Rocky Hill Congregational Church U NITED C HURCH OF C HRIST Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Heritage Sunday / Homecoming September 27, 2009 10:00 A.M The Friendly Open and Affirming Community Church at the Center Established 1727
Order of Worship We welcome you and extend a special greeting to our visitors; our service is enriched by your presence! Join us in for a special fellowship time at the conclusion of worship which will honor all our 50 + year members. Nursery care is available downstairs in Room 4. Welcome and announcements The Rev. Barbara J. Libby Please include your full address and phone number as you sign our friendship registration pads, and please wear your nametags. If you have a brief announcement to share with the congregation, please come forward and use the microphone. Prelude Eternal Father, Strong to Save arranged by Dave Hall The RHCC Orchestra Congregational Introit God Is Here, As We Your People Meet New Century Hymnal #70 (verse 1) God is here! As we your people meet to offer praise and prayer May we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share, Here, as in the world around us, all our varied skills and arts, Wait the coming of the Spirit into open minds and hearts. Call to Worship The Rev. Donna K. Manocchio One: In autumn beauty blue sky and golden land is clothed. All: Apple-gathering people and nut-gathering squirrels alike prepare for the coming winter. One: Autumn is a time of rejoicing in God s natural bounty and the ingathering of our lives. All: Autumn is a time for homecoming and for celebrating God s bounty. One: The seasons turn yet God s love is changeless. All: We gather to give thanks and to praise God for all we have received. One: We gather to remember our heritage and to hear God s Word anew for us this day. All: Come let us worship together.
*Hymn The Church s One Foundation New Century Hymnal #386 accompanied by The RHCC Orchestra *Prayer of Invocation and The Lord s Prayer (Unison) We thank you, O God, for calling us into your church to be your people in the world. Help us to be ready to hear your word this morning. Speak to us and give us courage to do your will. With all our doubts, fears, and shortcomings, we have decided to follow Jesus in our time and place. Guide us by your loving Spirit. Inspire us this day to be salted with your fire. We pray in Jesus name and in the words he invites us to pray together, saying, 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. *Gloria Patri Anthem Anthem by John Edmonson The RHCC Orchestra A Time of Welcoming
Recognition of 50+ Members Senior Deacon Bob Inderbitzen Thelma Backe Dot Hunter Richard Somes Charlotte Bacon Anne King Thelma Somes Ruby Bennett Earl King, Jr. Stewart Sprague Larry Carlson Gladys Kitchens Sylvia Steucek Dot Carlson Janet Kunzelman Margaret Stickels Grace Cole Priscilla Lexa Russell Stickels Phylis Dexter Edgar Matthias Jean Sudell Gail Fu Thomas Matthias Betty Swain Myrtle Furman Judith McMannon Phil Swain Leland Gilbert Jean Miller-Rich John Sword Anne Louise Griswold Betty Mooney Midge Sword Helen Griswold David Parry Audrey Titcomb Jim Griswold Nancy Powell Gordon Titcomb, Sr. Leona Griswold Irene Renshaw Joyce Toft Lois Griswold Merlin Renshaw James Ussery, Jr. Marion Hale Louise Risley Mark Walworth Alfred Harlow, II Douglas Robbins Anita Watson Viola Harlow Nancy Robbins Alice Weil Midge Harvey Betty Rowe Arthur Weil Bobbie Hawkins Joan-Marie Schaefer Dot Wenzel Doris Hick Doris Schreier Babs Wheeler Jean Holmes Tom Schreier Alan Wind Pat Hughes-Walworth Bob Simmons
A Reading from Scripture Mark 9:38-50 (p. 45) Sermon The Rev. Barbara J. Libby Courage for Community *Hymn O God, Our Help in Ages Past Pilgrim Hymnal #1 Sharing of Joys and Concerns Prayer of the People and Prayer of Gratitude We honor those 50 + members who have died since June 2008 Beverly Brier Rugar Eunice Newell Ethel F. Bacon Georgiana Wormcke Wilson Barbara Kingsbury Sherman Helen Louise Young Calvo Robert L. Toft Robert Hugh Hunter Margaret Elizabeth Holmes Adams Priscilla Elizabeth Lowell Janes Prayer Response Call to Offering Offertory Anthem Is Any Afflicted by William Billings *Doxology
*Prayer of Dedication *Hymn God of Grace and God of Glory New Century Hymnal #436 Benediction Choral Response God Be with You Postlude Aus Meines Herzens Grunde by Johann Christoph Bach *Please rise in body and in spirit. Greeters Hospitality Ushers Steve Smith and Deb Copes Steve Smith and Deb Copes Nancy Parsons, Stephanie Heneghan, Bill and Leah Scully The flowers this morning are given in loving memory of her parents, Francis and Vaughn Howland and nephew Scott Howland. The tower is lit this week in memory of Dad and Grampa, Donald Thompson, Jr. With love, the Hunts, Cindy, Maley and Thompson. Next Week October 4, 2009 Worldwide Communion Sunday / Family Worship Scripture: Mark 10:2-16 / Sermon: A Communion Meditation The Rev. Barbara J. Libby
