Music Sunday 18 May 2008 Trinity Sunday

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2 Music Sunday 18 May 2008 Trinity Sunday Welcome to this Service of Worship at First Congregational Church as today we celebrate the gifts of music. We observe Trinity Sunday today, while our theme explores the metaphor of light. May you sense the light shine through you as you participate in prayer and congregational song, and listen attentively to scripture, sermon and the musical offerings. PREPARING FOR WORSHIP *All who are able, please stand PRELUDE Terence J. Flanagan, piano, John Stansell, organ, Terry Beaurline, tenor Claire de lune (Suite bergamasque) Claude Debussy, arr. James Mansfield Then shall the righteous shine forth (Elijah) Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy CALL TO COMMUNITY Dr. David D. Young PRAISING GOD INTROIT The Chancel Choir Cantate Domino Giuseppe Ottavio Pitoni Cantate Domino canticum novum: laus eius in ecclesia sanctorum. Laetetur Israel in eo, qui fecit eum: et filiae Sion exultant in rege suo. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King. Psalm 149:1,2 CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Ronald E. Halvorsen *OPENING HYMN AND PROCESSION Hymn Prelude, Introduction & Accompaniment Hal Hopson Holy, Holy, Holy Pilgrim Hymnal 251 OPENING PRAYER Great God of Life, Set a note of joy in our hearts and a song of praise on our lips as we gather to worship you. We seek your presence both in our speaking and in the music that we might hear your voice and respond with faithful living through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

3 CONFESSING TO GOD CALL TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of Rhythm, we confess our inability to keep in step with your plan and purpose for our lives, choosing to follow the casual leadings of the near-at-hand. God of Rest, we confess our absorption in the frantic pace of endless activity frantically embraced, forgetting our need for inner solitude and renewal. God of Harmony, we confess our captivity to discordant patterns of action and involvement, fleeing the fullness of life and love Christ brings. Forgive us on this day of song and praise for neglecting the inner music which you have placed at the center of all that is for we would be prompted toward that way of living which senses the song at the heart of things. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE INSTRUMENTAL ALLELUIA Carillon of Joy Kevin McChesney The Palmer Handbells HEARING GOD'S WORD FIRST LESSON Isaiah 6:1-8 Betsy Kreuter In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory. The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. And I said: Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!

4 Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out: Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? And I said, Here am I; send me! SCRIPTURE ANTHEM Thou Art, O God, the Life and Light Peter Pindar Stearns The Chancel Choir Thou art, O God, the life and light Of all this wondrous world we see; Its glow by day, its smile by night, Are but reflections caught from thee. Where er we turn, thy glories shine, And all things fair and bright are thine. When day, with farewell beam, delays Amid the opening clouds of ev n, And we can almost think we gaze Through golden vistas into heav n Those hues that make the sun s decline So soft, so radiant, Lord, are thine. When night, with wings of starry gloom, O ershadows all the earth and skies Like some dark, beauteous bird, whose plume Is sparkling with unnumbered eyes That sacred gloom, those fires divine, So grand, so countless, Lord, are thine. When youthful Spring around us breathes, Thy Spirit warms her fragrant sigh; And every flower the summer wreathes Is born beneath thy kindling eye: Where er we turn, thy glories shine, And all things fair and bright are thine! Thomas Moore ( ) SECOND LESSON Matthew 5:13-16 You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under a bushel basket, but on the lamp-stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. ANTHEM The Cherub Choir, Lisa Flanagan, director, Debbie Berner, accompanist I m Shining for the Lord words and music by Roger Day From the inside out, there s no doubt, I m shining for the Lord. From the inside out, there s no doubt, I m shining for the Lord. I m a little twinkle in God s big eye, shining with a light that will never die. From the inside out, there s no doubt, I m shining for the Lord. SERMON Let It Shine Dr. David D. Young, Dr. John Stansell

