet in the Snow Room today at 11:15 A.M. & Wednesday, February 4th at 10:30 A.M. All are welcome.
ADVENT HOUSE 35th ANNIVERSARY GALA: Every light kept on, meal prepared, every hand held at a bedside is funded entirely by donations, grants, & community support. Our Annual Gala is our largest fundraiser of the year. Join us on April 19th for an unforgettable evening of dinner, drinks, and dancing, featuring both live and silent auctions with mobile bidding, and a wine pull. Visit www.theadventhouse.org/events to purchase tickets, become a sponsor, donate auction items, or place an ad in our gala program.
KNITTING CIRCLE will not meet in December. We will meet again on Monday, January 5th, at 1:00pm. Any questions contact Irene Utter at iutter@rochester.rr.com or call 585-425-7408
FIRST CHURCH BOOK CLUB will meet on Monday, February 23rd, at 1:00 p.m. to discuss If I Were You by Lynn Austin. All are welcome. Any questions call Irene Utter 585-425-7408 or email iutter@rochester.rr.com.
SAVE THE POP TABS: Help Rochester Ronald McDonald House. Place them in the jug in Fellowship Hall.
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 current list of most needed items can be found on their website at https://perintonfoodshelf.org/#needed. SMALL SIZES ARE PREFERRED.
LIGHT THE NIGHT: Thank you to Irene and Wade Utter for lighting the steeple through the month of February in memory of their son, Daniel Utter.
THIS WEEK IN THE CHURCH
Sunday:
11:15 AM Bible Study
Monday:
1:00 PM Knitting Club
Tuesday:
3:30 PM Missions
4:30 PM Deacons
6:30 PM Christian Ed
Thursday:
7:00 PM New Life AA (SR)
Saturday:
8:00-1:00 Madrigalia Meeting
Rev. Gregory J. Rupright, Pastor
Rev. Dr. John N. Cedarleaf, Pastor Emeritus
Beatrice Benedict, Organist
Payton Dziekan, Director of Music
Vicki Sherry, Administrative Assistant
Christian Copyright Licensing International #2320160
Phone: 585-223-0224; Website: fairportucc.org
Office email: vsherry.ucc@gmail.com
