Pastor's Note
Dear Friends and Members of our First Congregational Church,
It’s a bit of an odd Lent this year. Because of an early Easter, Ash Wednesday fell on Valentine’s Day. That certainly doesn’t happen often. To many, the pairing seemed disjointed. Lent, with its typical focus on repentance, reflection, and going without, just doesn’t go with a festive day of chocolate, dates, and flowers. Yet the focus on Love is a perfect one for Lent. Lent is all about upping our game of love, specifically
in the way we show our love for God and neighbor.
This Lent, we are again encouraging prayers of thanksgiving and a small offering with mealtime. Lenten Banks have been taken home by many and we continue to have them available in the back of the sanctuary. The hope is that when you sit down to eat, you’ll take the time to offer a prayer of thanksgiving and drop a coin or more into the bank which is certainly small enough to sit on your table. The offering will be collected the Sunday following Easter and will be used to support local hunger-action ministries, including our soup kitchen and local pantries. It’s a great and easy way to show your love for both God and neighbor.
To help boost your spiritual life and your love for God, the Riverhead Clergy Council is again offering midweek prayers services in area churches of our membership. There is a different preacher each week and so the services afford the opportunity to hear a variety of ministers who bring their unique reads on the challenges and gifts of Lent. Each service is at 7:00pm and usually runs well short of an hour. Because Holy Week arrives at the end of March this year, there are only a few left:
March 6, Old Steeple (Rev. Phil Hardt preaching)
March 13, Salvation Army (Rev. Mary Cooper)
March 20, Old Steeple (Lt. Esther Togara)
Lent concludes with Palm Sunday and Holy Week filled with more opportunities to let your love shine. As we did last year, this Palm Sunday we’ll be handing out palms early in the service in front of the church. Then we get to follow a team of donkeys and a fine disciple, with joyful shouts and song, to the main rear door and
process into the sanctuary for our regular Sunday service. Bring a friend or two. It’s sure to be fun.
On Maundy Thursday, we’ll gather at Old Steeple Church in Aquebogue for a combined UCC service with their congregation and that of Baiting Hollow Congregational Church. Then on Good Friday, we’ll gather for a solemn service at Baiting Hollow, again with our three UCC congregations. (Those services are also at 7:00 pm.)
Come Easter morning, we’ll begin with an early service at 7:00 am in Grangebel Park at which communion will be offered. At 10:00 am, we’ll gather in our sanctuary for our joyful celebration of the Resurrection, complete with lots of great music. Plans include a flowering cross and a “Breads of the World” coffee hour.
As the Easter Season is one in which we celebrate the joy of new life through the grace and power of Jesus, the hope is that we’ll see the reception of the newest family regularly at worship – the Howards -- into our church on our Bright Sunday.
And the continued hope and prayer is that you find this season of Lent and the coming Easter season particularly Lovely – as in love-filled – and that you sense the love of God filling your heart even as you do what you can to bring some love to others.
Be blessed by God. Sure hope to see you in church.
- Pastor Sean
Worship and Bible Study
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Trustee's Report: Jime Wooten
Our thanks to the various chairpersons of our committees, church officers, and volunteers who are seeing to the ministries and care of our church. As you read on, you’ll note that we’re in good shape and continuing well as we get ready to celebrate Resurrection Day together.
Buildings and Grounds Report: Allan Repp
As the snow begins to melt, it is time to prepare our gardens for Spring. Lime was applied and some raking has been completed. If you have a “green thumb” and would like to help Allan with the gardening, please speak to him. James Wooten has agreed to step up as the trustee member for buildings and grounds and recently
shoveled the snow and completed some odd jobs for the church. Thanks, James.
There are several repair projects we hope to have completed in the near future. The steps to the church office are going to be replaced and a gutter installed above to prevent slippery conditions. In addition, we are getting estimates to have siding installed on the parsonage. The shingles are over 70 years old and need to be replaced. Some exterior work on the church steeple will also be completed.
If you notice any needed repairs either inside or outside of the church, please let the Pastor, James, or Allan
PR and Evangelism: Sandy Gruner
There are several examples of evangelism in our midst. While our very lives are examples of evangelism, we have some special opportunities during Lent. You may have noticed the cross draped in a purple sash in the sanctuary. Each week during Lent it is moved closer to the altar. On Easter morning it will be in front of the
altar, the purple sash being replaced by white and decorated with fresh flowers, representing rebirth and resurrection. During Lent, any reminder to draw closer to God is important and should be mentioned.
