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The Weekly Word
October 7, 2022
West Suffield
Congregational Church, UCC
Join us Sundays at 10:00am
for
Worship, Sunday School and Fellowship
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Gratitudes
I'm going to try something a little different this week. I'm going to try to put something in the Gratitudes column to prepare you for Sunday. This week we're looking at the story of the 10 lepers; the interesting thing about lepers in the Bible, is that they're not lepers. Medically, leprosy today its identified as Hansons disease. Archaeological findings have found no evidence of any Hanson’s anywhere in Israel. The word leper in the Bible refers to anyone with a skin condition it was disfiguring. Eczema and psoriasis would've been the most common. Regardless of the cause, lepers were considered unclean by Jewish law. There was a system of cleansing that was enacted by the priest that lasted approximately two weeks and consisted of ritual bathings, isolation, and prayer. Once someone was considered cleansed, they could return to their friends and family. Of course the next time they developed a scaly patch or a rash, they were once again unclean, and again, had to be removed from their community, family, and friends. Even today when we call someone a leper we're saying they are someone who is unacceptable to society for any number of reasons.
Returning people to their community, especially those who had felt marginalized, was a common theme in Jesus' healing stories. We are a church community, we belong together. I think it's important for ministers to remember that, because a community that embraces others like this one does, does not need to be changed in any fundamental manner; The church body has a sound theology, a beautiful understanding of love and grace, and an affection for each other that transcends personal differences. Sometimes ministers come into congregations wanting to change everything; I’m not sure why. I think we're supposed to honor what's gone before, embrace what is, build on the church's strengths, encourage good theology, and look to the future with an eye towards honoring the past. This congregation does all of that and more; what a lovely gift for me to come into a church like this one.
Blessings on your day, Denise
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New Organ Donation Fund Update
The total donation amount is now $18,165. This is fantastic! Thank you all.
~Sam Wolcott
There are some extra copies of the fundraising letter available in the Church parlor if you did not receive one.
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Our annual Christmas in Suffield Bazaar will be Saturday, November 5th, 9am-3pm. There are signup sheets in the parlor to volunteer to make soup, donate a raffle gift basket and volunteer to help at the event.
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Stewardship Sunday
The next big day will be October 16th which will be the kick off day for our Stewardship pledge drive. The stewardship committee is Dan Phelon, Kathy Roberts, and John Nielsen.
Everyone will get a mailing before the kick off day.
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Missions
Our October Mission Collection will be collecting cans of soup for Crossroads Food Pantry.
Missions Committee Contact
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Food for Thought
The WSCC prides itself on helping those who struggle with food insecurities each month. We are 100% Volunteer run and rely on donations from our Community to operate.
SEPTEMBER FOOD PANTRY
Pantry Families Served: 30
Pounds of Food distributed: 1071
NEXT Food Pantry- October 13th
FOODSHARE MOBILE TRUCK
Attendance:
September 13 – 87 Families
September 27 – 85 Families
October Mobile Trucks- 13th & 27th
Donations can be mailed to WSCC, P.O. Box 26, West Suffield, CT. 06093 or they can be done online at our website: www.westsuffielducc.org click on the Ministries tab and then click on Crossroads Food Pantry.
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CHURCH COUNCIL will meet on October 9th.
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Deacon's Readings
Planting Life
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
Psalm 111
2 Tim 2:8-15
Luke 17:11-19
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Deacon's Bench
- Diaconate meets on the 3rd Sunday of the month.
- The next diaconate meeting will be on October 16th at 8:30am.
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If any member or friend of the WSCC knows of someone that would be in need of a contact by our Care Team please contact John Nielsen at 860-653-5398 or Pastor Denise Peterson at 860-368-9201 and they will arrange for one of our Care Team members to make the contact.
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Upcoming Events
Stewardship Sunday
WSCC will kick off it's Stewardship pledge drive on October 16th.
Children's Costume Party
October 30th, 3-5pm
Christmas Bazaar
November 5th, 9am-3pm
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ALTAR FLOWERS
There is a sign up sheet, hanging on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall, if you would like to volunteer to provide the Altar Flowers on a Sunday of your choice. Please indicate if they are to be in honor or in memory of a loved one.
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Just for Laughs
Sunday Sermon...
A minister decided to do something a little different one Sunday morning.
He said "Today, in church, I am going to say a single word and you are going to help me preach. Whatever single word I say, I want you to sing whatever hymn that comes to your mind."
The pastor shouted out "CROSS." Immediately the congregation started singing in unison, "THE OLD RUGGED CROSS."
The pastor hollered out "GRACE."
The congregation began to sing "AMAZING GRACE, how sweet the sound."
The pastor said "POWER." The congregation sang "THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD."
The Pastor said "SEX". The congregation fell into total silence. Everyone was in shock. They all nervously began to look around at each other, afraid to say anything.
Then all of a sudden, way from in the back of the church, a little old 87-year-old grandmother stood up and began to sing "PRECIOUS MEMORIES".
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Gift Card Program // A large assortment of gift cards for every need are available through our church. // Gift card forms may be filled out at any time and given to Sandy Cahill or put in the Scrip Mailbox in the office. Orders will be filled as they are received. 
