February 19, 2006 SEVENTH  SUNDAY  AFTER  EPIPHANY      9:30AM

   “It’s easier to go down a hill than up, but the view is better from the top”

PREPARING   TO   WORSHIP   GOD

The Prelude                                                   Adagio in E Major                                                      Frank Bridge         

The Welcome/Welcoming One Another

Church Family Announcements

Music for Meditation                                     Tallis’ Third Tune                                                      Charles Callahan

            Lighting of the Candles                                                                         Acolyte: Katrina Aberizk

PRAISING   GOD

The Call to Worship

            PASTOR: We gather to strengthen one another, to share one another’s burdens.

            PEOPLE: We come with open minds, open hearts, and open arms. We come with our whole                                                                                                                  being open to the Word of God. 

            PASTOR:  The Spirit of God is present to heal us and make us whole.

            PEOPLE: We rejoice in the presence of the Creator, the love of the Redeemer, and the

                              power of the Spirit.

 *Hymn of Praise: #273                  Praise With Joy the World’s Creator                 Lauda Anima (Praise My Soul)           

*Prayer of General Confession (unison)

O God, our Redeemer, we confess before You this day our weakness and our faithlessness.  We

confess that we have failed to see You in the needs of our neighbors, that we have turned our backs on their suffering, that our ears have been deaf to their cries, and that we have failed to carry one another’s pains.  Forgive us when we are complicit in injustice, when we profit from the conditions that create poverty, and when our worship is superficial, our prayers selfish, and our beliefs justify our own behavior. Forgive us, Lord.  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                             A Time to Sing Praise (Mustard Seeds Children’s Choir)                              Robert Leaf

Children’s Message

Children & Teachers Exit to Church School

A Brief Interview With Lori Stafstrom

Scripture Lesson                                                                                                                            MARK 2:1-12

Sermon                  WHAT  A  FRIEND  WE  HAVE  IN  A  FRIEND  OF  JESUS       Rev. M. John Arens

*Hymn: #178                               We Have the Strength to Lift and Bear                                 Tallis' Third Tune

RESPONDING   TO   GOD'S   WORD

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

Presentation of Our Offerings & Tithes

Offertory Anthem:                          Sing Praise to God (text - hymn 6, altered)       Mit Freuden Zart, arr. Lloyd Pfautsch

*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: #495                                Called as Partners in Christ’s Service                                           Beecher                                     

*Words of Parting (unison)

            Let us leave this holy place praying for the courage to be friends.  Let us leave this place praying

            for the wisdom to understand the needs of our sisters and brothers.  Let us leave this place praying

            for the pride to proclaim our love for Jesus everywhere in our lives.  Let us leave this place with

            confidence in our Creator, with love for our Savior, and with trust in the Spirit that unites us all.

*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:                                                       Sing Praise to God                                                    Helmut Walcha

PLEASE   JOIN   US   DOWNSTAIRS   FOR   COFFEE   &   CONVERSATION

Ushers: Gail Fulop; Gary, Lisa & Garrett Cooper; George Moore; Judy Chatfield & Geoffrey Doble

Coffee Hour Hosts: Kate & Doug Hutton & Melinda Baumgartner

Greeters: Paul & Nancy Smith and Colin Daigle

Flowers: In loving memory of our daughter, Alice Elisabeth Maddy from Ben & Jacqui Maddy.

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

Joys & Concerns for Prayer: We pray for our Youth Mission Trip participants & advisors in Washington, D.C.  We celebrate the births of Emily Hayes Taylor (2/8), daughter of Doug & Julie Taylor, & Daniel Joseph Falco (2/15), son of Tony Falco & Michelle Nucifora.  Matthew Plourde had surgery this week.  Hospitalized: Joy Nell, Fran Child & Jeannette Faitella.  Upcoming surgeries: Pat Livingstone (2/27); Clive Greenough (3/2).  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.

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WE  WELCOME  JOHN  ARENS as our worship leader today.  John coordinates our Men’s Breakfast Club & chairs the Board of Directors of Every Dollar Feeds Kids.  He served our church as a Minister-in-Training several years ago.  A Search Committee from an area church is here to listen to John today.

ASH  WEDNESDAY  IS  MARCH  1^st: Our holiest season, Lent, begins Wednesday, March 1^st.  We offer 3 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.  Gordon’s life-giving sermon: Kill the Cyclops.  A luncheon ($3) follows the 12:00N service.

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 !

SPECIAL  OFFERING  NEXT  SUNDAY: Our sister church, Central Congregational in New Orleans, can no longer pay its pastor, Rev. Wilmer Brown, because of Hurricane Katrina.  He has committed to stay anyway.  Our CT Conference, U.C.C. is helping with a special offering, hoping that each church can raise $300.  Our offering is NEXT Sunday at all 4 services!  Would you 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.

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!

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).

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).

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!

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.

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

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: TOMORROW, 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: 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).

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 2:1-12   When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.  ²So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them.  ³Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.  ⁴And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay.  ⁵When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”  ⁶Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ⁷“Why does this fellow speak in this way?  It is blasphemy!  Who can forgive sins but God alone?”  ⁸At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts?  ⁹Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’?  ¹⁰But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— ¹¹“I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” ¹²And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

TODAY’S   ANTHEM   TEXT

A Time to Sing Praise

by Robert Leaf

There is a time to weep, there is a time to laugh,

                                                Everything has its very own season, Everything has its time.

                                                There is a time to pray, there is a time to preach.

                                                There is a time to gather together praising the Lord with Alleluia.

                                                There is a time to mourn, there is a time to dance.

                                                There is a time when silence is golden, there is a time to speak

                                                There is a time to work, there is a time to play.

                                                There is a time to gather together praising the Lord with Alleluia.

                                                There is a time for Bach, there is a time for blues.

                                                Everything has its very own season, everything has its time.

                                                There is a time to pray, there is a time to preach.

                                                There is a time to gather together praising the Lord with Alleluia.

                                                Now’s the time to sing Alleluia!

                                                                                                (Robert Leaf, based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-7)

GORDON’S  CHALLENGING  SERMON  NEXT  SUNDAY will be a revised re-run of last week’s (blizzard of 2006) sermon: Let’s Not Forget the Mission, based on Mark 1:28, 32-45.