The First Congregational Church

Transcription

1 The First Congregational Church United Church of Christ Bloomfield, CT An open and affirming congregation June 24, 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 Congregationa 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, June 24, 2018 WE GATHER TOGETHER TO WORSHIP GOD PRELUDE So Long as We Journey, Aid Our Weak Endeavor - Marcel Dupre WELCOME - Please fill out the Ritual of Friendship pads LIFE OF OUR CHURCH STEWARDSHIP TESTIMONIAL PASSING OF THE PEACE CENTERING MOMENT CALL TO WORSHIP (RESPONSIVE) One: God is a source of strength for the oppressed. All: A steady presence in times of trouble. One: Jesus is a source of inspiration - to help us get out of our comfort zones. All: Jesus challenges us to venture out to new places, to new people, and to new spiritual destinations. One: Come! Let us gather together. Here in this place. Here in the presence of the Holy Spirit. All: Let us gather together. Let us sing. Let us worship. Let us learn and praise and gain strength for living. +HYMN OF PRAISE Here in This Place (Gather Us In) # 250 UNISON PRAYER ~ OPEN AND AFFIRMING STATEMENT The First Congregational Church in Bloomfield, UCC, engages and supports all people through worship, fellowship, learning and service so that all may find in this community the Spirit of the Living Christ. In this spirit we declare that this church is Open and Affirming. We welcome persons of every age, gender, gender identity and gender expression, sexual orientation, race, national origin, faith background, marital status and family structure, mental and physical ability, economic and social status and educational background. We invite all into the sanctuary of our fellowship and the full life and ministry of our church. CHILDREN S MESSAGE MUSICAL OFFERING We Have Come into God s House - Bruce Ballinger

3 HEARING GOD S WORD GOD IS IN OUR MIDST, GOD IS PRESENT, GOD IS STILL SPEAKING! LET S OPEN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS TO GOD S GOOD NEWS. FIRST READING ~ Jonah 1: 1-6 OT p.1053 in black Bible, p.859 in red SECOND READING ~ Gospel of Mark 4: NT p.47 in black Bible, p.39 in red MODERN READING Emancipation Proclamation (Today s reader is Eustace Straker) CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Write These Words in Our Hearts # 298 Write these words in our hearts, we beseech you, O God. SERMON THE OTHER SIDE Reverend Shawn R. Fisher + HYMN We Are One in the Spirit # 386 WE RESPOND TO GOD S LOVE OFFERTORY PRAYER ~ The first words of the Bible are about God s own generosity. God gave us the gifts of a beautiful creation. Today, we come together to express our gratitude for these wonders and the many other gifts in our lives. Let us gather our gifts together and offer them to God in gratitude and praise. OFFERTORY March from the Occasional Oratorio - G. F. Handel 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, you have given each of us gifts to use as members of the body of Christ. We pray that they may be multiplied by the Holy Spirit and used in Your service and that of all Creation. EXPRESSIONS OF JOYS AND CONCERNS PASTORAL PRAYER THE LORD S PRAYER (trespasses) 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! 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 Lift Every Voice and Sing # 481 +BENEDICTION (You are invited to hold hands as an expression of Community Love) CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE ANNUAL MEETING Amen, Amen, Amen THOSE IN OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS (AMONG MANY): *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. Trudy Barnard Charlotte Babcock David Berg Al Campbell Estelle Cole Julie Cato Sue Davis Madge Edwards Al Forster Carolyn Jones 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 Northford Congregational Church, UCC First Congregational Church Norwalk, UCC Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ of Norwalk Inc. United Congregational Church of Norwalk First Congregational Church of Norwich UCC Prayers of Intercession for: For those families torn apart by violence and political policy. The Staff and Volunteers of Silver Lake Summer Camp as the 2018 summer season begins. Those in Japan grieving or suffering after an earthquake near Osaka killed 3 and injured hundreds more. Those grieving or suffering after a shooting at an arts festival in New Jersey left one dead and more than 20 injured on Sunday. Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving for: The Wonderful teachers and those who support the Child Development Center. The Joyful Promotion Ceremony at the Child Development Center on Thursday. The arrival of the Silver Lake Summer Camp season.

5 ANNOUNCEMENTS This Week at a Glance Looking Ahead Lectionary possibilities for this week include: 1 Samuel 17: (1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49; Psalm 9: 9-20 or Job 38: 1-11; Psalm 107: 1-3, 23-32; 2 Corinthians 6: 1-13; Mark 4: Sunday, June 24 10:00 am Family Worship Service Meeting Room 11:30 am Annual Meeting Meeting Room 12:30 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel Monday, June 25 7:00 pm Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall Tuesday, June 26 9:15 am Exercise Fellowship Hall 1:30 pm Wounded Healers Library Wednesday, June 27 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 Friday, June 29 9:15 am Exercise Fellowship Hall 7:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room Welcome Guests! Today is our Annual Meeting. It will take place shortly after worship. Please see one of our ushers and they will be happy to direct you. Child care for all ages is provided through our Summer of Fun program. Children are always welcome here for part or all of service. ~~~ If you would like your child to join the Summer play time, but want to meet the counselors first simply let an usher know, and we will introduce your child to the caregivers. Those children who wish to join the play time depart with the counselors after the Children s Message.

6 SUNDAY FUN DAYS START NOW!!! Welcome to our Sunday Summer Fun Days At First Congregational Church in Bloomfield! We are having a Sunday Summer Fun program for our children on Sunday mornings. There will be games and puzzles and coloring and hula hoops, bubbles and all kinds of fun things to do for the time during the Worship Service. Your child will join you in Worship to start the service and then head out with our great Summer Fun Counselors. Depending on the weather, time will be spent outside or inside. This Sunday Summer Fun program is for any age child that would like to participate. The program will run through Sunday, September 2nd. Worship Service begins at 10:00 a.m.

7 Room for Notes and Doodles for Children and Children at Heart

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 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 Meeting Room 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 pastor@firstchurchbloomfield.org In the event of an emergency (death, serious illness, deep spiritual or emotional need) you may call Pastor Shawn on his personal cell # of Visit our church's website: