NEWS IN THE PEWS
March 15, 2026
EPISTLE DEADLINE: The deadline for the next Epistle Newsletter is this Thursday, March 19th
READERS ARE NEEDED for our 7:00 P.M. Maundy Thursday Communion and Tenebrae Service on April 2nd. Please sign-up using the purple Maundy Thursday Readers’ Sign-Up List posted on the rolling board in the Fellowship Hall and pick up your reading from the lectern in the Fellowship Hall. Thank you.
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. Anyone wishing to contribute to this special offering may write a check payable to First Congregational UCC and write “Second Mile” on the memo line of your check. You can place your donation in the collection basket or mail it to the church.
THE ADVENT HOUSE OF PERINTON – NURSE NEEDED: The Advent House, a two-bedroom comfort care home in Perinton serving individuals in their final stage of life, is seeking a compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to assist our care team. This on-call position supports our dedicated volunteers during evening and overnight hours (Monday–Friday, 4:00 PM – 8:00 AM). Responsibilities include being available for volunteer questions, guidance, and stepping in to cover any open volunteer shifts, if needed. The Advent House provides loving, dignified care to residents and their families and operates largely through the support of volunteers and community members. If you or someone you know may be interested, please contact us at: directors@theadventhouse.org Learn more about Advent House at www.theadventhouse.org
200 ANNIVERSARY DOCUMENT: Jean Whitney has authored a 200th Anniversary document of the Nine Founders of the First Congregational Church. It is the same material as her 2025 Epistle articles, with a few corrections, a longer introduction and larger maps and pictures. It is 21 pages and in color. If you would like a copy, ask Vicki and she will email you a pdf copy of the whole document. The Church will have a hard copy as will the Fairport Museum. Jean thanks you for your support and patience as she continued to work on this.
HAT & GLOVE DRIVE: Hello Everyone! If you would be interested in donating hats or gloves to support the Macedon Food Pantry please buy new or bring in gently worn items! These donations will greatly support the community and we appreciate your generosity! There will be a QR code, that links to Amazon, posted in Fellowship Hall if that is an easier option. ~ Ava Grace Cedarleaf
LENTEN DISCUSSION GROUP meets today at 11:15 in the Snow Room. We generally meet on Sundays at 11:15 A.M. & Wednesdays at 10:30 A.M. unless otherwise announced. We are reading and discussing Meeting Jesus at the Table: A Lenten Study by Cynthia M. Campbell & Christine Coy Fohr. The cost of the book is $9.27. Please make a check out to First Congregational UCC and write Lenten Book on the memo line.
EASTER EGG HUNT: First Congregational UCC will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 28 from 10-11. Youth from ages 4-14 are invited to come hunt for eggs which will be filled with toys, candy, & cash.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED to fill plastic Easter Eggs with jelly beans and bunny bucks strips on March 19th from 10:30 A.M. to 12 Noon. If you are able to volunteer, please sign-up using the Easter Egg Filling Project posted on the rolling board in our Fellowship Hall. Thank you.
SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE BED BUILD: The Board of Family Ministries and Christian Ed committees will be partnering with 2 other churches to sponsor a Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed build at our church on Saturday April 25 from 9-12. Last year we built over 30 beds for local children in need. Due to the expense of this event, the youth will raise funds through donations from their Bag Lunch fundraiser on March 22 and Baked Goods Sale on April 19. Contributions can also be made online through the Fairport UCC website. As we are joining with two other congregations this year, our volunteer pool will be limited to 15 individuals. Preference will be given to church members / youth ahead of non-church members. sign up at: https://bit.ly/FairportUCCbuild
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.
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 Monday, March 30, at 1:00 p.m. to discuss Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. 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 Cathy and Dennis Dudley for lighting the steeple through the month of March in memory of Dot and Dick Dudley
THIS WEEK IN THE CHURCH
Sunday:
11:15 AM Lenten Discussion
Monday:
1:00 PM Knitting Club
Tuesday:
7:00 PM Church Council
Wednesday:
7:00 PM Boy Scout Committee (SR)
Thursday:
7:00 PM New Life AA (SR)
Epistle Deadline
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
