Weekly Bulletin - Coral Gables Congregational United Church of

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WELCOME TO WORSHIP
!
•No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey,
you are welcome in this United Church of Christ congregation.
•Large-print bulletins, hearing devices, and cough drops
are available from the ushers.
•Nursery and pre-school care is available during worship if you wish.
•God is calling you today, but probably not on your cell phone!
Please remember to put it on vibrate.
•ALL are welcome to this time and place of worship.
Know that in this space you are welcome as you are and for who you are.
As followers of Christ, we are compelled by the Gospel to seek reconciliation and wholeness in a world that
is all too often an unloving place.
Therefore, whether you are gay, straight, or in-between;
whatever your country of origin or ancestry;
whether you are a believer, a doubter or a seeker;
in Christ’s love, we welcome you, so that by the power
of the Holy Spirit we can work together to
usher in God’s Reign of justice, peace, and mercy.
•Invite your family and friends around the world to worship with us online
each Sunday at http://gablesucc.org/live.
The Reverend Dr. Laurinda Hafner, Senior Pastor
The Reverend Megan Smith, Associate Pastor
The Reverend Dr. Richard J. Bailar, Pastor Emeritus
Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ
3010 De Soto Boulevard
Coral Gables, Florida 33134-6317
Phone: 305.448.7421 ~ www.Gablesucc.org
CCLI License # 11282912
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THE ORDER OF WORSHIP
September 13, 2015
Our faith is over 2000 years old.
Our thinking is not.
11:00 a.m.
SPIRIT SUNDAY
To provide a spiritual home for a diverse and inclusive congregation
actively seeking to spread God's love.
The Coral Gables Congregational UCC Mission Statement
* Please stand as you are able
GATHERING MUSIC
PRELUDE
Trumpet Tune
Boyce
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thank you for signing the red hospitality pad found in the pews and passing it around.
Please use your smart phone to check in on Facebook or Twitter; and let your family and friends know
that you are at Coral Gables Congregational UCC.
Invite your family and friends around the world to worship with us online
each Sunday at http://gablesucc.org/live.
Be sure to “like” us at http://facebook.com/mycgcc.
You are most welcome to connect your smart device to our free wifi service.
THE NEW TESTAMENT WITNESS
Acts 2
As paraphrased by The Message
Ruth Nuñez and Jorge Casas, readers
When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a
sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building.
Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number
of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.
There were many staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they
heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother
tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. They couldn’t for the life of them figure out what was
going on, and kept saying, “Aren’t these all Galileans? How come we’re hearing them talk in our various
mother tongues?
Parthians, Medes, and Elamites;
Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene;
Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes;
Even Cretans and Arabs!
“They’re speaking our languages, describing God’s mighty works!”
Their heads were spinning; they couldn’t make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth,
confused: “What’s going on here?”
Others joked, “They’re drunk on cheap wine.”
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That’s when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: All of you
who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight. These people aren’t drunk as some
of you suspect. They haven’t had time to get drunk—it’s only nine o’clock in the morning. This is what
the prophet Joel announced would happen:
“In the Last Days,” God says,
“I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people:
Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters;
Your young men will see visions, your old men dream dreams.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BELL PROCESSIONAL
*OPENING HYMN
We Are the Church Alive
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Please stand as the hymn begins
*CALL TO WORSHIP
DeShaunta Goolsby, Member of the Board of Congregational Life
One:
Many:
One:
Many:
One:
Many:
One:
Many:
One:
Many:
One:
Many:
One:
Many:
One:
Many:
One:
Many:
One:
Many:
The church is alive in the squirmy children in our midst.
We are the church alive!
The church is alive with beloved faces lined with wisdom's folds.
We are the church alive!
The church is alive with persons with whom we sometimes disagree.
We are the church alive!
The church is alive when it welcomes different people with different lives and with
different histories.
We are the church alive!
The church is alive when young people feel free to ask hard questions about faith.
We are the church alive!
The church is alive when it’s filled with believers, doubters, and seekers.
We are the church alive!
The church is alive when others are served beyond its walls.
We are the church alive!
The church is alive when it shares food, both through spiritual nourishment and
delicious potlucks.
We are the church alive!
The church is alive when it respects those of other faiths and seeks to learn from them.
