March 16, 2008 PALM SUNDAY 9:30am
PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES…. THANK YOU !
INFANT & TODDLER CARE BY ADULTS DURING ALL SERVICES IN CHURCH NURSERY
“The longest journey is the journey inward”. - Dag Hammarskjold -
PREPARING TO WORSHIP GOD
The Welcome and Welcoming One Another
Church Family Announcements
Prelude Paean Kenneth Leighton
Lighting the Candles Acolyte: Brianna Gambacini
PRAISING GOD
The Call to Worship
Pastor: 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.
Pastor: In our searching we are found. In our longing we are satisfied. In our powerlessness, we are powerful beyond human understanding, for God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.
People: God of mystery and mercy grant us new life with you as we accept the invitation to join you in these days of service and sacrifice.
*Hymn of Praise: #216 All Glory, Laud, and Honor St. Theodulph
*Prayer of General Confession (Unison)
We are taught from our youth that winning is better, that power is what we need. We confess that we often live by this value and exert our power in ways that are destructive to ourselves, to others and to our planet. We view power as a commodity to be claimed rather than a good to be shared. Transparent before you in our arrogance and insecurity we confess that our posturing for power is rooted in our lack of trust in you. Forgive us when we doubt that this is true and help our unbelief as we live in this world where power is wielded against much that is holy. Forgive us; set us free; and empower us from within. In the name of the one who relinquished his power for our sake, Amen.
*Personal Prayer of Confession (in silence)
*Response: Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy
*Assurance of Forgiveness
HEARING GOD’S WORD
Anthem Hosana (Mustard Seeds) Natalie Sleeth
Children’s Sermon
Children & Teachers Exit to Church School
Scripture Lesson Matthew 21;1-11
Sermon winning and losing revisited Rev. Patricia L. Liberty
*Hymn of Reflection #302 Eternal Christ, You Rule Throckmorton
RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD
Prayers of the Church & Lord’s Prayer (Using sins)
Presentation of Our Offerings and Tithes
Offertory Anthem Alone Thou Goest Forth, O Lord Michael McCabe
*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
*Hymn of Commitment:#215 Ride On! Ride On in Majesty St. Drostane
*Words of Parting (unison)
The promises we have made challenge us to new levels of faithfulness. We seek to be loyal and courageous in Christ’s service and pray for grace to journey through this holy week.
*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: Funeral March (Ah, Holy Jesus) Camille Van Hulse
PLEASE JOIN US DOWNSTAIRS NOW FOR COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Ushers: Judy Chatfield, Gail Fulop, Hardice Jones, Kay Dischino, George Moore, Gary Cooper, Tim Lockwood.
Greeters: Beatrice, Paul, Diana & Elena Babineau and Tyler Zak
Coffee Hour Hosts: Melinda Baumgartner, Kate Hutton
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 VIGIL: There 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 BASKETS: Should be turned in TODAY by Noon. Thank 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.