Bloomfield Congregational Church

Transcription

1 Bloomfield Congregational Church United Church of Christ Bloomfield, CT An open and affirming congregation January 13, 2019 Part 1: Angels from Unexpected Places 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 r s t Congregational Church in Bloomfield, 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. S u nday, Janua ry 13, 2019 PRELUDE When in the Hour of Utmost Need J. S. Bach ANNOUNCEMENTS CENTERING MOMENT WE GATHER IN COMMUNITY AS GOD S PEOPLE CALL TO WORSHIP (RESPONSIVE) One: Angels call to us from the realms of glory. All: It is up to us to hear them. One: Angels appear to us in our daily lives. All: It is up to us to recognize them. One: Come and worship. Come and worship. Hear of Angels from unexpected places. All: Let us gather our hearts. Let us come to worship. Let us learn to hear and learn to see the Unexpected Angels. + OPENING HYMN Angels from the Realms of Glory # 136 CALL TO CONFESSION 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

3 CHILDREN S MESSAGE Dorine DeCarli MUSICAL OFFERING Allegro appassionato in B minor, Op. 43 Camille Saint-Saens Jasmine Jia, cellist 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 ~ Isaiah 43: 1 OT p.822 in black Bible, p.672 in red SECOND READING ~ Genesis 32: 1-31 OT p.36 in black Bible, p.29 in red (Today s reader is Deacon Carolyn Delgado) + HYMN Be Thou My Vision # 445 SERMON INVITATION AND PRAYER SHARING THE SACRAMENTS JOYS ANGELS AND DEMONS PART 1: ANGELS FROM UNEXPECTED PLACES Reverend Shawn R. Fisher WELCOME TO GOD S TABLE WE SHARE OUR JOYS AND RESPOND TO GOD S WORD OFFERING OUR GIFTS Pastorale Jean Langlais DOXOLOGY # 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.

4 WE GO FORTH TO SERVE + HYMN My Life Flows on in Endless Song # 427 +BENEDICTION +POSTLUDE Chaconne Louis Couperin Meet the Musician Jasmine Jia attends 10th Grade at Longmeadow High School in Massachusetts. Jasmine started her music studies with the piano at 7 years old and now takes lessons with Ms. Lan -Ya Huang. She started playing the cello in 3rd grade and has been playing the cello for her school orchestra since the 4th grade. She also plays the cello for the Springfield Symphony Youth Orchestra. She was recently accepted by the Massachusetts District Music Festival as the principal cellist. 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 Prayers of Intercession: The many federal workers who are currently working unpaid or temporarily furloughed and finding it difficult to meet their financial obligations. For those impacted by lack of services due to the shutdown. For those forgotten men, women and children, who die every day from lack of food, nutrition, exposure and lack of medical care. Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving: For the Unexpectd Angels in our lives. For those who persevere through their mental illness. For the Love that Jesus reminds us is always available to us. That if we let Him, Jesus will renew our lives.

5 This Week at a Glance Looking Ahead Lectionary possibilities for this week include: Isaiah 62: 1-5; Psalm 36: 5-10; 1Corinthians 12: 1-11; John 2: 1-11 Sunday, Jan 13 10:00 am Worship Service Sanctuary 12:30 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel 4:00 pm Youth Group Monday, Jan 14 6:00 pm Bells Choir Rehearsal Music Suite 7:00 pm Mission Team Living Room 7:00 pm Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall Tuesday, Jan 15 9:15 am Exercise Group Fellowship Hall 12:00 pm Hartford Association (UCC) Living Room 1:30 pm Wounded Healers Living Room Wednesday, Jan 16 7:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room 7:00 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel Thursday, Jan 17 10:00 am Book Group Living Room 6:00 pm Glenwood Green Association Living Room Friday, Jan 18 9:15 am Exercise Group Fellowship Hall 7:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room Saturday, Jan 19 11:30 am Bloomfield Community Lunch Fellowship Hall Welcome Guests! We are so glad you are here and invite you to join us to continue our Worship experience during a time of refreshments and conversation. Today s hosts: Ralph & Karen Blanchard 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 You are invited to attend the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Service on Sunday, January 20 th, at 3 pm. The service will be held at the Bloomfield United Methodist Church 297 School Street, Bloomfield. This service is sponsored by the Bloomfield Interfaith Association. SECOND HOUR ON MENTAL HEALTH Sponsored by the Parish Care Team Following the January 27, 2019 church service, a Second Hour will be held in the living room on the subject of Depression. The following questions will be raised and discussed, with time for questions following the presentation: What is depression? What are the different types of depression? What causes depression? What can you do if you or someone you love suffers from depression? How is depression diagnosed? What happens once you are diagnosed with depression? Our facilitator for this program will be Frederique Shea, LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist). She has worked at the Family Outpatient Treatment Center at the Children s Home in Cromwell. She had her own counseling practice on Prospect St in Hartford, and recently opened an office on Barnard Lane in Bloomfield. She works with adults and adolescents suffering from depression, grief and anxiety. This is a timely and needed program, we hope that you plan to attend.

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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