October 22, 2017
Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost
Prelude: Arioso J.S. Bach
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #724 O Jesus, I Have Promised
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Choral Introit: O Lord Have Mercy
Call to Worship
One: We welcome the presence of God, who commanded faithful people throughout the ages to love God, love neighbor and love ourselves.
We welcome the presence of Jesus, our teacher and brother, who reminded us again that the whole of God’s law can be summed up in a single
commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
We welcome the presence of the Spirit, which moves us to love our neighbor through the hearing and understanding of their diverse voices and languages, just like on that first Pentecost day.
All: Let us love God, our neighbor and ourselves.
One: I am your neighbor – an activist who shares your commitment to bringing about a Just World for All.
All: Welcome neighbor!
One: I am your neighbor – a young person who wants to grow and learn along with other imperfect and growing people.
All: Welcome neighbor!
One: I am your neighbor – a person of faith who speaks differently about the Holy, but who shares your commitment to building a Just World for All.
All: Welcome neighbor!
One: I am your neighbor – someone who has spent countless hours in your church building but has never before shared a meal with you.
All: Welcome neighbor!
One: I am your neighbor – a person who may express gender and sexuality differently than you and who shares your commitment to affirming people.
All: Welcome neighbor!
One: I am your neighbor – someone who may not be able to join you in person, but who joins the community of faith through the wonders of technology.
All: Welcome neighbor!
One: I am your neighbor – a college student living away from my family who seeks to expand my community of faith.
All: Welcome neighbor!
One: I am your neighbor – someone who has been sitting in these pews, learning to love God since I was just a young child.
Welcome neighbor!
All: I am your neighbor – someone who has different skin color than most people here, who shares your love of God.
All: God loves all and so do we! Welcome neighbors!
One: Come, let us worship God together!
Opening Prayer (in unison)
O God, since the beginning of time, communities have prepared and eaten meals together to remind themselves of the power of food and drink to bring together families and friends to transcend divisions in a Spirit of love, peace and joy. In an age when we seem to be more divided than ever,
we pray that our efforts to provide food for those who are hungry may unite us into a community of neighbors. Come Holy Spirit, Come.
Call to Confession
Moment of Silent Confession
Assurance of God’s Love
*Gloria Patri: #584 Glory, glory, glory, glory to God on high! (repeat). And on earth peace to all people in whom God is well
pleased. (repeat)
Responsive Reading – Proverbs 14:27-35
(Page 733 HS in pew bible)
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures – Isaiah 58:6-12
(Page 842 HS in the pew bible)
Children’s Message & Lord’s Prayer
(Children will collect food donations, bless them and leave for Sunday School and Youth Discussion Group)
*Hymn: #722 Lord, Speak To Me
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: In Remembrance Craig Courtney and Buryl Red
*Doxology: #607 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; praise Holy Spirit ever more; praise Triune God whom we adore. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication
Gospel Reading – 1 John 3:16-24
(Page 292 NT in the pew bible)
Sermon: “A Piece of Bread”
Reverend Dr. Diane Monti-Catania
Pastoral Prayer & Silent Prayer
Choral Response: O Christ Have Mercy
* Hymn: #714 God of the Fertile Field
Benediction
Response: Amen
Postlude: March from Scipio G.F. Handel
(* Please stand if able.)
Our service today is adapted from UCC’s Love of Neighbor Worship Service
Welcome Statement
We, the Salisbury Congregational Church, seek to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds and love our neighbors as ourselves.
This Church declares itself to be Open and Affirming to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment regardless of race, ancestry, class, gender identity, physical/mental ability or sexual orientation.
We further declare ourselves to be Affirming of each individual as a child of God, celebrating the total identity of each person.
As a declared Open and Affirming Congregation, we commit ourselves to work toward ending ignorance, fear, hatred, prejudice and discrimination against any person.
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
If you are visiting us today, Welcome!
Please sign our guest book and introduce yourself to our Pastor or to one of the Deacons. Fill out a welcome card in the pew to be put on our email list!
Please join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. All are welcome.
Today’s host is the Hospitality Committee.
Please see an usher:
If you would like to use a hearing device
If you would like to bring your child to the Nursery
Many thanks to:
Sheryl Kennedy for serving as lay reader
Kathy Voldstad for serving as Youth Discussion Leader
John Arnold and Michael Voldstad for ushering
The flowers today are donated by Anne Williams in honor of her grandson, Easton Shedd’s Birthday.
Prayer List
Dartanian Oyanadel, Jane Fitting, Libby Bishop, Miles Bishop, Reverend Terry Ryan, Chuck Carroll, Andrew Gunderson, Dick Taber, Gail Weigel, Paula Blumberg, Helen Ham, Harriet, Rich Reifsnyder, Lynn Reifsnyder, Emily and those among us who struggle with anxiety, depression and addiction
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
Today: 11:15 am Deacons’ Meeting
3:15 pm Reformation Concert with Talk
Asylum Hill Congregational Church,
814 Asylum Ave, Hartford
Tuesday: 5:30 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
Wednesday: 7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday: 4:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
7 pm HousaTonics
Friday: 7:45 am Men’s Bible Study
Next Sunday: 11:15 am 273rd Annual Meeting Part I
2 pm Worship at Noble
OPPORTUNITIES
CALL TO THE ANNUAL MEETING
The 273rd Annual Meeting, Part I, of the Congregational Church of Salisbury will be held following the worship service on Sunday, October 29, 2017 for the purpose of:
- Discussion of the 2018 budget;
- Any other business that needs to come before the congregation.
WOMEN’S & MEN’S BIBLE STUDY GROUPS
Women’s Bible Study meets on Thursdays at 4:30 pm in the Parish Hall Library. We are reading “500: A Study Guide for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation” produced by the United Church of Christ Stillspeaking Writer’s Group. All women are welcome.
Men’s Ecumenical Bible Study meets on Friday at 7:45 am. They are studying the “Parables of Jesus”. All men are welcome.
If you would like to provide flowers for a Sunday service, please contact Linda Estabrook at (860) 824-5896.