here - Peace Dale Congregational Church

February 22, 2015
11:00 AM
First Sunday of Lent
Seminary Sunday
Worshippers please note:
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Childcare is available downstairs.
If you have a prayer request, green prayer/care request forms are available in all pews; completed forms are
collected during the singing after the homily.
At this sign - * - all who are able are invited to stand.
All bread used in communion is gluten-free, and the cup is filled with non-alcoholic wine.
For quiet reflection....
Gian Carlo Menotti
"Hell begins on the day when God grants us a clear vision of
all that we might have achieved, of all the gifts which we have wasted,
of all that we might have done which we did not do.”
~~~~~
Prelude
“A Sabbath Melody”
Mueller
(The candles are lit symbolizing the light of Christ entering our worship.)
Words for Gathering and Passing of the Peace
Introit #352
“Spirit Song”
SPIRIT SONG
*Assurance of God’s Forgiveness
Leader: Hear the good news: The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting
to everlasting.
All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, freed and empowered to live
as joyful servants of God and one another.
*Prayer Response #259
“Spirit of the Living God”
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me
God Meets the People Through the Word
A Word for All Ages
LIVING GOD
Chris Perrotti
“Surely the Presence”
Response #263
WOLFE
Scripture Lesson
Old Testament: Genesis 9: 8-17 (red Bible page 6; blue Bible page 13)
Response: Psalm 51 (hymnal page 743)
Gospel: Mark 1: 9-15 (red Bible page 764; blue Bible page 1552)
“It’s All About DNA”
God Calls the People
Sermon
Call to Worship
Leader: Unstop our ears,
People: Lace up our shoes,
Leader: Open our hearts,
People: Turn our faces toward God,
Leader: For the Lenten journey begins.
People: To listen to the voice of Jesus,
Leader: To walk the narrow path of discipleship,
People: To trust the depths to the forgiving love of God,
Leader: To direct our attention to heaven’s song,
People: The eternal melody of love.
*Hymn of Praise #180
“Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days”
God’s People Respond
*Hymn of Devotion #561(vvs.1, 2 and 4) “It Is Well with My Soul”
Prof. Brita Gill-Austern
VILLE DU HAVRE
(Please pass the green prayer/care request cards to end of pew to be collected.)
Litany for Seminary Sunday
Sharing of Concerns
Sharing of Joys
Call to Prayer, Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer,
Lord’s Prayer (“forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us”), Choral Amen
Presenting our Gifts, Tithes and Mission Offerings
ST. FLAVIAN
*Prayer of Confession
God of the depths, searcher of hearts, you know the tumult of our lives --- a busyness that
bruises those nearest, a loneliness that claws at the soul, a fearfulness that leads to distrust
and cynicism. You know our longing for a more centered life --- time for reflection in
prayer; gracious, unhurried times with friends and family; renewing rest and exercise;
growing moments to deepen our faith and witness. Give us the courage to persist in
prayer, excel in kindness, and walk gently on the earth. Heal the wounds we carry, forgive
the errors we commit and lead us to new life. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
(Plate: Regular Offering; Missions Basket: Church World Service)
Offertory Anthem
*Doxology #46
“Wonderful Merciful Savior”
“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heav’nly host:
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
Rogers/Wyse
OLD HUNDREDTH
*Prayer of Dedication
God of mercy and grace, we give these gifts of ourselves, striving to be the obedient
children you have called us to be in covenant with you. We are reminded by the example
of Christ that there is nothing that this world can tempt us with that can match the
satisfaction of being tested and found faithful. In our times of plenty and our times of
need, help us keep strong in our conviction that in you and only you can we put our trust
for the security of our lives. We pray this in Christ's holy name. Amen.
God Sends the People
*Hymn of Commission #612 “O Jesus, I Have Promised”
ANGEL’S STORY
*Benediction
*Choral Benediction Response
PEACE DALE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
AN OPEN AND AFFIRMING CONGREGATION
OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
261 Columbia Street
Peace Dale, Rhode Island
“Peace I Leave”
*Light of Christ Leads Us Out Into the World
(During the response, anyone who needs extra assistance &/or a clear aisle
is invited to move forward toward the fellowship hall.)
*Postlude
“Finale in E minor”
J.S.Bach
Flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Ruth and Clement Babcock in
honor of their birthdays by their daughters, Alice Babcock, Judy Brown, and Mary Szrom.
Volunteers: Ushers – Claudia & Peter Swain, Bob Gamache, Phil Holley; Offering Team –
Meg & Tom Kolodziej, Ed Holt; Deacon on Call – Laurie McCoy; Toddler Care – Susan
Krochin; Property Management – Phil Holley (open), Dezi Dezzani (close); Hospitality –
Artemis Ramaker; AV – Ray Dufault; Clock Winder -- Dave Parkinson
We welcome Brita Gill-Austern as today’s guest preacher. As a pastoral theologian, Brita has
a passion for teaching and creating a community of learning where the care of persons is
embodied in a pedagogy that engages head and heart. In the last several years her teaching,
research and writing have turned to examine the intersection of love and justice in relation to the
care of those made poor by practices of exclusion. This has led to working with students to cross
geographical and conceptual borders to enhance their understanding of the forces that deepen
poverty and create divisions between us. She is Faculty Director of Border-Crossing Immersions
and has led border crossing trips to Nicaragua, El Salvador and Mexico for the last six years. She
has been committed for more than two decades to interfaith dialogue and work between Jews and
Christians, and for the last several years with Muslims as well. An underlying theme that weaves
through all her work is the centrality of connection to all healing, and fostering those practices of
connection that can bring healing to individuals, communities and society as a whole. As a board
member of Communities Without Borders, she is active in work to stop the spread of global
AIDS and to educate AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children in Zambia and India, to ensure
a more hopeful future for them and our world. She is an ordained United Church of Christ pastor,
and served in three parishes in Pennsylvania and California for eight years before joining the
faculty at ANTS in 1988.In a co-edited volume, Feminist and Womanist Pastoral Theology, she
and Bonnie Miller McLemore lift up the contributions of feminism and womanism to the
discipline of pastoral theology. She has contributed many articles and chapters to the field of
pastoral theology.
Our MissiOn stateMent…
“GO and invite peOple tO enter intO a
life-Transforming relationship with Christ,
eMpOwerinG theM tO GO and invite Others.”
Ministers to the World
Senior Minister
Minister of Visitation
Executive Assistant
Director of Music
Organist
Director of Bell Choir
Director of Church School & Youth
Toddler Care Supervisor
Sexton
Pastor Emeritus
Ch.M. Emerita
The Whole Congregation
The Reverend Paul A. Bizer
George R. Wyckoff
Rachel Sheldon
Edward DeFusco
Gayle Keinard
Susan Hoaglund
Christopher Perrotti
Susan Krochin
Mary DePietro
Dr. Lawrence A. Washburn
Betty V. Nickerson
Website: www.peacedalechurch.org
Church Office 401-789-7313
(Monday – Friday 8:45 AM – 2:00 PM)