Post on 08-Oct-2019
transcript
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!
Greenfeild Hill Church
July 1, 2018
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308.
Three Hundred and eight. Yes, 308 from our Church Family are in
Appalachia all this week. Why? Ostensibly, to
repair homes for the poor and
needy. On a deeper level, to
represent the truth of Gospel: that
God’s love in Christ compels us
forward and outdoor to love others
as we love ourselves.
Pray for our 308 each
day – for their health,
safety, joy, and faith.
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GREENFIELD HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT
JULY 1, 2018 9:30 A.M.SERVICE
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!
Prelude An American Patriotic Melody
* Call to Worship
Holy and Loving God, our whole faith is on invitation to Communion.
You seek Communion with us.
We seek Communion with You.
We all desire Communion with one another.
Bless the building of Community
in our worship,
in our Church,
in our nation,
and across all that borders that divide
Your Beloved Community. Amen.
* Communion Hymn Sweet, Sweet Spirit Hymnal, no. 261
* Confession Prayer, said together:
Lord,
we confess that things get the better of us,
we can move far away from peacefulness.
We let annoyances, and slights, and inconveniences, and
disappointments loom larger in our lives than necessary.
We blow things out of proportion,
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we hold grudges,
we have melt downs
we harbor resentments,
we make mountains out of molehills. Help us to stop.
Amen. (silence for individual prayers of confession)
* Assurance of Forgiveness
* Gloria Patri Hymnal, no. 35 (This hymn, sung every Sunday, expresses our gratitude for forgiveness)
Welcome and Announcements
Please sign the green pad in your pew, and pass it to your neighbor. Thank you!
Children’s Message
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
Sharing the Bread and Cup
Communion Anthem Lord, Here I Am John Ness Beck
Dismissal of Children to Church School Our younger children (ages 3 through those entering 2nd grade) are invited to the Church
House for church school class. Parents may pick up their children immediately following the
worship service in Room 4, on the lower level.
TODAY’S COMMUNION will be done slightly differently. After David explains “The Lord’s Supper”, the Bread and Cup will be
shared by the Deacons without interruption. When the Bread
comes, eat it; when the Cup comes, drink it. And you all are
welcome, even children!!
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Worship of God through Giving: (We give in many ways, by various means. Some give monthly, quarterly, yearly, credit
card, by mail or automatic 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.)
Offering
Offertory America the Beautiful Ward/David Cullen
Celebrating the Baptism of: Bradley Vincent Tedesco See page 12
Scripture Litany Our Litany for America
Deacon: “Get thee to a far country,” God said to Abraham. And
they made a covenant, each to be a blessing to the other.
People: Our ancestors, or even we ourselves, left some place far
away to come to this far country. This was our Promised
Land, our Providence, our new Canaan.
Deacon: Joshua said to Israel as they came to the Promised Land,
“Choose this day whom those shalt serve. As for me and
my family, we shall serve the Lord.”
People: Dare we make the same choice? With flag held high and
patriot’s fervor, here in the Promised Land, dare we
choose to serve God above all? We dare.
Deacon: “If my people will humble themselves and pray, and seek
me, and turn from wickedness, I will hear them and heal
their land.” (Chronicles 7:14)
ALL: Holy God, we do call upon Your name in times of joy and
difficulty. We call upon Your name to guide us, protect
us, use us. Heal us from all that divides us, from all that
wounds us. Take us at our best, and our worst, and make
us better.
Sermon David Johnson Rowe
* Hymn My Country ‘Tis of Thee Hymnal, no. 721
Pastoral Benediction
Postlude
* All who are able, please stand.
Serving in the Chancel: Deacon Pat McCullough
Soloist: Jodi Keogan ~ Lyric Spinto Soprano
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Don’t forget our Iced Tea and Lemonade fellowship on the lawn. Stay for a moment, greet someone new, and
celebrate the joys of our fellowship in Christ.
CHURCH NOTES
WELCOME to worship at Greenfield Hill. This Church was already 50 years old when
America forged it’s revolutionary spirit. With a vision broader than the world had ever dared to imagine we started a journey that was as much about faith as it was about
politics. Thank you for making worship part of your July 4th holiday weekend!
Summer Church Schedule TODAY through Labor Day
8:15 a.m. Outdoor Worship, on the Lawn by the Memorial Room. This
morning’s service was led by David Rowe, next week will be led by Meghan
Baer and Nicole Baratz. Fun, Inspiring, Informal, Brief, and Great! Yes, bring
the kids, grandkids, or even the neighborhood kids!
9:30 a.m. Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary. We will have a children’s
message each Sunday after which kids age 3 through 2nd grade will have
summer Church School, “one room school house” style, across the street.
After Worship… Please join us on our patio for refreshments immediately following worship! It’s a wonderful way to keep up with friends old and new during the summer!
