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Bulletin, 2/5/2012 - Annual Meeting
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- Parent Category: Sunday Bulletins
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
5 February 2012 -- 8:30 & 10:00 a.m.
“Blessed are the peacemakers….”
Matthew 5: 9
THE GATHERING
PRELUDE: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern D. Buxtehude
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
INTROIT: Prayer of Saint Richard of Chichester P. Niedmann
Day by day, dear Lord, of thee three things I pray:
To see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly,
follow thee more nearly, day by day.
CALL TO WORSHIP: Wheadon UMC
Leader: Welcome to our worship.
People: Greetings to our brothers and sisters in the faith.
Leader: We come to celebrate God’s presence,
People: and God’s love expressed through Jesus Christ.
Leader: We come remembering Christ’s life and ministry,
People: and the life we are called to live.
Leader: We come as a pilgrim people searching for ways to live out our faith.
People: We come seeking the strength to carry on our journey.
All: Let us rejoice in God’s gift to us!
*HYMN: Here, O My Lord, I See Thee (insert, stanzas 1 - 3)
After the first verse Church School participants in Pre-K through Grade 8 may leave for their classes.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4: 1 - 6; 15 – 16 Deacon Bishop
SERMON: "Rainbow Colors" Dr. Norris
*SERMON HYMN: (H & P # 503) Come, Risen Lord
SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Leader: Beloved in Christ, the Gospel tells us that on the first day of the week, Jesus Christ was raised from death, appeared to Mary Magdalene, on that same day sat at table with two disciples and was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
All: This is the joyful feast of the people of God. Men and women, youth and children, come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and gather about Christ’s table.
JOYS AND CONCERNS
CALL TO OFFERING
OFFERTORY: Unto Thee, O Lord Virgil T. Ford
Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul, O my God, I trust in Thee.
Show me Thy ways, lead me in Thy truth.
Teach me Thy paths for Thou art the God of my salvation.
adapt. from Psalm 25
PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
SHARING OF THE BREAD AND CUP
(It is our custom to wait until all have received the bread, and then eat together; likewise with the cup. Gluten-free bread is served in the pews on the Church Street side.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER (trespasses)
*HYMN Here, O My Lord, I See Thee (insert, st. 4 & 5)
BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION RESPONSE: Amen
POSTLUDE: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern M. Drischner
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The Annual Meeting follows the 10:00am worship. All are invited to the Meeting and the Luncheon which follows it. There will be gluten-free and vegetarian options available. Our thanks to the Board of Deaconesses for hosting the Luncheon, to the Confirmands for serving and assisting with the Luncheon and a special thank-you to Laurie Varley’s Grade 2 Church School class for making the table centerpieces. The children were asked: "What do you love about First Church?" Some hearts have comments on them from the 2nd Grade class, Laurie’s daughter, Stevie, and Junior Choir members. The seashells Laurie picked up in North Carolina over the years, the tree limbs are from the woods behind her house and the rocks are from the Memorial Garden. Thank you all!
Greeters: Craig, Jennifer, Emma & Riley Mullett
Ushers: (8:30) Sue Craig and Bob Howard
(10:00) Peter Rebuzzini, Louis Zotti, Bob Leete, Susan Leete
Breadbaker: Ellen Edens
Sound System: JB Catlin
CDs of worship services are available to sign out in Spencer House; sermon recordings are on our website: wwwfirstchurchguilford.org.
Deaconess for February is Dianne Hughes (203-453-4529). Please make Dianne aware of new births, adoptions, or anyone who needs a note of encouragement or sympathy. Call Mary Norris (203-457-9483) for information about our Prayer Shawl Ministry.
Deacon for February is Barbara Bishop (203-453-9710). If you have questions, concerns or compliments, please speak with her.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
There will be a brief demonstration on the proper use of our Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) on Tuesday, Feb. 14th at 7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. A representative of Defibtech, Lou Iannotti, will be providing this informative session at the start of the Church Council meeting that evening. All are welcome to attend this 15 – 20 minute demonstration.
Official Call to Annual Meeting 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
To the members of the First Congregational Church of Guilford, Inc.:
The Annual Meeting of the First Congregational Church of Guilford, Inc., will be held on Sunday morning, February 5, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary, directly following the 10:00 a.m. service to:
1. Receive and act upon the reports and recommendations of the Ministers,
2. Receive and act upon the reports and recommendations of the Boards, Committee and Organizations of the Church,
3. Act upon the proposed changes to the By-Laws of the First Congregational Church of Guilford, CT, as submitted by Church Council,
4. Act upon the recommendation of the Church Council to support and join in a joint application with our Senior Pastor, Kendrick Norris, for a National Clergy Renewal grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc.,
5. Act upon the proposed 2012 Operating Budget, as submitted by Church Council,
6. Act upon the proposed 2012 Community and World Concerns budget, as submitted by the CWC Board, and
7. Receive the report of the Nominating Committee and act upon their recommendations for Officers and Members of Boards and Committees of the Church.
Respectfully submitted,
Dianne Hughes, Clerk
CPR Course Offered at First Church, March 4: Have you ever wanted to equip yourself with some basic knowledge that could save a life? The class goes over Adult, Child, and Infant CPR, choking, and AED use. The class costs $55 per person. Please contact or see Chris Solimene so we can keep track of how many people will attend. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Guilford Food Bank Needs: 100% fruit juices; canned fruit, tuna, ham, hash, stews; pancake/potato/cake/mac & cheese mixes; dry milk, cereal. You may leave your donations in the Narthex.
Heifer Book Fair Book Donations Needed: Please donate your gently used books to the Heifer Book Fair Sale in March. Money raised goes directly to Heifer International, which gives hope to families around the world by providing animals and sharing sustainable ways of living for their communities. Books may be left in Fellowship Hall beginning next week. If you have questions, or need assistance with transporting books, please speak with Chris.
Silver Lake Summer Programs: Silver Lake is the United Church of Christ CT Conference’s outdoor ministry located in Sharon, CT. Registration is now open for fun, week-long camps for youth aged 8-18 years. Swim, sing, conquer the high & low ropes courses, play games, get creative with ceramics, make new friends, develop sustainable connections with nature and each other in sustainable and spiritual ways! Register and get more info about the open house at www.silverlakect.org Limited need-based scholarships available. Contact Chris at 203-453-3324 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Grocery Cards: This is an easy way for the church to generate funds. For every $100 card purchased, you purchase $100 worth of groceries and the church receives $5 or $6. Bishop’s Orchards, Big Y and Stop & Shop cards available from Bob Howard after the early service and either Shannon Clarkson or Joe Catino at 11am.
Guilford Job Network provides assistance in the job search process with speakers & networking. All job seekers welcome. Next meeting Thurs., Feb. 16th 7pm in the hall behind St. George Church. Speaker: Fred Raucci with years of interviewing and recruiting experience. Future meeting dates: March 1 & March 15
CHURCH CALENDAR
FH - Fellowship Hall; GH – Griswold Hall; ML – Minear Library;
CR – Choir Room; CSB – Church School Bldg; BR – Bride’s Room
Sunday, February 5:
8:30am Worship –Chapel
9:00am Bible Study – CSB Room 9
9:00am Senior Choir Rehearsal - CR
10:00am Communion, Nursery care, Church School
11:00am Annual Meeting – Sanctuary
12 noon Luncheon - FH
No Pilgrim Fellowship
Monday, February 6:
11:00am Music & Transformation – BR
4:00pm Open Meditation – ML
7:00pm Confirmation - GH
7:00pm Board of Deaconesses - ML
Tuesday, February 7:
6:00pm Music Committee – CR
7:00pm Board of Deacons – ML
7:00pm Board of Christian Education – BR
Wednesday, February 8:
4:00pm Junior Choir – FH
4:00pm Cherub Choir – GH
7:00pm Search Committee - ML
7:15pm Bd of Community & World Concerns – CSB #9
Thursday, February 9:
7:00pm BSA Troop 474 – FH
7:15pm Senior Choir Rehearsal - CR
Sunday, February 12: Confirmands’ Service
8:30am Worship –Chapel
9:00am Bible Study – CSB Room 9
9:00am Senior Choir Rehearsal - CR
10:00am Family Service, Nursery care, No Church School
11:30am Adult Forum – Chapel
5:00pm PF Parent Meeting – Sanctuary
7:00pm Pilgrim Fellowship – FH
12-Step Meetings at First Church This Week:
AA: Sun., 7:15am – GH Alanon: Tues., 7:30pm – Chapel
Tues., 7:30pm – Room 9 Wed., 10:00am - FH
Wed. 7:30pm–GH Alateen: Tues., 7:30pm-GH
Fri., Noon & 7:30pm - FH NA: Sun., 1:00pm – GH
Sat., 7:30am – GH
Fifteenth Anniversary of Our Open and Affirming Policy
In January l995 David Knapp requested the Board of Deacons, co-chaired by Connie Swett and Gladys Minear, to institute a process of First Church considering becoming an Open and Affirming congregation. The United Church of Christ declared itself an O and A Denomination in l985 and was encouraging congregations to consider doing the same. The Deacons agreed.
The study process over a period of two years included sermons, Bible studies, theological and social exploration, and hearing the stories of exclusion and condemnation of gay and lesbian persons from within and outside our congregation. Family members shared stories of gay children, siblings, uncles, aunts and cousins. Others spoke of colleagues and friends. The process was uncomfortable and controversial for some but illuminating for all. One committee member wrote “going through the O and A process was the most profound and spiritually engaging experience we have had as a church family.” A decisive congregational vote at the Annual Congregational Meeting in February l997 declared our congregation to be Open and Affirming. So the forthcoming Annual Meeting on Feb. 5th marks the l5th anniversary of the decision. It is a milestone to be celebrated.
This has been a transformational experience for our congregation. We discovered we could sustain the tensions of engaging a difficult issue, emerging stronger, more compassionate and better informed. Who could have foreseen the enormous gifts of the marvelous gay and lesbian persons who have become members of our congregational family, as well as those already within it? Also, a number of heterosexual people have joined our church because of our inclusive policy and some of these have children whom they want to be raised in a welcoming environment. We can be proud and thankful that, in this matter, we have our own important part in our nation's progress towards liberty and justice for all.
The Peace, Affirmation, and Justice Committee
WELCOME TO FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH!
United Church of Christ
An Open and Affirming Congregation
122 Broad Street
Guilford, CT 06437
Telephone: 203-453-5249
Fax: 203-453-5589
email:
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website: www.firstchurchguilford.org
We are pleased that you are here to worship with us today, and we trust that you have found inspiration and fellowship. If we can be of service to you, please speak with one of the ministers after worship, or call or email us:
Dr. Norris –
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or
Rev. Robert –
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.
Our Staff – Partners in Ministry
Kendrick L. Norris Senior Minister
Clare Robert Interim Associate Minister
Christopher Solimene Acting Dir. of Children & Family Ministries
William C. Speed Director of Music Ministries
Penelope Rebuzzini Office Manager
Larry Donahue Sexton
Salisha Miller Director of Pilgrim Fellowship
Liza Catino Director of Junior Choir
Gail Etter Director of Cherub Choir
-------------------------------Tear here-----------------------------------
Are you a visitor this morning? Please take a Welcome brochure from the pew rack. Would you like a: ___ Phone call? ___ visit? ____ information about our Church? Please put in offering plate.
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