A Letter from Blue Grass:  The Joyful Feast
August, 2019
Rev. Timothy Haut
Deep River Congregational Church

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This Week – February 18 - 24, 2024
Sunday -         FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
                       Worship Services, 8:30 & 10:00 a.m.
                       10:00 a.m./Live stream   
                       Sunday School and Teen Issues, 10:00 a.m.
                       Mardi Gras Celebration following both services
Monday–         Presidents’ Day/Office Closed
                       Capella Cantorum Rehearsal, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
                        Women’s AA, 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday -        Transitions Academy, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.  
                        Exercise with Dale, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
                        CT River Valley Symphonic Band Rehearsal, 6:00 – 9:15 p.m.
                        Board of Christian Education, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday –  Handbell Choir Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.
                       Girl Scouts, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday -      Transitions Academy, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
                       Middlesex Clergy, 12:00 p.m.
                       Shoreline Soup Kitchen, Curb-side Pick-Up, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
                       Sr. Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 p.m.
                       Board of Trustees, 7:00 p.m.  (Zoom)
                       A.A., 7:00 p.m.
Saturday -      Midnight Run Preparation, 2:00 p.m.
                      Midnight Run Departs to NYC, 7:00 p.m.
Sunday -        SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
                      Worship Services, 8:30 & 10:00 a.m.
                      10:00 a.m./Live stream   
                      Sunday School and Teen Issues, 10:00 a.m.

Birthdays This Week
Brian Simpson (Today); Colton Bailey, Robyn Lane, Chase Rozelle, Nancy Warner, Judy Roberts (19); Erica Anderson, Katie Roberts, Alys Albrecht (100 years young!) (20); Katie Munsell, Travis Olson, Sue Morrell, (21); Chelsea Ehmke (22); Cooper Robbins , Sue Morrell (23); Joan Cole, David Blifford, Jack White, Denny Schultz, Mia Cost, Ellie Cost (24).

The BELLS Are Back for Spring Ringing!
We rehearse on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Please join us – any level of musical ability is welcome. We play a variety of music that ranges from easy to moderate level of difficulty. Contact me: Claudia Hardy 860-227-3858

SUNDAY SCHOOL
Our Sunday School will be meeting this Sunday. Please go into the Sanctuary and we will leave together during the hymn of dismissal. After you meet your teachers in the fellowship hall, we will split off into grade levels for religious instruction, where our lesson for the littles will be how "Jesus Love Us and Knows Our Name" and the other children will start their lessons on the Beatitudes. Spread the good word about our Sunday School program! It is open to all in the community, so bring your friends and neighbors! Join the fun and participate in all the activities that we offer!

Winners of the Chili Cook-Off!
The following win “bragging rights” for their delicious chili recipes!
Jon Hardy’s “Blame It on the Dog” came in first in the meat categorie!
There was a tie for the meatless chilis!  Bethany Gates Parks & Harry Gates’ “Team Butternut” and Heather & Tori Mudge’s “Team Veggie-Tables.”
Congratulations!

Food Items Are Needed for Prep for the Midnight Run on Saturday, February 24th
Here is the link to the food sign-up:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VpZ7l7w6meffdQKytj9icHkTmEFr2VcJI4M_oEnQZpY/edit
Needed items are bread, lunch meats (turkey, roast beef), sliced cheese, individual mustard & mayonnaise packets, peanut butter & jelly, fruit or fruit cups, individual bags of chips & cookies, juice boxes, bottled water, paper bags, sandwich bags.  See Chelsea for more information.
All are welcome to help prepare food beginning at 2:00 on Saturday. 

2024 Offering Envelopes
Envelopes will be available for pick-up on Sundays in the Narthex, or you may pick them up during the week by contacting Kris, in the office. Claudia Hardy, Collector

Lent:  Unbounding LOVE
The 40-day season of Lent coincides with the coming of Spring each year, helping us to prepare for Easter and the promise of resurrection.   Traditionally, it is a time of reflection and change--a time to open our hearts to the renewing joy and love of Christ.   
The large wooden Cross facing Church Street during Lent is a visible sign of our congregation’s journey toward Easter.  It was made by Art Christianson.   The fabric hanging in the front of the sanctuary presents a colorful abstract image of the cross.  The pieces of the quilt were made and assembled by many women of our church.

