Old Greenwich, THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL United Church Connecticut CHURCH OF GREENWICH of Christ Founded in 1665 Father s Day 16 June 2013 10 o clock in the morning
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.
W hat a pleasure to gather in worship here at First Congregational Church of Greenwich as we cross the threshold from Springtime to summer on this Father s Day 2013. Whether you ve been here for the past 60 years or this is your first time to worship with us, you are warmly welcomed! We hope that our service is a calming inspiration to your life and we invite you to join us after worship for our Coffee Hour either upstairs in the Auditorium or outside in the Memory Garden, depending on the weather. PREPARING FOR WORSHIP Please silence all cell phones and other electronic devices. *All who are able please stand. Seating of latecomers. PRELUDE Dr. Craig Scott Symons, organ Choral Joseph Jongen (1873-1953) CALL TO COMMUNITY Please sign and pass the red book. Rev. John W. Collins PRAISING GOD CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Serve God with gladness! Come before God s presence with singing! People: Enter God s gates with thanksgiving, and God s courts with praise! Leader: Give thanks to God, and bless God s name. For the Holy One is good. People: God s steadfast love endures forever, and God s faithfulness to all generations. * HYMN Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You New Century (black) Hymnal 4
OPENING PRAYER (in unison) Infinite God, in whose Spirit we move and have our being, we bring our lives to you seeking rest from the stress and distraction of our days. So often we are lost in the rush of agenda and responsibility that we lose sight of the extraordinary gift of this beautiful world. Slow us down, O God. Teach us again to take time to appreciate all of the blessings in our path; the profusion of life as nature puts on her summer garment; the gentle affection of those in our lives who love us; and your supporting and calming Spirit, which holds us up in difficult times. May our souls be touched and renewed in this sacred time together, in Jesus name, whose prayer we pray, 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. HEARING GOD'S WORD FIRST LESSON Rev. Daniel B. England Luke 15: 11-24 Then Jesus said, There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me. So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that
country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, How many of my father s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands. So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his slaves, Quickly, bring out a robe the best one and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to celebrate. From NSRV SCRIPTURE ANTHEM The Summer Choir Be Thou My Vision Bob Chilcott (b. 1955) Hanna Golodinskii, soprano SECOND LESSON Luke 15: 25-32 ow his elder son was in the field; and when he came and N approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound. Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him! Then the father said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and
rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found. From NSRV * HYMN Savior, Again, to Thy Dear Name New Century (black) Hymnal 80 SERMON The Elder Son s Choice Rev. John W. Collins RESPONDING TO GOD PASTORAL PRAYER CALL TO OFFERING Rev. Avery C. Manchester ORGAN OFFERTORY Gavotte G. B. Martini (1706-1784) *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 GOING FORTH TO SERVE GOD *HYMN Let Me Enter God s Own Dwelling (verses 1-4) New Century (black) Hymnal 67 *BENEDICTION *CHORAL RESPONSE POSTLUDE Prelude in F J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
Please join us for Coffee Hour following the worship service. Weather permitting, we will meet in the Memory Garden. 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. Calendar TODAY Church School Summer Church School (Bible Stories at the Beach) is held at the 8:00 am Beach Service during June and July. At 10:00 am we have Child Care for infants through 4 years old. If you have questions or concerns about your child in worship, please confer with the adult in charge in the Undercroft. Ushers are able to direct you. linc has moved to the Beach! Our 5:00 pm service is done until the fall, but linc is now taking place at 8:00 am at Greenwich Point weather permitting. Be sure to join us! THIS WEEK Memory Friendly Congregation Training Date Change The date of the Memory Friendly Congregation Training with Bill and Maureen Matthews was changed to this Wednesday, June 19 from 7:00-9:00 pm. The training will be at the Stamford Counseling Center at First Congregational Church in Stamford. If you would like to join the group from our church, please contact Rev. Avery Manchester (averycoe@aol.com) or Linnea Stenberg, Stephen Ministry Leader (lstenberg8@yahoo.com).
