The mission of this congregation is to be a welcoming community which proclaims the Word of God and the Gospel of Christ, nurtures Christian beliefs and behavior,

and encourages lifelong maturing in faith. Here we are empowered to grow as Christians, so that we may minister to others spiritually and physically.

We welcome you!

We give THANKSfor a CHURCH that goes

from STRENGTH to STRENGTH!

The Campaign for 2017Fill out a pledge card today

or online at1

Thank you! To the dozens and dozens of volunteers

who make our Church School a lively place of fun and

learning!

Thank you!

To the 100+

volunteers who serve

on our Church Boards!

Thanks to those who sing in the choir and lead our worship!

Thank you to our ‘Compassion Group’, reaching out to church members and friends in need

Thank you to the adults who lead our youth groups and

travel to Appalachia with our kids!

www.greenfieldhillchurch.com/giving

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GREENFIELD HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHFAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT

NOVEMBER 27, 2016 9:00 A.M. & 10:30 AM SERVICES

Our Worship is central to our Service.Our Service is central to our Worship.

We love kids! But sometimes services are too long for even the happiest child. So ... • For infants we have nursery care in the Church House, first floor. • For children from 3’s through 7th grade, we have a wonderful Church School program during our 9:00 hour.• And if your kids get squirmy, the Church Parlor has toys; the service is amplified in the Parlor and the seats are comfortable!

First Sunday in AdventPrelude Prelude on Arr by Robert Hughes

“All People That on Earth Do Dwell”Call to WorshipChoral Introit (10:30)

* Hymn For the Beauty of the Earth Hymnal, no. 56 * Prayer of Invocation and Confession, said together:

God, all that is good is from your hands;all that is joy is a gift from you.On this weekend of Thanksgiving,on this first day of Advent,we give our thanks for the One who is coming:the greatest gift of goodness,the very presence of joy,Jesus Christ, Messiah, Savior, Friend.Prepare our hearts to welcome him, we pray.Amen.

(silence for our own prayers of confession) * Assurance of Forgiveness

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* Gloria Patri Hymnal, no. 35(This hymn, sung every Sunday, expresses our gratitude

for forgiveness)

Welcome and AnnouncementsPlease sign the green registration pad in your pew, and pass it to your neighbor.

Anthem (10:30)Sing to the Lord a Joyful Song Hal HopsonLighting of the first Candle on the Advent Wreath, The

Candle of HopeAt the wreath: The Harding Family (9:00am service)

and The Keith Family (10:30am service)concluding with the first verse of our Advent Carol, ‘One

Candle is Lit’, no. 128Worship of God through Prayer

Sharing our Joys and ConcernsWe welcome your prayer concerns. You may write them into the prayer request book in the Narthex, or contact the pastors.

Pastoral Prayer/The Lord’s PrayerOur 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 for ever. Amen.

Worship of God through Giving:(We give in many ways, by various means. Some give quarterly, yearly, by check or card or bank withdrawals. Yet it is still important to “present our offerings” on the altar as part of genuine worship, our way of giving thanks to God.)

OfferingOffertory Thine, O Lord Is the Greatness James MacDermid

Michael Trnik ~ Baritone* Doxology Hymnal, no. 46

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(This ancient hymn is sung every Sunday to thank God for all the gifts of our lives)* Dedication Prayer, said together:

God of Promise, we bring you these gifts in the hope that they will be used to bless your people. May these gifts, and our lives, touch other lives with love. We pray this in the spirit of Advent, as we look to the coming of your reign of peace. Amen.

Scripture Isaiah 2:1-5Sermon Rev. Alida Ward

* Hymn Come, O Long-Expected Jesus Hymnal, no. 125 * Pastoral Benediction

Choral Benediction (10:30)Postlude

* All who are able, please stand.

Serving in the Chancel: 9:00 ~ Deacon Karin Keith

10:30 ~ Junior Deacons Grant Carnemark and Connor Byrne

Acolytes: Joshua Kellman and Susanna Toothaker

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Another “Religion in the News” TODAY!

