the first congregational...
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The First Congregational Church United Church of Christ
Bloomfield, CT An open and affirming congregation
Sunday, October 23, 2016
OUR MISSION Responding to God’s Call, our mission as The First Congregational Church in Bloomfield, United
Church of Christ, is to go out into the world proclaiming God’s love for all creation, working for justice, bringing Christ’s peace and growing in love and faith through service to others. We are a safe and sacred community that welcomes all people and supports each individual journey of faith.
T he F i rs t C ong r e ga t io na l C hur c h in B lo o mf ie ld , UCC 1 0 W in t on b u ry Av e n u e , B l oo m f i e l d , C T 0 6 0 0 2
G a ther e d a s W i nto nb ury Pa r i sh F e br ua r y 14 , 173 8 R e n e w in g o u r f a i t h a s p e o p l e o f G o d
8 :00 & 10 :0 0 a .m. S unda y , O c tob er 23 , 20 16
THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMES
WE GATHER TOGETHER
PRELUDE Reflets dans l'eau( Reflections in the Water) Claude Debussy
Jasmine Jia, pianist WELCOME please fill out the Ritual of Friendship pads
LIFE OF OUR CHURCH WELCOME GUESTS PASSING OF THE PEACE CENTERING MOMENT “You are invited to be at Peace and One with GOD’s Spirit. Let us prepare ourselves to worship our God. In silence …be at peace!”
WE WORSHIP GOD (+ indicates that those who are able may stand)
INTROIT Cantad al Senor (Oh, Sing to the Lord) Brazilian Folk Song, arranged by Susan Geschke
The Accidentals Handbell Choir
CALL TO WORSHIP Pastor Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall have shalom, peace that moves us to promote, justice, compassion and love. May we all be blessed by God’s presence, may we all be blessed by our fellowship. May God restore in us hope and serenity! All God’s liberating spirit has inspired us; God’s blessings can be counted. We rejoice in worshipping our liberating God. We come to worship with open hearts. Let us praise the living God who is in us, with us and
beyond us. Let us praise God with fruits of compassion, caring for all of God’s creation. Let us be one in worship!
+HYMN OF AFFIRMATION Spirit, Come, Dispel Our Sadness # 229
PRAYER OF INVOCATION & CONFESSION (UNISON) Loving God, present among us in creative ways, we are grateful for one more day to serve, one more hour to love, one more minute to praise. For this day we are grateful for having awakened to the morning sun. We are grateful...and we join in one prayer…
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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.
MUSICAL OFFERING Comfort Ye Johann Schop, arranged by Margaret Tucker The Accidentals Handbell Choir, Jasmine Jia, cellist
SHARING THE GOOD NEWS WITH OUR CHILDREN Dorine Decarli
GOD IS STILL SPEAKING! MAY GOD’S SPIRIT FILL OUR HEARTS WITH LOVE
MAY WE DISCOVER GOD’S REVELATIONS IN ALL EXPRESSIONS OF LIFE LISTEN TO THE WORD OF GOD…GOD IS STILL SPEAKING!”
FIRST LESSON Joel 2: 23-29 OT p.1038 in black Bible, p.848 in red SECOND LESSON Luke 10: 1-12 NT p.86 in black Bible, p.71 in red
CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet # 297
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
PASTOR’S REFLECTION “A SPIRITUAL HARVEST TO SHARE” Pastor Ayala
+HYMN There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit (see insert)
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S LOVE
OFFERTORY PRAYER “Blessed by Grace...Our financial support builds community”
OFFERTORY Poor Wayfaring Stranger American Folk Song, arranged by Jerry Estes Trio: Charlotte Mottram, Bainie Wild, Larry Wild
PRESENTATION OF OFFERING DOXOLOGY # 44
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above ye heavenly hosts; Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER AND DEDICATION OF OFFERINGS (UNISON) God of grace and new possibilities, God of joy, hope and new revelations. Out of grace…we have shared our offerings. Receive them as expressions Of gratitude. Bless these offerings shared by many. May they be a blessing to the ministries of this congregation. Touching many lives as we reach out to others with a message of love, peace, hope, liberation and new life! In the name of Jesus the Christ we pray…Amen!
SHARING EXPRESSIONS OF JOY AS WELL AS CONCERNS PASTORAL PRAYER
CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying Lord, listen to your children praying, Lord, send your spirit in this place;
Lord, listen to your children praying, Send us love, send us pow’r, send us grace.
WE GO FORTH TO SERVE
+ HYMN OF COMMITMENT TO SERVE In the Midst of New Dimensions # 363
+BENEDICTION (Receive the blessing while holding hands) Pastor Ayala
“People of GOD…PEACE…SALAAM…ArDievu…Vayan con Dios…SHALOM”
“Go with God’s Blessing!”
LET GOD RESTORE US GO AND ENJOY LIFE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
GO…BE A GOOD NEWS CHRISTIAN GO…BLESS THOSE AROUND US!
