Programs Youth Programs Adult Programs 2007 Calendar |
Excerpts From December Focus
First Baptist Church of West Hartford
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| Dedicated to bringing Christian Faith and Life together through Worship, Outreach, Education and a Caring Community |
| First Baptist Church of West Hartford 90 North Main Street West Hartford CT 06107 |
Pastor Carr has written
some of the fruit of his four
month, 2007-2008 sabbatical
as pastor of the First Baptist
Church of West Hartford,
Connecticut. They come
from his twenty-plus year
involvement in issues related
to religion and the
environment as well as his
interest in studying the
interaction between
spirituality and modern
science. Please click on the
link below to view the essays:
Pastor Carr's Sabbatical
Essays
150th Anniversary Booklet
The 150 year history of our church, the last 50 years
written by Dick Pierce, is now available. Copies, one per
family were distributed at Church Services last month. If
you have not received your copy you may obtain one
from the Church Office. If you would like more than one
copy give your name and the number of additional
copies you would like to the person who gives you the
booklet.
Additional copies will be distributed based on the
remaining supply.
Your First Baptist Memories
As part of the 150th anniversary Celebration the
Historical Committee is asking members and friends to
contribute some of their favorite First Baptist Memories
to an Album of Memories that will be kept in our church
library. A description of the project, and how you can
participate is available on the Church website on the
index page.
Since we would like to use the computer for this project
using the form on the church website is encouraged.
Copies are also in the narthex.
The 150 year history of our church, the last 50 years
written by Dick Pierce, is now available. Copies, one per
family were distributed at Church Services last month. If
you have not received your copy you may obtain one
from the Church Office. If you would like more than one
copy give your name and the number of additional
copies you would like to the person who gives you the
booklet.
Additional copies will be distributed based on the
remaining supply.
Your First Baptist Memories
As part of the 150th anniversary Celebration the
Historical Committee is asking members and friends to
contribute some of their favorite First Baptist Memories
to an Album of Memories that will be kept in our church
library. A description of the project, and how you can
participate is available on the Church website on the
index page.
Since we would like to use the computer for this project
using the form on the church website is encouraged.
Copies are also in the narthex.
| MISSION WORK TOURS LaRomana, Dominican Republic April 18-25 and April 25- May 2, 2009 Cost - $1,375 per person Contact David Roones for information and an application |
During the Advent and Christmas seasons, there are many special events,
activities and ministries designed to help you focus on the meaning of the
coming of Christ into the world. Keep the following in a special place in
your home as you decide which or all of these events you will be able to
participate in. And please remember those who have so little during this
time and all times. Bring your non-perishable food items with you to
worship on the first Sunday of the month and warm clothes any time.
November 30th – The First Sunday of Advent.
We light the first candle on the Advent wreathe, the candle of Hope.
Following worship during the Sunday School hour at 11:00, children,
youth, parents and grandparents are invited to welcome in the Advent
season by being involved in activities and projects to help families focus
on the meaning of the season. Lunch will be served.
Saturday, December 6th – The Hanging of the Greens. 5:00 pm.
This annual event is for all ages. An informal supper is provided and we
decorate the church, make holiday crafts for children and others, and
“Follow the Star” to the manger. This is an all-church event. Invite your
friends, family, neighbors, co-workers. Please RSVP to the church office –
521-9460.
December 7th – The Second Sunday of Advent.
It is Communion Sunday and we light the second candle on the Advent
wreathe, the candle of Peace.
Saturday, December 13th. Youth Christmas Cookie Bake.
Order your Christmas Cookies from the youth of First Baptist and support
their ministry and mission projects. An order form is in the Focus and in
the weekly worship bulletin. You may pick up the cookies on Sunday,
December 14th following worship.
December 14th – The Third Sunday of Advent, White Gift Sunday.
Bring a gift for those who otherwise may not receive any Christmas gifts
this year through our ministry with Covenant to Care. Requests for gifts
can be found in the Fellowship Hall. We light the candle of Joy.
Thursday, December 18th – A Quiet Christmas Service.
This annual worship experience is held twice on this day in the Chapel, at
Noon and 7:00 pm. We celebrate the coming of Christ in a quiet way with
candles lit, soft carols sung, the Christmas story read, and times for prayer
and reflection. This has been especially helpful for those who have
experienced loss in the last few years.
December 21st – The Fourth Sunday of Advent. We light the candle of
Love on this Sunday before Christmas. Following worship, you are invited
to join singing Christmas carols to some of the shut-in members of our
congregation.
December 24th – Christmas Eve.
There are two services when we light the Christ candle and celebrate
Jesus’ birth.
Family Christmas Eve – 4:30 pm.
This 45 minute service is designed for younger children, families and
anyone who would like to be involved in a more participatory service.
Candlelight Christmas Eve – 7:00 pm.
Our traditional Christmas Eve service of lighting the Christ candle, carols,
Chancel Choir anthems and solos, hearing the Christmas story, and
passing the Light as we sing “Silent Night.”
Christmas Open House at the Carr Home, 10 Hawthorne Road.
You are invited to join in a time of food and fellowship between the two
services beginning around 5:00 pm.
December 28th – The First Sunday of Christmas.
Following worship, join the whole community for a time of games and
sharing Christmas traditions that are unique to your family and/or culture.
