March 11, 2007                     THIRD   SUNDAY   IN   LENT                                  9:30am

INFANT  &  TODDLER  CARE  BY  ADULTS  DURING  ALL  SERVICES  IN  CHURCH  NURSERY

PREPARING   TO   WORSHIP   GOD

Prelude                                                  Poem (Paul Babineau, piano)                                               Charles Callahan

The Welcome/Welcoming One Another

Church Family Announcements

Music for Meditation     My Shepherd Will Supply My Need (Celebration Ringers)                      DouglasWagner

                                  Lighting the Candles                                                                                       Acolyte: Cassandra Byron

PRAISING   GOD

The Call to Worship

PASTOR:  This is the day that our God has made!  Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

            PEOPLE: Come, let us worship and bow down!  Let us kneel before God, our Maker!

PASTOR:  God summons us here from classroom and carpool, office and kitchen, to hear God’s

      vision, to be renewed in faith, and to find courage and strength to be faithful disciples.

PEOPLE: We have come to watch and listen, that we might hear God’s Word to us.

Hymn of Praise: #74                          We Have Gathered, Jesus Dear                                     Liebster Jesu

*Prayer of General Confession (unison)

Eternal God, You call us to love You fully and completely, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. 

We confess, however, that we are selfish, willful people.  We claim You as our God, yet we avoid

relating to You and listening for Your voice.  We claim to care about our neighbors, yet we ignore

the needs of others, and even cause much human suffering.  We claim to be disciples of Jesus, yet

we spend very little of our time and energy promoting and accomplishing His mission.  Forgive us,

O God, and grant that we may live committed, compassionate and courageous lives, following the

manner of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  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

Anthem                              Kyrie (Mustard Seeds Children’s Choir; Dan Dietz, violin)                           Daniel Smith

Children’s Message

Children & Teachers Exit to Church School

Scripture Lessons                                                                                ISAIAH  55:1-9  &  LUKE 13:10-17                                        

Sermon                                     LISTEN,  SO  THAT  YOU  MAY  LIVE            Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree

Hymn of Reflection: #531                God, Speak to Me, That I May Hear                                                 Raquel

RESPONDING   TO   GOD’S   WORD

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

Presentation of Our Offerings & Tithes

Offertory Anthem:                                            You Are My God                                                                  Bob Chilcott

*Doxology          All things are Yours: we make that true when we return our gifts to You;

And so we give, and so we share, in Christ’s strong name expressing care.

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn: #191                                              Before Your Cross, O Jesus                                                    St. Christopher

*Words of Parting (unison)

           Let us go forth striving to listen to the voice of the Divine, who calls us beyond ourselves into

           service and mission, into the work of justice and peace, Christ’s work of love in this time and place.

*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.”

Music for Contemplation:                            Fugue on the Kyrie                                                                  Couperin

JOIN   US   DOWNSTAIRS   NOW   FOR   COFFEE   &   CONVERSATION

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

Greeters: Donna Blakey & Mildred Graseck             Coffee Hour Host: Cindy Barley & Maureen Lyon

Flowers: Given in honor of Rose Dunlap for her 70^th birthday by her grandson, Justyn Bowen.

Our Flower Chart to provide flowers in honor/memory of loved ones is now available in Memorial Hall.

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Joys & Concerns for Prayer: We pray for Rev. Linda Fernandes-Bailey & the 16 women on our Spirited Women’s Retreat this weekend.  We pray for the Robison family, grieving the death of John, & the Tetreault family, grieving the death of Ed’s mother.  Harry Theis will have surgery this Tuesday.  Hospitalized this week: Joe Mercuri & Betsy Mauri.  We continue to pray for Sue Parsons; Alan Beaudoin; Pat Diego; John Zigmont; Mary Carter; Janet Crocker; Betsy Roberts; Maureen Curtis; Pat Livingstone; & our Stephen Ministers & care-receivers.

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WE  WELCOME  REV.  DR.  DAVIDA  FOY  CRABTREE, our Conference Minister in our CT Conference of the United Church of Christ, as our guest preacher today.

THE  EXONERATED: Our adaption of The Exonerated, directed by John Baker (who recently toured with The Sound of Music) comes to Peace Café on March 30 & 31, 7:30pm, & April 1, 2:30pm.  It chronicles the stories of 4 wrongly-accused death row inmates.  Infused with poignant music, it’s a thought-provoking start to Holy Week, as we remember another death row inmate, Jesus!  Space is limited; get free tickets at Coffee & Conversation or from Shelley Nyren (860-628-2523 or shelnyren@sbcglobal.net).  Free-will offering at event.  Due to adult themes & language, play is not recommended for children under age 16.

