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!
Greenfield Hill Church
January 5, 2020
, 2019
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GREENFIELD HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT
JANUARY 5, 2020 9:00 AND 10:30 SERVICES
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. • Any children ages 3 through those entering 2nd grade) are invited to the Church House for church school classes, from 9 to 10 a.m. • And if your kids get restless, the Parlor (through the double doors) is a comfy place to go to, with toys and a p.a. speaker that carries the service!
Prelude Les Barricades Mystérieuses François Couperin
(1668-1733)
Our Coming Together prayer (in unison):
Holy God,
You will hear us sing in a moment Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of Love; hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above
AND
All thy works with joy surround thee, earth and heaven reflect thy rays...
Holy God,
may this be true of our worship and our lives. Amen.
Welcome and Announcements
Please sign the green registration pad in your pew, and pass it to your neighbor.
* Confession Prayer, said together:
Loving God,
the old year has passed, the new year has come.
We made mistakes along the way.
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You wanted us to DO something, and we didn’t.
You wanted us to STOP something, and we didn’t.
We said words we are sorry we said.
For all of our sins, mistakes, failures, we are truly sorry.
Amen. (silent prayers of confession)
* Assurance of Forgiveness
* Gloria Patri Hymnal, no. 35 (This hymn, sung every Sunday, expresses our gratitude for forgiveness)
* Hymn, #2 Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee TUNE: HYMN TO JOY
Pastoral Prayer/The Lord’s 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 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.
Communion Anthem
(9:00) "Andante" Franz Joseph Haydn
from Sonata in D major Hob. XVI/19 (1732-1809)
(10:30) Draw Us in The Spirit's Tether Harold Fridell
(1905-1958)
Sharing the Bread and Cup (All are warmly invited to receive Communion. Our custom is for the Deacons to bring the bread, and later the cup, to you – then we hold it until all have been served. Then, at the
pastor’s invitation, we take communion together.)
Thanksgiving Prayer
(After Holy Communion at the 9am service, our children and Sunday School Staff will leave
for Sunday School.)
Worship of God through Giving: (Note: 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 “Every Valley Shall Be Exalted" from Messiah G.F. Handel
David White ~ Soloist (1685-1757)
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Scripture James 5:13-18
Sermon Prayer: On the Receiving End David Johnson Rowe
* Hymn, #570 Sweet Hour of Prayer! TUNE: SWEET HOUR
* Pastoral Benediction
Postlude Voluntary in C John Stanley
(1712-1786)
* All who are able, please stand.
Serving in the Chancel: Deacon Kim Baer
Acolyte: Harper Smith
ALL Music is reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE. All rights reserved, 2019.
Start a new habit in the NEW Century - 2020!
“Religion in the News” with David
11:40 – 12:15 in the Church Parlor
Always interesting, fun, educational, and
provocative!
Great discussions... and refreshments, too!
All are welcome!
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CHURCH NOTES
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! (again! – we said the same last Sunday). We do pray that
2020 will be a year of many blessings in your life and in our church. For God to use
each of us well and wisely. Here is a doable “New Year’s Resolution” – be involved
in our church, stay involved. You’ll be glad you did.
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!
At our 9:00 a.m. service, you have been greeted by Deacon Ellen Waugh, Junior
Deacons Ava Derbyshire and Casey Dies, and Junior Greeters Bea Glover and
Jane Glover. At our 10:30 a.m. service you have been greeted by Deacon Ellen
Waugh and Junior Deacons Eloise Gacetta and Cooper Eckert. Junior Deacons
assisting with Church School are Witt Badger, Maddy Baker, Maggie Burns, Cole
Markham, and Hope Smith.
After the 9:00 service, please join the Fellowship Board in the Church House
Memorial Room (across the street) for refreshments and fellowship.
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 today are given in honor of our devoted
pastors, David and Alida - thank you for a wonderful Advent season! The Board
of Deacons asks you to keep the FOCI mission team in your prayers as they travel
back to Connecticut and wishes you all a Happy New Year filled with God’s
Grace, love and peace.
Remembering our Soldiers
Laura Riebel . . . Mark Riebel . . . Derrick Keene . . . David Elliott. . . Stephen Honan . . .
