Old Greenwich, THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL United Church Connecticut CHURCH OF GREENWICH of Christ Celebrating 350 Years ~ 1665-2015 Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost 8 November 2015 10 o clock in the morning Ruth & Naomi, 1986 Artist, Dina Cormick www.creativewomanartist.com
The First Congregational Church of Greenwich declares itself to be open and affirming; open to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment, and affirming of all who wish to join us as children of God. We continue to give thanks for God s guidance in our journey of faith.
W elcome to The First Congregational Church of Greenwich this morning. We trust that you will feel our joy as a community of faith in sharing hymns, prayer, music, and our concern for one another and the world. We give thanks that we can share this time together as instruments of God s love. PREPARING FOR WORSHIP Please silence all cell phones and other electronic devices. *All who are able please stand. PRELUDE Nocturno Franz Strauss (1822-1905) Ray Guier, French horn Dr. Craig Scott Symons, piano CALL TO COMMUNITY Please sign and pass the red book. FIRST CHURCH FLASHBACK STEWARDSHIP What s My Why? Rev. Richard S. DenUyl, Jr. Lois Berlin Cynthia De Riemer PRAISING GOD CALL TO WORSHIP Eva Moore, Confirmand Leader: Our Loving God gathers us in the name of Christ who has called us friends. People: In friendship we come to share life with the one we love. Leader: Within this fellowship God makes Christ so known to us. People: Let us eagerly seek to please him in all that we say and do. Leader: May the glow of this friendship last into the coming days. People: May it be known to others as we share life with them. CHORAL INTROIT *HYMN Come, Let Us Join with Faithful Souls New Century (black) Hymnal 383
OPENING PRAYER (in unison) Rev. Avery C. Manchester God of friendship, God of journey, you call us to love one another and care for each other, whether friend or stranger. Sometimes this means we must journey into unknown places. Help us to trust. Awaken in us a sense of wonder that you have created us in love. Help us to pay attention to the loving relationships in our lives. Deepen our love for those close to us and stretch us to meet strangers and extend our care. May we live every day by your blessing, with love and hope. All this we pray in the spirit and power of Jesus, who invites us to pray together, 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. CHILDREN S MESSAGE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Go, My Children (to the tune All Through the Night) Go, my children, with my blessing, never alone. Waking, sleeping, I am with you; you are my own. In my love s baptismal river I have made you mine forever. Go, my children, with my blessing you are my own. (During the Congregational Response, Church School children and teachers will leave for their classrooms. Children in second grade and older will leave independently. Children in kindergarten and first grade will meet their teachers at the back of the Meetinghouse (narthex) and will go to their classrooms as a group.)
HEARING GOD'S WORD FIRST LESSON Rick Woodman Ruth 1:1-18 The Book of Ruth revolves around family relationships between husbands, wives, children, in-laws, and kinfolk and the role each member plays in fulfilling the needs of other members and, hence, the family as a whole. Ruth, whose name means friend, companion, is the widowed daughter-in-law of Naomi, whose name means pleasant. But Naomi herself has been widowed, and facing hardship calls herself Mara, meaning bitter. Ruth is a Moabite. The Moab were foreigners, looked down upon by the Israelites. The relationship between Moab and Israel was tense due to historical and political reasons. ANTHEM The Youth Choir Flying Free Don Besig (b. 1936) Carolyn Paulus, director Vance Briceland, piano There is a place I call my own Where I can stand by the sea And look beyond the things I've known And dream that I might be free. Like the bird above the trees Gliding gently on the breeze I wish that all my life I'd be Without a care and flying free. But life is not a distant sky Without a cloud, without rain And I can never hope that I Can travel on without pain
Time goes swiftly on its way All too soon we've lost today I cannot wait for skies of blue Or dream so long that life is through So life's a song I must sing A gift of love I must share And when I see the joy it brings My spirits soar through the air Like that bird up in the sky Life has taught me how to fly For now I know what I can be And now my heart is flying free! SECOND LESSON Stephanie Woodman Ruth 3:5; 4:13-17 In the passages preceding our scripture lesson, Ruth makes the choice to accompany Naomi back to Bethlehem. In a world, that was very hard for women, especially widows, who had no family ties or male support through marriage, Ruth works to support herself and Naomi. Here in the scripture lesson, Boaz, a relative of Naomi, eventually marries Ruth, offering support to both her and Naomi. Ruth and Boaz have a son, Obed, and this brings great joy to Naomi. Obed is referred to as a restorer of life and a nourisher of Naomi s old age. They form a new kind of family, and we hear that the grandfather of King David, of whom Jesus was said to have been a descendant, was the son of a foreigner. *HYMN Like a Mother Who Has Borne Us New Century (black) Hymnal 583 SERMON Loving Kindness Rev. Meghan D. Young
