Sunday at First Church: January 29 ~ Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Come Worship
in the Warmth
of the Parish Hall

First Church of Christ,
Congregational (UCC)
190 Court St.
Middletown, CT


During the coldest months of the year, we worship in our Parish Hall, through a "back door" on the left side of the church. Worship begins at 10 a.m. with our Interim Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Brenda Pelc-Faszcza.

First Church is an Open and Affirming church. No matter where you are in life's journey, you are welcome. Sunday school meets during worship and child care is provided.

Music
Prelude: Prelude in C, Johann S. Bach
Hymn: God of Abraham and Sarah
Anthem: Cantate Domino, Giuseppe Pitoni
The Senior Choir
Hymn: Look to You in Every Need
Offertory: Prelude No. 1, Johann S. Bach
Hymn: Be Now My Vision

Sermon: Reversal. The world says, “Happy are those who are strong, successful, on top of things.” Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, and those who are hungry for righteousness.” He even says, “Blessed are those who mourn.” All opposite of the way we normally see things. Paul says there is a“foolishness” to this gospel. Yes. At first glance, it is foolish to go with such a reversal of conventional wisdom. But our capacity to embrace and follow the Jesus way, the Christ life, and find its large and deep gifts, depends on our being able to live inside this reversal.

Second Hour ~ Interim Process Discussion #4: More than Numbers: We'll talk about the ways churches grow. And discuss what are other kinds of strength, besides numerical, that congregations need to be concerned with?

Church School: K-5 ~ Special Activity: The children will make Valentine cards for a local nursing home. We need a couple of parents to help with the activity.

Also during 2nd hour: Cynthia Wilcox-Smith is offering a second-hour Valentine activity. This is for grades Kindergarten - 5 so parents can attend the second hour discussion about finding a permanent minister. If you are interested in having your child or children attend the second hour activity, please reply to this email. Cynthia can accommodate 10 children.