Rev. Patricia L. Liberty, Interim Senior Minister
February 3, 2008 Be Still: Contemplative Worship 6:00pm
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE
INFANT/TODDLER CARE BY ADULTS DURING ALL SERVICES IN OUR CHURCH NURSERY
“There is no shortage of epiphanies in this world. Those of us who have not yet glimpsed the full brightness of the Lord may still behold his glory, reflected all around us as we stand within the cloud.” Barbara Brown Taylor
PREPARING TO WORSHIP GOD
Prelude “Radiant Light Divine” Rufino Zaragoza
Welcome & Church Family Announcements
Sharing the Peace of Christ
Music for Meditation “Greensleeves Fantasia” Old English Tune
arr. By Anne McGinty
PRAISING GOD
The Call to Worship
PASTOR: The glory of God makes every day holy!
PEOPLE: The light of God shines in every face!
PASTOR: We gather for worship and trust God’s presence in our midst, sharing our joy, enlivening our song.
PEOPLE: In the depths of our struggle, we trust that God is present, giving us courage and peace beyond understanding.
PASTOR: God’s holiness touches all things, all people, all times, all places.
PEOPLE: May God’s light, singing the face of Christ illumine all our days. Thanks be to God!
*Song of Adoration: (Insert) “Glory and Praise to Our God” Dan Schutte
Prayer of Personal Confession (in silence)
Assurance of Forgiveness
HEARING GOD’S WORD
Scripture Lesson Matthew 17: 1-9
Sermon “Seeing the light of christ” Rev. Patricia Liberty
A Moment of Silent Reflection
RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD
A Call to Prayer
Song of Prayer (Unison) Lumen Christi Gregory Norbet
Words: Lumen Christi, light of Christ; Holy, Blessed, Son of God.
(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) “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.
The Pastoral Prayer
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Song “Radiant Light Divine” Rufino Zaragoza.
(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 # (Insert) “What You Hear In the Dark” Dan Schutte
(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: Sandy DeStefano
Flowers: In Honor of Boy Scout Sunday.
Our Flower Chart to provide flowers in honor/memory of loved ones is 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 keep Nancy Bowman and family in our prayers as they grieve the death of Howard. We pray for Jeannette Faitella and family as they grieve the death of her brother, Herb. We celebrate the baptism of James Smith, III, (9:30) son of James and Nancy Smith and also the baptisms of Andrew and Benjamin Vroeginday (11:15), sons of Barry and Tracy Vroeginday. We pray for Wes Babkirk 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).
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).
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.
HOLY WEEK VIGIL: Sign-up today for our Holy Week Vigil, when people will be in our chapel around the clock (Maundy Thursday 3/20, 9:00PM through Easter Sunrise, 3/23, 6:00AM) for 1 hour each, worshipping, praying, meditating on behalf of all of us. Sign up next to Pat’s office today!
YEAR-END TAX STATEMENTS are now available in Memorial Hall. Please pick yours up so we can save on postage!
BAKE SALE: Don’t miss the Music Committee Bake Sale next Sunday, Feb. 10th at 10:30am.
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).
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.