We are the church alive!
The church is alive when it gathers for exuberant, joyful and spirit-filled worship.
We are the church alive!
Please be seated following the call to worship.
CHORAL RESPONSE
We Are the Church
The Cherub Choir
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
One:
Friends, we are the church! Together we make a family of God.
Let us greet our brothers and sisters by saying, “Peace be with you.”
Many:
And also with you.
You are invited to share words of peace with those around you.
All children through 1st grade wishing to attend Sunday School are
invited to the Fellowship Hall during the Passing of the Peace.
Children 2nd grade and older will remain in church for our special service.
INTRODUCTION
Lisa LeSueur, Honorary Member of Church Council
CHORAL RESPONSE
Lord Be Glorified
Agape Choir
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WE HAVE VISION!
Your young men and women will see visions, your old men and women dream dreams.
REFLECTION
Annika Grant, Chair of the Board for Congregational Life
From this House
CHORAL RESPONSE
Allaway
The Chancel Choir
WE ARE INCLUSIVE!
How come we’re hearing them talk in various mother tongues?
REFLECTION
Mark Wolfe, Member-at-Large of the Church Council
Take Me to Church
CHORAL RESPONSE
Hozier
Members of the Senior High Youth Group
WE REACH OUT BEYOND OURSELVES!
Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes; even Cretans and Arabs!
REFLECTION
Janet Copeland, Chair of the Board of Justice and Witness
THE MORNING OFFERING
Offertory Music
Celebration
Gramann
The Handbell Choir
WE ARE JOYFUL!
“What’s going on here?” Others joked, “They’re drunk on cheap wine.”
REFLECTION
Tim Knoll, Church Moderator
CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
WE ARE SPIRIT-FILLED!
I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people
REFLECTION
Celine Clark, Chair of the Board for Spiritual Formation
CHORAL RESPONSE
The Church of the Living God
Lane
The Chancel Choir
MORNING PRAYERS
CHORAL PRAYER RESPONSE
The Church Triumphant
The Men’s Chorus
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Gaither
THE RECEIVING OF NEW MEMBERS
INTRODUCTIONS AND OPENING WORDS
QUESTIONS OF THE NEW MEMBERS
WORDS OF THANKSGIVING
*QUESTIONS OF THE CONGREGATION
*THE CONGREGATION’S PROMISE
We welcome you with joy into the common life of this church. We promise you our friendship
and prayers as we support one another in the work to which we feel called: striving for peace and
justice among all people, protecting and restoring the integrity of all God's creation, and bringing
hope to those most vulnerable. Amen.
*WELCOME
*CLOSING HYMN
Tim Knoll, Church Moderator
In the Midst of New Dimensions
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*THE SENDING FORTH
Dorothy Thorburn, Secretary of the Church Council
One:
Many:
One:
Many:
One:
Many:
The church of Jesus Christ
is where the young bring a balloon
the old come to dance
and where all see visions and all dream dreams.
The church of Jesus Christ
is where loaves of bread are stacked in the sanctuary to feed the hungry
coats are taken off and put on the backs of the naked
where shackles are discarded and kings and shepherds sit down to life together.
The church of Jesus Christ
is where the minister is ministered unto
the anthem is the laughter of the congregation
and the offering plates are full of people.
The church of Jesus Christ
is where people go when they skin their knees or their hearts
where people can disagree and hold hands at the same time
and where judges don’t judge and each child of God is beautiful and precious.
The church of Jesus Christ
is where trumpets and drums and tambourines declare God’s goodness
where people write thank-you notes to God
and where seeds are scattered and miracles are grown.
The church of Jesus Christ is where home is,
where heaven is,
where we are the church alive together.
Following our service, please join us in the Fellowship Hall for a potluck luncheon.
Visitors and guests, we would LOVE to have you join us.
A WARM AND CORDIAL WELCOME TO ALL GUESTS
If you are visiting with us for the first time this morning, we welcome you. We are grateful we have found
each other. And if somehow there is something in you, some still small voice seeking a place to live out
your faith, to ask important questions, and to serve beyond yourself, we invite you into our community.
For more information about the church or membership, please contact Pastor Laurie at 305.448.7421,
ext. 116 or at [email protected].
