THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CANTON CENTER September 30, 2018 ~ 10:00 a.m. Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost 184 Cherry Brook Road, PO Box 133, Canton Center, CT 06020-0133 Office 860-693-4581 E-mail: office@cantoncenterchurch.org www.cantoncenterchurch.org
CHIMES ~ ORDER OF WORSHIP ~ 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 the bulletin and Chalice Hymnal are available at the back of the sanctuary. Nursery Room is 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 Where er You Walk George Handel CALL TO WORSHIP Now is the time, this is the place: bidden or unbidden, God is present. In word and in song, in prayer and in silence, in our inner hearts and in our common heart, God is present. However we have come to this place on this day, certain or uncertain, peaceful or anxious, we come as the people of God, for hope and discovery, for renewal and blessing, for hearts awakened and lives made new. *HYMN 366, Pilgrim (red) God of Grace and God of Glory *GATHERING PRAYER AND THE LORD S PRAYER Loving Creator, everywhere present, today we turn our hearts toward your heart and listen once more for your wisdom. We listen to be moved, we listen to be awakened, we listen to be challenged,
we listen to be assured, we listen to be transformed. Loving God, may we hear what you would say to us on this day. This we ask in Christ s name and spirit, as we also pray together: *SUNG RESPONSE 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. MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES Sarah Pradhan Following this, children may go to Church School. READINGS FROM SCRIPTURE James 3:13-4:3; Mark 9:30-37 SERMON On Humility *HYMN 253, Chalice (blue) Spirit, Come, Dispel Our Sadness OFFERING OF GIFTS Invitation Offertory anthem Let the Lower Lights Be Burning Howard Helvey Senior Choir
*Doxology *Prayer of Dedication PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer *HYMN 595, Chalice (blue) Be Thou My Vision *BENEDICTION *BENEDITION RESPONSE Go Now in Peace Go now in peace, go now in peace, may the love of God surround you everywhere, everywhere you may go. *POSTLUDE Sing a Joyful Song to God Hal Hopson Pastor: The Rev. Dr. Brenda Pelc-Faszcza Director of Music: Mary Lou Keefe Director of Faith Formation: Sarah Pradhan Ministers: Every Member Sexton: Walt LeGeyt Office Manager: Kristen DiMattia Duty Deacons: Karen Needham & Charlie Hammond Greeters: Evelyn & Bev Sealand Coffee Hour Hosts: Sarah Pradhan & Beth Lingenheld
The First Congregational Church, Canton Center September 30, 2018 The flowers this morning are given by Evelyn Sealand in loving memory of Evans. 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. SECOND HOUR - TASTE OF TANZANIA TALK - THIS MORNING - Please join us after worship as Kristin Oswald will share with us about her mission trip including some images to see and some foods to taste. Arts & crafts will be for sale to benefit Asante Sana for Education, a Tanzania mission. NEW STOVE INSTRUCTIONS - OCT. 7- with a brief presentation on the features and operation of the new stoves and discussion on new health procedures required when serving food to the public. This will take place in the kitchen and if necessary in the parish hall. All interested are encouraged to attend. SEEKING VOLUNTEERS - LOTS OF HELP NEEDED ON OCT 13! HARVEST FAIR We are looking for volunteers! There are many easy ways to help make the Harvest Fair a success. Share your talents! Marianne Burbank -Harvest Chair Chair or man a booth. Donate pumpkins, mums, a baked goodie or simpler-candy for the always popular candy room. Get creative and donate an item for our Silent Auction: jewelry, knitting, pottery, gift certificate, plant, art work, etc. CHICKEN PIE SUPPER Please consider volunteering for the Annual Chicken Pie Supper and look forward to an evening of food, fellowship, and fun! If you have never worked on the event, don t worry- we ll make sure you get all the info you need. The jobs are broken down into segments that can be handled by anyone. Please help, you ll be glad. Phil LeGeyt & Cora Mutch - Co-chairs Spirit Conversations - HEALING THE HEART OF DEMOCRACY: Thinking about how our faith perspectives help us to participate well in our democracy Tuesday, October 16 at 7:00 pm or Thursday, October 18 at 10:30 am In his 2014 book Healing the Heart of Democracy, spiritual writer Parker Palmer says that "the human heart is the first home of democracy," and that it's inside of us, at a deeply emotional and spiritual level, that we form the ways in which we will relate to the world, including, how we will function as citizens of our democracy. How can we --in his words -- have both chutzpah and humility as citizens and help call our currently strained democracy back to health? Facilitated by Rev. Brenda. A brief (3-page) excerpt from the book, "Five Habits to Heal the Heart of Democracy," will be available on the literature table in the church vestibule (outside the kitchen). Please plan to read it beforehand if you will be attending one of the conversations. NEIGHBORS IN NEED (NIN) - SPECIAL MISSION OFFERING ~ OCTOBER 7 - NIN is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry. Two-thirds of this offering is used by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts and service projects through grants. This year, special consideration will be given to projects focusing on serving our immigrant neighbors/communities. MISSIONS AND OUTEACH COLLECTIONS FOR OCTOBER - We will be collecting bath soaps/ toothpaste for Hands of Grace and Warm clothing for the Friends in Service to Humanity. On Sunday, Oct. 28 we will have brown bags available to fill with Thanksgiving food items that will be donated to the Canton Food Bank by Nov.11. Please see the Mission s bulletin board for more details and lists. WELCOME BACK TO FUNDRAISING WHILE YOU SHOP - September is finally here and we re ready to get back to scripping! Stop by the Scrip table today (and every Sunday) during coffee hour to see what gift cards we have in store, what we have to order, find out more about the program, or just say hi! FLOWER DONOR - is needed for November 25, please see Polly Rice if you are interested. Sunday 30 Monday 1 Tuesday 2 Wednesday 3 Thursday 4 Friday 5 Saturday 6 C.E 8:30 am Worship 10:00 am Second Hour Tanzian Talk Music 6:30 pm Choir 7:00 pm ACA 7:00 pm Deacons 6:30 pm AA 7:00 pm Cub Scouts Rain Location 6:30-8 pm Bell Choir 7:00 pm AA 11:00 pm