February 5, 2006   FIFTH   SUNDAY   AFTER   EPIPHANY         9:30AM

‘Our kingdoms go’ is the necessary & unavoidable corollary of ‘Thy kingdom come’.  For the more there is of self, the less there is of God.  The divine eternal fullness of life can be gained only by those who have deliberately lost the partial, separative life of craving & self-interest.   -- Aldous Huxley --

PREPARING   TO   WORSHIP   GOD

The Prelude                                          A Mighty Fortress is Our God                                                     J. S. Bach

The Welcome/Welcoming One Another

Church Family Announcements

Music for Meditation                       Eternal Truths – Unseen Realities                                          Daniel Pinkham

            Lighting of the Candles                                                                       Acolyte: Lauren Casarella

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

PRAISING   GOD

The Call to Worship

            PASTOR:  We gather today to praise and worship the one and only living God!

            PEOPLE: Let us turn away from the gods that we create, from our preoccupation with the

                              things of this world, and from all things that draw our allegiance from God.

            PASTOR:  Let us, instead, ponder eternal truths and unseen realities.

            PEOPLE: Let us open ourselves to the healing touch of Christ, who casts out the demons

                              within us, freeing us to worship the one and only true God.

*Hymn of Praise: #439                                 A Mighty Fortress Is a God                                               Ein’ Feste Burg

*Prayer of General Confession (unison)

            O God of all times, places and people, we confess our self-centeredness and arrogance.  We have

            been pre-occupied with earthly pleasures, made gods of things that are not God, and failed to trust

            and worship You alone.  Forgive us, O God, and open us to Christ’s healing touch, that we might

            find the newness of life and fullness of life that He has promised to all who are faithful.  Now in

            the silence, hear our personal prayers of confession.

*Prayer of Personal Confession (in silence)

*Response: #745        Holy God, Holy and mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy upon us.

*Assurance of Forgiveness

HEARING   GOD'S   WORD

Scripture Lessons                                                                                         JOHN 1:35-46  &  MARK 1:21-28

Sermon                                                    PICKING   A   WINNER !                          Rev. Dr. Gordon E. Ellis

*Hymn: #176                                  “Silence!  Frenzied, Unclean Spirit”                                               Authority

RESPONDING   TO   GOD'S   WORD

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

Presentation of Our Offerings & Tithes

Offertory Anthem:                                         O Rest in the Lord                                                         Hal H. Hopson

O rest in the Lord; wait patiently for Him.  And He shall give you your hearts desire:

And fret not yourself for evil ones; Commit your way to Him and trust in Him. (Ps.37:1,5,7)

*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

THE   SACRAMENT   OF   THE   LORD’S   SUPPER

The Invitation

Prayer of Consecration

The Sharing of the Bread & Cup

The Prayer of Thanksgiving

*Hymn: #450                                     O For a Closer Bond With God                                                     Beatitudo

*Words of Parting (unison)

            Let us go forth celebrating that Christ frees us from bondage to the demons within and the

            “gods” without, that we might follow and serve the one true God, who offers us fullness of life.

*Benediction

*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:                                              A Mighty Fortress is Our God                                               Helmut Walcha

PLEASE   JOIN   US   DOWNSTAIRS   FOR   COFFEE   &   CONVERSATION

Ushers: Members of our Board of Deacons      Greeters: Bill & Karen Andres and Katherine Andres

Coffee Hour Hosts: Deborah Leggett and Rick & Pat Diego

Flowers: In observance of Scout Sunday from Troop #32, which meets in our church.

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

Several March dates are open.

Joys & Concerns for Prayer: Hospitalized: Jeannette Faitella.  Clive Greenough will have surgery on 2/16.  Pat Livingstone will have surgery on 2/27.  We continue to pray for Diane Lamb; Matthew Plourde; Andrea Sinclair; 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.

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

USHERS  NEEDED: Would you usher 1 Sunday/month at 9:30AM starting in March?  Training provided.  Substitutes available.  Get to know more people!  Sign-up next to Gordon’s office TODAY.

JIM   COLE   IN   CONCERT: Jim Cole, the James Taylor of Christian music, is known around the world 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 sing 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 ($5/under 18) from Church Office.  DON’T  MISS  IT !

YOUTH  MISSION  TRIP  SPONSORS: Would you like to be a sponsor for our February Youth Mission Trip to Washington, D.C.  Youth will be at Coffee & Conversation TODAY and NEXT Sunday.

MOVIES  THAT   MATTER is THIS Friday, 2/10, 7:00pm, featuring Fiddler on the Roof (sing-a-along).  Sue Meissner & Clare Lindsey will lead a discussion of Fiddler on the Roof NEXT Sunday, 2/12, 7:30pm, in rooms #201/202.  Join us for discussion whether you watch movie at church or home.  FUTURE Movies:  March 10 (7pm)  Life is Beautiful with discussion on 3/12, 7:30, led by Sharon Vocke & Clare Lindsey; 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 for these Movies That Matter!

