ROCKY HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST April 20, 2014 ~WORSHIP FOR EASTER DAY~ 10:00 a.m. We welcome all on this Easter Sunday and extend a special greeting to our visitors. Hearing-assist devices and large-print bulletins are available for worship; please ask an usher. Children will remain in worship today but nursery care for infants and toddlers is available downstairs in Room 4. Please sign the friendship registration pads found in the pews. You will also find nametags there, and prayer request slips. If you have a prayer request you would like read aloud in today s prayers, please fill out one of the slips and pass it to the center aisle at the time of the offering. All are cordially invited for fellowship time after worship, downstairs in Chapin Hall, where a Welcome Table offers information about the church. PRELUDE "Easter Overture" Rimsky-Korsakov, arr. Lorenz The Jubilate Handbell Choir CALL TO WORSHIP The Rev. Dr. Brenda Pelc-Faszcza Christ is risen, alleluia! Alleluia, he is risen indeed! Sound the trumpet! This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it! Sound the horns! For early in the morning on the first day of the week, the sun has risen, the dark night has passed, all creation starts new sound the horns! For love is stronger than evil and life is stronger than death. Death cannot contain him, we have seen the Lord. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory! * P l e a s e r i s e i n b o d y o r i n s p i r i t. * B o l d t y p e d e n o t e s c o l l e c t i v e r e s p o n s e.
*HYMN Christ the Lord is Risen Today New Century (black), 233 *GATHERING PRAYER AND THE LORD S PRAYER Meghan D. Young God of life and new life, God of the now-awakened world, we praise you on this our festival day, for the dawning of joy, for the opening of tombs, for love that overcomes everything. We praise you for Jesus the Christ, crucified yet risen, who for our sakes has lived and died and lives again. God of life and new life, God of the now-awakened world, may we live as Easter people, today and tomorrow, compelled by love, made bold by hope, with alleluias in all our hearts. This we ask in the name of the Risen One, as we also pray together: 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. *SUNG RESPONSE The strife is o er, the battle done, the victory of life is won; The song of triumph has begun. Alleluia! *THE SIGN OF PEACE WELCOME MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES READING FROM THE EPISTLES 1 Corinthians 15, selected ANTHEM "Halle, Halle, Halle" Trad. Caribbean, arr. Hal Hopson The Children and Adult Choirs Halle, Halle, Halle - lu - jah! Praise God in this holy place Every nation, every race Come, make joyful music to the Lord. Halle, Halle, Halle - lu - jah! Sound the trumpet, sound it clear, Sound it for the world to hear. Come, make joyful music to the Lord.
READING FROM THE GOSPELS Matthew 28:1-10 SERMON What Direction is Resurrection? The Rev. Dr. Brenda Pelc-Faszcza *HYMN The Day of Resurrection New Century (black) 245 OFFERING OF GIFTS Following the receiving of offerings by the ushers, the pastor(s) will come to the center aisle to receive prayer request cards. Invitation to the Offering For those who have already given their offering, Giving Cards are available in your pew so that all may participate in the act of the offering. Offertory Anthem "Gloria" from Gloria Antonio Vivaldi The Choir *Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen *Prayer of Dedication PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH Joys & Concerns Pastoral and Silent Prayer Prayer Response
*HYMN Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain New Century (black) 230 During the hymn, those who would like to join the choir for the singing of The Hallelujah Chorus are invited to go to the balcony, where copies of the music will be provided. *BENEDICTION Now let us take the gospel and its truth, that Christ is risen and alive in the world, and proclaim it not just with our words and our songs, but with our lives, and not just for today, but in all days, until the life of the whole world becomes an alleluia. Thanks be to God. Let all the people say, Amen. *THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS G. F. Handel *POSTLUDE "Fugue in C" G.F. Handel GREETERS: Sue Starr and Joan Tennyson HOSPITALITY: Emily and Lynn McKenna USHERS: Don Pagnucco, Joe Sheehan, Elaine Somes, Nancy Parsons Stephanie Heneghan INSTRUMENTALISTS FOR HYMNS: Dave Hall, Diana Hellyar, James Rolfe Melody Hall
