Rev. Patricia L. Liberty, Interim Senior Minister
February 3, 2008 TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY 9:30am
PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES…. THANK YOU !
INFANT & TODDLER CARE BY ADULTS DURING ALL SERVICES IN CHURCH NURSERY
PREPARING TO WORSHIP GOD
“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
The Welcome/Welcoming One Another
Church Family Announcements
Prelude Prelude on Houston John A. Behnke
Lighting the Candles Acolyte: Molly Dobratz
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!
*Hymn of Praise: # 1 Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise St. Denio
*Prayer of Invocation (unison)
Immortal invisible ever wise and gracious God, lead us to that place where we see you clearly. Lead us to that place where your commandment is heard above all competing voices. Let us hear your words to Jesus that is your beloved and renew our resolve to follow him in all our ways. And so may our faces reflect the radiance of Christ in whose name we pray and for the sake of whose realm we labor. Amen.
*Response: Be Still and know that I am God. (Three times)
HEARING GOD’S WORD
The Sacrament of Christian Baptism: #A1 (Worship Book)
Scripture Lessons Matthew 17: 1-9
Sermon “SERVING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST” Rev. Patricia L. Liberty
Hymn of Reflection: We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding Hyfrydol
RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD
Presentation of Our Offerings and Tithes
Offertory Anthem Hail, Holy Light Alexander Dimitrievitch Kasalsky
*Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise God, all creatures here below!
Praise God above, you heavenly host! Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost!
*Prayer of Dedication
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Invitation
Prayers of the Church & Lord’s Prayer (using sins)
The Sharing of the Bread and Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving
*Hymn: #N9 (Worship Book) I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light Houston
*Words of Parting (unison)
Honoring the mystery, looking for Christ in all persons, seeking to be the face of Christ for others; may all that we say, do and are honor Christ.
*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 Fantasy on Houston John A. Behnke
PLEASE JOIN US DOWNSTAIRS NOW FOR COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Ushers: Our Board of Deacons
Coffee Hour Hosts: Gail Fulop & Betty Arcano Greeters: Bill & Karen Andres, Diane Lange
Flowers: Given 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 & 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 10am.
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.