United Church of Christ | Doing God's Work in Connecticut and the World
This Week at MCC
10 am, Sunday, March 19, 2023
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, John 9:1-41
Sermon: Seeing and Believing
Service will be streamed: https://www.youtube.com/c/middleburycongregationalchurch
Click “continue reading” for this week’s worship bulletin.
Continue reading “”Dear friends in Christ,
I hope everyone is doing well and that you’ve all weathered the latest snow storm. Though, I think based on talking with a number of you, we got more snow here on the Green than other places in town. We have a number of things happening this week:
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner & Open Mic Night: 3/17
You’re in luck to get a head start on St. Patrick’s Day 2023 with a mile-high corn beef on rye!!
Freshly made corn beef and swiss cheese piled high on bakery rye bread with just enough sides to make it a meal. All yours for just $8
We have a lot of corned beef, so tell your friends to come. The Facebook event is here: https://fb.me/e/40p9oPdZT
You can pick up your orders to go or stay and join us for fellowship and entertainment while you eat. We will be hosting our first ever “Open Mic” night in our social hall. Bring a friend, support our youth, and enjoy a one of a kind evening. No Blarney!
When: Friday, March 17, 2023
Where: MCC Social Hall
TIME: 5:00-7:00 pm
Pre-orders are appreciated: You can contact the church office at 203-758-2671
St. Patrick’s Day Volunteers Needed
We need volunteers for Friday to help in the kitchen, with setup and clean up, and to cashier. If you’re available, contact Ellen!
The Virtual Swear Jar
Is your truth a tad less than couth? Your table talk too salty or spicy?
We have a solution! Give up cussing for Lent!
In a variation on the family Swear Jar, we invite you to drop a dollar or two whenever you let fly a naughty word. You can pay as you go, or book in advance.
How much is up to you. We suggest $1, $2, or $3 depending on the circumstances. It’ll be our little secret, unless, of course, the kids get wind of this. Maybe you’d better get the Sailor’s Special, just in case!
Or, if you prefer, you can always pick your donation and fill in the blankety-blank.
We can’t promise forgiveness, but we guarantee you’ll feel better after your donation to our Virtual Swear Jar! Check it out at middleburyucc.org/jar today!
(In case anyone is wondering, I’ve purchased the “ sailor special,” just so I can be prepared.)
Soup and Scripture: Lent Bible Discussion on Parables of Jesus
All Wednesdays in Lent at 7pm we will have a discussion on the parables of Jesus. We will be in the Conference Room and on Zoom.
On Wednesday 4/5 there will be a soup supper at 6:30 preceding the scripture discussion. (Thank you, deacons!)
Southern New England UCC Conference Regional Gathering: 3/19
On March 19th from 2-5, we are hosting the Conference’s regional gathering for clergy and church leaders in our area. We’ll be looking for some volunteers to help with set up and clean up. You’re also welcome to attend the event to connect with other churches in our region. More info is here: https://www.sneucc.org/eventdetail/17300610?month=3&year=2023&day=1&display=m
MCC Players Present As You Were
Dinner theater is back at MCC! Play rehearsals have begun! Mark your calendars for a performance like no other this Mother’s Day weekend. As You Were is the play written by our very own Chris A., which was scheduled to be performed in Spring of 2020. After three years of pandemic delays, the show will go on!
Mission Project: Easter Dinner Baskets for Middlebury Families
Spring is coming! So is Easter!. Again this year, we are asking for your contributions to three baskets for families in town. The lists of items are posted outside the kitchen: your generosity is much appreciated.
Donations Needed: Faith Formation
Throughout the month of March, Faith Formation is looking for donations of:
• Plastic Easter Eggs
• Individually wrapped Easter candy
Any contributions can be left in the box in the Social Hall. Thank you!
MCC Egg Hunt and Easter Craft: 4/2
After worship on Palm Sunday, April 2nd, we will have our annual Easter egg hunt on the Green! Following the egg hunt, join us in the Social Hall for an all ages Easter craft!
Silver Lake Registration is Open
Silver Lake Camp (the camp run by our United Church of Christ Southern New England Conference) registration is open as of today: https://www.silverlakect.org/
General Comments
As we approach St. Patrick’s Day, thought I’d share a portion of a prayer attributed to St. Patrick. The prayer is called St. Patrick’s Breastplate. This section is my favorite part because it is a beautiful description of how Christ is always with us:
“Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.”
Peace,
Pastor Katrina
Dear friends in Christ,
I hope you are all doing well this windy March day. Today marks an exciting day for the parsonage; rebuild work on the chimney is starting, which should stop the leaking issues that have been happening the past number of years. We have a number of things happening in the church this March and in the coming months:
Soup and Scripture: Lent Bible Discussion on Parables of Jesus
All Wednesdays in Lent at 7pm we will have a discussion on the parables of Jesus. We will be in the Conference Room and on Zoom.
On Wednesday 4/5 there will be a soup supper at 6:30 preceding the scripture discussion. (Thank you, deacons!)
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner: 3/17
You’re in luck to get a head start on St. Patrick’s Day 2023 with a mile-high corn beef on rye!!
Freshly made corn beef and swiss cheese piled high on bakery rye bread with just enough sides to make it a meal.
You can pick up your orders to go or stay and join us for fellowship and entertainment while you eat. We will be hosting our first ever “Open Mic” night in our social hall. Bring a friend, support our youth, and enjoy a one of a kind evening. No Blarney!
When: Friday, March 17, 2023
Where: MCC Social Hall
TIME: 5:00-7:00 pm
Pre-orders are appreciated: You can contact the church office at 203-758-2671
Corned Beef Donations
To help defray the costs of our St. Patrick’s Day dinner, we’re seeking donations of corned beef (any cut is fine). Thank you!
MCC Players Present As You Were
Dinner theater is back at MCC! Play rehearsals have begun, and stay tuned for information about performance dates! As You Were is the play written by our very own Chris A., which was scheduled to be performed in Spring of 2020. After three years of pandemic delays, the show will go on!
Mission Project: Easter Dinner Baskets for Middlebury Families
Spring is coming! So is Easter!. Again this year, we are asking for your contributions to three baskets for families in town. The lists of items are posted outside the kitchen: your generosity is much appreciated.
Southern New England UCC Conference Regional Gathering: 3/19
On March 19th from 2-5, we are hosting the Conference’s regional gathering for clergy and church leaders in our area. We’ll be looking for some volunteers to help with set up and clean up. You’re also welcome to attend the event to connect with other churches in our region. More info is here: https://www.sneucc.org/eventdetail/17300610?month=3&year=2023&day=1&display=m
Donations Needed: Faith Formation
Throughout the month of March, Faith Formation is looking for donations of:
• Plastic Easter Eggs
• Individually wrapped Easter candy
Any contributions can be left in the box in the Social Hall. Thank you!
Silver Lake Registration is Open
Silver Lake Camp (the camp run by our United Church of Christ Southern New England Conference) registration is open as of today: https://www.silverlakect.org/
Vote for MCC: Ion Bank Foundation Community Awards
For those with ION Bank accounts, you can vote for MCC to receive money! Keep in mind that for joint bank accounts each person on the account may vote. We’re listed in the Religion category. The link to vote is here: https://cap.ionbank.com/CAP/CAP.aspx
Tell your friends, too!
General Comments
This past Saturday, a group from the church went axe throwing in Oxford, and we had a wonderful evening. Thank you to Janine, Emma, Grace and Charis for providing childcare for the evening so parents could have a night out! Pictures from axe throwing and babysitting are attached.
I’ll see you on Sunday.
Peace,
Pastor Katrina
