Bulletin, 10/30/2011

• Details
• Parent Category: Sunday Bulletins
• Published on Friday, 28 October 2011 20:48

TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
30 October 2011 --  8:30 & 10:00 a.m.

“Blessed are the peacemakers….”
Matthew 5: 9

Harvest Fair Needs

THE GATHERING

Meditative Thought:

For it is the God who said, ‘let light shine out of darkness,”
who has shone in our hearts to give light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels…. II Cor. 4:6-7

PRELUDE:              Toccata and Fugue in d minor    J. S. Bach
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
INTROIT:        In This Time of Quiet Reverence    arr. from Sivis
In this time of quiet reverence, God,
fill us now with everlasting peace,
and may each and every day we live
bring true faith in your abiding love.

OPENING PRAYER:  (in unison)
Come with us into the faith filled community, O God:
your truth to inspire us,
your word to instruct us,
your joy to dance with us,
your love to enfold us, every step of the way.  Amen.
*HYMNS & PSALMS # 474 O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright

(8:30)  CONFESSION AND PRAISE

CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
One:    Give us, O God, your zest for life.
When the routine of everyday dominates and oppresses us,
All:    give us, O God, your zest for life; free us up to follow
in fresh and exciting directions.
One:    When the worries of our situation seem never ending,
All:    give us O God, your zest for life, the will to seek help,
the courage to make difficult choices.
One:    When the troubles of a friend or family member weigh on us,
All:    give us, O God, your zest for life, that we may encourage
and inspire.
One:    When we have lost our dreams and life seems uninspiring
and dull,
All:    give us, O God, your zest for life, the vision of a joyful fellowship, the chance to share in new faith enterprises.
SILENT PRAYER
WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
One:    Like salt, like yeast, your influence is silent,
yet strong within us, O God.
All:    As we feel our confidence restored,
as we sense our hope renewed,
as we realize the power for good that is ours
in Christian fellowship, an active peace is ours.
One:    Pardon and peace is God’s will for you.
All:    Thanks be to God.  Amen.
*GLORIA PATRI  (H & P # 579)

(10:00)  WORD FOR ALL AGES

Word for All Ages    Chris Solimene & Charlie Churchmouse
*HYMNS & PSALMS # 369  I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me
After the first verse of this hymn, Church School participants in Grades Pre-K through 8 may leave for their classes.

SERVICE OF THE WORD

SCRIPTURE:                     Matthew 5:13-16                Deacon Linske
SERMON:                “Imperfect but Strongly Shining”       Dr. Norris
*HYMN:      We Are Salt for the Earth, O People  (insert)

RESPONSE OF THE PEOPLE

JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CALL TO OFFERING
OFFERTORY:          For the Beauty of the Earth    John Rutter
for text see Hymn #473
*HYMNS & PSALMS # 340        Eternal Light, Shine in My Heart
BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION RESPONSE:        Amen
POSTLUDE:                Toccata (Suite Gothique)    Léon Boëllmann
+ + +
Please join us for refreshments and fellowship downstairs in Fellowship Hall immediately following the 10:00am worship service today hosted by the Nominating Committee.  There is time to grab a cup of coffee and greet others before going to the Adult Forum at 11:30am in the Chapel.  The speaker today is Chuck Ramsey who will speak about an Adult Mission Trip to Nicaragua.  All are welcome.

Ushers:  (8:30)  Pat & Pete Russell
(10:00)  Norm Zabel, Edie Zabel, Preston Maynard, Eva Ewing
Breadbaker:  Liza Catino
Sound System:  JB Catlin

The dried flower arrangement on the Communion Table was made by members of the Dried Flowers area of the Harvest Fair.

CDs of worship services are available to sign out in Spencer House; sermon recordings are on our website: wwwfirstchurchguilford.org.

Deaconess for October is Pacific Giordano (203-488-2250.)  Please make him aware of new births, adoptions, or anyone who needs a note of encouragement or sympathy.  Mary is also the contact for information about our Prayer Shawl Ministry.

Deacon for October is Doris Fonicello (203-453-2180.)  If you have questions, concerns or compliments, please speak with her.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A Pictorial Exhibit of First Congregational Church History, prepared by Church Historians Edith and Ruth Nettleton, will be on display in the Narthex through November.

Halloween Happening for Grades 4, 5, 6 Today 5:30pm – Meet in the church parking lot to head over to the Gables to hand out treats to the residents there. We’ll return to the church and share some pizza and fellowship. Costumes encouraged!  Parents/Guardians needed for driving & chaperoning.  Permission slips given out in Church School.  Contact Chris at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Pilgrim Fellowship Meeting Tonight 7-9pm in Fellowship Hall.

“Invite a Neighbor to Church” Sunday - Sunday, Dec. 11th is our “invite a neighbor to church” Sunday. We are proud to open our doors to let new people know about the wonderful worship, music and ministries that we have to offer.  This is the perfect Sunday for two reasons. (1) It is Advent so the mood is elevated and church services are usually especially moving. (2) In the afternoon is the Service of Lessons and Carols. This is such a special service that it usually brings in many Guilford friends already.  Many church people think that an “invite your neighbor to church” Sunday is a good idea.  However, many church people are reluctant to actually do the inviting. This is understandable.  And we are going to address this dilemma head on. Mike Penn-Strah our Regional Conference Minister is a specialist concerning bring a neighbor to church Sunday.  He will be with us for the Sunday, Nov. 6th Adult Forum in the Chapel at 11:30am.  So if you think it’s a good idea to let people know all the wonderful things that are happening at First Church but are a little shy, please come and let Michael embolden and enlighten you. Let’s all work to make this day a success.                  Kendrick

New to First Church or Seek to Become a Member? We welcome to our worship and church life all who seek the presence of God, no matter where you are on your faith journey.  If you wish to learn more about First Church and the United Church of Christ (UCC), we offer Inquirer/New Member Meetings.  These meetings are especially helpful to those coming from a different denomination or faith background.  Join us on Sundays, Nov. 13 & Nov. 20 at 11:30am in the Minear Library in Spencer House.  Child care is available– please call the Church Office to request it.  New members will be received on Sunday, Dec. 4th during 10:00am worship.

