BEING FOOLS FOR CHRIST !
September 11, 2005 OUR RALLY DAY CELEBRATION 11:00AM
YMCA CAMP SLOPER
Consider your own call, brothers and sisters… God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
-- 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 --
For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all… because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to mortals. We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. -- 1 Corinthians 4:8b-10 --
PREPARING TO WORSHIP GOD
Introit Music Be a Clown Cole Porter
The Welcome/Welcoming One Another
Church Family Announcements
*Welcome Song Words: We come in joy to this service, where God is here in our midst.
Come, let us worship together: women, men, young, old and kids.
We come to show how God loves you. We see God’s love in your face.
Come be a part of our family. God accepts you, really it’s true.
God accepts you by God’s grace.
PRAISING GOD
The Call to Worship
LEADER: Come, foolish people: God is calling us. The God of Wisdom wants our attention.
PEOPLE: Why are we called foolish in the church? Does God think we are foolish people?
LEADER: Have we embraced the world’s talk and actions? Have we turned away from God’s
expectations?
PEOPLE: People call us foolish when we take faith seriously. The world thinks us strange if
we are different.
LEADER: God’s foolishness is wiser than our wisdom. God calls each of us to the grace of the
cross.
PEOPLE: God is the source of our life. Alleluia! Let us be fools for the sake of Christ!
*Hymn of Praise: God of Love and Joy and Laughter
Words: God of love and joy and laughter, calling us to fruitful days.
May we be the echoes after church and people sing your praise.
Your love calls our love to being, grows, surrounds, upbuilds and holds.
Clears our eyes for keenly seeing all the world your love enfolds.
When we join in celebration, grateful for abundant gifts,
Send again that revelation of your grace that heals all rifts.
Grant us love that’s deeper, stronger, as the days turn into years.
Wisdom fuller, patience longer, Faith and hope through joy and tears.
*Call to Confession
LEADER: The wisdom of the world is foolishness with God. We have become enmeshed in the
world’s foolishness. Let us confess our distance from God’s design.
*Prayer of General Confession (unison)
O God, we confess that we have accepted the world’s wisdom as our guide. We have been
impressed by the power of weapons and the importance of high positions. We measure
worth by the number of possessions we command. We are filled with anxiety about
ourselves and forget to rejoice in the gifts that You have given us. We have doubted the
power of the cross to save. Turn us around, Holy God, that we might be blessed. Amen.
*Assurance of Forgiveness (responsively)
LEADER: The God who forgives calls us to a life of mercy toward both friend and foe.
Rejoice and be glad: from God we receive wisdom, love and true power!
PEOPLE: God’s saving power has come to us through Jesus Christ! Thanks be to God!
HEARING GOD’S WORD
Sermon and Clown Introit I AM A CLOWN OF GOD Rev. Ruth Ann Martz
New Testament Lesson The Fishing Expedition MATTHEW 4:18-20
Old Testament Lesson Noah’s Ark Clown Skit GENESIS 6 - 9
Anthem (play along with kazoos) Jesus Loves Me
Clown Skit Cast Your Burdens
Silent Prayer
Clown Prayer (unison)
Dear God, help me create more laughter than tears, dispense more happiness than gloom, spread
more cheer than despair. Never let me grow so big that I fail to see the wonder in the eyes of a
child or the twinkle in the eyes of the aged. Never let me forget that I am a clown….that my
work is to cheer people up, make them happy, and allow them to laugh: to forget momentarily
all the unpleasant things in their lives. Never let me forget to call upon my Creator in my hour
of need or to acknowledge You in my hours of plenty. Amen.
Communion
*Halleluah Chorus Skit (play along on kazoos)
*Benediction
LEADER: As you go forth, may you create more laughter than tears, dispense more happiness
than gloom and spread more cheer than despair. And may the God of laughter and smiles, love and wisdom, continue to be with you, always and forever. Amen.
*Response (tune: Beer Barrel Polka)
Worship has ended, go now and let your light shine!
Loving each other, and praising God all the time!
It’s time to picnic, everything’s ready to eat!
Join church family for the party! It’s a special treat!
(OFFERINGS & TITHES may be deposited in the baskets as you leave worship.)
JOIN US UNDER THE PAVILION FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY PICNIC
We thank our Accordion Band: Karlene Archambeault, Ted Andrzejczuk & Michael Scirocco.
Members of Our Board of Deacons will usher & greet you this morning.
Church Picnic: We thank our Fellowship & Hospitality Committee & all who have planned & prepared our church picnic today.
Joys & Concerns for Prayer: Sybil Williams had surgery this week. Marjorie Garry was hospitalized this week. Bonnie Perry will have surgery this week. We continue to pray for Jack Kalamajka (infant son of Jason & Jennifer, grandson of Jim & Cheryl); Nancy Mastrianni; Donna Morin; Rachel Childress; Tony Niemczyski; John O’Connor; Walter Holmquist; Matthew Currao; Pat Livingstone; our Stephen Ministers & care-receivers.
* * * * * * * *
WE WELCOME THE REV. RUTH ANNE MARTZ as our guest worship leader today! Ruth Anne is an ordained minister, Christian educator & youth minister in our United Church of Christ. She also regularly offers clowning and storytelling workshops & performances.
PLEASE STAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY PICNIC under the pavilion following this service, even if you did not bring any food to share. Then stay and enjoy the facilities here at Camp Sloper!
THE HEART OF ITALY: A 14-DAY TRAVEL SEMINAR TO ITALY, hosted by Gordon & Diane Ellis, is being planned for June 28 – July 11, 2006. Watch our newsletter for more details. If you have an interest, please contact Gordon Ellis (gordon@firstchurchsouthington.org), who will send you a detailed brochure. An INFORMATIONAL NIGHT about the trip will be offered at 7:00PM THIS Wednesday, 9/14, in Memorial Hall. CHECK IT OUT !
CHURCH SCHOOL BEGINS NEXT SUNDAY AT 9:30AM, 11:15AM & 6:00PM. Start the year out right! Special services of worship will be offered at 9:30AM, 11:15AM & 6:00PM on the theme, Sailing Toward the Promise. Children (grade 1-8) should begin in worship, then move to Church School. Anyone who has not received registration materials should come ½ hour early.
MOVIES IN THE MEETINGHOUSE: Join us monthly on the 2nd Friday, 7:00pm, for a movie showing in our Meetinghouse. Then, we’ll offer a discussion of the movie on the Sunday following its showing (at 7:30pm). Join us for the discussions, even if you watch movie at home. Coach Carter was shown Friday & will be discussed TONIGHT (led by Gordon & Diane Ellis). The Stanford Project is 10/14, with discussion 10/16 (led by Sam Hendrickson). Hotel Rwanda is 11/11, with discussion 11/13 (led by Steve Nyren). Movies in the Meetinghouse are sponsored by our Seeds of Hope group.
HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF: If you’d like to help in the relief efforts, please make checks payable to First Congregational Church, but clearly mark them Emergency USA. We will send them on immediately through our United Church of Christ and Church World Service. Thank you!
CHURCH FAMILY WORSHIP CELEBRATIONS will be offered Apple Harvest Festival Sundays, 10/2 & 10/9. Our entire church family will gather for a single service each week at 10:00AM in the auditorium at Southington High School. It will be blended worship (both choir & band; both traditional & contemporary). Children will worship with us! There will be NO WORSHIP SERVICES at church.
MORNING GROUP FOR WOMEN POT-LUCK LUNCHEON: THIS Tuesday, 11:30AM, Memorial Hall. ALL women welcome!
MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS !
SAFE CHURCH TRAINING: September 14, 7:00PM, rooms #201/202. CPR/AED Training will be offered the same night, 7:00pm, in room #203. Please sign-up next to Gordon’s office.
PRUEBA ECUADOR! TASTE ECUADOR ! Join us Monday, October 17, 6:00pm, Memorial Hall, for a special Ecuadorian dinner (a rice & chicken dish, fried plantains, & fruit) & a presentation about our 2005 Ecuador Mission Trip & our experience at the orphanage, Fundacion Sor Dominga Bocca, which we support through Every Dollar Feeds Kids. Please sign-up ASAP outside Gordon’s office.
MARCH ON WASHINGTON SEPTEMBER 24th: A group from church is attending the Bring the Troops Home march on Washington, D.C. on Saturday, September 24th. Buses reservations may be made at http://stepfour.com/peacebus/. The cost is $70. Our bus leaves from Cromwell at 11:30pm on 9/23. To carpool, contact Sam & Irene Hendrickson, Clare Lindsey or Diane Ellis.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION: Individualized spiritual direction is available here at church. Certified Spiritual Director, Maryanne Healy, offers it on a fee-for-service basis. Brochures are available next to the Church Office & on the table in the Narthex. If you wish, Maryanne will help you discern if it’s right for you. To take advantage of this opportunity, call Maryanne (203-729-8851).
