Rev. Patricia L. Liberty, Interim Senior Minister

January 20, 2008 CHAPEL COMMUNION 8:00AM

PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE

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

PREPARING TO WORSHIP GOD

Quiet Reflection

Gathering Music

The Welcome/Welcoming One Another

Church Family Announcements

PRAISING GOD

The Call to Worship

PASTOR: John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and declared,

PEOPLE: Here is the Lamb of God.

PASTOR: John saw the Spirit descending on Jesus after the baptism and said,

PEOPLE: This is the Son of God.

PASTOR: John saw Jesus walking by, and he exclaimed,

PEOPLE: Look, here is the Lamb of God.

PASTOR: Jesus says to all who expectantly look to him,

PEOPLE: Come and see.

ALL: Come and see.

*Hymn of Praise: (insert) Christ, Be My Leader Slane

*Prayer of Confession (Responsive)

Leader: Forgive us Lord, for keeping our distance. We are more comfortable worshiping you from afar. We call you all-powerful and all knowing because those words keep us from being too familiar with you.

People: Forgive us for keeping our distance.

Leader: We read about you, speculate about you, argue about you, and think we know about you. We don’t know if we can know you.

People: Forgive us for keeping our distance.

Leader: We’re polite and respectful, reserved and cautious when it comes to being religious. We’re even nervous about having you get too close to us.

People: Forgive us for keeping our distance.

Leader: At the same time we long to know you and be known by you. Help us in our confusion.

ALL: Forgive us for keeping our distance. Amen.

*Assurance of Forgiveness

HEARING GOD’S WORD

Scripture Lessons John 1:29-42

Sermon “Come and See” Rev Linda Fernandes-Bailey

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: Are given in loving memory of our parents Adeline & Leslie Bacon and Mary & Frank Huber by Beverly and Bob Huber.

Our 2008 Flower Chart to provide flowers in honor/memory of loved ones is now available in Memorial Hall.

Pick a date, don’t forget your phone number, and Meredith or Bev will be in touch.

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Joys & Concerns for Prayer: We celebrate with Matt, Bonnie & Jenna Plourde the adoption of Owen Tuan (10/17/2007). We pray for Cherry Reiniger and Elaine Barrasso who were hospitalized last week. We continue to pray for Dorothy Beadle, Bonnie Perry, Andrea Sinclair, Ted Andrzejczuk, Pat Diego, Matthew Currao (Iraq), Betsy Roberts; Vi Hart; Mitzi Cronin; Maureen Curtis; Pat Livingstone; our Stephen Ministers & care-receivers.

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FOR PASTORAL NEEDS & EMERGENCIES call any of our ministers: Patricia L. Liberty (401-499-7752),

Rick Haverly (860-620-0513), Cyndie Holden (203) 206-9507 or Linda Fernandes-Bailey (1-860-274-9907).

ALTAR FLOWERS are needed next Sunday (1/27). If you would like to donate flowers in MEMORY/HONOR of a loved one call Bev Huber (621-0871) by Tuesday, 1/22.

NO TWIGS IN JANUARY. Rehearsals will resume on February 6^th at 6pm.

SCHEDULING EVENTS: It is very important that all events and meetings planned in the building get cleared and posted with the office. On many an evening the building is filled to capacity and it is not fair to bump someone who has cleared their meeting with the office ahead of time. Plan ahead 628-6958.

COFFEE HOUR HOSTS NEEDED at our 6:00pm, service. You only have to commit to it once every 2 months. Call Barbara Stubbs (203-440-8958.)

OUR CHURCH’S WEBSITE, www.firstchurchsouthington.org

A REMINDER TO PARENTS –Dismissal times for church school are: 9:30am – 10:45am; 11:15am – 12:30pm; 6:00pm – 7:15pm. If the service is over before dismissal time, please go to Memorial Hall until church school ends.

Pasta Dinner This Saturday, January 26^th, 6-8PM in Memorial Hall. To support our February Youth Mission Trip to Mazatlan, Mexico. $7.50 adult & $3/ 5yrs. and under. Tickets on Sale Today!

LAITY SUNDAY is January 27. The theme is “Called to Follow.” LAST CHANCE to participate, call Rev. Linda Fernandes-Bailey.

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER –MARK YOUR CALENDAR! February 5, 6pm in Memorial Hall. We’re celebrating Mardi Gras and preparing ourselves for Ash Wednesday and Lent. Men’s Club will serve a traditional pancake supper then enjoy a Mardi Gras parade, pancake race and family Lenten crafts.

FREE CPR/AED TRAINING: on January 23 for full training. Session begin at 7pm in room 201/2. Sign-up outside the Pastor’s office.

SAFE CHURCH FIRE DRILL. Some time between January & May we’ll have a fire drill with no advanced notice. If you hear the fire alarm during the church service, follow the directions from the minister. DO NOT GO THROUGH THE CHURCH to get anyone. All children will be evacuated by their teachers/infant care staff (they’re usually out before anyone else).

LOST: Ladies navy pea coat hung in Memorial Hall on Sunday, January 6. Keys in pocket. Also on January 13 another coat, a brown coat with leopard fur on collar/hood with leather gloves in pockets. Please check your closets and call the church office if you find either one (628-6958).