Molly Hanson . . . Shelby Wallace . . . Kelsey Wallace . . . Lawrence Benjamin . . .
Dale Cates . . . Charles Morgan Peck
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If you or a loved one is hospitalized, please contact us! Hospitals do not notify us independently.
Many thanks for helping our pastoral ministry
CHURCH SCHOOL NOTES
This morning in our Church School classes… Our preschool through
Kindergarten classes are learning about Jesus being Baptized.
Our 1st Grade through 6th Grade classes are learning about Christmas
Messengers through our rotational Learning Centers:
1st Grade – Games Center
2nd Grade – Cooking Center
3rd Grade – Art Center
4th Grade – Story Center
5th Grade – Science Center
6th Grade – Mission Center
Church 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
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 CHURCH
“Religion in the News” with David: 11:40am – 12:15pm – in the Church
Parlor. Great topics, conversation and friends. All are welcome.
JPF, reminder: there will be NO JPF today or 1/5... we’ll resume on 1/12.
Looking forward to it! (YPF will also meet on 1/12 at 2pm!)
Church School Reverse Advent Box Project are due back
TODAY! Thank you so much to all who participated in our first
ever Reverse Advent Box... putting non-perishable food items
and toiletries into a special box. These boxes will be delivered to
the Operation Hope Food Pantry so we need them back by today, January 5th!
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THIS WEEK AT CHURCH
SPF meets continues this Thursday from 6-7:30pm in our Len Morgan Youth Barn. Haven’t come in a while? Don’t worry; we’d still LOVE to see you! Great
events and speakers lined up and, of course, fun and friends!!! This week: we are
very excited to welcome Nick Fernandes, SPF alum (FLHS class of 2012). Nick is
now a counselor at Causeway Collaborative, helping youth through life's
challenging times and share his story -- come welcome him back to SPF!!
Bible Study: Led by David, we meet every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. and 7:30
p.m. in the Church House Library. It’s casual conversation, not lectures, that will
intrigue, inspire, and make you want come back every week! We are still studying
the Psalms… stop by anytime! We’ll start up again on this Thursday, January 9!
UPCOMING EVENTS AT CHURCH
Artist Café!! GHCC is having a Young Artist Showcase at our first ever Artist
Café! Save the date for Friday, January 24th at 7 pm. We are looking for young
POETS, WRITERS, SINGER SONGWRITERS, DANCERS, and/or
MUSICIANS to join us for an evening of fun! To sign up to play, dance, share
your poetry or story email Misty Beyer at [email protected] call: 203-
254-0123
JANUARY BOOK CHAT (NEXT Sunday, January 12th) is a book by David's
friend and inspiration: Tomas Halik: From the Underground Church to
Freedom. Czech priest Father Halik's' memoir is a fascinating and powerful
journey through the post-World War II "Iron Curtain". Growing up under
communism, surrounded by atheism, Halik found "the way, the truth, and the
life" of faith through Christ. The book is profound, challenging and exhilarating.
Copies are $30 (check made out to GHCC) in the Narthex or Church Office.
Monday, February 10th, it's 'breakfast for dinner' at
Chip's! The annual fundraiser supper for our
Appalachia Service Project Trip!! Enjoy a pancake
supper ... and help send our high school youth on the
Appalachia Service Project!! Chip's donates ALL
proceeds to our trip (yay, Chip's!). Tickets are $13, and you have a choice of
seatings at 5, 6 or 7 p.m. You can purchase your seating by going to the ASP
page of our church website!
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HOLD THE DATE: Saturday, February 22nd at
5pm, join us in celebrating the community of love
created by FOCI from here to India! With great
music from Chris Coogan and the Good News
Gospel Choir, Chloe Whelan and Natalie Steele. Reception to follow... Admission
free - Come, listen, enjoy, celebrate!
SAVE THE DATE for our awesome annual Chili Cook-off! Mark
your calendar for Sunday, February 9th at 5pm in the Memorial
Room and look for more info to follow!
CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NOTES
You won’t believe it... But in two months we need to have
the 2020 LENTEN Devotional ready. Are you ready?
