THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NEW CANAAN HOLY HUMOR SUNDAY SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER APRIL 23, 2017 * ALL WHO ARE ABLE ARE INVITED TO STAND. GATHERING “With Easter began the laughing of the redeemed, the dancing of the liberated” Jurgen Moltmann PRELUDE "That Easter Day With Joy Was Bright" Dale Wood * CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Paul E. Gilmore Minister: When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. People: Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy. Minister: When the Lord raised Jesus from the dead, we were like those who dream. People: Now our mouths are filled with laughter, and our tongues with shouts of joy. Minister: The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoice. People: May all those who have sowed in tears reap with shouts of joy. * PROCESSIONAL HYMN No. 105 “Because You Live, O Christ” VRUECHTEN PRAYER OF CONFESSION(unison) Rev. Kathryn Kibbie Laird God of joy, we know that you have blessed us richly, yet so often, our lives and countenance fail to reflect the laughter and dance of the redeemed. You have given us Jesus Christ, and raised him from the dead, and promised us life abundant and life eternal. But we act like we don’t know it! Forgive us, God! Keep us mindful that you always have the last laugh, and restore to us the joy of our salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. TIME OF SILENT CONFESSION… KYRIE ELEISON James MacMillan
Transcript
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NEW CANAANHOLY HUMOR SUNDAY SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER APRIL 23, 2017
* ALL WHO ARE ABLE ARE INVITED TO STAND.
GATHERING“With Easter began the laughing of the redeemed, the dancing of the liberated”
Jurgen Moltmann
PRELUDE "That Easter Day With Joy Was Bright" Dale Wood
* CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Paul E. GilmoreMinister: When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. People: Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy. Minister: When the Lord raised Jesus from the dead, we were like those who dream.People: Now our mouths are filled with laughter, and our tongues with shouts of joy.Minister: The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoice.People: May all those who have sowed in tears reap with shouts of joy.
* PROCESSIONAL HYMN No. 105 “Because You Live, O Christ” VRUECHTEN
PRAYER OF CONFESSION(unison) Rev. Kathryn Kibbie LairdGod of joy, we know that you have blessed us richly, yet so often, our lives and countenance fail to reflect the laughter and dance of the redeemed. You have given us Jesus Christ, and raised him from the dead, and promised us life abundant and life eternal. But we act like we don’t know it! Forgive us, God! Keep us mindful that you always have the last laugh, and restore to us the joy of our salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
TIME OF SILENT CONFESSION…
KYRIE ELEISON James MacMillan
DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESSMinister: Christ is raised from the dead!People: Love wins! Hallelujah!Minister: Christ lives and reigns for us!People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
* CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Hymnal #308 v. 4O sing a song of Calvary, Its glory and dismay;
Of Him who hung upon the tree,And took our sins away:
For He who died on Calvary Is risen from the grave,
And Christ, our Lord, by heav’n adored, Is mighty now to save.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTSPlease sign the card and pass it to your neighbor. As you pass it back to the center, take note of who is here so we can become better acquainted. Visitors, please give your address, telephone, and e-mail information.
[The children are invited to remain in worship this morning and to give a mighty blast on their kazoos, along with the adults,
at any points in the service that call forth an “alleluia” and “joy” and “laughter.”]
THE WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (unison) Peter FlournoyGuiding God, send your Holy Spirit upon the reading of your Word, that it may serve to show us the path of life, and lead us into your presence, where there is fullness of joy. Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSON Proverbs 17:22 (OT page 600)Leader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.People: Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM “I Know That my Redeemer Liveth” G.F. Handel Michele McBride, solo
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. For now is Christ risen from the dead,the first fruits of them that sleep.
SCRIPTURE LESSION I Peter 1:3-9 (NT page 232)Minister: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.People: Thanks be to God.
MUSINGS “Holy Humor” Rev. Paul E. Gilmore
RESPONDING
* HYMN No. 121 “That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright” PUER NOBIS NASCITUR
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLELeader: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Leader: Let us pray...
LORD’S PRAYER (unison)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.
PRESENTATION OF TITHES, OFFERINGS AND OURSELVESOFFERTORY “I Believe this is Jesus” Undine S. Moore
Come and see, come and see; The light of God shines in his face, He offers all his pard’ning grace,Come and see, come and see. Oh I believe this is Jesus. Yes, Lord. I believe this is Jesus.Yes, yes, oh, come and see. Oh, my Lord. Oh, I believe this is Jesus; Come and see, come and see.
