THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH CANTON CENTER, CT March 10-2019 - 10:00 a.m. First Sunday in Lent 184 Cherry Brook Road, PO Box 133, Canton Center, CT 06020-0133 Office 860-693-4581 E-mail: office@cantoncenterchurch.org www.cantoncenterchurch.org
CHIMES ~ ORDER OF WORSHIP ~ Karen Needham WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Brief announcements from the congregation are welcome. Those wishing to make Announcements are asked to be in the front pews at the start of the announcements period. There will be opportunity to share prayer requests at the time of the Prayers of the Church. If you wish to offer a prayer request in written form, please fill out one of the yellow prayer request cards found in the pews and place it in the offering plate at the time of the offering. Large print editions of the bulletin and Chalice Hymnal are available at the back of the sanctuary. Nursery Room- Childcare is provided for ages 3 and under, in the lower level of the Parish House. *All who are able, please stand. Bold denotes unison voice. PRELUDE All Creatures of Our God and King Don Hustad CALL TO WORSHIP Friends, we gather to be the community of Christ in a new season. We gather to be a Lenten people, seeking God with heart and soul, with mind and strength. On this day, let us remember what it means to love God, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. On this day, let us remember our source of strength in time of trial: God-with-us in all things. On this day, let us be fully present as the Spirit speaks to us and through us, for God is in the midst of us and we are in the midst of God. *HYMN 161 Pilgrim (red) Before the Cross of Jesus *GATHERING PRAYER AND THE LORD S PRAYER We begin this Lenten journey, O God, to remember the love that holds us and the gospel that claims us; to confess that by its light we can see our limits, by its truth we can see our mistakes. Together we begin this Lenten journey to remember that we follow the one who is crucified yet risen,
who calls us out of shadow into light, who teaches us the power of faithfulness, who shows us the fullness of love, and whose community we are. In his name and spirit we pray, as we also say 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 MOMENT FOR MISSIONS Claire Cote, Director of Senior and Social Services for the Town of Canton READINGS FROM SCRIPTURE: Luke 4:1-13 SERMON Diabolical *HYMN 612, Chalice (blue) O Jesus, I Have Promised OFFERING OF GIFTS Invitation Offertory The Whisper Craig Courtney Senior Choir
*Doxology *Prayer of Dedication God of every grace, we thank you for all the good gifts you give us for ministries of justice, compassion and care. We ask your blessing upon these that we offer now, that they might bear witness to your love, among us and beyond us. In Christ s name we pray, Amen. PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer *HYMN 363, Pilgrim (red) *BENEDICTION A Mighty Fortress Is Our God *BENEDICTION RESPONSE Take Time to Be Holy Senior Choir *POSTLUDE Grand Chorus in Bb Theodore Dubois Pastor: The Rev. Dr. Brenda Pelc-Faszcza Director of Music: Mary Lou Keefe Director of Faith Formation: Sarah Pradhan Duty Deacons: Karen Needham/Charlie Hammond Greeter: Ron & Terry Bernard Ministers: Every Member Sexton: Walt LeGeyt Office Manager: Kristen DiMattia Duty Trustee: Sue Lampros Coffee Hour Host: Karen Needham
The First Congregational Church, Canton Center March 10, 2019 WELCOME We re glad you ve joined us for worship today. Please know that whoever you are, wherever you are on life s journey, you are welcome here! If you are visiting today, please help us get to know you better by filling out one of the visitor cards in the pews and placing it in the offering plate. Questions? Please feel free to ask the pastor, or call the church office during the week. The flowers this morning are in honor of my children, Michael David, Ansley McDonough, Marta Elizabeth and my husband Steven Thomas given by Beth Lingenheld. Faith Enrichment Opportunities in Lent: REACH - STARTING THIS WEDNESDAY Re-confirmation Experience for Adult Christians When youth are confirmed in our church, we ask them to participate in a year of learning and experience about the basics of Christian faith and community, and then we ask them to write a personal Faith Statement at the end of it, pulling together, the best they can, their own thoughts, insights and perspectives. If we were to do the same thing as adults, what might our Faith Statements be like now? How would they be different from ones we might have written when we were adolescents? What questions speak up, what insights have emerged? Facilitated by Rev. Brenda. Two options for meeting times: Wednesdays, March 13, 20, 27 and April 3, 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. OR Sundays after worship, March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Sign-up requested, please. Sign-up sheets will be on the bulletin boards. WELCOME ~ CLAIRE COTE We welcome to our service this week Claire Cote, Director of Senior & Social Services for the Town of Canton. She will share an overview of community needs, with thoughts about how churches can help. LENTEN BOOKLETS AVAILABLE A Lenten devotional booklet is available on our literature table please take one. On the theme of Persistence: Steps for Lent, it contains brief reflections on the importance of small steps in our spiritual lives, and space for recording thoughts, notes or observations on that theme during the days of Lent. CHERUB CHOIR The cherub choir under the direction of Judy Robinson, will start this morning in the music room. The choir is open to ages 3-3rd grade and will be rehearsing for Easter Sunday. PRIME TIMERS - THIS WED. - MARCH 13 The Prime Timers will meet on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at 12 noon at the church for fellowship and a brain teaser. Bring your own lunch. Dessert, coffee and tea will be available. PRIME TIMERS - MARCH 27 The Out to Lunch Group will meet at Abigail's Grille in Weatogue at 12 noon on Wed., March 27. THINK SPRING AT THE SCRIP TABLE The weather may not be cooperating, but Spring really is right around the corner! Stop by the Scrip table during coffee hour and purchase a gift card to help with Spring cleaning, a Spring home improvement project or a new Spring wardrobe! Every card you buy helps our church. Thanks for your support! Sunday 10 Monday 11 Tuesday 12 Wednesday 13 Thursday 14 Friday 15 Saturday 16 Worship 10:00 am Pretzel Making Cherub Choir 11:15 am Prayer Shawl 10 am Trustees 7 pm Choir 6:45 pm with Guest 7:30 ACA 7:00 pm AA 7:00 pm Faith Enrichment 10:30 am Prime Timers noon Council 7 pm Hand Bell Choir 7 :00 pm AA 11:00 pm