GO…BE A RAINBOW IN SOMEONE’S CLOUD!
GO… WITH THE BLESSING OF…
GOD THE ALMIGHTY CREATOR, JESUS THE INSPIRING ONE, OUR SAVIOR
AND WITH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
GO… LIVE FULLY AND LET GOD SURPRISE YOU!
CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Amen, Amen, Amen
There will be no postlude due to the Annual Meeting
Our guest pianist and cellist, Jasmine Jia, began her music studies with the piano at age 7 and now takes lessons with Ms. Lan -Ya Huang. She has expanded her music studies and started playing the cello in 3rd grade. Jasmine, who attends Williams Middle School, in Longmeadow, MA, has been playing the cello for her school orchestra since the 4th grade. Outside of school, she also plays the cello for the Springfield Symphony Youth Orchestra. We welcome Jasmine to our worship service.
THOSE IN OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS (AMONG MANY):
* Please keep Jack & Anne Carroll (former members of FCCB) in prayer on the
loss of their granddaughter. * Prayers for the Ciba Family on the recent loss of daughter Rachel Markowitz.
* Prayers for Bonnie King’s healing from recent cancer reoccurrence.
*Please extend words of comfort and prayers to Charlotte Mottram and family
* Allan & Sue Thompson are grateful for all your prayers and cards for our son-in-law, Sean Boland.
Sean is on the road to recovery with gradual improvement each day. We all are thankful. *Please keep Alan & Dana Wild and their family in prayer, for support and assistance as they
search for a place to live and deal with the aftermath of their home being destroyed by fire. * Adele Wright has returned to her home at Avery Heights # 224, Hartford, CT 06106. Cards and
prayers appreciated. *Keep Calvin and Estelle Cole in your thoughts and prayers. Calvin is at Bloomfield Center
for Nursing and Rehab, Estelle is at home, cards and calls would be appreciated. * Michael Edwards, praying for release.
*Prayers that God will speak to us and through us as we seek God's leading and vision for
our Church. *Family & Friends of All Soldiers Who Have Fallen In Iraq & Afghanistan.
*Our friends at Community Solutions, Inc., that God will support them as they find new
opportunities and hope for the future.
Doris Ahrens David Berg Sue Davis Gladys Dunbar Carol Johnson Charles Miles Charlotte Babcock Julie Cato Jane Doble Elaine Nelson Madge Edwards Hicksbert (Lloyd) Grant Faye Smith Carol Wolcott
Please Remember These Connecticut Conference Churches in Your Prayers
South Windsor Southbury Wapping Community Church UCC South Britain Congregational Church Southbury Southington United Church of Christ, Southbury First Congregational Church of Southington Southport Southport Congregational UCC
ANNOUNCEMENTS Welcome Guests! We are so glad you are here and invite you to join us after Worship for Coffee Hour. No Coffee Hour today. Budget Meeting after worship service. Today’s Head Usher is Oz Gibbs. Today’s Lay Reader is Roger Bunker. Our Nursery is open every Sunday during the 10 a.m. Worship. Please see one of our ushers and they will be happy to direct you.
This Week at a Glance…
Looking Ahead: Lectionary possibilities for next week include:
Joel 2: 23-32; Psalm 65 or Sirach 35: 12-17 or Jeremiah 14: 7-10, 19-22; Psalm 84: 1-7; 2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 16-18; Luke 18: 9-14
Sunday, Oct 23 8:00 am Bible Discussion Living Room
10:00 am Worship Meeting Room
Annual Meeting Meeting Room
12:30 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel
Monday, Oct 24 7:00 pm Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, Oct 26
9:30 am Jump Bunch Fellowship Hall
4:00 pm ABC Fellowship Hall
7:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room
7:00 pm New Birth Community Church Metzger Chapel
Thursday, Oct 27 10:00 am Bible Study Living Room
7:00 pm Glenwood Green Board Meeting Fellowship Hall
Friday, Oct 28 6:00 pm Faith Formation Family Fun Night Fellowship Hall
7:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Counting Room
Saturday, October 29, 2016 EVERY SATURDAY 11:30 AM – 1 PM
BLOOMFIELD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH COMMUNITY FOOD KITCHEN 297 School Street, corner of Wintonbury Ave & School St. Children and Families and ALL are
welcome. For information please call 860-242-5641 or 860-874-7679.
Volunteers are needed to help serve once a quarter. For more information, call Sally Foster 860-243-0274
Bible Study
Thursdays @ 10 am
We are studying
"Re-Claiming the Bible for a
Non-Religious World"
by John Shelby Spong. Join us in the Living Room
The Sunday Bulletin is now available to read at www.FirstChurchBloomfield.org
Next Sunday, OCTOBER 30th, 2016
Celebrating Community
Pastor Ed’s sermon: “A Harvest of Love & Justice”
Scriptures – Isaiah 1: 10-20 & John 15: 12-17
“COME AND INVITE OTHERS …SHARE GOD’S
WELCOMING SPIRT”
CALL TO MEETING TODAY
Following the 10 a.m. service
To vote on:
The 2016-2017 budget
Reporting and Conversation on
Any other business that may come before the group.
