ROCKY HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Established 1727 ~ An Open and Affirming Community March 6, 2016 ~ 10:00 a.m. Fourth Sunday in Lent
~ORDER OF WORSHIP~ We welcome all and extend a special greeting to our guests; our service is enriched by your presence! Please join us in Chapin Hall for fellowship time after worship. The Welcome Table in Chapin Hall offers information about the church and members who can answer your questions. Hearing devices are available for worship ask an usher. Nursery care is available down the hall in Room 4. WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Please include your full address and phone number as you sign our friendship registration pads, and please wear your nametags. All announcements should be written down and given to the ushers or pastor prior to worship. If you have a prayer request you would like read aloud for today s prayers, please fill out one of the prayer cards found in the friendship registration pads (your name is optional) and be prepared to pass it to the aisles at the time of the offering, when the cards will be collected. SOLO Nothing But the Water Grace Potter Val Triblets, soloist CALL TO WORSHIP One: All: One: All: One: All: Come, let us worship now in joy and awe of God s steadfast love for us. For God gives ear to our words; God listens to the sound of our joys and our cries. Come, let us take refuge in the God of our salvation. For God is our shield, our protection in times of trouble and celebration. Come, let us rejoice and sing for joy! For God is surely in this place! Let us worship God! *HYMN Love Divine, All Loves Excelling PH (red) 228 *Please rise in body or in spirit. * 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.
*INVOCATION AND THE LORD S PRAYER Loving God, we come to you eager to experience the tender warmth of your embrace. Help us to set aside any distractions that would keep us from resting in your presence. Open our ears to hear what you have to say to us. Open our eyes to see how you are at work among us. Open our hearts to feel your inspiration and guidance. Give us the courage to follow you wherever you may lead us. We offer this prayer in the name of our guide and friend, Jesus the Christ, who taught his disciples to pray, 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. *SUNG RESPONSE
MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES CHILDREN S RECESSIONAL (Children are invited to depart for S.P.I.R.I.T. Church School) We Will Keep a Place For You by John Corrado SCRIPTURE READING 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 N.T. p.159 pew Bible SERMON We Live in a Sacred Space The Rev. Joseph W. Bradley OFFERING OF GIFTS During the time of offering, your prayers can be offered using the blue prayer request cards and placed in the offering plate. The pastor will read the prayers aloud during the Joys and Concerns. 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 Amazing Grace arr.jack Schrader 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 Sung Call to Prayer Pastoral Prayer *HYMN O God, How We Have Wandered NC (black) 202 Call to Confession One: We confess, O God, that there are times when what we want far exceeds what we need. We often go to great lengths to acquire what we desire. Like King Ahab, we become resentful and sullen when we don t get our way. We are reluctant to acknowledge the consequences of our own actions, ignoring your cries for justice. Even when we live more simply, we remain tempted to judge what other people do and say. Our judgments produce labels that we apply with ease, erecting barriers to your grace. How can we love our neighbors as ourselves with such barriers in place? God knows this temptation of our hearts, so let us confess and pray for forgiveness. All: God of glory and light, forgive us when we are complacent and comfortable with keeping the riches of your love to ourselves. Keep calling us down from our mountains of privilege. Keep expecting more of us as your disciples. Keep reminding us to listen to your Son, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Assurance of Grace: All: All: Sisters and brothers, hear this good news: Forgiveness pours forth from God like tears of joy. No barrier you erect can obstruct the flow of the healing waters of forgiveness. Receive again the gift of God s forgiveness that you may be restored and filled with peace. Fully forgiven, you are empowered to show great love. We believe! Thanks be to God! THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION This church practices open Communion. All are welcome to participate, including children, and regardless of denominational affiliation or church membership. This morning, the congregation will be seated for Communion; the elements (bread and non-alcoholic grape juice) will be brought to each pew. Please wait until all have been served so that we may take the elements together. As you pass the trays to your neighbor, you may use the words The bread of life and The cup of blessing. If you would like to receive gluten-free bread, please raise your hand so that a Deacon may serve you. Invitation Recalling the Story: The Words of Institution Sharing the Bread and the Cup Prayer of Thanksgiving Our God, you have refreshed us at this table. We thank you for the strength and grace to meet the challenges of this day. Prepare our hearts as we go out into the world to serve you, knowing that Jesus is with us. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen. Sharing the Peace of Christ Now let us share among us a sign of God s peace. You are invited to share a sign of the reconciling peace of Christ with those around you (a handshake, an embrace, or a non-contact gesture). *HYMN My Life Flows On NC (black) 476 BENEDICTION POSTLUDE
LITURGIST USHERS COMMUNION SERVERS Lynne Lataille Jim & Lois Stevens, Karyn McClaw, and Marge Murk Candy Smith, Nancy Parsons Wendy Ware, Rob Grandell Don Pagnucco, Rich Pawlich-Pagliccio Today s Flowers are given In Loving Memory of Pat Howland by Katie Hoffman Fulda and Deb Copes The Tower is lit in Memory of Dot Hunter Special thanks to Rev. Joseph Bradley for leading today s Worship LOOKING AHEAD Sunday, March 13 Budget and Elections Meeting Immediately following worship. Palm Sunday, March 20-2 nd Hour Program: Good Friday and Easter in Art East and West Craig will discuss how these two days, central to the Christian faith, are portrayed in art from the medieval and Renaissance worlds. He will also have copies of paintings he has done. Icon of the Week in the Chapel This week s Icon is Craig s copy of Leonardo DaVinci s Salvador Mundi, which was rediscovered after it was sold and cleaned in 2011. The original was bought by a Russian billionaire for $125 million. Come and see it beginning Tues. March 8, and enjoy a few minutes of quiet contemplation.
