An open and affirming congregation

Transcription

1 An open and affirming congregation Fourth Sunday of Easter April 22, 2018 OUR MISSION Responding to God s Call, our mission as The First Congregational Church in Bloomfield, United Church of Christ, is to go out into the world proclaiming God s love for all creation, working for justice, bringing Christ s peace and growing in love and faith through service to others. We are a safe and sacred community that welcomes all people and supports each individual journey of faith.

2 T h e F i rst Congregat i o na l C h u r c h i n B l o o m f i e l d, UCC 1 0 W in t onbury Av e n u e, B l oomfield, CT G a thered a s Wintonbury Parish Februa r y 14, 1738 R e n e w ing our faith a s p e o p l e o f G o d 1 0 a. m. Sunday, April 22, Fourth Sunday of Easter WE GATHER TOGETHER PRELUDE None but the Weary Heart Peter Tschaikowsky (Please use this time for quiet reflection) WELCOME LIFE OF OUR CHURCH WELCOME GUESTS Please fill out the Ritual of Friendship pads PASSING OF THE PEACE CENTERING MOMENT Behold the One beholding you, and smiling. Anthony de Mello, Indian Jesuit priest and psychotherapist WE WORSHIP GOD INTROIT I Woke Up This Morning Negro Spiritual (Please remain seated) CALL TO WORSHIP (RESPONSIVE) Leader: Jesus Christ, the Passover Lamb who was slain, lives. People: Worthy is the Lamb to receive power and wisdom and glory and blessing! Leader: Myriads of the faithful, freed and called to be a nation of priests of God, sing praise: All: Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God, for ever and ever. Amen! * +HYMN OF PRAISE Christian, Rise and Act Your Creed # 463 PRAYER OF INVOCATION (UNISON) Risen Savior, we thank you that in your resurrection we are transformed. We are free from living grave clothes that have bound us prejudices, fears, angers, selfcenteredness, loneliness. We thank you that in your resurrection those dear to us are embraced. In you they have victory over suffering, unknown on earth, and the joy of your presence always. We thank you that in your resurrection we ourselves may hope for the end of pain, grief, tears, weakness, and for everlasting life in the beauty of your spirit. Alleluia. Amen. * CALL TO CONFESSION (UNISON) Creator God, you made us to be neighbors, members of one family blessed with great diversity. You created us to be helpers and friends to one another, entrusting to us your justice and your joy. Yet we have denied justice and joy to many, creating worlds of

3 poverty, pain, lost opportunities, and absence of hope. In so many ways, we break each other s hearts. Still, you do not reject us. We ask your forgiveness and pray to be transformed. Amen. ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS AND LORD S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever, Amen! CHILDREN S INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT Dorine DeCarli GOD IS IN OUR MIDST, GOD IS PRESENT, GOD IS STILL SPEAKING! LET S OPEN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS TO GOD S GOOD NEWS. GOD IS STILL SPEAKING! FIRST LESSON ~ Psalm 133 SECOND LESSON ~ Luke 10: OT p.706 in black Bible, p.575 in red NT p.87 in black Bible, p.71 in red CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Write These Words in Our Hearts # 298 Write these words in our hearts, we beseech you, O God. REFLECTION WON T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? Rev. Joseph Tobin +RESPONSIVE HYMN They Asked, Who s My Neighbor # 460 WE RESPOND TO GOD S LOVE OFFERTORY PRAYER ~ Rev. Tobin OFFERTORY Largo G. F. Handel PRESENTATION OF OFFERING DOXOLOGY # 44 Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above ye heavenly hosts; Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen. PRAYER AND DEDICATION OF OFFERINGS (UNISON) God of grace, we hear your call to generous giving in the way you meet our needs each day, and in the peace you give which passes understanding. Having received so much, we offer all we have, our time, talents and money for your kingdom. Bless these gifts for the work of your church. Amen Mennonite Offering Prayer EXPRESSIONS OF JOYS AND CONCERNS PASTORAL PRAYER CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Hear Our Prayer, O God # 278 Hear our prayer, O God, hear our prayer, O God; Incline your ear to us, and grant us your peace.

4 WE GO FORTH TO SERVE + HYMN Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life # 462 +BENEDICTION (Please link arms as an expression of Community Love) Rev. Tobin CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Amen, Amen, Amen +POSTLUDE Pilgrims Chorus Richard Wagner *Reprinted by permission of the publisher from Touch Holiness, ed. Ruth C. Duck and Maren C. Tirabassi. Copyright 1990 by The Pilgrim Press. REV. JOSEPH TOBIN THE REV. JOSEPH TOBIN IS A GRADUATE OF HARTFORD SEMINARY, AND IS ORDAINED AS AN INTENTIONAL INTERIM MINISTER IN THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST. HE HOLDS A CERTIFICATE IN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION FROM THE SHALEM INSTITUTE FOR SPIRITUAL FORMATION, AND SERVES AS A CORPORATOR OF HARTFORD SEMINARY AND A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF NEW SAMARITAN CORPORATION Music Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday, April 29 th, at the 10am service. Calling all Singers and Ringers. We have an ongoing need for singers for our Adult Choir. You may join on a part time basis or full time depending on your availability. With Music Sunday (April 29), service in the near future, members, friends or long-time visitors are needed. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Eustace B. Straker, Minister of Music, straepipes@yahoo.com Our rehearsals are on Mondays at 6pm. If you have an interest or know someone who can help us, be it member, friend or visitor, please let us know.

5 THOSE IN OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS (AMONG MANY): *Prayers for the Bain Family on the recent passing of William (Bill). *Prayers for those living in fear, suffering, or grieving due to a series of intentional explosions that have occurred this past week in Texas. *Prayers and comfort for the victims and families of those suffering or grieving after a bridge collapsed in Florida on March 16. *Prayers - Anne Clark is at McLean Nursing Home and would appreciate visits and cards mailed to her at: 75 Great Pond Road Simsbury, CT She is in Skyview Rm 234. *Michael Edwards, praying for release. *Prayers that God will speak to us and through us as we seek God's leadership and vision for our Church. *Family & Friends of All Soldiers Who Have Fallen In service to our country. *Our friends at Community Solutions, Inc., that God will support them as they find new opportunities and hope for the future. *Our nation, that it may continue its difficult work to end the practices of racism and misogyny and prayers for those serving or living in war or conflict zones around the world, or where terrorists have struck. *Update Carol Wolcott s new address: Middlewoods of Farmington 509 Middle Rd. # 209 Farmington, CT Please call office for phone #. Trudy Barnard Charlotte Babcock David Berg Estelle Cole Julie Cato Sue Davis Madge Edwards Al Forster Bonnie King Charles Miles Leslie Mills Erie Pinney Elizabeth Von Eisengrein Carol Wolcott Adelle Wright Betty Willis Please Remember These Connecticut Conference Churches in Your Prayers Lyme Lyme First Congregational Church of Lyme UCC Grassy Hill Congregational Madison Manchester First Congregational Church of Madison Center Congregational UCC Manchester Second Congregational Church, UCC Next Sunday, April 29, 2018 MUSIC SUNDAY

6 This Week at a Glance Looking Ahead Lectionary possibilities for this week include: Acts 4: 5-12; Psalm 23; 1 John 3: 16-24; John 10: Sunday, Apr 22 10:00 am Family Worship Service Meeting Room 12:30 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel Monday, Apr 23 6:00 pm Bell Choir Music Suite 7:00 pm Mission Team Living Room 7:00 pm Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall Tuesday, Apr 24 9:15 am Exercise Fellowship Hall 10:00 am Parish Care Living Room 1:30 pm Wounded Healers Library 6:30 pm NAMI Family to Family Fellowship Hall 7:00 pm Conversation on taxes Metzger Chapel Wednesday, Apr 25 9:30 am Jump Bunch Fellowship Hall 4:00 pm ABC Fellowship Hall 7:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room 7:00 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel Thursday, Apr 26 10:00 am Bible Study Living Room Friday, Apr 27 9:15 am Exercise Fellowship Hall 7:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room Saturday, Apr 28 12:00 pm Birthday Party (Private) Fellowship Hall ANNOUNCEMENTS Welcome Guests! We are so glad you are here and invite you to join us after Worship for Coffee Hour. Our Coffee Hour Hosts: Maurise Benson & Karen Blanchard. Today s Head Usher: Ozma Gibbs. Today s Lay Reader is Mary Laiuppa. Our Nursery is open every Sunday during the 10 a.m. worship. Please see one of our ushers and they will be happy to direct you.

7 Pastoral Counseling and Visitation The Reverend Joseph Tobin will be available on Tuesdays from 9:30 am to 3 pm for counseling and consultation. Please call the office to make an appointment. You can also walk in but may need to wait if he is in session. Rev. Tobin is also available to conduct memorial services/funerals, weddings and baptisms. Pastoral visits can be arranged by contacting Karen Blanchard or the church office. Rev. Tobin welcomes your visits and is looking forward to getting to know our congregation better YOUTH REVIVAL This Afternoon at 3:00 PM Faith Congregational Church 2030 Main Street Hartford, CT Revival Preacher, Rev. Edwin Perez, Jr. The Youth Revival is a Racial Justice Ministry event Contact Debby Kirk, CTUCC Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at debbyk@ctucc.org for more information.

8 The First Congregational Church in Bloomfield U N I T E D C H U R C H O F C H R I S T Welcome to the First Congregational Church in Bloomfield We hope that you find comfort, joy & inspiration in this time of worship; and renewed energy for your journey of faith. You are invited to remain after the service this morning for refreshments and informal conversation. SCHEDULE Worship is held at 10 am each Sunday STAFF Andrea Davey-Mercer, Office Manager Dorine DeCarli, Director of Faith Formation Eustace Straker, Minister of Music Shantel Bremmer, Director of Child Development Center Building Management is provided by Michelle Alves and JEM Services. CHURCH OFFICE Monday Friday 8:30 am 4:30 pm Phone: Fax: office@firstchurchbloomfield.org All Staff can be reached by contacting the Church Office. The Child Development Center can be reached at or preschool@firstchurchbloomfield.org. Visit our church's website: