Rev. Patricia L. Liberty, Interim Senior Minister
January 27, 2008 LAITY SUNDAY 9:30am
INFANT & TODDLER CARE BY ADULTS DURING ALL SERVICES IN CHURCH NURSERY
Please turn off cell phones. THANK YOU!
PREPARING TO WORSHIP GOD
The Welcome and Welcoming One Another
Church Family Announcements
Prelude Cantata 142: Alleluia Joann Sebastian Bach
Lighting the Candles Acolyte: Nick Powell
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?
*Hymn of Praise: #18 Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer Cwm Rhondda
*Prayer of Invocation (Unison)
O Christ, the light of the world, you have called us to this house of prayer today. You have invited us to be together in the presence of your word that we hear in scripture and song. We will speak prayerfully and listen attentively. We ask now for a hopeful and expectant spirit as we anticipate a word of guidance, or comfort, or challenge, or even a new calling in this time of worship. We know you surprised Peter and Andrew, James and John so that they left their fishing nests to follow you. We wonder what you have in store for us? Help us to know. Amen.
*Response: Be still and know that I am God (3 times)
HEARING GOD’S WORD
Anthem Walk in the Light (text of Hymn 160) arr. André Thomas
(MUSTARD SEEDS, Sue Zoni, piano)
Children’s Message Dawn Gambacini
Children & Teachers Exit to Church School
Scripture Lesson Matthew 4:12-23
Sermon “Called to follow” Rich Cote, Mary DeCroce, Shelly Nyren
Hymn of Reflection: #172 Jesus Calls Us, o’er the Tumult Galilee
RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD
Prayer of the Church & Lord’s Prayer (using sins) Gus Stubbs
Presentation of Our Offerings and Tithes
Offertory Anthem The Lord is My Light Stephen Sturk
*Doxology Praise God from who all blessings flow! Praise God, all creatures here below!
Praise God above, you heavenly host! Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost!
Prayer of Dedication
*Hymn of Commitment: #495 Called as Partners in Christ’s Service Beecher
*Words of Parting (unison)
Let us go forth attentive to Jesus’ call “Come and Follow,” open to all the surprises that it can bring.
*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.”
Postlude Cantata 142: Concerto Johann Sebastian Bach
(Trumpets: Joseph Enright, Tia Jones, Ted Shaw)
JOIN US DOWNSTAIRS NOW FOR COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Ushers: Fred & Lita Nyren, Lori St.Pierre, Doris Smith, Nancy Smith, Don Leger, Paul Norton
Greeters: Paul & Nancy Smith Coffee Hour Host: Donna Blakey, Ellen Simpson
Flowers: Are in honor of all those participating in the 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).