Our gratitude to those leading worship today:
Officiant: The Rev. David Minnick
Liturgist: Rita McCleary
Organist and Choir Director: Dr. Terese Gemme
Greeters: Dave and Meg Myers
Musicians: Miles Houston, Tucker Houston, Jake Houston,
Ellen Schowalter, Adam Offutt, Judy Offutt and Ron Offutt
Fellowship Hour hosts: Karen Donnelly, Sharon Medak with Chris Watkins
Flowers: Memorial Garden Flowers
Take a time to pause and reflect in our memorial garden.
The Rev. David Minnick, Interim Senior Pastor
The Rev. Clare Robert, Associate Pastor
Laurie Bleickardt, Christian Education Coordinator
Kristen Provost Switzer, Youth Minister
Dr. Terese Gemme, Organist and Choir Director
Julia McLaughlin, Office Manager
Ed Ercolano,Custodian
THE SPRING GLEN CHURCH, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
An Open and Affirming Congregation
1825 Whitney Avenue – Hamden, CT 06517
Phone 203-288-3381/Fax 203-248-2070
Email /Website www.springglenchurch.org
The Spring Glen Church,
United Church of Christ
A Service of the Word
July 20, 2014 10 a.m.
RINGING THE HOUR OF WORSHIP (Please be seated)
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome to Spring Glen Church this morning! Prayer request cards may
be found in the pew racks. If you have a joy or concern you would like
included in today’s prayers, please fill out a card. You may wish to use
the quiet time during the prelude for this purpose. Please pass cards to
the center aisle on the first hymn, when ushers will collect them.
PRELUDE "The Ash Grove" Traditional Welsh folk Song
*RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP Liturgist Rita McCleary
Leader: God’s steadfast love extends beyond the farthest star, yet that love
is also present among us.
People: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless
God’s holy name.
Leader: God’s saving acts were experienced by our ancestors, and God
continues to act in our own day.
People: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all God’s
benefits.
Leader: God’s concern is for all creation, for all worlds, yet that care draws
us close in times of worship.
People: The whole creation is filled with eager longing; bless the
Lord, all who live in hope.
*OPENING HYMN "Precious Lord, Take My Hand"
New Century Hymnal #472
*UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION
God of awesome moments and fearful challenges, grant us eyes to see and ears to hear your daily revelations in our midst today. We have turned aside from our daily routines to encounter the mystery of your sacred presence and abiding hope. We have dared to step out of our safe places to hear the cries of your people and see their suffering. We tremble at the thought of what you may require of us, yet we are eager for your empowering presence and open to your call to service. Bless, guide and inspire our worship and our service, this day and in the days to come. We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
PASSING OF THE PEACE (Please remain standing)
One: May the peace of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Let us share among us a sign of Christ's peace.
(Please greet one another)
(Children are now dismissed to attend summer Sunday school
with Cynthia Licata and Andri Smith.)
ANTHEM "Largo" George Frideric Handel
READING FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT Acts 16:19-25
SERMON The Rev. David Minnick
*HYMN "In the Garden" C. Austin Miles (1868-1946)
bulletin insert
JOYS AND CONCERNS
MORNING PRAYER AND THE 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 for ever. Amen.
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS (Remain seated)
OFFERTORY "In a Boat" Claude Debussy
*DOXOLOGY Tune: Old Hundredth
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God for all that love has done;
Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.
*RESPONSIVE PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Leader: God of sounds and songs, rhythms and movements, we are
grateful for the music and dance that enrich our lives.
People: Thanks be to you for the percussive taps of a woodpecker’s
beak, of a carpenter’s hammer.
Leader: Thanks be to you for the gracefulness of a breeze-blown willow, of
a story teller’s expressive hands.
People: Thanks be to you for the concerts of dawn-greeting birds, of
human voices blended in chorus.
All: Thanks be to you for the promises of forgiveness and the
assurance of your love. Receive, bless and use these, our
gifts, that hearts may be inspired and lives enriched by
faith. Amen.
(Prayer written by Glen Rainsley)
*CLOSING HYMN "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" Traditional Gospel song
bulletin insert
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE "St. Anne's Reel" Traditional French-Canadian
Thanks to Miles Houston, Tucker Houston, Jake Houston,
Ellen Schowalter, Adam Offutt, Judy Offutt and Ron Offutt for today's special music.
*Please stand as you are able.