Order of Divine Worship
Third Sunday in Lent
Communion
March 7, 2010
The Rev. Laura A. Gronberg Pastor
Kathie Clark Youth Minister
Ken Littlefield Organist
Sandi Nason Director of Music
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
CONGREGATIONAL INTROIT AND LIGHTING OF CANDLES
“Surely the Presence of the Lord” Wolfe
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place;
I can feel God’s mighty power and God’s grace.
I can hear the brush of angels’ wings,
I see glory on each face;
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Wrap yourselves in the healing love of God!
Pastor: We seek God’s presence in our lives.
Leader: Know that God continually surrounds us with patience and persistence.
Pastor: Even though we have not produced the fruits of hope that God seeks, God forgives and heals our weakness.
Leader: Rejoice! Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised!
Pastor: We will turn our lives again to the Lord, to serve and seek God’s presence. Amen.
*OPENING HYMN “Be Now My Vision” #451
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Wise and wondrous God, we come seeking your guidance and your inspiration. Empower us to be more gifted bearers of hope, more dedicated doers of your Word, more resourceful enablers of others, and more open channels of the faith. We confess that sometimes our lives are more cluttered than committed, and we do not know which way to turn. Help us, when we are most lost, to find you. Encourage us to focus our faith and to act with purpose, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
*WORDS OF ASSURANCE
*PASSING THE PEACE
*Gloria Patri:
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, Amen.
ANTHEM “In Remembrance”
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Sunday School for all
*HYMN “Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart” #290
SCRIPTURE READING 1 Corinthians 10: 1-13 Pages 931 & 932
SERMON “God is Faithful”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, PRAYER SHAWL BLESSING, RESPONSE
OFFERTORY
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation
Communion Prayer
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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Words of Institution
Sharing of the Bread and the Cup
Because we are a Church of God together, we partake of each of the elements together, waiting until all are served and ready.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us at your table by granting us the presence of Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN “I Come with Joy” #349
*BENEDICTION
GO NOW IN PEACE
Go now in peace. Never be afraid
God will go with you each hour of everyday.
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true.
Know God will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love and show you believe.
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
Amen, Amen, Amen.
POSTLUDE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
*We invite everyone who is able, to please stand.
The flowers on the altar this morning are given to honor Lois Conroy. “On your birthday your family gives thanks to God for all of the blessings that you have given us”.
If you are visiting with us today; please take a moment to fill out a “Welcome Card”, place it in the offering plate at the time of the collection, and make yourself known to the newcomer greeters or, give the card to one of the greeters, if you prefer. Today’s newcomer greeters are Jeris Bell and Brad Shores; ushers are John Hagerman and Karen Hussey. Pam Moline is our Flutist.
Hospitality invites you to join us for fellowship in the Parish Hall after Worship. This morning our hostesses are Lisa Bissell and Maureen Miller.
The language of our worship service is intended to be inclusive to all people. However, we realize that this goal is not always possible. Therefore, we invite you to use wording that is most meaningful to you.
READ THE LARGE PRINT! We have large print hymnals and bulletins for your use. If you would like to use one, please ask the ushers.
HEARING ASSISTED DEVICES: are available for the hearing impaired. Please see one of the ushers to determine which of the two devices offered are applicable to your needs. Please return to the ushers at the end of service.
CHAIR LIFT: access to the Sanctuary is available in the lower vestibule.
PARENTS: There are children’s bulletins and crayons available in the Narthex for our little ones to use during worship. Please ask the ushers.
NURSERY AREA: Parents with infants may use the Pastor’s Parlor/Library (exit back of sanctuary and go through door near balcony stairs on the left side or go through the door in front of the sanctuary to the left of the pulpit).
OUTREACH COMMITTEE
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
On March 14th we will celebrate the UCC "One Great Hour of Sharing" collection which supports international programs of health, education, agricultural development, and relief and refugee assistance. There is so much need in the world today and the UCC teams up to provide support to people in more than eighty countries. Jesus asked Peter to "feed His sheep" and this is another opportunity to show our love and generosity to those less fortunate. Please look for the special envelopes that will be in the pews and make your checks payable to Second Congregational Church with a memo line for One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS). Last year we sent $547 to support this ministry. Thank you for your generosity. www.onegreathourofsharing.org
LENT WITH LAURA
Please sign up for one of the small group gatherings we will be holding throughout the season of Lent. These gatherings will be hosted by members of our faith community in their own homes or at the church. They will provide a chance for you to meet our new pastor, the Rev. Laura Gronberg, and share some of what is important to you about your faith journey here at Second Church. We look forward to seeing you at one of the following times. You may sign up during Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall after church, or call the church office (978) 352-2127. The dates are as follows: March 11, 10am-12pm, and Tuesday, March 23, 7-9pm.
YOUTH GROUPS
The entire confirmation class will be heading to Boston for the annual City Reach program to learn about homelessness and participate in outreach activities. Each participant is required to bring donations of gently used adult sweatshirts, casual pants, sneakers, raincoats, sweat pants, backpacks, tote bags, sleeping bags, new adult socks and underwear, and toiletries. There will be a box located in the Parish Hall between February 28, 2010 and March 14, 2010 if you are interested in donating any of these items. Thank you for your generosity.
NURSERY NEWS
The nursery is back! We have hired Leigha Connolly, Mo and Bernie Miller’s daughter as our Nursery Coordinator. Leigha will staff the nursery every Sunday through June. In addition to our coordinator, we are looking for volunteers to serve on a rotating basis in the nursery, much like our ushers and greeters. Please email Mel Buttaro, melskibeat@verizon.net or sign up at her name tag table during Coffee Hour. Our goal is to have enough volunteers so that your commitment would be only once a month or less.
“THE ADVENTURES OF LIZ”
Please join us, Sunday March 21, 2010 during coffee hour. Liz Clark will chronicle her astonishing hike from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail. Liz's trail notes were one of our most popular links in the weekly enews and her live comments are sure to be a hit!
LADIES CHARITABLE SOCIETY
Antique Roadshow – Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 7:00pm in the Parish Hall
You won’t want to miss our very own LCS Antique Roadshow. Items of interest might be jewelry, china, books, pottery, maps, postcards etc. This is your opportunity to find out the value of your special attic treasure. Bring your item when Dan Meader, proprietor of Meader’s General Store in Georgetown, will be with us to comment and appraise your treasure. One item per person, please. If item is large, please bring a picture.