* DOXOLOGY OLD HUNDREDTHPraise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God above ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
S E N D I N G
* HYMN No. 507 “I Come with Joy” DOVE OF PEACE
* CHARGE AND BLESSING (Please be seated for the Choral Response & the Ringing of the Church Bell)
CHORAL RESPONSE “The Peace of Christ” James and Marilyn Biery
RINGING THE CHURCH BELL* POSTLUDE “Christ Lag in Todesbanden BWV 625” J.S. Bach
TODAY AT FIRST PRESBYTERIANWelcome to the Service of Worship for the Lord’s Day. Parents of infants through age four are encouraged to take their children to the Nursery School classrooms during our services.
Greeters: Hazel Hobbs and Peggy Hooker
Worship Coordinator: Dan McEvoy
Ushers: George Benington, Janet Lanaway, John Lanaway, Paul Martin
Cross Bearer: Jenny Volanakis; Lay Reader: Peter Flournoy
Musicians: First Presbyterian Church Choir; Virginia Leeman, guest organist, Art Sjӧgren, guest conductor
Let us keep in our thoughts and prayers: Continued concerns: Neil Coakley; Ann Depuy; Darren Dionne; Anne Blose Eydt (daughter of Marion Blose); Kip Farrell; Jennifer Gallagher (a member of the Riehl family); Graham Harden; Sister Therese Jacobs (friend of Mary Jane Bolin); Vince Lombardi; Doris Mierendorf; Beryl Stone (a friend of the Van de Graaf’s); The Stricos family (friends of Joe and Diana Ruszkowski); Ronald Witt. The Abo Noktah family (our Syrian refugees): Khaldoun (father), Khawla Alzob (mother), daughters Hanin (12) and Zain (5), and sons Yaman (11) and Ahmed, (10).
Flower Memorials: If you wish to have flowers in the sanctuary to celebrate an anniversary, a baptism, a birthday, or to memorialize a loved family member or friend please call Barbara Wentzel, Flower Coordinator, at 203-966-5402 or email at [email protected].
If you have remembered FPCNC in your estate plans, and would like to be included on the list of members of the Bell Tower Society, please let Michelle Olsen in the church office know. Thank you for making plans to leave a legacy.
Calling all lads and lassies!! Scottish Sunday is April 30 With Scottish activities leading up to the big day!
Today at 11:30am: Kiltmaker Bonnie Heather Greene will discuss the kiltmaking tradition and provide tartan sample books for perusal to find you family tartan or pick one you like. In the Common Room.
Sign up by Tuesday, April 25. Calling ALL CHILDREN! to participate in the KIRKIN O the TARTAN, a procession into the sanctuary, on Sunday April 30 for the 44th Annual Scottish Sunday Service. All interested, please email Nancy LaBadie ([email protected]) by Tuesday evening, April 25. There will be a brief rehearsal for the kids on Sunday, April 30 at 9:30 A.M. We encourage all to wear the tartan in whatever form of one’s choice. A “ceilidh” will immediately follow the service, featuring songs of Scotland, Pipers and a harpist, along with a Potluck Luncheon and a serving of shortbread made by the Scottish Heritage Committee.
Wednesday, April 26, 6:00pm: Assist master shortbread bakers Molly Ludtke and Susan Gress in the FPCNC kitchen to bake batches of homemade shortbread to share on Scottish Sunday. RSVP: [email protected]
Friday, April 28, 6:00-8:00pm: Scottish Heritage Cocktail Party and Kirkin (get measured and order a custom kilt) at the home of Scott and Susan Gress. Bring an app and beverage to share. RSVP: [email protected]
Sunday, April 30: (drop off lunch items in Common Room before going to the sanctuary) Join the fanfare starting with a bagpipe procession at the beginning of the 10:00 service, grab some coffee and homemade shortbread in the back of the sanctuary and enjoy the Ceilidh featuring Scottish songs, harp and bagpipes. Follow the pipers to the Common Room for lunch immediately following the Ceilidh and try some haggis (or not), bring something to share (plenty of non-haggis options) based on the first letter of your last name: A-E bring cold cuts; F-J bring sliced bread and cheese; K-N bring salads (green, pasta, cole slaw, potato salad); O-R bring fruit or dessert; S-V bring appetizers; W-Z bring condiments (mayo, mustard, pickles). The FPCNC Scottish Committee will provide wine, Scottish beer and soft drinks. A wee donation is much appreciated to defray our costs (we must pay the piper after all). Monies leftover will be donated to the Deacons Fund. RSVP: [email protected]
Presbyterian Choir School Spring Musical!Sunday, June 4th at the 10am service!
