Norfield Congregational Church Founded in March 2018 Palm Sunday 10 o clock in the morning

Transcription

1 Norfield Congregational Church Founded in March 2018 Palm Sunday 10 o clock in the morning

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3 March 25 th, 2018 Palm Sunday Welcome to this service of worship at Norfield Congregational Church on this Sunday morning. Please join us after worship for Fellowship in the Parish Hall. PREPARING FOR WORSHIP Please silence all cell phones and other electronic devices. *All who are able, please stand in body or in spirit. Ringing of the Bell Invocation Karen Moraitis Alexander Cocoros Call to Worship Leader: People: Leader: People: Leader: All: Life-giving God, as Jesus enters your Holy City, open our hearts as he enters our lives. Hosanna! Caught between joy and despair; we anticipate the resurrection, even as we walk nearer the cross. Hosanna in the highest! Guide us through our prayer and our worship, drawing us ever nearer to You. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! *Hymn No. 88 All Glory, Laud, and Honor VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN In the spirit of Palm Sunday, we wave our palm branches as we welcome and bless Jesus Christ in our midst. Welcome and Announcements Scripture: The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem Mark 11: 1-11 (NRSV) 1 When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, Why are you doing this? just say this, The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately. 4 They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5 some of the bystanders said to them, What are you doing, untying the colt? 6 They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9 Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven! 11 Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

4 Festival Anthem Hosanna to the Son of David Ellen Jane Lorenz The Music Makers and Sanctuary Choir Pastoral Prayer The 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. The Sacrament of Baptism Pastor: Dearly beloved, Baptism is an outward and visible sign of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is through this grace that we become partakers of his righteousness and heirs of life eternal. Those receiving the Sacrament of Baptism through it come into the fellowship of Christ's Holy Church. Jesus has expressly given to little children a place among the people of God, a holy privilege that must not be denied them. Congregation: There is one body and one Spirit. There is one hope in God s call to us. QUESTIONS TO THE PARENTS & GODPARENTS : Pastor: Parents: Pastor: Parents and Godparents: Pastor: Parents and Godparents: Pastor: Parents and Godparents: Amanda and Mark, do you desire to have your son, Xavier Anthony, baptized into the faith and family of Jesus Christ? We do. Will you, Amanda, Mark, Ian and Rebecka encourage Xavier to renounce the powers of evil and to receive the freedom of new life in Christ? We will with the help of God. Will you teach him that he may be led to profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? We will, with the help of God. Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow with him in the Christian faith, to help him to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ, by celebrating Christ s presence, by furthering Christ s mission in all the world, and by offering the nurture of the Christian church so that he may affirm his baptism? We promise, with the help of God.

5 THE CONGREGATIONAL ASSENT Pastor: Jesus Christ calls us to make disciples of all nations and to offer them the gift of grace in baptism. Do you, who witness and celebrate this sacrament, promise, as you are able, your love, support and care to this child about to be baptized, to live and grow in Christ? If so, please repeat after me: We promise our love, support and care. Congregation: We promise our love, support and care. THE PRAYER OF BLESSING Pastor: This is the water of baptism. Out of this water we rise with new life, forgiven of sin and one in Christ, members of Christ s body. Join me as we pray together. Deacon: Bless by your Holy Spirit, gracious God, this water. By your Holy Spirit save those who confess the name of Jesus Christ that sin may have no power over them. Create new life in those baptized this day that they may rise in Christ. Glory to you, eternal God, the one who was, and is, and shall always be, world without end. Amen. THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Pastor: What name is given to this child? Parents: Xavier Anthony Mihelic THE ACT OF BAPTISM Let us pray. Gracious God, you have filled the world with joy by giving us the gift of Jesus. You have filled the world of this family with joy by giving them this child. So bless this newly baptized person. May he be filled with joy; may he never be ashamed to confess a personal faith in you. May he always show gratitude for the life you have given, by loving and caring for his parents. Bless the parents, give them courage, strength and patience for the task of parenting. Bless all your faithful people. Unite them with the peace of Christ and the company of the Holy Spirit. Amen. THE CONGREGATIONAL WECOME (unison) We receive Xavier as a new person in Christ. We offer our understanding and support as he experiences life. We enfold him in our love, seeking together to grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and all people. We join with his parents in telling the Gospel stories in our midst so that he may live with us for Christ, showing forth God s love for all people. Amen. Children s Time Heather Powell Children will leave at this time for Discovery Hour in the Norfield Room. *Hymn No. 90 Ride On, Ride On in Majesty THE KING S MAJESTY

