Prospect Congregational Church

Office Phone: 203-758-4872 Fax#: 203-758-6316 Church e-mail pccucc@snet.net

Church Website www.prospectctucc.orq

Office Hours Monday 8:00 - Noon Tuesday - Friday 8:00-1:00

The Prospectus 2015

CHURCH STAFF Rev. Carmen Cavallaro, Minister of Visitation

Dennis McGuire, Student Minister David Bell, Director of Music Ministry

Mark Wilson, Sunday School Administrator Tina Soderberg, Office Administrator

Prospectus Editors, Rick and Liz Normand Articles can be left in the mailbox in the coatroom or e-mailed to rickliz@aol.com or pccucc@snet.net. Deadline for the

newsletter is the third Wednesday of the month.

Experience Resurrection Joy at the

PROSPECT CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC

Worship April 2, 7:00 PM Maundy Thursday Worship with Communion

April 3, 7:00 PM Good Friday Worship

April 6, Easter Sunrise @ 6:00 AM; 8:00 & 10:00 AM Easter Worship April 12, 10:00 AM Worship April 19, 10:00 AM Worship

April 26, 10:00 AM Worship and Baptism

Fellowship and Celebration Easter Bunny Breakfast and Egg Hunt Saturday April 4, 9:30-11:00AM

Spring Victorian Tea, April 11 at 1:00 PM Evening Women’s Association April 15 at 6:30 PM

Lasagna Dinner April 25 at 5:00 PM Senior High Youth fellowship Sundays 6-8 PM

Spiritual Enrichment Sunday school for Pre-K – 8th grades

Confirmation Classes April 1 and 15, 6:30 PM

“Called to Care” Roger Allen Joan Hart Anne Powe Jennie Bayse Al Hamilton Tina Sierra Louise Beach Arnie Koehler Joan Slapikas Gloria Benson Barbara Koshier Dave Stewart Kirsten Berube Lindy Jacobson Sandi Stewart Carmen Cavallaro Linda Jerzierny Babette Strumpf Janet Cronn Ellen Lampros Fred Strumpf, Jr Jillian DiTommaso Michael Lohne Georgianna Tata Helen Donovan Sally Lohne Andrew Vilardo Jake Dzubak Dennis McGuire Charlotte VanKirk Peter Creasey Barbara Menturweck Kathy Vander Eyk Judy Fiengo Ed Mitoraj Lou Vander Eyk Gayle Gourley Mary Ellen Pearce Barbara Walcott Sherie Wilson

