The First Congregational Church

Transcription

1 The First Congregational Church United Church of Christ Bloomfield, CT An open and affirming congregation Sunday, December 9, 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 F i r st Co n g r e g a t i o nal Church I n B l o o m f i e l d, U C C 1 0 W in t onbury Av e n u e, B l oomfield, CT G a t h e red a s Wintonbury Parish on F e b ruary 1 4, 1738 R e n e w ing our faith a s p e o p l e o f G o d 1 0 :0 0 a. m. Sun d a y, Dece m b e r 9, 2018 WE GATHER TOGETHER PRELUDE From Heaven Above to Earth I Come David Schack ANNOUNCEMENTS CENTERING MOMENT WE GATHER IN COMMUNITY AS GOD S PEOPLE CALL TO WORSHIP (RESPONSIVE) One: When the darkness sets in All: We long for the expected Jesus. One: When the cold of the season or the cold of our world makes us shiver All: We long for the expected Jesus. One: When Peace in our world, Peace in our families, Peace in our hearts, seem so far away All: We long for You Jesus. We long for Your arrival Child of God, Prince of Peace. + GATHERING HYMN Come Though Long Expected Jesus (See page 5) OPENING UNISON PRAYER God of Peace - Sometimes Your aspirations for us seem too great to achieve. Yet, you continually tells us that is not the case. You continually tell us that all of the good that You promise is available to us now. We just need to choose it. We just need to do it. Help us to use the Hope from the first week of Advent. Help us to use it to break down the walls of doubt that cause us to fail to believe that Peace is possible. Help us to use the Hope of the Season and Your long-awaited Son, to commit to the tri-fold Peace Peace in our world, Peace in our families, and Peace in our hearts. We pray his in the name of Your Son, the Prince of Peace. PASSING OF THE PEACE (we bless each other) Greeting: Peace be with you Response: And also with you CHILDREN S MESSAGE Dorine DeCarli ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY: THE CANDLE OF HOPE AND PEACE Candle lighters today are Sarah Kline Morgan, Peter Haberlandt, Louis & Susan Haberlandt

3 CONGREGATION: God of inner Peace and of global Peace - Thank You for sending us Your Son, Jesus, the Prince of Peace. We ask for Your Shalom your Peace, your wholeness, Your completeness - as we continue on our Advent journey. May we be both recipients and instruments of that Shalom during this Advent Season and beyond. Amen. We sing verse 2 of One Candle Is Lit (sung to the tune of Away in A Manger ) Come quickly, Shalom, teach us how to prepare, for a gift that compels us with justice to care. Our spirits are restless, til sin and war cease. One candle is lit for the reign of God s Peace. WE SHARE OUR CONCERNS WITH GOD AND EACH OTHER CONCERNS PASTORAL PRAYER THE LORD S PRAYER (trespasses) (You are invited to hold hands as an expression of Community Love) 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! LESSONS AND CAROLS LESSON 1 Isaiah 9: 2, 6 CAROL Glad Tidings Natalie Sleeth The Cantata Singers LESSON 2 Luke 1:26-30 CAROL Carol of the Bells arranged by Douglas Wagner The Accidentals Handbell Ensemble LESSON 3 Luke 2: 1; 3 7 CAROL Mary Had a Baby arranged by Carrie Wilson Carrie Wilson, soloist LESSON 4 Luke 2:8-14 CAROL Hear the Angels Singing Lloyd Larson The Cantata Singers

4 LESSON 5 Luke 2:15-20 CAROL Song of the Shepherds Lloyd Larson The Cantata Singers LESSON 6 John 1: 1-5 CAROL O Little Town of Bethlehem (#151) The Cantata Singers and Congregation JOYS OFFERING OUR GIFTS WE RESPOND TO GOD S LOVE Go Tell It on the Mountain DOXOLOGY & PRESENTATION OF OFFERING # 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. WE GO FORTH TO SERVE + HYMN Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates # 127 +BENEDICTION +POSTLUDE Improvisation on Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence THOSE IN OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS (AMONG MANY): Trudy Barnard Charlotte Babcock David Berg Julie Cato Estelle Cole Madge Edwards Michael Edwards Al Forster Carolyn Jones Bonnie King Charles Miles Leslie Mills Elizabeth Von Eisengrein Betty Willis Carol Wolcott Prayers of Intercession: For those migrants at the U.S./Mexico border who are met with indifference and violence instead of care and compassion For those families still separated by the unjust and unethical policies of our government. For those forgotten men, women and children, who die every day from lack of food, nutrition, exposure and lack of medical care. Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving: For the hope that Advent brings us. For those ordained clergy who recently celebrated 25 and 50 year anniversaries of service to God and God s children. Please Remember These Connecticut Conference Churches in Your Prayers The United Church of Christ in Cornwall Second Congregational Church, UCC, Coventry The First Congregational Church of Coventry, UCC First Congregational Church, UCC, Danbury King Street UCC, Danbury