During our worship on Sundays during Lent we will follow the theme “Unbounding Love.” Our Scripture readings and sermons during Lent will focus on this theme.  
This theme will also be reflected in our annual Lenten Puzzle.  Each Sunday a new set of clues will help fill in an answer sheet.   Clues can be solved with the help of your Bible.   Return the completed answer sheet by Palm Sunday, March 24th.   Winners will be announced in our Easter Sunday bulletin.

Lenten Home Devotions
This year a booklet of home devotions, “The Sanctuary for Lent 2024” by Abigal Browka will be available in the narthex.  Each day will offer Scripture readings, suggestions for meditation, and ideas for exercises and activities that will enrich your Lenten season.  

Lenten Pot Luck Suppers
The Season of Lent is upon us and DRCC will be hosting two Lenten Pot Luck Suppers. Join us at 6:00  p.m. on Wednesdays, February 28 and March 13 for some DRCC fun! Bring a dish to share (salad or main dish-no desserts) along with your own set-ups (plate, silverware, cup and hopefully a cloth napkin to save on paper products). We will supply the bread/butter and beverages. A variety of songs, prayers, Bible verses and possibly some Bible Trivia will be part of the after dinner activities. All are welcome and we look forward to seeing you there!

A Service of Peace and Healing will be held on Wednesday, February 21st at 7:00 p.m.  As we gather during this season of Lent, let the warm embrace of God’s unchanging love to help sustain us.  Come and share in this time of candlelight, prayer, silence and love as we pray for peace in the world and in our own hearts, and as we pray for the healing presence of Christ.  

One Great Hour of Sharing
One Great Hour of Sharing® is a pillar among the United Church of Christ's special mission offerings. This Lenten offering provides crucial support to the disaster, refugee, and development ministries within Love of Neighbor ministries Your gifts toward this offering are welcome at any time. You can obtain various OGHS Resources from UCC Resources to help promote the offering.  OGHS Sunday is March 10, but we will collect through Easter Sunday.

 

PRAYERS ARE NEEDED: The unity of prayers from members and friends of DRCC mean so much to the recipients. You may not know the names, but God knows their needs and circumstances as you lift them up. Please contact Kris Lindner (860-526-5045 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you know someone in need of prayers, but do get permission from the person before asking to add their names.

New Requests
Family of Ruth Adams
Jake Jacobsen
Tom Groth (prostate cancer-surgery 3/7)
Ashley (foot surgery)
Gary Savona (health concerns)
Art Tirrell  (recovering at home)
All those families grieving the recent loss of a loved one
All those around the world affected by natural disasters, violence, war, & political unrest

Continued Prayers
ALL Health Care & Essential Workers, First Responders
Our troops, Veterans & National Guard   
Residents in nursing homes
Sylvia Tiezzi                             Abbie
Frank (heart)                            Melanie
Rita (amputation)                     Martha & James
Alicia (lung cancer)                  Elizabeth C  
Doug & Sally LaFaille              Joel (healing)
Nicole (cancer)                        Tom Foster (lung cancer)
Mason (cancer)                       Shayne
Robin (cancer)                         Ronald Miller
Anna (cancer)                          Ralph (prostate cancer)
Joanne Lockwood                    Jill
Janet Kusins (serious cond)     Bill Taylor   (Hospice)               
John (lymphoma)                      Cristi Stroudt (health issues)
Maureen (Alzheimer’s)               Pelle (continued recovery)      
Eric Brown (fall)                        Paul
Nancy Stadalnik                        Harper Darrow (liver disease)              
Lillian Beardsley                       Georgia Davis
Lynn (addiction)                        
Matthew (lung cancer)             Ken Butterworth (lung cancer)
Sheila K. (Pancreatic cancer)    Bailey (cancer)  
Adam                                         Jackie (serious illness)
Linda (cancer)                            Lori G.  
Art & Lori                                    Steve Thomas
Bob N (Stage 4 prostate cancer)     Amanda
Lois (poss. stroke)                      Kathy Geraghty                           
Donna Dione                               Helen Roberts
Aimee                                           Benjamin
Ray Holland (cancer-in Hospice)   Denny Schultz   
Logan (hospital)                             Nancy Peluso
Sandy (cancer)                               Jerry (critical)

