News & Notes

"For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live." Ezekiel 18: 32

Steering Committee Meeting Sunday 8am

The Steering Committee will be meeting with an in-person or Zoom option. If you wish to meet in-person, please gather in the Christian Education Area at 8am, wearing a mask, and we will social distance. You will also have the option of joining the meeting virtually via Zoom. Please look for the invitation which will be sent out tomorrow. The meeting will end no later than 9:30 am giving you time to gather for the last outdoor service of the season to be held at 10am.

Deacons Plan for Indoor Worship to begin October 4
The deacons met on Sunday to plan for safe worship in the sanctuary beginning in October. Fred Shiffer and Ken Joy met today to remove hymnals, Bibles and other materials from the pews to reduce touch points. Cheri Czesak and Martha Deegan will rope off every other pew to facilitate 6ft distancing. Patty Mailhot and I will mark off places within the pews that shouldn't be occupied. You will be required to wear your mask for the entire time you are in the sanctuary. Fred Shiffer installed touchless hand sanitizer inside each entrance door from Miner Street. You will be required to enter the sanctuary from one of the two green doors on Miner Street. Please enter on the side of the sanctuary you wish to sit on. If you haven't yet done so, please let us know whether or not you will be joining us. If you are unable to attend, please note that the service will be taped. Look for the videotape of the service on our YouTube Channel on Sunday afternoons.

Adult Bible Study begins October 7

We will kick off this year's adult Bible Study by digging into Bible Project's Small Group Bible Study. Bible Project offers 26 weekly studies. Each study includes a brief audio message, a brief video, and a Bible passage to read prior to the group meeting. In the group, we will read the Bible passage, and discuss the questions. Preparation time at home will take about an hour each week. The Bible Study will be held on Wednesdays at 10am beginning October 7. There will be an in-person and Zoom option for those who wish to participate. Please let Pastor Nancy know if you are interested, or if you have any questions.

More Voices Wanted

A warm and appreciative thank you to everyone who contributed to the "Our Members Speak" video. There will be a 2nd opportunity to tape a message for visitors to our webpage. Jeff Yardis is looking for 2-3 sentences you can say that will give prospective members a taste of why you are a member of Third Congregational Church. Why are you here? Jeff will be videotaping indoors immediately following the indoor service on October 4. Please remain in your pew at the close of worship, if you are willing to say a few words. The more faces and voices featured in the video, the more welcoming it will be.

Support Our Church through Amazon Smile

If you purchase items through Amazon.com, please consider making Third Church the charity of your choice. If you do, Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchase price to Third Church, whenever you order through smile.amazon.com. To choose us:

1.    Visit smile.amazon.com.
2.    Sign in with your Amazon.com credentials.
3.    Search for "Third Congregational Church."
4.    Select the one in Middletown, CT as the charity of your choice.

Current Office Hours

Rev. Nancy Lois, and our administrative assistant, Chris Foley, have office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am-3PM. Our pastor is available to meet with you or visit you at your convenience at other times during the week. She also checks church voicemail and email daily Tuesday through Sunday. Monday is her day off.

Upcoming Meetings

Standing Committee 9/27 8AM
      BCE Meeting, 10/4 11AM
            FNCCC Meeting, 10/18
              Trustees, Tuesday, 10/13 6PM

*Please pray for the Chapin and Garofalo family on the loss of Joan. 9/20
*Please pray for those in California dealing with the wildfires. 9/20
*Please continue to pray for Sharon, sister of Carol and Patti, she has finished chemo and is in remission. 9/4
*Please continue to pray for Larry and Lisa, friends of Dennis, who are still awaiting test results. 9/27
*Please pray for Marti, mother of Becky, in hospice care.
*Please pray for continued improvement for Randy's mother, she is home and doing well. 9/20
*Please pray for our friend, Joy, who is recovering at home. 7/12
*Please continue to pray for Linda, Christopher, Joshua and Cindy on the passing of Jonathan. 9/27
*Please continue to pray for our friends, Arlene and Bill, who are experiencing health issues but are doing okay. 9/27
*Please continue to pray for Ralph, uncle of Janice, moved to rehab and now to continue to improve and get off the ventilator. 9/20

Pray for Our Shut Ins
Betty Behn, Sally Parker, Bettye Nosenzo and Evelyn Macensky, Karen Keathley