THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
CANTON CENTER, CT
March 8, 2020 - 10:00 a.m.
Second Sunday in Lent
184 Cherry Brook Road, PO Box 133, Canton Center, CT 06020-0133
Office 860-693-4581 E-mail: [email protected]
Website: cantoncenterchurch.org
~ ORDER OF WORSHIP ~
CHIMES Karen Needham
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE “Loving Shepherd of Thy Sheep” John Rutter CALL TO WORSHIP
May the grace and peace of God be with us today, renewing us in all our need. May we be touched by the mysteries of love and hope, strengthening us in all things. May we remember today that whoever we are, whatever our journey, Christ meets us on the way, with love that welcomes and invites. Today may we renew our bonds with each other and with all others in a community of Christ-like love. *HYMN 251, Chalice (blue) “O Holy Spirit, Root of Life” *GATHERING PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER Loving God, Maker of all things, we give you thanks for the gift of this new day and its every blessing.
*All who are able, please stand. Bold denotes unison voice.
Brief announcements from the congregation are welcome. Those wishing to make Announcements are asked to be in the front pews at the start of the announcements period.
There will be opportunity to share prayer requests at the time of the Prayers of the Church. If you wish to offer a prayer request in written form, please fill out one of the yellow prayer request cards found in the pews and place it in the offering plate at the time of the offering.
Large print editions of the bulletin and Chalice Hymnal are available at the back of the sanctuary.
Nursery Room is available in the lower level of the Parish House. Children ages Birth-3 years may visit the Nursery with a parent at any time.
To this sacred place, we bring our lives -- the daily round of joy and sorrow, hope and need, all that makes us human. Open us for your wisdom, awaken us for your call, strengthen us for your work. In Christ’s name and spirit we pray, as we also say together:
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.
*SUNG RESPONSE
MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES Sarah Pradhan
Following this, children may go to church school. READING FROM SCRIPTURE Mark 8:27-36 Pew Bible page 820 SERMON On Becoming Real *HYMN 490, Chalice (blue) “Sister, Let Me Be Your Servant”
OFFERING OF GIFTS
Invitation
Offertory “God, Grant Me to be Silent” Mark Hill Senior Choir *Doxology
*Prayer of Dedication
God of all, as you call forth our gifts – time, talent, treasure -- may we offer them gladly, generously, wholeheartedly, so that all we are and all we do might be forms of love and praise. Amen. PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer *HYMN 546, Chalice (blue) “Amazing Grace” *BENEDICTION *BENEDICTION RESPONSE “The Lord Be with You” Senior Choir *POSTLUDE “O Jesus, I Have Promised” Wolvercote setting
The flowers this morning are given by Beth Lingenheld in loving memory of her father, Myron Michael Galusza.
Prime Timers - will meet at the church at noon for lunch on March 11. Dessert, coffee and tea will be available.
Church School Volunteers- The Christian Education Committee is looking for volunteers to help on Sunday mornings in the classrooms. Volunteers greet children, take attendance, and help with crafts and activities. Please see the sign up sheet outside of the classrooms, or contact Sarah Pradhan to volunteer. Any and all help is appreciated! [email protected]
Shop Scrip Today! - “March” on over to the Scrip table during coffee hour today to purchase gift cards and support the church. You always have to eat, right? Or warm up with a cup of joe at your favorite coffee spot? How about a small home improvement project? Stop by to see our weekly specials, browse our list of over 750 retailers or see what we have in inventory to purchase and take home today!
Souper Sunday - Pumpkin Bisque Soup, Chili, Mexican Tortilla Soup or more! Sound good? Come to church on Sunday, March 15th for our SOUPER SUNDAY fundraiser! Purchase a soup for lunch, dinner or a meal during the week. Prices are: $4/pint, $7/quart, $2/cup. If you are interested in making a soup, please sign up on the kitchen door.
Easter Flowers- Orders for lilies & tulips for our Easter service will be taken on March 15 & 22 (after the service). They may be donated in memory or honor of someone, and then taken after the Easter service. Lilies~ $18. and Tulips~ $8. per plant (Price subject to change before 3/15) March Missions- The Mission Box collection for March is toiletries: toothbrushes, floss, razors, shaving cream, combs, hairbrush, shampoo, soap, deodorant, nail clippers, small mirrors, washcloths…
Cherub Choir - rehearsals are on Sunday mornings at 11:15 am in preparation for the children who would like to sing on Easter Sunday, under the direction of Judy Robinson. All children are welcome!
The First Congregational Church, Canton Center ~ March 8, 2020
Sunday 8 Monday 9 Tuesday 10 Wednesday 11 Thursday 12 Friday 13 Saturday 14
Missions 9:00 am
Worship 10:00 am
Serve Dinner Center Church, Hfd
Cherub Choir 11:15 am
Trustees 7:00 pm
Choir 6:30 pm Choir/Guest 7:15 pm
ACA 7:00 pm
AA 7:00 pm
Prime Timers
noon
Council 7 pm
Book Discussion 10:30 am
Choir
7:00 pm
UCC Super Saturday 8:00 am
AA 11:00 pm
WELCOME
We’re glad you’ve joined us for worship today. Please know that whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here! If you are visiting today, please help us get to know you better by filling out one of the visitor cards in the pews and placing it in the offering plate. Questions? Please feel free to ask the pastor, or call the church office during the week.
Pastor: The Rev. Dr. Brenda Pelc-Faszcza Ministers: Every Member Director of Music: Mary Lou Keefe Sexton: Walt LeGeyt Director of Faith Formation: Sarah Pradhan Office Manager: Kristen DiMattia
Duty Deacons: Darryl Haberern/Steve Byko Duty Trustee: Sue Lampros Ushers: Kevin & Melanie Baldwin Coffee Hour: Darryl Haberern
Choir- Choir rehearsals are held on Mondays at 6:30 and Sr. and guest singers start at 7:15 pm and continue to March 30 to rehearse for the Palm Sunday special music. If interested in joining us please
inform the Music Director.
Attention YOUTH! Grab your calendars and pick a week this summer… You’re going to Silver Lake! -Parents: If your child(ren) will be going into 4th grade or up, the Christian Education committee will gladly provide substantial scholarships for a week-long summer camp session at Silver Lake, the Conference Center of the United Church of Christ, in beautiful Sharon, CT. For more information, see Sarah Pradhan [email protected]
Book discussion: What Do We Do with the Bible? by Richard Rohr - This small book (50 pages, basically an essay) addresses the challenges present in the Biblical material we have inherited, the trouble with the way the Bible is sometimes used, and reminds us of how Jesus himself used. Please use sign-up.
Thurs., 3/12, 10:30 a.m. – noon OR Tues., 3/24, 7:00 -8:30 p.m. Rev. Brenda is making available copies of the book at no cost, up to ten.
DVD discussion: Painting the Stars: Science, Religion and an Evolving Faith - Part of the "Living the Questions" adult faith formation DVD series, this one focuses on "celebrating the communion of science and faith" and exploring what an evolutionary Christianity calls for today. Ecological consciousness is one of the themes. Each video presentation is 20 minutes, discussion will follow. They are two separate presentations, so attend one or both. Please use sign-up.
Session I: Toward Healing the Rift (between science & religion) Wed., 3/18, 10:30 a.m. – noon OR Thurs., 3/19, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Session II: Getting Genesis Wrong (rethinking the human role in creation) Wed., 3/25, 10:30 a.m. – noon OR Tues., 3/31, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
