Scripture for April: 4/4/21 Easter/Communion Sunday 7 AM Sunrise Outside Service (Weather Depend- Ent) BYOC – Bring Your Own Chair
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Scripture for April: 4/4/21 Easter/Communion Sunday 7 AM Sunrise Outside Service (weather depend- ent) BYOC – Bring your own chair. MASKS and physical distancing required – no communion 10 AM on Facebook Live and Zoom Isaiah 25:6-9, John 20:1-18 4/11/21 Second Sunday of Easter 1John 1:1-2:2, John 20:19-31 4/18/21 Third Sunday of Easter 1John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 4/25/21 Fourth Sunday of Easter Pastor Joyce is away. 1John 3:16-34, John 10:11-18 Center Congregational Church Tele: 860-647-9941 E-Mail: [email protected] United Church of Christ Fax: 860-649-6927 Visit us on our website: www.centerchurchucc.org Manchester, Connecticut Church Office Hours: Mon-Thurs., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. FROM OUR PASTOR The Center is a publication of Center Congregational Church Dear Friends, United Church of Christ 11 Center Street Manchester, CT 06040 Welcome to SPRING! We are people of the resurrection! We The Center is published monthly will rise again no matter how much we fall down – even when all (July & August combined) to seems lost. We are at the very beginning of the Easter Season – April keep members and friends in- 4th is Easter. We have made it through many challenges over the last formed of programs of the church and to report news about the faith year. We have spent the season of Lent reflecting on how God contin- community of Center Church. ues to heal and make beauty out of brokenness. We are God’s Holy Vessels! So in this season of resurrection may we continue to embrace whatever comes our way and may we dance through the Easter season with hope and light. God is calling us to embrace this beautiful life with open, vul- nerable hearts because that is where the awe and glory is located. Even though there is heartache and sorrow there is so much wonder and grace. Pondering this complex simplicity, I remember a song from Center Church Staff 2000 (yikes – that’s 21 years ago) that I think expresses this concept Rev. Joyce O. Crutchfield well. It is called “I Hope You Dance” (written by Mark D. Sanders Senior Pastor and Tia Sillers) sung by Lee Ann Womack. [email protected] Andrea Simmons I hope you never lose your sense of wonder, Director of Music You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger, [email protected] May you never take one single breath for granted, Denise Knox God forbid love ever leave you empty handed, Director of Faith Formation I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean, [email protected] Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens, Cheryl O. Knight Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance, Office/Finance Manager And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. [email protected] Brian Lettieri I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance, Property Manager Never settle for the path of least resistance, [email protected] Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin', Mikayla Oken Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin', Communications Specialist Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter, [email protected] When you come close to sellin' out reconsider, Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance, And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. I hope you dance. I hope you dance. Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along, If you need to reach Pastor Joyce in an Tell me who wants to look back on their years emergency, call And wonder where those years have gone. 860-948-0493 or email her at: center- [email protected] CONTINUE ON NEXT PAGE —-> After this past year of unforeseen challenges, losses, a pandemic, and all the social upheaval, I hope you dance. I hope you love. I hope you live each day to the fullest. Be kind. Be gentle. Be the glorious gift that God created you to be! With blessings and love, From Deacons: An Invitation In this Lenten season we have been using beach glass or river rocks to symbolize our brokenness. It is suggested that parishioners take a photo of these objects that you have been using for your worship. When we are able to join again in our church building bring the photos. We would make a collage out of all the photos for all to share. This sharing of photos can lead to the telling of our stories. How the pandemic affected each of our lives? What did you miss? How did you cope? Were you alone and lonely? Or working from home with family all around making life more chaotic.? Did you cook more? Or did you find yourself eating too much junk food? Did you find comfort in prayer? Or are you angry at God and not praying at all? We all have a story to tell all of them