On April 5th, we began rehearsals for the spring musical "In the Image." The musical features all ages, singers and non-singers who tell the story of God's creation in a Sunday School classroom. Thinking their teacher won the lottery and moved to Tahiti, the class takes over as teachers and discover that God really is the creator of all things - even snakes, mosquitos and Brussels sprouts! This fun, funny and uplifting musical is sure to be a hit!
Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 5:00-6:30 with Chris Tate, directing. The musical will be on Sunday, June 4th. Email Chris Tate at [email protected] or Victoria Shields [email protected] for more information. We hope you'll join us!
Cents-ability: Cents-ability: On April 2, we collected $240. Our total collection since we began Cents-ability at our church in November 2011 is $17,098. Thank you for your awareness and generous response to hunger. If you would like more information on Cents-ability or need a Cents-ability cup, please see Robin Lewis. Remember to fill up your Cents-ability cup ‘til it runneth over! Our next collection is May 7.
New Canaan Food Pantry: Items in need now due to low/no stock are Canned Fruit, Crackers, Chicken Broth, Canned Chicken, Parmalat, Pancake Mix, Instant Coffee. No beans or soup are needed at this time. Please drop these items in the shopping cart at the back of the Sanctuary and Robin Lewis will make sure they are delivered to the New Canaan Food Pantry. Please make checks available to “FPCNC” with NC Food Pantry or Food Bank Lower Fairfield County in the memo line.
Spring Inquirers’ Class on Sunday, May 21 at 11:30 a.m. in the Music Room. Whether you have been a regular visitor and would like to join the church, or are new to FPC and want to find out more, please come to our Inquirers Class.Come hear from the Pastor and church representatives and pose any questions you might have. Childcare and lunch will be provided. RSVP to Tina in the church office (203-966-0002).
New members will be presented to the Congregation on Sunday, June 4.
THIS WEEK AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH178 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, CT 06840
Tel.: 203-966-0002 / www.fpcnc.orgChurch Office Hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
SUNDAY, APRIL 2310:00 AM “Holy Humor” Sunday
Rev. Paul E. Gilmore preaching11:15 AM Coffee Hour11:15 AM Cherub Choir11:15 AM Membership Involvement Committee 11:30 AM HSYG-Mission Trip Orientation 11:30 AM Board of Deacons11:30 AM Scottish Kilt/Tartan presentation
4:00 PM MSYG-Mission Trip Orientation 6:00 PM HSYG-Barn Time
MONDAY, APRIL 242:00 PM Meditation Group
TUESDAY, APRIL 259:30 AM Leadership Team
11:30 AM Bible Class with Paul 11:30 AM Gentlemen Songsters 7:00 PM Session
8:00 PM Men’s A.A.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2610:00 AM Music Librarians
5:00 PM Cherub Choir5:00 PM Spring Musical Rehearsal
6:00 PM Scottish Shortbread Baking
THURSDAY, APRIL 273:30 PM Special Church7:30 PM FPC Choir
SATURDAY, APRIL 299:15 AM A.A. (closed)
10:30 AM A.A. (open)
SUNDAY, APRIL 3010:00 AM Scottish Sunday and Baptisms
Rev. Paul E. Gilmore preaching 10:15 AM Sunday’s Cool for Pre-K-7th grade 11:15 AM Scottish Ceilidh and Luncheon 11:15 AM Cherub Choir
O UR M INISTERS The Entire Congregation
O UR P ASTORS The Rev. Paul E. Gilmore, Pastor
The Rev. Kathryn Kibbie Laird, Associate Pastor for Children, Youth and Families
O UR S TAFF Victoria Shields, Director of Music / Sherry Tate, Cherub Choir director
Michelle Olsen, Church Administrator / Tina St. Armand, Office Manager Erika Hagan, Administrative Assistant to Children and Youth Ministries
Kuky and Andres Pereira, Operations/Security Managers / Edgar Torres, Day Sexton
T HE S ESSION Our Pastors
Scott Beyer, Clerk of Session
George Benington, Bell Tower SocietySue Benko, Communications
Katie Ferguson, Co-Youth Linda Ferguson, Nominating
Peter Flournoy, Worship, Music and ArtsJennifer Gulden, Personnel
John Lanaway, Stewardship Glenn Mierendorf, Outreach