Visitors: We are glad you are with us today. Want to know more? Take a bag
home from our Visitors’ Table, just outside the front door! If you are interested in
joining this church, please just speak with Alida!
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At our service this morning you have been greeted by Deacon Seth Baratz and
Junior Deacons Garrett Cutler and Mary Keden. Junior Deacons assisting with
Church School are Ava Derbyshire and Carly Jones.
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 in memory of a dear
grandfather, Henry Hixon Meyer Jr., by Anna Taylor.
Note to all... Flowers on the communion table are typically given in memory or
in honor of a loved one, friends, or with a general message. We have a few
Sundays available this summer to donate flowers. The process is so simple, you
can start by emailing Lynn Davies at lynnrdavies25@gmail.com.
At our Sacrament of Baptism today, we welcome Bradley Vincent Tedesco, born
on September 8, 2017. Bradley’s parents are Dan & Claire Tedesco; paternal grandparents are Edward & Judy Tedesco; and maternal grandparents are Fred
& Donna Parascandolo. His Godparents are Paul & Leanne Tedesco. The
Deacons present a white rose to the family in honor of his baptism today.
Remembering our Soldiers
Laura Riebel . . . Mark Riebel . . . Brian Shelton . . . Derrick Keene . . . Mike Lincoln . .
. David Elliott. . . Stephen Honan . . . Molly Hanson . . . Shelby Wallace . . . Cooper Harris . . . Kelsey Wallace . . . Lawrence Benjamin . . . Dale Cates
If you or a loved one is hospitalized, please contact us! Hospitals do not notify us independently.
Many thanks for helping our pastoral ministry
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CHURCH SCHOOL NOTES
During the summer months, we offer a weekly combined church school
class for children ages three years up to through 2nd grade (as of this fall).
This morning’s class is being led by Marcia Carothers assisted by Junior
Deacons Ava Derbyshire and Carly Jones. This morning they will be talking
about The Widow’s Coins.
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 ensure the safe participation of all our children!
Following the worship service, parents may pick up their children from
Classroom 4, located on the lower level of the Church House.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT CHURCH
Celebration of Pies! On July 15th, we're starting a new tradition:
a midsummer Sunday with a smorgasbord of pies for all to enjoy
after worship! We are looking for bakers of those delicious home
baked pies! If you would like to contribute one (or can help out
with serving, etc, the day of) please let David
(drowe@greenfieldhillchurch.com), or Linda Allegretti
(lindaallegretti@gmail.com) know. We’ll have games for the kids,
too! Bring the whole family! This could go down in history as David's
favorite day ever!
CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NOTES
Interfaith Rally for Refugees and Immigrants: Honor our nation’s birth by
gathering in support of immigrants and refugees. Thursday July 5th at 7:30
PM, on the Lawn at First Church, 148 Beach Road, Fairfield. Co-hosted by
First Church Fairfield and CIRI (Connecticut Institute for Refugees and
Immigrants). Music/ Testimony/ Speakers.
Do you have an overabundance of zucchini or bumper crop
of tomatoes? Dani Prohaska would be happy to take them off
of your hands! She is collecting fresh vegetables for the
Operation Hope food pantry as part of her Fresh for All
initiative. There will be a bin in the Narthex on Sunday
mornings this summer where you can drop off any of your extra produce. Don't
have a garden at home? Then consider buying an extra zucchini, eggplant, or
cucumber (or 2) to donate! Thank you!
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The Fellowship Board is hosting a fabulous event at the
Savannah Bee Company on Wednesday, July 18th from 6pm-
8pm! Come learn more about the important role that bees play
as pollinators of our food. It is sure to be a fun and educational
evening. Light appetizers will be served as well as
cocktails. They are located at 43 Church Lane in Westport.
Please rsvp to the Church Office if you plan to attend
(info@greenfieldhillchurhc.com)
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 1, 2018 Sunday 8:15 a.m. Outdoor Worship (The Grove in front of the Memorial Room)
(7/1) 9:30 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary
9:30 a.m. Summer Church School – Church House
Sunday 8:15 a.m. Outdoor Worship (The Grove in front of the Memorial Room)
(7/8) 9:30 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary
9:30 a.m. Summer Church School – Church House
Faith/Art All summer at Sunday Services
Do YOU have a faith-based piece of Art? May we borrow it for one Sunday?
Photography... Sculpture... Painting... Collage... or any other medium?....
Tell David or Roni and we’ll be in touch!!
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SOME SUMMER
HIGHLIGHTS happening
here at GHCC Today: We commission our ASP participants before their trip at
our 9:30am service. A special treat of Strawberry Shortcake to follow both services!!
