First Congregational Church of Plainfield United Church of Christ Rev. Terry Hood Pastor 860-564-5932 www.fccplainfield.org January 27, 2013 Third Sunday after Epiphany Please stay for our Annual Congregataional Meeting immediately following our service. PRELUDE Helen Coombs, pianist INTROIT The Children s Choir Chimes directed by Sammi Hawkins GREETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS Pastor Terry CALL TO WORSHIP - Deacon Deb Backofen This day is holy to our Wise God! We gather to listen for God s word, to discern God s will, to worship with God s people. This day is holy to our Joyful God! We are members of Christ s body, Christ s family, Christ s church. This day is holy to our Powerful God! The Spirit of God is upon us, and we have been anointed to bring good news to all. This day is holy to our Sweet God! May the words in our mouths and the thoughts in our hearts make you happy, O God. Let us worship our Holy God! Please stand. HYMN Breathe on Me, Breath of God hymnal) CHILDREN S SERMON Pastor Terry (Children leave to attend Sunday School) # 461 (blue For Pastoral Care/Spiritual Needs Contact Pastor Terry Hood at (home) 860-564-7558 or chaplainterry@yahoo.com or call a deacon listed below. Amy Vaughan 860-564-8477 David Young 860-564-2140/cell 860-608-4696 Pam Gauvin 860-564-8229 /cell 860-334-3689 Chelle Wright 860-465-7577 cell Patti Ihloff 860-564-1640 Joyce Shippee 860-564-3257/cell 860-303-6516 Debbie Backofen 860-319-6542 Merry Humphrey 860-564-1277 Deacons for January Patti Ihloff and Joyce Shippee If you have a special prayer request, please see a deacon or write your request and put it in the offering plate. ATTENTION Choir Members - Let s make a joyful noise Looking for members to practice each Tuesday at 7:15. Please join us. Choir chime members wanted Rehearsals are Sunday mornings, at 9:15. Grades 3-adult. No music experience needed. GENERAL - Visitors will find a guest book inside the front doorway on right. - Child care is provided in our nursery. - The youth have made worship activity bags located in the back of the sanctuary; filled with books, games and puzzles- help yourself. PLEASE only one per family. We are working on making more available soon. - For changes to the prayer list, name, address, or bulletin items, contact a deacon or email chaplainterry@yahoo.com - A Card Request box is available inside the front doorway. Please let us know if we might send a card to show we care.
Our Church Family in Need of Prayer Ann and Charlie Backofen (relatives of Joey Backofen and Deb Backofen-struggling with health decisions) Pat Michalski (friend of Joyce Shippee) Chris Guari (friend of Christine & Greg Harpin battling cancer) Gregory Cruz (deployed overseas prayers for his mom, Kristin) Jocelyn Espeleta (4yr.old surviving cancer, friends of Carol Credit) Russell Mellor (brother of Carol Credit undergoing heart procedure) Eric Sirois stepfather (battling brain cancer) George Humphrey (Jim s brother battling cancer) Chuck Eldridge (struggling with cancer, friend of Sandi Baton) Paulette Pierson (mother-in-law of Allison Tron) Lorraine Greenwood (friend of Darlene Hill) Gerald Bergsten (Rebecca s grandmother) Cody O Bryon Aaron Carignan (continuing chemo-friend of Christine/Greg Harpin) Rudy Schmied, The Milliron Family, The LaFlamme Family, A1C Graeme Clark, (Dianne McBroome's nephew-military in Korea) Capt. Kevin John Grenier, stationed at Travis Air Force Base, CA Stephen Snellgrove (as he continues to undergo rehabilitation) For our military and their loved ones. For all victims of natural disaster. For all who are struggling with faith in Christ that they may know real and enduring love. PROJECT PIN DONATIONS (People In Need Food Pantry) The pantry has moved to the All Hallows Catholic School building in Moosup. The pantry will be open each week as follows: Monday 11-12:30 Wed. 5-6:30 & Thurs. 1-2:30 Our Church will provide volunteers the last Wednesday of each month. Each church will continue to have set volunteer hours. The supervision of the pantry is being handled by Tim Kettle. Current Needs: baby food/formulalaundry detergent, dishwashing liquid -2- Please stand PRAYER OF INVOCATION in unison led by Pastor Terry You gather us from our separate lives, Great God, to hear your word and respond to your revealing. You have appointed us for the work of your church. We seek your guidance, your wisdom, your way. Help us to perceive and understand your law, and then to follow you faithfully, as your people. Bind us together with you in worship, and transform us from distinct persons into the Body of Christ, alive with your Spirit in this place. THE LORD S PRAYER in unison led by Pastor Terry 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 PRAYER OF CONFESSION in unison led by Pastor Terry We confess to you, Gracious God, that too often we look on your law as a burden, not a gift; an inconvenience, not a blessing. Rather than seeing your love revealed, we feel our own guilt magnified. Instead of rejoicing in your good news, we focus on our own shortcomings. Turn us around, Redeemer, and do not let our fears have dominion over us. Enlighten us, so that our words and deeds may be acceptable to you. Amen. (moment of silence) ASSURANCE OF PARDON led by Pastor Terry In spite of our individual inadequacies, God has called us together to be Christ s Body, and each one of us is indispensable. God re-members us, giving each of us distinct gifts, equipping each of us to provide guidance and accountability for one another, that we all may become more faithful followers of Christ. We are all greater as one Body than any single member of us could be on our own. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
-3- GLORIA PATRI 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. Amen. THE OFFERING Deacon Deb Backofen We all can and must! contribute in some way to the Body of Christ and the work of Christ s church. Paul reminds us that we are the Body of Christ and individually members of it. We are asked to share this Body with God s world. Each part has something to contribute to the whole. Let us be faithful to God and to this Body as we share what we can this morning. OFFERTORY Please stand. DOXOLOGY Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. PRAYER OF DEDICATION- in unison led by Deacon Deb Bless, O Lord, these gifts and offerings, that they may be a sign of our intent to serve you. Use them and us to bring good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, and bring wholeness and healing to all who are hurting and oppressed. If one of your people suffers, we all suffer; but if one of your people is honored, we all rejoice together, in your name. Amen. -4- HYMN For the Healing of the Nations # 621 (blue) THE CHURCH FAMILY AT PRAYER Pastor Terry Hood PRAYER RESPONSE Lead Me Lord Lead me Lord; lead me in Thy righteousness. Make Thy way plain before my face. For it is Thou Lord, Thou Lord only, that makest me dwell in safety. SPECIAL MUSIC by Joey Backofen & Robin Urcinas Glory Train SCRIPTURE READINGS Old Testament Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 page 430 Deacon Deb Psalm Reading Psalm 19 page 488 Pastor Terry THE MESSAGE Simple Yet Complex Pastor Terry Please stand CLOSING HYMN: All Things Bright and Beautiful # 30 (blue) BENEDICTION Pastor Terry BENEDICTION RESPONSE As we go now from this moment, as we leave behind our time together. May we walk with one another, may we help each other on the way. As we go now from this moment, as we go into the future together May we treasure one another, may we realize how precious we are. POSTLUDE Helen Coombs, pianist All are invited to fellowship & refreshments downstairs.
