Bloomfield Congregational Church

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1 Bloomfield Congregational Church United Church of Christ Bloomfield, CT An open and affirming congregation February 3, 2019 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 r s t Congregational Church in Bloomfield, 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, February 3, 2019 PRELUDE O God, Thou Good God Sigfrid Karg-Elert ANNOUNCEMENTS CENTERING MOMENT WE GATHER IN COMMUNITY AS GOD S PEOPLE CALL TO WORSHIP (RESPONSIVE) One: Awesome God, often we are left speechless at the wonder of Your Creation. All: From the stars and planets in the sky to the mountains and trees around us. From birds and bears to water and wind and fire. One: Other times we shout out to You and sing Your praises. All: Because the joy that You offer us is great even when things are hard. One: How great You are God! Thank You for being present with us today. Thank You for letting us be present with You and with each other. All: So, let us praise you. Let us sing! Let us join in worship together, as one. + OPENING HYMN How Great Thou Art Insert CALL TO CONFESSION UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of unimaginable love. You pour out Your Spirit for us. You offer us the best things in life and show us clearly how to attain them. You offer us true meaning and purpose. But, we resist it. We fight it. We look to others and ourselves for life, instead of looking to You. We create our own way instead of following The Way of Jesus. We use our own corrupting power; instead of the Spirit You offer us. As a result, we fall short of Your dreams for us, dreams that if fulfilled, would make Your Kingdom a more present reality in our lives and in our world today. We repent. Forgive us. We repent and wish to return to You. We wish to return to You and we offer ourselves to be transformed, so that we may continue to grow with You. And in doing so, help to bring the Kingdom of God here, on Earth, as it is in heaven. (a moment for silent confession) ASSURANCE OF PARDON PASSING OF THE PEACE (we bless each other) Greeting: Peace be with you Response: And also with you

3 CHILDREN S MESSAGE MOMENT IN BLACK HISTORY Dorine DeCarli MUSICAL OFFERING Bought With a Price Negro Spiritual The Adult Choir 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! 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. TODAY S READING ~ 1 Corinthians 12: NT p.212 in black Bible, p.174 in red (Today s reader is Roger Bunker) + HYMN Great Is Thy Faithfulness see bulletin SERMON INVITATION AND PRAYER SHARING THE SACRAMENTS TOGETHER AS ONE Reverend Kent Saladi WELCOME TO GOD S TABLE WE SHARE OUR JOYS AND RESPOND TO GOD S WORD JOYS OFFERING OUR GIFTS Ain t God Time Negro Spiritual The Adult Choir DOXOLOGY 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 Blessed Assurance see bulletin # 44

4 +BENEDICTION +POSTLUDE Now Thank We All Our God Sigfrid Karg-Elert 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 Clay & Dee Hart Lucy Hurston & Sydney Halsall Sheryl Thomas Shantel Bremmer Prayers of Intercession: For those who are facing the extreme cold with little or no shelter. For those forgotten men, women and children, who die every day from lack of food, nutrition, exposure and lack of medical care. For those who battle the challenges of mental illness. Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving: For the amazing service and spirit of our Minister of Music, Eustace Straker. For the presence of our Conference Minister Rev. Kent Saladi with us today. For those who persevere through their mental illness. For those federal workers who will receive paychecks again and can go back to work. For the Love that Jesus reminds us is always available to us. That if we let Him, Jesus will renew our lives. For those who use their privilege to fight for marginalized people. Please Remember These Connecticut Conference Churches in Your Prayers First Congregational Church of Haddam, UCC Haddam Neck Congregational Church Hadlyme Congregational Church UCC Dunbar United Church of Christ, Hamden Mount Carmel Congregational, Hamden

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8 Happy 50 th Anniversary Eustace! Thank you Eustace! Thank you for sharing your talent and skills. Thank you for your energy and infectious spirit. Thank you for your service to our Community of faith. And most of all for your faithful example and love of God. Peace, Pastor Shawn.

9 This Week at a Glance Looking Ahead Lectionary possibilities for this week include: Isaiah 6: 1-8, (9-13); Psalm 138; 1Corinthians 15: 1-11; Luke 5: 1-11 Sunday, Feb 3 10:00 am Worship Service Sanctuary 11:30 am Celebrate Eustace s 50 th Fellowship Hall Anniversary 12:30 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel 4:00 pm Youth Group Youth Center Monday, Feb 4 10:00 am Board of Deacons Living Room 10:00 am Bells Choir Rehearsal Music Suite 7:00 pm Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall Tuesday, Feb 5 9:15 am Exercise Group Fellowship Hall 1:30 pm Wounded Healers Living Room Wednesday, Feb 6 7:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room 11-1pm Bible Study Living Room 6-8 pm Bible Study 7:00 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel Thursday, Feb 7 9:30 am Jump Bunch (Child Dev Center) Fellowship Hall 10:00 am Book Group Living Room Friday, Feb 8 9:15 am Exercise Group Fellowship Hall 7:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room Saturday, Jan 9 11:30 am Bloomfield Community Lunch 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: Music Team Committee 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.

10 Today, our Youth Group is collecting your spare change for Souperbowl of Caring. We will be collecting your change in Soup Pots at the exits after church. All proceeds go to the Food Bank for Bloomfield Social Services. We will be part of the National Total on Super Bowl Sunday. Help us put an end to hunger locally and nationally! Also accepting your dollars LOAVES & FISHES NEEDS OUR HELP! For the past 30 or more years, members of our church have faithfully cooked and served a nutritious and delicious meal each month at the Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen in Hartford. We are regularly told that our meals are the best! And we need your help. Simply put, our bank account is low, and we need funds to purchase food. Can you help? Any donation is welcome and will be used directly to feed people in great need. Just make your check payable to FCC Bloomfield, with "Loaves & Fishes at FCCB" in the memo line. Thank you in advance for your generosity!! AND Our Loaves and Fishes Team needs a volunteer with a van, SUV, or covered pick-up truck for the 2nd Tuesday of each month to help transport food that our volunteers serve each month. for our long-standing mission effort. We would need you at our church at 9:00 on that day. Someone will be there to help load the food. You would then deliver it to Loaves and Fishes on Woodland St. and you re done! Please see Kay Yablecki, Karen Blanchard or Pastor Shawn with any questions. Bless You! The Loaves and Fishes Ministry Team Sunday, February 10 th, Pastor Shawn will be preaching the final sermon in the series Angels & Demons - Part 3: Testify! By Your Wounds, They Are Healed.

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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