Rocky Hill C o n g r e g a t i o n a l C h u r c h Established 1727 U N I T E D C H U R C H O F C H R I S T Making a Mess, Meeting God Drop Cloths: Preparing for Worship October 16, 2011 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost 10:00 A.M The Friendly Church at the Center An Open and Affirming Community
Rocky Hill Congregational gational Church United Church of Christ Sunday, October 16, 2011 10:00 a.m. O r d e r o f W o r s h i p We welcome all and extend a special greeting to our guests; our service is enriched by your presence! Join us in Chapin Hall for fellowship time after worship. The Welcome Table in Chapin Hall offers information about the church and members who can answer your questions. Hearing devices and largeprint bulletins are available for worship ask an usher. Nursery care is always available downstairs in Room 4. G o d G a t h e r s U s f o r W o r s h i p S c r i p t u r a l A f f i r m a t i o n The Rev. Donna K. Manocchio Selections from James 4 Draw near to God and God will draw near to you. P r e l u d e Please use the prelude as a time for personal prayer and preparation of your heart for worship. Riguadon Henry Purcell W e l c o m e a n d a n n o u n c e m e n t s Please include your full address and phone number as you sign our friendship registration pads, and please wear your nametags. All announcements should be written down and given to the usher or pastor prior to worship. *Call to Worship Leader: Hearts and minds on fire; enthusiastically, joyfully, worship begins. People: Cast down and sorrowing; feeling the darkness in our souls, worship begins. Leader: Reluctantly, slowly, still engaged in the busyness of home; unprepared, worship begins. People: Alert, hopeful, prayer-prepared, having confidence in Jesus, worship begins. Leader: However we come before God, God accepts us, God welcomes us, God invites us to worship. All: God is here, we are here, and love is shared among us. We will worship God! * H y m n Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise New Century Hymnal 1
A M e s s a g e f o r C h i l d r e n o f A l l A g e s Meghan D. Young Children s Recessional (Children are invited to depart for S.P.I.R.I.T. Church School) We Will Keep a Place For You by John Corrado * O p e n i n g P r a y e r a n d T h e L o r d s P r a y e r Deacon Elaine Somes Almighty and Ever-living God, we gather in hope and expectation of encountering your grace for our lives. Open our hearts and minds to your saving words of love and compassion. Bind us together in faith, and renew us to love one another as you have loved us. Strengthen us for the walk of discipleship, as we pray together in the name and spirit, the one we seek to follow, Jesus Christ, saying together the words he gives us, 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 Patri
G o d S h a r e s W o r d s o f L o v e a n d L i f e A R e a d i n g f r o m T h e H e b r e w B i b l e Psalm 96 A n t h e m Come, Christians, Join to Sing by Douglas E. Wagner The Choir W e R e s p o n d t o G o d s W o r d S e r m o n Drop Cloths: Preparing for Worship The Rev. Donna K. Manocchio * H y m n Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Pilgrim Hymnal 228 Sharing of Joys and Concerns (We invite your oral prayer requests keeping the request brief and identifying the first name for the pastors. Trust that God knows the details of the need.) P r a y e r o f t h e P e o p l e P r a y e r R e s p o n s e O f f e r i n g I n v i t a t i o n For those who have already given their offering, Giving Cards are available in your pew so that all may participate in giving back to God with joy and gratitude. O f f e r t o r y A n t h e m I Love the Lord by Douglas E. Wagner
* D o x o l o g y * P r a y e r o f D e d i c a t i o n W e G o F o r t h t o L o v e a n d S e r v e * H y m n Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing Pilgrim Hymnal 63 * B e n e d i c t i o n * C o n g r e g a t i o n a l R e s p o n s e Take my life and let it be Consecrated Lord to thee Take my moments and my days Let them flow in ceaseless praise. *P o s t l u d e Eternal Father, Strong to Save Dave Hall, trumpet solo (*Please rise in body and in spirit) G r e e t e r s a n d H o s p i t a l i t y Thomas, Christine and Max Kainamura U s h e r s Al and Joan Diaz, Deb Copes, Steve Smith Wendy Ware, Lynn Webster The flowers on the altar this morning are given in loving memory of Lester and Hazel Opdyke by Steve, Wendy, Nate and Alex Ware. The second flower arrangement this morning is given in loving memory of my wonderful dad, Ronald Young, by Jan LaCava. The tower is lit this week in memory of shipmates of the U.S.S. Houston CL81.
