NEWS IN THE PEWS
November 17, 2024
EPISTLE DEADLINE: The deadline for the next Epistle Newsletter is this Thursday, November 21.
THIRD SUNDAY/SECOND MILE OFFERING: Today is the 3rd Sunday of the month. The “Third Sunday-Second Mile Offering” supports the work of the Board of Missions. If you wish to contribute to this offering please write a check payable to First Congregational UCC and write “Second Mile” on the memo line of your check.
DECORATING THE SANCTUARY: We will be decorating the sanctuary on Saturday, November 30th, at 10 AM. We encourage any and all to participate. Not only does robust participation enhance the fellowship of the occasion, but it also makes the decorating proceed more quickly. Hope to see many of you there.
THE PASTORAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE meets today at 10:45 in the Snow Room. The PRC 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, Karl Cedarleaf, Ava Grace Cedarleaf, Pastor Greg Rupright, or Barb Roscoe.
THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION DINNER will be on Saturday, December 7th at the Monroe Golf Club, 155 Golf Avenue, Pittsford. Cocktail hour starts from 5:00 P.M. with Dinner at 6:00 P.M. Dress code does not permit denim or tee shirts. The cost is $29.00 per person. This 200th Anniversary Celebration Dinner is in lieu of our Annual Advent Dinner. Please sign up on the rolling bulletin board in Fellowship Hall or email Vicki Sherry at vsherry.ucc@gmail.com. The deadline for reservations is Sunday, November 24th.
HILLSIDE SPECIAL SANTA: Remember to choose an ornament off the Hillside Special Santa Christmas tree. Each ornament has the name of a child and his or her gift wish. Return your gift no later than Dec 8.
OUR OPEN & AFFIRMING STATEMENT will be voted on by ballot at the Annual Business Meeting on Sunday, December 8th. All are welcome! Copies of our church’s ONA Statement are available on the lectern in the Fellowship Hall as well as The Epistle.
AKOMA CONCERT: As part of our 200th Anniversary Celebration, there will be a concert on Saturday, November 23rd at 4:00 P.M. in our sanctuary featuring Akoma: Rochester’s premier African American Women’s Gospel Choir. This concert is free. Church members are encouraged to attend and invite friends and neighbors.
SAVE THE DATE: Madrigalia Holiday Concert on Sunday, December 8th, at 3:00.
ADVENT WORKSHOP: All are welcome to attend an afternoon of crafts and fellowship on Sunday, December 15 starting at 2:30. An example of each of the three easy crafts are on display in the Fellowship Hall along with the sign-up sheet. Please sign up by Sunday, November 30th, or call Michele Bowersox at 734-330-4787.
CHRISTMAS FOOD BASKETS: Our Christmas Food Baskets are in the form of Aldi gift cards due to people’s food allergies and food preferences. The Board of Missions will be collecting money during coffee hour through Dec. 8th. We are providing gift cards to 4 families this year. Checks may be made out to First Congregational UCC with Christmas Food Basket on the memo line.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD: The Youth will be supporting the OCC Shoebox campaign this year. Donations should include a Wow item, Personal Care item; Clothing and Accessories; Crafts and Activities; Toys and a Personal Note. Items to EXCLUDE: candy; toothpaste; gum; used or damaged items; scary or war-related items (toy guns, knives, or military figures); chocolate or food; seeds; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans. Item collection will be from November 3-24. All Donations due no later than Nov 24.
BAKE SALE FOR OCC: Please support our Youth Baked Goods fundraiser today to cover shipping charges for the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes ($10/box). Donations to cover shipping charges or purchase additional items for the boxes are also welcome and can be mailed to the church with notation “OCC” on the check
PERINTON CONGREGATIONS FOR GREATER ROCHESTER HABITAT FOR HUMANITY is looking for volunteers to help finish construction of its house at 207 Melville St. In Rochester. If you would like to help, look for the display on the wall behind the Coffee Hour tables. Choose a date(s) from the lists and print your name and phone number. Call Frank Stein at 704-4510. He will forward your information to the work coordinator. Thank you for your interest in this important work. The Board of Missions and Outreach.
KNITTING CIRCLE meets at 1:00 every Monday except the last Monday of the month. You can knit or crochet if you have that skill or learn something new knitting a hat on a circular loom. New this year is knitting a scarf on a long loom. Come join the fun and fellowship. All are welcome. We donate many of our hats to various charitable organizations. Questions: contact Irene Utter at iutter@rochester.rr.com or call 585-425-7408.
FIRST CHURCH BOOK CLUB 2024-2025 will meet at 1:00 on Monday, November 25, to discuss The Women by Kristin Hannah. Please join us. Any questions contact Irene Utter at 585-425-7408 or iutter@rochester.rr.com.
SAVE THE POP TABS to help the Rochester Ronald McDonald House. Place them in the plastic 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 Denise DeSantis Penwright for keeping the steeple lights burning bright through November in memory of Frank and Rosemary DeSantis.
THIS WEEK IN THE CHURCH
Monday:
1:00 PM Knitting Club
5:30 PM AKOMA Rehearsal
Tuesday:
7:00 PM Church Council
Wednesday:
7:00 PM Boy Scout Committee (SR)
Thursday:
7:00 PM New Life AA
Epistle Deadline
Saturday:
4:00 PM Akoma Concert
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