Edwin Ayala, Interim Minister
2016 CTUCC Revival Calls Us To Work by Drew Page
NEW HAVEN (10/17/2016) – The Second Annual CTUCC Revival was held at Dixwell Avenue Congregational Church on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 13-15. The three night gathering featured inspirational music and passionate sermons that called for renewal of the church through understanding our roots and listening to what God is calling us to be.
"We have come to give God thanks and praise for all of the amazing and wonderful and magnificent things that God has already done," said the Rev. Da Vita McCallister, Associate Conference Minister for Leadership and Vitality, who organized and led the three night gathering.
Those who attended the Revival entered to the singing praises of several musical groups. On Thursday, music was led by the Liberty Christian Center Praise Team. Friday and Saturday music was led by Mr. Garrick Jordan, Mrs. Deremius Williams, and Rev. Mia Douglas with accompanist Paul Cameron. Additional music was provided by Mr. Sean Lilly, Mrs. Persephone Hall, Ms. Nancy Ducharme, and the Dixwell Avenue Congregational Choir.
The Bishop Yvette Flunder, Presiding Bishop of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, a multi-denominational coalition of over 56 churches and faith-based organizations from all over the world, gave the sermons on Thursday and Friday evenings.
"We are trying to create a loving church right under… the heavy handedness of a Christianity that was oppressive at its beginning. We learned it in oppression," said Flunder on Thursday night as she described a history of Christianity that has been both oppressed and the oppressor.
On Friday, Flunder addressed the concept of unity. "Unity," said Flunder, "is not sameness - we are not the same, and we are not deficient because we are not the same. We are different, and different does not mean deficient."
Flunder closed her sermon by stating that the work of justice is difficult work and is not "for wimps." Warning that there would be "costs" to bringing about change, she called on the church nonetheless to take a lead in bringing about that change. "What we want to see in the world, we must model....in our conferences…in our associations…in our churches."
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Saturday's sermon was delivered by the Rev. Tamara Moreland, Northwest Central Regional Minister for the Connecticut Conference. Moreland focused her message on Ezekiel's image of a valley of dry bones. She assured us that God can restore "any nation or church no matter how dry or dead it may be." But she warned that sometimes we can be deceived by activity that only appears to be vitality.
"Sometimes we’re singing, sometimes we’re shouting, sometimes we’re waving our hands and there seems to be a move, but sometimes God’s not even in that," said Moreland. She continued by referring back to Ezekiel. "Ezekiel wisely didn't mistake commotion for
regeneration. Even today, the flesh can generate activity, but true revival cannot take place without the Spirit."
In closing, Moreland shared a prophetic story about a young girl playing in a softball game. A woman asked the player how it was going. "It's 18 to nothing and we're behind," said the girl. "That's discouraging," said the woman. The girl responded. "Why should I be discouraged? We haven't even gotten up to bat yet."
The CTUCC Revival is an annual multi-evening worship organized through the Racial Justice Ministries of the Connecticut Conference. Collected offerings will support Our Church's Wider Mission, the Historically African-American Congregation Scholarship Fund and the Leadership & Vitality Ministries of CTUCC. The dates for the 2017 CTUCC Revival are set for October 13 and 14.
Drew Page is the News & Media Editor for the Connecticut Conference, UCC.
Bishop Yvette Flunder | Rev. Tamara Moreland
The First Congregational Church in Bloomfield
U N I T E D CH U R C H O F CH R I S T
Welcome to the First Congregational Church in Bloomfield We hope that you find comfort, joy & inspiration in this time of worship;
and renewed energy for your journey of faith. You are invited to remain after the service this morning for refreshments and informal conversation.
SCHEDULE Bible Discussion is held at 8 am each Sunday starting September 18
Worship is held at 10 am each Sunday Bell Choir Rehearsals will resume in the fall on Monday evenings at 6. Choir Rehearsals will resume in the fall on Wednesday evenings at 7.
STAFF Rev. Edwin O. Ayala, Interim Pastor Andrea Davey-Mercer, Administrative Assistant Dorine DeCarli, Director of Christian Education Eustace Straker, Minister of Music Shantel Bremmer, Director of FCC Child Development Center
Building Management is provided by Michelle Alves and JEM Services.
CHURCH OFFICE Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Phone: 860-242-0776 Fax: 860-243-8035
Email: [email protected]
All Staff can be reached by contacting the Church Office.
The Child Development Center can be reached at 860-242-0183 or [email protected].
Pastor Edwin O. Ayala:
In the event of an emergency (death, serious illness, deep spiritual or emotional need) please feel free to call Pastor Ayala at 860-242-0776 x 201,
© 860-836-6651 or email him [email protected] or [email protected]
Visit our church's website: www.FirstChurchBloomfield.org