Long Term Requests:
Claire Rider                Sharon  (Hospice)
Ed Bushnell                McCarthy Family
Mark Bruscoe             Dottie Davis                                      
Erica                           Matt Peno
Jon                             Mary Karam
Jerry Clark, Jr.            Noah Krebs                      
Jerry Clark, Sr.           Sybil
Kathy & Ron               Carrie
Dale                            Ben T
Bill Krick                      Conner                         
Lori Wilson                 Zachary                     
Mark & Lorianne         Doris Kurze
Kent & Martha             
Hazel (home Hospice Care)
Jimmy Lorenson (Hospice) Ed & Laura too

Please review these lists.  If you have requested prayers for someone and their status has changed, please contact me in the office.  Perhaps prayers have been answered and the name can be removed, or a new need for prayer has come up.  I like to keep the lists updated, but I need your help.  Thank you so much.

Middlesex Association Prayer Requests for February 18th
The First Congregational Church of Portland raises a prayer request that this Lenten journey will bring each member of our congregation closer to a more meaningful understanding of the empty tomb of Easter morning.

Special prayers for Matt Peno.  You can read about his heart condition online at www.gofundme.com/f/matt-peno-his-big-heart .  You may also drop checks off in the church office.  Please make them payable to Matt Peno.  He is very appreciative of everyone’s prayers and donation.

Caring Card Coordinator Needed!  Grace Taylor is no longer able to lead our Caring Card Committee.  Please find a place in your heart to help coordinate this very important ministry.  Contact Kris, in the office if you might be interested!  Thank you so much.

IF YOU MADE DONATIONS IN 2023 AND DID NOT RECEIVE AN END OF YEAR GIVING STATEMENT, PLEASE CONTACT THE COLLECTOR This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or CHURCH OFFICE This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Board of Christian Service would like to remind you about the local blood drives.  There is always an urgent need.
February Blood Drives
02/15/2024 | 01:00 PM - 06:00 PM - St. Peters Church, 30 Saint Peters Lane, Higganum
02/16/2024 | 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM - First Church of Christ, 366 Main Street, Old Saybrook
02/21/2024 | 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM - Lyme Fire Company, 213 Hamburg Rd., Lyme
02/08/2024 | 01:00 PM - 06:00 PM - First Congregational Church, 2 Ferry Road, Old Lyme
02/15/2024 | 01:00 PM - 06:00 PM - St. Peters Church, 30 Saint Peters Lane, Higganum
02/16/2024 | 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM - First Church of Christ, 366 Main Street, Old Saybrook
02/21/2024 | 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM - Lyme Fire Company, 213 Hamburg Rd., Lyme
02/22/2024 | 12:45 PM - 06:00 PM - Deep River Ambulance Association, 284 West Elm Street, Deep River
02/22/2024 | 01:00 PM - 06:00 PM - Madison Senior Center, 29 Bradley Rd., Madison
02/23/2024 | 12:00 PM - 05:30 PM - Essex Town Hall, 29 West Avenue, Essex
02/27/2024 | 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM - Andrews Memorial Town Hall, 54 East Main Street, Clinton

GL Scrip Announcement
Place your order during the month of February for your little Leprechauns! Elizabeth will be in Fellowship Hall after worship to collect orders for all those who will be “lucky” enough to receive a special gift! Gift cards for your own personal use, friends and relatives are available for birthdays, anniversaries, or other upcoming celebrations, like St. Patrick’s Day & Easter! You can earn money for the church by ordering gifts cards for various brands from the GL Scrip program. Plan ahead for only one order is submitted per month.
 
We have Adams Gift Cards readily available in $25, $50 or $100 increments for your groceries or as gifts and DRCC earns 5% of the card value. Call Elizabeth Root (203-430-1426) or email Sybil at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or to place an order; we can deliver in the local area. Visit the church website for more information:  https://www.deeprivercc.org/events/fundraisers.html

 

Support Groups at Our Church

Mondays at 7:00 p.m. - Women's AA
First Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.- AA
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. - AA

Shoreline Soup Kitchen
Thursdays, Curb-side Pick-up, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.