On Palm Sunday, March 24th, the donkeys will be back before church, to recreate Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It would be a good day to bring a friend to church, to share in that joyful celebration. While the Lenten banks are a mission project, it is another opportunity to give, as a concrete expression of evangelism. Our Lenten journey is made more meaningful, by more time spent in prayer, giving and sharing.
Music/Worship: Melinda Topping
Our church is blessed to have two wonderful musicians who use their gifts to bring beautiful sounds to our Sunday worship. Unfortunately, George Moravak seriously injured his shoulder last fall and surgery was necessary to repair the injury. George had to take a leave from playing for us in January. Marguerite Volontzvolunteered to step in and she has worked hard over these last two months to both direct the choir and providemusic on both the piano and organ. But the first Sunday in March brought very good news. George returned to church to play the organ and
Marguerite led the choir. It was so nice to see both of them working together, and we can look forward toGeorge being back with us each week as he continues to heal.
Our next big worship events are those of Holy Week. Please see Pastor’s article for details. Both worshipservices and Bible Study is available via Zoom.
Other music news, Jamesport Meeting House Chorus is planning a spring concert in May. Our choir is wellrepresented in the chorus and Marguerite Volontz is again directing the group with Jeff Wentz at thepiano. The program is a blend of some new pieces along with familiar music to enjoy.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
he members of the prayer shawl ministry continue to Zoom every Monday evening knitting and crocheting blankets from their homes. The shawls are displayed in the Sanctuary and are available for giving to any person in need of comfort and prayer. Everyone is welcome to join us on Zoom or you can knit or crochet from your
home at your leisure. If you are interested in joining us, please call Marion Maino at 631-765-2237.
Pastoral Relations: Sandy Gruner
We will be meeting at the beginning of April. If you have any concerns, issues, compliments, please let one of the Committee members know . We would be happy to discuss it at our meeting. Committee members are Dee Martin, Gloria Foley, Jane Joerchel and Sandy Gruner. It is very important to utilize this Committee, to avoid
issues becoming problems. The Committee serves as a forum for what is right here at church (Things you like or enjoy and would like to see more of.), as well as a place to voice concerns. - Sandy Gruner
Bread and More Soup Kitchen:Jane Kulesa
Bread and More Kitchen continues to serve guests hot dinners on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 6:00. All meals continue to be take-out with no guests entering the building. This winter the number of guests has been ranging from the 70s into the 90s. Each night has a group of five or six volunteers who cook the dinner, prep everything for take-out, serve and clean up. Volunteers are always welcome. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches continue to be provided twice each month by St. Mark’s Church in Shoreham. Beach Bakery of Westhampton supplies assorted desserts and the Riverhead Stop and Shop donated assorted breads and baked goods. With the arrival of cold weather, warm clothing (sweatshirts, jackets,sweaters, hats, and scarves) has been distributed. The clothing is much appreciated by those in need. Financial support continues to come from many sources…grants, local churches, and service organizations. Many individuals
and families are regular donors and continue to support the mission of Bread and More Kitchen.
Ladies Night Out: Janet Sanford
After a brief winter hiatus, our group joined together on February 29th for a time of fun and fellowship. Because of the Lenten services during Holy week, we will no be meeting in March, but will resume again on Thursday, April 25th. All are welcome to join us at the Pulaski Street Grill at 5:30PM on the last Thursday of each month. If you’d like more information, please contact me in church or by phone.
Home 631 591-1063 Cell 516 507-7897
-Janet Sanford
Alley at Thrift Store: Shirley Bergman and Nancy Repp
The Alley Cat Thrift Store is up and running three half days per week. The thrift shop is the Church’s major source of fundraising. Many thanks to the many volunteers who regularly show up to sort, price and display the donated clothes and items. Additional help is always needed (especially on Saturdays 9AM – 1PM). You are welcome to come for an hour or whatever amount of time you want. If you have questions please speak to Shirley, Nancy, Jane, Dee, Barbara, LuAnn, Janet, Melinda, Carol or Marguerite who regularly help.