The Neighbors in Need Special Mission Offering will be held on Sunday, October 4. Through the Neighbors in Need offering, our greater church expresses a common commitment to justice and compassion throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. One-third of the offering undergirds the work of the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM), including much-needed financial support for 20 American Indian congregations in the UCC. Two-thirds of the offering supports justice advocacy and direct service projects such as just-peace programs and community grants. (see insert in your bulletin for more information.) Pastor s Weekly Bible Study to resume on October 7th Wednesdays / 12:30 1:30 pm Fiorilli Room. Pastor Barbara leads this lectionary Bible Study where we will read and examine the texts for the coming week s worship. All are welcome. No experience necessary. Bring your favorite translation or pick one from the shelf. Brown bag lunch optional. Pastor Barbara s Weekly Book Study to resume on October 7 th Wednesdays / 6:30 7:30 pm Fiorilli Room We will discuss Toni Morrison s book, A Mercy. This Week at RHCC September 27 Sunday 11:30am Music Committee Mtg. Sanctuary 1:00pm Council Retreat Parlor/ September 28 Monday 5:30pm Yoga with Lynn 7:00pm Women s AA Room 23 7:30pm Bell Choir Loft September 29 Tuesday 4:00pm Hfd. Assoc. Meeting Fiorilli Room September 30 Wednesday 9:00am Quilters Room 6 6:00pm Yoga with Pam 7:30pm Adult Choir Choir Room October 1 Thursday 9:15am Yoga with Lynn 5:30pm TOPS Room 23 8:00pm Men s AA October 3 Saturday 8:00am Yoga with Lynn 8:30am Men s Bible Study 9:15am Yoga with Lynn 28 James Ussery, Jr. Kirsten Timrud 29 George Moore, III Justin Knight Eric Jokl 30 Evelyn Danforth FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR October 11, 18, and 25 are open Sundays. If you wish to put flowers on the altar please call Joan Diaz at 613-2889.
Light the Tower Next week is open! There are also several openings for lighting the tower now through August 2010. The list is on the table in or you can call the church office at 529-4167. The cost is $10 per week. Part-time Employment Opportunity! As many of you know, Frank Vann will be traveling to Florida for an indefinite length of time; the Trustees plan to hire someone to replace him in mid October. The position would be about six hours per week and consists of cleaning the Sanctuary, offices and rooms each week. In compliance with our Personnel Policy we are asking if anyone has an interest or has questions about the position. If so, he or she should contact Todd Doten as soon as possible at twdoten@snet.net or 860-257-1884. Get your Flu Shot at RHCC Two opportunities: Sunday, October 4, 11am 1pm and Wednesday, October 28 9am-noon / Hartford VNA is coming to RHCC and will administer the flu shot in the Parlor. The Public is Welcome! Bring your insurance card or a cash/check in the amount of $37.00. Free for those with Medicare, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Connecticare, Health Net or Oxford. Always Welcome! Hunger never takes a holiday Food Pantries need our help to meet the food demands Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item to worship every time you come. The large basket in the front foyer of the church welcomes all food donations.
The Board of Missions invites members and friends to participate in Foodshare s Turkey Drive on Sunday, November 22, 2009. Each person donates a turkey and $20.00. You can also choose to do one or the other. The $20.00 donation will help Foodshare feed the needy throughout the year. In order for us to get an approximate number of turkeys and monies a sign-up sheet will be in starting today. PLEASE CONSIDER YOURSELF INVITED A three-part series for all member and friends of Rocky Hill Congregational Church, United Church of Christ with Interim Pastor Barbara Libby HOW DO WE GET TO A NEW SETTLED PASTOR? 6pm 7:30pm in Save the following dates! Be part of the process! OCTOBER 17 OUR HISTORY and NOVEMBER 21 THE FUTURE BRING A MAIN DISH, SALAD, OR DESSERT TO SHARE WE WILL PROVIDE THE REST
Sunday, October 4 th at 6:00 p.m. The Music Committee will be hosting a concert on Sunday, October 4 at 6 pm featuring the music of the Hot Cat Jazz Band. Led by Ross Tucker, this highly energetic and talented group has played at our church several times in the past, both in worship and in special concert. Their repertoire includes Swing Standards of George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Duke Ellington such as Take The A Train, All Of Me and Satin Doll; Big Band hits of Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey such as Chattanooga Choo Choo, Sentimental Journey and In The Mood; Popular Songs from the 1920 s such as Ain t She Sweet, Bill Bailey and Bye Bye Blackbird; New Orleans and Dixieland favorites such as Muskrat Ramble, When The Saints Go Marching In and Tiger Rag. Please join us for an evening of the only exclusively American style of music. A free will offering will be taken, and light refreshments will be served afterward in. For more information about the band, you may check their website at http://www.hotcatjazz.com/.
Mark 9:38-50 38 John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." 39 But Jesus said, "Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 Whoever is not against us is for us. 41 For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. 42 "If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, 48 where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. 49 "For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another." Ministry Team Ministers: All the members of the church Interim Pastor: The Reverend Barbara J. Libby barblibby@rhccucc.org Associate Pastor: The Reverend Donna K. Manocchio associate@rhccucc.org Acting Director of Christian Education: Meghan Davis Young christianed@rhccucc.org Pastor Emeritus: The Reverend Arthur C. Weil Director of Music: William Kanute music@rhccucc.org Church Office: Carol Harvey office@rhccucc.org 860-529-4167 Webmaster: Dave Hall webmaster@rhccucc.org Church Website: rhccucc.org