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6 CALL TO PASTORAL PRAYER Rev. Daniel B. England PASTORAL PRAYER AND QUIET MEDITATION 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. CALL TO OFFERING RESPONDING TO GOD OFFERTORY ANTHEM: The Chancel Choir, The Youth Choir We re Called to Be the Light of the World Sonia Ivette Morales-Matos God s love and grace have given us new hope. God sent to us God s own begotten Child, To be for us the Light, the Way and true Word And now we re called to be the light of the world. Because God loved us first, in Jesus Christ we find Forgiveness of our sins and everlasting life. The Holy Spirit lights our lives with justice and love And now we re called to be the light of the world. Refrain: Let your light shine with intensity. We re called to be the light of the world. Let your light radiate love and peace And glorify God with good deeds. We are salt and light. We are God s face in the world. We need to live our faith. We need to give some hope. We will extend our hands in justice and peace, We ll put a halt to war, and serve the ones who are in need. We ll shine atop the hill, we ll shine with holy light. The light that shows the way that leads to Jesus Christ. Don t ever hide the light that gives all glory to God Because we re called to be the light of the world. Refrain We re called to be the light of the world. LET IT SHINE!

7 *Doxology (New Century Hymnal 776) Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all creatures here below; Praise Holy Spirit, Comforter; One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen. Amen. *Prayer of Dedication GOING FORTH TO SERVE GOD *CLOSING HYMN AND PROCESSION When the Morning Stars Together New Century Hymnal 453 CLOSING SENTENCES Leader: Where words fail, music speaks. People: Music is to be praised as second only to the Word of God because by it are all the emotions swayed. Leader: The tune is in the tree, the skeptic showeth me; No Sir! In Thee! People: The aim and final reason for all music should be nothing else but the glory of God and the refreshment of the spirit. Hans Christian Andersen, Martin Luther, Emily Dickinson, J. S. Bach *BENEDICTION *BENEDICTION RESPONSE The Chancel & Youth Choirs Let Us Go In Peace John Rutter Let us go in peace and serve the Lord; Let us praise his holy Name. May the blessings of the Holy Spirit rest on those we love now and always. In the name of Christ our Savior and Redeemer, And the Holy Spirit, blessed Trinity; In the name of God our Father and our Maker; in the highest heaven he reigns in majesty. Let us go GO IN PEACE AND SERVE THE LORD. POSTLUDE Tosh Sheridan, guitar, Tod Hedrick, bass, Gernot Bernroider, drums You Light Up My Life Joe Brooks First Congregational Church of Greenwich declares itself to be open and affirming; open to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment, and affirming of all who wish to join us as children of God. We continue to give thanks for God's guidance in our journey of faith. The 10 am Service is broadcast live each week on WGCH 1490 AM Radio. In addition, the service is available through the church s website, A bulletin may be found there as well as a link to the live broadcast. Previous sermons can be found there as well.

8 Calendar TODAY There is no Church School today. Childcare for Babies and Toddlers is available in the Undercroft. See an usher if you need directions. At Coffee Hour and beyond, join us on the lawn for croissants, strawberries and whipped cream, and our traditional Maypole Dance. Parish Nurse Sue Asselin, RN is available today in room 203, after the Worship Service. Stop in to have your blood pressure checked or discuss any health concerns. JPF / Junior Pilgrim Fellowship (6-8 grade) - From 5:00-6:00 pm, mystery month continues. You have to show up to find out what s happening. SPF / Senior Pilgrim Fellowship (9-12 grade) - From 6:30-8 pm, tie dye shirts with Phoebe! Bring a plain white t-shirt. There will be parking lot hockey as well. NEXT SUNDAY Next Sunday, May 25, is Heritage Sunday. Please join us as we recognize and honor fifty-year members of First Congregational Church. There will be no Church School, but childcare will be available. Watch for an announcement about Summer Church School. NEWS AND NOTICES Nights Off, the Women's Ministries evening group, will meet on Monday, May 19 at Greenwich Point (weather permitting) at 5:30 pm at the first picnic area just past the Chimes building. We hope to see you there. For information, contact Karen Young at or klyct1@aol.com. Summer Choir - The Chancel Choir suspends Thursday night rehearsals starting this week, but invites all who would like to join them to come on Sunday mornings for a 9 am warm-up/rehearsal in the Meetinghouse. Adults and youth are welcome. It s a great time to see if choir is right for you. You can even come just to the rehearsal, if you feel you re not quite ready for prime time. How to be "Green" at Church and at Home - Women's Ministries is hosting brunch and a program on Wednesday, May 28 from 10 am-12 Noon. There is no charge but we do ask that you RSVP to the church office at so we can be prepared with enough food. Our new officers will be introduced at this event. Let's all picnic at Silver Lake!! Only an hour and fifteen minutes to Sharon CT, you will find a very special part of God's creation. As members of the UCC, Silver Lake is ours and has much to offer in addition to summer camp and confirmation retreats. So come with us on Saturday, May 31, from 12 Noon-4 pm. Food, drink and games are all provided at $10 per person (age 3 and under free). Carpooling is possible. Sign up in the Auditorium or Rosemary at rosemaryl@fccog.org.

