First Church this Week

Welcome to First Congregational UCC of Burlington

Lent begins in the wilderness. Our Lenten worship series and discussion groups are exploring the theme of wilderness as we follow the journey of Jesus through scripture and worship from Ash Wednesday through Holy Week and Easter (Feb.14 thru March 31).

  • Brené Brown’s excellent book: Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone supports this thoughtful, interesting, faithful series.  The discussion group sign-up time has passed – the sermons and study guides from the series are linked here for all:

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CLICK HERE for more information about all Holy Week services & events.

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You are invited to worship in person at First Church at 10am on Sundays in our beautiful Sanctuary at 38 South Winooski Avenue in Burlington OR via the live-stream (or later recording) on the FirstChurchBTV YouTube Channel. Fellowship time follows worship at First Church.
The Rev. Elissa Johnk, Lead Minister

Worshiping remotely? 

  • The YouTube live stream will be available 5 to 10 minutes prior to the 10am worship each Sunday.
  • You can watch on any “smart” handheld device, computer or on your television.  The First Church YouTube channel is: youtube.com/FirstChurchBTV.
  • The Order of Worship, announcements and celebrations and prayers are linked under the YouTube live stream title and will be posted here on Sunday morning:

 

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Our Outreach Team invites you – to enjoy a great free, drop-in breakfast on Sunday February 25 or any Sunday in March!  Want to participate as a volunteer or contributor during March? Use this LINK to volunteer to help build a breakfast!

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ALL are welcome – YOU are invited to The Table. Join us as we continue to gather for worship music, prayer, the Word, and a meal – every Friday during Lent (through March 29) with Director of Congregational Life, Ava Bilton, the Rev. Elissa Johnk, and with music leadership from John Penoyar and friends.
Volunteers are needed for setup, greeting, and cleanup. Please email Ava[email protected] – if you’re able to help!

  • Mocktails will start at 6pm.
  • Worship will begin at 6:30 followed by dinner.

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This special offering invites you to help fund the beautiful display of flowers at First Church for our Easter Festival Worship on March 31, 2024 at 10am – and to support the important missions of the Vermont Conference UCC’s Hope Fund and the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance.

Gifts to this offering give you the opportunity to make a gift “in memory of” or “in honor of” someone important to you.

CLICK HERE or on the graphic above to learn more – and to make a gift online or by check. Questions? Call the Church Office during Office Hours. Thank you.

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Maundy Thursday Vigil at First Church:  After the Maundy Thursday (March 28 at 7pm) worship service, until the Good Friday (March 29) service at 6pm, sign up for a one-hour slot to hold a silent vigil in the Sanctuary. You may also participate in the vigil independently at home.  The “Home Vigil Guide” is linked HERE.

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Call to artists:  The midway gallery at First Church is seeking submissions on the theme of Wilderness and Belonging for the Lenten season.

Brene Brown describes the wilderness as: “Belonging so fully to yourself that you’re willing to stand alone—an untamed, unpredictable place of solitude and searching. The wilderness can often feel unholy because we can’t control it, or what people think about our choice of whether to venture into that vastness or not. But it turns out to be the place of true belonging, and it’s the bravest and most sacred place you will ever stand.”

Inspired by this, we are asking artists to create or submit existing art based on the following prompts:

  • Where have you been able to know and be your true self? This might be a location, a relationship, a time in your life, an activity or some other interaction where you felt fully authentic.
  • Has there been a time when community felt like chaos, and you leaned in instead of jumping out?

Space in the gallery is limited, and while we are grateful for all submissions, unfortunately we may not be able to exhibit all of them.
Please send all questions and submissions to Director of Congregational Life, Ava Bilton via email

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Looking ahead to July… SAVE THESE DATES for PEACE CAMP 2024:

Mon. July 8th – Thurs. July 11th

  • Peace Camp – a truly joyful multi-generational experience – will run from July 8 thru 11, 2024 (5 to 7:30pm) and will be a collaborative event with the College Street Congregational Church.  Dinner is included each evening – and activities are organized by age group from the adult group with the Rev. Elissa Johnk and the Rev. Ken White to groups for youth, older and younger elementary and nursery & preschool.
  • Registration and volunteer information will be available soon – meanwhile mark your calendar and plan to participate!
  • CLICK HERE for a quick video glimpse of a “closing campfire” from July 2023.

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The Women’s Book Group is meeting via Zoom, Monday, February 26th at 7pm via Zoom to discuss The Secret of Life: Rosalind Franklin, James Watson, Francis Crick, and the Discovery of DNA’s Double Helix by Howard Markel, with Nancy McClellan facilitating.   To receive e-updates about this monthly gathering, contact Janice Clements: [email protected]CLICK HERE for the 2023-2024 book selections.

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INVESTMENT STRATEGIES 

Following the Investments and Trusts (I&T) presentation on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing at the 2023 First Church Annual Meeting, interest was expressed in a seminar on the topic to be sponsored by our I&T Team this winter.

As we develop our seminar presentation, it would be helpful to have feedback from you.
Please CLICK HERE for our ESG Investing Poll. We appreciate your response by November 30th to help us tailor our presentation to your interests.