DEACON’S FUND OFFERING for January will benefit our February Youth Mission trip to Mazatlan, Mexico. 25 youth and their advisors will build an addition at the mission church, Villa del Sol, on the outskirts of the city.

CHOCOLATE SALE! Seeds of Hope committee will be selling Kallari chocolate in Memorial Hall after all services TODAY. Think ahead for Valentine’s Day…if it lasts that long!

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

INFANT/TODDLER NURSERY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ALL SERVICES: Adults & teens! Can you help out once/twice monthly? Contact: Beth Winne (860-621-6159 or BethWinne@yahoo.com).

FOOD PANTRY NEEDS FOOD: Please help! Bring mac/cheese, cold cereals, soups, tuna, canned fruits/vegetables, baked beans, jelly, peanut butter & pasta & sauce to our Missions Committee Hope Chest in the Narthex or bring a gift certificate from a local grocery store to the church office for the purchase of perishables. Thank you!

FUND-RAISING CHALLENGE: At our Annual Meeting, we voted in a budget that included a fund-raising challenge of over $7,000, hoping members would rise to the occasion & do creative fund-raising. Have an idea? Can you help? Contact Linda Accuosti (860-628-7737) or Nancy Smith (860-628-4896). So far…we’re half way there!!

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WORK DAY: Our next work day is SATURDAY, February 16^th (& monthly on the 3^rd Saturday. Sign-up TODAY next to the pastor’s office! Men, women & teens (16 & over) welcome. If you can’t join us to work, please consider providing fuel for the volunteers, SNACKS, for 15 to 20 people. Call Michael Halloran, (860/426-1304) for more info or to sign-up. Thanks!

COVENANT TO CARE NEEDS: New or gently-used T-SHIRTS (adult or child)…. 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!

SMALL GROUPS

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

BREAKFAST CLUB: Meets the 2^nd Thursday each month (Sept. – June), 8-9am, Memorial Hall. Breakfast $1. Meets next on February 14th, Speaker: Mark Kopec of Southington will speak on a variety of subjects relating to our national government. As a frequent visitor to Washington and his involvement with Lobbyists, new innovative discoveries and inventions relating to our defense department, he will have many interesting stories to relate.

CRUISIN’ CONGOS: Watch for future activities soon! For info, call Meredith Mann (860-628-8982).

QUILTS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED GROUP meets every other WEDNESDAY, 10:00AM, room #201/2, to sew quilts to comfort children in need. No need to sew; you may cut, piece or tie. Next meeting: January 30. For more info, call Carole Lantz.

PARENTS & TOTS GROUPS meet Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 9:30-11:00AM, in Peace Café. Contact Lisa Christensen (860-276-0235). Fun for kids; fellowship for parents!

PRAYER CIRCLE: EVERY TUESDAY, 4:00-5:30PM, Church Parlor. All welcome! Leave prayer requests & addresses (card will be sent) in 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 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 etc, promoting peace, justice, environmental concerns & more. ALL WELCOME! For info, call Randy Yale (919-606-5757 or randy-y0@yahoo.com). Usually meets the 1^st Sunday each month. Next meeting: February 3, 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).

SENIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP (grades 9-12) meets Sunday evenings: in Peace Café, 7:30-9:00pm. For more information, contact Rick Haverly (860-620-0513).

R.E.S.T. (Reading for Enrichment and Spiritual Transformation) Read Holy Play by Kirk Byron Jones then join us for a discussion tonight, Sunday, January 20, 7:30pm in room 207. Led by Rev. Linda Fernandes-Bailey.

OUR ARCHIVAL COMMITTEE meets every Thursday from 10am – Noon in room 201/2 (except the summer months). Do you like working on small projects? Why not join our group to organize our church’s history. For more info call Doris LaRese (860-628-7550).

Today’s Scripture Lesson

JOHN 1:29-42

²⁹The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ³¹I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” ³²And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. ³³I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ ³⁴And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”³⁵The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, ³⁶and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” ³⁷The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. ³⁸When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” ³⁹He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. ⁴⁰One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. ⁴¹He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). ⁴²He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies (9:30am service)

Christ, whose glory fills the skies, Thou, the true, the only Light,

Sun of Righteousness, arise, Triumph o’er the shades of night.

Day-spring from on high be near; Day-star in my heart appear.

Dark and cheerless is the morn unaccompanied by Thee;

Joyless is the day’s return Till Thy mercy’s beams I see,

Till they inward light impart, Glad my eyes, and warm my heart.

Visit, then, this soul of mine, Pierce the gloom of sin and grief;

Fill me, Radiancy Divine, Scatter all my unbelief.

More and more Thyself display, Shining to the perfect day. Amen.

-Charles Wesley, 1740

Prelude Ponderings: The Power of 3

Based on John 1:29, Bach sets the chorale 3 times, each verse in a triple meter. Verse 1 has the tune in the soprano (God over all things?) Verse 2 in the middle of bass and soprano (God among us?) Verse 3 uses the melody as the bass under flowing quarter notes; three notes to a beat, three beats to the measure (God as the ground of our being?) The prelude ends with rapidly rising eighth notes (our prayers ascending?)

Bach shared his understanding of God through music. Here we see a strong belief in the Trinity in the Person of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God Unspotted.

OUR CHURCH CALENDAR