THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CANTON CENTER AND THE CANTON COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH July 8, 2018-9:30 a.m. The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
ORDER OF WORSHIP CHIMES Karen Needham WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Brief announcements from the congregation are welcome. Those wishing to make Announcements are asked to be in the front pews at the start of the announcements period. There will be opportunity to share prayer requests at the time of the Prayers of the Church. If you wish to offer a prayer request in written form, please fill out one of the yellow prayer request cards found in the pews and place it in the offering plate at the time of the offering. Large print editions of bulletin and Chalice Hymnal are available at the back of the sanctuary. Nursery Room available in the lower level of the Parish House. Children ages Birth-3 years may visit the Nursery with a parent at any time. *All who are able, please stand. Bold denotes unison voice. PRELUDE Prayer for my Country Penny Rodriguez CALL TO WORSHIP Sing to God a new song For Love has done marvelous things! Sing praises to the Glorious One from day to day. Declare the splendor of the Holy One to all the nations, the marvelous works of Love to all people! The Bestower of Life reigns with mercy, Let the earth rejoice and the heavens be glad! You, Love, are known through your Promise. You are the Light of the Saints; You hide yourself in every soul. Let us rejoice and give thanks to God The Bestower of Life.
*HYMN 2, Chalice (blue) Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You *GATHERING PRAYER AND THE LORD S PRAYER God of manifest grace and ever flowing mercy, you call us to abide in you and to mature into your love. We are called, as Christ s people, to bear love. We see, as Christ s people, to bear love into a weary world, hope into discouraged hearts, and healing into broken and struggling lives. When our own confusion silences us, remind us of Christ s words. When our own pain cripples us or our confusion pulls us off center, lift us into your arms and brush our brow with your healing touch. Let us rest in Jesus arms until we are ready to go forward in your love once again. 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. *SUNG RESPONSE
THE SACRAMENT OF CHRISTIAN BAPTISM Ava Brynn Hard, daughter of Brandon and Amy Hard Godparents are Jessica Andreoli and Brien Hard Words of Introduction Lighting of the Baptismal Candle Commitment of the Parents Commitment of the Godparents Commitment of the Congregation Pastor: God calls us to be a community of faith, hope and love together, and to support each other in our discipleship. Representing the church universal, do you who witness this sacrament promise your love, support and care to this child and this family, that in you they may see the fullness of Christian community? Congregation: We promise our love, support and care, and our faithful witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Blessing of the Water The Sacrament of Baptism Prayer for the Baptized We give you thanks, O Holy One, mother and father of all the faithful for this your child, Brynn, and for the grace acknowledged here today in water and the Holy Spirit. Embrace us all as sons and daughters in the one household of your love. Grant us grace to receive, nurture, and befriend this family as members of the body of Christ. Grant to Brynn strength for life s journey, courage in time of suffering, the joy of faith, the freedom of love, and the hope of new life; through Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen READING FROM SCRIPTURE Psalm 24:1-10, John 15:9-17 SERMON Answering Yes to God s Future Rev. Dr. Mary Louise Howson
OFFERING OF GIFTS Invitation Offertory His Eye is on the Sparrow Charles Gabriel arr. Mark Hayes Judy Robinson - vocals *Doxology *Prayer of Dedication PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer *HYMN 715, Chalice (blue) Now Thank We All Our God *BENEDICTION *BENEDICTION RESPONSE *POSTLUDE Knowing You Graham Kendrick
WELCOME We re glad you ve joined us for worship today. Please know that whoever you are, wherever you are on life s journey, you are welcome here! If you are visiting today, please help us get to know you better by filling out one of the visitor cards in the pews and placing it in the offering plate. Questions? Please feel free to ask the pastor, or call the church office during the week. ANNOUNCEMENTS The flowers this morning are given by Linea Ericson for family and friends, remembering the past and enjoying the present. We welcome the Rev. Mary Lou Howson who is a retired minister with standing in the Litchfield South Association. She has served churches in CT since 1980. She lives with her husband, Jim, who taught middle school English in Southbury for 37 years. Their son, Dave, and his family live in Buffalo, NY where he teaches high school social studies. July 8th SUMMER SUNDAY SOLOIST SERIES Judy Robinson-vocals His Eye is on the Sparrow Charles Gabriel arr. Mark Hayes July 15th Jim Todd-vocals Marching to Zion Isaac Watts July 22nd July 29th Baroque Ensemble Marianne Rannenberg-recorder, Bob Oswald-guitar, Claire Byko- percussion, Mary Lou Keefe- harpsichord. TBA All music except hymns. Jerry Alonzy and Judy Robinson, vocal duet The Prayer Carol Sager/David Foster PLEASE BRING BACK SOME WATER FROM YOUR SUMMER TRAVELS! We invite you to bring back a small amount of water from wherever you might be this summer a lake, an ocean, a river, another city or state, or your own home. At our Gathering Sunday service on Sept. 9th, we ll combine them all into one font, as a symbol of how all our different experiences, journeys and selves combine into one shared community. Small vials are available for you to take.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT We gather as a welcoming community in worship, learning, service and fellowship, to embody Christ s message of love, compassion and justice. Joining faith with action, both within and beyond our church, we strive to build a community that serves all. SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE Services at 9:30 a.m. JULY WORSHIP AUGUST WORSHIP Canton Center Church Community Baptist Church (125 Dowd Avenue, Canton) July 8 & 29 - Rev. Mary Lou Howson July 15 & 22 - Rev. Robert Henderson GUEST MINISTERS AND PASTORAL COVERAGE IN JULY While Rev. Brenda takes a sabbatical period for the month of July, we will have guest ministers leading worship each Sunday. In addition, both the church office and Deacons have names of area clergy who can be called on for urgent pastoral care needs during that period. If you need assistance then, please contact: Kristen DiMattia in the church office at 860-693-4581 (Mon. through Fri., 8-3 pm) or, if at other hours, either of these Deacons: Darryl Haberern (860-965-3420; darryl.haberern@gmail.com) or Dave Heyer (860-480-2578; heyercd@sbcglobal.net). HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT SCRIP? Scrip is a gift card program where you can fundraise while you shop. You can purchase gift cards for over 750 retailers to give as gifts, or for every day shopping. You pay face value, but the church gets to purchase them for less from the Great Lakes Scrip Center, thus the fundraising! The Scrip table will be open every Sun. in July during coffee hour, so come see what we are all about. Thanks for your support! Sunday 8 Monday 9 Tuesday 10 Wednesday 11 Thursday 12 Friday 13 Saturday 14 Missions 9:00 am Worship & Baptism 10:00 am Trustees 7:00 pm ACA 7:00 pm AA 7:00 pm Council 7:00 pm AA 11:00 pm
God is still speaking!!!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Visit our website at www.cantoncenterchurch.org Listen to recorded Sermons and Music from worship services!. Pastor The Rev. Dr. Brenda Pelc-Faszcza Ministers Every Member Organist, Director of Music Mary Lou Keefe Director of Faith Formation Sarah Pradhan Sexton Walter LeGeyt Office Manager Kristen DiMattia Duty Deacons Charlie Hammond & Darryl Haberern Duty Trustee Sue Lampros Coffee Hour Hosts The Robinson Family THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 184 Cherry Brook Road, PO Box 133, Canton Center CT 06020-0133 Church Office 860-693-4581 E-mail: office@cantoncenterchurch.org www.cantoncenterchurch.org