March 18, 2007             CHAPEL    COMMUNION                      8:00AM

Jesus is holding up a mirror to us in this parable & the face in the mirror is our own.  But the mirror is also a window through which we can see deeply into the heart of God with its infinite love for us….    -- Robert W. Stackel --

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

PREPARING   TO   WORSHIP   GOD

Gathering Music

The Welcome/Welcoming One Another

Church Family Announcements

PRAISING   GOD

The Call to Worship

PASTOR:  Sisters and brothers, come back from the far country, from the separation of sin or the

      exile of self-contempt.

            PEOPLE: No matter how grave our sins may be, or how burdensome they seem, God longs

     to welcome us home, love us and forgive us!

PASTOR:  God asks us simply to accept forgiveness and then extend it to others.

PEOPLE: Let us worship God, who awaits our return with lavish love.

Hymn of Praise: #

*Prayer of General Confession (unison)

Holy God, we long for abundant life, fullness of life, yet we are enslaved by old habits, past

dispositions and accustomed patterns.  Forgive us and free us from them, O God.  We also know

that our inability to accept and extend forgiveness keeps us from living full and meaningful lives. 

Help us learn the art of forgiveness, that we might be able to both receive and extend forgiveness,

and have the new life it offers us.  Now in the silence, hear our personal prayers of confession.

*Prayer of Personal Confession (in silence)

*Assurance of Forgiveness       

HEARING   GOD'S   WORD                          

Scripture Lesson                                                                                                            Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Sermon                            ACCEPTING   &   EXTENDING   FORGIVENESS           Rev. Dr. Gordon E. Ellis

RESPONDING   TO   GOD'S   WORD

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

THE   SACRAMENT   OF   THE   LORD’S   SUPPER

The Invitation

The Sharing of the Bread and Cup

            (Please come forward, pew by pew, starting with the entire left side, front pew first.  The right

                side can then follow, beginning in the rear.  Break off a piece of bread & dip it into the cup.

                Inside gold container are gluten-free, wheat-free, corn-free, soy-free wafers for those with allergies.)

Prayer of Thanksgiving  (join hands)

Benediction

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Flowers: Given in memory of Joey and Andy, her brothers, by Nelly Lazariel.

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: Hospitalized this week: Betsy Mauri, Alan Beaudoin & Betsy Roberts.  We pray for Donna Blakey  & family, grieving the death of her mom.  We continue to pray for Joe Mercuri; 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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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 THIS 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 Rev. Cyndie Holden.  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!

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).

WEEKDAY   PARKING: When you come to church during on weekdays, 8am – 5pm, please be aware of the 2-hour parking limit in the municipal lot next to the church.  Though we own the land, we have leased it to the town, so we must obey the signs.  Actually it’s to our advantage because it keeps spaces open for us.  Previously Branford Hall students often filled them up for the day.

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.