United Church of Christ Bloomfield, CT. November 4, All Saints Sunday

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1 The First Congregational Church United Church of Christ Bloomfield, CT An open and affirming congregation November 4, 2018 All Saints Sunday 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, Novemb er 4, 2018 PRELUDE Morning Greeting Franz Schubert Kimberly Manchester, French Horn ANNOUNCEMENTS CENTERING MOMENT WE GATHER IN COMMUNITY AS GOD S PEOPLE CALL TO WORSHIP (RESPONSIVE) One: Nobody is really gone. All: God s Creation is continuous and God s Creation is connected. One: We know it is not the same. We miss those who are no longer here with us. All: Still, God s Creation is continuous and God s Creation is connected. One: Today here there is continuity. Right now in this moment we are connected. All: The Community of Saints who have come before us, are with us still. They are with us now. Come! Let us worship knowing that ALL are with us today, and everyday. REMEMBERING OUR SAINTS +HYMN OF PRAISE When the Saints Go Marching In (see insert) OPENING UNISON PRAYER God of Creation, continuity and connection God of Love we ask for Your special presence today in the form of the Community of Saints. Help us to feel their presence. Let us allow them to strengthen and embolden us during this service and throughout our lives. Knowing they are safe in Your arms as they continue to help and guide us whenever we let them. Amen. CALL TO CONFESSION

3 UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of unimaginable love. You pour out Your Spirit for us. You offer us the best things in life and show us clearly how to attain them. You offer us true meaning and purpose. But, we resist it. We fight it. We look to others and ourselves for life, instead of looking to You. We create our own way instead of following The Way of Jesus. We use our own corrupting power; instead of the Spirit You offer us. As a result, we fall short of Your dreams for us, dreams that if fulfilled, would make Your Kingdom a more present reality in our lives and in our world today. We repent. Forgive us. We repent and wish to return to You. We wish to return to You and we offer ourselves to be transformed, so that we may continue to grow with You. And in doing so, help to bring the Kingdom of God here, on Earth, as it is in heaven. (a moment for silent confession) ASSURANCE OF PARDON 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 The Ash Grove arranged by Mason Jones Kimberly Manchester, French Horn 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. FIRST READING ~ The Wisdom of Solomon 3: 1-4 SECOND READING ~ Hebrews 12: 1-2 NT p.275 in black Bible, p.226 in red (Today s reader is Angela Maine) + HYMN I Sing a Song of the Saints of God # 494 SERMON YOU ARE NOT ALONE Reverend Shawn R. Fisher

4 INVITATION AND PRAYER SHARING THE SACRAMENTS WELCOME TO GOD S TABLE WE SHARE OUR JOYS AND RESPOND TO GOD S WORD JOYS OFFERING OUR GIFTS The Heavens are Telling Ludwig van Beethoven Kimberly Manchester, French Horn 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. WE GO FORTH TO SERVE + HYMN Rise Up, O Saints of God! # 474 +BENEDICTION +POSTLUDE Horn Solo from Water Music G. F. Handel Kimberly Manchester, French Horn # 44 Meet the Musician Kimberly Manchester, daughter of Haley Manchester, is a 11 th grade student. She has been a member of the All State Band from 2016 and is currently the Principal Horn at the Greater Hartford Youth Wind Ensemble. She is also a member of the Connecticut Youth Symphony and the University of Hartford Brass Quintet. Welcome Kim. 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 Adelle Wright

5 This Week at a Glance Looking Ahead Lectionary possibilities for this week include: Ruth 3: 1-5, 4: 13-17; Psalm 127 or 1 Kings 17: 8-16; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9: 24-28; Mark 12: Sunday, Nov 4 10:00 am Worship Service Metzger Chapel 12:30 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel 4:00 pm Youth Group Atrium Monday, Nov 5 6:30 pm Tanglewood Marionettes Fellowship Hall Prosser Library Event 6:00 pm Bells Choir Rehearsal Music Suite 7:00 pm Narcotics Anonymous Library Tuesday, Nov 6 9:15 am Exercise Group Fellowship Hall 1:30 pm Wounded Healers Living Room Wednesday, Nov 7 9:30 am Jump Bunch (Child Dev. Center) Fellowship Hall 10:00 am Board of Deacons Living Room 7:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room 7:00 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel Thursday, Nov 8 10:00 am Book Group Living Room Friday, Nov 9 9:15 am Exercise Group Fellowship Hall 7:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room Saturday, Nov 10 11:30 am Bloomfield Community Lunch Fellowship Hall 3:00 pm Private Baby Shower Fellowship Hall Welcome Guests! We are so glad you are here and invite you to join us after Worship for a time of refreshments. 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.

6 ANNOUNCEMENTS Tomorrow! Monday, November 5th - Tanglewood Marrionettes 6:30pm Fellowship Hall Here! COVENANT TO CARE: Our Covenant to Care Social worker is seeking household furnishings, all kitchen items, linens, twin sheets, and small furniture pieces for several families moving into empty apartments. She is also seeking clothes for boys ages 2 and 4 and a girl 10 yrs. Please call Judi at or bring smaller items in a marked bag to the outer side office under the table. Thank you very much, Judi Bloomfield Diaper Bank is in need of size 4 & 6 diapers. Please drop off at church or Laurel School - 1 Filley Street, Bloomfield, CT. Thank you! Please contact Mary Laiuppa with any questions. November is a time to be busy and full of Thankfulness. The Youth Group is making pies to raise funds for Christmas Gifts for families in Bloomfield. The Youth Group will be taking apple and pumpkin pie orders during cof fee hour today, and November 11 th or you may place your order by November 14 th by mail to the church office using the Spire order form. Pies will be ready for pick up on November 18 th, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm or Monday, November 19 th, 10:00 am to 12 pm.

7 Sunday, November 18 th Thanksgiving Service 10 am. (Please bring Thanksgiving Donations to church). ANNUAL INTERFAITH SERVICE Sunday November 18 th, at 3 PM Here at Bloomfield Congregational Church Presenters will come from many of Bloomfield s faiths. ALL ARE WELCOME! You are invited to bring non-perishable food items for the Food Bank. A Free Will Offering will be taken for the Bloomfield Food Bank Checks payable to Bloomfield Social & Youth Services Memo: Food Bank This event is made possible through the efforts of The Bloomfield Interfaith Association Meeting Minutes If you would like a copies of the Minutes of any meetings of our teams, please let us know. We would be happy to send them to you. Copies of Church Council Minutes will also be made available on the table outside of the church office.

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 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