Announcements

Announcements for February 5, 2012

Your ushers today are Ben and Paddy Moore.

You were greeted byMichael Achille.

Today's flowers are dedicated in loving memory of Sandra Hillman and Gay Underwood Foote, by her family and friends.

Welcome!  Amplifiers are available for people who may be hearing impaired. Please ask an usher and they can provide you with one. Large print bulletins and sermons are available in the narthex.  Four hearing aids are available from the ushers for those who request one.  Alcohol wipes are provided for sanitizing purposes. Please return aids to the ushers before leaving, so that others may enjoy using them on another occasion. 

Sunday School:  We invite all children to come forward for the “Thought for the Children” today, after which they will be invited to the Parish Hall for Sunday School.  Childcare is available for infants and young toddlers from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.  If you haven’t done so already, please remember to fill out a blue registration form for the 2011- 2012 year.  Forms are available in the Parish Hall.

Communion: Today is Communion Sunday.  Our communion table is open to all.  Our tradition is to have the Deacons serve the bread, and then eat together once everyone is served.  Likewise, cups are served to everyone and then we drink together.  The cup contains grape juice.  It is a great honor to serve one another, to draw close to Christ’s presence, to give thanks for our community, and to pray for wholeness and sustenance for all God’s people.

A Warm Thank You!  We extend a warm thank you to the Rev. Armen Hanjian for leading us in the pulpit today.  We offer additional thanks to Phil Dietterich and the church choir for providing music for us.

The Clerk’s Call to Meeting:  The Annual Meeting of the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury will be held after the worship service on Sunday, February 19, 2012.  The purpose of the meeting is to elect officers, boards, and committees, and to consider and approve the 2012 budget.  Proposed by-laws amendments, if any, will be presented for a vote.  All members are requested to attend.  Non-members are welcome to attend and observe.

Your Pledge—The Pulse of Our Church:  Only two weeks remain before the Church Council presents the proposed 2012 budget for you, our members, to approve by vote.  If you have not yet submitted your financial pledge of support for 2012, please do so as soon as possible.  Every pledge is needed to reach our goal.  We are currently at $114,931, and we will be faced with reductions in programs without sufficient funding.  Pledge cards are available on the ushers tables, or in the church office.  If you choose to make your donations electronically, please contact Joe Doebler at 508-696-8899.  We thank you for your continued support!

Thank You for Taking Part in Feeding Our Island with our Wednesday Community Suppers: Winter is truly upon us and lots of hungry people are showing up.  Having enough good food makes a big difference.  Please keep those side dishes coming!  To reduce waste, we encourage attendees to bring their own place settings.  Thank you for all of your contributions so far!

Pastoral Care Arrangements This Winter and Spring:  Please note that the Rev. Baker and the Care Team have a good system in place for responding to pastoral care needs. Anyone who feels they have a need for pastoral care should continue to call Cathlin, through the church office, just as you always have; chances are that she will respond directly.  If it is a pastoral emergency and Cathlin is not available, she has arranged for back-up with Vicky Hanjian and Woody Bowman.  Meg, the church Administrator, will make the referral immediately. If the church office is closed, you can call Cathlin (646-924-9281) or Vicky Hanjian (696-8225).  If it is not an emergency, but there is a need for a visit with someone in the hospital or at home by a member of the Care Team, please call either Paddy Moore (693-6716), the Chair of the Care Team, or John Kelleher (693-3050), Senior Deacon.

January Mission — Island Affordable Housing for the Homeless

Unfortunately, homelessness is a reality, even on Martha's Vineyard, especially during the winter months. Last week, Connie Teixeira, Director of this important island service program, introduced our January mission and shared with us the increasing challenges and housing needs of our low- to no-income island families. Together we can raise awareness and donations to support this MV program. You may reach Connie at 693-3193 or antonio.d.teixeira@verizon.net.

Meetings and Events:  February 6th – February 12th                                  

Tuesday          5:30 p.m.      CEC Meeting

Wednesday     5:30 p.m.      Community Supper

Thursday        9:30 a.m.      Missions Board Meeting

                        4:00 p.m.      Bells  

                        5:30 p.m.      Choir practice

                        7:00 p.m.      Church Council Meeting

Sunday            10:00 a.m.    Worship Service