SUNDAY  March 7, 2009

TODAY'S  GREETERS:   Ruth & Peter Hainsworth
SCRIPTURE READER:    Carol Kogut
DEACON OF THE DAY:   Ruth Hainsworth

NEXT WEEK’S GREETERS:   Jesse, Patrick and Mason Tucker
SCRIPTURE READER:            Jesse Tucker
DEACON OF THE DAY:          Donna Mears

   MEDITATION  
   Today I forgive all those who have every offended me. I give my love to all thirsty hearts, both to those who love me and to those who do not love me.– Paramahansa Yogananda

 In time we come to understand that the forgiving heart is the peaceful heart and we always have the choice to be “right” or to be peaceful. Forgiveness and love are partners on our path to genuine self-love and self-acceptance, and thus peace. Peace-or serenity-is our goal and is guaranteed to us each moment that we forget ourselves and shine the light of our love on others. To not forgive, whatever the offense, pulls the shade on God’s light. When we harbor ill feelings toward others, we become stuck in the darkness of old ideas, ideas that won’t let us experience the growth, peace, and well-being promised us. When we forgive, we are freed. When we love, we are nurtured. What we bestow on others is returned by God a hundredfold.

 
    MEMORIAL FLOWERS: 
The flowers in the sanctuary today have been placed there to the glory of God and in loving memory of:
             Gladys Holmes and Myrtle Clark, from Priscilla O’Connor 
                        
PRAYER LIST FOR THOSE HOSPITALIZED & HOMEBOUND
          Phyllis Eagleson,  Donna Dyson ,  Donna Hickey , Richard Jones  Alex Morales ,David Mueller,  Liam Olson , Denise Rocha , Scott Soderquist   Marion Thomas  
                              
WELCOME TO VISITORS! 
Please sign our Guest Book in the narthex. 
Special requests by our visitors may be noted on the 
Visitor's Registration cards located in each pew. 
Place the cards in the offering plate or give to an usher.

THIS WEEKS ACTIVITIES:                                             

March 7	Sunday	10:00.AM	Worship/Communion
March 8	Monday	1:00PM 2:30PM 6:30PM 7:30PM	Bible Discussion RFC Scouts Working Group
March 9	Tuesday	9:30AM 2:30PM 7:00PM 7:30PM	Census RFC Rd Recovery Choir
March 10	Wednesday	9:30AM 2:30PM 6:30PM	Census RFC Scouts
March 11	Thursday	9-12noon 2:30PM 2:30PM 5:15PM 6:300PM 7:30PM	Cobweb RFC Bradley Bells N/A O/A
March 12	Friday	2:30PM	RFC
March 13	Saturday	7:00PM	Carousel Group

                                *RFC-Riverside Family Center    
                                 *N/A-Narcotics Anonymous
                                *O/A- Overeaters Anonymous

              
                 Announcements

Fellowship Time 
All members, friends and visitors are cordially invited to
 fellowship time immediately following worship. Please join us for light refreshments and a little conversation. 

Lenten Service
 Our Lenten Services will continue on Wednesday, March 24th. The service will carry a theme of “healing.” Please join us in prayer beginning at 7:00 P.M.

Card Sale
Next week, the Jane Addams Guild will hold a handmade card sale to raise funds for their many missions. A variety of cards will be available including Easter, St Patrick’s and all occasion. Thanks so much for your support.

Riverside Family Center Earns National Attention
 The After School with the Arts Program has earned nation wide recognition from the National Inclusion project.The “Lets All Play” $12,500 grant award will allow inclusion services to be offered at the program with technical assistance from Bradley Hospital and the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. This award is given to only select programs throughout the country that fit strict standards for children’s programming. The program was recognized as a “best practice” model and has established ties to the community. The program is one of only 44 programs nation wide, which have ever received this recognition and the first in Rhode Island.
 
 Thank You 
We extend thanks and appreciation to Ruth Shilling Hainsworth for sharing her sermon with us today.

Census Jobs
Word has been received from the U.S. Census Bureau of their need for people to fill temporary positions such as: census takers, crew leaders, leader assistants, recruiters, and clerks.  More detailed information is available in the narthex.

Missions Board
Next week we'll begin our annual "school kit" drive and the good news is that we have enough supplies to fill the kits with the exception of 81/2x11, lined spiral notebooks.  Please place the notebooks in the designated spot in the narthex.  Also you may be surprised to know that we must pay a $2. fee to ship each kit, so we are in need of your donations for this as well.  Please place your donation the the envelope that will be found in next week's bulletin. All checks should be made payable to Riverside Congregatinal Church. It would be most helpful if all donations are in by March 28th, As always we very much appreciate your support.

Helping Others
Recently the Cob Web Thrift Shop donated 24 pairs of shoes and sneakers to the "Soles for Souls" organization who will be shipping thousands of pairs of footwear to Haiti.  Many thanks to the ladies of the Cob Web for gathering the shoes/sneakers and preparing them for shipment. Just another fine example of how our goodwill reaches those in far away places.

Want to Help
 The Board of Deacons would like you to know that you are always welcome to participate in our worship services. If you would like to read scripture, greet, take the offering, become an usher  or participate in any other way, please let us know by speaking with a deacon (Nicole Dyszlewski, Ruth Hainsworth, Carol Kogut, Myrtle McPherson & Donna Mears) or place your name on the sheet
located in the narthex. Please also feel free to speak with Rev. Gene.Training will be provided at a convenient time for all. Thank you! 

RCC Choir
 The choir is always looking for new members. If you would like to join us, reading music is not required, please speak with Drew or any member of the choir. Or simply join us at rehearsal on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 P.M.
    
Bottles and Cans
While we are very grateful for your deposit of bottles and cans, we must ask that they be rinsed out before placing them in the kitchen.  The small amount of remaining soda causes a messy and sticky site.  Also, please be aware that the soda bottles carrying a Cumberland Farms brand are not redeemable.  Many thanks to Cory Waitt, and Malcolm Rochford who take the bottles and cans to the redemption center.  Their most recent trip netted $37.00 for the General Fund.

Moderator’s Corner 
Peter will offer his comments every two weeks in the bulletin.  If you missed any of his messages, copies are posted on the bulletin board in Bristol Hall.

  Visitation 
Reverend Gene would like to visit members and friends of the congregation on Wednesdays of each week. Please see the Deacon of the Day during fellowship time to schedule your visit. Discussion will center around any subject of your choice. If Wednesday is not convenient for you, please let the Deacon know and another day will be scheduled.    

 Bell Ringers
 Bell choir rehearsals  have resumed  at 5:15PM  There's still time if you would like to join the fun.  Join us on any rehearsal night to see what its all about.  

 Reminder 
As we approach the fall season, it is important that you advise the office of your group’s dates and times for all meetings and get togethers.

 Prescription Coverage
United Way has partnered with FamilyWize to make available discount prescriptions to those who do not have coverage or whose plan may not cover certain medications.  To learn more about the program, pickup a discount card and an informational sheet in the narthex.  For more information click on www.familywize.org --- or dial 211,a statewide help line.Bob Spaulding of Hope Church at 434-2415 or the parsonage at 438-5845 

CD Offer – 
Five students of the Riverside Family Center recently produced a CD of songs they wrote, with music arrangement. If you would like to purchase a CD please drop by the church office. CDs are available for $6.00

Bake Sale 
Members of the Jane Addams Guild will resume their monthly bake sale on  Communion Sundays for the remainder of the year.  Your support is very much appreciated as the proceeds will support the Guild's many missions.
  
Food Pantry
We continue to collect all non perishable foods for delivery to the local Food Pantry.  Donations over the summer months have dwindled and your help & support in filling the shelves is greatly needed.  In these days of tough economic times, your generosity is needed more than ever.
We are in need of peanutbutter, jelly and canned meals such as: raviolli, spaghetti, fruit,etc. that are in pull tab cans.  As always your generosity is appreciated.  Thank You for all that you do

Gift Cards
A good way to show your support of the Youth fund is to purchase Shaw's gift cards which are available in $10, $25, $50, and $100 amounts., The cards are available anytime in the office.

Shaw's Receipts
Shaw's has changed its proces regarding reward points and will no longer accept receipts.  You now must register your rewards and telephone numbers on line.  Additionally, credits are restricted to purchases on Tuesday and Thursdays.  To register simply go to  www.shaws.com/neighborhood rewards and follow the instructions.  Don't have a ccess to a computer?  There are slips available at the office to fill out and left in the box in the nartex.. We'll be happy to register for yu.  The children of the Family Center are  most appreciative of your support. 

Coupons
We have been asked tothelp the EP Senior Center collect manufacturer's coupons for our military families.  The coupons will be clipped and given to families for use at the PX Commissaries.  Please place your coupons in the designated box in the narthex, or drop them off at the Senior Center on Waterman Avenue.  If you have any questions, please speak with Gloria Meservey, 434-9192.  The Seniors are assisted in this effort by college students who earn credits for their work.
   We have recently learned that the manufacturer’s coupons that you have so generously brought in, is making a tremendous difference in the lives of our military families. First, all coupons sent to military bases overseas carry an extended six months expiration. With your help, as of December 1st, the EP Senior Center has mailed over $50,000.00 in coupons to the families of our military troops. 
Yes, Riverside Congregational, you are helping to make a difference!

Soup Kettle
The "kettle" is placed in the rear of the sanctuary each week to receive your much needed  donations in support of those in our community who are in need and the Pastor's fund for those in need and the Deacons Fund.  Thanks so much for your generosity.