|
World Communion Sunday
1 October
2006
10 o’clock in the morning
|
Welcome
to this Service of Worship at First Congregational
Church as we gather with the Church universal for the celebration of World Communion Sunday. As we share in the
Lord’s Supper this day, we are joining with sisters and brothers around the globe in this action of Christian unity
and renewal. May this sharing together touch you at the deepest level and strengthen you in your journey with Christ.
In the words of Angelus Silesius, the 17th century poet and mystic:
“We keep so busy talking
we are so keen to act
that we forget
that in the heart
lies all we need
untapped, intact.”
First Congregational Church of Greenwich declares itself to be open and affirming; open to all for participation,
membership, leadership and employment, and affirming of all who wish to join us as children of God. We continue to
give thanks for God's guidance in our journey of faith.
|
|
PREPARING FOR
WORSHIP
*All who are
able, please stand
‡Seating of latecomers
PRELUDE Carolyn Diamond, organ
Variations on PICARDY (Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence) Michael Helman
CALL TO COMMUNITY Rev. Ronald E. Halvorsen
Please sign and pass the red
book.
CALL TO WORSHIP
PRAISING
GOD
*OPENING HYMN AND PROCESSION
Pilgrim Hymnal 15 to the tune LOBE DEN HERREN
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
OPENING PRAYER (in unison)
O God of all that has the potential for growth,
be present at the table you have prepared for us this day
that we might be drawn toward Christ
and toward each other as journeyers on his Way. Amen.
CONFESSING TO
GOD
CALL TO CONFESSION Rev. Susan M. Craig
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison)
God of our life’s dimly recognized beginnings,
we confess that we have not walked with a steady pace
and our eyes have drifted from the horizon.
God of our life’s all too practical present,
we confess that we have sat at tables far from your presence
and our minds have confirmed your distance.
God of our life’s unimaginable unfolding,
we confess that we have knelt at tangible altars,
and our hearts have been fearful of faith.
Forgive us in this hour of remembering
for all those postures of our living
which separate us from you, from others, and from
our best selves.
For we would be restored to the joy of our salvation
in the bread which is broken
in the cup which is poured out for us!
In the power of Christ’s presence. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
‡CONGREGATIONAL
RESPONSE
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Alleluia.
HEARING GOD'S WORD
FIRST LESSON Donald Haviland
Mark 14: 12-25
On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, ‘Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, “The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.’ So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.
When it was evening, he came with the twelve. And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.’ They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, ‘Surely, not I?’ He said to them, ‘It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’
While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’
SCRIPTURE ANTHEM The Chancel
Choir
St. Matthew Passion (excerpt) Johann Sebastian Bach
Tenor Terry Beaurline as the Evangelist
and bass Erik Kroncke in the role of Jesus
will sing the Words of Institution
as found in Matthew 26:26-29.
SECOND LESSON
Romans 12: 1-8
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
‡*HYMN
New Century Hymnal 338 to the tune UNA ESPIGA
Sheaves of Summer (Una Espiga)
(The Pastor’s Class and Sixth Grade leave for their classes)
SERMON
“Living Sacraments” Dr. David D.
Young
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (in
unison)
We believe in God the Eternal Spirit,
Who is made known to us in Jesus our brother, and
Who bestows upon us the Holy Spirit.
God calls us into the church
to accept the cost and joy of discipleship,
to be servants in the service of the whole human family,
to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil,
to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table,
to join him in his passion and victory.
God promises to all who trust in the gospel
forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in that kingdom which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God. Amen.
From the U.C.C. Statement of Faith
*Gloria Patri (New Century
Hymnal 754)
Glory to God the Creator, and to the
Christ, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is
now, and will be forever. Amen. Amen.
CALL TO OFFERING
OFFERTORY ANTHEM The Chancel Choir
Ave Verum Corpus Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Ave verum corpus natum de Maria Virgine,
Vere passum, immolatum in cruce pro homine,
Cujus latus perforaturm, unda fluxit et sanguine,
Esto nobis praegustatum in mortis examine.
Hail, true Body, born of the Virgin Mary,
Who truly suffered, sacrificed on the cross for mortals,
From whose pierced side flowed water and blood;
Be for us a foretaste (of heaven) at our final judgement.
*Doxology (New Century Hymnal
776)
Praise God from whom all blessings
flow; Praise Christ, all creatures here below; Praise Holy Spirit,
Comforter; One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen.
Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication
SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER (seated)
Prayer of Consecration
Serving of the Bread and Cup
In the tradition of our church, let us partake of the bread as it is served, remembering our individual uniqueness in the eyes of God and our diversity within the Body of Christ. Let us hold the cup until all have been served, remembering our oneness with God and our unity in the Body of Christ.
