Stratham Community Church, UCC An Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ Wherever you are on life s journey, Know you are welcome here! 6 Emery Lane P.O. Box 143 - Stratham, New Hampshire 03885 Ministers - The Congregation Pastor Rev. Jonathan C. Roach, Ph.D. - pastor@strathamchurch.org
Sunday, September 11, 2016-10:00 am WELCOME SUNDAY! GATHER WELCOME! PRELUDE: "GOSPEL JOHN BY STEINBERG" (PLAYED BY DAVE EMANUEL AND STEVE HOLMES) CALL TO WORSHIP One: Come! Come, all you who are seeking God. Come! Enter in to this place of welcome and love. Everyone who is seeking enter into this place and discover that God is seeking us! All: We rejoice to have God find us here, as we come seeking God! One: Come! Come in and experience God s welcome when we come together. All: Here in this sanctuary we worship our God! Welcome! * Hymn "Enter, Rejoice, and Come In" New Century Hymnal #73 *PRAYER OF INVOCATION: (IN UNISON) All: Thank you, O Holy One for this opportunity to meet you in this place of worship. We come to this new day after a long week, carrying all kinds of feelings, emotions, and expectations. But here, in your presence let your Holy Spirit move us to a place of rejoicing in which new hopes abound. We will celebrate the gift of your caring Spirit. Thank you for welcoming us. Amen. * The Lord's Prayer (using 'debts') (in unison) * Passing the Peace of Christ Leader: The Peace of Christ be with you. People: And also with you. (Please offer one another the peace of Christ.)
* Gloria Patri Pilgrim Hymnal (red) #513 All: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Thankful Dollars Announcements Anthem 'Perpetual Praise!' (by McLeod) (Sing! #1) HEARING THE WORD Children's Message Lily Nutt (All children are invited to remain in the sanctuary) Prayer for Illumination: (in unison) All: O Most Patient God, we recognize how much we need you for life itself. But how often have we behaved as if we did not know or even care about you? How often have we become the ones who do not carry out justice? How often have we tried to dominate others even as you stand with them? How often have we participated in the desolation of your creation by our treatment of the heavens, the earth and its waters? Forgive us for these times when we have lost our way. Know, All Loving God, that we want to be among those whom you welcome. Shower your mercy upon us. Find us, and lead us safely home to faithfulness through your word today. Amen. Introduction to Scripture Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
Sermon: Growing into God s Love Rev. Jonathan Roach, Ph.D. * Hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty" Pilgrim Hymnal (red) # 251 GIVING THANKS Prayer Concerns Time for Silent Prayer 9/11 Memorial Prayer Pastoral Prayer Offering * Offertory "The Lord's Prayer by Malotte" Played by Maria Emanuel and Sandee Murray * Doxology * Offering Prayer DEPARTING AS DISCIPLES * Hymn "Sent Forth by God's Blessing" New Century Hymnal #76 * Benediction * Postlude Please remain in your pew until the Light of Christ is carried out of the sanctuary. Thank you. * - All those who are able are invited to stand. PARTICIPATING IN TODAY'S SERVICE: Deacons: Kristen Dusseault and Phyllis Lurvey
Thank you to our returning choir-we have missed you and are glad you are back! Immediately following Worship, please join us for coffee & fellowship in the Henry Rust Room directly below the Sanctuary We keep in our prayers: The people in Louisiana impacted by the flooding. The people of Italy who have been affected by the earthquake. Jonathan's Office Hours: Tues. & Thurs. - 8am to 1pm (afternoons for visitation) Weds. & Fri. - 8am to 4pm Jonathan's Cell Phone Number: 603-303-9209 Jonathan's email Address: pastor@strathamchurch.org A Look Ahead Rockingham VNA & Hospice will be offering Bereavement Support Groups Sept. 12th through Oct. 18th. An afternoon group and an evening group are planned. These groups are free to the public, but must have 4 registered participants for each group. The afternoon group will meet at the Epping Regional Health Center on Route 125 and the evening groups will be held at the Offices of RNA & Hospice, 137 Epping Rd. in Exeter. For more information and to register, please call Dick Munsey or Milly Brewer at 772-2981
Sign-up Opportunities: After the service people will have the opportunity to sign-up children and youth for Fall Programming and to sign-up the fall line-up of volunteer opportunities and adult Christian formation activities including the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen, Sewing Ministry Group, Teaching Sunday School, Volunteering at the Clothes Attic, Becoming a Driver for TASC, Joining our Film and Latte Group, Attending a Class on Forgiveness, Attending a Health and Well-being Seminar Series, and many, many more...see the Mission and Justice and Christian Education tables during the Welcome Luncheon. Meeting/Events/Activities in our Church Building This Week: Tuesday, September 12th - AA Meeting - 7:00 pm - Henry Rust Room Wednesday, September 13th - AA Meeting - 7:00 pm - Henry Rust Room Sunday, September 18th - Sunday Worship: -10:00 am - in Sanctuary Sunday, September 18th - Christian Education Programming begins with classes for ages 4 through high school. Saturday, September 24th, fall Church Supper with ham, roast beef, turkey, mac & cheese and salad bar Sunday, September 25th, Hispanic Heritage Sunday The Clothes Attic will reopen on Wednesday, September 14: Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m
The Nursery is staffed by Jill Greene in Room 204 and is available anytime from 8:50am through the end of Worship for young children. Children are invited for the Children's Program in Room 201 Stratham Community Church, UCC 6 Emery Lane P.O. Box 143 - Stratham, New Hampshire 03885 (603) 772-3389 - www.strathamchurch.org Ministers - The Congregation Pastor Rev. Jonathan C. Roach, Ph.D. - pastor@strathamchurch.org Minister of Pastoral Counseling - The Rev. Allan Lurvey, Th.D. - allanlurvey@comcast.net Minister of Music - Cheryl Stromski - music@strathamchurch.org Youth and Family Director of Christian Education Lily Nutt Lilynutt@strathamchurch.org Church Office Katie Brown - findfaith@strathamchurch.org