Bloomfield Congregational Church

Transcription

1 Bloomfield Congregational Church United Church of Christ Bloomfield, CT An open and affirming congregation February 17, 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 1 7, 2019 PRELUDE Lord, I Want to be a Christian Gilbert Martin ANNOUNCEMENTS CENTERING MOMENT WE GATHER IN COMMUNITY AS GOD S PEOPLE CALL TO WORSHIP (RESPONSIVE) One: You have heard it said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy All: But Jesus says, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. One: You have heard it said, that in order for us to thrive, that we must divide. All: But we say, We will not divide. We will build. Build our community and build the Kingdom of God. One: We will not be silent. We will be heard. All: We will lift up our voices. Even if the road is difficult. Even when we grow tired. With God as our strength Let us lift up our voices - Together. + OPENING HYMN Lift Every Voice and Sing # 481 OPENING UNISON PRAYER God of unity and love - You created all things. Before You there was nothing. You have always been. All things come from You, for there was nothing before You. Everything is connected, because it is of You. Everyone is connected - whether we like it or not. Please draw especially close to us this hour. We need You. We need Your Word. We need Your example. We need Your Spirit. We need Your Love so that we may have the courage to re-build those connections that You Created. Revenge can t do that. Hate can t do that. Only Love can. Amen! PASSING OF THE PEACE (we bless each other) Greeting: Peace be with you Response: And also with you CHILDREN S MESSAGE BLACK HISTORY MONTH ~ Living History Surprise Speaker MUSICAL OFFERING God is Our Refuge and Strength Allen Pote The Adult Choir - Lan-Ya Huang, accompanist

3 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 ~ Gospel of Matthew 5: OT p.6 in black Bible, p.5 in red (Today s reader is Dee Hart) + HYMN Community of Christ # 502 SERMON ONLY LOVE CAN DO THAT Reverend Shawn R. Fisher WE SHARE OUR JOYS AND RESPOND TO GOD S WORD JOYS OFFERING OUR GIFTS Plenty Good Room 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. # 44 WE GO FORTH TO SERVE + HYMN We Are One in the Spirit # 386 +BENEDICTION +POSTLUDE Improvisation on We are One in the Spirit

4 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 deal with the burdens of Social Injustice. For those with the courage to combat the injustices of our society. For those who battle the challenges of mental illness. For those forgotten men, women and children who die every day from lack of food, nutrition, shelter, clothing and medical care. For those families and children separated by our government. Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving: For the presence of Teacher of the Year and Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. For those in our community of faith who work for the betterment of our community and the world. For the Love that Jesus reminds us is always available to us. Please Remember These Connecticut Conference Churches in Your Prayers Broadview Community UCC, Hartford Faith Congregational Church UCC, Hartford First Church of Christ in Hartford, UCC, Hartford Immanuel Congregational Church UCC, Hartford La Nueva Cosecha de Dios, Hartford Two New Bible Studies Wednesdays Note new times On Wednesdays we will conduct Bible Study sessions from: 11:30 am to 1 pm - AND 6:30 pm to 8 pm. (Children, as always, are welcome) Contact Pastor Shawn with questions We will be discussing the following scriptures on Wednesday, February 20 th. Mark 9: 2-8; Matthew 17: 1-8 and Luke 9: 28-36

5 Jahana Hayes Congresswoman Jahana Hayes Description Congresswoman Jahana Hayes was elected to represent the Fifth District of Connecticut in November 2018, making her the first African-American woman to ever represent the state of Connecticut in Congress. Hayes first garnered widespread notoriety while serving as a teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury, when she was selected as the Connecticut Teacher of the Year, before going on to earn the distinction of 2016 National Teacher of the Year, leading to an invitation to the White House by then President Barack Obama. In her capacity as NTOY, Hayes traveled the country and the world as an ambassador for public education engaging all stakeholders in policy discussions meant to improve outcomes for students. Congresswoman Hayes story is one of achievement despite the odds and overcoming the obstacles that life can place before you. She has been quoted as saying that education saved her life and is a fierce advocate for ensuring that equitable access to educational opportunities exists for all students and families. She is a graduate of Naugatuck Valley Community College, Southern Connecticut State University and the University of Bridgeport. Having earned a BA in history and secondary education, an MA in curriculum and instruction and a degree in administrative leadership. Some of the Congresswoman s legislative priorities will focus on gun violence prevention in all communities, ensuring access to health care for as many Americans as possible, providing equitable access to education and opportunity for all students and working in a bipartisan way to bring positive change to the lives of every person in our community. Office: Representative (D-CT 5th District) since 2019 Congresswoman Hayes is married to Milford Hayes and they are the parents of 2 children.

6 JOIN US ON TUESDAY, MARCH 6 AT 7 PM FOR OUR ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE 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 longstanding 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 On Sunday, February 24 th we will celebrate the 5 th anniversary of our church becoming an Open & Affirming Congregation Save the Date! On Sunday, March 31 st, 2019 we will hold our next concert in our 50 th Anniversary Jubilation Music Series. Join us at 4:00 pm as Rev. Mia Douglas and Friends will excite us with their music.

7 .This Week at a Glance Looking Ahead Lectionary possibilities for this week include: Genesis 45: 3-11, 15; Psalm 37: 1-11, 39-40; 1Corinthians 15: 35-38, 42-50; Luke 6: Sunday, Feb 17 10:00 am Worship Service Sanctuary 12:30 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel 4:00 pm Youth Group Youth Center Monday, Feb 18 Presidents Day Holiday Office closed 6:00 pm Bells Choir Rehearsal Music Suite 7:00 pm Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall Tuesday, Feb 19 9:15 am Exercise Group Fellowship Hall 12:00 pm HAEC (CT Conference) Living Room 1:30 pm Wounded Healers Library 6:00 pm Church Council Living Room Wednesday, Feb 20 10:00 am Board of Deacons Living Room 11:30 am Bible Study Living Room 1:00 pm Stepping Stone of HARC Fellowship Hall 6:30 pm Bible Study Living Room 7:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room 7:00 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel Thursday, Feb 21 9:30 am Jump Bunch (Child Dev. Center) Fellowship Hall 10:00 am Book Group Living Room Friday, Feb 22 9:15 am Exercise Group Fellowship Hall 7:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room Saturday, Feb 23 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: Board of Deacons. 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.

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 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