First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church First Congregational Church New Year s Day 1 January 2012 10 o clock in the morning (Simeon with the Infant Jesus by Petr Jan Brandl after 1725) Joint Worship Service at First Congregational Church 108 Sound Beach Avenue, Greenwich, Connecticut
W ELCOME to this Service of Worship on this New Year s Sunday as the old year draws to a close and we share in the afterglow of the Christmas event. Today we celebrate the common life and ministry of our joint congregations: First Baptist, First Congregational and First Presbyterian. It is a joy to connect on this New Year s Day for a service of Word and Sacrament. May a sense of unity and newness pervade our worship as we open ourselves to God and one another in worship. PREPARING FOR WORSHIP Please silence all cell phones and other electronic devices. *All who are able please stand Seating of latecomers PRELUDE A New Year s Carol CALL TO COMMUNITY Please sign and pass the red book. Jon Hunt, guest organist Benjamin Britten Dr. David D. Young CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: PRAISING GOD Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! People: Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Leader: Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed. People: Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
Leader: Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds! People: Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and women alike, Leader: old and young together! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. People: He has raised up a horn for his people praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord! Psalm 148 * OPENING HYMN AND PROCESSION Hark! The Herald Angels Sing New Century (black) Hymnal 144 OPENING PRAYER God of life, the old year has expended her energies and we are again met by unknown tomorrows; draw near to our lives in this time of sharing about Christ s table that we might be prepared for the surprise of your presence and your gift of newness in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. CALL TO CONFESSION CONFESSING TO GOD PRAYER OF CONFESSION O God, who invades our world of ordered practicality with your winsome presence in Word and Sacrament, we confess that we have chosen to order our lives in ways that shut you out. You have shown us love in Bethlehem s simple story, but we have pursued love s desperate search, far from that scene.
You have chosen to empower our living through the common elements of bread and wine, while we are convinced that life s table holds greater delights. Forgive us in this time of inner renewal for our starry-eyed embrace of the manger s gift, which abandons the light as we set out on new journeys. Keep us close to Christ as this New Year unfolds, even as we pray the prayer he taught us 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. WORDS OF ASSURANCE Congregational Response (Tune: Sussex Carol) New Century (black) Hymnal 143 Then why should we on earth be sad, since our Redeemer made us glad; Then why should we on earth be sad, since our Redeemer made us glad, When from our sin Christ set us free, all for to gain our liberty. HEARING GOD'S WORD SCRIPTURE Luke 2:21-27 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord ),
and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law MEDITATION I ANTHEM Rev. Dr. William Evertsberg Linnea Conley SCRIPTURE S Luke 2:28-35 imeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. And the child s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed and a sword will pierce your own soul too. MEDITATION II Rev. Dr. Thomas Nins * HYMN What Child Is This New Century (black) Hymnal 148 SCRIPTURE Luke 2:36-40 here was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the Ttribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her
husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. MEDITATION III Rev. Dr. David D. Young * HYMN Go Tell It on the Mountain New Century (black) Hymnal 154 RESPONDING TO GOD *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The star of Divine Promise shines before us still. Over a world of mute hopes, dim visions, dark fears, still the light shines. In a world shrouded by darkness both tragic and willful, Still we proclaim: Our light has come. The glory of God shines upon us. For One born of God is born of our own flesh, and that One is light for our lives. As we receive the light and let it shine through us, it rises as a beacon for a darkened world. The peoples shall stream toward its promise; meek and mighty alike share in its dawning brightness. Then all shall say: Arise! The glory of God is upon us! *Christmas Gloria (refrain from Angels We Have Heard on High) New Century (black) Hymnal 125 Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo. CALL TO OFFERING
ANTHEM Linnea Conley *Offertory Response New Century (black) Hymnal 159 (verse 3) As they offered gifts most rare, At the manger rude and bare, So may we with holy joy, Pure and free from sin s alloy, All our costliest treasures bring, Christ to thee, our heavenly King. *PRAYER OF DEDICATION SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER (seated) Prayer of Consecration Serving of the Bread and Cup Prayer of Thanksgiving GOING FORTH TO SERVE GOD *CLOSING HYMN AND PROCESSION Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Pilgrim (red) Hymnal 107 *CLOSING SENTENCES Leader: He does not say I was - - the bread of life People: the true and vital vine shepherd and door and light and resurrection. Leader: He was indeed but need not say I was.