11:35 – 12:15 in the Church Parlor

Always good topics, good conversations, good

CHURCH NOTES

WELCOME … We pray you had a lovely Thanksgiving. Now our church life concentrates on sharing the joy of Christmas with you and our community, near and far. From the exquisite beauty of Christmas Eve to helping those in need have a wonderful Christmas, from fun events to profound truths, we will enter the true miracle of Christmas in this Advent Season!Visitors: Welcome! Want to know more about us? Take a bag home from our Visitors’ Table, just outside the front door.At our 9:00 a.m. service, you have been greeted by Deacon Emily Orben and our Junior Deacons Shay Desmond and Samantha Dies. At our 10:30 a.m. service, you have been greeted by Deacon Emily Orben, Junior Deacons Robert Farruggio and Jack Flanagan, and our Junior Greeter Harper Smith. Junior Deacons assisting with Church School are Natalie Dileo, Ingrid Duffy, Henry Selden, Ryan Eckert, and Caroline Simon. Our crib room helper today is Severin Tormey.A note about children in worship: We love them! But if you’d prefer to enjoy worship on your own, our Church Nursery for infants-toddlers is across the street in the Church House. Special beepers/pagers are available to parents so that they may be quietly contacted during the worship service if their child misses them! If your child in worship becomes restless or unhappy, please make use of the Parlor (through the double doors by the choir loft, or head outside and through the side doors). There is a comfortable space there for your child to play with toys and a speaker which carries the service.The flowers on the communion table are given by the Franchini family in loving memory of friends we have lost, both in the church and larger community.

If you or a loved one is hospitalized, please contact us, or have someone contact us. Hospitals do not contact us independently.

Many thanks for helping our pastoral ministryRemembering our Soldiers

Laura Riebel . . . Mark Riebel . . . Brian Shelton . . . Derrick Keene . . . Mike Lincoln . . . David Elliott. . . Stephen Honan . . .

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Molly Hanson . . . Shelby Wallace . . . Cooper Harris . . . Kelsey Wallace . . . Lawrence Benjamin

CHURCH SCHOOL NOTESThis morning in our Church School classes…Our preschool through Kindergarten classes are learning about Israelites in the Wilderness. Our 1st Grade through 6th Grade classes are learning about Money & Time through our rotational Learning Centers…

1st Grade – Special Center2nd Grade - Games Center3rd Grade – Cooking Center

4th Grade – Art Center5th Grade – Story Center

6th Grade – Science CenterChurch School Dismissal Procedures! Our 3rd grade through 7th

grade classes will be dismissed from their respective classrooms at 10:00. For our younger classes, preschool through 2nd grade, we ask that parents continue to pick them up promptly at 10:00 a.m. from their respective classrooms. Some of our church school classes share a morning snack during their class time. If your child has any food allergies, we ask that you alert your child’s teacher in order that we may insure the safe participation of all our children!

TODAY AT CHURCHAdvent Wreath-making event! Kids and adults, please join us at 10:00 a.m. in the Memorial Room, right after Church School TODAY, November 27th, to celebrate the first Sunday in Advent by making Advent Wreaths for your home! Our Children and Youth Board is

hosting this annual event. The cost for each wreath is $15 (includes candles and oasis)The Giving Tree is up! The little Christmas Tree in the Narthex is ‘decorated’ with tags, each telling

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you of a child who needs a gift this Christmas. Our Junior Pilgrim Fellowship organizes this tree each year, with gifts to be delivered to children through our Covenant to Care Program, and through our friends at the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport.

Our annual Advent Devotional, with 40 beautiful devotions written by members of our church family, is available TODAY! The Deacons are providing these inspiring booklets absolutely free, and invite you to take copies to give to friends and family! Again this year, we are offering you the opportunity to

receive each day's devotion via email! If you were on the email list last year, you are already signed up this year… If you or someone you know would like to be added to our list, simply let us know in the church office, and we will add you to the list! (info@greenfieldhillchurch.com, or 203-259-5596

CHURCH EVENTS THIS WEEKBible Study ~ 'The Gathering' … Led by David, we meet every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Church House Library (the corner of Old Academy and Bronson)... We’ve got a new

topic underway, The Letters of St. Peter.SPF every Thursday from 6 to 7:30 in the Len Morgan Barn... youth group for our high schoolers. We missed you all last week due to Thanksgiving, and can’t wait to see you this Thursday night! This week, guests from ‘Faces of Homelessness’ share their stories of being homeless in Connecticut.

Decorating the Church for Christmas -- We will be decorating the church grounds for Christmas on Friday, December 2nd beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Church House Memorial Room We will have wreaths to hang, bows to attach (they are already made!), and some garlands to attach, and we would love to have some extra hands

to help out! Questions? Contact Marcia Carothers at mcarothers@greenfieldhillchurch.com

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UPCOMING EVENTS AT CHURCHWomen of the Church - The Fellowship Board warmly invites you to our annual Christmas Silver Tea on Sunday December 11th from 2 - 4 pm at the home of Mrs. Anna Taylor, 105 Meeting House Lane, right behind the church. There is no cost to attend; however, there will be an opportunity to make a donation to Horizons at GFA. Please RSVP to the Church Office at 203-259-5596 or info@greenfieldhillchurch.com. Also, if you would like to contribute a finger dessert or tea sandwiches, please let us know.