SOLO Andante Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) Ray Guier, French horn PASTORAL PRAYER RESPONDING TO GOD CALL TO OFFERING Johann Thalheim OFFERTORY ANTHEM The Chancel Choir I Dream a World André Thomas (b. 1952) Vance Briceland, piano I dream a world where man no other man will scorn, Where love will bless the earth and peace its paths adorn. I dream a world where all will know sweet freedom's way, Where greed no longer saps the soul nor avarice blights our day. A world I dream where black or white, whatever race you be, Will share the bounties of the earth and every man is free, Where wretchedness will hang its head And joy, like a pearl, attends the needs of all mankind-- Of such I dream, my world! (Text by Langston Hughes) *DOXOLOGY New Century (black) Hymnal 779 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all creatures here below; Praise Holy Spirit, Comforter; One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen. *PRAYER OF DEDICATION GOING FORTH TO SERVE GOD *HYMN Won t You Let Me Be Your Servant New Century (black) Hymnal 539
*BENEDICTION *CHORAL RESPONSE POSTLUDE Scherzo Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Ray Guier, French horn * * * Directly following the service, one of our pastors will remain in the Chapel to be available to anyone who has a pastoral care concern. Please join us for Fellowship Hour in the Auditorium following the worship service. The flowers in the Meetinghouse this morning are given in loving memory of Chuck Livingston by his family. We have child care for babies and toddlers every Sunday in the Preschool classrooms. Your children are always welcome in child care for the entire worship service or for a respite time if needed. We also now have two rows in the back of the chapel reserved for parents with infants or little ones who are not ready for the Nursery where the parents can be comfortable and still be part of worship. Please see an usher if you need help finding either of these locations. The 10:00 am Service is broadcast live each week on WGCH 1490 AM Radio. In addition, the service is available through the church s website: www.fccog.org. A bulletin can be found there as well as a link to the live broadcast. Previous sermons may also be found there. Calendar TODAY Church School Today our children will continue their Rotation Workshops on the Ten Commandments with games. Ask your children how many of
the Commandments they can tell you. Next week we ll finish this series. Be sure to sign up for First Church Day at Neighbor to Neighbor! See more info below under This Week. Parish Nurse Sue Asselin will be available for blood pressure screenings and health consultations in the Auditorium immediately following Worship. Cherub, Children s & Youth Choir Rehearsal Cherub Choir (grades K-2): Room 104 (Lower Level), 11:30 am 12:00 pm - Donald Haviland, director. Children s Choir (grades 3-6): Note New Location: Green Door Classroom in the Preschool (Lower Level), 11:15 am-12:00 pm - Craig Symons, director. Youth Choir (grades 7-12): Meetinghouse, 1:15 am-12:15 pm - Carolyn Paulus, director. Bible Study Starts TODAY Starting today and continuing through Sunday, December 6, Bible Study returns for a 5 week session. All are welcome! The group will meet in the Daniels Center (lower level) at 11:20 am following worship and Fellowship. Led by Rev. Avery Manchester. THIS WEEK Another First Church Day at Neighbor to Neighbor A First Church Day at Neighbor to Neighbor is not just for Church School! All church members are encouraged to join us this coming Saturday, November 14 as we volunteer in the Clothing Room and the Food Pantry, usually in two shifts 8:30 10:30 am or 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Since Neighbor to Neighbor has a policy of 12 year olds and older covering these operations, we have come up with an activity for our younger children who also want to be involved in Community Service. Neighbor to Neighbor will have a room available to us that day so that we can make Thanksgiving crafts to be included in the food packages that are distributed to the Neighbor to Neighbor clients for Thanksgiving. To sign up for either the Clothing Room, the Food Pantry or Craft Making, please email RosemaryL@fccog.org.
Brenda Stiers Memorial Speaker Series Continues Join us this Saturday, November 14 at 5:00 pm in the Meetinghouse for the next in the Brenda Stiers Memorial Speaker Series. Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, President, Union Theological Seminary and Dr. Robert Johnson, President, Institute for New Economic Thinking will present, Prophets & Profits, Economics and Theology in Today s World. A wine and cheese reception will follow in the Auditorium. Rev. Dr. Serene Jones will then be our guest preacher on Sunday, November 15 during our 10:00 am worship service. NEXT WEEK Nights Off Women's Group Gathering The next meeting of the Nights Off Women s Group is Monday, November 16 at 6:30 pm at the home of Barbara Norrgard. All are welcome to join us and bring a friend! At this gathering we will be doing a community service "bag" activity. More info will follow. Please bring a snack to share and whatever you would like to drink. Questions, please contact Shirley Flierl at fbtworld@aol.com and put "Nights Off" in the subject line. NEWS AND NOTICES It s Almost the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! The Giving Tree: Starting November 22, sign up to purchase Christmas gifts for those living at H.O.M.E. (Homeworkers Organized for More Employment), the non-profit organization that supports low-income and homeless families in Orland, Maine, or for those living at Pilgrim Towers, a senior residential community in Stamford. Wrapped gifts are due back to the church by December 6. H.O.M.E. Craft Sale: Saturday, November 21, 9 am-4 pm and Sunday, November 22, 11 am-1 pm in the Auditorium.
