First Congregational Church of Plainfield
United Church of Christ
860-564-5932 www.fccplainfield.org
November 13th, 2016, 26th Sunday After Pentecost
Pastor Stephen Finlan
As the prelude begins please take this time in silence to prepare your hearts
Prelude - Jean Barrett, pianist
Introit - The Children’s Choir Chimes
Candle of Remembrance & Prayer
We light this candle for those in harm’s way;
for those serving our country in the military,
for those in the service of the United Nations and
for those involved in other humanitarian agencies.
Announcements Judy Jones
Call to Worship - led by Pastor Steve
One: As the day dawns anew,
All: so do our lives.
One: As our community gathers,
All: so does our spirits.
One: As we are awaken by newness,
All: we are a holy people of a new heaven and earth.
And so it is!
Please stand.
Opening Hymn “Come, All Christians, Be Committed” # 459 (blue hymnal)
Stewardship Moment: Phyllis Stewart
For Pastoral Care/Spiritual Needs
Contact a deacon listed below, or the pastor.
Alternates: Patti Ihloff
Deacons for November are Jean and Rebecca
If you have a special prayer request, please write your request and put it in the offering plate.
Pastor Steve Finlan / 732.266.8035 cellChelle Wright / 860.465.7577 cell
Darlene Hill / 860.428.7406 cell
David Young / 860.608.4696 cell
George Brew / 860.367.5232 cell
Jean Lukin / 860.377.4488 cell
Rebecca Theriaque / 860.382.5505 cell
Merry Humphrey / 860.655.4837 cell
Sherry Mason / 860.913.4801 cell/860.822.1153 home
ATTENTION
Choir chime members wanted –
Rehearsals are Sunday mornings, at 9:15.
Grades 3-adult. No music experience needed.
GENERAL
- Visitors will find a guest book inside the front doorway on right.
- Child care is provided in our nursery.
- There are activity bags located in the back of the sanctuary;
filled with books, games and puzzles- help yourself.
- A Card Request box is available inside the front doorway. Please let us know if we might send a card to show we care.
Church Cancellation due to weather tune into
Channel 3 WFSB TV or Channel 8 WTNH TV
-5-
Scripture Readings
Psalm 98:1–2, 9b (see insert) Deacon Rebecca
Luke 21:5–20 (see insert) Pastor Steve
The Message: “An Opportunity to Testify”
Please stand.
Hymn: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” # 72
Benediction Pastor Steve
Benediction Response
As we go now from this moment,
as we leave behind our time together.
May we walk with one another, may we help each other on the way.
As we go now from this moment, as we go into the future together
May we treasure one another, may we realize how precious we are.
-2-
Prayer of Invocation – in unison led by Pastor Steve
Loving and merciful God, we gather for worship
because You have called us to be Your people.
But we sometimes have conflicting feelings:
Some of us feel a sense of joy and hope for the future,
others feel overwhelmed by what goes on in the world.
Sometimes we feel out of control.
So we ask that You send Your Spirit.
Allow us to leave cynicism and weariness behind.
Inspire us to be part of the new thing You are doing
this day and always. Amen.
32The Lord’s Prayer – in unison led by Pastor Steve
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
Please be seated
Children’s Sermon Pastor Steve
Please stand
Prayer of Confession – in unison led by Pastor Steve
God, we proclaim that Your will is sovereign
and Your mercy is boundless.
But sometimes we live as if we never learned to trust You.
Our anxieties distract us and we fear that we have to go it alone.
We sometimes act from self-interest .
Forgive us, God. Remind us of Your promise.
Help us to discern Your presence in our world
and inspire us to act with faithfulness.
Remind us that within our soul lives Your Spirit
offering to guide our every step.
Silent confession.....
-3-
Assurance of God’s Love - Pastor Steve
The promise of God extends from generation to generation:
a new heaven and a new earth
where fear and want are not remembered.
We are heirs to this promise.
Therefore, let us never grow weary of doing what is right!
Friends, believe the Good News of the Gospel:
All: In Jesus Christ, we are united to God.
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.
Please be seated.
Invitation to Share –Deacon Rebecca Theriaque
In the stillness and beauty of heaven, we give thanks with wonder and awe.
In the justice and vulnerability of the earth, we dream of healing and hope.
With this Spirit, let us share through our pledges and gifts.
Offertory
Please stand.
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
-4-
Prayer of Dedication- in unison led by Deacon Rebecca
In our sharing, may we be ever mindful
of the presence of God connecting us.
May we see the new possibilities of this moment.
Hymn: “Be Still My Soul” #451
Please be seated
Prayer Requests – Pastor Steve
Preparing Our Hearts for Prayer
Change my heart, O God, make it ever true.
Change my heart , O God, may I be like you.
You are the Potter, I am the clay;
mold me and make me, this is what I pray.
Change my heart, O God, make it ever true.
Change my heart, O God, may I be like you.
The Congregation at Prayer
Lead me Lord; lead me in Thy righteousness.
Make Thy way plain before my face.
For it is Thou Lord, Thou Lord only,
that makest me dwell in safety.
Calendar of Events Nov. 13, 2016
Tue., 11/15 Isaiah Bible study, 6 pm
Wed. 11/16 Deacons Meeting, 6 pm
Thur., 11/17 “Faith” Bible study, 6 pm
Thur., 11/17 Open Hearts rehearsal, 7:15 pm
Sun., 11/20 Stewardship Sunday
Mon., 11/21 Daisy Scouts meeting, 6 pm
Tue., 11/22 Reinstated: Choir Practice 7:15 pm
Thur., 11/24 “Faith” Bible study, 6 pm
Thur., 11/24 Open Hearts rehearsal, 7:15 pm
Fri., 12/09 Paint Night - Winter Scene, 6:30 pm
Fund raising Events
Gift cards can be ordered any Sunday. See Cathie we have Amazon, Walmart, and Target cards available now.
December 9th Paint Night Winter Scene 6:30 pm
Central Village Congregational Church:
12/03 Coffee House Concert: Angelia with Friends Christmas Concert, 7 pm
Our Church Family in Need of Prayer
The Baton Family
The Hill Family
The Shippee Family
The Foular Family
The Ducharme Family
Pat Palonen, Ellie Desjardin’s daughter diagnosed with breast cance
Joey Backofen
Eddie LaPerle
Pat Michalski (continuing to battle cancer)
The Milliron Family (facing struggles, relatives of Elton & Leslee Bunnell)
Diane, Kelly and Alex Gaudreau (Sherry Mason’s family)
Terry Tatro (being treated for cancer)
Helen Coombs (resident of Davis’ Place)
Bob Vickers (recovering from surgery)
Kenny and Sarah Phaiah (Amy’s friends with health problems)
Norma Sharkey (cancer and treatment)
Linda Lukin (Jean’s daughter recovering from cancer treatment )
Bobby Stewart (Bruce &Phyllis’ son continuing chemotherapy)
Rebecca Theriaque (continued healing)
Gregory Cruz (deployed overseas – prayers for his mom, Kristin)
Jocelyn Espeleta (8 yr.old surviving cancer, friends of Carol Credit)
Gerald Bergsten (Rebecca’s grandmother)
Cody O’Bryon
Rudy Schmied, The LaFlamme Family,
Stephen Snellgrove (as he continues to undergo rehabilitation)
Amy Vaughan’s mother Suzanne recovering from Hip replacement surgery
For our military and their loved ones.
For all victims of natural disaster .
For all those in crisis around our world.
For all who are struggling with faith in Christ
that they may know real and enduring love.
Calendar of Events Nov. 13, 2016
Tue., 11/15 Isaiah Bible study, 6 pm
Wed. 11/16 Deacons Meeting, 6 pm
Thur., 11/17 “Faith” Bible study, 6 pm
Thur., 11/17 Open Hearts rehearsal, 7:15 pm
Sun., 11/20 Stewardship Sunday
Mon., 11/21 Daisy Scouts meeting, 6 pm
Tue., 11/22 Reinstated: Choir Practice 7:15 pm
Thur., 11/24 “Faith” Bible study, 6 pm
Thur., 11/24 Open Hearts rehearsal, 7:15 pm
Fri., 12/09 Paint Night - Winter Scene, 6:30 pm
Fund raising Events
Gift cards can be ordered any Sunday. See Cathie we have Amazon, Walmart, and Target cards available now.
December 9th Paint Night Winter Scene 6:30 pm
Central Village Congregational Church:
12/03 Coffee House Concert: Angelia with Friends Christmas Concert, 7 pm
Our Church Family in Need of Prayer
The Baton Family
The Hill Family
The Shippee Family
The Foular Family
The Ducharme Family
Pat Palonen, Ellie Desjardin’s daughter diagnosed with breast cance
Joey Backofen
Eddie LaPerle
Pat Michalski (continuing to battle cancer)
The Milliron Family (facing struggles, relatives of Elton & Leslee Bunnell)
Diane, Kelly and Alex Gaudreau (Sherry Mason’s family)
Terry Tatro (being treated for cancer)
Helen Coombs (resident of Davis’ Place)
Bob Vickers (recovering from surgery)
Kenny and Sarah Phaiah (Amy’s friends with health problems)
Norma Sharkey (cancer and treatment)
Linda Lukin (Jean’s daughter recovering from cancer treatment )
Bobby Stewart (Bruce &Phyllis’ son continuing chemotherapy)
Rebecca Theriaque (continued healing)
Gregory Cruz (deployed overseas – prayers for his mom, Kristin)
Jocelyn Espeleta (8 yr.old surviving cancer, friends of Carol Credit)
Gerald Bergsten (Rebecca’s grandmother)
Cody O’Bryon
Rudy Schmied, The LaFlamme Family,
Stephen Snellgrove (as he continues to undergo rehabilitation)
Amy Vaughan’s mother Suzanne recovering from Hip replacement surgery
For our military and their loved ones.
For all victims of natural disaster .
For all those in crisis around our world.
For all who are struggling with faith in Christ
that they may know real and enduring love.
Psalm 98:1–2, 9b
1 O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.
His right hand and his holy arm have gained him victory.
2 The Lord has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations....
9bHe will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
Luke 21:5–20
5When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said,6“As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
7They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” 8 And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.
9“When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.”10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
12“But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; 15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17You will be hated by all because of my name.18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By your endurance you will gain your souls.
20“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.