March 23, 2008 CHAPEL COMMUNION 8:00AM
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE
In the last analysis, what convinced people that Jesus had risen from the dead was not the absence of his corpse, but his living presence. And so it has been ever since. Frederick Beuchner
INFANT & TODDLER CARE BY ADULTS DURING ALL SERVICES IN CHURCH NURSERY
PREPARING TO WORSHIP GOD
Gathering Music
The Welcome/Welcoming One Another
Church Family Announcements
PRAISING GOD
Leader: Sing the glad songs of victory; God is creating a day of newness and joy
All: God is our strength and our song; this is the day of our salvation.
Leader: Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
All: The one who was despised and rejected us assures us that we are beloved by God
Leader: We are chosen by God as witnesses to good news. We will live and recount the deeds of our God.
All: God reigns; let all nations and peoples rejoice. In Christ, all shall be made
alive.
*Hymn of Praise: #233 Christ the Lord is Risen Today! Easter Hymn
*Prayer of General Confession (Unison)
With thanksgiving and joy we worship you, O God. Your creation is amazing. This day is glorious; filled with new life. Come among us now, we pray, to raise up from our fears and doubts and perplexity. We want to be. We want to trust. We want to dare. We want to live. Touch us today with a spirit of hope, that our discipleship may honor the risen Christ, in whose name we pray and for whose realm we labor. Amen
Now in the silence hear our personal confessions…
*Personal Prayer of Confession (in silence)
*Assurance of Forgiveness
HEARING GOD’S WORD
Scripture Lessons JOHN 1:1-18
Sermon RESURECTED IN US Rev. Patricia L. Liberty
RESPONDING TO GOD'S WORD
Prayers of the Church & Lord’s Prayer (using sins)
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Invitation
The Sharing of the Bread and Cup
(Please come forward, pew by pew, starting with the entire left side, front pew first. The right
side can then follow, beginning in the rear. Break off a piece of bread & dip it into the cup.
Inside gold container are gluten-free, wheat-free, corn-free, soy-free wafers for those with allergies.)
*Prayer of Thanksgiving (join hands)
*Benediction
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Flowers: Today tulips adorn our altar in celebration of Easter. (See insert)
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 Matt Bavolack and family as they grieve the death of his mother (100 yrs.). We continue to pray for Shirley Penfield, 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).
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!
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.
NO TWIGS REHEARSALS in April. We’ll resume in May. See you then.
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 made out to “FCC” and due in the church office by March 30. 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.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
INFANT/TODDLER NURSERY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ALL SERVICES: Adults & teens! Can you help out once/twice monthly? Contact: Beth Winne (860-621-6159 or BethWinne@yahoo.com).
FOOD PANTRY NEEDS FOOD: Please help! Bring mac/cheese,cold cereals, soups, tuna, canned fruits/vegetables, baked beans, jelly, peanut butter & pasta & sauce to our Missions Committee Hope Chest in the Narthex or bring a gift certificate from a local grocery store to the church office for the purchase of perishables. Thank you!
FUND-RAISING CHALLENGE: At our Annual Meeting, we voted in a budget that included a fund-raising challenge of over $7,000, hoping members would rise to the occasion & do creative fund-raising. Have an idea? Can you help? Contact Linda Accuosti (860-628-7737) or Nancy Smith (860-628-4896). So far…we’re half way there!!
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WORK DAY: Our next work day is SATURDAY, April 19th (& monthly on the 3rd Saturday. Sign-up TODAY next to the pastor’s office! Men, women & teens (16 & over) welcome. If you can’t join us to work, please consider providing fuel for the volunteers, SNACKS, for 15 to 20 people. Call Michael Halloran, (860/426-1304) for more info or to sign-up. Thanks!
RIDES! We need your help!! Would you be willing to occasionally drive members to medical or dental appointment? If so, please call Cyndie Holden to volunteer (628-6958).
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SMALL GROUPS
All small groups are open to everyone, whether or not you’ve ever attended before.
BREAKFAST CLUB: Meets the 2nd Thursday each month (Sept. – June), 8-9am, Memorial Hall. Breakfast $1. Meets Thursday, April 10th , Speaker: our own Eldon Haford will speak on his “Bread For Life” experiences.