Willing and able? To write a devotion? This Lent’s theme is
“Communion and Community”. Let us know if you’d be willing
to write: [email protected].
Mercy Learning Center Seeks Volunteers! Since 1987, Mercy Learning Center
has provided basic literacy and life skills training to low income women in the
Greater Bridgeport area. The Center is seeking volunteers to teach English Language Learners as well as basic adult reading and math in its small group
tutoring program. The commitment is twice per week for two hours. No
experience necessary! New Tutor Training Dates: Friday, January 10th, Friday
January 24th, 9am-3pm with lunch provided. Please contact Lynn Gabriel to
volunteer at 203-334-6699 or [email protected]
Alida's recruiting for ASP!! We need OVER 80 adults to
accompany our over 200 teenagers to West Virginia June
27th-July 4th, for a life-changing week of service through the
Appalachia Service Project. It's a week of home repair for
families in need - but you do not need to be a skilled
carpenter!! All we need is your willingness to work alongside our teens. Please
take a look at the Adult Leader information on the ASP page of our church
website (under 'Mission and Outreach') ... and if you like what you see, click on
the online adult advisor registration!! And of course contact Alida with any
questions! ([email protected])
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Sunday, February 3rd, it’s our ANNUAL MEETING of the
church! Nothing expresses the heart of ‘congregationalism’
like the Annual Meeting ... the one time each year when all
the congregation is invited to come together to do the work of
the church. At this meeting, we’ll elect our leaders for 2020 and we’ll talk about
and vote upon our church’s budget for 2020. Join us on Sunday morning,
February 2nd, immediately following the 9:00 service (Church School is extended
through the meeting, so parents can attend!) NO 10:30 worship. The completed
Annual Report will be available for review on Sunday, January 19th.
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 5, 2020
Sunday 9:00 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary (Church School resumes today!)
(1/5) 9:00 a.m. Church School in classrooms in Church House
10:30 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary
Monday 7:00 p.m. Confirmation Class Mentor Night in the Memorial Room
(1/6)
Tuesday 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir (and Chorale) in Parlor
(1/7)
Thursday 10:00 a.m. Bible Study in the Library
(1/9) 6:00 p.m. SPF in the Barn
7:30 p.m. Bible Study in Library
Sunday 9:00 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary
(1/12) 9:00 a.m. Church School in classrooms in Church House
10:30 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary
2:00 p.m. YPF in the Morgan Youth Barn (for 4th and 5th graders)
5:00 p.m. JPF in the Morgan Youth Barn (for 6th and 7th graders)
Faith and Freedom Against the backdrop of violence against Jews and killing of Christian
worshippers last week AND using Father Tomas Halik’s autobiography, next Sunday will be extra important. The Sunday
sermon and the Adult Class after the 10:30am worship will look at the challenges of Faith and Freedom.
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GREENFIELD HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT
Office: (203) 259-5596 [email protected]
greenfieldhillchurch.com 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; Dr. Michael Crowley, Music Director; Sara Hoefer, Junior Choir Director; Marcia Carothers, Director of Christian Education; Susan Rippey, Nursery School Director; Jessica
Campbell, Financial Manager; Kelcey King, Assistant Treasurer; Sarah DeMeneses, Accountant; Jim Zalenski, Sexton; Rachel Baumann, Pastoral Assistant.