Our Annual Christmas Concert will be held on Sunday, December 11th - 4pm in the Sanctuary. This year’s concert features our own wonderful Wendy Gerbier and friends! The concert is followed by refreshments in the Parlor, hosted by our Board of Deacons. Be sure to save the date,

you won’t want to miss it! (see page 13 for more details)

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NOTES

Needed: Folks to be our Advent Wreath Candlelighters and Greeters on Christmas Eve: GHCC has a lovely tradition of inviting families and individuals to participate during the Advent Season by lighting the Advent candles during one of the Advent worship services. We are in need of Candlelighters for December 4th (9am service), and our Christmas Eve services (3, 5, 9, or 11pm ~ 7pm is all set). ALSO NEEDED: Greeters for our Christmas Eve Services (3, 5, 7, 9, or 11pm). If you would like to be part of this, you can contact our Church Office at info@greenfieldhillchurch.com. It’s a wonderful family activity!

We are seeking individuals who would be interested in serving on any of the church boards starting in 2017.  This is a great way

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to serve the church and whatever talents you may have, we have opportunities for everyone!  The boards include:  Adult Education, Children & Youth Ministries, Communications, Development, Diaconate, Facilities, Fellowship, Finance, Member Care, Member Involvement, Mission and Outreach.  If you have questions about the types of things any of these Boards do you can contact Bob Stearns at RJStearns@optonline.net

Words to ANTHEMSing to the Lord a joyful song.  Lift up your hearts, Sing alleluia.Shout His praises, people everywhere.  Alleluia.Praise Him for life, for rest and food.  Praise Him for eyes and ears to sense His world. Praise Him for love and all that's true.  For all these things we praise Him.

Words to OffertoryThine, O Lord is the Greatness

Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the pow’r and the glory,the victory and the majesty, for all that is in heav’n and earth is Thine.Both riches and honor come of thee. In thine hand is pow’r and might;to make great and to give strength unto all. Now therefore our God, we thank thee and praise thy glorious name.

Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the pow’r and the glory,the victory and the majesty, for all that is in heav’n and earth is Thine.Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head, as head above all.

CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 27, 201610

Sunday FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT(11/27) 9:00 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary

9:00 a.m. Church School in the Church House Classrooms 10:00 a.m. Advent Wreath Making Event in Memorial Room10:30 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary

Monday7:00 p.m. Confirmation Meeting (in the Barn)(11/28) 7:30 p.m. Church Council Meeting (in Church House Classroom)Thursday 10:00 a.m. Bible Study in the Library(12/1) 6:00 p.m. SPF in the Barn

7:30 p.m. Bible Study in the Library7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Practice

Friday 9:30 a.m. Hanging of the church greens meet in Memorial Room(12/2) Sunday SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT(12/4) 9:00 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary

9:00 a.m. Church School in the Church House Classrooms 10:30 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary5:00 p.m. JPF for our 6th and 7th Graders in the Barn

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GREENFIELD HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHFAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT

Telephone: (203) 259-5596 Fax: (203) 255-4641 Website: www.greenfieldhillchurch.com email:

info@greenfieldhillchurch.comwww.facebook.com/GreenfieldHillCongregationalChurch

OFFICERS: Rev. Dr. David Johnson Rowe, Pastor; Rev. Dr. Alida Ward, Pastor; Chris Shea, Church Council Chairperson; Debbie Noyes, Church Clerk; Amy Johnson, Treasurer.STAFF: Roni Widmer, Office Manager; Sandra Shaw Murphy, Music Director; Sara Mastrony Hoefer, Junior Choir Director; Marcia Carothers, Director of Christian Education; Susan Rippey, Nursery School Director; Jessica Campbell, Financial Manager; Amity Almond and Kelcey King, Assistant Treasurers; Sarah De Meneses, Accountant; Jim Zalenski, Sexton

