Falmouth Congregational Church United Church of Christ An Open and Affirming Congregation 267 Falmouth Road Falmouth, Maine 04105 207.781.3413 Serving Christ and Community since 1754 Third Parish Church; 1833 The Brick Church The Reverend Michael H. Richards Pastor and Teacher
FALMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH United Church of Christ An Open and Affirming Congregation 10:00 AM SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY FEBRUARY 11, 2018 TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY THE COMMUNITY GATHERS THOUGHT FOR THE DAY There are moments of truth that change the way we see God and the world. Sometimes we are allowed to see beyond the veil. We have a brief glimpse of God, and we take that vision with us into our daily lives. LIFE OF THE CHURCH HONORING OUR CALL TO BE PEACEMAKERS *Passing the Peace of Christ One: May the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. (As a sign of our reconciliation with God and one another, we invite you to turn and greet those around you sharing the peace of Christ saying: The Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. ) PRELUDE Adagio Roger Nyquist BRINGING FORTH THE LIGHT OF CHRIST CALL TO WORSHIP One: In the beauty of a snow-covered forest, sparkling with sunlight; in the beauty of a fast flowing stream, sparkling with sunlight; All: Artist and Creator God is revealed to us. One: In the smile of a newborn baby, in the love of parents for their child, All: vulnerable, miraculous, and in family, God is revealed to us. One: In the laughter of children on the school bus, in joy-filled evenings in the park, at the rink, All: friendly, enthusiastic, and happy God is with us. One: In the silence of a meditating moment, in the quiet of an evening prayer, All: gently, confidently, God s will comes clear to us. *HYMN OF PRAISE Jesus Shall Reign Where er the Sun No. 95, vs 1, 2, 5 *OUR 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. A TIME FOR THE CHILDREN At the conclusion, children in preschool through grade 6 may leave worship to attend Kids Church. Visitors are always welcome. PRAYER OF INVOCATION One: Take us to the mountaintop, O God; we will see things differently. All: We will see the great faith figures of the past and value their influence. One: Take us to the mountaintop, O God; we will be amazed.
All: We will see Your Beloved One, Jesus, and know He has words for us to hear. One: Take us to the mountaintop, O God; we will be awed and afraid. All: We will know the mystery of The Holy and be ready to worship. One: Bring us down from the mountaintop, O God, and prepare us for service. All: We will go about the saving work of Jesus in our church, in this neighborhood, and in our suffering world. Amen. CALL TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION One: Loving God, You can transform the everyday routine. All: You can transform the ordinary with fresh insights and new ways of looking at people we know. One: You can transform the faith community. All: You can transform the church through rededicated members and a burning desire to make the gospel come alive around us. One: You can transform each one of us. All: You can transform us through a willingness to acknowledge our flaws, but also to accept our hidden talents and to put them to work in Christ s service. One: You can transform our world. All: You can transform the world through a series of small steps to promote peace, justice, and freedom, which start with us and with our faith community. ASSURANCE OF GOD S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS Pastor Michael One: God of the rushing wind, God of the still small voice, You will speak to us: All: words to banish fear, words to conquer sin, words to renew our faith, words to set us free, words to set us on the right path again. One: As you listen, as you determine to go with God, as you know God with you, pardon and peace are yours. All: Thanks be to God! Amen. WE HEAR GOD S WORD THE WORD OF GOD Old Testament Lesson 2 Kings 2:1-12 (NRSV p. 308; RSV p. 325 ) One: This is the Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God Gospel Lesson Mark 9:2-9 (NRSV p. 38; RSV p. 42 ) One: This is the Word of the Lord All: Thanks be to God SERMON Have You Found Your Middle Ground? Pastor Michael *HYMN He Is Exalted / All Hail King Jesus Insert SHARING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS PASTORAL PRAYER WE RESPOND TO THE WORD PRAYER RESPONSE Amen Carl Wiltse OFFERING OUR GIFTS TO GOD The Invitation The Offertory Immortal, Invisible Welsh Folk Melody
*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 One: You have known us in the high moments of life, O God, and You are with us when life is tough and the journey is adventurous; we bring our gifts to You. All: Bless our offering as it is used to meet needs compassionately; bless our offering as it is used to raise up the downhearted; bless our offering as it is used to give a new vision; bless our offering as it brings the value of young persons before us. One: Jesus blessed people in these ways. All: We are His disciples. Amen. *CLOSING HYMN Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory No. 705 *BENEDICTION *BENEDICTION RESPONSE Carrying the Light of Christ into the World Go in peace and the peace of God be with you this day. Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always. Celebrate and share the joy! Celebrate new Life! Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always. POSTLUDE Theme from Jupiter Gustav Holst/Harrison Oxley (During the postlude, you may be seated to listen, or you may leave.) (*) Please rise in body or spirit. Throughout the order of worship, if print is in bold, words may be spoken together in unison. NRSV Bibles are on the pulpit side of the sanctuary and the RSV Bibles are on the lectern side of the sanctuary. Please silence or turn off your cell phone before you enter the sanctuary. Thank you! Worship Participants Greeters: Edie Boothby, John Boothby Liturgist: Jim Parr Ushers: Sue Perry, Larry Perry, Mollie Mason, Kim Mason The flowers this morning are given to the Glory of God and in honor of the members and friends of Falmouth Congregational Church UCC whom it has been my pleasure to know and work with. ~ Gini Medford We welcome you to worship and invite you to join us after the service in Fellowship Hall for refreshments. If you are visiting us today, please pick up a Welcome Bag in Fellowship Hall or in the Narthex. We encourage you to sign the guest book.