This Week at RHCC O c t o b e r 1 6 S u n d a y 11:15am Flu Clinic Signup Fiorilli Room 11:15am Stewardship Meeting Room 23 O c t o b e r 1 7 M o n d a y 1:00pm Staff Meeting Fiorilli Room 5:30pm Yoga with Lynn Chapin Hall 7:00pm Women s AA Chapin Hall 7:00pm Bowling O c t o b e r 1 9 W e d n e s d a y 9:00am Quilters Room 6 12:30pm Bible Study Fiorilli Room 6:00pm Community Meeting Room 25 7:00pm Lessons and Carols Choir Loft 7:30pm Adult Choir Choir Room O c t o b e r 2 0 T h u r s d a y 5:30pm TOPS Chapin Hall 7:00pm Women of the Bible Fiorilli Room 8:00pm Men s AA Chapin Hall O c t o b e r 2 2 S a t u r d a y 8:00am CT Conf Annual Mtg Off Site 10:00am Deacon s Retreat Off Site 8:30am Yoga with Lynn Chapin Hall 9:30am Yoga with Lynn Chapin Hall 6:00pm Dinner/Movie Chapin Hall 16 Darrell Peterson 17 Cindy Tennyson John Molina Lisa Gilbert Christina Engel Kristen Rodriguez Jillian Fulda Nate Robbins 18 Mary Dean 19 Will Kanute Christopher Young 21 Thomas Schreier Making a Mess, Meeting God: A Series on Worship Join us for a four week series exploring worship in our lives and community. October 16 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost Scripture: Psalm 96 The Rev. Donna K. Manocchio Sermon: Drop Cloths: Preparing for Worship October 23 Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:2-5 & Deuteronomy 12:8-12 Meghan D. Young Sermon: Fingerprints: Participating in Worship October 30 Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:26-31 The Rev. Donna K. Manocchio Sermon: Scaffolding: The Form of Worship November 6 Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost Scripture: John 4:19-26 The Rev. Donna K. Manocchio Sermon: Unfinished Art: Worship as a Way of Life & Meghan D. Young
OPEN WEEK FOR ALTAR FLOWERS If you would like to put flowers on the altar on October 23 rd please call the church office at 860 529-4167 or Joan Diaz at 860 613-2889. Flu Shot Clinic at RHCC, UCC Sponsored by Rocky Hill CVS Cost: $30; $25 if more than 25 people register $5.00 CVS Gift Card for Participants! Today, October 16 / 11:15 AM Fiorilli Room Registration must be completed on October 16 Those on Medicare are not charged; others complete paperwork for insurance reimbursement Sunday, October 23 / 11:15 AM Fiorilli Room Flu Shots are given after service GETTING TO KNOW YOU: An information session about RHCC, UCC Sunday, October 23 1:00 2:30 PM Are you new to RHCC? Have you been worshipping with us for a while and desire to know more about our church community? Perhaps you re even thinking about joining the church on October 30. If so, please join the pastors and other church members at a session that includes basic information about the church including: - RHCC mission and history - our denominational affiliation: the United Church of Christ - boards and committees - church staff - becoming a member - belonging to the church - YOUR QUESTIONS CHILD CARE WILL BE PROVIDED. Sign up in Chapin Hall or contact one of the pastors for further information.
RHCC COUNTRY FAIR Saturday, October 29 th 9 a.m. 2 p.m. Our Country Fair is just around the corner and there are opportunities available for those interested. The fair is not only the largest fund-raiser for our church, it's a great way for the congregation to get together, be creative and share our time and talents with the community. It truly is a fun, fulfilling day, that we hope you share in. A reminder: THERE IS NO TAG SALE THIS YEAR, but we have great booths in need of donations. The Apple Barrel Jim Stevens, Don Pagnucco and Mary Dean could use homemade jams and jellies, baked goods and are looking this year for home-made fudge (a popular item in past fairs). Arts & Antiques: (Hilaire Leavitt 860-529-3814 or e-mail halx@rcn.com) is looking for older china, glassware, collectibles, knick knacks etc. Small furniture items go very well, but please contact Hilaire first, so that she'll know what to expect. Electronics & Tool Booth Neal Cox and Steve Smith are looking for current technology items such as: digital cameras, ipods, ipads, MP3 players, cell phones with chargers, and hand-held tools. Holiday House Judy Graham and Lynn McKenna are looking for gently-used or new holiday crafts and decorations. Jewelry Boutique Phyllis Wilkey, Joan Diaz and Polly Pagnucco can use men's women's and children's jewelry, as well as fashion scarves, purses and hats. The Kitchen Shop Elaine Somes is looking for kitchen items only (glasses, dishes, pots and pans, tablecloths/napkins. Quilt Raffle - The quilters are looking for help in selling their raffle tickets on fair day. We will also be selling tickets after services this month. Roast Beef Dinner We will be selling tickets in Chapin Hall after services this month. Silent Auction Deb Copes and her team are looking for gift baskets, donations from businesses you may frequent, or perhaps you might consider purchasing an "extra" scrip card to donate to the auction. We appreciate any help we can get with the fair no donation of your time or goods is too small. Please contact any one of the fair committee members with any questions you may have. Phyllis Wilkey, Jim Stevens, Elaine Somes, Neal Cox, Lynn McKenna, Candy Smith, Mary Dean, Don Pagnucco, Polly Pagnucco, Deb Copes.