CALL TO THE ANNUAL BUDGET AND ELECTIONS MEETING Sunday, March 13 The annual Budget and Elections Meeting of the Rocky Hill Congregational Church, United Church of Christ is called for Sunday, March 13, 2016 immediately following worship in the sanctuary for the transaction of the following items of business: 1. to vote on the proposed budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year; 2. to approve all special offerings for Missions and Diaconate; 3. to vote on the distribution of any undesignated bequests for the 2016-2017 fiscal year; 4. to elect church officers and board and committee members for terms beginning May 1, 2016; 5. to hear Council sub-committee report of introduction/overview for proposed modifications to church governance structure and function; 6. to approve the recommendation of the Fair Committee for expenditure of the proceeds from the 2015 events; 7. to approve the dissolution of the Pastoral Search committee as recommended by the Council; Marsha Hoffman, Church Clerk 2016-17 Budget Proposal Copies of the Council-endorsed budget proposal for the 2016-17 fiscal year are available this morning in the narthex, the second floor hallway, and in Chapin Hall. Please review this in advance of next week's Budget & Elections meeting. Lend Us Your Cross Throughout the Lenten Season, we will be placing crosses in the hallway display case. Please bring in a cross that is meaningful to you, and we will place it in the case. Be sure and attach your name so we can return it to you after Easter. Crosses can be given to Michael Bower or to Theresa in the church office.
MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP Save the dates: May 6-7, 2016 Heifer Trip Friday, March 4 (8pm) to Saturday, March 5 (10am) Lock-in at the church! Come for snacks and endless rounds of Sar-dines! (what more could you want?) We ll have time for talking, maybe watching a movie, and end with breakfast. Bring $3 and snacks to share. Sunday, March 20 Ice Skating Time, place and cost TBD HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP Sunday, March 13 4 to 7pm Soarin We will go to Soarin in Manchester, an indoors ropes place. Bring $19 for entry and $3 for dinner. If this exceeds your budget, please let Georgette know. Scholarship funds are available. Sunday, March 27 Easter No Youth Group meeting Sunday, April 10 5 to 7pm Who Are These People? We will take this time to get to know Pastor Craig, Steph Heneghan, and Georgette Huie a little bet-ter and they will get to know you! Bring $3 for dinner. Sunday, April 24 Possible taco-in-a-bag fundraiser. More info to come
Holy Week at Rocky Hill Congregational UCC March 20 Palm Sunday 10:00 Worship in the Sanctuary with Communion 2nd Hour Presentation: Good Friday & Easter in Art. East and West with Rev. Craig. Lunch will be provided by the Board for Faith Formation and Trustees March 24 Maundy Thursday 7:00 p.m. Service of Tenebrae in the Sanctuary Tenebrae is distinctive for its gradual extinguishing of candles while a series of readings and psalms is recited. March 26 Holy Saturday 10am 11:30am Designed for families with children, but open to all! We will transform the broken crayons from Lent into beautiful objects, have an Easter egg hunt, and a brief time of worship. March 27 Easter Sunday All are Welcome! Sunrise Service at Rose Hill Cemetery Arrive just before sunrise (6:40am sunrise) Follow the car path to the right and up to the back corner (close to Gilbert and West St. end) Breakfast will follow at the Church in Chapin Hall 10:00 Easter Service in the Sanctuary Visit: www.rhccucc.org/lent
REMEMBER OR HONOR LOVED ONES WITH EASTER FLOWERS The flowers will adorn the sanctuary for worship on Easter Sunday, March 27th. The three choices this year will be: Easter Lily in 61/2 inch pots with 6+ buds ($11.00) Hyacinth 6 inch with 3 bulbs ($8.50) Tulip 6 inch full pots with limited color options ($8.50) The Deadline for orders is March 21. Please fill out the information below and give to Kim Burghoff or the Church Office. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Given by: Daytime Telephone Number: Dedication ( in loving memory of, in honor of, etc.): Number ordered Dollar Amount Lily @ $11.95 each x 11.95 = Hyacinth @ $7.95 each x 7.95 = Tulip @ $7.95 each x 7.95 = Daffodil @$7.95 each x 7.95 = TOTAL ENCLOSED $ Please select: [ ] I will pick up my plant after worship on Sunday, April 5. [ ] The flowers may remain in church to decorate the sanctuary Make checks payable to RHCC and mail them directly to Kim Burghoff at: 204 Gray Fox Lane, Rocky Hill CT 06067 You may call Kim Burghoff with questions at 860 563-3287.