Upper Room Daily Devotionals are available in a basket on the round table in the Narthex.

Open Meditation Mondays at 4 – 4:45pm in Minear Library.  If you have taken the Introduction to Christian Meditation Class, or have your own ongoing practice, you are welcome to sit in silence together every Monday. Come in quietly and leave as you wish.  Please note that Clare Robert is away Oct. 31.

Guilford Job Network Tues., Nov. 1st  7:00pm at the Fr. Sullivan Center behind St. George Church.  Assistance for those seeking new jobs; use of LinkedIn & “Social Media,” with trainer at CTWorks (Stephanie Jones). Attendees are encouraged (not required) to join or review the free Linked-In site http://www.linkedin.com/  in advance of the meeting.  All job seekers welcome; no advance reservation required.  For more information, please call Fr. Smith 203-453-2788.

Grocery Cards Available for sale this morning after worship: Each card sold for Big Y, Stop & Shop or Bishop’s Orchards provides a percentage to our church.  Look for Bob Howard in the Chapel or Joe Catino or Shannon Clarkson In Fellowship Hall.

Guilford Food Bank Needs: 100% fruit juices; canned fruit, tuna, ham, hash, stews; pancake/meal/potato/cake/mac & cheese mixes; dry milk, cereal.  You may leave your donations in the narthex.


No outside groups meet here this week as we prepare for the Harvest Fair on Saturday.

CHURCH CALENDAR

FH - Fellowship Hall;  GH – Griswold Hall; ML – Minear Library;
CR – Choir Room; CSB – Church School Bldg; BR – Bride’s Room

Sunday, October 30:  
8:30am  Worship – Chapel
9:00am  Bible Study – CSB Room 9
9:00am  Senior Choir Rehearsal – CR
10:00am  Worship, Nursery care, Church School
11:30am  Adult Forum – Chapel
11:30am  Pony Express Trail Boss Lunch- FH
5:30pm  Grade 4-6 Halloween Happening-meet at church
7:00pm  Pilgrim Fellowship - FH

Monday, October 31:
11:00am  Music & Transformation – BR
4:00pm  Open Meditation Time – ML
7:00pm  Stewardship Committee – CSB Rm 9

Tuesday, November 1:
6:00pm  Music Committee – CR
7:00pm  Board of Deacons – ML
7:00pm  Board of Christian Education – BR

Wednesday, November 2:
4:00pm  Junior Choir – FH
4:00pm  Cherub Choir – GH
7:00pm  Deepening Spiritual Connections – ML

Thursday, November 3:
7:15pm  Senior Choir rehearsal - CR

Saturday, November 5:
9:00am – 2:30pm  Harvest Fair

Sunday, November 6:  
8:30am  Worship – Chapel
9:00am  Bible Study – CSB Room 9
9:00am  Senior Choir Rehearsal – CR
10:00am  Worship, Nursery care, Church School
11:15am  Coffee Hour - FH
11:30am  Adult Forum – Chapel

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: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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 – 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.

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?  ____ more information about our Church?   Please drop this in the offering plate.

Name:___________________________________________

Address:  ________________________________________

Phone number:  ___________________________________

E-mail address:  ___________________________________

FIRST CHURCH HARVEST FAIR!

Attic Treasures seeks donations of Antiques, saleable quality glassware, crystal, china, silver, bric-a-brac, kitchen utensils, linens, frames, art memorabilia, vintage clothing, hats and small furniture.  We wash, polish, buff and iron your donations.  Donation can be dropped off in Fellowship Hall every night starting Monday, Oct. 31st from 7-9pm.  Cindy Magee at 203-453-5487.

Candy/Bakery Room: Please donate homemade candy or baked goods for us to sell.  Anything homemade is appreciated, especially pies & yeast breads.  Also: fudge, peanut brittle, chocolate-covered popcorn, quick breads, cookies, muffins, rolls, dessert bars & cakes.  Jellies, jams and relishes are also welcome.  Please label items that contain nuts, peanut butter or peanut oil.  Items may be delivered on Friday from 5-7pm and any time after 8am on Saturday to the window behind the Church School Building marked “Bakery” or brought inside to the Church School.  Thank you!  Karen Kalbfeld  203-458-7990; Debbie Peluse 203-453-5517 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; Betsy Platia at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Spare Jewelry? Also welcome: bureau top boxes, scarves, belts & small gift boxes. Please leave items in Spencer House, with a call or email to Rebecca Bunting: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or 203-458-1783.

Re-Gift It: We are looking for brand new items for this room. Please call Patty Ann Meyer 203-458-2656 for pickup or leave the items in Spencer House with a note that says ”Re-Gift it.” Thanks!

Toy Room Donations Sought- Please donate your children’s unused toys, games & DVDs (in safe and excellent condition only – in original box/case, no missing pieces.  No books, stuffed animals, high chairs, car seats or strollers.  Contacts: Virginia Friese (203-453-8895) or Maria Shank (203-640-0705.)

Tools Wanted for recycling and selling at the Harvest Fair!! Let us put your surplus, unused and unwanted hand and power tools back in circulation!! Call Bob  453-2842,  Al  453-9710,  Dave  245-3463,  Rob  458-1783,  Norm  453-5725  or Peter  457-1682.