Old Greenwich, THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL United Church Connecticut CHURCH OF GREENWICH of Christ Heritage Sunday 3 June 2012 10 o clock in the morning Founded in 1665 Abraham Pierson, Jr. Minister of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich,1691-1694 (Old Campus Yale University)
So on May 11, 1665 at a meeting of the General Court in Hartford with Governor Winthrop presiding, Greenwich was granted a charter Upon ye motion and desire of ye people of Greenwich this court doth declare that Greenwich shalbe a Township intire of itself provided they procure and maintaine an Orthodox minister and in the meane time and until yt be effected they are to attend ye ministery at Stamford and contribute proportionably with Stamford to ye maintenance of the ministery there. The First Three Hundred Years The History of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich, CT
W e warmly welcome you to worship on this Heritage Sunday. Today we honor those who have been members of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich for 50 years or more. We are so grateful for these wonderful individuals who have supported and strengthened our congregation over the years, and we delight in recognizing their dedication to the work of God in this place. We are glad you are here as we sing, worship, hear God s Word and celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion. PREPARING FOR WORSHIP Please silence all cell phones and other electronic devices. *All who are able please stand Seating of latecomers PRELUDE Deo Gratias Processional Dr. Craig Scott Symons, organ Philip Moore Stanley Vann CALL TO COMMUNITY Rev. John W. Collins and Rev. Mark D. Montgomery Please sign and pass the red book. HERITAGE SUNDAY RECOGNITION PRAISING GOD * OPENING HYMN AND PROCESSION Praise with Joy the World s Creator New Century (black) Hymnal 273 OPENING PRAYER God of delight, your wisdom sings your Word at the crossroads where humanity and divinity meet. Invite us into your joyful being where you touch our lives in each new beginning, in every moment of redemption, in each impulse of compassion and in every moment of praise. May our worship together be the doorway to a deeper experience of your graceful presence. Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION CONFESSING TO GOD PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison) God of love and justice, we long for peace in our spirits and in our world. We long for harmony in our families, for serenity in the midst of struggle, and for the strength to seek your Spirit. We confess today that we are often anxious, allowing the stressful nature of our days to dominate the extraordinary gift of life you have given us. We realize that guilt from the past and fear of the future cloud our minds and cause us to neglect the opportunities of love and compassion in our lives. Free us from the bondage of our shortsightedness O God, and refresh our spirits with your powerful grace. ASSURANCE OF PARDON *LORD'S PRAYER 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. *GLORIA New Century (black) Hymnal 754 Glory to God the Creator, and to the Christ, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Amen. HONORING OUR HERITAGE PRAYER OF REMEMBRANCE (In Unison) Almighty God, who governs the nations with justice and mercy, accept our thanksgiving for this land in all its promise and chaos, failure and fulfillment, and hold in your steadfastness the sweep,
height and hope that is America. Help us to honor those who have broken and cleared the way before us. Keep our hearts glad and grateful for the dead and the living who gave, and continue to give, their talent, service and life itself to the dream of this nation as sanctuary for the oppressed and the homeland of the free. TIME OF SILENCE FIRST LESSON S HEARING GOD'S WORD Romans 8: 12-17 o then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, Abba! Father! it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. SCRIPTURE ANTHEM For All That Is The Youth Choir; Carolyn Paulus, director Taylor Davis Will Speer, violin SECOND LESSON N John 3: 1-10 ow there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God. Jesus answered him, Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of
God without being born from above. Nicodemus said to him, How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother s womb and be born? Jesus answered, Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, You must be born from above. The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus said to him, How can these things be? Jesus answered him, Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? CHILDREN S MESSAGE * HYMN Creator God, Creating Still New Century (black) Hymnal 278 (As the hymn begins, the Church School children and teachers will leave for their classrooms. Children in second grade and older will leave independently. Children in kindergarten and first grade will meet their teachers at the back of the Meetinghouse (narthex) and will go to their classrooms as a group.) SERMON Something Real Rev. John W. Collins CALL TO OFFERING RESPONDING TO GOD OFFERTORY ANTHEM Greater Love Hath No Man The Summer Choir John Ireland Lynette Pfund, soprano Donald Haviland, tenor Jayson Engquist, organist
