Children Celebrate Fathers’ Day At Newtown Congregational Church

All the church school children participated in the special Fathers’ Day service at the Newtown Congregational Church last Sunday and all the Faith Nurturers (the teachers and directors of the church school) were recognized and honored.

The children had prepared a backdrop of Jesus with outstretched hands, behind which they awaited their turn to participate in the worship. Members of the congregation were given rhythm instruments to use for participation during all the music of the morning.

Luke Barber gave the Call to Worship and Stacey Gordon led the unison prayer. Makena Cunningham introduced the church school program. Pre-schoolers led by Rich Collins, Judy Dewolfe, and Susan Gibbs sang “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” “Johnny Appleseed,” and “Jesus Loves the Little Children.” They ended their program with a prayer.

Marianne Adams and Judy Rowley led the third graders in their reading of scriptures (Psalm 19 and Matthew 5F:14-16) and prayer. Associate Pastor the Rev Janice Touloukian gave the pastoral prayer and the congregation joined in singing “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Kindergarten and first grade students were led by Amanda and Bill Potter and Anna and Jim Wiggers with their message of faith.

The congregation sang “This Is the Day” while the children presented crosses. Lynne Covill, Cathy Dahlmeyer, Chris Hadgraft and Kathy Tramontozzi, Sue and Doug Body, Shelia and Jerry Cole led the second and fourth graders in their message, “Our Father.” While the congregation sang “Let There Be Peace on Earth” the second graders carried a streamer of white ribbon symbolizing peace to the congregation.

Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders put the congregation to a test with “Do You Know Your Bible?” based on the television show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. They had their own Regis, timekeepers, categories, etc., and a special person to say, “Is that your final answer?” These youngsters were led by Charlie Foss, Ellen Kunst, Chuck Leety, and Bob Stowell.

The children had even designed the three-fold bulletin and were greeters and ushers.

Youth helpers for the church school were Christinia Bennett, Teresa Dahlmeyer, Tim Gordon, Melissa Hanna, Katie Clyne, Kara Kunst, Chris LaRocque, Courtney MacRae, Katie Morrissey, Tracy Ravetto, Tim Robinson, Amanda Tredger, and Diana Wickman. Junior Pilgrim Fellowship advisors are Julie and Tom Morrissey and Helen and Paul Leuzzi. Senior Pilgrim Fellowship advisors are Karen Finlayson and Leslie Ballard. Mary Andreotta directs the youth choir.

Kathy Cunningham, chairwoman of the Christian Education Committee, honored her committee and Ester Nichols, who was unable to be there, but who is Sunday School superintendent. Ms Cunningham was presented with a gift of gratitude.