Prayers for our Military, including

PFC Marissa Bainer Thomas Brunetti, Jr. Christopher Chucta, Turkey Jon Conlon Anthony DiTommaso Thomas Greene, Afghanistan Darren Hale, Jr., Afghanistan Jim Jackson, Marine Kenny Jeannin, Ft. Drumm, NY A1C Johnny Dee, Washington 118th Med Bn FC James Kabusk, Cherry Point, NC Pvt Michael LeBlanc, Ft. Benning GA Jonathan Saxton, Fairfield, CA Lcpl Alex Theil, Ft. Leonardwood, MO ACAN Jessica Zielonka, USS Theodore Roosevelt Glendale Paradigm Jo Collins Dorothy Clark Roy Schellhardt Helen Donovan Raymond & Shirley Stewart Prayers of Concern for our Extended Family Anthony (Tina Sierra’s Cousin) Lonzia (friend of Tina & Rick Sierra) Peter (friend of Tina Sierra) Sarah & Family (Christine Creasey’s niece and family) Tabitha (Lindy Jacobson’s niece) Uncle Howard (David Bell’s uncle) Yves Allard (Erik Soderberg’s Uncle) Norman Anderson (Babette Strumpf’s brother) Barbara Andrews (Eileen Flanagan’s daughter) Susan Boyle (Peter Creasey’s Sister) Bill (friend of Eileen Flanagan) Robin Carlson (friend of Sandy Pavlowski) Mabel Caudill (Linda Jerzierny’s mother) Mary Grace Cavallo Carolyn Coleman (friend of Mary Ellen Pearce) Donald Covino (brother of Carm Villani) Joyce Cronin (friend of Sandy Pavlowski) Michael Dingle (Louise Beach’s nephew) Justine Egan (Kelly Evon’s cousin) Agatha Falcone (Tina Sierra’s mom) Tony Falcone (Tina Sierra’s brother) Lillian Farley (Tina Soderberg’s mom) Richard Fortier (brother of Anne Marie Burr) Justine Fortin (grandson of Charlotte Geary) Rachel and Elizabeth Friedland (nieces of Rich and Sharry Sargeant) Rob Friedland (brother-in-law of Sharry Sargeant) Sam Gourley (Gayle Gourley’s father-in-law) Anthony Guistinello (Mary Ellen Pearce’s Grandson) Eddie Hannula (Diana Trumbley’s uncle) Lloyd Hannula (Diana Trumbley’s dad) Fran Hart (Mother of Joan Hart and Janet Searles) Pam Hartnett (Bob and Kathy Hartnett’s daughter-in-law) Ellie Held (Barbara Rowe’s sister) Russell Held (Barbara Rowe’s nephew) David Holley (John Holley’s dad) Mary Hudson (John Hudson’s mother) Paul Hudson (John Hudson’s dad) Douglas Hughes (Arlene Hughes’ son)

Conall Hurley (Howie Steeves’ nephew) Ingrid (Sharon Blair’s Sister) Jason Juraska (Debbie Brook’s grandson) Edna Kainer (Sandy Pavlowski’s grandmother) Marie Kluge David Knapp (Rev. Phyllis’ brother) Jackie LaCroix (friend of Melissa Saxton) Robert Luddy (neighbor of Gwenn and Brad Fischer) Bertha & Charles McCollough (Sharry Sargeant’s mother and father) Madalyn McDaniel (Barbara Menturweck’s niece) Dolores Mikishko Christina Mitchell (Mary Ellen Pearce’s daughter-in-law) Mary Nelson (Barbara Menturweck’s cousin) Laura Niatopsky (Judy and Martin Niatopsky’s granddaughter) Megan Pearce (Mary Ellen Pearce’s granddaughter) Mark Peel (friend of Mary Ellen Pearce) Helen Plante (Connor Sargeant’s Aunt) Tiffany Perry (friend of Kim Palmerie) Teresa Preziosi (Mary Ellen Pearce’s niece) Doreen Proul (dear friend of Edie Sherwood) Marion Raven (John Raven’s daughter–in-law, Kim Palmerie’s Sister-in-law) Matthew Raven (John Raven’s son) Kathryn Reynolds (Rev. Phyllis’ sister) Bill St. Jean (Denise Masulli’s brother) Henry Sarbeski Michelle Scotto-Lanzoni (John Hudson’s Cousin) Susan Sherman (friend of Peg Goddard) Jim Scully (Howie and Deb Steeves’ brother-in-law) Dotty Searles (John Searles’ mom) Edward Smith (son of Janet and Steve Cronn) Bob Steeves (Howie Steeve’s cousin) Herman Strumpf (Neighbor of Gwenn and Brad Fischer) Maggie Thompson (friend of MaryEllen Pearce) Sharon Trumbley (Diana Trumbley’s sister-in-law) Bob Wallin (friend of Rev. Carmen & Diane Cavallaro) Jack Walsh (student at Woodland High School) Arthur Wood (Christine Creasey’s father) Joan Wood (Christine Creasey’s Mom)

Birthdays and Anniversaries for April

Birthdays: 1 Karen Hale 16 Fred Harkins Sean Krofssik 17 Todd Bednarek William Edwards, Jr. Bea Difelice 5 Barbara Goodrich 18 Dee Tait Carmen Cavallaro, Jr 19 Amanda (Smegielski) Costa