Children will be dismissed for Kids Church following A Time for the Children. Visiting children are always welcome! Kids Church takes place in the downstairs classrooms, and runs until 11:15 AM. Children in preschool through grade 2 will not be dismissed after class until picked up by a parent. The Ministry of Community Life will have samples of Easter candy (just looky; no touchy) in Fellowship Hall today. The sale begins next Sunday, February 18 and continues until Sunday, March 18. Delivery is Palm Sunday, March 25. Order blanks will be available next week. Please plan to pre-pay your order when possible. Any questions, please ask Judy Currier. On Wednesday, February 14, we will be offering an Ash Wednesday service at 7:00 PM. Lenten Bible Study will be held following worship starting next Sunday, February 18 and every Sunday thereafter through March 18. We have several openings for chancel flowers. Sign up today to hold a special date and celebrate the Glory of God and remember or honor a loved one. You can provide the Chancel Flowers by selecting a Sunday in 2018 and signing up on the flower sheet in Fellowship Hall. Fill out a chancel flower form and place it in the offering plate or turn it into the office along with a check for $38 payable to Falmouth Congregational Church UCC. The Falmouth Food Pantry will be open on the following days in February: Monday, February 19 from 9 AM until 11 AM; Tuesdays, February 13, 20 and 27 from 9:30 AM until 11:30 AM; and Thursdays, February 15 and 22 from 4:30 PM until 6:30 PM. PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS Robbie Coleman Charlie Grubb Maureen Grubb Bee O Brien Maytha Southard Laurie & Roger Marin Rev. Ron Beinema Please let the church office know if we have missed someone. We will keep people on the prayer list for one month. If you would like them to continue on the prayer list, please update us so that we may better pray for them. Thank you. Next Sunday s Lectionary Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15 Falmouth Congregational Church UCC is a fragrance-free environment. Please help us to accommodate our members and visitors who are chemically sensitive to fragrances and other scented products. Thank you for not wearing perfume, aftershave, scented hand lotion, fragranced hair products and/or similar products.
Church Office Hours Monday-Thursday: 9:00 AM 3:00 PM, Closed on Friday Church Phone: 207.781.3413 Visit our Web site: www.falmouthcongregationalchurch.org Church Office e-mail: fccdesk@maine.rr.com Pastor Michael Richards Minister pastormichaelfcc@maine.rr.com Kristen Coleman Christian Education Administrator fccchristianeducation@maine.rr.com Matthew Strobel Sexton mstrobel66@yahoo.com Doris Krueger Minister of Music dnkrueger@gmail.com Mark Horton Moderator horton04105@yahoo.com Gini Medford Office Manager ginifcc@maine.rr.com Marilee Pillsbury Vice Moderator bigmarilee@yahoo.com Laurie Logan Office Assistant fccdesk@maine.rr.com This Week s Schedule Sunday February 11 10:00 AM Worship 10:10 AM Kids Church 11:15 AM Coffee Fellowship 11:30 AM Council of Ministries Deadline for March Congregator submissions Family Promise guests arrive Monday February 12 7:00 PM Ministry of Worship and Covenant (Grant Room) Tuesday February 13 10:00 AM Bible Study - OceanView Wednesday February 14 7:00 PM Ash Wednesday Service 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal Sunday February 18 9:00 AM Choir Practice 10:00 AM Worship 10:10 AM Kids Church 11:15 AM Coffee Fellowship 11:30 AM Lenten Bible Study Family Promise guests depart