THANK YOU TO OUR USHERS: Marilyn Caputo and Annika Grant, Head Ushers; Dawn
Thompson, John Carson, Aldo Brito and Randi Vega.
FLOWERS THIS MORNING ARE GIVEN by the family of Michael Phang in honor of his 84th
birthday.
IN OUR PRAYERS: We remember all those places of war, violence and unrest, as we continue to pray
for peace for all people around the world. We especially remember this day those who have suffered
from gun violence. A lighted candle on the altar table symbolizes our prayers for peace.
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STAY IN TOUCH
Once a week or so, Pastor Laurie e-mails a pastoral letter, Laurie’s Lines, to all members and
friends, filling them in on the week’s events, any special concerns that have arisen, and general
church business. If you would like to be included, contact Ron Morgan at [email protected].
FAIR TRADE MARKETPLACE
Miami Fair Trade MarketPlace Named #5 on USA Today 10 Best Shopping Miami List!
The Fair Trade movement, while providing fair wages, safe working conditions, and micro-lending to
artisan producers, also addresses environmental issues through use of sustainable materials.
Our Fair Trade Shop is located on the Columbus Boulevard side of our church by Fellowship Hall.
Hours:
Sundays: 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.; Mondays and Tuesdays: Closed
Wednesdays: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; Thursdays - Saturdays: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
GERMAN LANGUAGE CHURCH
Bevorstehende deutschsprachige Gottesdienste der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinde Miami, in der Coral
Gables Congregational United Church of Christ Wir nehmen Sie gerne auf in unseren E-Mailverteiler:
[email protected]
PROGRAM FOR SENIOR LATINOS
HOLA: Happy Older Latinos are Active
Doris Perdomo-Johnson, a member of our congregation, is presently working on a project to promote
health and wellness for older Latinos by offering a program to help prevent anxiety and depression. If
you identify as a 60+ year old Latino/a, have/or are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression; are
able to walk at a moderate intensity; and are willing to participate in various interviews please contact
Doris at 786.229.3287 or by e-mailing [email protected]. You will be paid $25 for a completed
assessment plus you will be provided with information about how to manage the symptoms of depression
and anxiety and how to take better care of yourself to live each day healthier. HOLA is funded by the
National Institute of Mental Health in collaboration with the University of Miami Center on Aging.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Monday, September 14, 7:00 p.m. in the Library
We gather to create beautiful prayer shawls to share with members of our church family who are ill or
grieving or maybe even celebrating a special event. You do not have to know how to knit or crochet –
someone will teach you. If you are looking for a ministry of prayer and care for others, this may be it.
Come and help wrap someone in God’s love by creating a beautiful prayer shawl.
A NEW KIND OF WORSHIP
Wednesday evenings, September 16, 23 and 30
6:15 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Vespers, or Evening Prayer, is an age-old practice of the church centered in prayer, liturgy and music for
the close of the day. We will gather on the chancel of the sanctuary to give thanks for the day that was
and offer prayer for comfort and safety as night draws near. This mid-week service of a cappella singing,
silent contemplation, and quiet prayer will restore your soul for the rest of the week. Vespers will be led
by the pastors and Anthony Cabrera.
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HELP US MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE!
The return of our Church Night In program means that it is also Choir Time. Our adult choirs continue to
provide beautiful music for the church at worship. The good news is there are no auditions for our choirs.
All that is asked is that you show up with a song in your heart and a desire to make contributions that infuse
our worship with emotion and meaning. There is room for all in the Gables Congregational UCC music
ministry with anthems to be sung and bells to be rung. All are welcome – please join us. The Adult Bell
Choir meets from 6:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. in Moye Chapel and the Adult Chancel Choir meets from 7:30
p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in the Music Room. For more information about any of our choirs, please contact Ron
Morgan, Director of Music Ministries, at [email protected] or at 305.448.7421, ext. 121.
CHURCH NIGHT IN IS BACK!
Each Wednesday Evening from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
A new and improved evening filled with good food,
great programs and, of course, lots of fun and fellowship.
DINNER
$6 for adults / $4 for kids 12 and under
Take-Out Available
Come see old friends and meet new friends while gathering for a delicious dinner.