PEACE CAFÉ COFFEEHOUSE meets the 2nd Saturday each month at 7:30pm (doors open at 7pm). This month, April 12, we’ll enjoy Susan Mazer & Megan Keith. Free-will offering.
CRUISIN’ CONGOS: Thimble Island Boat Cruise, Wednesday, June 18. We’ll leave the Municipal Parking Lot at 9:15am to cruise aboard Cap’t Bob’s Cruise Boat, lunch at your own expense at the Old Stone House in Guilford. A stop at the Bishop Farm Market in Guildford and home by 4:00pm. For info, call Meredith Mann (860-628-8982).
QUILTS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED GROUP meets every other WEDNESDAY, 10:00AM, room #201/2, to sew quilts to comfort children in need. No need to sew; you may cut, piece or tie. Next meeting: March 26. For more info, call Carole Lantz.
PARENTS & TOTS GROUPS meet Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 9:30-11:00AM, in Peace Café. Contact Lisa Christensen (860-276-0235). Fun for kids; fellowship for parents!
PRAYER CIRCLE: EVERY TUESDAY, 4:00-5:30PM, Church Parlor. All welcome! Leave prayer requests & addresses (card will be sent) in folder next to Church Office marked: Prayer Requests.
SEEDS OF HOPE GROUP works in & through our church & community to foster awareness, communication, educational opportunities & action regarding our role as compassionate Christians living in a small world, who take seriously Jesus’ statement: Whatever you do to even the least of your brothers & sisters, you do it to me. The group sponsors forums, speakers, film & book discussions etc, promoting peace, justice, environmental concerns & more. ALL WELCOME! For info, call Randy Yale (919-606-5757 or randy_y0@yahoo.com). Usually meets the 1st Sunday each month. Next meeting: April 6, 7:30pm, room #204.
OUR ADDICTION ASSISTANCE NETWORK is for individuals/families needing confidential assistance with problem drinking, drug use, gambling, etc. Contact Steve & JoAnn Ray (203-591-1291).
SENIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP (grades 9-12) meets Sunday evenings: in Peace Café, 7:30-9:00pm. For more information, contact Rick Haverly (860-620-0513).
R.E.S.T. (Reading for Enrichment and Spiritual Transformation) Read Holy Silence by J. Brent Bill then join us for a discussion, Sunday, May 18th , 7:30pm in room 207. Led by Rev. Linda Fernandes-Bailey.
OUR ARCHIVAL COMMITTEE meets every Thursday from 10am – Noon in room 201/2 (except the summer months). Do you like working on small projects? Why not join our group to organize our church’s history. For more info call Doris LaRese (860-628-7550).
Today’s Scripture Lesson
John 1:1-18
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2He was in the beginning with God.3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into beingn4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him.12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God,13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.15(John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) 6From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
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Festival Fanfare (Mustard Seeds) Helen Kemp
Refrain: Hail thee, festival day! Blest day to be hallowed forever;
day when or Lord was raised, breaking the kingdom of death.
1. Out of the gloom of darkness and cold, the daffodils rise up to cheer us.
Hope lives again! Let all people be told, “Christ Jesus will always be near us!”
Refrain
2. Let us rejoice in brightness of spring; come see the earth bursting with flowers.
Love lives again! What a reason to sing of rainbows that follow dark showers.
Refrain
3. Let us rejoice in life, hope, and love. Let music and dancing and singing
rise up in our hearts like birds high above, keep music and alleluias ringing!