MOVIES  THAT  MATTER will be offered on the big screen with surround sound on Friday, 3/23, at 7:00pm, in Peace Café.  The movie, Jesus Camp, will be shown, followed by a discussion led by Sue Meissner & Clare Lindsey.  Child care ($3/child for the evening) will be offered & refreshments will be available.  All are welcome!  Suggested donation: $2/person.  Our April movie will be Brokeback Mountain on Friday, April 20, 7:00pm, with discussion leader, Rich Szulczewski.

LENTEN  NOONDAY  SERVICES: Join us for a special 30-minute Lenten service at 12:00N each Wednesday through April 4 in our Chapel.  This week’s worship leader is our own Carol Ann Celella, who serves as Chaplain for the Central Association, CT Conference, United Church of Christ.  Lenten luncheons in Memorial Hall follow each Lenten Noonday Service for just $3.  ALL welcome!

HOLY  WEEK  VIGIL: Sign-up today for our Holy Week Vigil, when people will be in our chapel ‘round the clock’ (Maundy Thursday, 4/5, 9PM, through Easter Sunrise, 4/8, 6AM) for 1 hour each, worshipping, praying, meditating on behalf of all of us.  Sign-up next to Gordon’s office today!

DARFUR  INTERVENTION: Chris Doucet, our recent speaker on The Crisis in Darfur, urged us to write to former President Clinton asking him to travel to Darfur to witness & publicize the genocide there.  Letters for your signature are in Memorial Hall & next to our Church Office.  You may sign & send one yourself, sign one & leave it for us to send, or compose your own, but please help the suffering people of Darfur!  Your Missions Committee

SUMMER  CAMP: Our United Church of Christ runs a wonderful summer camp experience for children & teens at Silver Lake Conference Center in Sharon, CT.  Brochure & registration is now available on-line at www.ctucc.org (click on "Silver Lake").  We also have some scholarship assistance available.  See Karlene Archambeault or Carole Lantz.

NEW  MEMBER  SEMINARS: Those wishing to officially join our church are invited to attend one New Member Seminar, 7:00-9:30PM, rooms #201/202, either Tuesday, April 10  OR  Wednesday, April 11.  Once you have attended one, you may join at any of our 4 services Sunday, May 6.  Register for your choice by signing-up next to Gordon’s office or calling our Church Office (860/628-6958).

EASTER  BASKETS: We provide Easter baskets for D.C.F. kids through Covenant to Care.  TAKE basket(s) following all services TODAY (OR use your own).  FILL basket(s) with Easter goodies.  Return full basket(s) to Memorial Hall by Palm Sunday (4/1).  Questions?  Call Cathy Andrini (860/620-9782).

BUY  A  BUTTERFLY: Our children will sell paper butterflies ($1) following our 9:30, 11:15 & 6:00 services thru 4/1.  Butterflies will be hung in church on Easter in memory/honor of loved ones & money will support next year’s Youth Mission Trip to Mexico.

A  MARCH  TO  CHANGE  PRIORITIES: This Saturday, 3/17, a march will be held at Hartford’s Old State House, 3:00-4:30pm, for new priorities (health, education & jobs for all; safe cities; & benefits for returning troops) & against the war (which so far has cost $400 billion, 3000 U.S. lives, & hundreds of thousands Iraqi lives, not to mention ALL the wounded & ALL the destruction).  Carpooling will be offered from our church at 2:00pm, coordinated by Sam Hendrickson.  ALL are welcome to join us!  Sponsored by Seeds of Hope!

VOLUNTEER    OPPORTUNITIES

NURSERY  VOLUNTEERS  NEEDED especially for during our 6:00pm service on the 3^rd & 4^th Sundays of each month.  Adults & teens needed!  Please call Beth Winne (860-621-6159).

SOUTHINGTON  COMMUNITY  SERVICES needs canned fruit.  Please leave donations in our Mission Hope Chest in the Narthex.  Thanks!

HABITAT  FOR  HUMANITY  WORK  DAY:  Our next work day is SATURDAY, 3/17 (& 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!

NEW  COVENANT  TO  CARE  NEEDS: Kitchen table & chairs, mattresses (full & twin), bedsheets, pillows, bedroom sets for adult & a 5-year old.  ALSO needed (as always): Placement packs for all ages, including: Infant & Toddler (baby blankets, pacifiers, bottles, onesies, washcloths, wipes, sippy cups, diapers, toothbrushes, baby rattles/teethers, infant formula, baby food, baby cereal); Preschool (toiletries, wipes, color books/crayons, hand/body lotion, combs/brush, stuffed animals, small toy, books, small packaged snacks);  School Age (backpacks, markers, deodorant & other toiletries, pens/pencils, books, clothes, etc.).  Items may be left in our Mission Hope Chest in the Narthex. For more info, call Kim Rees (860-621-7768).   THANKS!

