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“Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’” – John 20:27
Friends:
The inset image is a digital rendering of Caravaggio’s masterpiece entitled The Incredulity of Saint Thomas (1603). Which depicts the apostle’s hand being guided by Christ's hand to inspect his crucifixion wounds. Incredulity, you might recall, is one of the ingredients of Easter joy. Incredulity says, “I can’t believe what’s right in front of me even though it’s right in front of me.” It tastes like doubt but it’s not doubt. It has the same texture as suspicion but it’s not suspicion. It’s wonder…as in: “I wonder if God had a hand in this?!”
My point in repeating what I said last Sunday is that the inability to conceive of the Resurrection is common to the enterprise of faith. The fact that one apostle has had to wear the moniker “Doubting Thomas” in perpetuity has always struck me as an injustice since most of us would have struggled in the same way to make sense of the Savior’s appearance.
So, can I encourage you to cease and desist any misconceptions you might have about Thomas? Instead, let’s examine the episode (John 20:19-31) with open minds. I think it provides an important clue about how to deal with disbelief. I’ll say more when I see you. The sermon is entitled: The Acquittal of Thomas the Twin.
Eastertide blessings,
Rev. Fredd
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First Sunday Breakfast, This Sunday!
April 7 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the Auditorium
The JPW Library and the Outreach team cordially invite you to join us for a pre-worship breakfast! Enjoy a smorgasbord of fruit, hot breakfast casseroles, bacon or sausage, bagels, pastries, and more – plus coffee, juice & tea. Delicious gluten-free options, too. All are welcome!
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New Class! Exploring Truth in the Great Biblical Myths: Genesis 1-11
Sunday mornings, April 7 through June 2 from 9 to 9:45 a.m.
World Friendship Room (#303)
Do you wonder what’s behind the stories we find in the first 11 chapters of the book of Genesis? What were – and are! - the truths the storytellers wanted us to understand? Did God really create the Earth in seven days? From the two Creation stories, to Adam and Eve, to Cain and Abel, to Noah and his ark, to the Tower of Babel, these ancient myths compel us to ask questions and reflect on their meanings for our individual and collective lives. Join us to explore these eternally relevant stories on nine Sunday mornings before worship. Our conversations will be led by Rev. Tom Carr. See Jennifer with questions.
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If you are interested in joining First Church, please plan to attend an information session for prospective new members following worship on Sunday, April 14 at 11:15 a.m. We expect to receive new members into the life of the church during the 10 a.m. worship service on Sunday, April 28. Please contact Rev. Fredd in person, by telephone at 860.233.9605, or via email fredd.ward@whfirstchurch.org.
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What should GHIAA work on next? The answer will come out of small-group meetings where people are invited to share a story about an experience that happened to them or someone close to them -- something that made them think, "That's not right!" or "There ought to be a law against that!" The more people who share stories, the better chance we have of zeroing in on the most important issues that need our attention. Click HERE to register for one of the upcoming meetings. First Church is hosting several small-group meetings at First Church on April 14, 4:00-5:30pm, along with our partners Congregation Beth Israel and Westminster Presbyterian Church. If you can't make it on April 14, choose a session on another date, at another local GHIAA congregation. Any questions? Contact Linda Bronstein or Terry Schmitt.
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Altar Flower Donations Needed!
Sponsoring altar flowers is a meaningful way to honor or remember loved ones and is also part of our Inreach ministry.
We have the following spring and summer dates available: 4/14, 5/26, 7/7, 7/21, 7/28, 8/18, and 8/25. Please contact the church office for details at 860-233-9605. Please note, the price of a seasonal altar flower arrangement has increased to $90.
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Light The Steeple in honor of a Loved One
For a $25 donation, you are invited to "Light the Steeple" for one week in honor of a loved one. Similar to making a flower donation we will ask that you pick a date at least one week in advance of the desired week, and all donors will be acknowledged in our weekly Happenings. Please note more than one donor can fall on any given week. Donations will be added to the Save the Steeple fund. Click "Light The Steeple for a loved one" found on the “Save the First Church Steeple” web page or click here.
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Chamber Music Concert Series
Sunday, April 28 from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Chapel
This program is designed to bring great music performances to an audience in an intimate setting. Each presentation offers a variety of musicians, often including flute, oboe, piano, and others. The concert is free to the public. A free will offering will be received at the door.
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Walk Against Hunger
Walk with or donate to the First Church West Hartford Striders in the annual Connecticut Foodshare Walk Against Hunger Saturday, May 4 at Dunkin Park, Hartford. Start by going here: https://ctfoodshare.org, click on “Register today!” at top of page and choose “Register” or “Donate Now” and enter “First Church West Hartford Striders”. Details to follow regarding carpooling, etc. Your donations will help Connecticut Foodshare raise awareness of the problem of hunger in the community.