During communion the Chancel Choir will sing "Jesus Is Here Right Now," which can be found at New Century Hymnal 348 and there will be a piano arrangement of "Fairest Lord Jesus" by Eugenie Rocherolle. The organ selection will be "Blest Be the Tie that Binds" arranged by Wilbur Held.
Prayer of Thanksgiving (in unison)
We thank you, Lord, for inviting us to this table where we have known the presence of Christ and have received Christ’s gifts. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and let us show forth your praise in our lives. We celebrate our unity with the world community of faith as we have been renewed at Christ’s table and we join now in the universal prayer he taught , as we sing together. . .
s
LORD'S PRAYER (sung by congregation)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
GOING FORTH TO SERVE GOD
*CLOSING HYMN AND PROCESSION
New Century Hymnal 347 to the tune LINSTEAD
Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
*CLOSING SENTENCES
Leader: “Today salvation has come to this house.”
For we have shared in Eucharist,
a feast of thanksgiving.
People: We cannot talk Eucharist,
We cannot philosophize about it.
We cannot dogmatize it.
We do it.
Leader: Sometimes we laugh it, Sometimes we cry it,
Often we sing it.
People: Sometimes it’s wild peace, then crying hurt,
Often humiliating, never deserved.
Freely given, gratefully received.
R. Voight / St. Luke
*BENEDICTION
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE
POSTLUDE
Festival Voluntary Flor Peeters
The flowers in the Meetinghouse this morning are given given in remembrance of
J. Robert Guy by Louise Guy and daughters, Cristina Birkic and Cynthia Slack.
Deacons Serving Communion: Richard Peebles, Beth Beam, Enid Norris, Mary Ranta, Peter Schay, Andy Taylor, Jahn Thalheim, and Jean Watkins
Ushers: Rob Janelli, Ginge Liddel, and Sandy Sandlock
Greeters and Coffee Hour Hosts: Nights Off
Flower Delivery: Barbara and Stan Rawn
Calendar
TODAY
Church School
Worship in the Daniels Center before class for Kindergarten - 5th Grades. Sixth grade and Pastors' Class begin in the Meetinghouse. All classes meet until 11:15 AM. Child Care for babies and toddlers is available in the Undercroft.
Cherub Choir for K, 1,
and 2, 11:20 to 11:50 AM, in Room 104.
Youth Choir, grades 7 to 12, 11:20 AM to 12:20 PM, in the
Choir Room.
Sunday Parents Study Group The Price of Privilege begins today in the Church Lounge from 11:20 AM to 12:00 PM.
Blood Pressure Screening ***NEW LOCATION***
A member of the Wellness Committee is available to check blood pressures in the front office reception area following the worship service.
JPF 5 to 6 PM Room 103
SPF 6:30 to 8 PM Room 103
THIS WEEK
Remembering Your Story, facilitated by Rev. Ron Halvorsen for
residents of Edgehill who are members of First Church begins Tuesday Oct 3rd 4:00 – 5:15 PM at Edgehill.
Children’s Choir Wednesday Oct 4th 5 - 6 PM in the Choir Room
14th Annual Organ Oktoberfest Wednesday Oct 4th 8 PM
Carolyn Diamond “Rhythm, Repetition & Blues”
Faith and the Work Place facilitated by Dr. David Young Oct 5th
7 – 8 AM in the Lounge. Explore how faith and Christian principals can play an important role in decision-making and work throughout the week. See Adult Education Booklet for further details.
Chancel Choir Thursday Oct 5th 7:30 – 9:00 PM in the Choir Room
NEXT SUNDAY
Church School All children will begin in the Meetinghouse with their families
before going to the Daniels Center for an All Church School Event. Child Care will be available.
First Church Preschool Director, Libby White, will meet with the parents of prospective students for the school
year beginning September 2007. This meeting is for members of First Church whose children fall into that category,
generally children who will be three years old by December 31, 2007. The session will begin at 11:15 in the Lounge.
The Members of The
First Congregational Church of Greenwich,
Ministers
United
Church of Christ
Senior Pastor: David D. Young
Senior
Associate Pastor: Susan M. Craig
Minister of Pastoral Care:
Ronald E. Halvorsen
Parish Associate and Youth Director: Anna L.
Paskausky
Parish Nurse: Susan Asselin
Church School
Coordinator: Rosemary Lamie
Director of Music/Senior Organist:
John Stansell
Associate Organist/Director: Mark
Swicegood
Pastors Emeriti: Thomas L. Stiers and Sally
Colegrove
Sunday Service of Worship
-
8:00 AM Beach Service
10 AM Church Service
Church School
- 10 am
Nursery Care provided during the
10 am Service.
The
10 am Service is broadcast live
on WGCH 1490 am Radio.
http://www.fccog.org/
|