CHURCH BOARD MEMBERS Adult Education: Linda Allegretti, Rebecca Huselid, Mike Moore, Fred Schaefer Children and Youth
Ministries: Andrea Muhlhauser, co-Chairperson; Anna Taylor, co-Chairperson, Amanda Case, Mike Dwyer, Scott
Ettl, Skylar Smith, Michelle Wormley Communications: Sarah Schunk, Chairperson; Todd Jones, Lisa Rousseau
Development: Joanna Patterson, Chairperson; Greg Bambach, Betsy Ewing, Rich Gannon, Bert Tunnell, Adam
Snyder, Jeff Taylor Diaconate: Kim Baer, co-Chairperson, Ellen Waugh, co-Chairperson; Pam Brennan, Dan
Carpenter, Jason Dies, Joel Edminster, Jen Hinkle, Joe Holland, Carolyn Houghton, Pat McCullough, Kathy
Rafsky Facilities: Andy Hoder, Chairperson; Jeri Barrett, Jim Cullinan, Amy Johnson, Don Lord, Jon Sabrowski,
Walt Siemon, Fred Zarrilli Fellowship: Chris Gannon, Chairperson; Kathy Baratz, Ana-alyse Castelluccio, Talli
Connell, Barbara Hayslip, Amy Hios, Linda Johnston, Heather Lajeunesse, Rachel Parrish, Pamela Patterson,
Allison Perkins, Jessica Selden, Christine Wegener, Sara York Finance: Chris Tormey, Chairperson; Robert
Franchini, Jason Konschnick, Martha Lord, Andy Muhlhauser, Jon Persson, Aun Singapore, Beth Schaefer, Jeff
Whitaker Junior Deacons: Zachary Amendola, Witt Badger, Maddy Baker, Maggie Burns, Brook Byrne, Harry
Chandler, Maddy Crawford, Elizabeth Cutler, Ava Derbyshire, Casey Dies, Kate Duffy, Cooper Eckert, Clarie Edminster, Eloise Gacetta, Helen Glover, Liam Hawley, Ella Holland, Hudson Houghton, Abby Jacobs, Andrew
Jones, Meghan Lajeunesse, Erik Langeland, Cole Markham, Kerry McKeon, Sophie Nightingale, James Richard,
Alyvia Ronning, Olivia Savino, Charlie Simon, Hope Smith, Ben Steele, MacKenna Tormey, Severin Tormey, Hunter Vogel, Emily Wegener, Will Whelan, Devenny Widmer, Skylar Wingate, George Wyckoff, Chloe Yoder
Member Care: Sharon Jacobs, Chairperson; Stephanie Franchini, Carol Langeland, Carole Lisi, Martha McKeon,
Anne Orvis, Eleanor Page, Wendy Savino, Cathy Scoville, Sue Trischman, Lisa Vacheron Member Involvement:
Adam Simon, Chairperson; Amy Desel, Erika Duffy, Glenn Horine, Francine Jaques, Nicole Lacey, Kerry
Manning, Emily Orben, Liz Schwinn Mission and Outreach: Chris Kenney, Chairperson; Michelle Baker, Val
Collison, Holli Horine, Murray Jacques, Meg Lowe, Bevo Tarika, Peter von Euler Church Council At-Large
Members: Scott Craighead, Mike Howard, Martha McKeon Church Historian: Lynn Van Winkle.
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS Flowers, Lynn Davies; Ushers, Marcy Michaud; Memorial Garden, Lynn Davies; Nursery School, Amanda
Innes; Human Resources, Cheryl Jones
CHANCEL CHOIR Bert Andren, Cary Andren, Misty Beyer, David Callahan, Lia Carter, Rob Gemza, Wendy Gerbier, Thomas
Grant, Zoe Grosser, Rebecca Huselid, Sue Leiss, Donald Lord, Martha Lord, Michael Moore, Melinda Reynolds,
Beth Schaefer, Earlyne Seaver, Dianne Simpson, Michael Stephan, Bob Stilson, Michael Trnik, David White
CHURCH SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS Amity Almond, Jennifer Bargas, Jessica Campbell, Devon Carothers, Amanda Case, Lynn Davies, Sarah
DeMeneses, Donna Ellett, Scott Ettl, Betsy Ewing, Karen Fox, Rachelle Giordano, Marjorie Glover, Ann Harvey, David Harvey, Kelly Hayes, Katie Holland, Andra Horsch, Mary Janacek, Bob & Molly King, Jennifer Lubarsky,
Mollie Milano, Andrea Muhlhauser, Rachel Parrish, Gwen Powell, Allyson Power, Lauren Raps, Martha
Rebocho, Kirsten Sabrowski, Amanda Schmidt, Skylar Smith, Kara Snyder, Wendy Steinfeld, Marike Toothaker, Chris Tormey, Kelly Vogel, Nikki Wingate, Kathy Wyckoff, Sara York, Betsey Young