6 Scripture Reading HEARING GOD S WORD John 12: (NRSV) 12 The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord the King of Israel! 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: 15 Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey s colt! 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. Sermon Finding Our Own Palm Fronds Rev. Dr. Bernard R. Wilson Invitation to Giving Offertory Anthem The Greatest Commandment Luigi Cherubini Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul, all your mind and all your strength; And love your neighbor as you love yourself. *Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen. OLD HUNDREDTH Prayer of Dedication *Hymn No. 89 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna ELLACOMBE Benediction & Response Postlude Galliard for the Victorie William Byrd

7 Welcome Visitors! We are delighted to have you joining us here at Norfield today! Please let us know if you have additional questions, or require further assistance. Do not hesitate to ask one of our greeters or ushers, a deacon (identified by name badges), or one of our ministers. Please also take a moment to fill out a nametag for yourself so we can greet you by name. Infant and toddler care is available in the lower level of the Christian Education Building. An usher can direct you. You can also see and hear the service in the Greene Room if you need to. A Children s sermon is shared most Sundays and all children are invited to come to the front of the altar and join us. Norfield s Church School, called Discovery Hour, meets during the service. Children leave after the Children s Sermon, accompanied by their teachers. All children are welcome and encouraged to attend. Pre-registration is not necessary. Children can then be picked up following the service at the Christian Education Building. Please ask us for directions. Hearing Assistance System amplifiers are available. Please speak with an usher if you would like to use one. Prayer Cards are located in the pew racks. If you have a prayer request, please fill one out and place it in the offering plate or give it to a minister. We pray over these concerns each week. Please fill in your address and any questions you might have on the back of one of the Prayer Cards in the pews, and then put the card in the offering plate or give it to a minister. Please join us, following the service, for our Fellowship Hour in the Parish Hall so we can welcome you personally and introduce ourselves. If you are interested in becoming a member of our church family, please contact Teri Gaberman, NCC Administrative Assistant at tgaberman@norfield.org. Please visit our website at for more information, and for updates on church activities and service schedules, view our online Google calendar also located on our website.

8 Parish Notes March 25 th, 2018 Norfield Congregational Church Office Hours: Monday Friday 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Senior Minister Office Hours: Monday Thursday 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Welcome! Thank you for joining us today! We hope that the hour spent in this sacred space will draw you closer to God, and an awareness of God s love. Name Tags! In an effort to maintain and nurture our Norfield family we ask that everyone please put on a name tag. They can be found in the pew box in front of you! Leaders of Worship Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Bernard R. Wilson Transitional Associate Minister Rev. Diane Stevenson Director of Music & Worship Arts Dr. David H. Connell Interim Youth Director Tilly Story Seminary Intern Ellen Willert Deacon of the Day Kimberly Wilson Confirmand Reader Alexander Cocoros Greeter Jackie Pike Ushers Scott Buddenhagen & Sandie Kinseley Fellowship Hour Host The Fine Family Our Prayer List (March) I lift up my eyes to the hills from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2) Prayer Concerns: For All the Youth around the World! Today s Altar Flowers are lovingly given by Rev. Dr. Bernard R. & Nereida Wilson in Celebration of Palm Sunday and our beloved Norfield Family! (If you would like to put a name, concern, or joy on the prayer list, please contact the church office at # Your prayer concern will remain on the list for the month; if you would like to extend that time, please contact the church office. Thank You!) D is c o v e r y H o u r Penny Anderson, Christian Education Director Ellen Dickinson, Children s Church The children will participate in a special Discovery Hour presentation in the CE Building. Heather Powell, Director of Social Services will explore with the children what it means to Welcome the Stranger.