In Search of our Church Memories If you have or know of any old pictures from Our Church s events over the past 300 plus years, please see Hillary Sirois or Pastor Terry. We are trying to put together a pictorial history book of Our Church family. Don t worry, we won t keep those precious pictures but will scan them and return them to you. In Search of our Church Memories If you have or know of any old pictures from Our Church s events over the past 300 plus years, please see Hillary Sirois or Pastor Terry. We are trying to put together a pictorial history book of Our Church family. Don t worry, we won t keep those precious pictures but will scan them and return them to you. Lent in 2013 This year Lent begins on February 13 th Ash Wednesday. We will have a service of prayer and ashes 6 p.m. The Deacon Board would like to offer each Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. a Lenten Soup Supper. Then at 6 p.m. all those attending the supper may consider staying for our faith/bible study from 6 7 p.m. If you are interested in attending these suppers beginning Tuesday, February 19 th and ending Tuesday, March 26 th, please sign up at the refreshment line. Lent in 2013 This year Lent begins on February 13 th Ash Wednesday. We will have a service of prayer and ashes 6 p.m. The Deacon Board would like to offer each Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. a Lenten Soup Supper. Then at 6 p.m. all those attending the supper may consider staying for our faith/bible study from 6 7 p.m. If you are interested in attending these suppers beginning Tuesday, February 19 th and ending Tuesday, March 26 th, please sign up at the refreshment line.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS This Week 01/29/13 (Tuesday) 8:30 a.m. Bible Study 01/29/13 (Tuesday) 6 p.m. Bible Study 01/29/13 (Tuesday) 7:15 p.m. Choir Practice 02/13/13- (Wednesday) 6 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service 02/13/13 (Wednesday) 6:30 p.m. Cabinet Meeting 02/20/13 (Wednesday) 7:00 p.m. Trustees Meeting 02/24/13 (Sunday) Diaconate Meeting following service This is a change 03/16/13 (Saturday) 10 a.m. to noon Bereavement Support Group 6 weeks series FUNDRAISING EVENTS 02/15-16 (Friday & Saturday) 9-1 p.m. Yard Sale (indoors) 03/17/13 (Sunday) 8 a.m. St. Patrick s Day Breakfast 04/06/13 (Saturday) 6 p.m. Calendar Dinner 05/05/13 (Saturday) 6 p.m. Cinco De Mayo Dinner 07/27//13 ( Saturday) 10 a.m. Frog Jump Contest at Lion s Park(near the Town Hall) 08/03/12 (Saturday) Plainfield Pride Day, we will have a booth with a silent auction table. OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE CALENDAR OF EVENTS This Week 01/29/13 (Tuesday) 8:30 a.m. Bible Study 01/29/13 (Tuesday) 6 p.m. Bible Study 01/29/13 (Tuesday) 7:15 p.m. Choir Practice 02/13/13- (Wednesday) 6 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service 02/13/13 (Wednesday) 6:30 p.m. Cabinet Meeting 02/20/13 (Wednesday) 7:00 p.m. Trustees Meeting 02/24/13 (Sunday) Diaconate Meeting following service This is a change 03/16/13 (Saturday) 10 a.m. to noon Bereavement Support Group 6 weeks series FUNDRAISING EVENTS 02/15-16 (Friday & Saturday) 9-1 p.m. Yard Sale (indoors) 03/17/13 (Sunday) 8 a.m. St. Patrick s Day Breakfast 04/06/13 (Saturday) 6 p.m. Calendar Dinner 05/05/13 (Saturday) 6 p.m. Cinco De Mayo Dinner 07/27//13 ( Saturday) 10 a.m. Frog Jump Contest at Lion s Park(near the Town Hall) 08/03/12 (Saturday) Plainfield Pride Day, we will have a booth with a silent auction table. OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE Help in the nursery during our service see Amy Vaughan to sign up People In Need Project (PIN) Food pantry last Wednesday of each month sign up at refreshment table Calendar Dinner sign up at refreshment table Refreshments for fellowship time after Sunday service Sign up at refreshment table Haitian Family basket items Help in the nursery during our service see Amy Vaughan to sign up People In Need Project (PIN) Food pantry last Wednesday of each month sign up at refreshment table Calendar Dinner sign up at refreshment table Refreshments for fellowship time after Sunday service Sign up at refreshment table Haitian Family basket items