NEXT WEEK First Church Preschool Open House You are welcome to visit the First Church Preschool on Wednesday, June 26 from 9:30 11:30 am. This Open House is for anyone interested in learning more about our preschool programs, including families, real estate brokers, relocation agencies, etc. Attendees will have the chance to see our facilities, see the Summer Program in action, meet some of our staff, and ask questions about our program and curricula. Light refreshments will be available. Call 203-637-5430 or email darlak@fccog.org for more info. Summer Sings! Returns Wednesday, June 26 Do you miss singing in your choir during the summer months? Then join Summer Sings! Come as you are on Wednesday, June 26, from 7:30-9:30 pm and within these 2 hours we will have shared in an energized rehearsal and an 'instant performance' of Beethoven's Mass in C (Schirmer Score). Music will be provided. Hospitality, refreshments, and fun are all included - FREE! No sign-up necessary. Just come ready to sing. We will meet in our air-conditioned Meetinghouse. Non-singers are also welcome to enjoy the evening! Church Hall Meeting Save the date and join us next Sunday, June 23 in the Meetinghouse immediately following the 10:00 am worship service for our next Church Hall Meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to update the congregation on the results of the Senior Pastor Survey. Summer Choir Please join us on Sunday mornings this summer at 9:00 am in the Meetinghouse for a warm-up and rehearsal for the music being done that Sunday. Everyone is welcome to come before the start of the service to learn a simple anthem. Come any Sundays that you are available to help lead the congregation in worship. It's also a chance to
experience worship from the choir loft. If you have any questions, please contact Craig Symons (ext. 22). NEWS AND NOTICES Volunteers Needed! The Hunger Mission Team still needs volunteers to prepare chili for our soup kitchen initiative at New Covenant House in Stamford for Monday, July 1! You will be supplied with a shopping list and a very simple recipe. With a few good friends and/or family members, cooking time should be less than 2 hours. The chili can be prepared in the church kitchen one to three days ahead. For more info or to volunteer, please contact Tom Mahoney at fccoghungermission@gmail.com. The few hours you are able to give will make a difference in the lives of people in our community. News from The Rummage Room 191 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich Sunday, June 16: Happy Father's Day to all the Dads in the congregation. Monday, June 17: 50% off Manager Maria's four or five selections of merchandise for the week. Thursday, June 21: Come in and celebrate... it's the first day of Summer! 50% off EVERYTHING for the day. Old Greenwich Sidewalk Sales: Thursday, June 27, Friday, June 28, and Saturday, June 29. Hopefully your shopping will begin at The Rummage Room! Wish List for June: Musical instruments; bikes for all ages; handbags; jewelry; tennis racquets; cashmere sweaters. Shopping Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and on Saturday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Donation Hours: Monday through Thursday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and on Friday and Saturday, 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. NOTE: The Rummage Room will close for its annual repairs and cleanup on Wednesday, July 31 at 5:00 pm. Last day for donations will be Saturday, July 20. The shop will celebrate its 49th Grand Reopening on Monday, August 26 at 10:00 am.
A Tribute: Today is a time to celebrate our fathers as we feel the gentle touch of their love and grace. For those of us whose fathers have passed on, we continue to feel their love for us. 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 will be held on Thursdays at 9:00 am throughout the summer. (Wednesday morning classes will return in the fall). 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 There continues to be great need for food at Neighbor to Neighbor. Please remember to contribute each week. The Food Collection Barrel remains in the back of the Meetinghouse. Neighbor to Neighbor is in particular need of: canned fruit canned meat (i.e. chili, Spam) peanut butter (18 oz.) jelly (18 oz.) cereal soup.
Next Week at First Congregational Church 10:00 am Worship Service Meetinghouse Music by: The Summer Choir Almighty and Everlasting God by Orlando Gibbons Dan Schlorff, solo O Clap Your Hands Rev. Avery Manchester, preaching * * * Beach Service Beach Services are held each Sunday at 8:00 am at Greenwich Point (weather permitting). Communion is served. Come and join us for this casual service. Bible Stories at the Beach, our Summer Church School, will also take place at this time down at the beach, so bring the whole family! The 5:00 pm linc service will resume in the fall.
Find us on Facebook and LIKE the page! We're now on Twitter @FCCOGCT Check out our YouTube page, too! 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 Communications: 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