March 23, 2008 EASTER SUNDAY 9:30am
PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES…. THANK YOU !
INFANT & TODDLER CARE BY ADULTS DURING ALL SERVICES IN CHURCH NURSERY
“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 -
PREPARING TO WORSHIP GOD
The Welcome and Welcoming One Another
Church Family Announcements
Prelude Prelude in G Major Johann Sebastian Bach
Lighting the Candles Acolyte: Sydney Breault
PRAISING GOD
The Call to Worship
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 Invocation (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
*Response: #743 Be still and know that I am God. (3 times)
HEARING GOD’S WORD
Anthem Festival Fanfare (Mustard Seeds) Helen Kemp
Scripture Lesson John 1:1-18
Sermon Resurrected in Us Rev. Patricia L. Liberty
*Hymn of Reflection #241 Joy Dawned Again on Easter Day Puer Nobis Nascitur
RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD
Prayers of the Church & Lord’s Prayer (Using sins)
Presentation of Our Offerings and Tithes
Offertory Anthem Oh, Clap Your Hands (Test Psalm 47) John Leavitt, arr. JR Parsons
*Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise God all creatures here below! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God above you, heavenly hosts! Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost! Alleluia! (5 Alleluias)
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
*Distribution Hymns: (remain seated)
#433 In the Bulb, There is a Flower Hymn of Promise
#F1 (Worship Book) Alleluia, Jesus is Lord Alleluia No. 1
Prayer of Thanksgiving
*Hymn of Thanksgiving #243 Alleluia! Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven Weisse Flaggen
*Words of Parting (unison)
We go forth to bear witness to the resurrection. We celebrate Easter as a way of being the world. We commit to live our lives as people of faith, hope, joy and love in the name of the Risen Christ. Alleluia, He is Risen!
*Benediction
*Response: Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah G.F. Handel
Postlude: Toccata in 7 John Rutter
PLEASE JOIN US DOWNSTAIRS NOW FOR COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Ushers: Our Board of Deacons and Fred & Lita Nyren, Lori St. Pierre, Doris Smith, Don Leger,
Paul Norton
Greeters: Hardice & Patrice Jones, Kathy Andres Coffee Hour Hosts: Donna Blakey, Ellen Simpson
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.