The Third Sunday of Easter 26 April 2009

Transcription

1 Old Greenwich, THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL United Church Connecticut CHURCH OF GREENWICH of Christ Founded in 1665 The Third Sunday of Easter 26 April o clock in the morning

2 elcome to this Service of Worship at The First Congregational WChurch. All growth is a leap in the dark, A spontaneous, unpremeditated act Without the benefit of experience. PREPARING FOR WORSHIP *All who are able please stand Seating of latecomers Henry Miller ( ) PRELUDE Terence J. Flanagan, organ Prélude and Méditation (from Suite Médiévale) Jean Langlais CALL TO COMMUNITY Please sign and pass the red book. Rev. Mark D. Montgomery PRAISING GOD CALL TO WORSHIP * OPENING HYMN AND PROCESSION I Sing the Mighty Power of God New Century (black) Hymnal 12 OPENING PRAYER Rev. Avery C. Manchester God, as we have gathered in this place today, We recognize ourselves as a faithful, loving people. We have learned from your grace and from the stories of Jesus Christ how to be such people. We ask that you be with us now, so that we may experience faith and love anew. We welcome you now, as we offer our gratitude, our thanksgiving, for your presence among us. CALL TO CONFESSION CONFESSING TO GOD

3 PRAYER OF CONFESSION Even as people who have profound faith, even as people who have so much love that it overflows, even as God s people, we recognize that we are in need of redemptive love. For there are times that, though the seed of faith grows within us, we doubt and wander without direction. There are times that, though we overflow with love, we do not share that love with those who most need a loving word. O God, we are your children, your people, yet we do not always act as such. O God, grow our love and our faith, so that we may be more than we expected we could be. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE Congregational Response Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. HEARING GOD'S WORD FIRST LESSON Peter Schay Philemon 1:3-16 race to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord G Jesus Christ. When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith towards the Lord Jesus. I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother. For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the

4 gospel; but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but as more than a slave, a beloved brother especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. SCRIPTURE ANTHEM If We Believe that Jesus Died The text is I Thessalonians 4:14 and 18. The Chancel Choir John Goss SECOND LESSON II Corinthians 4:13-18 ut just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance Bwith scripture I believed, and so I spoke we also believe, and so we speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. * HYMN In the Bulb There Is a Flower New Century (black) Hymnal 433 SERMON Trusting the Unseen Growth Rev. Mark D. Montgomery RESPONDING TO GOD RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS Roll Call of Candidates (Candidates will come forward as their names are called)

5 Commitment of Candidates Leader: We are called of God to be disciples through Christ Jesus. Do you here affirm your consecration in God through Jesus Christ? Candidates: I do. Leader: Friends in Christ, we bid you welcome. We greet you as fellow disciples of one Master in the Church Universal. Our purpose is to promote the increase of the love of God and neighbor. Will you now unite yourself with The First Congregational Church of Greenwich, accepting its responsibilities, praying and working for its usefulness, sustaining its worship, supporting its wider mission, and living with us in the bonds of Christian fellowship? Candidates: I will. Clergy: We believe in the freedom and responsibility of the individual soul and the right of private judgment. We join in fellowship with other congregations of the United Church of Christ in declaring our steadfast allegiance to the faith which our forebears confessed, which from age to age has found its expression in the historic creeds of the Church Universal and of our communion, and in affirming our loyalty to the basic principles of our representative democracy. We hereby set forth the things most surely believed among us concerning faith, polity and fellowship. Owning of the Covenant (all, standing) We believe in God, infinite in wisdom, goodness and love; and in Jesus Christ His Son, our Lord and Savior, who for us and our salvation lived and died and rose again, and liveth evermore; and in the Holy Spirit, who renews, comforts and inspires us. We are united in striving to know the will of God as taught in the Holy Scriptures and in our purpose to walk in the ways of the Lord, made known or to be made known to us. As Jesus accepted, welcomed, included and embraced all people without exception, so do we accept all who join with us in our search to walk in the ways of the Lord. We hold it to be the mission of the Church of Christ to proclaim the gospel to all people, exalting the worship of God and laboring for the promotion of justice, the reign of peace and the realization of human understanding. Depending upon the continued guidance of the Holy

6 Spirit to lead us into all truth, we work and pray for the transformation of the world into the Kingdom of God, and we look with faith for the triumph of righteousness and the life everlasting. *SONG OF AFFIRMATION Blessed be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; The sharing of a common life is like to that above. CALL TO PASTORAL PRAYER Rev. Daniel B. England PASTORAL PRAYER AND QUIET MEDITATION 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. CALL TO OFFERING OFFERTORY ANTHEM The Chancel Choir; Hanna Golodinskii, soprano Laudate Dominum Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Laudate Dominum omnes gentes, laudate eum omnes populi. Quoniam confirmata est super nos misericordia ejus, et veritas, veritas Domini manet, manet in aeternum. Gloria patri et filio et spiritui sancto, sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. (Psalm 117) *Doxology New Century (black) Hymnal 776 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all creatures here below; Praise Holy Spirit, Comforter; One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen. Amen. *PRAYER OF DEDICATION

7 GOING FORTH TO SERVE GOD *CLOSING HYMN AND PROCESSION If You But Trust in God to Guide You New Century (black) Hymnal 410 *CLOSING SENTENCES Leader: Jesus said, I am the vine, you are the branches. People: Therefore, we are to be about God s work in the world. Leader: Though we are only human and imperfect at best, we have an abundance of faith and love to share in the world. People: May God strengthen us for the journey and encourage us as we seek to share our faith and love. *BENEDICTION *BENEDICTION RESPONSE POSTLUDE Acclamations (from Suite Médiévale) Jean Langlais The First Congregational Church of Greenwich declares itself to be open and affirming; open to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment, and affirming of all who wish to join us as children of God. We continue to give thanks for God's guidance in our journey of faith. Child Care available We have child care for babies and toddlers every Sunday in the Undercroft downstairs staffed by adults and assisted by high school students. Your children are always welcome for the entire service or for a respite time if needed. Please see an usher if you need directions. The 10:00 am Service is broadcast live each week on WGCH 1490 AM Radio. In addition, the service is available through the Church s website, A bulletin can be found there as well as a link to the live broadcast. Previous sermons may also be found there.

8 New Members Joining Today David Condon, 3 Linwood Avenue, Riverside, CT 06878, David comes to The First Congregational Church by Reaffirmation of Faith. David and his wife April (a current member) have two children: Patrick and Bridget. Victoria Davidson, 15 Linwood Avenue, Riverside, CT 06878, Victoria comes to The First Congregational Church by Reaffirmation of Faith. She is a banker with UBS. She moved to Riverside last Fall with her two children, Ben and Cate, and has come to know First Church through her daughter s participation in the Preschool. Vasil and Hanna Golodinskii, 123 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Apt. 4, Stamford, CT 06902, Vasil and Hanna come to The First Congregational Church by Reaffirmation of Faith. They are both opera singers with the Russian Chamber Chorus of New York and we are blessed to have them as members of our choir. The Golodinskiis have three children: Ivan, Yevgeniya and Matthew. Matthew and Katherine Jacobs, 106 Mead Avenue, Greenwich, CT, 06830, Matthew and Katherine come to The First Congregational Church by Reaffirmation of Faith. Matthew is an Equity Trader with Dawson-Herman Capital Management in Southport and has been a Greenwich resident for the past 24 years. Katherine is a stay at home mother to her two and a half year-old son, Callahan. Matthew and Katherine are expecting their second child in July. Friedrich and Anne Pfetsch, 19 Lancer Road, Riverside, CT 06878, Friedrich comes to The First Congregational Church by Reaffirmation of Faith, and Anne by Letter of Transfer. Both Friedrich and Anne are accountants, he with Promark Funds and she with Bridges School and Time for Lyme. They have three children: Gwendolyn, Melanie and Olivia. Claire Webber, 29 Innis Lane, Old Greenwich, CT, 06870, Claire comes to The First Congregational Church by Confession of Faith. She is one of the original Kettle Quilters, a group begun in 1973, who create a beautiful quilt each year that is raffled off for the benefit of Women s Ministries. Jane Yates, 122 Palmers Hill Road, Apt 1306, Stamford, CT 06902, Jane comes to The First Congregational Church by Letter of Transfer from the Congregational Church of Rockland, Maine. She is returning to the area to be near her daughter Ann Gaulocher and family after living 18 years in Owl s Head, Maine.