Refrain
OUR CHURCH CALENDAR
March 23, 2008
TODAY ~ EASTER SUNDAY ~
6:00AM Sunrise Service (YMCA Camp Sloper)
6:00AM VIGIL ENDS
9:30AM Easter Celebration: Traditional Worship/Spec. Prog. Pre-K
11:15AM T.G.I. Easter Sunday: Contemporary Worship/Spec. Prog. Pre-K
NO Be Still: Contemplative Worship Service
MONDAY 7:00PM Handbell Rehearsal (Choir Room)
TUESDAY 9:30AM Parents & Tots Playgroup (Peace Café)
4:00PM Prayer Circle (Parlor)
7:00PM Boy Scouts (Peace Café)
7:00PM Branches Rehearsal (Meetinghouse, Chapel)
WEDNESDAY 9:30AM Parents & Tots Playgroup (Infant Care Room)
10:00AM Quilting Committee (201/202)
6:00PM #9 Rehearsal (Meetinghouse)
6:30PM Girl Scouts (Peace Café)
7:00PM GSJC School (204)
THURSDAY 10:00AM Archival Committee (201/202)
7:00PM Stephen Ministry – Training (201/202)
FRIDAY 7:30PM GSJC – Bar Mitzvah (Chapel/Memorial Hall)
SATURDAY 9:00AM Yoga Class (Peace Café)
9:00AM GSJC School (201,4.5 & Chapel)
10:00AM GSJC BarMitzvah (Meetinghouse)
3:00PM Peace Café in Use – Private Party
NEXT SUNDAY (4/6/08) 8:00AM Chapel Communion (Chapel)
9:30AM Morning Worship: Traditional & Church School
10:00AM-1:30PM Fundraiser Brunch (Memorial Hall)
10:50AM Mustard Seeds (Choir Room)
11:15AM T.G.I. Sunday: Contemporary Worship & Church School
6:00PM Be Still: Contemplative Worship & Church School
7:30PM Confirmation Class (Choir Room)
7:30PM Seeds of Hope (204)
7:30PM Sr. High Youth Group (Peace Café)
CHURCH SCHOOL AT 6:00 PM – Just a reminder that we offer the same lessons at the 6:00 PM service as we do at the 9:30am & 11:15am services. Currently we have one class, grades 1 – 8; as attendance increases we will make any necessary adjustment
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EASTER FLOWERS 2008
Given by In Memory of:
Helen Deckert & Family Richard F. Deckert
The DiMeo Family Michael Colangelo
Ron & Laurie Aberizk Edward Young, Sr.
Sandy & Art Hansen Loved Ones
Roberta Barrett & Shirley Zigmont Loved Ones
Sue Shanahan Husband and parents
Carole Lantz, Bob, Catie & Gail Huckins Dorothy & Clarence Lantz &Fran & Howard Huckins
Sherry Mallon Chris Mallon
Bob & Joellen Fleming Memory of all those that are hurting
Sue Young Sally Visockis
Al Fahnestock Dorothy & Walter Fahnestock
Ted & Renee Andrzejczuk Jean Crispino
Bob & Martha Beaudoin Our Parents
The Enright Family Martin & Edith Enright
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Keene Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Keene
Nellie Shepard Mary Thomson Shepard
The Walsh Family Justin Wisniewski
The Hungerford & McLellan Families Charles Hungerford
Dobratz Family Our Loved Ones
Anthony & Barbara Silva Loved Ones
Josephine Dorzens Russell R. Dorzen
Brandon & Jennifer Thomas Mary Nerkowski & Gary Thomas
David Heusel Mr. & Mrs. Herman Heusel
The Children of Marjorie Fish Garry In Her Memory
Shirley & Gordon Raymond All Our Loved Ones
Melinda Baumgartner Melinda & Robert Hausman
Paul & Jeannie Norton Harold, Anne & Mary Lee Norton
D.J., Rob, & Amanda Lavoie Arthur Mila, Romeo Lavoie, Mildon Daniels
Diana Daniels & Shirley Miha
Greg & Rosemary Thompson Angelo, Vivian & Mary Giacini,
Russell, Georgiana & Eunice Thompson, Therése MacCallum
Jen Thompson Joyce French
Mr. & Mrs. Rudolph F. Csont Mary O’Brien, Rudolph Csont, Mr. & Mrs. Harry Ginsburg
The Aulbach Family Frank Mangiagli
Ralph & Meredith Mann Happy Prescher
The Huber Family Our Parents and Grandparents
Given by: In Honor of:
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Don, Nancy & Lindsey Streeter Our families
Allan & Arlene Camp Meredith & Jacob Camp
Ed & Bonnie Perry Our grandchildren
Ron & Laurie Aberizk Our children
Kristine Brault Joanne Renaud
Louise Wygonowski Rachel Robbins
Rose Marie Dunlap My grandchildren
The Vroeginday Family Dorothy Murasko
Ed & Polly Sauer Our children and grandchildren