CHURCH BOARD MEMBERSAdult Education: Michael Moore, Chairperson; Cathy Fell, Ingeborg Haug, Alice Horrigan, Sandra Timmerman Children and Youth Ministries: Sue Bambach, co-Chairperson; Wendy Steinfeld, co-Chairperson; Pam Badger, Erika Duffy, Bob King, Amory Mitchell, Marc Power Communications: Dave Hinkle, Chairperson; Michael Fox, Nikki Wingate Development: Joe Holland, Chairperson; Hugh Bennett, Tom Kreitler, Don Lord, Martha Lord Diaconate: Rick Fernandes, co-Chairperson, Emily Orben, co-Chairperson; Greg Bambach, Seth Baratz, Mike Fedak, Charlie Gulotta, Kristin Jennings, Karin Keith, Carole Lisi, Blake Titrud, Matt Vogel, Leonard White Facilities: Wendy Simon, co-Chairperson; Rob Steczkowski, co-Chairperson; Pam Dies, Andy Hoder, Carol McCullough, Joe Mitchell, Neil Poulter, Gary Rafsky, Dom Savino Fellowship: Amy Desel, co-Chairperson; Francine Jacques, co-Chairperson; Marj D’Elia, Chris Gulotta, Kevin Ebers, Siobhan Ebers, Lois Lehman, Marisol Lombardo, Casey Mitchell, Jen Richard, Lynn Taikowski, Christine Wegener Finance: Brian Schwinn Chairperson; Betsy Burgess, Debbie Dies, LaWanza Holder, Jerry Hood, Amy Johnson, Glenn Lajeunesse, Ken Nelson, Brad Orben, Junior Deacons: Maddy Abrahamson, Nicky Allen, Brianna Auray, Grace Badger, Andrew Baratz, Peyton Brown, Abby Burns, Connor Byrne, Grant Carnemark, Max Chandler, Tommy Chandler, Garrett Cutler, Allie DeLuca, Shay Desmond, Samantha Dies, Natalie Dileo, Ingrid Duffy, Henry Durham, Ryan Eckert, Andrea Engemann, Robert Farruggio, Jack Flanagan, Gareth Gacetta, Sam Hawley, Lucy Hermann, Quinn Hermann, Katie Hinkle, Harrison Houghton, Peter Hwang, Miles Kaps, Olivia Keden, Justin Keith, Olivia Lajeunesse, Julia Langeland, Isabella Lombardo, Olivia Luther, Cameron Luther, Sarah McIlroy, Maggie McKeon, Ben Mellor, Sam Nielsen, Ted Orben, Charles Pearce, Alex Poulter, Charlotte Powers, Adam Savino, Ben Schwinn, Henry Selden, Hannah Sharpe, Caroline Simon, Alex Steele, Brian Tormey, Clay Wackerman, Alexandra Wagner, Michael Waugh, Kate Wegener, Clint Wyckoff Member Care: Wendy Savino, Chairperson; Maryann Barrett, Sharon Jacobs, Margot Pearce, Lisa Santiana, Sue Trischman, Lisa Vacheron Member Involvement: Bob Stearns, Chairperson; Becky Brown, Jen Chandler, Betsy Milicia, Jon Sabrowski, Ellen Swan Mission and Outreach: Henry Bishop, tri-Chairperson, Vickie Frankenburg, tri-Chairperson, Kathy Scoville, tri-Chairperson, Barbara Bishop, John Fallon, Susan Hood, Laraine Petersen, Michelle Stearns Church Council At-Large Members: Mike Smith, Bill Strittmatter, Roni Widmer Church Historian: Lynn Van Winkle Internal Auditor: Mark Durham.

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONSDogwood Festival, Betsy Auray and Kim Smith; Flowers, Lynn Davies; Ushers, Joyce Bultman; Church Housing Representatives (Parish Court), Jerry Grace, Tony Hwang, Peggy Ruble; Memorial Garden, Lynn Davies; Nursery School, Alison Lochridge; Fairfield East Delegate, Bill Carothers; Bridgeport Council of Churches, Michelle Stearns; Human Resources, Cheryl Jones

CHANCEL CHOIRDavid Callahan, Lia Carter, Sunnie Chapell, Karen Curtin, Lynn Davies, Wendy Gerbier, Thomas Grant, Zoe Grosser, Sue Leiss, Donald Lord, Peggy McCain, Art McCain, Michael Moore, Jon Passmore, Melinda Reynolds, Earlyne Seaver, Dianne Simpson, Bob Stilson, Michael Trnik, David White

CHURCH SCHOOL VOLUNTEERSKristin Allen, Amity Almond, Kim Baer, Jennifer Bargas, Jessica Campbell, Sarah De Meneses, Erika Duffy, Dawn Dzurik, Betsy Ewing, Karen Fox, Mark Gilrain, Rachelle Giordano, Ann Harvey, Amanda & Ted Heyn, Katie Holland, Andra Horsch, Mary Janacek, Cheryl Kellman, Stacie Kenney, Bob & Molly King, Jen Lubarsky, Krishna Lynch, Suzanne Monk, Andrea Muhlhauser, Kirsten Navin, Gwen Powell, Allyson Power, Bronwyn & Matt Prohaska, Jen Richard, Kirsten Sabrowski, Sarah Schunk, Kara Snyder,

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Kelly Spencer, Cate Steczkowski, Wendy Steinfeld, Marike Toothaker, Chris Tormey, Kelly Vogel, Ellen Waugh, Nikki Wingate, Betsey Young

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