Tuesday December 30th –
Youth Group Christmas/New Year Party – 7:00 pm.
This is for all youth 6th through 12th grade of First Baptist Church.
Saturday December 6, 5pm
Come “deck the halls” together
Come “follow the star”
Come make holiday crafts
Come by yourself or
Come with friends
This is an all-church event for all ages
Dinner provided
Come “deck the halls” together
Come “follow the star”
Come make holiday crafts
Come by yourself or
Come with friends
This is an all-church event for all ages
Dinner provided
Monday, December, 1st at 6:30 pm
in Fellowship Hall for a delicious pot
luck.
Bring your Thanksgiving left overs!
Then, at 7:00, we will welcome Kate
Kelly, Manager of the Reaching Home
Campaign, who will describe
supportive housing, an effective and
innovative strategy being used to end
long term homelessnes in CT.
Event is cosponsored by First Baptist
Reaching Home is staffed by the
Partnership for Strong
Communities,the policy arm of the
Melville Charitable Trust.
in Fellowship Hall for a delicious pot
luck.
Bring your Thanksgiving left overs!
Then, at 7:00, we will welcome Kate
Kelly, Manager of the Reaching Home
Campaign, who will describe
supportive housing, an effective and
innovative strategy being used to end
long term homelessnes in CT.
Event is cosponsored by First Baptist
Reaching Home is staffed by the
Partnership for Strong
Communities,the policy arm of the
Melville Charitable Trust.
The Warm Tree
The WARM TREE is a decoration to
help warm your neighbor. All are
invited to put hats, scarves, mittens,
gloves, or other warm items on the
Warm Tree during December.
Donations will be sent to Shiloh Baptist
Church in Hartford for distribution to
those in need.
The WARM TREE is a decoration to
help warm your neighbor. All are
invited to put hats, scarves, mittens,
gloves, or other warm items on the
Warm Tree during December.
Donations will be sent to Shiloh Baptist
Church in Hartford for distribution to
those in need.
HOLIDAY LUNCH BUNCH
THURSDAY, DEC 11 11:30 in the KITCHEN
Just a holiday get-together! No projects. Nothing educational.
Just relax and enjoy….
Back by popular request: the Yankee Gift Swap. Everyone gets
a number and #1 opens a gift. Number two opens a gift and
decides if she wants hers or #1’s gift. And so it goes: everyone
chooses between her gift and all the gifts already opened.
Poor #1, who had no choice, gets the last word. She then
chooses from all the gifts! Word is that the gifts travel a lot….
Bring a small wrapped gift under $5. No need for a trip to the
mall. Holiday goodies from the supermarket are great. Or
make or bake at home, or make a gift certificate for future
goodies. Easy as pie!
Hostesses are Fay Trowbridge and Jean Denton. First-timers
don’t have to bring a dish. It’s very informal and everyone is
invited!
THURSDAY, DEC 11 11:30 in the KITCHEN
Just a holiday get-together! No projects. Nothing educational.
Just relax and enjoy….
Back by popular request: the Yankee Gift Swap. Everyone gets
a number and #1 opens a gift. Number two opens a gift and
decides if she wants hers or #1’s gift. And so it goes: everyone
chooses between her gift and all the gifts already opened.
Poor #1, who had no choice, gets the last word. She then
chooses from all the gifts! Word is that the gifts travel a lot….
Bring a small wrapped gift under $5. No need for a trip to the
mall. Holiday goodies from the supermarket are great. Or
make or bake at home, or make a gift certificate for future
goodies. Easy as pie!
Hostesses are Fay Trowbridge and Jean Denton. First-timers
don’t have to bring a dish. It’s very informal and everyone is
invited!
Wouldn’t warm feet be nice if you were homeless?
If you were on the street or in a shelter on a cold night?
Or even a cold apartment? Especially if you were a kid?
Let’s provide warm socks for as many folks as we can: men,
women and children. The BIG SOCK BASKET will be in
Fellowship Hall on Sundays and in or near the office during the
week. Whenever you come to church in December try to bring
a pair of new socks. Our White Cross request is for 100 pairs
for South Providence Neighborhood Ministries (Jean Denton)
and as many pairs as we can for Shiloh’s homeless outreach
(Edie Castagno).
Make it a family project. Especially when you come to the
Christmas service, ask “Has everyone got their socks for the
Big Sock Basket?” Say to the kids “You’d do it for baby Jesus
and you know what Jesus said when he grew up: When you do
it for one of the least of these, you do it for me.”
If you were on the street or in a shelter on a cold night?
Or even a cold apartment? Especially if you were a kid?
Let’s provide warm socks for as many folks as we can: men,
women and children. The BIG SOCK BASKET will be in
Fellowship Hall on Sundays and in or near the office during the
week. Whenever you come to church in December try to bring
a pair of new socks. Our White Cross request is for 100 pairs
for South Providence Neighborhood Ministries (Jean Denton)
and as many pairs as we can for Shiloh’s homeless outreach
(Edie Castagno).
Make it a family project. Especially when you come to the
Christmas service, ask “Has everyone got their socks for the
Big Sock Basket?” Say to the kids “You’d do it for baby Jesus
and you know what Jesus said when he grew up: When you do
it for one of the least of these, you do it for me.”