Stratham Community Church, UCC
An Open and Affirming Congregation
of the United Church of Christ
Wherever you are on life’s journey,
Know you are welcome here!
6 Emery Lane - Stratham, New Hampshire 03885
(603) 772-3389 - www.strathamchurch.org
Ministers - The Congregation
Pastor – Rev. Jonathan C. Roach, Ph.D. -
Sunday, June 25, 2017- 9:00 am
UCC Anniversary Sunday
Gather
Welcome!
Announcements
prelude “Amazing Grace/Morning Mood”
(by Grieg)
Call to Worship:
One:Come, to hear the Word.
All: Come, to do the Word.
One: Come, to experience Comfort.
All: Come, to experience Challenge.
One: Come to find Cost.
All: Come to find Joy.
One: Come to find Humanity.
All: Come to find Community.
One: Come to find Church.
All: Come to find God.
*Prayer of Invocation:
All: God! You call us to live in the light, to shine with Your joy and love. You call us to be light for Your kingdom, to act with justice, to love tenderly, to serve one another, and to walk humbly with You. We come here to find You. Come now, be with us in this moment, we pray.
*Hymn “Shadow and Substance”
New Century Hymnal (black) #398
* The Lord's Prayer (using 'debts') (in unison)
* Passing the Peace of Christ
One: The Peace be with you!
People: And also with you!
(Please pass the peace of Christ with those around you)
* Gloria Patri Pilgrim Hymnal (red) #513
All: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
PRAISING
Thankful Dollars
Blessing for our Graduates:
One: God, source of all wisdom and truth, we bring before You today our graduates. For many years they have diligently awoken every morning, donned their back packs, and dutifully purposed to acquire an education.
All: We thank you for thosewho taught and worked beside them,and all who supported them along the way.
One: God, walk with these graduatesas they leave behind the comforts of a familiar routine and move forward in life.Take away their anxiety and confusion of purpose.
All: Strengthen their many talents and skills,instill in them a confidence in the future You plan. Give them the understanding that they are each wonderfully made; perfect and loved just as they are.
One: For these graduates, this truly is a day of new beginnings,a time to remember and move on, a time to purpose and believe a future founded on love.
All: May they always know thatthey are never alone.
Christ is alive and goes before them,guiding their every step.Christ walks behind them to catch them if they fall.Christ is on either side of them, a friend, a confidant, an encourager. This is a day of new beginnings;our God is making all things new.
HEARING THE WORD
Children’s Sermon Lily Nutt
(All children are invited to leave for the Children’s program.)
Scripture: Genesis 21:8-21
Sermon: “60 Years and Going Strong! Happy Birthday UCC!” Cheryl Stromski
*Hymn “Spirit of Jesus, If I Love My Neighbor”
New Century Hymnal (black) #590
GIVING THANKS
Prayer Concerns
Time for Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
Offering
*Offertory “Pastoral Variations”
(by Mozart)
*Doxology
Prayer of Dedication (in unison):
O God, we gather to thank You for all the love we find in Your creation: the warmth of the sun, the song of the trees moving in the breeze, the sound of children’s laughter; the warm smile of a hello from across the room, a phone call when we are ill, the opportunity to be useful, to show compassion, to be generous. We bring this offering to You with gratitude. Amen.
DEPARTING AS DISCIPLES
* Hymn “O for a World”
New Century Hymnal (black) #575
* Benediction
Please remain in your pew until the Light of Christ is carried out of the sanctuary. Thank you.
* - All those who are able are invited to stand.
PARTICIPATING IN TODAY’S SERVICE:
Deacons: Martha Myers and Aaron Spiller
Thank you to Joan Holmes for sharing her musical talent with us this morning!
Immediately following Worship, please join us for coffee and fellowship in the Henry Rust Room directly below the Sanctuary.
We Pray For:
The Family of Bill Halkovitch
Manchester and London England in the wake of horrific attacks
The Friends and Family of Mary Smyk
Sherri Goodrich
Wayne, who is awaiting a liver transplant
The Family of Betty Batchelder
The Family of Pat Ferrelli
Jonathan's Office Hours:
Tues. & Thurs. - 8am to 1pm (afternoons for visitation)
Weds. & Fri. - 8am to 4pm
Jonathan's Cell Phone Number:
603-303-9209
Jonathan's Email Address:
Week of June 26th Through June 30th:
The church office will be closed the week of June 26th. Katie and Rev. Jonathan will both be on vacation and the Pre-school will be closed for their summer break. In case of emergency, please contact Rev. Jonathan on his cell at 603.303.9209.
Stump the Pastor:
It’s time to stump the Pastor! What do you want to know? About the church? About the Bible? About theology? In place of his sermon on Sunday, July 2nd, Rev. Jonathan will be answering your questions. The Deacons will have note cards starting next Sunday for anyone who wants to submit their questions (in case Rev. Jonathan needs to do some research!)
Opportunities to Worship God in Nature:
Rev. Jonathan is organizing some summer worship in nature opportunities. Each opportunity will include meeting at a trailhead, reading scripture, offering prayer, sharing questions for reflection, and then hiking a trail. At the end of each hike, we will have a time of sharing. Children are welcome! If you are interested please send a message to Katie in the Church Office to be kept up to date on dates, times, and location. These hikes and worship are good for your body and good for your soul.
A Look Ahead:
Meeting/Events/Activities in our Church Building This Week:
Sun., June 25th - A Memorial Service for Betty Batchelder – 2:00 pm
Mon., June 26th - Vacation Bible School – through June 30th –
Exeter Congregational Church
Mon., June 26th - Office Closed through July 5th for vacation
Mon., June 26th - SCLC closed through July 5th for vacation
Tues., June 27th - AA Meeting – 6:30 pm – Rust Room
Wed., June 28th - Clothes Attic –Closed
Wed., June 28th - AA Meeting – 6:30 pm – Rust Room
Sat., July 1st - Clothes Attic – 10:00 am to noonSun., July 2nd - Sunday Worship – 9:00 am – Sanctuary
The Nursery is in Room 204 and is available anytime from 8:45 am through the end of Worship for children three years and younger. The attendants of our nursery are Kimberly Chenard and her daughter Julia who will alternate Sunday’s with Marny Keith.
Children are invited for the Children's Program
in Room 201 after the Announcements.
Stratham Community Church, UCC
6 Emery Lane - Stratham, New Hampshire 03885
(603) 772-3389 - www.strathamchurch.org
Ministers - The Congregation
Pastor – Rev. Jonathan C. Roach, Ph.D. -
Minister of Pastoral Counseling - The Rev. Allan Lurvey, Th.D. -
Minister of Pastoral Care – The Rev. J. Esther Roach, BCC
Minister of Music - Cheryl Stromski -
Youth and Family Director of Christian Education – Lily Nutt
Church Office – Katie Brown -