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Celebrating Moms & MOMs (Models of Motherliness): A Luncheon & Tea
Enjoy some downtime with us Saturday, May 11 from 12 to 2 p.m.
Savor a little time off and enjoy a catered meal with a heavenly selection of desserts! Let your spirit free surrounded by the singular jazz sounds of Sandy Lindop and conversation with other moms and caregivers. Our speaker will be Janice Olson, certified Spiritual Director and founder of Conscious Contact, a space for women to explore their spiritual life to find personal meaning and direction. The cost is $30 per person. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available.
Register here. For more information, or to volunteer, please email Jennifer deSimas (jpwebsterdir@whfirstchurch.org) or Nina Lawrence (nina.s.lawrence@gmail.com).
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Coffee and Conversation - Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
Join Rev. Fredd and friends at the Hartford Baking Company in West Hartford Center for coffee and conversation!
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Faith Formation
Family Worship April 7!
This Sunday is a Church Family Sunday -- children are invited to remain in the sanctuary during worship. They may sit in the pews with their parents or at the Prayground in the back. Worship Activity Bags are available at both sanctuary entrances for younger (ages 3-6) and older (ages 6-9) children. Parents, please ensure that your child takes just one bag so there are enough for all.
Middle Schoolers!
Students in grades 6-8 are invited to meet in Room 407 on April 21 for a new class that focuses on storytelling and conversation about biblical events and people. Why do we remember these stories? What do they mean to us, today? The class meets once or twice per month; we’re hoping to meet more often as we go along. There will be snacks! So bring your morning beverage, your open heart, and yourself upstairs after the Message for All Ages.
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Book Group News
The church’s John P. Webster Library coordinates two regular book groups.
Copies of the books are provided for participants. New members are always welcome! For more information, please contact Jennifer or Molly at 860-232-3893 or jpwlibrary@whfirstchurch.org.
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Awakening the Spirit, led by Rev. Tom Carr, meets Mondays from 12-1:30 p.m. Bring a bag lunch; beverages and desserts are provided. They are reading On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Growing Old by Parker Palmer. Tap here to join the group. | | |
Food for Thought is reading The Guncle by Steven Rowley. "The Guncle is a moving tribute to the power of love, patience, and family in even the most trying of times” (Amazon.com). Tap here to join this group. | | |
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WeHa Grows, the JPWL Seed Library, is ready for spring!
Thanks to generous seed donations from the UConn Master Gardener Program and Ocean State Job Lot, we are pleased to offer a variety of flower, fruit, and vegetable seeds for your gardens. Stop by the JPW Library or the Sunday Bookmobile and “seed” for yourself!
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Family News
Bob and Jane Cave with their kids and grandkids!
For more Family News, click HERE.
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April Reach Out: Journey Home
Journey Home has spent more than a decade committed to ending chronic homelessness in the Greater Hartford region. They have been able in less than two years to match 72% of those experiencing chronic homelessness to housing, which means they have been housed or will be housed very soon.
A Hand Up, a program of Journey Home, works to support those who are currently transitioning from homelessness to housing by connecting them to donations of household goods and furniture. Together they are filling a huge gap because clients are often moving into housing after experiencing homelessness with nothing but what they can carry on their back. Yet, many people have excess furniture and household items in their homes without a place to put them other than the landfills. Together with your support they will be able to end homelessness. Thank you for your support!
For more information: Journey Home, 255 Main Street 2nd floor, Hartford Ct 06106
Tel: 860-808-0336, website https://journeyhomect.org/.
To donate online thru the church: HERE or you can donate directly at: https://journeyhomect.org/
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Spreading Your News
The Communications Team is made up of members of our Outreach Ministry, and the church Office Administrators.
Sunday Notes/Happenings submissions are due by noon on Tuesdays to Sarah
Website, flyer, and Social Media additions or changes can be sent to Amy and Joy anytime.
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Taking Photos in Church and Sharing Policy
Taking photos and documenting life events is commonplace now and more and more common in church settings. Lots of members are asking about taking photos at church events and wondering how to share them and to avoid confusion, we came up with some guidelines. Most important: be sure phone is in silent mode and skip solo selfies when tagging church events! Laminated copies of guidelines are at each entrance to the Sanctuary and at auditorium entrance, or view policy here or go to website>Photo Gallery page. Thank you, Amy and Joy.
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Please use the links below to find us all over the internet, and you can also email the office by clicking the envelope. | |
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Hours: The church office hours are Monday thru Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Main number is 860-233-9605 | Email: general.mail@whfirstchurch.org
Copyright © 2022 First Church West Hartford, All rights reserved.
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