January 29, 2006                        LAITY   SUNDAY                        9:30AM

Our most important and fundamental task as Christians is to learn God’s story.  All our Christian beliefs, experiences & actions are dependent upon our internalization of God’s story, that is making God’s story our story.

                                                                                                                                          -- John H. Westerhoff, III --

PREPARING   TO   WORSHIP   GOD

The Prelude                                                                            (Sue Zoni, piano)

The Welcome/Welcoming One Another

Church Family Announcements

Music for Meditation                                 I Love to Tell the Story                                               Emma Lou Diemer

            Lighting of the Candles                                                                              Acolyte: Karla Maddy

(Acolytes needed: please call Kim Cassarella: 860-621-5412)

PRAISING   GOD

The Call to Worship                                                                                                                   Arthur Hansen

            LEADER:  We gather to hear about the story of our faith

            PEOPLE: about God’s mighty acts, about the brave deeds of prophets and heroes, and about

                              the noble work of persons who live out a commitment to Christ.

            LEADER:  We seek to immerse ourselves in the story of our faith

            PEOPLE: by striving to find our role within it, by interpreting it anew as it touches our

                              spirits and circumstances, and by allowing it to change us.

            LEADER: We hope to be ongoing participants in the story of our faith

            PEOPLE: as translators of love into action, as creators of justice and peace, and as

                              characters who confront life with a true sense of devotion.

            UNISON:  In worshipping God and listening to each other, we celebrate the story of our

                              faith.

*Hymn of Praise: #522                                       I Love to Tell the Story

*Prayer of Invocation (unison)                                                                                                     Arthur Hansen

            O God, as we worship You, lead us into life in all its fullness.  Help us to worship with all we are

            and have.  Let our laughter and our tears be instruments of prayer.  Let our loves and our delights

            fly out in a sky-parade, painting our world and our worship with color and sound.  Make our doubt

            the clay from which we shape our faith.  Let our fears boil within us until they emerge as shining

            hope.  And let the Light of the World be born in us until we radiate the love that is Christ.  Amen.

HEARING   GOD'S   WORD

Anthem:                                   God Gives Us Hope (Mustard Seeds Children’s Choir)                                      John Horman

Children’s Message                                                                                                                         Brett Powell

Children & Teachers Exit to Church School

Scripture Lesson                                         MATTHEW  5:13-16                                            Arthur Hansen

Meditations                                 I   LOVE   TO   TELL   THE   STORY !

Tori Hickerson          Joe Yevich          Cristy Shamus                                                                                                                          

RESPONDING   TO   GOD'S   WORD

Prayers of the Church & Lord’s Prayer (using sins)                                                                       Gloria Gelpke

Presentation of Our Offerings & Tithes                                                                                    Michon Nocera

Offertory Anthem:                                           Be Thou My Vision                                                       Bob Chilcott

*Doxology:     Praise God from who all blessings flow!  Praise God, all creatures here below!

Praise God above, you heavenly host!  Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost!

*Prayer of Dedication                                                                                                                Michon Nocera

*Hymn: #531                                   God, Speak to Me, That I May Speak

*Words of Parting (unison)                                                                                                                                  Michon Nocera

            Let us go forth shining our light in all the dark places in the world and telling the story of the

            great things God had done and continues to do in our lives.

*Benediction                                                                                                                               Michon Nocera

*Response: (join hands)                             Blest Be the Tie That Binds

Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.  The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.

Postlude:                                                                               (Sue Zoni, piano)                                                                 

PLEASE   JOIN   US   DOWNSTAIRS   FOR   COFFEE   &   CONVERSATION

Ushers: Bill & Maureen Lyon, Kristin Sabatino, Diane Lamb, Sandi Reed and Al & Barbara Stanco

Coffee Hour Hosts: Rose Dunlap and Ralph & Meredith Mann

Greeters: Damian & Dawn Cambacini and Laura Crowley

Flowers: 1. Given in loving memory of their parents, William & Margaret Stucky & Rita Gagnon by the Gagnon family.  2. Given by our Faithful Friday Folders in loving memory of Lucille M. Gemmell.