2014 EASTER FLOWERS IN LOVING MEMORY OR HONOR OF Her husband Ed Bacon Bill and Helen Jensen, Ed and Frances Bacon Ethel Bacon, Janet Kelly and Harold Kelley Jason Daniel Hudson Memory and honor of our parents and grandparents Chester J. Cole Gene Little Domenic and Mildred Yacobucci Angie Toce Irene Conte Hazel and Clarence Vaux Barbara Vaux Peter Curtin Louise and Harold Goetter Helen and Alfredo Diaz Aunt Laura, Aunt Joan and Mom and Dad Howard Griswold Jim Griswold The parents of Bob and Janet Hansen, Ida and Emil Hansen, Philip and Lydia Waugh Our parents Susan Statkiewicz Martha Gibson Sister Roger R. Hill Husband Robert H. Hunter Happy Easter! GIVEN BY Charlotte Bacon and Family Ed and Holli Bacon Grace Cole and Jackie Little Jackie Little and Grace Cole Deb Copes Gail and Gregson Curtin Joan and Al Diaz Judy Graham and Family Leona Griswold Lois Griswold Janet Hansen David and Bobbie Hawkins Lily G. Hill The Hunter Family Inderbitzen and Bower Family
IN LOVING MEMORY OR HONOR OF David Winton My parents, Ronald and Dorothy Young Ozzie LaCava Margaret Libera Edgar Matthias Marilyn Matthias My past loved ones Our parents Our grandparents Mildred and Poppy Martin Mary and Charlie Woods Howard Hartz Paul Mosure Happy Birthday Rick Pawlich Nita Madden-Estra, James Madden and Bill Peterson Harry and Marie Schmidt Harry and Arline Watson Bill and Adrienne Cain Mark Woodring Our son Daniel R. Somes Richard Hughes Olympia Ryglinski and Rita Walworth Clarence Walworth In honor of our families Loved ones My dad, John Mahon Sr. and Aunt, Alice Mahon GIVEN BY Janet LaCava Lisa Libera The family - Tom, Lynn, Gary and Diane Sue Monaghan The Morgan family The Mosure Family Dad and Mary Debbie and Christina Peterson and Lori Benito Harry and Bev Schmidt Candy and Louis Smith Kristy, Tony, Jenna and Hannah Dick and Thelma Somes Zelma, Jasen and families Hughes-Walworth families Kirk, Mark and Jon Walworth Barry & Nancy Wilcock Nancy Wilcock
S.P.I.R.I.T. Corner Serve, Pray, Invite, Receive, Ignite, Tell Children are invited to remain in worship today, following along with the children & youth bulletins for Easter Sunday. S.P.I.R.I.T. Faith Formation will resume on April 27, with week 1 of Following Jesus Way. NOAH S ARK April & May Schedule Noah s Ark meets twice a month on Sunday evenings from 5 PM 6:30 PM for dinner, fellowship, and faith. In April we will meet on the 27 th for a service project. In May we will meet on 4 th and the 18 th. If you are planning to attend in April and May, please RSVP by the Friday prior with Diana Hellyar. NURSERY VOLUNTEERS: Nursery Volunteers are needed. If you are interested in volunteering in the Nursery during Sunday morning worship, please contact a member of the Childcare Committee or email them at RHCCchildcare@gmail.com for more information. You can also sign-up outside the Nursery. GROW YOUR FAITH & GET INVOLVED WITH S.P.I.R.I.T. The RHCC S.P.I.R.I.T. Church School is a place that values intergenerational relationships, growing in faith, and learning throughout our lives to be the disciples Christ calls us to be. You are invited to come join the circle and get involved. We are currently in need of a 6 th -8 th Grade Shepherd as well as Community Life, Show & Tell and a Hands Learning Center Guides for unit 5 (begins on April 27). Learning Center guides prepare engaging activities to teach the bible story through community service, drama, games, crafts, and food. Training and lesson plans are always provided. If you are interested in getting involved in this ministry please contact Meghan Young at meghan@rhccucc.org. SPREAD THE WORD The Dixieland Music group that performed last year will be returning April 22 nd at noon in Chapin Hall. The Search Committee and Pew Crew are sponsoring the event. A simple lunch is to be provided. After the entertainment there will be a time of fellowship and conversation. There will be a sign up sheet in Chapin Hall. Questions call Steph Heneghan 860-529-4672 Friends and family of John W. Mahon Sr. (Jack), father of Nancy Wilcock, are invited to attend his burial service this coming Saturday, April 26th at 2:30 at Rocky Hill Congregational Church s Memorial Garden.
SCRIP-SURE What is it? Scrip-sure is a fundraising program for our church, which allows the regular shopping we do at a variety of retailers to generate income for the church. How? Participating retailers sell gift certificates or gift cards to our church at a discount. Church members buy the certificates for full face value and redeem them for full face value, and our church keeps the difference as revenue. Everybody wins! The retailers get our business, and our church gets a regular source of revenue that involves nothing other than what we would all be doing anyway shopping/spending at grocery stores, drugstores, restaurants, gas stations, and many other businesses, including online retailers. Next Sunday (April 27) is the deadline for placing orders from our primary scrip provider, Great Lakes Scrip Company. Complete listings of cards available for ordering are available at the scrip table in Chapin Hall. Cards ordered by next Sunday will be available for pickup on May 4. We continue to stock a variety of cards in inventory from more than 35 different restaurants and retailers, available for immediate purchase this morning, including (but not limited to): Coffee: Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks Fast food: Boston Market, Burger King, Chipotle, McDonalds, Subway Gas: Exxon/Mobil, Shell, Sunoco Grocery: Big Y, Stop & Shop, Trader Joe's, Westside Marketplace, Whole Foods Pharmacy: CVS, Walgreens Restaurants: Bertucci's, Bonefish Grill, Buffalo Wild Wings, On the Border Shopping: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Home Depot, Kohl's, Lowes, Marshall's, Target, Walmart See Gail Hall at the scrip table this morning for a complete listing of available cards, or to have all of your questions answered. Think SCRIP! RHCC FOOD PANTRY BASKET Melissa Gerace-Hicks, Director of Rocky Hill Human Services with responsibility for the Food Pantry, informs us that the client list is increasing while donations are decreasing. In March, monetary donations normally designated for fresh food were used to purchase crackers, rice, and juice. Other staples are also in short supply. The following food items are needed: Spaghetti sauce and linguini pasta, Crackers, Rice, Juice, Coffee, Tea, Soups, Cereals Tuna & canned chicken, Applesauce Peanut butter & jelly. (Jars can be plastic or glass.) Additionally all paper goods (towels, toilet paper, etc.) and detergents are in short supply and always needed. Toothpaste, shampoo and conditioners are needed. The pantry also accepts hotel size containers. All donations are welcome.
THIS WEEK AT RHCC A p r i l 2 0 S u n d a y 5:40am Sunrise Service Rose Hill Cemetery 6:25am Breakfast Chapin Hall 10:00am Worship Sanctuary A p r i l 2 1 M o n d a y OFFICE CLOSED 7:00pm Women s AA Chapel 7:00pm Bowling 7:30pm Bell Choir Loft A p r i l 2 2 T u e s d a y 11:30am Dixieland Band Chapin Hall A p r i l 2 3 W e d n e s d a y 9:30am Quilters Rm. 6 12:00pm Bible Study Parlor 7:30pm Adult Choir A p r i l 2 4 T h u r s d a y 7:00pm Fair Committee Fiorilli Room 8:00pm Men s AA Chapin Hall A p r i l 2 6 S a t u r d a y 2:30pm Mahon Burial Memorial Garden HAPPY BIRTHDAY April 20 Jamie Tennyson John Goff IV Sue Starr Linda Gilbert Elaine Malespini Jason McGowan 23 Jean Sudell John McNeil Jr. 24 Alexander Lataille Jocelyn Fritzer 25 Jane Yorgensen Ann Krischus Amy Snow Daryld D Addario 26 Linda Rupaka WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY Join us Wednesday 12 noon 1 p.m. (Fiorilli Room) Led by the preaching pastor for the week, the study is based on the Scripture text(s) coming up for the following Sunday in worship. All are welcome. No experience necessary. Bring your favorite translation or pick one up from the shelf. Brown bag lunch is optional.
Rocky Hill Congregational Church, United Church of Christ 805 Old Main Street Rocky Hill, CT 06067 Church Office: office@rhccucc.org / 860 529-4167 Church Website: rhccucc.org Visit us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/rhccucc O f f i c e H o u r s Monday Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday 8:30 to 12:00 Open and Affirming Statement Because we believe that all people are created in God s image and thus are blessed and loved equally by God, and because love is a unifying and strengthening force within our Christian Faith, We, the members of the Rocky Hill Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, hereby declare ourselves an Open and Affirming Christian community, actively expressing Jesus inclusive embrace of all people. We welcome all who seek to follow Jesus, including persons of every age, gender, race, national origin, faith background, marital status and family structure, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental and physical ability, economic and social status, and educational background, to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, blessings and joys of our church family. Jesus teaches us to welcome all God s children into God s covenantal community. As we grow together in faith and love, we will strive to celebrate the diversity in which God has created us. Approved by congregational vote June 2009 Ministry Team Ministers: All the members of the church Interim Senior Pastor: The Rev. Dr. Brenda Pelc-Faszcza brenda@rhccucc.org Acting Associate Pastor for Faith Formation: Meghan D. Young meghan@rhccucc.org Minister of Music: Mary DeLibero mary@rhccucc.org Office Manager: Mitsey Baker office@rhccucc.org Webmaster: Dave Hall webmaster@rhccucc.org