The Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost 28 October 2007 10 o clock in the morning
W elcome to this service of worship at First Congregational Church. This is Stewardship Sunday, when our hearts and minds are called to begin meditating on our pledge intentions in support of the church s ministry during the coming year. We are Celebrating Our Family of Faith during this Stewardship / Fall Season. A prompter to all of us comes from the pen of theologian Paul Tillich: Religion is first, an open hand to receive a gift and second, an acting hand to distribute gifts. 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. PREPARING FOR WORSHIP *All who are able please stand Seating of latecomers PRELUDE Fantasy on A Mighty Fortress CALL TO COMMUNITY Please sign and pass the red book. John Stansell, organ Michael Praetorius (1571-1621) Rev. Daniel B. England PRAISING GOD CALL TO WORSHIP * OPENING HYMN AND PROCESSION A Mighty Fortress Is Our God New Century Hymnal 439 OPENING PRAYER O God of the crossroads, whose presence is made known in the unexpected prod to make decisions about our life, draw near to us in this hour of renewal that we might make wise choices which help your futures to happen in our midst, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION CONFESSING TO GOD PRAYER OF CONFESSION You have called us to a life of simplicity O God of our salvation, but our lives are cluttered with many things, rendering us insensitive to your calling. You have prompted us in the rich ways of sharing O God of our redemption, but we are skilled at holding tight, pushing us beyond your prompting. You have prodded us toward a life style of service O God of transformation, but we are more comfortable with being served, distancing us from the influence of your prodding. Forgive us this day for our dimness in seeing and following, for we would be renewed as disciples of Jesus whose simplicity, whose sharing, whose service, marked his life as one which was faithful to your purpose. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Congregational Response Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. FIRST LESSON H HEARING GOD'S WORD II Chronicles 31: 2-6 Beth Beam ezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and of the Levites, division by division, everyone according to his service, the priests and the Levites, for burnt-offerings and offerings of well-being, to minister in the gates of the camp of the LORD and to give thanks and praise. The contribution of the king from his own possessions was for the burnt-offerings: the burnt offerings of morning and evening, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, the new moons, and the appointed festivals, as it is written in the law of the LORD. He commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites, so that they might devote themselves to the law of the LORD. As soon as the word spread, the people of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything. The people of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of the dedicated things that had been consecrated to the LORD their God, and laid them in heaps. ANTHEM The Children s Choir Festival Alleluia Allen Pote Sing unto God all the heavens and earth, alleluia, clap your hands, rejoice and sing a joyful song. Sing it loudly, sing it merrily, sing it softly, sing with a beautiful melody. Sing unto God all the heavens and earth, alleluia, celebrate, and with a cheerful voice sing alleluia, sing it from your heart. Make your life a song to God. Listen to the rhythm of creation, listen to the beat of life. Wake up to the wonder of a world in celebration, wake up to a world of light, and sing, children, sing alleluia, praise to the Lord above. Sing, children, sing alleluia, God is love.
SECOND LESSON A Mark 4: 1-9 gain he began to teach beside the sea. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the sea and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold. And he said, Let anyone with ears to hear listen! * HYMN Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated Pilgrim Hymnal 404 As the hymn begins, the Sixth Grade and Pastor s Class leave for their classes. SERMON Traveling Trustees Dr. David D. Young (Stewardship) RESPONDING TO GOD *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The world needs all of our power and love and energy, and each of us has something we can give. The trick is to find it and use it, to find it and give it away, so there will always be more. We can be lights for each other, and through each other s illumination we will see the way. Each of us is a seed, a silent promise, and it is always spring. Let it be. Amen. *Gloria (New Century Hymnal 754) Glory to God the Creator, and to the Christ, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Amen.
CALL TO PASTORAL PRAYER Rev. Ronald E. Halvorsen 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 OFFERTORY ANTHEM In The Year That King Uzziah Died Text is Isaiah 6: 1-8 The Chancel Choir David McK. Williams *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 Born of God, Eternal Savior New Century Hymnal 542 *CLOSING SENTENCES Leader: This is a road One walks alone; Narrow the track And overgrown. People: Dark is the way And hard to find, When the last village Drops behind. Leader: Never a footfall Light to show
Fellow traveler-- Yet I know. People: Someone before Has trudged his load In the same footsteps-- This is a road. *BENEDICTION Anne Morrow Lindbergh *BENEDICTION RESPONSE POSTLUDE A Mighty Fortress Helmut Walcha The flowers in the Meetinghouse are given by Michael Pellegrino in celebration of John Stansell s 20 th anniversary in the music program at First Church. Ushers: Sue Baker Head Usher, Paul Pacent, Jacky Schofield, Lynn O Gorman, Barrie Richmond, Barbara Van Buren and Cyndy Anderson Coffee Hour Hosts: Barbara Van Buren, Ginge Liddel, Michelle Young and Carole Lang Flower Delivery: Joyce Ferris The 10 am Service is broadcast live on WGCH 1490 AM Radio.