S.P.I.R.I.T. Corner: S.P.I.R.I.T. Faith Nurture Ideas These faith nurture ideas coordinate with the weekly session plans for church school. We hope you will join us in learning, teaching, and growing together! Here s what we re learning about this week COME JOIN THE CIRCLE: Unit 1 - Ruth and Naomi Read: Ruth 2-3. Part of demonstrating God s love is daring to stand with others, speaking out for the voiceless, and advocating for the poor. Boaz did this when he offered care to Ruth. Ruth did it for Naomi when she showed care and love for her, even though it meant Ruth might be in a danger in a hostile land. Boaz loved God and wanted to follow in God s way. He witnessed Ruth s kindness to Naomi and it caused him to offer her kindness in return. He allowed her to glean his field and told his workers to leave extra grain for her and to watch out for her. Ruth had shown extraordinary kindness and, in return, so did Boaz. Following on this, the relatives showed kindness to Boaz by allowing Boaz to marry Ruth and gave Boaz the right to buy the lands of Naomi s husband, Elimelech. The kindness kept spreading and moving on to envelop more and more people. People today still risk everything even their lives in the cause of peace, justice, and human rights. We remember the courage and commitment of those who continue to seek peace in our world, following Jesus way of love and non-violence. How might these examples of loving kindness expand to touch others? Faith Sharing. Talk about the Bible story children and youth explored this week. Here are some ways to nurture faith at home based on this week s story. (1) Think of a word or phrase that resonates with you from Ruth 2-3. Spend a few moments in silence. Hold this word in your heart, repeating it several times. Then linger in silence a few moments longer. (2) Name three kind things you have done in the past week; then name three kind things that have been offered to you in the past week. Plan three kind things you will do in the coming week. (3) Plan a project to show love to a neighbor or friend, near or far: helping someone with grocery shopping, donating clothing, contributing to a church outreach project, and so on. A Prayer For The Week. God, help us, by our words and actions, to expand your loving kindness to touch others. Amen.
Join the Fun Get involved with S.P.I.R.I.T. We are looking for learning center guides who have a particular interest in arts, baking, drama, story-telling, etc. We are also looking for Shepherds, who will accompany a class throughout the year to engage them in discussion as they ask question, seek, and make their faith real. Or join us for a Sunday as a Safe Church Volunteer. Come join the Circle, have some fun, and walk in faith with us! Sign-Up in Chapin Hall or contact Meghan Young (meghan@rhccucc.org) for more information. PARENTS: Church school ends at 11:15 AM. Please pick-up your children at the following locations. (So that the children may focus through the end of their class, we ask that you do not look through the classroom windows, and that you wait for the teacher to end class by opening the classroom door.) CLASS Pre-K & K 1 st & 2 nd Grade 3 rd Grade 4 th & 5 th Grade 6 th -8 th Grade PICK-UP LOCATION SHOW & TELL RM. 25 & RM. 27 Christian Education Hallway HANDS ON RM. 23 Christian Education Hallway. FOOD & PEOPLE Youth Room Ground Floor of Church. SHOW & TELL RM. 25 & RM. 27 Christian Education Hallway FUN & GAMES RM. 24 Christian Education Hallway Parent Meeting TODAY Join us in the chapel at 11:15 AM, for a brief parent meeting to talk about our S.P.I.R.I.T. plans and goals for the year. Your children are welcome and encouraged to attend with you.
Rocky Hill Congregational Church United Church of Christ Open and Affirming Statement Because we believe that all people are created in God s image and thus are blessed and loved equally by God, and because love is a unifying and strengthening force within our Christian Faith, We, the members of the Rocky Hill Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, hereby declare ourselves an Open and Affirming Christian community, actively expressing Jesus inclusive embrace of all people. We welcome all who seek to follow Jesus, including persons of every age, gender, race, national origin, faith background, marital status and family structure, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental and physical ability, economic and social status, and educational background, to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, blessings and joys of our church family. Jesus teaches us to welcome all God s children into God s covenantal community. As we grow together in faith and love, we will strive to celebrate the diversity in which God has created us. Approved by congregational vote June 2009 Ministry Team Ministers: All the members of the church Senior Pastor: The Reverend Donna K. Manocchio donna@rhccucc.org Acting Associate Pastor: Meghan D. Young meghan@rhccucc.org Acting Director of Christian Education: Meghan D. Young meghan@rhccucc.org Pastor Emeritus: The Reverend Arthur C. Weil Director of Music: William Kanute music@rhccucc.org Church Office: Carol Harvey office@rhccucc.org / 860 529-4167 Webmaster: Dave Hall webmaster@rhccucc.org Church Website: rhccucc.org Visit us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/rhccucc