WE HAVE A NEW CHEF
Welcome to Chef Jennifer Clock
Jennifer studied at the Miami Culinary Institute and has worked as a caterer, chef instructor, and chef in
a variety of culinary settings. Plus, she is a mom of five kids, so she knows how to appeal to picky
children (and adults). But here is the really cool thing…she is the culinary instructor for Nature Links, a
local organization that helps train and empower students age 18-30 with middle range intellectual
disabilities to survive and thrive in life through job readiness skills. Members of her culinary class, which
meets at the church each week, will be assisting her so they can have on-the-job training. So you can
enjoy a delicious dinner knowing that you are helping others have a fulfilling life.
WE HAVE A NEW PROGRAM
for kids ages kindergarten – fifth grade
After your child has eaten dinner, bring him or her over to the playground (anytime from 5:45 p.m. –
6:15 p.m.) at the Early Childhood Center, check them in, and they can run and play under responsible
adult supervision while you return to a nice quiet dinner with your friends or attend the new Evening
Vespers offering in the sanctuary.
At 6:15 p.m., our Children’s Choir Directors, Alex Woods and Ashley Levin will take your children to a
45-minute choir rehearsal in a classroom of the Early Childhood Center where the children will learn
about music, play rhythm instruments, and prepare songs to sing in church. We are so blessed by these
two young and gifted choral directors. Alex is a graduate of UM and teaches music at the Cushman
School. Ashley is a vocal jazz major at UM. What a great opportunity for your child to learn about
music and performing! Then, just pick up your child at 7:00 p.m. Cherub Choir (ages kindergarten – 2nd
grade) will be in Room 9 and Agape Choir (ages 3rd grade – 5th grade) will be in Room 10.
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SISTERS ON SOJOURN
Saturday, September 19
11:00 a.m. in the Church Library
All women, regardless of age, are invited to join in this relaxed and easy-going group with no rules, no
dues, no officers. We are just women gathering together to hear each other’s stories, provide support and
encouragement, and to occasionally learn something. A continental breakfast is provided, so roll out of
bed, throw on your jeans, and be with some sisters on the journey.
For our September gathering, our theme will be “What I did on my summer vacation.” Did you see a
magical sunset? Did you rest and relax? Did you travel to an exciting new place? Did you manage to
clean out a closet? We will catch up and check in with each other over a light breakfast. Childcare is
available by contacting Pastor Megan at 305.448-7421 x 119 or [email protected].
GARDEN WARRIORS
If you like to garden, pull weeds, plant flowers, or just help make the exterior landscape of our historic
church beautiful, then join us for a Garden Warriors’ workday next Saturday, September 19 at 9:00 a.m.
All volunteers will be welcomed and appreciated.
NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Next Sunday, we welcome to our pulpit the Rev. Beverly Ross a longtime member of this church who
has recently accepted the position of Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor at St. Joseph’s Hospital
which is part of the Emory Health Care System in Atlanta, Georgia. She will be sharing her journey
and thoughts as she brings the morning message at both the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services.
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT EDUCATION
Doing Your Own Theology in a Post Modern, Post Christian (?) World
Sundays, September 20, and 27
Come ready to create your own statement of faith and understanding through a process of exploring
theological method; systematic theology models and eclectic theologies (liberation, feminist, and multicultural). This is a combination of learning how to do theological reflection with actual practice and
writing as a way of deepening your own articulation of faith.
JUSTICE AND WITNESS PRESENTS:
The Peace Café: The Culture of Violence vs. The Culture of Peace
Sunday, September 20 12:15 p.m. in Chapel
Led by Dr. Elton Skendaj and Dr. Meg Gardinier
How do we acquire the language of peace? How can we discern between the competing ideologies the
way of peace and justice? Come to the Peace Café! A light lunch will be available.
DREAM WORK
Free Introduction and Information Session Sunday
September 20 from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. in Havighorst Lounge
Facilitated by Eugene Donaldson
Dream work, or that is, learning the language of and learning to have relationship and learn from your
unconscious is a primary universal and free way of assisting the process of the development of the inner
life. A dream group is an ongoing community of inner viewers who continually learn about the nature of
dream function and the language of Jungian psychology as they practice the art of entering into and
extracting hidden meanings in those baffling dream images. This is not a dream interpretation group and
it is not a therapy group. This is exciting and profound work and provides a journey into ones deeper
self-awareness. Eugene Donaldson LMT is certified as a Dream Group Leader from the Haden Institute
in North Carolina. Light refreshments will be provided.
