Ministers
John B. McCall
Elsa A. Peters
Nancy A. Foran

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United Church
of Christ

'God is still speaking!'

Open and Affirming UCC Churches

Maine Conference UCC

The Center for
Progressive Christianity

The City of
South Portland

Town of
Cape Elizabeth

Maine Council
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50th Aniversary

Monday, February 8, 2010 Edition

THE BEST RESPONSES to the devastating earthquake in Haiti are prayers and cash donations.
Please make a generous gift to help with relief and rebuilding efforts. You can make online donations at www.ucc.org, or www.churchworldservice.org among others. Consider the International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). You can also help by texting “Haiti” to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Funds will go to support American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.

Sunday, February 14
8:30 - Chapel worship
10:00 a.m. - Sanctuary worship with the Meetinghouse Choir and Sunday school through the eighth grade. We'll celebrate the sacrament of baptism. John McCall will give the message and fellowship time follows in Wright Pavilion

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The Discovery Center is a weekday preschool for 3, 4, and 5 year olds. Originally a privately-owned preschool using church facilities, since 1998 it has been a ministry of the First Congregational Church, open to all children without regard to church affiliation.

The mission of the Discovery Center is to provide a preschool program that will nurture a child's individuality, creativity, and spirituality. A theme-based curriculum paired with child-centered, hands-on learning experiences and a supportive environment serves to develop confident, creative and compassionate thinkers and doers.

The Discovery Center serves approximately 48 families from the communities of South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough and Portland. The school offers a two day morning program for three year olds, a three day morning program for 4 year olds, and a three half-day program for older four and five year olds, called The Explorers' program. Students of the school reflect the diversity of our surrounding neighborhoods.

The school strives to provide a loving and nurturing first school experience for children, focusing on socialization and developmentally appropriate readiness skills. An equally important goal of the school is serving as a ministry of The First Congregational Church. The school strives to accomplish this in a variety of ways.

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Fishing with Jesus

A sermon by John B. McCall, Senior Minister

Last Tuesday, February 2nd, Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow for at least the 115th time, saw his shadow and lumbered back down the hole to wait out six more weeks of winter. No surprise. What did surprise me, however, was the revelation that Phil really has nothing to do with the forecast. Quoting from a recent news article: "In reality, the fifteen members of the Inner Circle, who plan annual Groundhog Day festivities, decide in advance whether Phil will see his shadow, rain or shine."

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There are many other ways to get involved in our faith community. You may donate your time, your talents or your hope for our world. These possibilities are listed by age, but there are always new opportunities that have not been updated on the website. If you are looking for the perfect opportunity to match your gifts, please call or email .

Explore Your Faith
We offer a variety of opportunities for children, teens and adults to explore their faith. Navigate the opportunities for Children, Youth, Adults and Seniors to find what you are looking for. And for adults, please also see the Adult Faith Enrichment Programs page for the latest information about courses, groups and events for adult members, friends and visitors to the church. If you are looking for still more information, check out the Resource Center.

Serve Your Neighbor
On the first Saturday of each month, 5:30 - 7:00 in Portland, volunteers from our congregation serve about 200 meals at the Wayside Evening Soup Kitchen. Most needed are table servers. Contact or to get more information and to volunteer.

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Opportunities for Faith Formation

TRANSFORMATION: A LENTEN DISCOVERY

*Is something missing in your life?

*Have you longed to transform your life?

*Have you ever wondered how your life might be resurrected?

This opportunity is for you to seek change by practicing resurrection during the Season of Lent.

The Adult Faith Formation Committee has been working hard on a self-published resource written by our own Associate Pastor to wonder how we might be transformed during the season of Lent. There will be 2 opportunities to participate in this process through group transformation – one at 6:30 p.m. on Monday nights (Feb. 22 – Mar. 29) and another at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday mornings (Feb. 23 – Mar. 30). These 2 groups will share lunch on Sunday March 14 at 11:30 a.m. Each session will be approximately 2 hours. Please sign up through the Church Office to participate so that we know you’re coming. Please also mark all of these dates on your calendar .

LEARNING FROM OUR TEENS

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