Worship online and on TV! Happy 20th Anniversary dear Rev. Rebecca 💕
"Still Waters run deep"
Photo credit: Kristen Ledson
FIRST CHURCH
February 12 - 19, 2021
Celebrating Rebecca's 20 years
at First Church
On February 11, 2001 Reverend Rebecca Pugh was welcomed and installed as Senior Minister. The whole church will celebrate this significant milestone on Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021 when the church resumes outdoor worship. On the actual anniversary February 11, 2021 several Deacons brought Rebecca flowers, a carrot cake and a quilt made by quilter extraordinaire Amy Pigeon. What a journey it’s been for the church and for our beloved Rebecca. We are so thankful for her warmth and kindness; her inspiring prayers, stories and sermons; her music, her humor, her birds, and of course her love and care for every one of us. May God continue to bless her and her ministry here at First Church.
Transfiguration
February 14,2021
Join us on line and on tv
The worship service
is led by:
Rebecca Pugh
Mary Lou Bates and Bette Bailey
Rev. Tom Lenhart and Lynn Lenhart
Stacey Keane Blagg
Heidi Bratt
On this first Sunday, February 14 of Being and Creating with God, family friendly outdoor worship, we will meet at Crane Beach at 10 am where we can create and walk a labyrinth. If you'd like to help build the labyrinth come at 9:30, otherwise come at 10 am. The Beach will be a great place to gather with plenty of space for everyone. ( Park in the Ipswich Residents lot and take those stairs to the beach. There may be a fee if you don't have a beach sticker.) Please wear a mask. Wishing you all a lovely day and week. We hope you are all healthy in mind, body and soul!
Peace, Stacey and Rebv. Rebecca
keaneblagg@gmail.com
Being and Creating with God
Facilitator: Stacey Keane Blagg
Sunday mornings, February 14, 21, 28 and March 8,
Crane Beach on February 14, Church side lawn 2/21, 28 and 3/8
10 am Masks mandatory
Please RSVP so we can get a sense of numbers
This Lenten series is geared towards families with young children and will incorporate the creative arts as we explore spiritual practices using all of our senses and all of the elements of nature. The hope is to breathe life and light into these wintry Lenten days as we anticipate Holy Week and Easter.
February 14 Week 1: Prayers and walking the labyrinth
February 21 Week 2: Prayers and building cairns February 28 Week 3: Prayers and sculpting with clay March 8: Prayers and walking meditation, noticing the shimmers
I will use the book 'Earth: Our Original Monastery' and 'Awakening the Creative Spirit' by Christine Valters Paintner as a resource and guide.
Valentine by Delaney Whitmore
Happy Valentine's Day
form the Youth Groups
High School and Middle School Youth group meet Tuesdays to build community, listen to local young theologians, pray, and reflect on Scripture.
The Youth Group meets at a distanced bonfire on Tuesday, 4pm, at 40 High Street for fellowship, cocoa and games. Face masks required. To receive texts about meetings, email Carmen at the Church: firstUCCipswich@gmail.com
Young Adult Fellowship meets every other Sunday at 7:30. Books, reunions, prayers. All on Zoom! Contact Carmen to be part of the Zoom fellowship.
TAX STATEMENTS from Tihe.ly
Please check your inbox*. This week you received an email from Tithe.ly with your pledge statement.You only have 30 days to download it. If you have questions, send Carmen an email :
firstuccipswich@gmail.com
*mailbox for the people who don't use email
Next Book Club
Sunday, February 21 at 11:15 am
Book: How To Be an Anti-Racist "
by Ibram X. Kendi
After consulting with the Trustees, the Book Club will meet on Sunday, February 21 at 11:15 am in the Church Sanctuary. If you would like a copy of the recent Time magazine piece about racism by the author Ibram X Kendi, please contact Carmen in the church office to request a copy of the article or the book
If you would like to send money securely to the church,
Click on the giving online icon above.
Prayers
For members and friends in grief
For members and friends in recovery:
Barbara S
Parker B
For members and friends of the church in prison:
Juan P
Charles B
Sayed M
David W
Danny L
Steve K
Leonard P
For members and friends of the church in Senior living facilities:
Maggie C
Julie B
Mary Helen C
Frank C
Betty W
Ruth H
For members and friends of the church seeking healing for chronic headaches:
a church leader,
for Valeria
For members and friends seeking a cure for cancer:
Noah D
Jim T
Carol H
For the release for the captives,
for an end to racism,
for end to warfare.
For freedom, for equality, for peace, for love, for understanding
For the youth group as they pray and work this winter and spring.
May our powerful God hear all of our prayers
God is good, all the time
First Church in Ipswich, UCC AN OPEN AND AFFIRMING CONGREGATION Gathered in 1634
