Rev. Patricia L. Liberty, Interim Senior Minister
March 2, 2008 FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT 9:30am
PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES…. THANK YOU !
INFANT & TODDLER CARE BY ADULTS DURING ALL SERVICES IN CHURCH NURSERY
“There are none so blind as those who will not see.”
PREPARING TO WORSHIP GOD
The Welcome and Welcoming One Another
Church Family Announcements
Prelude Wer nur den lieben Gott lásst walten G. A. Homilius
Lighting the Candles Acolyte: Amanda Lavoie
PRAISING GOD
The Call to Worship
Leader: The call of God thunders around us and whispers within us; God desires that we might know all things good and just.
People: Our eyes are opening to God’s goodness; we seek to be children of light.
Leader: God sees beyond our outward appearance. God knows the intent of our hearts.
People: Open to the Spirit in these moments, we desire to know and follow Gods will.
All: God among us, God within us, open our eyes that we may see you more clearly, love you more dearly, follow you more nearly!
*Hymn of Praise: #1`` Immortal, Invisble, God Only Wise St. Denio
*Prayer of Invocation (Unison)
God of mercy, your thoughts are not our thoughts and your ways are not our ways. We confess we have wandered far from the path of integrity, justice and peace. We are quick to judge others and then excuse ourselves. We want to decide who is acceptable to you and who is not. We want to be the judge of what is right and wrong. Forgive our narrow and judgmental ways. Open a place of compassion in our hard heartedness and help us to grow in your image. Amen.
*Response: Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy
*Assurance of Forgiveness
HEARING GOD’S WORD
Scripture Lesson John 9:1-41
Sermon ADVENTURES IN MISSING THE POINT Rev. Patricia L. Liberty
*Hymn of Reflection #410 If You But Trust in God to Guide You Neumark
RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD
Presentation of Our Offerings and Tithes
Offertory Anthem Kyrie (Traditional Latin Text) Greg Gilpin
*Response #785 We give you but Your own, whate’er the gift may be; all that we have is Yours alone, we give it gratefully.
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 Thankgiving
*Hymn:#443 How Like a Gentle Spirit Sursum Corda
*Words of Parting (unison)
With the eyes of our hearts opened, let us return to the world to be messengers of God’s grace and peace.
*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: Wer nur den lieben Gott lásst walten J. S. Bach
PLEASE JOIN US DOWNSTAIRS NOW FOR COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Ushers: Our Board of Deacons
Greeters: Laurie Lynch & Blake Hanscom Coffee Hour Hosts: Ruth Smith & Peggy Thibodeau
Flowers: Are given in loving memory of long time member Marjorie Fish Garry by her family.
Our Flower Chart to provide flowers in honor/memory of loved ones is 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 Hospitalized: Jack Noble, Pat Diego. We pray for Sally and Dan Daigle & family as they grieve the death of her brother, Steven…Chuck Williams has been accepted by the UCC as a commissioned chaplain… We continue to pray for Shirley Penfield, Sandi Reed, Wes Babkirk, 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 (860-919-2260),
Rick Haverly (860-620-0513), Cyndie Holden (203) 206-9507 or Linda Fernandes-Bailey (1-860-274-9907).
LENTEN NOONDAY SERVICES These special 30-minute Lenten services are offered at 12:00Noon every Wednesday through March 19 in our Chapel, led by one of our clergy staff. Lenten luncheons follow each one in Memorial Hall for just $3. ALL welcome!
SCHEDULING EVENTS: Please call the office to schedule any meetings, events or building use (628-6958).
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.
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).
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 and meditating on behalf of all of us. Sign up next to Pat’s office today!
2007 TAX STATEMENTS are available in the Narthex. Please pick yours up so we can save on postage!
BUTTERFLIES IN MEMORY/HONOR OF A LOVED ONE on sale during Coffee Hour TODAY - $1. They will be displayed in the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. Proceeds will go to future youth mission trips.
SUMMER CAMP: The UCC 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.
CHURCH WOMEN UNITED is hosting a “World Day of Prayer” this Friday, March 7th, 1:00pm at the First Baptist Church, Meriden Avenue, Southington. Dessert & coffee. All women invited.
NEW 2008 CHURCH DIRECTORY is now available. Pick one up in the Narthex, Memorial Hall or outside the Church Office.
VIDEOGRAPHER NEEDED! We’re looking for someone to film one service each week, and special events throughout the year. If you’re interested contact Pat Liberty (628-6958) for details.
MEN’S BREAKFAST CLUB HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO March 15, 8:30am in Memorial Hall. All men are welcome to join in as we figure out the kitchen, enjoy each others company and discuss anything we want to. Suggested $5 donation. No registration.
JR CIA (grades 6-8) ACTIVITY - Saturday, March 15, 6:00pm. Meet and pick-up at LASER STORM, 2211 Meriden-Waterbury Tpke, Southington. Cost: $13 per person. Sign-up outside Pastor Pat’s office. Questions? Call Rick Haverly (628-6958).
BREAKFAST CLUB…Thursday, March 13, 8:00-9:00am and as always, breakfast is only $1. Our guest speaker is Alphonse D’Angelo speaking on his “Highlights of Italy”.
PEACE CAFÉ COFFEEHOUSE, meets the 2nd Saturday each month at 7:30pm (doors open at 7pm). This month, March 15, we’ll meet in the Meetinghouse to enjoy #9 paying tribute to the music of the Beatles. Free-will offering.
EASTER BASKETS…Can you donate an Easter basket to a child in need? Please fill a basket for a boy, girl or infant and return your completed basket to Memorial Hall near the Missions bulletin board by Noon on Sunday, March 16. If you don’t have a basket to fill, a limited number of empty Easter baskets will be available in Memorial Hall. Take 1 or more and fill with Easter candy, small toys, coloring books, crayons, etc. Thank you for the continuous care & support to our DCF kids.