Lindy Jacobson 23 Deb Colaci 9 Kelly Young Jonathan Krofssik Amber Hazen 25 Sarah Pyshna 10 Concetta Beach 30 William Trumbley 11 Adam Trumbley 12 Debra D’Aniello Anniversaries: 25 Rick and Liz Normand

Call to A Special Congregational Meeting A Special Congregational Meeting of the Prospect Congregational

Church, UCC will be held Sunday, April 12 in the Sanctuary, 20

minutes following worship or 11:30 a.m., whichever is later. The

purpose of this meeting is to give to update the Congregation with

information regarding the Elevator status and possible voting on

contract expenses.

EASTER BUNNY BREAKFAST An Easter Bunny Breakfast will be held on Saturday April 4th at 9:30 a.m. It is sponsored by the Evening Women’s Association and the Hospitality and Fellowship Committee. All children are invited to attend. Children will decorate eggs and make a craft. The Easter Bunny will lead the children to an Easter Egg Hunt. Breakfast will be provided. Please bring your Easter basket to put your eggs into. Parents and grandparents are welcome too! There is no charge for all this fun. Looking forward to seeing you there. It will be held rain or shine.

LASAGNA DINNER Saturday, April 25th

5-7pm

Choose from

Lasagna w/sausage or Vegetarian Lasagna With

Caesar Salad Italian Bread

Homemade Desserts

$12.00

Sponsored by Evening Women’s Association

HELP OUR CHURCH

SAVE YOURSELF SOME MONEY

The Prospect Congregational Church has again become a Broker for Discount Power. Discount Power is a discount electricity supplier located in Shelton, CT. They now seem to have their act together in Connecticut, have expanded to Massachusetts and Pennsylvania and are offering fixed rate contracts for various time periods. Plan Type *Rate Term Comments Fixed $.077 6 mo. No penalty for cancellation Fixed $.0967 12 mo. $50 penalty for cancellation Fixed $.0980 18 mo. $50 penalty for cancellation Fixed $.099 24 mo. $50 penalty for cancellation As you can see these rates are significantly lower than Eversource(CL&P)’s newest rate of $.12629/kWh which was effective January 1, 2015. Whether you are purchasing your electricity from Eversource(CL&P), UI or another discounted electricity supplier, please check a recent bill to see what rate you are currently paying or call the church at 203 758-4872 and we would be happy to analyze your bill to determine how much money you can save. You can also email us at pccucc@snet.net. We will be happy to answer any additional questions you might have and review the steps necessary to sign up for Discount Power. If you reach our voice mail, please leave us a message and we will return your call. You may be surprised to see how much money you can save. You can also sign up on your own on our website at discountpowerinc.com/pccenergy What a great way to save some money and earn money for the church at the same time. It’s a win/win situation. Excellent commercial rates are also available. *Rates are as of 3/27/2015. Rates are subject to change weekly to reflect current market so please check our website to determine current rate.

Historian’s Page THE USE OF HYMNALS IN THE PROSPECT CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