SR C.I.A. (grades 9-12) TRIP TO SIX FLAGS NEW ENGLAND & concert by recording artist, Rebecca St. James: Sunday, 9/18, 10am – 7:00pm. Cost $35 plus food $. As always, financial assistance is available if needed. Sign-up next to Gordon’s office or contact Rick (860-620-0513).
NIGHTWATCH: Jr. & Sr. C.I.A. (grades 6-12) are invited to this unique & powerful overnight experience at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. We meet at church at 2:00pm Friday, November 4, & return at 7:00pm on Saturday, November 5. The cost is $60/person (assistance available if needed). Sign-up next to Gordon’s office. Call Rick Haverly (860-620-0513) with questions.
2006 ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS AVAILABLE from Rose Dunlap (860/628-8778). Choose Hartford area, New Haven area, or out-of-state for $30 each. Great gifts!
OUR ADDICTION ASSISTANCE NETWORK is for individuals/families needing confidential assistance with problem drinking, drug use, gambling, etc. Contact Steve & JoAnn Ray (203-591-1291).
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WORK DAY: Our next work day is September 17th (& the 3rd Saturday of each month). Please sign-up TODAY next to Gordon’s office! Men, women and teens (16 & over) welcome. SNACKS NEEDED: If you can’t join us, please consider providing fuel for volunteers: morning break food for 15-20. Call Michael Halloran, (860/426-1304) for more info or to sign-up. Thanks!
The Making of a Clown (Clown Recipe)
Find one human being (color, sex, creed, size irrelevant)
Add one pound of love
Sprinkle one package each of humor and laughter
Sift one and a half teaspoons of trust
Blend 450 grams of forgiveness
Pinch in two ounces of acceptance
Fold in several heaping tablespoons of good warm human feelings
Pour 2-3 cups of human celebration
Salt according to taste
Mix in a teaspoon of courage
Marinate in silence (a few giggles allowed)
This recipe will be a success every time, regardless of substitutions. Substitute whatever you have available. If you are out of love that day, add two teaspoons of courage. Sift through the ingredients three times. Place in processor and blend until smooth. Pour into a spring-form pan. Bake until mixture bounces back up when pressed down into its center. (Could take a few years). Recipe not suited for energy conservation. Allow to cool and rest in silence. Begin to decorate with greasepaint and costume.
(From: Finding The Clown In Yourself, by Jack Krall and Jan Kalberer)
SMALL GROUPS
All small groups are open to everyone, whether or not you’ve ever attended before.
CRUZ’IN CONGOS TRAVEL CLUB: Attention Big E fair-goers: sign-up today for our bus trip for Connecticut Day, 9/21. $32.pp includes bus & Big E admission. We leave from the municipal lot at 8AM. Enjoy shows & entertainment all day, historic Storrowton Village Museum, a super circus, horse shows, livestock, shopping, great food, crafts & more. Why hassle with driving & parking? We’ll let you out & pick you up (4:00PM) at the gate. Children welcome! Call Meredith Mann 628-8982 for more info or send check to Fred Nyren, 276 Carriage Dr., Southington, CT 06489.
QUILTS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED GROUP meets every other WEDNESDAY, 10:00AM, room #207, to sew quilts to comfort children in need. No need to sew; you may cut, piece or tie. Next meetings: September 7 & 21. For more info, call Carole Lantz.
2 PARENTS & TOTS GROUPS will be offered this year, one on Tuesdays (beginning October 11) & the other on Wednesdays (beginning October 12). Both will meet 9:30-11:00AM in Fellowship Hall (under Meetinghouse). For more information, please contact Lisa Christensen (860-276-0235).
PRAYER CIRCLE: EVERY TUESDAY, 7:30PM, Church Parlor. Join us anytime! Leave prayer requests & addresses (card will be sent) in the folder next to Office marked, “Prayer Requests.”
FIRST CHURCH SINGLES is a NEW & evolving group in our church to deal with the joys & struggles of being single. The group meets MONTHLY on the 2nd Tuesday, 7:30-9:00PM & occasionally for social activities. Next meeting: Tuesday, September 13 (room 204). All singles welcome! For more information, call Charlaine Ogren (860-621-2677) or John Sperduti (860-585-1307).
BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP is reading Father Joe by Tony Hendra. The group will meet Wednesday, September 28, 7:00PM, at the home of Linda Lawrence (621-4432), 54 Crestview Drive.