9 Beach Services will begin Sunday, June 1, 8 am, weather permitting. Youth and Graduation Sunday, June 8 - We will be honoring high school and college graduates during the worship service on Sunday, June 8. If you are receiving a degree from a two-year or fouryear college, trade school or an advanced degree, you are invited to let us know so that you can be recognized along with our high school graduates. This applies to anyone graduating or receiving a degree from the Fall of 2007 to August Please contact Donna White at extension 14, or donnaw@fccog.org. Teacher Recruitment continues... Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to be with our children and travel with them on their faith journey. You can sign up in the Auditorium or in the Undercroft. If you prefer, call Rosemary Lamie at extension 20 or her at rosemaryl@fccog.org. Share your name You may have noticed that we have been inviting you to make a name tag as you enter the Meetinghouse each Sunday. As a welcoming, vital, and caring church, we want to get to know each other better. Please wear your name tag when you are in church and at coffee hour so we can greet each other by name. UCC Disaster Relief Funds have been established to respond to the devastation caused by the cyclone in Myanmar, the massive earthquake in China, and recent weather-related disasters in the central and southern United States. The UCC s efforts, coordinated with Church World Service, focus on both immediate relief and long-term recovery and rehabilitation. For more information on the UCC Disaster Relief Funds, or to make a contribution, go to or contact Wider Church Ministries at 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115,

10 We want to offer special thanks to Loretta Stagen, who has done the Music Sunday flowers for many years and this year passes the baton on to Pam Grunow, who also helped with today s arrangements. to the members of the Chancel Choir and Music Committee who prepared the strawberries and croissants for our celebration on the lawn. to Mary Fike, and the Maypole Dancers. to Barbara Norrgard, chair, and all the members of the Music Committee who worked in so many ways to make today a success, and for their help during the year - Sue Baker, Diane Jenkins, Chris Moore, Darlene Moore, Nancy Pierson, Steve Pierson, Michael Pugh, Bill Sandberg, Bob Small, Arlene Whitehill, Jeff Whitehill. to all the members of the Chancel Choir, Youth Choir, Children's Choir, Cherub Choir and their accompanist Debbie Berner, and the Palmer Handbells, all of whom contribute their time and talents so selflessly, not only today, but throughout the year. to our music staff: John Stansell, Terence J. Flanagan, Carolyn Paulus and Lisa Flanagan.

11 First Congregational Church of Greenwich 108 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich, Connecticut, Ministers: The Members of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich Senior Pastor: David D. Young Interim Associate Pastor: Daniel B. England Minister of Pastoral Care: Ronald E. Halvorsen Director of Music/Senior Organist: John Stansell Associate Organist/Director: Terence J. Flanagan Directors of Youth Ministries: Steve and Debbie Crawford Director of Church School: Rosemary Lamie Director of Membership: Ginny Breismeister Parish Nurse: Susan Asselin Pastors Emeriti: Thomas L. Stiers and Sally Colegrove