(The purpose of the Historian’s Page is to correct or expand on narratives in the 200-year history of the church, A Church Set Upon a Hill: The Story of the Prospect Congregational Church, U.C.C., 1798-1998.) The Preface of the 1958 Pilgrim Hymnal, used by our church for many years, begins: “The hymnbook has a central place in the worship of the church. The psalmist invites us to ‘sing to the Lord a new song.’ St. Paul urges the churches to praise God ‘in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.’ The Reformation began in a burst of congregational singing.” There was a time when churches did not have hymnals. Early Protestant churches in the 16th and 17th centuries used psalters, or the Psalms set to metrical verse. One example was the 1560 Genevan Psalter with Psalm 100, “All people that on earth do dwell,” set to the familiar tune, “Old Hundreth,” (the Doxology). Another example was the Scottish Psalter, with the 23rd Psalm, “The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want,” sung to tunes such as “Dundee.” The first book published in the American colonies was the Bay Psalm Book, printed in 1640 in Cambridge, Mass. This continued the tradition of Psalm-singing, which had been established in Europe. A revolutionary change was made by the Rev. Isaac Watts, a Congregational minister in England, who wrote many poems set to music and in 1707-1709 published Hymns and Spiritual Songs.” This first hymnal included “When I survey the wondrous cross,” “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun,” “Joy to the World,” and “Our God, our help in ages past.” Other hymnals followed. One was by John and Charles Wesley, the founders of the Methodist Church, with hymns like “O for a thousand tongues to sing,” and Hark, the herald angels sing.” Also, very important was the Olney Hymns of John Newton and William Cowper. Newton had lived a very rough life, was apprenticed on a ship at age 11, was impressed into the Royal Navy, and was involved in the African slave trade. A storm in the north Atlantic in 1748 almost destroyed his ship, and it was the beginning of his religious conversion. He gave up the slave trade in 1755, studied for the ministry, and became a pastor at Olney. Buckinghamshire, in 1764. For his congregation he wrote the well-known hymn, “Amazing Grace,” in 1772, and it was published in 1779 in his hymnal. It became immensely popular in the United States. When the Prospect church was organized in 1798 there was a transition from Psalm tunes lined out by the Deacons to the use of hymns. Choristers were appointed, a “singing school” was organized, and the church voted in 1827 to buy a dozen of the Village Hymns, edited by Asahel Nettleton, who was an itinerant evangelist in the Second Great Awakening. This hymnal contained John Newton’s “Amazing Grace,” and Wesley’s “O for a thousand tongues,” but there were only words and no music. It is not clear what hymnals the Prospect church used the rest of the 19th century, but there is in the church archives a copy of Sacred Lute: A Collection of Sacred music,” published in 1864 in New York City. There is also a copy of Gospel Hymns, Nos. 1,2,3,4, compiled by Ira Sankey and published in 1883 for use in the revival meetings led all over the country by Dwight L. Moody. After the second church building burned to the ground in 1906, the 1904 Pilgrim Hymnal was purchased; this was published by the National Council of Congregational Churches in Boston. In the 1930s the Women’s Association took the leadership in buying 100 copies of the 1935 edition of the Pilgrim Hymnal. After the fieldstone church building burned in 1941, the church used Christian Worship and Praise, edited by Prof. Henry Hallam Tweedy of Yale Divinity School. The 1958 edition of the Pilgrim Hymnal was dedicated on Sept. 21, 1969, primarily with money from the Clifford Clark Memorial Fund. In 2002 the church’s Music Committee sought to replace the hymnal which had become badly worn. In 2004 the church bought 165 copies of the Chalice Hymnal, published by the Disciples of Christ denomination. There was a feeling that there were fewer changes in the words of this hymnal. (Despite the fact that 114 of the hymns had been altered to be more gender-inclusive and politically correct.)

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Deacon of The Month: Jason Wilson

1 6:30p Confirmation Class

2 7p Maundy Thursday Service

3 7p Good Friday Service

4 9:30a Easter Bunny Breakfast

5 Easter 6a Sunrise Service Breakfast 8 & 10 a Easter Service

6 7p Deacons’ Meeting

7 8 9 7:30 Choir

10 11

1p Spring

Victorian Tea

12 10a Worship Foster Grandparents

11a Coffee Hr. 11:30 CE Mtg 11:30 Special Congregational Elevator Mtg

13 7p Missions Meeting

14 7p BOT Mtg

15 6:30 Evening Women’s

6:30p Confirmation Class

16 7:30 Choir

17 18

19 10a Worship 11a Coffee Hr

20 21 22 23 7:30 Choir

24 25

5-7p Lasagna Dinner

26 10a Worship Baptism 11a Coffee Hr

27 28 29 30 7:30 Choir

April 2015