Re
v. Patricia L. Liberty, Interim Senior Minister
January 27, 2008 Be Still: Contemplative Worship 6:00pm
Laity Sunday
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE
INFANT/TODDLER CARE BY ADULTS DURING ALL SERVICES IN OUR CHURCH NURSERY
PREPARING TO WORSHIP GOD
Prelude “Jesus Christ, Inner Light” Suzanne Toolan
Welcome & Church Family Announcements
Sharing the Peace of Christ
Music for Meditation “Before the Sun Burned Bright” Dan Schutte
PRAISING GOD
The Call to Worship
PASTOR: We who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
PEOPLE: Christ, the light of the world, shines in this place.
PASTOR: The light of Christ shines in the church.
PEOPLE: The cross of Christ brings a message of eloquent wisdom and saving power.
PASTOR: The light of Christ shines in our world.
PEOPLE: The call of Jesus turns us toward the light.
PASTOR: The light of Christ surprised Jesus’ first disciples.
PEOPLE: Will we, like Jesus’ early followers, hear a new calling today?
*Song of Adoration: (Insert) “City Of God” Dan Schutte
Prayer of Personal Confession (in silence)
Assurance of Forgiveness
HEARING GOD’S WORD
Scripture Lesson Matthew 4: 12-23
Sermon “CALLED TO FOLLOW” Rich Cote, Ellen Perkins-Simpson
A Moment of Silent Reflection
RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD
A Call to Prayer
Song of Prayer (Unison) Jesus Christ, Inner Light Suzanne Toolan
Words: Jesus Christ, inner light, let not our own darkness conquer us.
Jesus Christ, inner light, enable us to welcome your love.
(During this song, we invite you to come forward & light a prayer candle, symbolizing your prayers.)
The Call to Silence & the Ringing of Our Prayer Bell
Silent Prayer and Reflection
Song of Prayer (Unison) Sacred Is The Call Suzanne Toolan
Words: I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew. He moved my soul to seek him; seeking me.
It was not I that found, O Savior true; no, I was found, was found of thee.
The Pastoral Prayer
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Song “One Bread, One Body” John Foley, S.J.
(During the song, please come forward, take a piece of bread & dip it into the cup. In the gold
containers 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 the kneeling bench nearest you & kneel or stand for a blessing.)
*Prayer of Thanksgiving & Lord’s Prayer (please join hands)
*Hymn # 173 “You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore” Cesareo Gabarain
(During this song, our Deacons will pass baskets to receive your offering/tithe.)
*Benediction
PLEASE JOIN US DOWNSTAIRS NOW FOR COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Coffee Hour Host: Dan & Tracey Gabree
Flowers: Are in honor of all those participating in Laity Sunday services.
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 pray for the family of June Sardilli, who passed away on January 21. We keep Graham & Lois Hall & the Maddy family in prayer as they grieve the death of there aunt/great aunt, Gertrude. We pray for Howard Bowman who was hospitalized last week. We continue to pray for Dorothy Beadle, Bonnie Perry, Andrea Sinclair, 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).
THANK YOU to all who coordinated, worked &/or attended Saturday evenings Pasta Supper. Proceeds will benefit our February Youth Mission Trip to Mazatlan, Mexico.
NO TWIGS IN JANUARY. Rehearsals will resume on Wednesday, February 6th & Tuesday, February 12 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.
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 (free-will offering) then enjoy a Mardi Gras parade, pancake race & family Lenten crafts.
FEBRUARY 6TH IS ASH WEDNESDAY. Plan to attend one of our three Services of Penance: 7AM, 12Noon (followed by Lenten Luncheon - $3), and 7PM. All services will be held in our Meetinghouse.
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.
YEAR-END TAX STATEMENTS are now available in Memorial Hall. Please pick yours up so we can save on postage!
BREAD FOR LIFE WEEK Our week to serve is February 11 – 15. PLEASE sign-up (outside Pastor’s office) to volunteer to serve from 10am – 1pm just one day that week…more if you can.
FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEER NEEDED to work on Thursdays, 1:30 – 3:30PM. If you’re interested call Eldon Hafford at Bread for Life (276-8389).