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YOUTH NEWS
During Church Night In, we have special tables in the Fellowship Hall
for our youth to hang out and eat together.
MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH (Grades 6 – 8)
Sunday, September 20 – Movie Matinee
Following worship we will grab some pizza and then jump aboard the Church Express to see a movie.
Bring money for the movie and any snacks you want at the theatre.
FROM THE GREEN CHRISTIAN COMMITTEE
We have made arrangements with a local company, Electric Ants, to
collect all of your electronic waste so that it can be recycled. Many of the
items are considered hazardous waste and should not be simply thrown
away. Their e-waste recycling program includes end-of-life and nonworking batteries, cameras, cash registers, desktops, external hard drives,
facsimile machines, flat TV screens, ink/toner cartridges, keyboards,
laptops, monitors, phone chargers, printers, radios, routers, scanning devices, servers, tablets, telephones,
small cathode ray tube televisions, video cassette recorder/players and video game consoles. That about
covers anything electronic! We will have a green collection bin in Fellowship Hall next to the kitchen
designated for your junk, and periodically Electric Ants will collect our unwanted items. You can read
more at www.electric-ants.com.
CALLING ALL FUN AND ADVENTUROUS PEOPLE
Join us for Gelato and Coffee after church
Sunday, October 4 following worship
Church members Gail Sosby and Robert Klemm have recently opened up the most exciting and
delicious new restaurant in the Gables and we are taking it over for post-worship coffee and gelato. Join
us on Sunday, October 4 following the 11:00 a.m. worship as we board the church shuttle and carpool to
Amore Gelato Caffé at 153 Giralda Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134.
CORAL GABLES IN ACTION
Coral Gables Congregational UCC has started an online Facebook group called Coral Gables In Action,
which seeks to keep our church family connected to each other through posting of activities in and
around Coral Gables. Members can post upcoming events that they would like to share with our church
family as well as join activities that others have posted, or just use it as a tool to remain up-to-date on all
of our many church activities. To join this group, all you have to do is get on Facebook, visit our page
(Coral Gables in Action) and request to be a member. We hope everyone in our congregation will join
this very special group!
Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ
3010 De Soto Boulevard
Coral Gables, Florida 33134-6317
Phone: 305.448.7421 ~ www.Gablesucc.org
WE ARE OUT OF THE BOX PEOPLE!
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CORAL GABLES CONGREGATIONAL UCC STAFF DIRECTORY
Ministers
All Members of the Church
Pastoral Staff
The Rev. Dr. Laurinda Hafner, Senior Pastor
The Rev. Megan Smith, Associate Pastor
[email protected] ext. 116
[email protected] ext. 119
Program Staff
Mark Hart, Exec. Dir. of the Community Arts Program
[email protected] ext. 120
Dr. Ronald Morgan, Director of Music Ministries
[email protected] ext.121
Dr. Gregory Taylor, Parish Musician
[email protected] ext. 155
Janet Hiles, Director of Early Childhood Center
[email protected]
To contact Early Childhood Center, please call:305-444-9792
Support Staff
Anthony Cabrera, Minister of Liturgical Arts
[email protected]
Kris Coney, Sound Technician
[email protected]
Allen Feldman, Pew Organizer
Alice Fernandez, Accounting Assistant
[email protected] ext. 127
Ashley Levin, Cherub Choir Director
[email protected]
Chely Llorens, Wedding & Baptism Coordinator
[email protected] ext. 112
Tony Prinzi, Print Room Manager & Reception Coordinator
[email protected] ext. 100
Dennis Rodrigues, Business Manager
[email protected] ext.130
Drew Sandbulte, Administrative Assistant
[email protected] ext.150
Alex Sloan, Director of Media Ministry
[email protected] ext.151
Alexandra Woods, Agape Choir Director
[email protected]
Maintenance and Custodial Team
Rene Dominguez, Rosario Noriega, and Guillermo Ordoñez
Visit our website at
www.Gablesucc.org
For youth news visit
www.facebook.com/pages/Youth-Group-Coral-Gables-United-Church-of-Christ
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