Rangeley Congregational Church, United Church of Christ An Open and Affirming Church First Sunday after Epiphany January 7, 2018 10:00 a.m. Sermon Title: What s in a name? ORDER OF WORSHIP ENTERING INTO GOD S PRESENCE RINGING OF THE BELL PRELUDE John H. Hopkins, Jr. We Three Kings ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist WORDS OF WELCOME PRAYER OF INVOCATION CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 29 One: Give to our God, O heavenly beings, Give to our God glory and strength. Group1: Give to our God a glorious name; worship our God in holy splendor. 1
Group 2: The voice of our God is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters. Group 1: The voice of our God is powerful; the voice of our God is full of majesty. Group 2: The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; Our God breaks the cedars of Lebanon. Group 1: God makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. Group 2: The voice of our God flashes forth flames of fire. Group 1: The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; Our God shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. Group 2: The voice of our God causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in God s temple all say, Glory! Group 1: The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; Our God sits enthroned as ruler forever. One: May our God give strength to the people! May the Lord bless the people with peace! *OPENING SONG #321 [NCH] Break Now the Bread of Life 2
CALL TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) Redeeming God, we hear your voice and we see the way of Jesus set before the costs and joys of discipleship. But the road is often difficult. Even when we try to live out our baptismal vows and maintain our resolve to be your people in the world, we lose sight of what is right. Forgive us, O God. Help us remember what it means to be a follower of Jesus and set us once again on a holy path that leads to you. Amen. ASSURANCE OF GOD S GRACE *SONG OF PRAISE #793 [NCH] Holy, Holy, Holy (Sanctus) SCRIPTURE Genesis 1:1-5 Mark 1:4-11 MESSAGE SERVICE OF THE WORD *SONG OF RESPONSE #322 [NCH] Take Me to the Water 3
SERVICE OF PRAYER PRAYER FOR GOD S PEOPLE (As you name a joy or concern later in the prayer, please finish by saying This is my prayer. The church family responds by saying This is our prayer. ) We pray for: The friends and family of Marilyn Lee, who passed away on Christmas Eve; Mary Hembrow on the passing of her sister; Jac Mageles, Cyndy Egan s nephew; Michael Chase; The Morrill Family; Beck Blythe; Kris Nozal (Marcia Baker s niece); Karen Lantz; Haelyn Vorous; Amy Sweetland and family (Dan Simonds sister); John and Martha Bicknell; our law enforcement personnel and the communities they serve; our military personnel worldwide; and all those who serve our country. CHORAL RESPONSE #812 [NCH black hymnal] Three Fold Amen INVITATION SERVICE OF GIVING OFFERTORY We Three Kings Arr. Bob Evans (with apologies to Dave Brubeck) *DOXOLOGY (contemporary words) Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God above ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen. 4
INVITATION SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION COMMUNION PRAYER (People s response in bold print) The Preface The Lord be with you! -And also with you! Lift up your hearts! -We lift them up to the Lord! Let us give thanks unto the Lord God. -It is right to give God thanks and praise. The Prayer Holy, Holy, Holy (Sanctus) #793 [NCH black hymnal] THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION THE ACCLAMATION (unison) Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. BLESSING OF THE ELEMENTS THE LORD S PRAYER (using sins and sinners) BREAKING BREAD AND POURING WINE SHARING THE GIFTS OF GOD During Communion we will sing: #330 [NCH] Let Us Break Bread Together #332 [NCH] As We Gather at Your Table 5
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (unison) We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us at your table by granting us the presence of your Son, Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and in peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. *SENDING SONG #442 [NCH] Higher Ground *BLESSING *Please stand if you are able Special Thanks to all who helped with the service today: Rev. Dr. Leslie Foley for today s message Ray & Evelyn Franson, Ushers Becky Walker, Liturgist Scott Hatfield, Assisting Deacon of Communion Zenna Inness, Coffee Hour W e welcome you with joy in the common life of this church. 6
~ This Week: Rangeley Ringers Monday, 1/8, 8 am, Barn Men s Breakfast Monday, 1/8, 8 am, Country Club Inn Finance Committee Thursday, 1/11, 3 pm, East Room Church Council Thursday, 1/11, 4 pm, East Room Women s Fellowship Friday, 1/12, 10 am, Barn ~ Next Week: Prayer Shawl Monday, 1/15, 2 pm, Barn Walking toward God, we the members of the Rangeley Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Rangeley, Maine, seek to be a congregation which includes all persons who desire to have a relationship with God and to live God s love, as shown to us through the teachings and examples of Jesus Christ. from our Open and Affirming Statement 7
Rangeley Congregational Church, www.rangeleyucc.com Pastor 864-5966 (office) Church Office rangeleyucc@gmail.com 864-5966 Secretary Ethna L. Thompson 864-5966 Council President Kathy Brittain 864-2694 Chair of Deacons Scott Hatfield 864-2053 Deacon of the Day Lucy Simonds 864-5851 Conference Deacon Dick Waddell riwad36@gmail.com 8