Text Box: Welcome!    Thank  You   for  Worshiping  With  Us  Today!
Welcome to The First Congregational Church of Southington.  Ours is an Open & Affirming congregation dating from 1724 & worshiping in our present Meetinghouse since 1830.  One of the larger, more vibrant United Church of Christ churches in New England, our church’s purpose is to love & worship God; extend God’s radically-inclusive love to all people everywhere; make more & better disciples of Jesus Christ; & inspire people & society to become more & more just, loving, compassionate & Christ-like.  You will find our church to be an accepting, caring, non-judgmental community, where faith is renewed, lives are transformed, & power for positive living is received.  It’s a church where the Spirit is alive & miracles happen!  Welcome!

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Patricia L. Liberty, Interim Senior Minister

March 16 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

THE  CONGREGATION  is  invited  to  REMAIN  seated  throughout  this  service.

“The longest journey is the journey inward.”   Dag Hammarskjold

PREPARING   TO   WORSHIP   GOD

Prelude                      Variations on “Hosanna, Son of God”               James Marchionda

Welcome & Church Family Announcements

Sharing the Peace of Christ

Music for Meditation                  The Gentle Healer                                         Michael Card

PRAISING   GOD

The Call to Worship

Leader:  In our weakness we are strong. In our poverty we are rich. In our foolishness we are wise. This is the upside down promise of the gospel we claim and celebrate.

People:  In our shadows we seek light. In our silences we listen. This is a day of celebration and foreboding.

Leader:  In our searching we are found. In our longing we are satisfied. In our powerlessness, we are powerful beyond all human understanding, for God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.

People:  God of mystery and mercy grant us new life and with you we accept the invitation to join you in these days of service and sacrifice.

Song of Adoration: (Insert)     Blessings on the King”                                Michael Lynch

Prayer of Personal Confession (in silence)

Assurance of Forgiveness

HEARING   GOD’S   WORD

Scripture Lesson                                                                        MATTHEW 21:1-11

Sermon                  WINNING AND LOSING REVISITED       Rev. Patricia L. Liberty

A Moment of Silent Reflection

RESPONDING   TO   GOD’S   WORD

A Call to Prayer                                                                                          

Song of Prayer (Unison)        “Laudate Dominum”                               Jacques Berthier

Words:    Laudate Dominum, Laudate Dominum;

                   Omnes, gentes;  Alleluia!

(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)        “Adoramus, Te Christe”                              Marty Haugen

The Pastoral Prayer

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Communion Song                         “Deep Within”                                             David Haas

(During the song, please come forward, take a piece of bread & dip it into the cup.  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)                   “Hosanna, Son of God”                                        James Marchionda

(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:  Brenda Mabery & Sandy Reed

Flowers: Are given by Janet &Robert Schmidt in loving memory of their parents.

Palm frons: Given by Gloria Gelpke in loving memory of her adopted mother, Olive MacKinnon.

Date palms in vases: Given by Kay Chaffee in loving memory of her husband, Milt Chaffee.

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  We pray for Linda Lawrence, recovering from surgery this week.  We continue to pray for  Shirley Penfield, 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  Our last Noonday  Lenten service is this Wednesday,March 19 in our Chapel, led by Rev. Cyndie Holden.  Lenten luncheons follows in Memorial Hall for just $3.  ALL welcome!

HOLY WEEK VIGILThere are several times available.  Please check the sign-up sheet for a time you might be available 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!  WE NEED TO FILL EVERY HOUR!!


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). 

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.

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.

EASTER  BASKETSShould be turned in TODAY by NoonThank you for the continuous care & support to our DCF kids.

NO  TWIGS  REHEARSALS in April.  We’ll resume in May.  See you then.  TWIGS  will join BRANCHES at the 11:15am service on Palm Sunday, March 16.

R.E.S.T., OUR  BOOK  DISCUSSION  GROUP meets TODAY at 4pm.  Please note the time change for this meeting.  We’ll discuss “Amish Grace”.

HELP The 7,000.00 Fund Raising Challenge!  Mothers Day and Graduations are right around the corner. Would you like to purchase that special someone a beautiful piece of Silpada Jewelry? Silpada Designs Jewelry will be on display and for sale April 13th and 20th after the 9:15 and 11:15 worship services. 100% of the profits will go to the challenge. Silpada is an incredible collection of .925 Sterling Silver Jewelry, belts and watches.  Questions please contact Kathy Patenaude 203-631-7894

GORDON’S INSTALLATION: We are exploring the possibility of a bus for members to attend Gordon’s installation at Keene Congregational Church on Sunday, April 6th at 5pm. The bus would leave our church at 2pm and return at 10pm. The cost would be $25/person.  If you are interested sign-up outside the pastor’s office door.

FREE UPRIGHT PIANO  Anyone interested in the upright piano that was once used in Memorial Hall should call Beth Winne, (621-6159).  Your only cost is the mover.