Bulletin, 1/8/2012

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• Parent Category: Sunday Bulletins
• Published on Thursday, 05 January 2012 22:03

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
CLERGY ROTATION SUNDAY
8 January 2012  --   8:30 & 10:00 a.m.

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

THE GATHERING

PRELUDE:  "... the heavens were opened..." [Baptism Dance]
Dan Locklair
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
INTROIT:  At the River
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Leader:    Let us journey to the Jordan River,
All:    crossing-place of the people of Israel when they came into the promised land.

Leader:    Let us journey to the Jordan River,
All:    and stand with the crowds who confess their sins, and are baptized by John.
Leader:    Let us journey to the Jordan River,
All:    and watch with awe as Jesus comes to be baptized.
Leader:    Let us journey to the Jordan River,
All:    and realize our responsibility as members of the “Community of the Baptized.”
*HYMNS & PSALMS # 319     Spirit of Gentleness

LITANY FOR THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST
Genesis 1: 1 -5
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.  Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.  And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.  God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
Leader:   The voice of God spoke over the waters,
All:    And the voice of God said, “Let there be … and there was.”
Leader:    The voice said, “Let there be girls and boys, women and men.”
All:    And God said, “It is very good.”
Leader:    Through the Red Sea waters,
All:    God led the Hebrews to freedom.
Leader:    In the fullness of time God sent Jesus Christ
All:    Who was nurtured in the water of Mary’s womb.
Leader:    In the water of the Jordan,
All:    John baptized Jesus.
Leader:    The voice of God came from heaven,
Girls and Women:  And the voice of God said, “You are my daughter, the beloved.”
Boys and Men: “You are my son, the beloved.”
All:    “With you I am well pleased.”
Leader:    With water Jesus washed the feet of his disciples
All:    And taught them to serve others.
UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION:
God, who spoke words of love for Jesus at his baptism, and who yet speaks words of love for us at the font, be present. Transform us in your waters.  Speak to us anew this day that we may know that you call us by name. May we offer ourselves boldly to a world that desperately longs to be re-created in your love. Amen.
(8:30)*GLORIA PATRI  (H & P # 579)
(10:00)*HYMNS & PSALMS #71  Lord, When You Came to Jordan
After the first verse Church School participants in grades PreK through 8 will leave for their classes.

SERVICE OF THE WORD

SCRIPTURE:    Isaiah 42:1 - 9   Deacon Bunting
Mark 1:4-11
SERMON:   "Beloved"     Rev. Van Epps
*SERMON HYMN: I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry  (insert)

RESPONSE OF THE PEOPLE

JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER   (trespasses)
CALL TO OFFERING
OFFERTORY:               The Baptism of Jesus               Peter Hallock

Jesus autem hodie regressus est a Jordanae
(Even today Jesus returns to the Jordan.)  
When Jesus Christ baptised was,
the Holy Ghost descended with grace;
the Father voice was heard in the place:
Hic est filius meus, ipsum intende
(This is my beloved son; listen to him).
There were Three Persons and one Lord,
the Son baptised with one accord,
the Father said this blessed word:
Hic est filius meus, ipsum intende.
Now, Jesu, as thou art both God and man,
and were baptised in from Jordan,
at our last end, we pray thee, say then:
Hic est filius meus, ipsum intende.

*HYMNS & PSALMS # 525     Here I Am, Lord
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE:        Preludium and Fugue in g minor      D. Buxtehude
+ + +
We warmly welcome Rev. John Van Epps to our pulpit this morning as part of the New Haven East Consociation Clergy Rotation Sunday.  John has served the North Guilford Congregational Church since 1999.   He is also the part-time archivist for the Connecticut Conference.  He has served churches in New York and was pastor in Rocky Hill for over twelve years.  He will retire from the North Guilford church this spring.  He and his wife Michele have a blended family of four college children.

Clare is preaching at the North Haven Congregational Church today.
Following the 10am worship, please join us downstairs in Fellowship Hall for refreshments and fellowship today hosted by the Board of Deacons.  The Adult Forum is at 11:30 in the Chapel.  Rev. Barbara Barlok, from Interfaith Caregivers in New Haven, will speak with us about “Life Stories Review.”  All are welcome.  

Greeters:  Anne, Kevin, Luke and Grant Waehner
Ushers:   (8:30)  Sue Craig and Jane Rowen
(10:00)  Peter and Penelope Rebuzzini, Daphne Stitt, Larry Proctor
Breadbaker:  Marianne Valley
Sound System:  JB Catlin

The roses on the Communion Table celebrate the December 4the birth of Thomas Daniel Edens Walk and Felix Collins Edens Walk,
twin sons of Ellen Edens and Nathan Walk, brother of Annie.

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

Deaconess for January is Eva Ewing (203-315-5160).  Please make her 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 January is Anita Soucy (203-457-9834).  If you have questions, concerns or compliments, please speak with her.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chairpersons of Boards and Committees: Please remember Annual Reports are due by Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.   If you have any questions, please call or e-mail Penelope.

Cleaning House: There are a number of Christmas platters, soup saucepans etc., which were left behind after our wonderful Christmas gatherings.  Please check out the table in Fellowship Hall and take home what is yours! 

Pilgrim Fellowship Meets Tonight 7 – 9pm in Fellowship Hall.

2012 Annual Interfaith Breakfast celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday will be held Monday, Jan. 16th 8:30am at St. Therese’s Church, 105 Leete’s Island Rd., Branford.  Tickets are $10 and are available after the worship and in the Church Office.  Proceeds benefit Welfare Oil and the Community Dining Room.  For more information, speak with Clyde Work 203-458-7708.

Introduction to Christian Meditation CDs are available – If you requested a copy of the CD, attended a   Meditation classes Clare offered, or are interested in learning about Christian meditation, you’re invited to pick up a CD from the Spencer House Kitchen.  

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.

Job Hunting? The Guilford Job Network offers assistance & support and meets next on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 7pm in the Fr. Sullivan Ctr behind Saint George Church.  All job seekers welcome.  For more information, contact Fr. Smith at 203-453-2788 ext 204.

CHURCH CALENDAR

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

Sunday, January 8:  
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
12:30pm  Called to Care Luncheon - FH
7:00pm  Pilgrim Fellowship – FH
7:00pm  BSA Leaders Mtg- GH

Monday, January 9:  
11:00am  Music & Transformation – BR
4:00pm  Open Meditation - ML
7:00pm  Confirmation – GH
7:30pm  Welcoming & Inclusion - ML

Tuesday, January 10:
7:00pm  Church Council - FH

Wednesday, January 11:
4:00pm  Junior Choir – FH
4:00pm  Cherub Choir – GH
6:30pm  Search Committee – ML
7:15pm  Bd of Community & World Concerns – CSB #9

Thursday, January 12:
7:00pm  BSA Troop 474 – FH
7:15pm  Senior Choir Rehearsal – CR
7:30pm  Peace, Affirmation & Justice Comm - ML

Sunday, January 15: Kendrick preaching
8:30am  Worship –Chapel
9:00am  Bible Study – CSB Room 9
9:00am  Senior Choir Rehearsal - CR
10:00am  Worship, Nursery care, Children’s Program
11:30am  Adult Forum – Chapel
No Pilgrim Fellowship

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–FH                   Alateen:  Tues., 7:30pm-FH
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
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. or
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.

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