MORE   ANNOUNCEMENTS

DVD’S  OF  WEEKLY  WORSHIP: Gabe Selmi records weekly worship for our Church Library. Usually he records whichever service is convenient, but with prior arrangements, he record a specific service for you & provide you with a copy (such as when your child is being baptized).  Call Gabe (860-620-9587).

A  QUIET  CANDLELIGHT  PRAYER  SERVICE in the style of Taize is held EVERY Tuesday, 6:30-7:00pm, in our Chapel.  All welcome & encouraged to attend for quiet, reflective worship.

JR.  C.I.A. (grades 6-8)  COSMIC  BOWLING: Saturday, March 24, 6:00pm.  Cost = $10.  Sign-up next to Gordon’s office & meet at church that night.

KIDS’  CLUB (grades 2-5): Join us in Dodgeball City to continue the adventures of Joseph on Tuesday, March 20, 7:00-8:30pm, Memorial Hall.  Please sign-up next to Gordon’s office.

Today’s  Scripture  Lessons

ISAIAH  55:1-9   ¹ Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; & you that have no money, come, buy & eat! 

Come, buy wine & milk without money & without price.  ²Why do you spend your money for that which is not

bread, & your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen carefully to me, & eat what is good, & delight

yourselves in rich food.  ³Incline your ear, & come to me; listen, so that you may live.  I will make with you an

everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.  ⁴See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader &

commander for the peoples.  ⁵See, you shall call nations that you do not know, & nations that do not know you shall

run to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.  ⁶Seek the LORD while

he may be found, call upon him while he is near; ⁷let the wicked forsake their way, & the unrighteous their

thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, & to our God, for he will abundantly

pardon.  ⁸For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.  ⁹For as the heavens

are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways & my thoughts than your thoughts.

LUKE  13:10-17    ¹⁰Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.  ¹¹And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years.  She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight.  ¹²When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, Woman, you are set free from your ailment.  ³When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God.  ¹⁴But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.  ¹⁵But the Lord answered him and said, You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water?  ¹⁶And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?  ¹⁷When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

Today’s  Anthem  Text

Kyrie: Lord, forgive us, Christ, forgive us, Lord, forgive us, and have mercy on us.  When we come to you in prayer, we know that you’re always there, someone to share.  When we have a care, when we need a friend, and when we have sinned.

You Are My God:  You are the Light that guides my way; You are the Seeker when I stray; You are my Strength, and my Friend; You are my God.  You are the Peace that gives me calm; You are the Shelter from all harm; You are my Love and my sure Light; You are my God.  You are the Presence when hope is gone; You are with me, I am never alone; You are the Power that’s always there; You are my God beyond compare.  You are the One to whom I pray; You are the Lord with me this day; You are my Strength to my life’s end; You are my God.   -- David Adam --

SMALL   GROUPS

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

CRUISIN’  CONGOS: Family fun day in NYC!  Choose either The Bronx Zoo or The New York Botanical Gardens on Saturday, June 23.  Leave municipal lot next to church at 8:00am & leave NYC for home at 4:00pm.  The cost is $25 for bus & tip.  Admission costs & lunch are on your own.  Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.  Send full payment to Fred Nyren (276 Carriage Dr., Southington , CT 06489).  Questions?  Call Meredith Mann (860-628-8982).  ALSO: Save Oct. 3-4 for our Adirondack Foliage Adventure with lots of wonderful, fun activities.  More details coming soon!

NOTE  CHANGE   OF   SCHEDULE:  OUR  R.E.S.T.  SPIRITUAL  BOOK  CLUB (short for Reading for Enrichment & Spiritual Transformation) is led by Rev. Linda Fernandes-Bailey & meets monthly, 7:30 – 8:30pm, room #207.  For April 29^th, please read God’s Politics by Jim Wallis. You’re invited to read any or all books & attend any or all monthly sessions.

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 14 & 28.  For more info, call Carole Lantz.

PARENTS  &  TOTS  GROUPS meet Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 9:30-11:00AM, in Fellowship Hall (under Meetinghouse).  For info, call 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 & community to foster awareness, communication, educational opportunities & action regarding our role as compassionate Christians living in a small, small world, who take 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, promoting peace, justice, environmental concerns & more.  ALL  WELCOME!

Next meeting: APRIL 22, 7:30pm, room #204.

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).

DRUMMING  THE  SPIRIT  OF  LIFE:  A  DRUM  CIRCLE: Historically people have used the beat of the drum to connect with the Divine.  Whether you’ve drummed before or not, this group is for you.  Toes tapping & spirit soaring, your heart will beat to the rhythm of the drum.  You will fill with energy & want to move.  Bring a willingness to participate, meditate & praise God.  We have some drums, but bring one if you can (hand drums only).  Watch for sign-ups or call Nelly Lazariel (860-426-9368).