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. Scrip orders placed last weekend maybe picked up at the scrip table this morning. The next order deadline for cards not stocked in inventory will be Easter Sunday, March 27. Did you know that you can donate to the Rocky Hill Food Pantry and "Covenant-to-Care for Children" through our scrip program? Your cash/check donations are used to buy gift cards to local groceries (food pantry) or other retail stores (CC). For these donations, we do not retain any profit, so a $1.00 donation effectively buys about $1.07 in groceries or clothing. You may donate at the scrip table in Chapin Hall. We have most of the usual cards in inventory for immediate purchase this morning. Here is a partial list of cards typically available: Coffee: Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks Fast food: Boston Market, Chipotle, McDonalds, Panera, Subway, Wendys 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, Denny's, Olive Garden,On the Border, Outback Steakhouse, Red Lobster Shopping: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, Kohl's, itunes, L.L. Bean, Lowes, Michaels, Payless Shoes, Target, Toys R Us, Walmart See Gail Hall at the scrip table in Chapin Hall this morning for a complete listing of available cards, or to have all of your questions answered. Think SCRIP! THINK SCRIP
A memorial reception will be held in Chapin Hall on Friday, March 11, at 11:30 a.m. to celebrate the life of Susan Bennett, close friend for many years of the Goff and Alessi families. All are welcome to attend. See Jean Goff with questions.
THIS WEEK AT RHCC M a r c h 6 S u n d a y 10:00am Worship Sanctuary 4:00pm Siragu Tamil School Rm 22, 23, 24, 25, 27 M a r c h 7 7:00pm Women s AA 7:30pm Bell Choir M o n d a y Chapin Hall Loft M a r c h 8 T u e s d a y 7:00pm Council Meeting Fiorilli 7:00pm Hearing Voices Room 25 M a r c h 9 W e d n e s d a y 9:00am Breakfast Club Bob s Cafe 6:00pm Pilates w/caroline Chapin Hall 7:30pm Adult Choir Choir Room M a r c h 1 0 T h u r s d a y 9:30am Little Hands in Harmony Room 25 7:30pm Men s AA Chapin Hall March 6 Bay Tran March 8 Kevin Sudell March 9 Collen Schultz Jason Hall March 10 Jennifer Knight March 11 Sharon Calvo Cheryl Robbins March 12 Tim Dostie Todd Doten Suzanne Speers Ryan Walker Isabella St. Pierre M a r c h 1 1 F r i d a y S. Bennett Memorial Reception Chapin Hall M a r c h 1 2 Spring Ahead! Set Clocks Forward 1 hr S a t u r d a y Super Saturday March. 12, 2016 8:00 am With Keynote Speaker: The Reverend Traci Blackmon - Community Leader, Civil Rights Activist and Pastor of Christ the King UCC in Florissant, Missouri. Join us for a great day of learning and leadership.killingly High School. See Bob Inderbitzen if you are interested in attending.
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 Office Hours Monday Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 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 Pastor: The Rev. Craig L. Cowing ccowing@rhccucc.org Minister for Children and Youth: Georgette L. Huie ghuie@rhccucc.org Minister of Music: Mary DeLibero mary@rhccucc.org Office Manager: Theresa E. Cleary office@rhccucc.org Webmaster: Dave Hall webmaster@rhccucc.org