*DOXOLOGY New Century (black) Hymnal 776 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all creatures here below; Praise Holy Spirit, Comforter; One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen. Amen. *PRAYER OF DEDICATION SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER (seated) PRAYER OF CONSECRATION SERVING OF THE BREAD AND CUP MUSIC DURING COMMUNION Qui Sedes from Gloria Kim Rogers, alto Antonio Vivaldi PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (in unison) We thank you, O God, for these moments of communion with you and each other. By these actions, we have renewed our commitment to bear your name and to follow you wherever you lead us. O Lord God, your great name be praised. Through Christ our Lord. Amen GOING FORTH TO SERVE GOD *CLOSING HYMN AND RECESSION O Grant Us Light New Century (black) Hymnal 469 *BENEDICTION *CHORAL RESPONSE POSTLUDE March from Richard III Jayson Engquist, organist William Walton
Music Notes: Once again, we have a decidedly British flair on this Heritage Sunday. Philip Moore is a British composer and organist who was Master of the Music and Organist at York Minster in England from 1983-2008. He also has a Greenwich connection as a frequent guest musician at Christ Church, where he has worked with the choirs and performed in recital. John Ireland (1879-1962) was a fairly prolific composer of choral, organ, orchestral, and film music. He studied music at the Royal College of Music in London, and was a composition student of Charles Villiers Stanford. Greater Love is clearly his most famous and popular works of the sacred genre. William Walton is the most familiar name of our musical offerings this morning. Walton was born in Lancashire, England in 1902 to parents who were both musicians. At 16, he entered Christ Church College to study music and is often thought to be the youngest undergraduate there since Henry VIII. Writing works for orchestra, voice, and other instruments, it is Walton's orchestral works that remain his most popular. In the 1940's-50's, he wrote a number of film scores to Shakespeare plays, including Richard III, where our postlude is taken. The flowers in the Meetinghouse this morning are given in loving memory of Donald M. Freeman and Jeanne Boyer Freeman by the Freeman family. The First Congregational Church of Greenwich declares itself to be open and affirming; open to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment, and affirming of all who wish to join us as children of God. We continue to give thanks for God's guidance in our journey of faith. We have child care for babies and toddlers every Sunday. Your
children are always welcome for the entire service or for a respite time if needed. Please see an usher if you need directions. The 10:00 am Service is broadcast live each week on WGCH 1490 AM Radio. In addition, the service is available through the church s website: www.fccog.org. A bulletin can be found there as well as a link to the live broadcast. Previous sermons may also be found there. Heritage Sunday The First Congregational Church of Greenwich is proud to honor its members of fifty years or more 1936 1952 Carolyn Wright Ashwell Dorothy Pidgursky Barbara Van Buren 1937 William C. Henry Robert Schroeder E. William Fossum Betty Sleath 1953 1942 Selma Ash Barbara Firth Kneen John Denne Claire Gisborne Henry 1943 Diane Magness Andersen Joyce Grossberndt Ferris Benito Menegon 1944 1954 Jane Curtis Stratton Watts Warner Finney Caralliene Westbrook 1947 Robert Starr, Jr. 1955 Helen Hagner 1948 Larry Haviland Nancy R. Hoffman 1956 1949 Lawrence Dickie Donald Freeman Ruth Gisborne Reed Florence Earl Virginia Liddel Betsy Pearson 1957 1950 Tina Birkic Erling Andersen Emily Jostrand
Helen B. (Tinkie) Daniels Donna Magness Gargagliano Dorothy Dalenz Perna Robertson Charles Livingston Marcia Livingston 1951 Phyllis Carlson Freeman 1958 Gifford Reed Richmond Hopkins Barbara Hopkins Dorothy Fisk Jane Ann Henry Ives Alexander Kulchuk Stanley Rand III Charlotte Schmidt-Fellner Barbara Elizabeth Van Buren Arthur Weigner Richmond Cathie Weigner Ronald Weigner 1959 Pat Geismar 1961 Janet Klingner Helen Anderson Roland Klingner Patricia Schmitt Carol Mawhinney Martha (Marti) Stisser Darleyne Sandreuter C. Webb Williams James Starkweather Mary Starkweather 1962 H. Kent Atkins 1960 Bernice Whittemore Marian Cordner Clark Whittemore William Cordner Calendar TODAY Church School Today is the last Sunday of regular Church School. Next Sunday, June 10, is Church School Recognition Sunday when we thank our teachers, congratulate our graduating seniors and present Bibles to our third graders. Summer Church School begins on June 17. Please prayerfully consider teaching our children next year and sign up today during Coffee Hour. Youth and Cherub Choir Rehearsals Youth Choir is done for the summer (see note from Carolyn Paulus below under News and Notices ). Cherub Choir will rehearse today from 11:15 to 11:45 am in Room 104.
Bible Study This week will be a love fest at Bible Study with our consideration of I Corinthians 13 and a very confusing Chapter 14 to challenge us. Next week we will consider the final two chapters of the book (letter) but if you want to come in anticipation of II Corinthians, which will probably be next on the gym regimen, you will be welcome. There are distinct rumors of Job in the air. So join us today at 11:20 am in the Lounge. Summer Choir Please join us any Sundays that you are available during the summer at 9:00 am in the Meetinghouse for a warm-up and rehearsal for the music being done that Sunday and to help lead the congregation in worship. Anyone is welcome. In addition to the Sunday mornings, a new option is available on the first Sunday of June (TODAY) as well as in July, and August. On those Sundays, anyone who would like an extra rehearsal of the anthems for that month is welcome to meet in the Choir Room at around 11:15 am to get a jump-start on the upcoming anthems. No reservation is necessary! NOTE: As we have a reception to welcome John Collins this morning, for this Sunday ONLY, our post-church rehearsal will start at 11:30 am in the Choir Room. Sue Asselin, RN is available in Room 203 after the Worship Service. Stop in to have your blood pressure checked or discuss any health concerns. Today at our 5:00 pm linc service we will take a look at Jonah. What a character! Check out his story in the Bible. He has his own book. Join us in the Auditorium. The service is casual so come as you are! THIS WEEK
Children s Choir Rehearsal The Children's Choir will gather in the Meetinghouse THIS SATURDAY, June 9, from 10:00-11:00 am to rehearse the piece they will sing the next morning for Sunday School Recognition. This is especially for all the 3rd-6th graders (any rising 2nd graders are welcome too!) who haven't been able to make week-day rehearsals. Please let Craig Symons know if you plan on attending. Email him at craigs@fccog.org or call him at 203-637-1791, ext. 22. NEWS AND NOTICES Celebration of Youth Choir Seniors It is with pleasure and gratitude that we celebrate the members of our Youth Choir who will be graduating from high school this month. They are: Lucinda Allen (Northwestern University), Charlie Baird (St. Olaf College), Hosung Kwon (Northwestern University), Sarah Lauridsen (Connecticut College), Julia McDonald (University of Connecticut), Liz Morris (Hamilton College), Kim Rogers (Muhlenberg College), and Katie Weatherseed (Middlebury College). We thank them for their many years of service to the music ministry of this church and wish them well in their future endeavors. We'd also like to honor Ella Quinn, who will be moving to California in the summer. They will be missed. With thanks, Carolyn Paulus Program Look in the mail for details about the Super Water Slide Summer is Starting BONANZA on Sunday, June 24. News from The Rummage Room June 3 - June 8: The Rummage Room hours are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday. Manager Maria's Wish List: Donations of gifts and clothing for Father's Day on June 17; summer clothing for the entire family; bikes; small furniture; handbags; shoes; and bric-a-brac. Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light. ~Helen Keller
Tai Chi Fitness with Luis Duarte Improve your balance, health and well being. Come and experience the many wonderful benefits of Tai Chi and Qi Gong exercises. Classes are held on Wednesdays at 8:00 am and Thursdays at 9:00 am. Only $7 per class if paid by the month, and $8 per class for drop ins. Join us! You ll love it! All are welcome. Food Collection A reminder that the Food Collection Barrel remains in the back of the Meetinghouse, so please contribute food each week. Adding a few items to your weekly grocery store visit will make a significant difference at Neighbor to Neighbor. Items currently in need are: Cereal Oatmeal Pasta Sauce Dried Beans 100% Juice Canned Tomatoes Peanut Butter (no larger than 28 oz., please) Jelly If you ve forgotten your food items this morning, feel free to email fccoghungermission@gmail.com with your contact information and someone will pick up the food from your home and deliver to the Church for Neighbor to Neighbor.
Next Week at First Congregational Church 10:00 am Worship Service Meetinghouse Church School Recognition Sunday Cherub, Children s and Summer Choirs singing. Rev. John Collins, preaching *** 5:00 pm linc worship service Auditorium Next week we will look at the wonderful story of the feeding of the 5,000. And then linc is sailing off to Tod s Point for the summer! That s right, beginning June 17, linc will move to its summer home and summer time. FCCOG s summer Beach Services are a wonderful, casual time for worship, communion and community. Please join us.
The First Congregational Church of Greenwich 108 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich, Connecticut, 06870 203-637-1791 www.fccog.org Ministers: The Members of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich Interim Senior Pastor: Rev. John W. Collins Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry: Rev. Mark D. Montgomery Associate Pastor for Communication/Adult Education: Rev. Daniel B. England Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care: Rev. Avery C. Manchester Director of Music: Dr. Craig Scott Symons Director of Church School: Rosemary Lamie Director of Membership: Ginny Breismeister Director of Publications: Barbara Wilkov Parish Nurse: Susan Asselin, RN Pastors Emeriti: Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Stiers and Rev. Sally Colegrove Director of Music Emeritus: Dr. John Stansell