Welcome! Thank You for Worshiping With Us Today!
Welcome to The First Congregational Church of Southington. Ours is an open & affirming congregation dating from 1724 & worshiping in our present Meetinghouse since 1830. One of the larger, more vibrant United Church of Christ churches in New England, our church’s purpose is to love & worship God; extend God’s radically-inclusive love to all people everywhere; make more & better disciples of Jesus Christ; & inspire people & society to become more & more just, loving, compassionate & Christ-like. You will find our church to be an accepting, caring, non-judgmental community, where faith is renewed, lives are transformed, & power for positive living is received. It’s a church where the Spirit is alive & miracles happen! Welcome!
T. G. I. SUNDAY: CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP
March 18, 2007 11:15am & 6:00pm
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
The Gathering Music
The Welcome & Welcoming One Another
Call to Worship
*A Time for Singing
*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
Children’s Message
Children & Teachers Exit to Church School
Video Clip from In Love and War
Scripture Lesson Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Sermon ACCEPTING & EXTENDING FORGIVENESS Rev. Dr. Gordon E. Ellis
Prayers of the Church
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
(Please come forward, break off piece of bread & dip it into cup. In the gold container are
gluten-free, wheat-free, corn-free, soy-free wafers for those with allergies.)
The Act of Blessing (A blessing by anointing is offered during communion to all who wish it.
After partaking of communion, go to either kneeling bench, & kneel or stand.)
*Prayer of Thanksgiving & Lord’s Prayer (please join hands)
*Song (During this song, an offering will be received to support our church & its ministries & missions)
*Benediction
*Response
PLEASE JOIN US DOWNSTAIRS FOR COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Greeters: 11:15am Barbara Stubbs & Anne, Richard & Sam McCarty 6:00pm Sally Thielman
Coffee Hour Hosts: 11:15am Lisa & Caitlyn Flynn 6:00pm Joyce Fritz
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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.
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).
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!
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.