T. G. I. SUNDAY: CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP
November 30, 2008 FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT 11:15am
PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES…. THANK YOU !
INFANT & TODDLER CARE BY ADULTS DURING ALL SERVICES IN CHURCH NURSERY
Advent is a time for Christians, every year, to practice being part of the people of God in a damaged creation.
~Richard Swanson~
THE ORDER OF WORSHIP
The Gathering Music
The Welcome and Welcoming One Another
Church Family Announcements
Call to Worship
*A Time for Singing
*Prayer of Invocation (Unison)
Holy One of God, we wait for you with open hearts. Speak a word of comfort and hope we pray. You fashion us as a potter works with clay, remake us in faithfulness. Ground us in the gentle rhythm of Advent, that we may watch and wait with joy. Amen
THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
The Lighting of Our Advent Wreath Scott & Kim Thompson
One: As our days grow shorter and our nights longer, we who are people of faith turn to symbols such as candles, evergreens and wreaths to proclaim our belief in the unquenchable light. In hopeful anticipation, we prepare for the coming of the Reign of God. Listen for the Word in the words of the prophet for the first Sunday of this new church year.
All: We open our hearts to the Word in the words.
One: A reading from the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 64, verses 1 to 9.
All: As we begin our journey to the light, we confess that our lives have not always been lived in ways pleasing to God. Yet even now, our longing for the One who tears open the heavens and comes down, kindles like a fire in our soul. Even now as we wait, we dare to hope.
One: We are filled with anticipation and feel hope rise up within us. And so we light this first candle and name it Hope.
Children’s Message
Scripture Lessons MARK 13:32-37
Sermon THE WHISPERED PROMISE Rev. Patricia L. Liberty
Prayers of the Church
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
(Please come forward, break off piece of bread & dip it into cup. In the gold container 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 either kneeling bench, & kneel or stand.)
*Prayer of Thanksgiving & Lord’s Prayer (please join hands)
*Song (During this song, an offering will be received to support our church & its ministries & missions)
*Benediction
*Response
PLEASE JOIN US DOWNSTAIRS FOR COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Greeters: Dick & Diane Sherlock, Mark, Denise, Deirdre & Kyle Hermann
Coffee Hour Hosts: Bob & Joellen Fleming
Flowers: Given by the members of our church in thanks for our church, our nation and our world.
Our 2009 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.
PLEASE REMEMBER: NO LILIES ALLOWED IN THIS FACILITY.
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Joys & Concerns for Prayer: We pray for Lou & Cathy Bruno & family as they grieve the death of his aunt, Tomasina. Hospitalized: Gordon & Shirley Raymond. We continue to pray for Sue Sinclair, Staff Sgt. Sean Tavalozzi (Iraq), USMC LCPL Nathan Penfield (Afghanistan), Ruth Smith, Kim Rees, Kay Chaffee, Spc. Geoffrey Doble, Jr. (Iraq), Jack Noble, Andrea Sinclair, Betsy Roberts, Pat Livingstone, our Stephen Ministers & care-receivers and also the Sr. Minister Search Committee.
FOR PASTORAL NEEDS & EMERGENCIES call any minister: Patricia L. Liberty (860-919-2260), Rick Haverly (860-620-0513), or Linda Fernandes-Bailey (1-203-948-3352).
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED in our church office to answer phones and to do light duty office work Monday – Friday 9am-12n or 12n – 3pm. If you are interested see Pastor Pat.
SOUTHINGTON COMMUNITY SERVICES CHRISTMAS TAGS (for residents) are available on our Christmas trees. Please take a tag(s) off the tree and return your gift(s) UNWRAPPED WITH TAG ATTACHED by Sunday, DECEMBER 7TH. Place your gift(s) in any Covenant to Care or Southington Community Services box in the narthex, chapel or Memorial Hall.
SOUTHINGTON COMMUNITY SERVICES HAS MOVED to 91 Norton Street, Plantsville (formerly the Milldale firehouse). Their NEW phone number is (860) 628-3761.
NEW STEPHEN MINISTRY TRAINING CLASS COMING SOON: If you're looking for the best lay care giving ministry available for today's church, look no farther. Our congregation is committed to providing quality Christian care to those who are hurting by equipping people to serve as Stephen Ministers. A new class beings on January 15. For more information about Stephen Ministry, contact Reverend Patricia L. Liberty or Irene Hendrickson today.
2009 ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS are available for Hartford & New Haven and we can get out-of-state books. Books will be on sale during coffee hour. Cost: $30.00. Contact Rose Dunlap with any questions (628-8778). Rose will donate $6. to the church for every book sold. They make great gifts!
THE EDFK CART will be open following the 9:30 & 11:15am services on: TODAY & December 14. Anyone interested in opening any other Sunday in December please call Kathy Corcoran 860-384-2883 for instruction on set-up and break-down.
VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED TO HELP WITH OUR HOLIDAY AUCTION! Can you bake, solicit donations, work at the bake table, set-up, clean-up or help in any way at the auction on Friday, December 5? Call Carolyn Mansolf (621-5082) or sign-up in Memorial Hall.
A COMMITTEE MINUTES BOOK containing the minutes of all board/committee meetings is available in the church library for you to view.
Advent Booklets & Calendars are available for your use at home. They can be found in outside church office. Please use them with your Advent wreath.
A BLENDED SERVICE: On Sunday, Dec. 21 our 9:30 & 11:15AM services will be blended into ONE service at 10AM… Twenty One children from all worship services are preparing their Christmas Offering of the “Christmas County Spelling Bee”. The play is directed by Merriah Currao, Lori Holm-Cipollini & Crystal Sullivan. It promises to the raise the roof and more importantly prepare room in our hearts for the newborn Baby!