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 – P.O. Box 143 - Stratham, New Hampshire 03885
(603) 772-3389 - www.strathamchurch.org
Ministers - The Congregation
Pastor – Rev. Jonathan C. Roach, Ph.D. -
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Gather
Welcome!
Prelude and Lighting of Worship Candles
Call to Worship:
One: Draw near to God’s statutes, the Psalmist writes,
All: “So that we may observe them to the end.”
One: Let us be led in the paths of God’s commandments,
All: So that we may delight in the richness of God’s life. Worship God in honesty and forthrightness, so that Christ’s Spirit may perfect us for God’s realm!
*Hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty”
Pilgrim Hymnal (red) #251
*Prayer of Invocation: (in Unison)
All: O God, You long for us to hear that the heart of Your commandment is truthful love. Even more than that, You long for us to embody this way of integrity in all facets of our lives. Dealing justly with our neighbors and even the strangers among us draws us close to the holiness of everyday life, the witness of Jesus, and the fruit of the Spirit. Inspire our worship, that our lives may be transformed into living testaments of Your grace. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
* The Lord's Prayer (using 'debts') (in Unison)
* Passing the Peace of Christ
Leader: The Peace of Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
(Please offer one another the peace of Christ.)
* 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
Announcements
Anthem “Down to the River to Pray”
HEARING THE WORD
Children’s Sermon: Lily Nutt
(All children are invited to leave for the Children’s program.)
Prayer of Illumination: (in Unison)
All: God our Source and Christ our foundation, we confess to You that we have often been careless in our construction of community. Even in the church, we do not live as if we are the temple of Your Spirit, much less conform our individual lives to the wisdom of the cross. Yet You are still faithful in Your love for us, calling us to be more and filling us with the grace of Your Spirit so that we may yet embody Your holiness and peace. Bless us, we pray, with the gift of love, that we may see You at all times, in all people. Amen.
Scripture: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
Sermon: “The Land” Rev. Jonathan Roach
*Hymn “We Cannot Own the Sunlit Sky”
New Century Hymnal (black)#563
GIVING THANKS
Prayer Concerns
Time for Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
Offering
*Offertory
*Doxology
*Offering Prayer
DEPARTING AS DISCIPLES
* Hymn “Touch the Earth Lightly”
New Century Hymnal (black)#569
* Benediction
* Postlude
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: Laura Batchelder and Aaron Spiller
Immediately following Worship, please join us for coffee and fellowship in the Henry Rust Room directly below the Sanctuary provided by the Emmanuel Family.
We Pray For:
The Goodrich’s nephew, Joey Mansour
And for Ernestine’s Family
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:
A Look Ahead:
Meeting/Events/Activities in our Church Building This Week:
Monday, February 20th - Journey Song – 7:00 pm – Sanctuary
Tuesday, February 21st - AA Meeting – 6:30 pm – Henry Rust Room
Wednesday, February 22nd - AA Meeting – 6:30 pm – Henry Rust Room
Wednesday, February 22nd - Clothes Attic – 9:00 am to 3:00 pm *Sale
Thursday, February 23rd - Choir – 7:00 pm – Music Room
Saturday, February 25th - Clothes Attic – 10:00 to 1:00 pm *Bag SaleSaturday, February 25th - Church Supper – 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Sunday, February 26th - Sunday Worship – 10:00 am – Sanctuary
Winter Book Group:
Rev. Jonathan is leading a winter book discussion group that started Sunday, January 15th from 8 am until 9 am. We are reading and discussing Christena Cleveland’s Disunity in Christ: Uncovering the Hidden Forces that Keep Us Apart. Cleveland is a Christian and a Social Psychologist who teaches at St. Catherine University. Her book is easy to read and fun to discuss. Copies of the book are available from most book stores. Amazon has print copies available for $10.99 and e-book copies for $9.99.
On Sunday, February 19th, we will be discussing chapter 8. Please join us!
Please contact Rev. Jonathan or Katie for more information.
Clothes Attic News:
Our winter season is here, andwe will remain open until February 25th for winter sales. Then we will be closed for 2 weeks to clean, organize, and get ready for our Spring/Summer season that begins on March 15th!
In order to continue taking consignments and organizing the Clothes Attic to look inviting for sales, we are looking for more volunteers in all shifts (Wed.9-12, Wed. 12-3, and Sat. 10-12) and Monday & Tuesday mornings to help organize items when the Clothes Attic is closed.
Please call Joanie Gough at 772-3568 if you can volunteer.
The Nursery is in Room 204 and is available anytime from 9:45 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 – P.O. Box 143 - 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 Music - Cheryl Stromski -
Youth and Family Director of Christian Education – Lily Nutt
Church Office – Katie Brown -