Fifthteenth Sunday after Pentecost
17 September 2006
10 o’clock in the morning
Welcome to this Service of Worship as part of the family of First Congregational Church. Last Sunday was a great beginning for our church year as we celebrated Homecoming Sunday. But each Sunday is a time of homecoming, and may that be true for you today. We continue on in our Sermon Series: “Images and Identity for the People of God”—as we explore the image of “Herald”. May these shared moments together be both a time of renewal and joy as we journey into this new fall season.
First Congregational Church of Greenwich declares itself to be open and affirming; open to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment, and affirming of all who wish to join us as children of God. We continue to give thanks for God's guidance in our journey of faith.
preparing for worship
*All who are able please stand
‡Seating of latecomers
PRELUDE John Stansell, organ
Allegro, Choral and Fugue Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
CALL TO COMMUNITY Rev. Ronald Halvorsen
Please sign and pass the red book.
CALL TO WORSHIP
praising god
*OPENING HYMN AND PROCESSION
Pilgrim Hymnal 20 to the tune MIT FREUDEN ZART
Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above
OPENING PRAYER (in unison)
O Gracious God, we seek the presence of your spirit. We ask that you will enter into our lives this day, refreshing and renewing us with the power of your love, that we may live with purpose and enthusiasm and courage after the manner of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
CONFESSING TO GOD
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison)
All powerful and loving God, as we gather to worship you, we pause to examine our life. Looking back we confess that in our quest for knowledge and understanding of you and your Word, we have sometimes overlooked your world. In our busyness we have perhaps neglected relationships and experiences that you would have us explore. Looking ahead and around us we see uncertainty and know questions and doubts—and we are afraid, Lord. Sometimes it is difficult for us to trust in your love, care and support. Forgive us, help us, uphold us and strengthen us now and in the coming days, that we may minister and grow in the ways that you lead us. Through Jesus, the Christ, who is our hope and salvation. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
‡CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
hearing god's word
FIRST LESSON Peter Schay
Isaiah 55: 10-13
F
or as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
ANTHEM The Chancel Choir
How Lovely Are the Messengers Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Romans 5: 15, 16
SECOND LESSON
Mark 8: 27-38
J
esus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people
say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’
He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’
Acts 13: 16-33
S
o Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak:
‘You Israelites, and others who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. For about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. After he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance for about four hundred and fifty years. After that he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel. Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. When he had removed him, he made David their king. In his testimony about him he said, “I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes.” Of this man’s posterity God has brought to Israel a Saviour, Jesus, as he promised; before his coming John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And
as John was finishing his work, he said, “What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals on his feet.”
‘My brothers, you descendants of Abraham’s family, and others
who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent. Because the residents of Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize him or understand the words of the prophets that are read every sabbath, they fulfilled those words by condemning him. Even though they found no cause for a sentence of death, they asked Pilate to have him killed. When they had carried out everything that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead; and for many days he appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, and they are now his witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news that what God promised to our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm,
“You are my Son; today I have begotten you.”
‡*HYMN
Pilgrim Hymnal 252 to the tune MUNICH
O Word of God Incarnate
(The Pastor’s Class and Sixth Grade leave for their classes)
SERMON
“Proclamation Power” Dr. David D. Young
*Affirmation of faith (in unison)
We believe in God, the Creator Spirit, who moved upon the face of the deep at the beginning of creation, who created all that is, and who spoke through the prophets of old. We believe in Jesus Christ, into whom God’s Spirit was poured in fullness and in power, that the whole creation might be restored and unified; and who promised that the Spirit would come and fill the faithful with power to witness to the mighty love of God. We wait on that Spirit today with longing hearts, seeking to be empowered as agents of God’s love in Christ, with fresh words and courageous actions of love and hope. Glory be to God—Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit—now and always. Amen.
*Gloria Patri (New Century Hymnal 754)
Glory to God the Creator, and to the Christ, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Amen.
