February 26, 2017 FIRST CHURCH, CONGREGATIONAL * 357-7518 Rev. Tom Cofer, Pastor * tom@firstchurchcongregational.org Website: www.firstchurchcongregational.org
First Church, Congregational Sanctuary * February 26, 2017 * 11 O clock Seventh Sunday after Epiphany *Sharing God s Love Prelude Precious Lord arr. W. Held Welcome and Announcements Introit: *Hymn No.180 - Christ upon the mountain Peak MOWSLEY *Opening Prayer (Unison) Holy God, we extol and honor you for who you are. We praise you for your faithfulness and for your tender mercies that are renewed every morning. We exalt you, Sovereign One, for every blessing of yesterday, the gift of this day, and the promises of our tomorrows. Grant us an enduring faith as we strive against oppression and despair. Endow us with contagious joy that uplifts the downtrodden and inspires hope in you. Increase in us the faith and courage of the prophets, the love of Jesus, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. In your majestic name we pray, Amen. *The Lord s Prayer [Unison] 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, the power, and the glory forever. Amen. *Gloria Patri No.. 805 Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Choir Anthem The Lord is a Mighty God Felix Mendelssohn Reading of the Psalm Psalm 2 One: Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying, Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us. Many: he who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill. One: I will tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to me, You are my son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your
possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter s vessel. Many: Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, with trembling kiss his feet, or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way; for his wrath is quickly kindled. Happy are all who take refuge in him. *Hymn No.543- Christ Beside Me Verses 1,3,4 BUNESSAN Scripture Lesson Matthew 17:1-9 Sermon Bringing Light to the Darkness Rev. Tom Cofer Coming to God in Prayer The Worship of God with Our Tithes and Offerings Offertory Deep River arr. A. Hailstork *The Doxology Praise God from whom all blessing flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen *Prayer of Dedication: God of Awe and Glory, receive these gifts as symbols of our trust in you. Bless the givers and those who desired to give. Multiply these offerings and the blessings they represent. Guide the disbursement of them according to your will. These things we ask in Jesus name. Amen. *Hymn No. 532- Be Thou My Vision SLANE Ministry Moment: This Sunday is one of remembering the transfiguration of Christ. Another word that could be used is transformation. How might the Holy Spirit be working on you to bring transformation in your life? Be on the lookout this week for ways in which God is calling you to be an instrument of His light. *Benediction, Choral Response, and Silent Commitment Postlude Voluntary W. Boyce * Those who are able to do so are invited to stand at this point in the service. Please note: All Hymns we sing are located in the Red Hymnal Book located in front of you. Please join us.
WELCOME! Our Mission is to: Welcome all people into the Family of Jesus Christ Minister to people in the name of Jesus Christ Teach people about Jesus Christ Lead People to serve and proclaim Jesus Christ Welcome to worship! In the words of the psalmist, let us exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool (Psalm 99:5, NIV). This morning s arrangement of altar flowers are presented to the glory of God by Barb Police to celebrate Shirley Abernathy s Special Birthday. Liturgist: Paul Peddie Ushers: Alan Nichols, Ralph and Kathy Jahn, and Chris Tompkins Greeters: Tom and Karen Berry Parking Lot: Larry Gill Service Opportunities: Receive the invitation to be more hands on in your ministry today the different ministries of the church need you! Invite someone new to experience the good news with us tell them how important First Church is in your life and how God can bring them peace and love! Don t forget about joining a class or a small group or two if you haven t already they are great opportunities to grow your faith and share in fellowship with one another. Join us for Ash Wednesday service this Wednesday, March 1st at 7 PM in the Sanctuary. March begins the season of Lent, and that means that we are looking forward to spending part of our Wednesday evenings (starting on March 8th at 7pm), with one another as we learn more about our faith and explore God s will for our lives. This year, our program will be Give up Something Bad for Lent by James W. Moore
Where Everyone Is Welcome First Church Congregational Join us for the Easter Season Services Ash Wednesday March 1st 7pm Service Palm Sunday April 9th 9am Contemporary Service in Chapel 10am Sunday school 11am Traditional Service in Sanctuary Maundy Thursday April 13th 7pm Worship with Holy Communion in the Sanctuary Good Friday April 14th 7 pm Worship in the Chapel Easter Sunday April 16th 9am Contemporary Service in Chapel 10am Fellowship Hour and Easter egg hunt 11am Traditional Service in Sanctuary All are Welcome and Invited! The normal schedule includes two Services 9 am Sunday Contemporary in the Chapel 10 am Sunday school for Children and Adults in CE Building 11 am Sunday Traditional in the Sanctuary each Sunday 7 pm Every Wednesday Lent Study March 8-April 5th
All March Book Swap in the Social Room Wednesday March 1st @ 7pm Ash Wednesday Service Thursday March 2nd Marketing 12pm Social Room Tuesday March 7th @ 5pm Council Retreat Wednesday March 8th @ 7pm Give up Something Bad for Lent Thursday March 9th @ 1pm Women s Fellowship Sunday March 12th @ 1pm Winter Jam Wednesday March 15th @ 7pm Give up Something Bad for Lent Monday March 20th @ 12-6pm Blood Drive Tuesday March 21st @ 1pm Heidelberg Wednesday March 22th @ 7pm Give up Something Bad for Lent Saturday March 25th @9am Vitality Days Wednesday March 29th @ 7pm Give up Something Bad for Lent Wednesday April 5th @ 7pm Give up Something Bad for Lent
Notes: Matthew 17:1-9 Bringing Light to the Darkness The most important thing I learned today : Because of this I will : Budgeted Pledges/ Contributions/ Loose Plate/ Donations January-December 2017 Contributions for 2017 Actual Pledges/ Contributions/ Loose Plate/ Donations January- December 2017 Under/Over Budget Pledges/ Contributions/ Loose Plate/ Donations as of January 2017 $24,124 $19,286 -$4,838
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP & SERVICE February 26-March 4, 2017 SUNDAY Contemporary (Chapel) 9am Child Care (Nursery CE Building) 9-12 am Choir (Sanctuary) 9:15 am Sunday School (CE Building) 10am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary) 11 am Fellowship Hour (Social Room) 12pm MONDAY Affirming Life (Chapel Lobby) 10:30 am Yoga (Davis Room) 3:30 pm Boy scouts (Social Room) 7 pm AA (North Room) 8 pm TUESDAY Yoga (Davis Room) 5:45 pm Cub Scouts (Social Room) 6 pm Painesville Women s Choir (Sanctuary) 7 pm WEDNESDAY Youth Group (Youth Room) 6pm ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE (Sanctuary) 7pm THURSDAY Marketing Meeting (Social Room) 12pm Turbo (Exercise Class) (Davis Room) 6 pm Pearl Street AA (Social Room) 6 pm FRIDAY Recovery (North Room) 6 pm SATURDAY PIYO (Exercise Class) (Davis Room) 8:30 am Kettle Ball (Exercise Class) (Davis Room) 10 am