9 Announcements Rediscover Your Faith at Norfield in 2018! Led by Rev. Dr. Bernard R. Wilson, our weekly Open Door Bible Study on Wednesdays at 9:30am in the Greene Room explores the Biblical texts to be presented in Worship the next Sunday, and is a great way to get even more out of church. Rev. Wilson presents the readings in historical and literary context, explores how different Christian traditions interpret them, and how to make sense of what the Biblical witness is trying to say to us. The discussion is active and thoughtful, but informal and very welcoming! Also, our Mom s Bible Study, led by Norfield mom, Katie Gregory is held on Mondays at 9:30am in the Banks Room! The group is structured to suit a mom's busy schedule and provides mothers at any stage of life with thoughtful, biblical encouragement for each and every day. Come and nourish your faith at Bible Study! No Music Makers Ministry this Wednesday (Holy Week / School Break) This week our MMM program is following the Weston Public Schools calendar, so there will be NO MMM on Wednesday afternoon, March 28th. We ll get back together on April 6th! Children from toddlers through sixth grade are invited to be part of our Wonderful Wednesdays! MMM is an after-school program which includes activities instruments, and singing as the children learn and grow together, getting ready to sing and play for worship, perform pageants and plays, and enjoy Christian fellowship. For more information, please contact Dr. David H. Connell at david@norfield.org or at # , ext Easter Flower Envelopes are in the church pews so that you can offer flowers in memory of (or in thanksgiving for) loved ones. Please print clearly on the envelopes your name and those for whom the flowers are given. Kindly include your donation in the envelope and place it in the offertory plate. THANK YOU! The Shepherd Ministry Team NEEDS You! The Shepherd Ministry Team is actively seeking members of the congregation who would like to become a Shepherd. This ministry team consists of approximately 25 Shepherds and each Shepherd has between 8-10 individuals or households for which the Shepherd is responsible. Shepherds make occasional phone contact, coordinate assistance in times of illness or crisis, and inform the ministers when there is a pastoral need. If you re interested in further information regarding the ministry or in becoming a Shepherd, please contact Missy Dorsey at missydorsey@aol.com. THANK YOU!!

10 Palm Crosses Please join Phyllis McManus during Fellowship Hour in the Parish Hall immediately following worship service TODAY to make a cross for Palm Sunday. Join Outreach for a Painting Party!!!! TODAY!!! Sunday, March 25 th 4:00PM 5:30PM Help us get ready for A Night in Old San Juan by joining us on Sunday March 25 th from 4:00pm 5:30pm to help create and paint colorful doors of Old San Juan which will be used as decoration for Norfield s Annual Auction Dinner on April 21st! Money raised for this event will go to Norfield beneficiaries and the Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Fund. We look forward to seeing you! Norfield Book Club - Wednesday, March 28 th 7:00pm The Norfield Book Group invites you to discuss the book, Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner at the home of Pam Lenon, 24 Old Rock Road in Weston. Stegner s Pulitzer Prizewinning novel is one of personal, historical, and geographic discovery. Confined to a wheelchair, retired historian Lyman Ward sets out to write his grandparents' remarkable story, chronicling their days spent carving civilization into the surface of America's western frontier. But his research reveals even more about his own life than he's willing to admit. What emerges is an enthralling portrait of four generations in the life of an American family. Please RSVP to Pam Lenon at pam.lenon24@gmail.com.

11 Easter Vigil Friday, March 30th Sunday, April 1st The Deacons are holding an Easter Vigil this year. This is a time when the Congregation prays while Jesus rests in the tomb and we contemplate His resurrection. As those who have participated in the past will attest, this can be a very powerful and moving experience. You will spend an hour in the Sanctuary - praying, mediating, reading scripture, reading our Norfield mediations booklet or simply sitting in silence - it is up to you. This is simple way to get some peaceful, contemplative time to yourself and prepare spiritually for Easter. Our hope is to have every block of time from around sunset on Friday to sunrise on Sunday covered. You may sign-up through Sign-up Genius ( or by ing ushers@norfield.org or contacting the Church Office. Also, we encourage all to join in the Easter Sunrise Service at Compo Beach in Westport at 6:00am. Staying Safe Without Living in Fear Sunday, April 15 th How do we reconcile a world increasingly focused on locking down with being a community focused on opening our doors every wider in welcome? On April 15 th, immediately following worship, please join us in the Norfield Room for a presentation by Seminary Intern Ellen Willert to learn about options and resources available to faith communities to increase our ability to care for one another without changing who we are. Ellen has training as a Disaster Chaplain and recently attended a workshop given by the CT State Police on Safety in our Houses of Worship. She would like to share with Norfield what she has learned. Hope to see you there!