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10 Calendar TODAY Church School All classes meet today. Most classes will be preparing for their part in the Worship Service next Sunday May 3, Recognition Sunday, when the Church School worships with the entire congregation and the third graders receive their Bibles. The last Church School session for this school year is on May 10. Summer Church School begins in June. Raffle tickets will be available during Coffee Hour today for the Women's Ministries 39th Annual Quilt Raffle. This beautiful modified log cabin style queen size quilt, created and stitched by the Kettle Quilters, will be on display in the Auditorium. The drawing will be held at noon during the Annual Spring Brunch which begins at 10:00 am on Wednesday May 13. You need not be present to win. All proceeds of the quilt raffle will be donated to charitable organizations that support women, children and families. Noye s Fludde (Noah s Flood) Second Hour in the Auditorium If you don t yet know about Benjamin Britten s chancel opera Noye s Fludde, be sure to stay after worship and learn all about it. If you already know and love the Fludde, come, share your enthusiasm and sign up to participate. The Fludde is coming this November 14 and 15. Bible Study continues today after Worship at 11:15 am in the Lounge. Parish Nurse Sue Asselin, RN is available today in Room 203 after the Worship Service. Stop in to have your blood pressure checked or discuss any health concerns. Youth Ministry Programs (JPF / Junior Pilgrim Fellowship, 6-8 grade and SPF / Senior Pilgrim Fellowship, 9-12 grade) Our senior high school youth shared in fellowship during our lock-in this past Friday. There will be no Youth Ministry Programs tonight. THIS WEEK Tai Chi Classes for Women Tai Chi classes will continue this Spring. Two are underway and more will continue on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Please note the schedule

11 below. Our instructor, Luis Duarte, will teach again. Summer classes are under consideration. Please call Lu Baldwin if you are interested. Wednesday 8:00-9:00 am: April 29, May 6, 13, 20 and 27 June 3, 10, 17, 24 and July1 Thursday 9:00-10:00 am: April 30 and May 7 May 14, 21, 28 and June 4 and 11 The fee, due with the registration form below, is $25.00 per series. All renewal students and newcomers are asked to complete the form for each session I will attend Tai Chi Phone number Wednesday Thursday Send to: Lu Baldwin OR Leave in the Women s 51 Forest Avenue, #80 Ministries box in the Old Greenwich, CT Church Office Tai Chi for Men We have begun a new session of Tai Chi for men meeting at a new time, 10:00 am on Thursdays. Those of us who came to the first session have benefited greatly from it and we would love to have others join us (thus reducing the cost). If you are interested, please Dan England at dengland@fccog.org. Chancel Choir Rehearsal: Thursday, 7:30-9:00 pm. NEXT SUNDAY Come to a special Second Half-Hour on May 3 to learn more about our Church s Mission Teams. We will let you know what is already in place and the exciting things that are on the horizon. From teaching English as a second language to international service opportunities; from training animals for pet therapy to caring for our environment, there are all sorts of ways to get involved. Come learn more about this exciting ministry of our church.

12 Youth Ministry Programs JPF / Junior Pilgrim Fellowship, 6-8 grade meets from 5:00 to 6:16 pm and SPF / Senior Pilgrim Fellowship, 9-12 grade meets from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. NEWS AND NOTICES Church School Teachers Still Wanted It is not too late to sign up for Church School teaching. If you missed the info sessions, but have an interest in hearing more about teaching, speak to either Kate Forer or Rosemary Lamie about this special ministry. With a new curriculum and some new initiatives next year, this is the time to start something new! The Rummage Room As you do your Spring cleaning, don't forget The Rummage Room. We're in need of items for Mother's Day and Father's Day along with any other items you feel might be suitable for re-sale. As you drop off your items, why not do a little shopping for yourself. Remember, we're the hottest little shop in Old Greenwich! The First Congregational Church of Greenwich 108 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich, Connecticut, (203) Ministers: Members of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. David D. Young Minister of Communication and Adult Education: Rev. Daniel B. England Minister of Pastoral Care: Rev. Avery C. Manchester Associate Pastor for Christian Education: Rev. Kate S. Forer Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry: Rev. Mark D. Montgomery Director of Music/Senior Organist: Dr. John Stansell Associate Organist/Director: Terence J. Flanagan Director of Church School: Rosemary Lamie Director of Membership: Ginny Breismeister Parish Nurse: Susan Asselin, RN Pastors Emeriti: Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Stiers and Rev. Sally Colegrove