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6 This Week at a Glance Looking Ahead: Lectionary possibilities for next week include: Zephaniah 3: 14-20; Isaiah 12: 2-6; Philippians 4:04-7; Luke 3: 7-18 Sunday, Dec 9 10:00 am Family Worship Sanctuary 11:30 am Music Ministry Bake Sale Fellowship Hall 12:30 pm New Birth Comm. Church Chapel 5:30 pm Community Carol Sing Sanctuary Monday, Dec 10 12:30 pm Loaves & Fishes prepare meal Kitchen 6:00 pm Bell Choir Music Suite 7:00 pm Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall Tuesday, Dec 11 9:15 am Exercise Fellowship Hall 11:00 am Loaves & Fishes serve meal Offsite 1:30 pm Wounded Healers Living Room Wednesday, Dec 12 9:30 am Jump Bunch Fellowship Hall 10:00 am Board of Deacons Living Room 6:00 pm Church Council Living Room 7:00 pm New Birth Community Church Chapel 7:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room Thursday, Dec 13 10:00 am Book Group Living Room Friday, Dec 14 9:15 am Senior Exercise Fellowship Hall 7:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room Saturday, Dec 15 8:30 am Flower Club dress Sanctuary Liv Rm/Sanct. 11:30 am Bloomfield Community Meal Fellowship Hall Welcome Guests! We are so glad you are here and invite you to join us to continue our Worship experience during a time of refreshments and conversation. Today s hosts: Jane Koley & 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. Christian Education is available for all youth. Students who choose to attend leave with the teachers after the Children s Message.

7 ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNUAL TOY COLLECTION: Please take an ornament or two from the tree in front of the chapel, attach it to the UNWRAPPED gift, and return it by Dec 15 so that we have time to distribute them. Please no battery toys. Monetary donations are also welcome. Judi can shop for you! Thank you. Judi Bunker COVENANT TO CARE: Our Covenant to Care Social worker is seeking clothes for boys ages 2 and 4 and a girl 10 yrs. Please call Judi at or bring smaller items in a marked bag to the outer side office under the table. Thank you very much, Judi Bunker Bloomfield Diaper Bank is in need of size 4 & 6 diapers. Please drop off at church or Laurel School - 1 Filley Street, Bloomfield, CT. Thank you! The Backpack Program is seeking donations of all natural non sugar juice packs for the weekly program. Donations can be left in the bins in Fellowship Hall. THE FLOWER CLUB will meet on Saturday morning at 8:30 am to decorate the Sanctuary and Living Room with poinsettias. Please contact Cecile Simmons with questions

8 The Accidentals Handbell Ensemble Kathy Belinkie Marnie Clark Sylvia Colvin Mike Fuss Diana Henkel Terry Martel Leslie Mills Ron Robinson Sue Thompson The Cantata Singers Sopranos Altos Tenors Basses Pat Ackeifi Rachel Abrams Zachary Cummins John Ackeifi Leslie Mills Alyssa Clancy Calvin Dixon Kristen Russell Marnie Clark Alex Hartofelis Carrie Wilson Joseph Merritt SPECIAL THANKS Lan-Ya Huang, Accompanist Eustace B. Straker, Minister of Music Pastor Shawn Fisher, Reader of the Lessons The Accidentals Handbell Ensemble The Cantata Singers Lan-Ya Huang Families of all the participants Pastor Shawn Fisher, Andrea Mercer, The Music Team, Dorine DeCarli, Michelle Alves

9 COMMUNITY CAROL SING and VISIT from SANTA This evening 5:30 to 7pm Bloomfield Congregational Church 10 Wintonbury Avenue, at Corner with Bloomfield Ave (across from Town Green and The Library) Come and sing your favorite Christmas Carols! Then, join us for a Surprise visit from Santa! Santa will be available for pictures as we share in refreshments and conversation. If you have any questions, call (860) or us at office@firstchurchbloomfield.org

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11 The Longest Night Service Friday, December 21, 2018, at 7 p.m. This time of year can be difficult for many people for all kinds of reasons. If you would find a calm, contemplative worship experience helpful, you are welcome and invited to our Longest Night service. We will sing, listen, pray, and have time for quiet contemplation. Pastor Shawn will also be available after for conversation! All are welcome

12 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 you find comfort, joy & inspiration in this time of worship; and renewed energy for your journey of faith. Bathrooms and changing stations can be found on the left side of the hallway when you exit the Sanctuary through the doors to the right of the front of the church. SCHEDULE Worship is held at 10 am each Sunday STAFF Rev. Shawn R. Fisher, Pastor 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. Pastor Shawn may be reached for normal church communications by calling the office at ext. 201 or by at fishersr@comcast.net In the event of an emergency (death, serious illness, deep spiritual or emotional need) you may call Pastor Shawn on his personal cell # of