February 12, 2006   SIXTH  SUNDAY  AFTER  EPIPHANY          9:30AM

Evangelism is one beggar telling another beggar where there’s a crust of bread.   -- D. T. Niles --

PREPARING   TO   WORSHIP   GOD

The Prelude                                                     Adagio in E Major                                                         Frank Bridge

The Welcome/Welcoming One Another

Church Family Announcements

Music for Meditation                           God, Our Author and Creator                                                John Peterson

            Lighting of the Candles                                                                           Acolyte: Megan Enright

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

PRAISING   GOD

The Call to Worship

            PASTOR:  We gather to praise and glorify God, who calls us from aimless living.

            PEOPLE: We, who bind ourselves to this world, seek a vision beyond ourselves and our

                              immediate circumstances.  We seek meaningful and joyful lives.

            PASTOR:  The Good News of Jesus Christ tells us that we are not bound to this world and its

                              values!  Christ offers us a new vision and vast possibilities for good.

            PEOPLE: Let us celebrate this good news, and live it, offering God truth and love to all who

                              will receive it.

*Hymn of Praise: #K-2 (Worship Book)             O God of Vision                                                        Lobe den Herren

*Prayer of General Confession (unison)

            Holy God, we dare to come again asking for forgiveness.  Too often we have tossed and turned

            through nights of emptiness, with little hope.  We have seen clouds without rejoicing over their

            refreshing rain.  We have confused freedom with license and mistaken humility for weakness.

            Forgive us, O God, and help to hear and believe the Good News of Jesus Christ, that we might

            have full, meaningful and joyful lives.  Now in the silence, hear our personal prayers of confession.

*Prayer of Personal Confession (in silence)

*Response:                      Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

*Assurance of Forgiveness

HEARING   GOD'S   WORD

Anthem                                         Sing Praise to God  (text of Hymn #6 alt.)                                  arr. Lloyd Pfautsch

Children’s Message

Children & Teachers Exit to Church School

Scripture Lesson                                                                                                                    MARK 1:28, 32-45

Sermon                                     LET’S   NOT   FORGET   THE   MISSION !           Rev. Dr. Gordon E. Ellis

includes unison reading: The Purpose of the Church: #A-1 (Worship Book)

*Hymn: #173                                 You Have Come down to the Lakeshore                              Pescador de Hombres

RESPONDING   TO   GOD'S   WORD

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

Presentation of Our Offerings & Tithes

Offertory Anthem:                       There is a Balm in Gilead (Jacqui Maddy)                                   arr. Mark Hayes  

*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

*Hymn: #530                                     God our Author and Creator

*Words of Parting (unison)

            Let us go forth celebrating the Good News of Jesus Christ and living out our purpose as a church:

            to love & worship God; to extend God’s radically-inclusive love to all people everywhere; to

            make more & better disciples of Jesus Christ; & to inspire people & society to become more &

            more just, loving, compassionate & Christ-like.

*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:                                                          O God of Vision                                                               John Leavitt

PLEASE   JOIN   US   DOWNSTAIRS   FOR   COFFEE   &   CONVERSATION

Ushers: Judy Miller, Doug & Kate Hutton, Joy & Rick White, Kay Dickson, Joe Yevich & Rose Dunlap

Coffee Hour Hosts: Maureen Lyon & Cindy Barley         Greeters: Ed & Bonnie Perry & Emily Jepson

Flowers: Given by Kim & Cassandra Byron in loving memory of grandmother, Jeannette Hemenway.

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: We pray for the Weitzke family, grieving the death of Bill’s mother, & the Silva family, grieving the death of Barbara’s brother-in-law.  Hospitalized: Jeannette Faitella & Fran Child.  Clive Greenough will have surgery this Thursday.  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; Matt Currao; our Stephen Ministers & care-receivers.

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

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 7:30pm!  Tickets: $10 ($5/under 18) from Church Office.  DON’T  MISS  IT !

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

JOHN  ARENS  TO  PREACH  NEXT  SUNDAY: At 9:30am only, John Arens will preach & lead the bulk of our worship service.  A Search Committee from another church, which has been considering John to be their minister, will be here to listen to John.  Please join us to welcome & support John.

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.

MOVIE  DISCUSSION  TONIGHT: Fiddler on the Roof.  Join us, 7:30pm, rooms #201/202.

MOVIES  THAT   MATTER happens again Friday, 3/10, 7:00pm, with Academy Award-winning movie: Life is Beautiful with a discussion on 3/12, 7:30, led by Sharon Vocke & Clare Lindsey.  Join us for discussion whether you watch movie at church or home.  FUTURE Movies:  ; 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!

MAUNDY  THURSDAY  ACTORS  NEEDED: 12 actors/actresses are required for our drama on Maundy Thursday, 4/13.  Please contact Crystal Sullivan (860-276-8614 or Kencryss@sbcglobal.net).

MUSIC  OF  THE  AGES  FOR  ALL  AGES:  A  CONCERT  BY  OUR  MUSIC  MINISTRY: 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, 7:30pm, in our Meetinghouse.  A free-will offering will be received for Southington Social Services.  DON’T  MISS  IT!

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!

SUMMER  CAMP  FOR  KIDS: Our United Church of Christ runs a wonderful summer camp for children & teens at Silver Lake Conference Center in Sharon, CT.  Brochure & registration are available on-line at http://silverlake.ctucc.org.  A limited number of brochures are available in our C. E. Office (see Karlene Archambeault or Carole Lantz).  Some scholarship $ available (see Gordon Ellis).

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 & Linda Fernandes-Bailey lead a new Living the Questions video Bible study: 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).

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.

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).

VOLUNTEER     OPPORTUNITIES

MAUNDY  THURSDAY  ACTORS  NEEDED: 12 actors/actresses are required for our drama on Maundy Thursday, 4/13.  Please contact Crystal Sullivan (860-276-8614 or Kencryss@sbcglobal.net).

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.

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 other cities & towns, Southington has initiated a town-wide reading event.  People in town will read the same book then discuss it in groups.  The book, Honky, by Dalton Conley, details the author’s experiences growing up as a white minority in a predominately black & Hispanic neighborhood in NYC.  Conley will also be at SHS at 7:00pm on Wednesday, March 8, to discuss the book in person.  

Given the subject matter, we encourage as many church members as possible to read the book & come to our own group discussion.  Our discussion is 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.  We will discuss our impressions of the book & draft questions for the author during his presentation the next day.  Please secure your own copy of the book.  The Southington Public Library has multiple copies.  Sign-up next to Gordon’s office to take part in this stimulating program.

TODAY’S   SCRIPTURE   LESSON

MARK  1:28, 32-45  At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.  That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons.  And the whole city was gathered around the door.  And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.  In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.  And Simon and his companions hunted for him.  When they found him, they said to him: Everyone is searching for you.  He answered: Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.   And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.  A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him: If you choose, you can make me clean.  Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him: I do choose. Be made clean!  Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.  After sternly warning him, he sent him away at once, saying to him: See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.   But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.