For those of you who are not familiar with our shop, very little goes in the garbage. Unsellable blankets and towels are given to the animal shelter, shoes to “Soles for Souls”(over 200 pairs were donated last year), clothes that do not sell are sent to “Big Brother, Big Sister”, sewing supplies to “Quilts for Kids” and our customer’s favorite “free box” of various items. In addtion, we budget $2500.00 each year to be donated to local charities.
Donations of clothes and small household items are always welcome when the shop is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays 10AM – 2PM and Saturdays 9AM – 1PM.
Christian Education: Sandy Gruner
We are delighted that Violet and Ruby Howard come to Sunday School every week. They are happy and engaged as Jane Kulesa and Sandy Gruner co-teach a unit on prayer. Prayer was explained as talking to God and listening to Him talk to you. We have begun a unit on Lent and are preparing for Holy Week. Each lesson has its basis in prayer and is accompanied by a craft. We have made cross necklaces and felt purses to further explain the poor widow and her contribution of all she had. Our next lesson deals with the legend of the pretzel and its relationship to Lent. We are looking forward to the donkeys' visit on Palm Sunday. It is wonderful that Pastor Sean can once again give a children's message. If anyone would like to teach a lesson, please see Jane or
Sandy. Adult Bible Study continues on Fridays from 10:00AM-11:00AM.
We are studying Psalms, a beautiful study during Lent. If you cannot make it in person, you can Zoom in.Our Adult Bible Study continues to meet in the Fellowship Hall each Friday morning at 10:00. We are currently being enriched by a wonderful study of the Psalms. Join us in person or on Zoom.
Fellowship/Social: Barbara Parsons
Coffee hour has been very well attended since the first of the year we have had a lot of sweet and savory foods brought in by a lot of different church members and I want to thank all of them for signing up for coffee hour. We’re hoping such will continue. Also, we have decided that on the Sunday of our joint meetings we will not have coffee hour as it is not fair to everyone who stays to share coffee hour and the members of the boards not able to hear what is being said at our meeting. We only know 1 month in advance as to what Sunday our meetings will be so I will inform anyone who may have signed up for coffee hour on that Sunday that we will make the necessary changes. I hope this does not detour anyone from signing up to host.
Our Souper Bowl Sunday was a big success again this year. Thanks go out to all who brought soups and desserts in and to all who participated.
We will be having our Easter breads again this year in honor of Alice Summerville. It was her original idea all those years ago. I will have a sign-up sheet on the kitchen door by next Sunday, March 10th.
Missions/Benevolence s: Shirley Bergman and Nancy Repp
During Lent, we are asked to focus more intently on “almsgiving”, which means donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity. Lenten Banks have been distributed in church and will be collected on Easter Sunday. If you need a bank, please speak to the Pastor. Checks made out to the church (with a memo Lenten Bank) are also welcome. The money collected will support our “Prevent Hunger
Mission”.
Money collected at our “Souper Bowl” luncheon as well as on Ash Wednesday was donated to our Bread and More Soup Kitchen. The canned soup collected on “Souper Bowl” Sunday was given to St. John’s Church food pantry.
- Shirley Bergman & Nancy Repp
Visitation: Janet Sanford
Our visitation committee has been functioning mostly without personal face-to-face home visits. During COVID restrictions it was a necessity, but now, for a variety of reasons, our visits are mainly via phone or note cards. If you or someone you know in our church family would like a visit or contact please be sure to let us know in the church office. Many of us are feeling the effects of being indoors all winter long, and a quick little “Thinking of you” phone call or card really helps. A reminder – the beautiful prayer shawls made by our own prayer ministry ladies are available for anyone you may know in need of the special comfort they provide.
- Janet Sandford
New Member
New member Jeanne Vecchio joined the First Congregational Church of Riverhead several months ago after leaving the Catholic Church. She had been talking with member Melinda Topping at rehearsals for the Jamesport Meeting House Choir and she joined the choir at First Congregational soon afterward.Jeanne is a mental health therapist working from home after serving with several agencies over the years and
with a psychiatrist in her office.
Jeanne has been married for 46 years. She and her husband met during college working at the same store. He is a retired director of purchasing for the Suffolk County Water Authority.
They have two grown daughters, two grandchildren and live in Baiting Hollow.
Jeanne has felt the welcome from the entire church community with its liberal, inclusive message.
- Anne Stevens
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