First Congregational Church of Pittsfield

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HAPPENING THIS WEEK
February 19 to 25

Tuesday, February 21

Christian Believer class;
7pm in the Pilgrim Room

Wednesday, February 22

Dorcas Work Meeting;
10am to 2pm in the Vestry

Chancel Choir Rehearsal;
6pm in the Sanctuary

JuBellation Rehearsal;
6:30pm in the Sanctuary

Ash Wednesday worship Service
7pm in the Sanctuary
Thursday, February 23

No Chancel Choir rehearsal

JuBellation rehearsal;
7:45pm in the Vestry

COMING UP

Thursday, April 5
Maundy Thursday service, 7pm

Sunday, April 8
Easter service

STEWARDSHIP
Our 2012 Stewardship Letter
and Pledge Card

Many thanks for your generosity in replenishing our coffee supply! We have enough now and for the immediate future.

DORCAS GUILD

The Dorcas Guild's service project is back and "OFF HOLD."

As before, we are looking for new or gently used warm clothing — especially coats, shoes, boots, blankets, etc., iin any sizes for our refugee families and needy in the area.

The project will continue throughout the winter months. Consider shopping at local thrift shops, such as The Clothes Closet in Pittsfield, Barnstead Thrift Shop or Out of Your Attic in Chichester, where your gift is doubled. Place any donations at the bottom of the coat rack in the Vestry.

For more information, contact Nella Hobson or Elaine Coffey.

The Dorcas Guild work group meets every Wednesday from 10am to 2pm in the Vestry.

Books for Sale.

	On the Vestry book case there is now a shelf with books for sale for $1.00 each.
	The proceeds from the book sales will be donated to the Pittsfield Food Pantry.

If you would like to donate any books, they would be greatly appreciated and would be a benefit to a very worthy cause. Thank you.

Fellowship Buttons.

If you would like to have a "Fellowship Button" with your name on it, please complete a form with your name as you would like it to appear.

The forms are located on the rack holding the buttons in the Vestry.

Snow Alerts.

Snow, snow, snow

In the event of snow or inclement weather, and you are wondering if worship or other activities will be cancelled, tune in to WMUR or check this page of your church website. Weather-related changes will be posted at the top of this Announcements page.

Volunteer Opportunity: Adult Tutors

Make the coming year memorable for you and for another person from our community! Become a volunteer tutor with the Merrimack County Adult Learner Services Tutorial Program at Second Start and help another adult learn to read or learn to understand English. Training, materials and ongoing support are provided to all tutors and their students.
A three-part training session will be held on Tuesday evenings, January 17, 24, and 31 from 6-9pm at Second Start in Concord. For more information, please call Susan at 228-1341, ext. 4210.

2012 TRIP TO CANADA

Please join us for our next exciting excursion – from Sept 10-14, 2012, we will explore Montreal and Quebec City, Canada. Our Diamond Tours bus trip will last 5 days and 4 nights and will depart from Pittsfield and from Northwood.

We will have a guided tour of Montreal and Quebec City. We will visit Notre Dame Basilica, Montmorency Falls, St. Anne De Beaupre Shrine, and Olympic Park. Four breakfasts and four dinners are included.

The price is $569 per person, double occupancy. A $75 deposit is due upon signing. A valid passport or a U.S. passport card is required for this trip. Please come along and enjoy the fun.

FFor information or to sign up, contact Father John Loughnane at Our Lady of Lourdes, Pittsfield.

Altar Flowers

If you would like to have flowers placed on the altar in honor or memory of someone, please contact Ruth Strickhart or Nancy White.

Flowers A double bouquet will cost between $35 and $40. If you wish to purchase your own flowers, you may do so but please notify the committee in advance so they can plan accordingly.

During the summer months you may contribute flowers from your own garden which will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your support and cooperation.

Volunteers Needed

The Pittsfield Food Pantry is in need of volunteers to serve on Mondays and Thursdays from 11am until 2pm.

The work, filling out forms for the patrons ordering food, filling orders, helping to fill shelves, etc., is not difficult or strenuous and is personally rewarding and fulfilling. If you would like to volunteer for one or both days, please contact Ruth Strickhart in person.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH PLAYERS: Do you have a penchant or gift for acting? Well if you do, now is your chance to become part of the FCC players. God’s message of love and grace can be shared in many ways, i.e., song, word, dance and, yes, acting. In the months ahead, depending on having interested persons, the FCC players will organize and present occasional skits during worship that will have a specific spiritual message. If you would like to be a part of this worship ministry please speak to Margie Lank or Rev. Dave. This will not only be fun ministry but it will speak the message of God’s love in a meaningful way.

If you are interested in hosting the fellowship time for an upcoming Sunday you may add your name to the schedule posted by the kitchen door. If you cannot be a host, would you please consider baking or buying food items that others can share? Thank you so much!

If you would like to be a member of a prayer team that meets once a week to pray for members of our church and community, as well as our State and Nation, please let the minister know.

If you would like to become a member of First Congregational Church, please talk to Pastor Dave at your convenience to learn how.

PENNIES FROM HEAVEN
The Pennies from Heaven collection is going towards our goal of $500.00 for the Pittsfield Baseball Field renovation fund.

Thank you so much for your generous support.

Jam Today is our theme for giving to our local Pittsfield food pantry.

Your contributions can be placed in the wooden box in the vestry. Currently jelly and tomato products are needed.

Thank you so much for your continued support of the Pantry.