Our gratitude to those leading worship today:
Officiant: The Rev. David Minnick
Liturgist: Ellen Schowalter
Organist and Choir Director: Dr. Terese Gemme
Musicians: Jim Coatsworth, bass soloist; Adult Choir
Greeters: Al and Marianne Fontana
Fellowship Hour hosts: Debra & Geoff Ramsey, Al & Marilyn May,
Debby Jagielow
Flowers: Given in loving memory of Robert Newton,
by the Newton family
The Rev. David Minnick, Interim Senior Pastor
The Rev. Clare Robert, Associate Pastor
Jennifer McCleery, Christian Education Coordinator
Kristen Provost Switzer, Youth Minister/Seminary Intern
Dr. Terese Gemme, Organist and Choir Director
Karen Swann, 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 and Communion
February 2, 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 "Acquaint Now Thyself with Him" Michael Head
James Coatsworth (based on Micah 6:6,8)
CALL TO WORSHIP (Please stand) Liturgist Ellen Schowalter
Leader: When we seek justice for the other, when we love kindness
more than ever,
Response: we live as God asks us to live.
Leader: When we walk humbly through life, when we offer mercy to
those who hurt us,
Response: we are the blessing God hopes we will be.
Leader: When we are willing to look foolish by following Jesus,
when we choose weakness rather than power,
Response: we reflect the One who is in our midst.
HYMN (Remain standing) God of Grace and God of Glory
New Century Hymnal #436
CALL TO CONFESSION
UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN
Merciful God, we know that you love us and that you call us to fullness of life, but around us and within us we see the brokenness of the world and of our ways. Our successes leave us empty; our progress does not satisfy. Our prosperous land is not the promised land of our longing. Forgive our willful neglect of your word, our insensitivity to the needs of others, and our failure to feed the spirit that is within us; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Leader: God calls us to a new life of justice kindness, and humility; of
meekness, spiritual hunger and mercy; of pure hearts,
reconciliation, life anew and abundant. Trust and believe in this
good news!
All: Thanks be to God. 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 and teachers may leave for Noah's Chapel.)
LESSON FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURE Micah 6: 1-8
LESSON FROM THE GOSPEL Matthew 5: 1-12
SERMON The Rev. David Minnick
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
JOYS AND CONCERNS
MORNING PRAYER
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 "Let Justice Roll Like A River" Marty Haugen
Let justice roll like a river, and wash all oppression away;
Come, O God, and take us, move and shake us,
Come now, and make us anew, that we might live justly like You.
Take from me your holy feasts, all your off’rings and your music;
Let justice flow like waters, and integrity like an ever-flowing stream.
You have been told the way of life, the way of justice and peace;
to act justly, to love gently, and walk humbly with God.
DOXOLOGY (Please stand) 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.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
This table is open to all. Today, you will be served in the pew. Parents, your children are welcome to share Holy Communion. When served bread, please take a piece, then pass the tray to your neighbor. Please wait until all are served, so that we may share together. If you prefer, a separate plate of gluten–free bread will be passed. When passing the cup of grape juice, please take one and wait until all are served. Come, for this Table is prepared by the eternal loving God for you!
INVITATION
COMMUNION HYMN “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ”
New Century Hymnal #347
PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
BREAKING OF THE BREAD
SHARING OF THE CUP
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Bountiful God, we give you thanks that you have refreshed us at your table by granting us the presence of 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. Amen.
HYMN "In the Bulb There Is a Flower"
New Century Hymnal #433
BENEDICTION (Remain standing)
POSTLUDE (Please be seated)
RINGING THE CLOSE OF WORSHIP
(Please remain seated until after the steeple bell finishes ringing.)