Outdoor Worship: 8:15am, through Labor Day
TODAY, July 1st: Our “July 4th Celebration... At 8:15, outdoors, led by David
At 9:30, in the Sanctuary, David preaching
June 30th – July 7th: Our 40th ASP trip! 308 workers head down to Appalachia to do God’s work.
Sunday, July 15: Old Fashiond Homemade Pie Sunday at BOTH services... Bring your best pie to share!Bring the kids, too!
We’ll have games for them... and did we mention pie?
Vacation Bible School: August 13th – 17th!!
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CELEBRATING THE BAPTISM OF
BRADLEY VINCENT TEDESCO
Introduction
Parents’ Prayer (Dan and Claire): God of Love, we give you thanks for the gift
of joy that you have given to us in Bradley. Now we ask your blessing on us as
his parents. Help us always to teach him your way of love and compassion.
Together with Brandon and Ali, may we delight in each other as a family! In
your Child’s name we ask this. Amen..
Godparents’ Promise (Paul and Leanne):
Do you promise, first, to be a friend to Bradley? (We promise)
In what you say and what you do, will you do all you can to live as an
example of kindness and compassion, of hope and faith? (We will)
And will you encourage Bradley to wonder, to ask the hard questions, to
rejoice in mystery, and to listen for God? (We will)
Congregation’s Prayer: We welcome you, Bradley, into the circle of love in
Christ's church! We promise to be your friends in faith, and to cherish you and
every child of this church. Amen.
Baptism
Song of Welcome:
Welcome, Bradley welcome, see our hands reach toward you, Did you hear our promise to care, to teach, to love you?
Welcome, Bradley, welcome, to God’s house today
Now you are invited to learn, to love, to pray.
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David’s Summer Reading List
Each summer, David likes to share what he’s been reading, and books you
might enjoy to. We call it “Literature that Feeds Our Faith”, books that help us
think about the “big issues.” And if you’ve read something that’s piqued your
thoughts and inspired you, David would love to know!
Here’s his list:
The Ninth Hour, by Alice McDermott. Beautiful novel of Brooklyn nuns helping
to “raise” a young mother and child in the early 20th century. Great characters,
lots of life lessons.
The Delight of Being Ordinary, by David Brooks. Imagine a secret road trip by the
Pope and the Dalai Lama. Interesting conversations.
The Cloister, by James Carroll. Carroll, former Priest, tells a parallel story. The
efforts of legenday Abelard and Heloise to rid ancient Christianity of anti-
semitism in the 11th century matches a 20th century love story centered in NYC’s
Cloister Museum. Healed Within: An acupuncturist's journey after a burn accident, opioid addiction, and a
love affair., by Simone Wan Moran. Simone, a church member, tells her
astounding story of a horrific burn acciedent to her new career in traditional
healing. Availble only for ereaders on Amazon.com.
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Signals, by Tim Gautreaux. When I wrote my newest book, “Water into Wine”,
my hope was to mirror the short stories of Flannery O’Connor as both realistic
and spiritual. Gautreaux succeeds.
1947: Where Now Begins, by Elisabeth Asbrink. The author explains why post-
WWII 1947 was such a key year, weaving surprising group events and people.
The Choice: The Christ-Centered Pursuit of Kingdom Outcome, by Hoag, Rodin, and
Willmer. I’ve just joined the Bridgeport Mission Board, and this is required
reading. Try it along with me. How deep are we willing to take our Christian
faith? Copies will be available in the Narthex.
Go, Went, Gone, by Jenny Erpenbeck, and
Yiza, by Michael Kohlmeier
If you are interested in refugees and the immigration crisis these two books will
take you deep. Yiza tells the story through the eyes of three refugee children on
their own in Germany. Go, Went , Gone tells of a retired man in Germany who,
after viewing immigrants in his life in Berlin, decides that he needs to know
them. So two great books from two sides of the story.
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GREENFIELD HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT Telephone: (203) 259-5596 Fax: (203) 255-4641
Website: www.greenfieldhillchurch.com email: info@greenfieldhillchurch.com
www.facebook.com/GreenfieldHillCongregationalChurch
OFFICERS: Rev. Dr. David Johnson Rowe, Pastor; Rev. Dr. Alida Ward, Pastor; Carol McCullough, Church
Council Chairperson; Sue Bambach, Church Clerk; Aun Singapore, 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; Rachel Baumann, Pastoral Assistant.
