The First Congregational Church

Transcription

1 The First Congregational Church United Church of Christ Bloomfield, CT An open and affirming congregation September 23, 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, September 23, PRELUDE Set Me as a Seal Upon Thine Heart Richard Warner ANNOUNCEMENTS CENTERING MOMENT CALL TO WORSHIP (RESPONSIVE) One: All: One: All: One: All: WE GATHER IN COMMUNITY AS GOD S PEOPLE Jesus calls us to gather together. Jesus calls us for a purpose. Jesus calls us to look beyond our human desires. Calling us to great things, to divine things. Jesus calls us for a purpose. Jesus calls us to gather together for a purpose. A greater purpose. A Divine purpose. Let us respond to the call of Jesus. Let us look beyond our own desires, and respond to the call to do great things. +HYMN OF PRAISE Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty # 10 OPENING UNISON PRAYER Holy God we raise our voices to call on You to be present with us in this moment. We raise our voices to praise You. We raise our voices because we need You in our lives, because we want you in our lives. We ask these things not to further our own interests, but so that we can more clearly see what You would have us do what You would have us be. Amen PASSING OF THE PEACE (we bless each other) Greeting: Peace be with you Response: And also with you CHILDREN S MESSAGE Dorine DeCarli MUSICAL OFFERING Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Edward Broughton

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 still speaking! Let us open our hearts and minds to God s Good News. TODAY S READING ~ Gospel of Mark 8: (Today s reader is Brett Sandman) NT p.53 in black Bible, p.43 in red + HYMN O Jesus, I Have Promised # 473 SERMON VITAL SIGNS OF THE HEART OF BLOOMFIELD Reverend Shawn Fisher WE SHARE OUR JOYS AND RESPOND TO GOD S WORD JOYS OFFERING OUR GIFTS Processional on Ellacombe Richard Warner # 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. DOXOLOGY WE GO FORTH INTO THE WORLD + CLOSING HYMN This Little Light of Mine # 364 +BENEDICTION +POSTLUDE Rondeau Jean Mouret

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 Erie Pinney Elizabeth Von Eisengrein Betty Willis Carol Wolcott Adelle Wright Prayers of Intercession: For grieving or suffering due to effects of Hurricane Florence. For those in Puerto Rico, who continue to suffer from the impact of Hurricane Maria one year ago. For those suffering from the devastating cyclone that hit the Philippines killing nearly 100 people. For those who have silently or not silently suffered from sexual violence. Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving: For those who help those in need and stand for the cause of the hurt, the victims and the oppressed. This Week at a Glance Looking Ahead Lectionary readings for the coming week include: Proverbs 31: 10-31; Psalm 1 or Wisdom of Solomon 1: 16-2:1, or Jeremiah 11: 18-20; Psalm 54; James 3: 13-4: 3, 7-8a; Mark 9: Sunday, Sept 23 10:00 am Family Worship Service Sanctuary 11: 45 am Faith Formation Team Mtg. Living Room 12:30 pm New Birth Community Church Chapel Monday, Sept 24 6:30 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal Music Suite 7:00 pm Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall Tuesday, Sept 25 1:30 pm Wounded Healers Living Room 6:30 pm NAMI (Family to Family)- Nat l Alliance on Mental Illness Fellowship Hall Wednesday, Sept 26 3:30 pm Alliance for Bloomfield Children Fellowship Hall 7:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room 7:00 pm New Birth Community Church Chapel Thursday, Sept 27 10:00 am Book Group Living Room 6:30 pm NAMI (Family to Family)- Nat l Fellowship Hall Alliance on Mental Illness Friday, Sept 28 7:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room

5 ANNOUNCEMENTS Welcome Guests! We are so glad you are here. We invite you to join us after Worship for Refreshments in our Fellowship Hall! Our Hosts today: Roger & Judi Bunker. *************************************************** World Communion Sunday Sunday, October 7th, 2018 Join us for a Special Worship Service and Celebration afterwards. Please share your ethnic breads from around the world on Communion Sunday. Contact the church office to indicate if you are planning to bring a bread or donate a dish for our International Potluck Luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. Please feel free to dress in a manner that represents your heritage

6 Conversations on Race Relations begins this Tuesday, September 25 th at 6 pm Session One is a part of our overall roll out for our Upcoming Dialogue around Race Relations. Please consider attending and encouraging others to attend Cheer Institute & CHEER Consulting Group Present Community Conversations on Race & Racism with Dr. Raja Staggers A 3-Part Discussion Series Made possible by the Bloomfield Interfaith Association Session One Tuesday September 25, :00 PM Community Conversation on Race Dr. Staggers will begin the series with information on the history of race and racism. Language and tools will be offered to enable participants to hold productive community conversations on the topic of race and racism. Additionally, participants will be guided through a personal reflection of their own experiences and origin of their own understanding of race/racism. Prosser Public Library 1 Tunxis Avenue Bloomfield, CT This community conversation series is open to the public and free. Registration is appreciated, online at

7 Celebration Sunday! Next Sunday, September 30 th during service nothing for you to do - Just come and celebrate the many wonderful things this congregation does in the world DONATION OPPORTUNITY If you would like to donate to help those suffering from the effects of Hurricane Florence and Cyclone Maugkhut here are two ways to do so. 1. Write a cheque to the church with a notation for disaster relief 2. Donate through the UCC Disaster Relief Fund. Carolinas - UCC Response - Hurricane Florence Save The Date! October 21 st, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

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 (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 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: