Sunday, June 21, started as most of our worship services do.  We had a couple of songs and then some announcements.  However, following that time – a host of our own children took to the stage and sang three powerful songs with all of their hearts.

Under the able direction of Rae Johnson and with the aid of pianist Susan Parra, the choir highlighted several solo voices and also used the combined energy of the group to inspired dads and all in attendance on this special Father’s Day performance.

In addition to the kids’ songs – Lincoln Gifford shared with the 11:30 AM crowd about his recent trip to Bucharest, Romania.  A Nooma DVD was also shown as part of the sermon that was entitled “Store” and spoke of Jesus’ right kind of anger.  The sermon for the morning was taken from a single phrase in Habakkuk 3:2 – “In Wrath Remember Mercy.” 

Though the announcements were routine, one shared by Will Walter was new and cutting edge in nature.  Will and Kelly Gay have put together an eight-week Bible course for advanced and beginner students alike.  The site, www.ghoconlinebibleschool.com, will post assignments each Thursday.  Each student has the entire week to do the homework.  Each additional week will give the answers from previous tests and post new homework.  Let’s all dig into God’s word in deeper ways through the internet.

It was also announced that Francis and Neleen Mata have been restored to our congregation.  That statement alone drew loud applause, as many in our church have known and loved them for years.  The recent baptism of U Conn student Joey Prochena also was one of those “praise God” moments, as this new church was planted last year and is touching the eastern Connecticut community in great ways.

Though we celebrate our earthly fathers, we mostly want to encourage the ultimate dad, our Father in heaven.

Though the venue would change, the program remained the same.  Following a downpour early on Sunday morning, June 14, the planned outdoor service was moved inside to our normal, New Britain meeting facility.  In fact, one service became two morning services again.  But just as had been planned, the graduates waiting to be honored were honored . . . and in fine fashion.

Each year, our church celebrates publicly the graduation of everyone high school age and older.  Each graduates shares name, where graduated from, and what future plans are.  Each graduate got a key ring with the verse Jeremiah 29:11 engraved on one side and Class of 2009 on the other.

In addition to graduation thoughts - lively song services were held, Tim Blake preached a powerful message and Mikayla Cody and Jenna Allen (both high school graduates) sang their rendition of “Brave.”

Our thoughts and prayers will stay with the graduates. Thankfully, God will stay with them as well.  As Cheuba Prabakar (medical school grad) and Noah Mata (high school grad) shared before communion, there are so many parallel challenges found in schooling and training, the cross of Jesus and all of life.  It is also magnificent to remember that any graduation on earth simply reminds us that one day we will “graduate” on to our eternal home – heaven.

Two months after the church was planted in Hartford fifteen years ago, Gary and Gail Sciascia moved to town from Atlanta, Georgia.  At the time, they had a newborn son.  From those early years, God has taken them through several jobs, two more children and ultimately into the full-time ministry.  On June 7, 2009, Gary returned “home” to preach for each of our morning worship services.

Gary and Gail now serve as lead evangelist and women’s ministry leader for the dynamic Phoenix, Arizona, Church of Christ.  They moved there a year and a half ago, after serving admirably in Groton for several years in the same role.

Gary’s sermon was taken from Mark 8 and walked us through three plus days in the life of Jesus.  His exegetical study pointed us to the following questions: 1.) Do you believe that God knows what you need?  2.) Do you have spiritual Alzheimer’s?  3.) Are you half-healed?  4.) What’s your alias?  5.) Are you trying to suck the suffering out of salvation?

The entire morning was very powerful as the band added a particularly emotional element to our worship of God.  Beautifully mixed in new and old songs showed us our desperation for God and need to look at His face alone.  The communion speakers, sharers and all had clear and powerful messages as we gave and took the juice and bread together.  Peter and Karen Rowe were particularly thankful for the Sciascias, as they welcomed all at second service.  Gail met Karen at a Blockbuster’s Video and the Sciascias and Rowes have been forever spiritually linked. 

Following the two services, Gary was gracious enough to stay for our family group leaders’ meeting.  After lots of good news sharing, Gary delivered another lesson on “holistic ministry.”  With wisdom, Gary shared how we are to meet emotional, spiritual and intellectual needs in Christ (Matthew 22:37).  A good discussion ensued about how to make sure we are not just saying “repent,” but also not forgetting to “call sin, sin.”  Getting advice, connecting struggling people up with others in similar situations and taking each person individually were some of the thoughts which came flowing from Gary’s lesson.

Eventually Gary left and went back to Groton to meet up with his wife and children.  Gail had shared at the Women’s Day in Groton during the early Sunday afternoon hours.  Gary and Gail will both return on Tuesday to share with our Hartford and U Conn staff group.  So, though they were here only briefly, they will be used a lot.  And even once they leave – in Hartford, the Sciascias will always be remembered.