Everyone is Welcome at God s Table

Transcription

1 An open and affirming congregation September 2, 2018 Everyone is Welcome at God s Table 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, September 2, 2018 WE GATHER TOGETHER TO WORSHIP GOD PRELUDE Le Banquet Celeste Olivier Messiaen WELCOME - Please fill out the Ritual of Friendship pads LIFE OF OUR CHURCH PASSING OF THE PEACE CENTERING MOMENT CALL TO WORSHIP (RESPONSIVE) One: All: One: All: One: All: Love moves in a particular direction. Love moves forward. Love has an intention. Love intends to expand - Always EXPAND. Love moves forward. Always expanding. Giving living water to the thirsty. Embracing those in need. Love moves forward. Always expanding. So that We can move forward. So that We can expand in love. +HYMN OF PRAISE Like a Tree Beside the Waters # 244 OPENING UNISON PRAYER God of Grace and God of Glory Thank You for this day! Thank You for my life! Thank You for my neighbor s life! Thank You for being with us now, here in this very place. We lift our hearts in praise for all You have done. Knowing that while we are offered a full place at Your table, that even the small crumbs that fall from it contain more Love, more Grace, more of Your Spirit to sustain us than we ever dared to imagine. BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS See Litany on green insert MUSICAL OFFERING I Call to Thee, Lord Jesus Christ J. S. Bach CALL TO CONFESSION

3 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) 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! ASSURANCE OF PARDON 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. GOSPEL READING ~ Mark 7: (Today s reader is Allan Thompson) NT p.52 in black Bible, p.42 in red CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Write these words in our hearts, we beseech you, O God + HYMN Diverse in Culture, Nation, Race # 372 SERMON DOGS, MAMA BEARS, JESUS AND CRUMBS Reverend Shawn R. Fisher WELCOME TO GOD S TABLE INVITATION AND PRAYER SHARING THE SACRAMENTS The bread is gluten, egg and dairy free. Grape juice is used. If you have other allergies that prevent you from sharing Communion with us, please let us know and we will do our best to be sure you can join us.

4 INVITATION TO OFFERING ~ WE RESPOND TO GOD S LOVE OFFERTORY Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring J. S. Bach 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 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. WE GO FORTH TO SERVE + HYMN In Christ There Is No East or West See green insert +BENEDICTION (You are invited to hold hands as an expression of Community Love) +POSTLUDE Prelude in a minor Benedetto Marcello 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 Erie Pinney Elizabeth Von Eisengrein Betty Willis Carol Wolcott Adelle Wright Please Remember These Connecticut Conference Churches in Your Prayers Terryville Congregational Church, UCC Thompson Congregational Church, UCC United Congregational Church of Tolland UCC Center Congregational UCC, Torrington United Congregational Church Torrington Prayers of Intercession: For the children, teachers, and staff who go back to school this week.

5 This Week at a Glance Looking Ahead Lectionary possibilities for this week include: Proverbs 22: 1-2, 8-9, 22-23; Psalm 125 or Isaiah 35: 4-7a; Psalm 146; James 2: 1-10, (11-13), 14-17; Mark 7: Sunday, Sept 2 10:00 am Worship Service Metzger Chapel 12:30 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel Monday, Sept 3 Happy Labor Day! Office Closed 7:00 pm Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall Tuesday, Sept 4 1st Day of School CDC 10:00 am Parish Care Library 1:30 pm Wounded Healers Library Wednesday, Sept 5 6:30 pm Social Media Conversation Living Room 7:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room 7:00 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel Thursday, Sept 6 6:00 pm Wintonbury Flying Club Fellowship Hall Friday, Sept 7 7:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room Saturday, Sept 8 3:00 pm Bill Worcester s Committal Service Memorial Garden ANNOUNCEMENTS Welcome Guests! We are so glad you are here and invite you to join us after Worship for Refreshments.

6 Rally together on Sunday September 9th at the 10:00 am Worship Service. We cannot wait to see all of you here! On this very special Sunday we will have a Jamboree immediately following the worship service. Plan to stay and enjoy the fun, there will be a bounce house, popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs and more. You re invited to bring a dish or dessert to share but no pressure to do so. We just want you there for the fun and fellowship! Rally together; enjoy the blessing of the day as we begin our new church year!

7 ROOM FOR NOTES AND DOODLES for Children and Children at Heart Remember Rally Sunday Jamboree

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: