Bloomfield Congregational Church United Church of Christ Bloomfield, CT An open and affirming congregation March 31, 2019 Season of Prayer The Lord s Prayer Part 1: Our Father 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.
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 0 6 0 0 2 G a thered a s Wintonbury Parish Februa r y 14, 1738 R e n e w ing our fait h a s p e o p l e o f G o d 1 0 a. m. Sunday, March 31, 2019 PRELUDE Our Father Who Art in Heaven J. S. Bach ANNOUNCEMENTS CENTERING MOMENT CALL TO WORSHIP (UNISON) WE GATHER IN COMMUNITY AS GOD S PEOPLE One: Our Father, All: We gather here to feel Your presence. One: Our Mother, All: We come together as a community to gain Your wisdom. One: Jesus, All: We hope to learn to better follow Your Way, a Way where How we do what we do, is more important that what we do. One: Holy Spirit, All: We come to increase our Trust in You. To trust in that wild ride that is Your Wind - trusting in the direction where you blow. + OPENING HYMN Sweet Hour of Prayer (see insert) + UNISON PRAYER (PLEASE REMAIN STANDING) PASSING OF THE PEACE (we bless each other) Greeting: Peace be with you Response: And also with you CHILDREN S MESSAGE Dorine DeCarli CONVERSATION ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY KITCHEN MUSICAL OFFERING If My People Will Pray Jimmy Owens Carrie Wilson, soloist
CONCERNS WE SHARE OUR CONCERNS WITH GOD AND EACH OTHER PASTORAL PRAYER HEARING GOD S WORD God is in our midst. God is still speaking! Let s open our hearts and minds to God s Good News. FIRST READING ~ The Gospel of Luke 11: 1-4 NT p.88 in black Bible, p.72 in red SECOND READING ~ The Gospel of Luke 4: 1-11 NT p.74 in black Bible, p.61 in red (Today s reader is Sandy Weigt) + HYMN Be Thou My Vision vs. 1-3 #445 SERMON JOYS THE LORD S PRAYER PART 1: OUR FATHER Rev. Shawn R. Fisher WE SHARE OUR JOYS AND RESPOND TO GOD S WORD OFFERING OUR GIFTS Be Near Me Still Ferdinand Hiller Carrie Wilson, soloist 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. WE GO FORTH TO SERVE + HYMN Renew Your Church Her Ministries Restore (see insert) +BENEDICTION +POSTLUDE Toccata in e minor Johann Pachelbel 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 Betty Willis Carol Wolcott Clay & Dee Hart Lucy Hurston & Sydney Halsall Sheryl Thomas The Family of Stephen Bain who died February 26 th, 2019
Prayers of Intercession: For our Muslim brothers and sisters who continue to experience broad based persecution. For those grieving or suffering in southern Africa after Cyclone Idai destroyed thousands of homes, killing more than 750 and leaving over 100,000 living in camps. For the people of Mali where increased violence resulted in the deaths of more than 100 Fulani villagers in attacks over the weekend. For those forgotten men, women and children who die every day from lack of food, nutrition, shelter, clothing and medical care. Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving: For the 3,468 members of our nation's armed services who have earned the National Medal of Honor since 1861 for service above and beyond the call of duty. For Prayer. For The Lord s Prayer. For all who helped to make our outreach to our local Muslim Community so meaningful. This Wednesday, April 3rd, join us for Bible Study at 11:30 am or 6:30 pm or both. We will be studying The Lord s Prayer as found in both Luke 11: 1-4 and Matthew 6: 9-15 Throughout Lent, we ask you to pray for two organizations. First, our own Community Meals Program. Second, The Good Shepherd Foundation, which works in remote villages in Haiti to provide medical and clean water. More information to come. Lenten Theme: PRAYER
THIS AFTERNOON, JOIN US AT 4:00 PM FOR OUR SECOND MUSIC SERIES CONCERT.THE REV. MIA DOUGLAS WILL SHARE WITH US MUSIC IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN SONG TRADITION TICKETS ARE $10:00
This Week at a Glance Looking Ahead Lectionary possibilities for this week include: Isaiah 43: 16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3: 4b-14; John 12: 1-8 Sunday, Mar 31 10:00 am Worship Service Sanctuary 12:30 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel 4:00 pm Music Series Concert Sanctuary Monday, Apr 1 6:00 pm Bells Choir Rehearsal Music Suite 7:00 pm Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall Tuesday, Apr 2 9:15 am Exercise Group Fellowship Hall 10:00 am Parish Care Team Counting Room 1:30 pm Wounded Healers Living Room Wednesday, Apr 3 10:00 am Board of Deacons Living Room 11:30 am Bible Study Living Room 6:00 pm Karen B. small group Library 6:30 pm Bible Study Living Room 7:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room 7:00 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel Thursday, Apr 4 9:30 am Jump Bunch (Child Dev. Center) Fellowship Hall 10:00 am Book Group Living Room Friday, Apr 5 9:15 am Exercise Group Fellowship Hall 7:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room Saturday, Apr 6 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 host: Sandy Weigt. 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.
You are invited to experience the Labyrinth on Wednesday, April 10 th 6 to 8 pm and on Thursday, March 11 th from 9 am to 2 pm. in our Fellowship Hall. Please contact Dorine DeCarli with questions. SAVE THE DATE!!! On Saturday, May 4 th, 2019 starting at 6:00 pm. The Bloomfield Community Meals Program will hold our First Fundraiser here at Bloomfield Congregational Church. This event promises to be a great evening of Fun for Family and Friends. Our theme is Cinco de Mayo Family Style. 9th Annual Connecticut Conference YOUTH REVIVAL Sunday, May 5 at 3:00 PM First Congregational Church in Bloomfield 10 Wintonbury Avenue - Bloomfield, CT Rev. Trayce Potter, Revival Preacher UCC Minister for Youth and Young Adult Engagement United in Christ s love, a just world for all This worship experience is a signature program of the Racial Justice Ministry of the Connecticut Conference, UCC. www.ctucc.org
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: 860-242-0776 Fax: 860-243-8035 Email: office@firstchurchbloomfield.org All Staff can be reached by contacting the Church Office. The Child Development Center can be reached at 860-242-0183 or preschool@firstchurchbloomfield.org. Pastor Shawn may be reached for normal church communications by calling the office at 860-242-0776 ext. 201 or by email at fishersr@comcast.net In the event of an emergency (death, serious illness, deep spiritual or emotional need) you may call Pastor Shawn on his personal cell # of 860-428-7024