CALL TO Pastoral Prayer Rev. Susan M. Craig
PASTORAL PRAYER AND QUIET MEDITATION
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 forever. Amen.
responding to god
CALL TO OFFERING
OFFERTORY ANTHEM The Chancel Choir
This Little Light of Mine arranged by Edward Tyler
*Doxology (New Century Hymnal 776)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all creatures here below; Praise Holy Spirit, Comforter; One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication
going forth to serve god
*CLOSING HYMN AND PROCESSION
Pilgrim Hymnal 296 to the tune WALTHAM
Fling Out the Banner!
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
*CLOSING SENTENCES
Leader: The message of the Bible is…that into the confusion of our world, with its divisions and hatred, has come a message of transforming power.
People: And those who believe it will experience within themselves the power that makes for reconciliation and peace on earth. strong to keep hate out and love in. strong to keep hate out and love in.
Leader: The Word of God…penetrating our inmost being is more than a communication of light. prayer and praise.
People: It is a new birth, the beginning of a new being.
Thomas Merton
*BENEDICTION
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE
POSTLUDE
Allegro moderato maestoso, C major
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy ______ The flowers in the Meetinghouse this morning are given in loving memory of Florence and Harold Pitman by their daughters Joan and Nancy and their families.
Ushers: Paul Pacent, George Handley, Nancy Fountain, Tom Mahoney, and Sue Baker
Greeters and Coffee Hour Hosts: Carole and Franklin Lang, Marty Berlin, Richard and Sue Gilbert, and Karen Pacent.
Flower Delivery: Sue Baker
Calendar
Today
Church School registration continues today in the Undercroft. Worship in the Daniels Center for Kindergarten - 5th graders. Children report to their classroom first. Sixth Graders and Pastors' Class begin in the chapel of the Meetinghouse. Remember Church School is not over until 11:15 AM. Parents are welcome to get a cup of coffee and socialize after the service but please do not be late to pick up your child(ren). Your children's teachers thank you!
P.S. If you were the Church School "angel" who donated the wonderful puppet theatre, please call Rosemary. We really would like to thank you.
Cherub Choir for K, 1, and 2, 11:20 to 11:50 AM, in Room 104.
Youth Choir, grades 7 to 12, 11:20 AM to 12:20 PM, in the Choir Room.
SPF Parent's Meeting - after church in the lounge. All parents/ guardians of high school students welcomed to discuss making the most of SPF and support the SPF Task Force.
JPF Parents' Meeting - 4PM in 103. All parents/ guardians of middle school students are welcomed to discuss and support the Junior Pilgrim Fellowship.
JPF - Tonight from 5-6PM FUNTASTIC FIELD DAY- Who says you have to wait until the end of school for field day? Join JPF for crazy games like Egg Toss, Tug-O-War, Bat-Run, and Waterballoon Freezetag. Plus Pizza! All Middle School Students are invited- bring a friend!!
SPF - FIELD DAY and GOURMET PIZZA- Actually, the pizza will just TASTE gourmet after you run the gauntlet of fabulous field games on the First Church lawn. 6:30-8PM. Bring a friend and share the fun of SPF!!
Sunday Parents Study Group The Price of Privilege books are available in the Church Office. This group is open to Moms and Dads, sign-ups are still being taken.
THIS WEEK
Senator John C. Danforth discusses his new book Faith and Politics: How the ‘Moral Values’ Debate Divides America and How to Move Forward Together in the Meetinghouse Tuesday September 19th at 7:30 PM. This event is co-sponsored by Just Books, Too in Old Greenwich and admission is free. A reception and book signing will be held in the Auditorium following the presentation.
Hats Off September 21st 9:45 – 11:30 AM in Room 104.
Chancel Choir rehearsal Thursday from 7:30 to 9:00 PM
NEXT WEEK
A six-week seminar led by Rev. Ron Halvorsen and Sue Asselin RN, using The New Day Journal: A Journey from Grief to Healing by Mauryeen O'Brien, begins Thursday September 28th from 4:00 - 5:30PM in the Church Lounge. Pre-registration is required as the size of the group will be limited. For more information and to register, call Ron at 637-1791 Ext. 28. See Adult Education Booklet for more details.
NEWS AND NOTICES