People: Only I am and I am with you always. *BENEDICTION *BENEDICTION RESPONSE POSTLUDE The Rejoicing Charles Callahan The Senior Pastors welcome the congregations of First Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church to First Congregational Church on this New Year s Day morning. Thomas L. Nins has been the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church since 1998. He graduated from the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology and previously served a parish in King William, Virginia. William A. Evertsberg has served First Presbyterian since 1997, having graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary and serving congregations in Abington, Pennsylvania, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. David D. Young has been Senior Pastor at First Congregational Church since 2005, after graduating from San Francisco Theological Seminary and serving congregations in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Battle Creek, Michigan. The 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. We have child care for babies and toddlers every Sunday. Your children are always welcome for the entire service or for a respite time if needed. Please see an usher if you need directions. The 10:00 am Service is broadcast live each week on WGCH 1490 AM Radio. In addition, the service is available through the church s
website, www.fccog.org. A bulletin can be found there as well as a link to the live broadcast. Previous sermons may also be found there. Calendar TODAY Church School There is no church school today; however, there is Child Care for infants and toddlers in the Preschool Blue Door Room. Please ask the ushers for directions. Church School resumes next Sunday, January 8. Happy New Year! Youth and Cherub Choir Rehearsals There is no Youth or Cherub Choir rehearsal today. linc There is no linc service today. Since we had this wonderful opportunity to linc with our larger community at our 10:00 am service, we will forego our regular 5:00 pm linc service. Regular 5:00 pm linc services will resume next Sunday, January 8 with The Feast of Welcome; Dan England will be preaching. Y! - Youth Ministry There are no Youth Ministry Programs this evening. NEXT WEEK Sunday Afternoons Live Returns After a short hiatus, the ever-popular Sunday Afternoons Live returns to FCCOG on Sunday, January 8 from 2:00-4:00 pm with the familiar face of Tod Hedrick. Tod will be bringing his jazz ensemble with him for an enjoyable afternoon of jazz in the superb acoustical setting of our Auditorium. Other fabulous programs will follow on January 22, February 12 and February 26. Please see the January Meetinghouse Monthly (coming soon) for more details. Contribution Envelopes For those who requested them, a set of contribution envelopes for the year 2012 will be available in the Auditorium during Coffee Hour
every Sunday in January, starting next Sunday, January 8. If you neglected to ask previously, but still would like a set, please contact Kirk Young at kirky@fccog.org or ext. 32; we still have a few left that have not yet been spoken for. Bible Study Bible Study returns next Sunday! NEWS AND NOTICES Tai Chi Fitness with Luis Duarte Improve your balance, health and well being. Come and experience the many wonderful benefits of Tai Chi and Qi Gong exercises. Classes are held on Wednesdays at 8:00 am and Thursdays at 9:00 am. Only $7 per class if paid by the month, and $8 per class for drop ins. Join us! You ll love it! All are welcome! News from The Rummage Room The Rummage Room opens Monday, January 2 at 10:00 am and will close at 5:00 pm. All Christmas items and winter clothing, except for ski clothing, will be 50% off for the entire week. Donations will be appreciated beginning January 2 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Thursday, and on Friday and Saturday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. The Women s Fellowship, The Rummage Room Committee and The Rummage Room Staff wish each of our shoppers, donors and volunteers throughout the community a very Happy New Year filled with hope, joy and love. Food Collection The Food Collection barrel remains in the back of the Meetinghouse. When you re doing your grocery shopping, adding a few items will make a significant difference at Neighbor to Neighbor. They continue to need: cereal, oatmeal, pasta sauce, dried beans (kidney and black), 100% juice, canned tomatoes, peanut butter (no larger than 28 oz.) and jelly.
Next Week at First Congregational Church 10:00 am Worship Service Meetinghouse Dr. David D. Young, preaching *** 5:00 pm linc worship service - Auditorium The Feast of Welcome The Prodigal Son Dan England Preaching Kim and Joe Rogers acting the scripture. Come as you are and bring all your friends!
The First Congregational Church of Greenwich 108 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich, Connecticut, 06870 203-637-1791 www.fccog.org Ministers: The Members of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. David D. Young Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry: Rev. Mark D. Montgomery Minister of Communication and Adult Education: Rev. Daniel B. England Minister of Pastoral Care: Rev. Avery C. Manchester Director of Music: Dr. Craig Scott Symons Director of Church School: Rosemary Lamie Director of Membership: Ginny Breismeister Director of Publications: Barbara Wilkov Parish Nurse: Susan Asselin, RN Pastors Emeriti: Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Stiers and Rev. Sally Colegrove Director of Music Emeritus: Dr. John Stansell