CHURCH BOARD MEMBERS Adult Education: Rebecca Huselid, co-Chairperson, Sandra Timmermann, co-Chairperson, Linda Allegretti, Edward
Jordan Children and Youth Ministries: Erika Duffy, co-Chairperson; Andrea Muhlhauser, co-Chairperson; Mike
Dwyer, Scott Ettl, Amanda Heyn, Anna Taylor, Michelle Wormley Communications: Dave Hinkle, Chairperson;
Lauren Raps, Sarah Schunk Development: Joe Holland, Chairperson; Tom Kreitler, Don Lord, Martha Lord,
Joanna Patterson, Adam Snyder, Jeff Taylor Diaconate: Carole Lisi, co-Chairperson, Ellen Waugh, co-Chairperson;
Kim Baer, Greg Bambach, Seth Baratz, Dan Carpenter, Jason Dies, Jen Hinkle, Karin Keith, Pat McCullough, Jon
Passmore, Blake Titrud Facilities: Andy Hoder, Chairperson; Jeri Barrett, Jim Cullinan, Todd Flanagan, Mike
Licamele, Gary Rafsky, Dom Savino, Walt Siemon, Fred Zarrilli Fellowship: Cathy Fell, Chairperson; Kathy Baratz,
Chris Gannon, Barbara Hayslip, Amy Hios, Heather Lajeunesse, Casey Mitchell, Pamela Patterson, Beth Schaefer,
Christine Wegener Finance: Amy Johnson, Chairperson; LaWanza Holder, Jason Konschnick, Andy Muhlhauser,
Jon Persson, Aun Singapore, Chris Tormey Junior Deacons: Hannah Amendola, Witt Badger, Maddy Baker, Liam Ballou, Reid Brown, Maggie Burns, Elizabeth Cutler, Garrett Cutler, Ava Derbyshire, Casey Dies, Cooper Eckert, Owen Edminster, Eloise Gacetta, Helen Glover, Ian Greenwood, Liam Hawley, Ella Holland, Taylor Horine, Henry Houghton, Carly Jones, Mary Keden, Caroline Lacey, Meghan Lajeunesse, Caroline Lauf, Cole Markham, Maddy Markham, Allison Milicia, Connor Navin, Sophie Nightingale, Gillian Orben, Emma Powell, Anna Ruppert, Olivia Savino, Peter Schwinn, Georgia Sharpe, Charlie Simon, Hope Smith, Will Stearns, Ben Steele, MacKenna Tormey, Severin Tormey, Hunter Vogel, Jack Vogel, Isabella Whelan, Devenny Widmer, George Wyckoff, Amelia Yoder,
Caroline Young Member Care: Wendy Savino, Chairperson; Nicki Callahan, Sharon Jacobs, Carol Langeland, Kim
Markham, Anne Orvis, Eleanor Page, Sue Trischman, Elyse Tsou, Lisa Vacheron Member Involvement: Jen Chandler, co-Chairperson, Adam Simon, co-Chairperson; Tony Derbyshire, Glenn Horine, Kerry Manning, Jon
Sabrowski Mission and Outreach: Michelle Stearns, Chairperson; Michelle Baker, Val Collison, Murray Jacques,
Chris Kenney, Meg Lowe, Laraine Petersen, Bevo Tarika Church Council At-Large Members: Scott Craighead,
Mike Howard, Martha McKeon Church Historian: Lynn Van Winkle Internal Auditor: Mark Durham.
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS Dogwood Festival, Mike & Karen Mitri Flowers, Lynn Davies Ushers, Marcy Michaud CT UCC Conference,
Vicki Frankenburg, Bobbi Williams Church Housing Representatives (Parish Court), Tony Derbyshire, Scott
Powell, 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 CHOIR Bert Andren, Cary Andren, David Callahan, Lia Carter, Wendy Gerbier, Thomas Grant, Zoe Grosser, Rebecca
Huselid, Sue Leiss, Donald Lord, Peggy McCain, Art McCain, Michael Moore, Jon Passmore, Melinda Reynolds, Beth Schaefer, Earlyne Seaver, Dianne Simpson, Bob Stilson, Michael Trnik, David White
CHURCH SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS Amity Almond, Kim Baer, Meghan Baer, Katie Baiocco, Jennifer Bargas, Jessica Campbell, Sarah De Meneses, Dawn Dzurik, Scott Ettl, Betsy Ewing, Karen Fox, Mark Gilrain, Rachelle Giordano, Marjorie Glover, Ann Harvey, Kelly Hayes, Amanda & Ted Heyn, LaWanza Holder, Katie Holland, Andra Horsch, Mary Janacek, Stacie Kenney, Bob & Molly King, Jen Lubarsky, Krishna Lynch, Mollie Milano, Andrea Muhlhauser, Rachel Parrish, Gwen Powell, Allyson Power, Lauren Raps, Jen Richard, Kirsten Sabrowski, Amanda Schmidt, Sarah Schunk, Skylar Smith, Kara Snyder, Cate Steczkowski, Brenda Steele, Wendy Steinfeld, Marike Toothaker, Chris Tormey, Kelly Vogel, Ellen Waugh, Nikki Wingate, Michelle & Nick Wormley, Sara York, Kathy Wyckoff, Betsey Young