Week of September 3, 2023

Live from Etna:  It's SUNDAY MORNING!  (With apologies to Saturday Night Live  - and apologies for this blog author's somewhat misspent youth!)  On-line access to our Sunday morning services is poised to improve markedly.  Beginning this Sunday, we'll be using a new platform to provide better live coverage of our Sunday services.

Zoom was a game-changer for us when the pandemic struck. We had to figure out within a matter of days how to take church online for everyone. However, in the last 3 years, we've outgrown the capabilities of Zoom. So many of our technical difficulties have been related to using Zoom in a way that it wasn't made to be used, so we are upgrading our church online experience.

Here's a quick overview of what's changing.

• You can join church online right from our website or from our new app. You will no longer need the Zoom app or any other app to join church online.
• All chatting will be text chat. You will not be able to turn your video camera or your microphone on. If you want to chat, you'll need to create an account. (see instructions below)
• We've put together a short video tutorial as well as more detailed written instructions. Use these if you have any trouble figuring things out.

We thank and praise God for the technology that allows our (His) church family's connections to extend beyond the physical boundaries of a building.   We look forward to your joining us live in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings, or livestreaming if attending in-person isn't an option for you.  
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17 (NIV).  

Back in Etna:  We'll be back at the church in Etna for worship starting this Sunday September 3.  Once again, a heartfelt thank you to the folks in Hanover Center for a wonderful summer worship season in the historic and beautiful church on the green -- and, of course, another very grateful thank you to Eric, John, Heidi, and Scott for sharing their messages with us over the past several weeks.  Some church traditions refer to the Sundays of summer as "Ordinary Time", but there is nothing ordinary about our church family's worship experiences, even in the summer.  God is great indeed!

Bible Study Schedule:  Our Sunday morning Bible study is taking a Labor Day weekend hiatus.  No Bible study on September 3,  but the Sunday Bible discussions will restart soon.  Check our next weekly announcement blog post for details on the next topic.
Our weekday Bible study meets at 10 am on Wednesday mornings  in Trumbull Hall at the Etna church.  The Wednesday discussions are based on the previous Sunday morning's sermon.  

New Middle School / High School Youth Group: Starting this Sunday September 3, we're launching a new program for our MS/ HS students. Isaac Lambert is leading this program and we couldn't be more excited. They are meeting twice a month on Sunday mornings during the worship service and once a month on Wednesday nights for a fun night. For more info, please send us an email.  We thank Isaac, and we thank and praise God for leading Issac to take up this essential part of our ministry to the church and the community.

Alpha is nigh:  Alpha is a night of eating and group discussion. We look at some of the big questions of life, the answers that the Christian faith gives to those questions, and then everyone is invited to share their own thoughts in a safe and judgement-free space. You're invited, no matter your background or beliefs. It's completely free and there's no pressure to come back.

Mondays @ 6:30 pm
Trumbull Hall in Etna
Starting September 11, 2023
https://etnahanovercenterchurch.org/alpha

LISTEN Updates:   ...I was hungry and you fed Me... when you fed the least of these My brothers and sisters, you were doing it for Me.  Matthew 25:35, 40

LISTEN dinner -- Our team is signed up for the dinner in WRJ on Tuesday, Sept. 12.  We could still use 1-2 more volunteers for the second shift that evening: 4:15-5:45.  These jobs enable interacting with the dinner guests, not just working in the kitchen.  We'll train you!  Contact Laurie Wadsworth for more information, for your questions, or of course to volunteer!

LISTEN is also looking for volunteers for their food pantry in Lebanon:Volunteers needed for the Food Pantry.  Volunteer slots available Monday – Friday between 9:00am and 4:30pm. A variety of time slots available for 2, 3 or 4 hours. We need help packing groceries, registering customers, sorting vegetables, stocking shelves, unloading trucks and cleaning.  See our calendar at https://listen.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/foodpantry
For more information, email LISTEN by clicking here

Fall Rummage Sale:  The Fall Etna Ladies Aid Rummage Sale will be Friday, September 29th, noon to 6:00 pm and Saturday, September 30th, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in Trumbull Hall, Etna.

$5 a bag after 11:00 am on Saturday.

Donations of clean, seasonal clothing, jewelry, and small household items in good condition accepted at Trumbull Hall Tuesday to Thursday (September 26 - 28). Please, no books, CDs, electronics, or exercise equipment.

All the funds raised are used to serve the community.  We look forward to seeing you there!

No Zumba on Labor Day:  Rhonda Fenton reports that her weekly Monday Zumba class will not be held this Monday, September 4 (Labor Day).  Zumba will resume the following week, and Rhonda looks forward to seeing you then!

Goings On at and Around Church:  Important Dates
Here's a list of important activities and dates that are on the horizon even now. As always, you can also check the church calendar for goings-on.

• Sunday September 3 - Sunday morning services return to the First Baptist Church of Etna (195 Etna Road)
• Monday, September 11 @ 6:30 pm - Launch of “the Alpha Course” (see above and note day and time change from earlier announcements)
• Fall Fest Saturday October 14
• Vision Weekend - October 20-22
• Joyful Bells Christmas Concert - December 10 @ 1:30 pm