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Learn about the First Church Elmwood Community Snack Project HERE

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Our FirstChurchBTV Outreach Team invites volunteers to donate meals for youth at Outright Vermont gatherings. Want to know more?  Please contact Outreach Team member Louise Brewster at [email protected] for details and potential dates.

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Sunday Faith Formation Programs for Children &
Youth Program for Middle & High School Youth

  • Kidz Lab – our Sunday Church School for grades K through 6 – begins anew officially on Sunday September 17 during the 10am worship service.
  • Our Nursery/Toddler and PreSchool room open at 9:50 every Sunday morning.
  • REGISTER NOW: Parents/Guardians are asked to complete an online “Faith Formation Registration” for each child/youth participating in the 2023-2024 year.  Use this LINK for the online form.
  • Kids Lab/Church School Questions? Contact Director of Faith Formation, Hilah Clarke

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Youth Programs – a Burlington UCC Collaboration:  The College Street Church & First Congregational Church UCC

YOUTH PROGRAMS: Our successful Youth Program collaboration with the College Street Church will continue for the 2023-2024 year.  For details contact Director of Faith Formation, Hilah Clarke. make sure that you subscribe to our Church Newsletter.

  • REGISTER NOW: Parents/Guardians are asked to complete an online “Faith Formation Registration” for each child/youth participating in the 2023-2024 year.  Use this LINK for the online form.
  • YOUTH GROUP: Every Wednesday 6-8pm youth grades 6th-12th, joint with College Street Congregational Church, gather for fun, food, and faith related activities like “Messy Olympics” and “Penumbra Treasure Hunt.” In March, we will be meeting at College Street Church – in April at First Church.
  • Families with middle and high school youth are encouraged to contact Hilah Clarke, Director of Faith Formation to be added to the e-list for youth program updates.

In June 2023, nine middle and high school youth, our Lead Minister, the Rev. Elissa Johnk; the Rev. Ken White, Minister at College Street Church; and our shared (First Church & College Street) Youth Leader, Jason Vanderlaan, had a meaningful mission experience serving with HOME,Inc. in Orland, Maine. Our group served in a variety of ways including painting the home in these photos!  Our trip leaders and youth are thankful for your support and prayers.

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All First Church Choirs welcome new participants – singers, ringers and instrumentalists are welcome! 

For more information, contact Interim Director of Music, Chris Lyons-Dinh

  • The Sanctuary Choir rehearsals are Thursdays at 7pm at First Church.
  • Our Bell Choir rehearsals are Wednesdays at 6:45pm at First Church.
  • Rehearsals for our Children’s – Cherub – Choir and Youth – Alleluia – Choir rehearse following worship most Sunday mornings. The Cherub and Alleluia Choirs are not rehearsing on February 25 or March 3, 2024.

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MEAL TRAIN: A GREAT NEW VEHICLE for First Church!
Our PIPC – Partners In Pastoral Care – Team and affiliated volunteers known as: “Friends at First” have been busy in the ministry of providing meals for many years.  In collaboration with our clergy, PIPC coordinates meal deliveries within our church community in response to various times of need.  Interested in participating in an upcoming Meal Train? Contact PIPC Chair: Janice Clements at [email protected]

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NAME TAGS help BUILD COMMUNITY We’ve rolled out new, magnetic name tags!  Please use this LINK  to request a name tag  – let us know your specific name request (nickname, pronouns, etc.). Thank you

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ZOOMING: We are hosting regular and periodic gatherings using the platform “Zoom”.  You should be able to join a meeting simply by clicking on the link provided, and following the instructions.  You can also call in using the numbers listed below each event.  For more detailed instructions on how Zoom works, CLICK HERE.

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OUR PODCAST: FIRST CHURCH PHONIC
CLICK HERE for First Church Phonic  – https://anchor.fm/firstchurchbtv- offering you the opportunity to listen to:
– Sermons
– Spirit Seekers Interviews – including recent Spirit Seeker guests: Helen Head, Becky Levasseur, Richard Gagne, Hilah Clarke and Carlanne Herzog!  Listen online on HERE.

 

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    • OUR THRIFT STORE – THE POSSIBILITY SHOP is OPEN: The Possibility Shop is open – 10am-3pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.
    • DONATIONS: Please bring Possibility Shop donations to First Church any time between 10am and 3pm – Tuesday though Friday.  Clean clothing and household items in good  condition are always needed.
    • ESPECIALLY NEEDED NOW:  Fall and winter clothing in excellent condition for all ages.
    • VOLUNTEERS INVITED: On open days (Wed. & Fri., 10-3); on weekdays when the shop is closed (Tues. & Thurs.); &/or projects at home.
      • Greet customers in the midway (near Church Office), count those entering and exiting, keeping the number within the allotted safe amount… a great opportunity for readers and knitters!
      • Assist with the financial aspects of the shop, @two to three hours per month.
      • Handle and help sell older, valuable items that are donated to the shop.
      • Questions?  call Karan Dewar 802-922-3821 or Brenda Fraser 802-862-4747.  Thank you.
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