An open and affirming congregation July 22, 2018 MOVING PART 1 HOUSE AND HOME

Transcription

1 An open and affirming congregation July 22, 2018 MOVING PART 1 HOUSE AND HOME

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, July 22, 2018 WE GATHER TOGETHER TO WORSHIP GOD PRELUDE Andante Sonata in C minor Josef Rheinberger 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: We come to this house of worship for many reasons. We come for joy. We come for comfort. We come to be challenged. We come for rest. We know that God does not need this house of worship. But we do. We need to gather, together, as a community of faith seeking love seeking God. God does not need this house of worship, but God will honor a community of faith seeking love for this is what makes a home one that gives joy, comfort, challenge and rest. Let us share in making this house of worship a home for God a home for us all a home for everyone. +HYMN OF PRAISE God of Life # 242 OPENING UNISON PRAYER God, we need You. We need You every week. We need You every day. We need You every hour. You are there to lead us if we only ask. You are there to be found - if we only seek for You are not hiding. You are there to open the door if we only knock as we sincerely try to find Your Way and not only our own. Be with us. You are what transforms this place from a structure to a place of meaning. You are what makes this place transfigured from a house of worship to the home of the living and still speaking God of all people. Even though we do not fully understand what we are asking, we ask You to be present here with us now in this place, in this moment. There is no greater gift You could give. There is no greater gift we could receive. Amen CHILDREN S MESSAGE MUSICAL OFFERING Carrie Wilson, soloist

3 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. FIRST READING ~ Psalm 89: OT p.671 in black Bible, p.546 in red SECOND READING ~ 2 Samuel 7: 1-13 OT p.349 in black Bible, p.281 in red (Today s reader is Kate Fennell) CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Write These Words in Our Hearts # 298 Write these words in our hearts, we beseech you, O God + HYMN God of Grace and God of Glory vs 1-3 # 477 SERMON MOVING PART 1: HOUSE AND HOME Reverend Shawn R. Fisher INVITATION TO OFFERING ~ OFFERTORY WE RESPOND TO GOD S LOVE Carrie Wilson, soloist # 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 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 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! 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.

4 WE GO FORTH TO SERVE + CLOSING HYMN When Love Is Found vs 1, 2 & 5 # 390 +BENEDICTION (You are invited to hold hands as an expression of Community Love) +POSTLUDE March Robert Schumann THOSE IN OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS (AMONG MANY): Trudy Barnard Charlotte Babcock David Berg Al Campbell Julie Cato Anne Clark 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 First Congregational Church, UCC, Portland Prospect Congregational Church, UCC Congregational Church of Putnam UCC Ridgebury Congregational UCC, Ridgefield First Church of Christ Congregational, UCC, Redding Prayers of Intercession: For those with insufficient means to cool themselves in the hot days. A capsizing that killed at least 11 people during a thunderstorm on a Missouri lake. Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving: The Wallingford Work Camp project, sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Wallingford and the Group Mission Trips nonprofit organization, which resulted in 360 youth and adult volunteers repairing 54 homes for free throughout Wallingford and neighboring communities last week. Registration is ongoing for Vacation Bible School (VBS) Monday, August 13 through Friday, August , 9 am -12 pm Forms are on the table in front of church office. Also on FCCB website.

5 This Week at a Glance Looking Ahead Lectionary possibilities for this week include: 2 Samuel 7: 1-14a; Psalm 89: or Jeremiah 23: 1-6; Psalm 23; Ephesians 2: 11-22; Mark 6: 30-34, Sunday, July 22 10:00 am Worship Service Meeting Room 12:30 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel Monday, July 23 7:00 pm Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall Tuesday, July 24 1:30 pm Wounded Healers Library Wednesday, July 25 3:30 pm ABC Fellowship Hall 7:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room 7:00 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel Friday, July 27 7:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room ANNOUNCEMENTS Welcome Guests! We are so glad you are here and invite you to join us after Worship for Refreshments. Today s host is Priscilla McCatty. Child care for all ages is provided through our Summer of Fun program. Children are always welcome here for part or all of service. If you would like your child to join the Summer play time, but want to meet the counselors first simply let an usher know, and we will introduce your child to the caregivers. Those children who wish to join the play time depart with the counselors after the Children s Message. Starting with Scripture is a weekly devotional written by current and former clergy and church leaders of the Connecticut Conference, UCC. Subscribe to receive the reflection each Monday at: ctucc.org/subscribe.

6 40 Depart Together, As One, for Regional Youth Event 7/19/2018 Youth from the Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts conferences headed off Together, As One today (July 19) on a bus bound for the UCC Eastern Regional Youth Event in Pennsylvania. More than 40 youth and adults from the following churches and associations are making the trip: Greenwich, Salisbury, New Britain, Simsbury, New Haven, and East Woodstock in the Connecticut Conference; Seekonk, Providence, East Providence and Lincoln in the Rhode Island Conference; and Edwards Church Framingham, and the Hampshire Association in the Massachusetts Conference. The youth gathered and spent Wednesday night at First Church in Windsor, CT, prior to their departure on Thursday. "This has been been many months in the making and promises to be an amazing event," said Debby Kirk, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Connecticut Conference. "Our count is 319 participants from 11 conferences and 2 delegations from Germany. We will be fed by the wonderful music of Convergence Music Project." The event is called: "My theme song is God's Love and Justice." Folks from the Together, As One region are providing leaders for worship and workshops at the event including: Keynotes by Bryan Nurnberger of Simply Smiles and Bekah Anderson of the Young Adult Service Community program in Simsbury, CT Preaching by Rev. Edwin Perez and Rev. Elly Mendez Angulo of the Connecticut Conference Workshops provided by Pam Arifian, Bryan Nurnberger, Kristin Putney, Aiden Kelly, Tadd Allman Morton, Don Remick, Kent Siladi, Bekah Anderson, Jennie Valentine, Debbie Gline Allen, Dani Gline Allen, and Debby Kirk. Silver Lake Conference Center, the Outdoor Ministry Association and the Northeast Environmental Justice Center will also have displays at the Just /Fair Marketplace.

7 Room for Notes and Doodles for Children and Children at Heart

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: