Bulletin, 8/28/2011

• Details
• Parent Category: Sunday Bulletins
• Published on Friday, 26 August 2011 12:51

ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
28 August 2011  --  8:30 & 10:00 a.m.

All Sunday events canceled because of severe weather outlook*.

Please stay safe and join us next Sunday!

*Hamweather.net: Sunday...Hurricane conditions expected. Isolated thunderstorms in the morning. Rain. Rain May be heavy at Times. Humid with highs in the mid 70s. East winds 45 to 65 mph...Becoming west and... Increasing to 55 to 75 mph in the afternoon. Gusts up to 85 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.

“Let Mutual Love Continue.”
Hebrews 13: 1

THE GATHERING

PRELUDE:              Prelude and Fugue in D Major    J. S. Bach
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
INTROIT:                  Lord, Who Knows My Heart     Daniel Burton
Liza Catino, mezzo soprano
Lord, who sees my every thought, Lord, who hears my quiet need,
Lord, who walks the path I travel, Lord, who knows my heart.

When I stand and when I sit, God is always close at hand;
Every word upon my lips God will understand.
Nowhere here in earth or heaven Could I ever run away
From the God that gently guides me to the day.
If I take the morning’s wings Soaring to a distant sea,
There God’s loving hand will meet me, Lord, who knows my heart.
(paraphrase of Psalm 139)
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Leader:    Gathered as God's people, we come to worship together:
People:    singing praises to the One who loves us,
opening our hearts to the One who calls us.
Leader:    Called to be God's people, we come to share our lives
together:
All:    to celebrate the joys of our hearts, to mingle our tears
with God's.
Leader:    Challenged to follow Jesus to the end, we come to learn
how to be disciples:
All:    offering our food to our enemies, giving a drink of
water to those who have drained our souls.
*HYMNS & PSALMS # 145  Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!

CONFESSION AND PRAISE

CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION:                          based on Romans 12: 9 -21
Leader:    Merciful God, we confess that we have not always lived up to the example set by your son, Jesus Christ.  
In your mercy, hear our prayer of confession:
All:    We confess how difficult it is to truly love the     people around us; to care as deeply for their well-being as for our own.  We often act out of our own     self-interest; putting our needs and desires ahead of the needs of others.  
Leader:    You call us to turn away from the behaviors and attitudes of the world around us, and to be transformed by your grace.  
All:    Through your Holy Spirit, continue the work you have begun in us, so that our words and deeds may bring honor and glory to you.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.
*(8:30) GLORIA PATRI

SERVICE OF THE WORD

SCRIPTURE:                  Matthew 16: 21 - 28            Deacon Bunting
SERMON:                           “A Good Life”                      Rev. Johns
*HYMNS & PSALMS # 393  Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said

RESPONSE OF THE PEOPLE

JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER (trespasses)
CALL TO OFFERING
OFFERTORY:  The Gift of Love (1 Corinthians 13)    H. Hopson
Liza Catino, mezzo soprano
*HYMN:                       O God, Our Faithful God  (insert)
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE:                              Paean    K. Leighton
Please join us for fellowship and refreshments following the 10:00am worship service hosted by the Welcoming & Inclusion Committee.

Greeters:  Edith Nettleton and Ruth Nettleton
Ushers:  (8:30)  Bruce Hrozenchik and Vincent Samuolis
(10:00) Dave Knapp, Daphne Stitt, Pacific Giordano, Daniela Giordano
Breadbaker:  Peter Rebuzzini

The flowers today are given by John and Daphne Stitt in thanksgiving for their wonderful grandchildren, Eida Maria, Anika Mya, Khanothai Thomas (Tommy), Tanchanok Nid, Anusit Nek, and Ekasit Nook.

Deaconess for August is Irene Kubitsky (203-453-6672.)  Please make her aware of new births, adoptions, or anyone who needs a note of encouragement or sympathy.  CDs of worship services are available to sign out in Spencer House; sermon recordings are on our website: wwwfirstchurchguilford.org.  

Deacon for August is Kurt Linske (203-453-6838.)  If you have questions, concerns or compliments, please speak with him.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Guilford Job Network – this is a newly created group meets at the Father Sullivan Center at St. George Church, Whitfield St.  Its next meeting will be on Tuesday, Sept.6th at 7:00pm.

CHURCH CALENDAR

Tues., Aug. 30:  7:00pm  Board of Christian Educ.  Church Schl Rm 5
Sunday, Sept. 4:  Clare preaching   8:30am & 10:00am  Communion

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

WELCOME TO FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH!

United Church of Christ
An Open and Affirming Congregation

122 Broad Street
Guilford, CT  06437
203-453-5249 (phone)
203-453-5589 (fax)
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
website: www.firstchurchguilford.org
newsletter: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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 either after worship, or call or email us:  
Dr. Norris – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Rev. Robert – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Rev. Horst Clark – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To make an appointment, please call the Church Office.

OUR STAFF – PARTNERS IN MINISTRY

Kendrick L. Norris                                                      Senior Minister
Clare Robert                                               Interim Associate Minister
Lisa Horst Clark              Associate Minister for Children & Families
William C. Speed                                   Director of Music Ministries
Penelope Rebuzzini                                                     Office Manager
Larry Donahue                                                                          Sexton
Salisha Miller                                       Director of Pilgrim Fellowship
Liza Catino                                                         Junior Choir Director
Gail Etter                                                          Cherub Choir Director
Joe Catino                                                        Chair, Church Council
Dianne Hughes                                                                            Clerk
Debbie Peluse                                                                        Treasurer
Heather Collinson                                                             Bookkeeper
Debbie Bishop                                                       Financial Secretary
Jeanie Cacopardo                                              Editor, The Landmark
Martin Ewing                                                                     Webmaster