SEEDS OF HOPE GROUP works in & through our church to foster awareness, communication, educational opportunities & action regarding our role as compassionate Christians living in a small, small world & taking seriously Jesus’ statement, Whatever you do to even the least of your brothers & sisters, you do it to me. The group sponsors forums, speakers, film & book discussions & more.
Next meeting: OCTOBER 30, 7:30PM, in room #204. ALL WELCOME!
MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS
VIDEOS OF SUNDAY SERVICES & SPECIAL EVENTS are available in our Church Library.
EVERY DOLLAR FEEDS KIDS OFFERING ENVELOPES are available next to Church Office.
CHILD CARE for infants/toddlers is offered at all 4 Sunday services in our Infant/Toddler Nursery.
CHECK OUT OUR CHURCH’S WEBSITE, www.firstchurchsouthington.org. You’ll love it!
SR. HIGH YOUTH NIGHTS AT CHURCH: Youth are encouraged to join us Sundays, 7:30-8:30PM, rooms #201/202. All 9th-12th graders welcome! Friends too!
INVEST IN A CHILD, BUY A BIBLE: 2nd & 6th graders will receive Bibles on 10/2 at our service at Southington High School. The cost per Bible is $20, but the benefit to the child is priceless. Sign-up to give one in the Pavaillion today or Memorial Hall before 9/25. For info see Karlene or Carole.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
INFANT/TODDLER CARE PROVIDERS NEEDED during our 9:30AM, 11:15AM & 6:00PM services. It’s a great way to help & get to know more people in our wonderful church family…. No lesson plans…. No supplies…. Just lots of huge hugs & children’s smiles. Committing as little as one Sunday per month will help us immensely. Please call Beth Crowley after 6:00PM (860/621-6159).
HANDBELL FREE FOR ALL: Sunday, September 18, 10:30AM, Memorial Hall, for all who would like to try ringing. We’ll show you how. You might also try out our Begin to Ring classes in September & early October. For info, contact Beverly Simpson (860/621-6217) or bsimpson01@snet.net).
SENIOR CHOIR INVITES SINGERS: If you enjoy singing, consider joining our Senior Choir & singing at 9:30am Morning Worship on Sundays. Rehearsals are Thursdays (7:30-9:30pm) & Sundays (8:45am), beginning September 15. For more info, contact John Parsons (860-747-1693 or 860-621-6252).
MUSTARD SEEDS CHILDREN’S CHOIR is for children in grades 2-9. They sing monthly at 9:30am Morning Worship. Rehearsals are Sundays, 10:45am-12:15pm in the Choir Room, beginning 9/18. For more information, contact John Parsons (860-747-1693 or 860-621-6252). ALL WELCOME!
TWIGS CONTEMPORARY CHILDREN’S CHOIR, for grades 1-8, rehearses Tuesdays 6:00-6:45pm in our Meetinghouse (beginning 9/20) & sings on the 3rd Sunday of each month at either our 11:15am or our 6:00pm service (your choice). For more info, contact Crystal Sullivan (860-276-8614).
FAITHFUL FRIDAY FOLDERS are a group who fold our Sunday worship bulletins each & every Friday morning at 9:00AM, as well as our monthly newsletters toward the end of each month. More folders are always needed & newcomers are always welcome. Contact Faith Flugrad (860-628-8018).
SECRET PAL PRAYER PARTNERS NEEDED for each Confirmand next year. These are families/individuals, who pray for & encourage our young people in their faith journey through the year with occasional notes/cards or small remembrances offered in secret. Your identity will be revealed when you meet your secret pal Confirmand at coffee hour after they are confirmed. Please contact Karlene Archambeault (860-229-5908) or Carol Ann Celella (203-272-6071).
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS NEEDED: We need hosts for one Sunday/month after 11AM & 6PM services. If interested, please contact Barbara Stubbs (203-440-8958) or Stacy Jagello (203-729-0892).
GARDENERS NEEDED to tend our beautiful church gardens this summer: please sign-up for one or more weeks next to Gordon’s office. It’s easy & fun. And if it rains, your work is done. Questions? Call Gloria Amenta (860/628-7300) or Sue Vivian (860/621-8729).
ARTS, CRAFTS & BAKE SALE: Saturday, November 12, open to members & friends of our church. Do you have a hobby, craft, artwork, or special talent or service you’d like to sell & then donate a portion of your proceeds to your church? We need participants & those willing to help organize this event. If interested, contact Barbara Stubbs (203-440-8958).