May 13 ~ Sixth Sunday of Easter -- Festival of the Christian Home

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

First Church is an open and affirming congregation, welcoming to all. Please come worship with us on Sunday. The service begins at 10 am, with our Interim Minister, the Rev. Brenda Pelc-Faszcza,  leading worship. Childcare is provided.

Music
            Prelude           Andante                                                          Arcangelo Corelli

            Hymn             For the Beauty of the Earth
            Hymn              God Made from One Blood
            Offertory         Be Thou But Near                                           Johann S. Bach
           Anthem           Jesus, My All, To Heaven Is Gone                 Howard Helvey
                                         The Senior Choir – Karl Scheibe, oboe       

           Hymn              Now Thank We All Our God
           Postlude          Toccata in F                                                     Dietrick Buxtehude

Scripture Reading:John 15:9-17 
  "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

Sermon: Learning Family.   Novelist Frederick Buechner says that families – as we all know – are both fragile and strong. And that it is inside of them that we will, or will not, learn what it means to be part of the human family. In John’s gospel, Jesus “commands” love. Invites, it really. Or, better, embodies it, and invites us to watch, learn and follow. Our own families, then our church family, are training grounds.

Church School: K-5 ~ Mother's Day Tea!