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) & Branches (our T.G.I. Sunday worship band & singers).  It’s Saturday, March 11, 7:00pm, in our Meetinghouse.  A free-will offering will be received for Southington Social Services.

ASH  WEDNESDAY  SERVICES  OF  PENANCE: The holiest season on the year, Lent, begins on Ash Wednesday, March 1^st.  We offer 3 brief Ash Wednesday Services of Penance, when you may receive ashes.  Services are at 7:00AM in Chapel (30 min.), 12:00Noon in Meetinghouse (30 min.) & 7:00PM in Meetinghouse (45 min.).  Plan to attend one. A luncheon ($3) follows the 12:00N service.

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!

CHECK  OUT  OUR  CHURCH’S  WEBSITE, www.firstchurchsouthington.org.  You’ll love it!

VIDEOS  OF  SUNDAY  SERVICES  &  SPECIAL  EVENTS are available in our Church Library.

CHILD  CARE for infants/toddlers is offered at all 4 Sunday services in our Infant/Toddler Nursery.

SMALL   GROUPS

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

NEW  BIBLE  STUDY: Gordon Ellis leads a new video Bible study from Living the Questions entitled, Victory & Peace OR Justice & Peace by historical Jesus scholar, John Dominic Crossan.  It will be presented at 7:00pm on 4 Wednesdays, March 8-29, in Memorial Hall as part of our Lenten Family Nights, which 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!

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: Spring Fling to Coopertown, NY on Tuesday, May 23; $65/person.  Choose 2 from these 3: Baseball Hall of Fame (with many new features), James Fenimore Mansion & Art Museum or The Farmers’ Historic Museum.  Leave municipal lot (next to church) at 7am sharp & return about 8pm.  Cost is for transportation & 2 admissions.  Call Meredith Mann (860-628-8982) for details OR just send a check with your 2 choices to: Fred Nyren, 276 Carriage Drive, Southington, CT 06489.  ALSO: watch for our exciting overnight Autumn Adventure to Vermont, coming in the fall.

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 15 and March 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).

BREAKFAST  CLUB meets THIS Thursday, 8:00-9:00am, in Memorial Hall.  A full breakfast is always only $1.  Our speaker is our own Shelley Nyren on The Benefits of Physical Therapy.  JOIN  US!

MEN’S  BREAKFAST  CLUB, breakfast & conversation for men, meets monthly on Saturdays, 9:00-11:00am, Memorial Hall.  Next meeting: Feb. 25.  For more info, call John Arens (203-573-8195).

MORNING  WOMEN’S  GROUP: ALL women are invited to a Valentine’s Day potluck luncheon on Tuesday, 2/14, 12:00N, in Memorial Hall.  Bring your favorite dish; beverage & dessert provided.

VOLUNTEER     OPPORTUNITIES

HEALTH  KITS  FOR  DISASTER  RELIEF?  The do-it-yourself Church World Service kits will be available in Memorial Hall & Chapel from TODAY through Sunday, February 26, with a return by date of March 5^th (Return to Memorial Hall.).  These kits were used extensively for disaster relief in the Gulf Coast, New Orleans and most recently in Pakistan.  Would you fill one or more kits for us?  THANKS!

COVENANT  TO  CARE: Carseats needed for family in need: 2 toddler seats (for 11 mos. old & 2.5 yr. old) & a booster seat (for 4 year old).  Call Kim Rees to help out (860-621-7768).  Thank you!

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.

EVERY  DOLLAR  FEEDS  KIDS  OFFERING  ENVELOPES are available next to 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  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!

A Church Family Opportunity to Participate in the Southington Reading Initiative

Following similar events in cities & towns across the country, Southington has initiated its own town-wide reading event.  People throughout the town will read the same book then come together in groups to discuss it.  The planning committee for Southington (which included John Ryan) selected the book, Honky, by Dalton Conley.  The book details the author’s experiences growing up as a white minority in a predominately black & Hispanic neighborhood in NYC.  An added benefit of the event is that Conley will be at Southington High School at 7:00pm on Wednesday, March 8, to discuss the book in person.  

Given the subject matter, we would like to encourage as many members of the congregation as possible to take part by reading the book & coming to our own group discussion.  Our discussion will be held at 7:00pm on Tuesday, March 7 in room #204, led by Chuck Miceli, who also grew up in an ethnically diverse neighborhood in NYC.  At the discussion we will share & discuss our impressions of the book, as well as draft some questions to ask the author during his presentation the following day.  Please note that you will need to secure your own copy of the book.  The Southington Public library has multiple copies to loan.  Please sign-up next to Gordon’s office if you’d like to take part in this stimulating program.