To give flowers in memory/honor of a loved one/event, sign-up on Memorial Hall FLOWER  CHART.

Joys & Concerns for Prayer: We pray for the Kalat family, grieving the death of Andrea’s mother, & the McCarty family, grieving the death of Rich’s grandmother.  Hospitalized: Andrea Sinclair, Clive Greenough, Jeannette Faitella.  We continue to pray for Diane Lamb; Matthew Plourde; Judy Costa; Maureen Curtis; Pat Diego; Janis Leger; Dorothy Greenough; Mary Lou Thompson; Donna Morin; John O’Connor; Matthew Currao; Pat Livingstone; our Stephen Ministers & care-receivers.

            *              *              *              *              *              *              *              *              *              *              *              *

CONVERSATIONS  WITH  YOUR  PASTOR  THIS  TUESDAY: Join Gordon Ellis in rooms #201/202 at either 10am or 7pm THIS Tuesday for conversation.  He wants to hear your joys, concerns, criticism, suggestions, hopes, fears & dreams regarding your church & its ministry, programs & missions.  He’d also like to hear your thoughts about our proposed Open & Affirming Statement.

SOUPER  BOWL  OF  CARING  NEXT  SUNDAY: Our youth will receive this special Super Bowl Sunday offering following each service NEXT Sunday to help alleviate local hunger.  Please help!

JOIN  US  TONIGHT  TO  DISCUSS  THE  EXONERATED: 7:30pm, room 201/202.  All welcome!

MOVIES  IN  THE   MEETINGHOUSE happens again on Friday, February 10, 7:00pm, with the movie, Fiddler on the Roof (sing-a-along).  Sue Meissner & Clare Lindsey will lead a discussion on Fiddler on the Roof on Sunday, February 12, 7:30pm, in rooms #201/202.  Join us for discussion whether you watch movie at church or at home…  FUTURE Movies:  March 10 (7pm)  Life is Beautiful with discussion on 3/12, 7:30, led by Clare Lindsey & Sharon Vocke; April 21 (7pm) The Scarlet & the Black with discussion: 4/23, 7:30pm, led by Gabe Selmi & Alice Niemczyski & May 12 (7pm) 12 Angry Men with discussion: 5/14, 7:30pm, led by Gordon Ellis & Sue Meissner.  JOIN US!

JIM   COLE   IN   CONCERT: Jim Cole, the James Taylor of Christian music, is known across the globe for songs like Humble Yourself as a Child, Master of My Heart, Every Generation, & In Bethlehem Tonight.  Mark your calendar: Jim Cole will be with us all day on Sunday, March 26.  He’ll share songs alone & with our choir or band at all 4 services, then offer a wonderful, Spirit-filled concert in our Meetinghouse at 7:00pm!  Tickets: $10 (from Church Office).  DON’T  MISS  IT !

QUIET  WORSHIP  IN  THE  STYLE  OF  TAIZE is offered EVERY Tuesday, 6:30-7:00pm, in our chapel.  It includes 10 minutes of silence, along with scripture, prayers & simple choruses.  Join us!

MUSIC  MINISTRY  CONCERT: Our church is blessed with a fantastic music ministry!  Join us to hear all of our musical groups: Senior Choir, Mustard Seeds Children’s Choir, The Celebration Ringers (handbell choir) and Branches (our T.G.I. Sunday worship band & singers).  It happens Saturday, March 11, 7:00pm, in our Meetinghouse.  A special free-will offering will be Southington Social Services.

SMALL   GROUPS

All small groups are open to everyone, whether or not you’ve ever attended before.

DRAMA  MINISTRY  GROUP plans &/or participates in church dramas & musicals, including brief worship dramas.  Next meeting: Monday, February 20, 7:00pm, in the Meetinghouse.  For info, call Crystal Sullivan (860/276-8614).