12 March 29 th Maundy Thursday 6:00pm - Agape Dinner 6:45pm - Worship Service Parish Hall Please join us as we gather to share a sacred meal, just as the first followers of Jesus did. We will eat, explore scripture, offer prayers and sing together as we experience communion much the same way as the disciples did in the Upper Room with Jesus. This is an all ages event, all are welcome to join in! March 30 th Good Friday 7:00am 9:00am Pivot Ministries Prayer Breakfast Woodway Country Club, Darien 12:00pm In the Shadow of the Cross Service - Sanctuary March 30 th Easter Vigil - Sanctuary Beginning at 3pm April 1 st at 6am The church will be open and available for prayer.

13 April 1 st Easter Sunday 6:00am Ecumenical Easter Sunrise Service - Compo Beach, Westport 9:00am Worship Service - Sanctuary Rev. Dr. Bernard R. Wilson, preaching Children s Easter Egg Hunt will take place between the worship services on the Front Lawn! 11:00am Worship Service - Sanctuary Rev. Dr. Bernard R. Wilson, preaching April 8 th Gospel Sunday 10:00am Worship Service - Sanctuary Rev. Dr. Ruby Wilson, preaching featuring The Good News Gospel Choir with Chris Coogan

14 The Board of Outreach cordially invites you to A Night in Old San Juan! Saturday, April 21 st, :00PM Silent & Live Auction Items featuring House seats to the Broadway Hit Show Hamilton and a unique dining experience at the exclusive Tessa restaurant in NYC! BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW! LIMITED AVAILABILITY! Tickets - $75 per person $65 for seniors Price includes authentic Puerto Rican cuisine & libations by an award-winning chef! To purchase tickets, please visit or Norfield Facebook. For information, please contact auctiondinner@norfield.org or # Proceeds to benefit Outreach Beneficiaries and Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Support!

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16 Chu r ch Calenda r Day Date Time Event Place Sunday 3/25 10:00am Palm Sunday Parish Hall 5:15pm Confirmation Class Parish Hall Monday 3/26 9:30am Mom s Bible Study Banks Room 7:00pm Boy Scouts Parish Hall 7:15pm Board of Trustees Meeting Conference Room Wednesday 3/28 NO Open Door Bible Study NO Music Makers Ministry 7:00pm Good News Gospel Choir Parish Hall 7:30pm Music Board Conference Rm. Thursday 3/29 6:00pm Agape Dinner & Worship Parish Hall NO Handbell Rehearsal Friday 3/30 12noon In the Shadow of the Cross Service Sanctuary 3:00pm Easter Vigil (through 4/1 at 6am) Sanctuary Saturday 3/31 8:30am Kiwanis Club Parish Hall Sunday 4/1 6:00am Easter Sunrise Service Compo Beach 9:00am Easter Worship Service Sanctuary 10:00am Easter Egg Hunt Front Lawn 11:00am Easter Worship Service Sanctuary NO Confirmation Class BOARD AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS: Moderator Tracy Pennoyer Church Clerk Shivanthi Edwards Assistant Treasurer Pam LaFontaine Board of Trustees Don Gary Human Resources Jean Davis-French Senior Shepherds Carol Hamilton Board of Christian Education Christa Gross Prayer Shawl Ministry Jacqueline Pike Board of Christian Outreach Robert Smits Vice Moderator Mary Crawford Nominating Committee Gaitrie Bos Altar Committee Bobbie Sassano & Gaitrie Bos Board of Deacons Dan Klein Board of Music Bayard Dodge Board of Fellowship Anne Troxell Prayer Requests Jackie Troxell Shepherds Lois Bechtel & Missy Dorsey Treasurer Kurt Schreder