Stop by and enjoy a bit of Maine hospitality and holiday shopping. All proceeds from this sale go directly to H.O.M.E. Christmas Tree Sale: This year s Christmas Tree Sale begins on Saturday, November 28 and continues each Saturday (9:00 am-6:00 pm) and Sunday (11:00 am-5:00 pm) through December 13. Tell all your friends! And we need LOTS of volunteers so please sign up on the church website at fccog.org. 100% OF PROFITS GO TO CHARITY! Also, wreaths, garland, ornaments, accessories. Free family photos! Free delivery in Old Greenwich and Riverside! Advent Faith Formation Series - A Thrill of Hope: The Christmas Story in Word and Art, Mondays, November 30, December 7 and December 14, 7-8 pm. Sign up online at www.fccog.org./sign-up/, in the Church Office or on the easel in the Auditorium. Advent Craft Workshop: Sunday, December 6, 2-4 pm in the Daniels Center. Join us to prepare for Christmas with family, friends and fun! Live Nativity & Christmas Luncheon: Sunday, December 20 following worship. Christmas Eve: Thursday, December 24, 10 am, 3 pm, 6 pm and 9 pm services; 4 pm Christmas Caroling in Binney Park. News from The Rummage Room 191 Sound Beach Avenue Monday, November 9: See Manager Leanne s 50% off sales for the week at www.fccog.org/about-us/the-rummage-room. Wednesday, November 11: Veteran s Day - 50% off all merchandise, including jewelry. Monday, November 23: The Best Little Christmas Shoppe in Town opens at 1:00 pm. (Closed Monday morning from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm for restocking). Wednesday, November 25: The Rummage Room will close today at 1:00 pm for the Thanksgiving holiday. 50% off everything except Christmas items and jewelry. Thursday, November 26: Happy Thanksgiving Day! Friday & Saturday, November 27 & 28: 50% off all merchandise except Christmas items and jewelry.
Manager Leanne s Wish List: Christmas items, jewelry, handbags. Shopping Hours: 10 am-5 pm Mon-Fri, and 10 am-1 pm on Sat. Donation Hours: 9:30 am-4:30 pm Monday-Thursday and 9:30 am-12:30 pm Friday and Saturday. Update on Marcia Livingston, Chairperson of The Rummage Room, Rummage Room volunteer, and member of FCCOG: Marcia recently had surgery and came through it very well. She is now recovering at the Westchester Medical Center. Marcia would welcome E-Greetings as the patients receive them daily: http://www.westchestermedicalcenter.com/patientgreetingcard. Tai Chi Classes Come and experience the many wonderful benefits of Tai Chi and Qi Gong exercises. Classes are held on Wednesdays at 8:00 am and Thursdays at 9:00 am. Only $10 per class. Drop-ins are welcome. Neighbor to Neighbor Food Collection Please don t forget those in need. Items especially needed are dry beans (kidney, garbanzo, etc.) Tuna is not needed at this time. Also, cereal, canned fruit, pasta, peanut butter, jelly, sheets & towels. Next Week at First Congregational Church November 15, 2015 10:00 am Worship Service in the Meetinghouse Music by: The Chancel Choir The Storm is Passing Over by Barbara Baker Hanna Golodinskii, soprano Praise Him, All Ye Nations by L. V. Beethoven The Palmer Handbells Aria and Triumphal March by Michael Bedford Dr. Rev. Serene Jones, Guest Preacher
Where to find us: www.fccog.org Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram
The First Congregational Church of Greenwich 108 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich, Connecticut, 06870 203-637-1791; www.fccog.org Ministers: The Members of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich Senior Pastor: Rev. Richard S. DenUyl, Jr. Transitional Associate Pastor: Rev. Meghan D. Young Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care: Rev. Avery C. Manchester Director of Music: Dr. Craig Scott Symons Director of Family Ministries: Rosemary Lamie Youth Coordinator: Donald Haviland Director of Church Administration & Finance: Steve Summerton Office Manager/Sr. Administrative Assistant: Donna White Director of Membership: Ginny Breismeister Director of Communications: Barbara Wilkov Parish Nurse: Susan Asselin, RN Director of Preschool: Darla Kohler Steiner