Calendar TODAY Church School - Worship today is in the classrooms led by the teachers. Today's lesson is from Luke 18: 11-19, the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. The scripture helps us continue our look at prayer and how we can come closer to God through prayer. Flu Vaccine Clinics: 9-10 am & 11-12 noon, in room 203 Vaccines will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis to people 18 years of age or older who bring payment of $25 cash or check (made out to FCCOG). We are unable to bill insurances. Individuals under 18, and pregnant women should see their primary physician for the vaccine. The Wellness Committee thanks you for your cooperation JPF / Junior Pilgrim Fellowship (6-8 grade) From 5-6 pm, it s the SUPER HALLOWEEN PARTY! Fun, games and candy included. Prizes awarded for costumes. Bring a friend. SPF / Senior Pilgrim Fellowship (9-12 grade) From 6:30-8 pm, it s the FABULOUS HALLOWEEN PARTY! Bring a flashlight and wear costumes. There will be food, candy and prizes awarded for costumes. NEXT SUNDAY As the holiday season approaches there are many different opportunities to give to others that have less of this world s goods. The JPF and SPF are sponsoring a gift drive for Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse. This Christian organization collects shoe boxes filled with gifts for children and delivers them all over the world to those in need. What do you need to do? Simply find a shoe box in your home and fill it with different items such as crayons, paper, markers, small cars, small stuffed animals, toothbrushes and toothpaste; whatever will fit into the shoe box. There are opportunities to fill boxes for boys or girls, as well as specific age groups. This is a great project for a family to do together! In the upper hallway on the Youth Group bulletin board are pamphlets that suggest items as well as tags for boys/girls and age groups. We'll be collecting these boxes on Sunday, November 4. Thanks in advance for your help with this project!!! If you have any questions, please call Debbie (536-6895) or Steve (253-7501). Second Hour - Sunday, November 4: Medicare Part D Once again, we'll welcome Sam Deibler, Director of the Greenwich Commission on Aging. Medicare prescription drug plan open enrollment begins November 15 and extends through December 31. Sam will help Medicare recipients make an informed choice of the 51 prescription drug plans available to them. There will also be an opportunity to sign up for individual counseling.
JPF - Go shopping beforehand and bring small gifts to share with others around the world. Bring a shoe box as well to put the goodies in so that more kids wake up on Christmas morning and feel the joy of receiving a gift. SPF - Bring a shoebox and $5-$10 to go shopping. We re going to pack the shoeboxes with what we buy and share with others around the world. Our gifts will let more kids wake up on Christmas morning and feel the joy of receiving a gift. NEWS AND NOTICES Susie's quilt is on the quilting frame. Bring your thimble and join us in Room 203 if you can sew a running stitch. We welcome novices and experienced quilters alike. Let us know you are planning to stitch. Tuesday: 7:30-9:30 pm, call Hilary Lawrence at 637-1214 Wednesday: 9 am-12 Noon, call Barbara Van Buren at 637-2373 Think Pink in October You may have noticed that downtown Old Greenwich has been adorned with pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness. Literature on breast cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and resources will be available throughout October in the Auditorium. New Day Program, Bereavement Support Group This 6-week series begins on November 6 and will meet every Tuesday from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. Facilitated by Parish Nurse, Sue Asselin, we'll utilize The New Day Journal: A Journey from Grief to Healing, by Maureen O'Brien to learn about the natural process of grieving and focus on the hopefulness and promise of living beyond loss. Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, call Sue at extension 21. Please bring your pumpkins and baskets to help decorate for Harvest Sunday, November 18. Bring these items to the office by November 16. Thank you from the Chancel Committee. In preparation of the Craft Sale for the H.O.M.E. Co-op (Homeworkers Organized for More Employment) from Orland, ME to be held in the auditorium November 16-18, volunteers are being sought to help our visiting crafters in various ways throughout the weekend. Please see the Women's Ministries Co-Chair Barbara Norrgard who will be near the sign-up board during coffee hour. Opportunities include helping to unload and set-up on Friday afternoon, helping to keep tables organized and wrapping purchases in two-hour shifts all day Saturday as well as taking down and packing up on Sunday afternoon.
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: Dr. 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