November 22, 2009
85 Upper Main Street
PO Box 475
Morrisville,Vermont 05661
To contact us:
The First Congregational Church
First Congregational Church,
United Church of Christ
Morrisville, Vermont
November 22, 2009
A Service of Intergenerational Worship
WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD
Prelude “Pastorale” J.S. Bach
Introit “We Are the Church Together” 3-5 year old Sunday School Class
Call To Worship
One: O extravagant God, in this late autumn beckoning winter, waken in us a sense of joy for just being alive
All: Joy for nothing in general except everything in particular
One: Joy in sun and rain and early snow
All: Joy in soft light streaming through bare trees
One: Joy in the beating of a thousand wings just knowing how to veer toward warmth
All: Joy in kids’ smiles and voices raised in song
One: Joy for this town of ours, with history upon history
All: Joy for the harvest and the bountiful blessing
One: Joy in having what we cannot live without—people to hold and cry and laugh with.
All: Joy in your love, extravagant God; for grace that is first and last.
*Hymn Pilgrim Hymnal #461 “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”
Opening Prayer
Choral Anthem “Lord Be Glorified” Youth ChoirPrayer of Confession
One: Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven; rise and walk.”
All: Forgiveness is an unlocked door to walk through into a wide-open world.
One: Forgiveness is a seed to water with new dreams and wild risks until it bears unexpected fruit
All: Forgiveness is both enemy and friend, as we are called to live as a forgiven people
One: Forgiveness is smelling deeply of fragrant flowers,
All: Standing with the wind at my back, screaming joys, softly laughing beneath pain.
One: It is I becoming we becoming Yours.
All: Forgiveness is a song to sing. O God, unlock the door of my heart so I can rise and walk. Amen.
Assurance of Grace
*Passing the Peace
One: The peace and love of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Let us offer one another a sign of Christ’s peace and love.
Choral Anthem “Anthem of Graditude” J. Martin
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD PROCLAIMEDScripture Matthew 5:1-9; 14
Sermon for children of all ages “Blessed, Thankful, and Filled with the Light of Joy!”
*Hymn NCH #525 “This Little Light of Mine”
WE OFFER OUR PRAYERS AND GIFTS TO GOD
Patoral Prayer The Lord’s Prayer (trespasses), New Century Hymnal, p. 9, B Morning Offering Offertory Sentences Offertory Anthem *DoxologyPraise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God all creatures here below.
Praise God above, you heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen (alternative: Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost) *Prayer of DedicationO God, turn your Spirit loose now and us with it, so that we may go to the edge of ministry in your name. O God, turn your Spirit loose now and us with it, so that the offerings of our time, talent, and treasure can reach to the edge of ministry in your name. O God, turn your Spirit loose now so that we may be fully blessed, fully empowered to do the work of your hands, to do your work with your heart beating within us. O God, turn your Spirit loose now so that we may have the joy of discipleship one with another. Amen.
WE GO FORTH TO SERVE IN GOD’S WORLD
*Hymn NCH #425 “For the Fruit of All Creation”
BenedictionBenediction Response “The Lord Bless You and Keep You”
Postlude “Festival March” R. Powell
(Please feel free to sit and enjoy or depart from the sanctuary at your own pace.)*Please stand in body or spirit.
The liturgy today is loosely adapted from “Guerillas of Grace” by Ted Loder.
¨ Welcome to our worship service. We are happy you’ve chosen to worship with us this morning. If you arrived as a stranger, we hope you will depart as a friend.
¨ Our Mission is to promote the worship of God as revealed through Jesus Christ and to promote the study of Scripture. Relying on Scripture and prayer as our guides, we strive to serve humanity.
¨ Do you love our church? Do you enjoy our worship? Are you excited about our Sunday School program? Invite someone to church! Invite someone back to church!
¨ Sunday School begins after the anthem. There are three (3) classrooms: 2 ½-5 year olds; 6-8 year olds, and 9-12 year olds. Nursery care is also available for 2 and under.
Assisting with Worship this morning
|
Greeter |
Audrey Stiles |
Usher |
Maureen Cheney |
|
Leader |
Marisa Laviola |
Organist |
Shaun Booher |
|
Youth Music |
Deidre Tascarella |
Childcare |
Maureen Cheney |
|
Reader |
Deidre Tascarella |
Childcare |
Andrew Tascarella |
|
Refreshments |
BRUNCH |
Flowers |
Dorothy Reeve |
November 15, 2009
Attendance: 45
Benevolence: $25.00 Contributions: $160.70 Pledges: $465.00 Prepaid Pledges: $300.00
Announcements
The 2009 Sunday Morning Volunteer Schedule is posted on the board under the Cradle Roll by the coffee maker in the Dining room. Please sign up for Refreshments, Reader, Greeter, Flowers or the Care Bag. Your participation makes all the difference.
Calling all acolytes!! All children are invited to pick a Sunday to light the candles before worship. The candles will be lit during the first hymn.
For those who have not yet turned their pledges in, it’s not too late! Please give so that the ministries of this church can bring Christ’s light into our community and into the world.
Today is Brunch! Stay and share together the bounty of God’s blessing.
Confirmands meet with their mentors today after worship.
The Christian Ed. Committee meets with new teachers today after worship.
Marisa will be away from Tuesday November 24 until Saturday November 28. For pastoral needs, call Mike Reeve at 888-7236. Rev. Alden Launer is available for pastoral emergencies. He can be reached anytime through the Copley Hospital switchboard.
Women’s fellowship meets Tuesday at 6 pm. Come for potluck dinner and join in the making of wreaths for our Sanctuary!
Our Secretary, Allison LeFevre, is scaling back her hours at church. You can reach her by phone on M, T., Th, F, from 10am to noon. Please call during those hours to reach her directly.
Hats off to Youth Rocks!! Some unknown folks painted graffiti on our church siding and Melissa and the kids of Youth Rocks cleaned up the graffiti. Hats off to Youth Rocks!!
What does it mean to have hope, peace, joy, and love as we await the birth of Christ, as we anticipate the craziness of the season? Come to an Advent Bible Study on Tuesday Dec 1, 8, 15, and 22! Choose one of two offerings: noon to 1 pm with brown bag lunch; 7-8:15pm with child care provided.
Visitor Information Cards and Prayer Request Cards are now available in the pews and on the back table.
Community Youth Group meets on Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30 in our Teen Center.
Copies of Marisa’ sermons are available. You can view them on the church web site, or see Marisa for a copy. Our web site address is www.morrisvilleucc.org .