CRUZ’IN  CONGOS  TRAVEL  CLUB: Watch for more Cruiz’in Congos Travel Club plans soon!

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: February 1 & 15.  For more info, call Carole Lantz.

2  PARENTS  &  TOTS  GROUPS: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 9:30-11:00AM, Fellowship Hall (under Meetinghouse).  More info?  Contact Lisa Christensen (860-276-0235).  Fun for kids; fellowship for parents!

PRAYER  CIRCLE: EVERY TUESDAY, 7:00PM, Church Parlor.  Join us anytime!  Leave prayer requests & addresses (card will be sent) in the folder next to Church Office marked, “Prayer Requests.”

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: SUNDAY,  MARCH  5, 7:30PM, in room #204.  ALL WELCOME!

ProCRAFTinators is a group for those who enjoy crafts.  We meet the 2^nd & 4^th Thursdays of every month in Memorial Hall.  Bring a craft to work on or share.  For more info, call Meredith (860-628-8982).

SPIRITUAL   GROWTH   OPPORTUNITIES

SIGN-UP   TODAY   NEXT   TO   GORDON’S   OFFICE

EXPLORING  THE  WAY is a 1-hour, 7-week class introducing the spiritual journey.  Led by Bob & Martha Beaudoin, it meets Sundays, TODAY - 2/26, 10:00-11:00am.

FAITH  LESSONS  FROM  THE  HOLY  LAND is a video discussion series filmed at sacred sites in the Holy Land by biblical scholar & teacher, Ray Vander Laan.  All NEW is In the Dust of the Rabbi: Becoming a Disciple.  Gordon Ellis will lead this 3-session experience on what it really means to be a disciple of Jesus on 3 Wednesdays, February 1, 8 & 15 at 10:00 am & 7:00pm, rooms 201/202. 

NEW  BIBLE  STUDY: Gordon Ellis will lead Living the Questions’ new video Bible study, Victory & Peace OR Justice & Peace, taught by historical Jesus scholar, John Dominic Crossan.  It’s will be presented at 7:00pm on 4 Wednesdays, March 8-29, in Memorial Hall as part of new Lenten Family Nights, which will also include a potluck supper at 6pm (bring a dish to share), a program for children (Fun Lenten Crafts for Kids) at 7pm, & infant/toddler care.  Mark your calendar TODAY!

VOLUNTEER     OPPORTUNITIES

2006  CALENDAR  FOR  EVERY  DOLLAR  FEEDS  KIDS: For $25 you get a 2006 Wall Calendar that puts you in a drawing for a weekly thank you gift (average value: $25).  Call Church Office.

RING,  RING  THOSE  BELLS ! !  If you have enjoyed the sound of handbells, consider joining our bell choir.  Practice is on Mondays, 7:15 - 8:30pm.  We’ll teach you what you need to know.  We ring monthly at 9:30am Morning Worship.  For more info, call Beverly Simpson (860-621-6217).

TWIGS  CONTEMPORARY  CHILDREN’S  CHOIR, for grades 1-8, rehearses 1^st & 2^nd Tuesdays of each month, 6:00-6:45pm in our Meetinghouse, & sings on the 3^rd Sunday of each month at either our 11:15am or our 6:00pm service.  For more info, contact Crystal Sullivan (860-276-8614).

INFANT/TODDLER  CARE  PROVIDERS  NEEDED during 11:15AM & 6PM services.  Even 1 Sunday/month will help; Safe Church training provided.  Can you help out?  Please call Beth Crowley Winne after 6:00PM (860/621-6159) or e-mail her at Crowleyba@cox.net.

HABITAT  FOR  HUMANITY  WORK  DAY:  Our next work day is SATURDAY, 2/18 (& monthly on the 3^rd Saturday).  Sign-up TODAY next to Gordon’s office!  Men, women & teens (16 & over) welcome.  If you can’t join us to work, please consider providing fuel for the volunteers, SNACKS, morning break food for 15-20 people.  Call Michael Halloran, (860/426-1304) for more info or to sign-up.  Thanks!