are important. We have been sorely tested beyond which most of us could have imagined a year ago. We can heal each other and open ourselves to new possibilities to becoming a healing hub for our community. Nourished by Faith, United in Diversity, Called to Mission Jesus didn’t turn people away; neither do we. The United Church of Christ: No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey … you’re welcome here. - Blessings - Happy Birthday to all our members with April birthdays! Jeffery Smith CONGRATULATIONS: Ryan Cronin Sarah Christiana Dean and Alex, Lily, Alexis, and Theo Karole Brown Kitchner-Ott Suzanne Valade welcomed baby girl Persephone to their States Wood family. Michael P. Balon John Lawler Laura Wood Judy Chader Debbie Parker Steven Petersen Doug Sanborn Kimberly Harrison Hillary Huttenhower Andrew Zownir Gratitude Grams - Thank you to the members of the Ad Hoc IT and Property Committees who have been working tire- lessly drilling and crawling in dark and dirty spaces to run wires throughout the church so we can con- tinue to offer livestream for those who are unable to attend physically even when we reopen. - Thank you to the Reopening Committee who have eagerly revised the protocols for reopening so when the time comes we are good to go. - As always thank you to all the essential workers who put themselves at risk to provide services for the rest of us. - Thank you to all who are caring for all us by wearing masks, physically distancing, washing their hands, and staying the course. Do you have a gratitude gram you’d like to share with the congregation? Or a life event you’d like to acknowledge in our Congratulations section? Please email : [email protected] Remembrances Condolences Please pray for the following folks who have said good-bye to loved ones who have transitioned home to God. CORRECTION: Ray Joyner’s sister Susan died, NOT Sharon. My apologies to Ray and his family. May this prayer, Time is in your hands, O Lord, from www.living-prayers.com bring you comfort. Time is in your hands, O Lord Love is yours, it bears your mark, You place the sun and moon. Your imprints everywhere. You turn the tides of ocean deep Each tender word I shared remains So you can hold me safe in grief, Love lives beyond our fleeting frame, You can hold me safe. It lives beyond our frame. Eternity is always there My precious one runs to your arms Around us everyday. I trust them to your care. From every seed that grows a tree You catch my tears and help me see, Creation sings of life redeemed, The hope of Heavens glorious light, In Christ we are redeemed. The hope of Heavens light. Rebuilding Together Volunteer Opportunities 2021 National Rebuilding Day Saturday, April 24, 2021 8 AM – 12 PM Outside Jobs Only! Cleaning up leaves/trash/weeds from around property (raking, leaf-blowing) Cleaning and organizing outdoor material yard (bricks, patio furniture, etc.) Painting decks Volunteer Crews Rebuilding Together is committed to providing a safe environment for all volunteers, Re- building Together Manchester will be implementing several new policies and practices based on guidance from OSHA, the National Association of Home Builders, Rebuilding Together National, and others. There will be a lim- it of 10 volunteers per site for the day. Center Church can send two teams of volunteers however we will be assigned to different locations. Social distancing will be enforced. There will be volunteer sign-up & check-in. Face coverings are required, and all safety PPE will be provided. Rebuilding Together will be providing snacks/lunch which will be individually wrapped for each group at the site. It will take time to adjust to the new ways of doing things! Everyone’s help and cooperation will be needed. Unfor- tunately, there will still be risks involved and there is no promise of a virus-free site. If you are interested in volun- teering, please, email [email protected] or call Birdi at 860-742-9543. Center Congregational Church Happenings 2019 – 2020 Annual Report Available If you did not receive the 2019-20 Annual Report via email and would like to have a paper copy, they are now available at the church office. Please, call the church office 860-647-9941 before you come in to pick up your copy. If you need a copy mailed to you, call the church office. This Annual Report will be voted on at the next Annual Meeting, when it is safe to have one! There is still time to get your pledge card in for the Church fiscal year starting July 1st! Cut out the pledge card down below, fill it out, and send it to the church! Faith Formation News for April 2021 Newsletter Spring is here with longer days and warmer temperatures! Make sure to find some time to get outside and enjoy the wonderful beauty that God has created for us! Faith Formation continues to provide faith education for the members of our church family.