September 10, 2017
Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Prelude: Toccata in F Major Dieterich Buxtehude
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #232 Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Choral Introit: Arise Your Light Is Come
Call to Worship
One: Tell the whole congregation of God’s people:
This is the day for new beginnings.
All: This is a time of God’s appearing.
This is the moment for faithful response.
One: Praise God in the assembly of the faithful.
Make melody to God and sing a new song.
All: Praise God for life enriched by love.
Praise God for love that fulfills God’s law.
One: This is the hour to wake up from your sleep.
The energy of God’s love fills this place.
All: Here we claim our identity as Christians.
Here we become the church of Jesus Christ.
One: Come, let us worship God together!
Opening Prayer (in unison)
This is a festival day, glorious God, a day of remembering your faithfulness through the centuries, a time for celebrating your vibrant presence with us, a pause of anticipation for the seasons yet to be. We rejoice at the assurance that you take pleasure in us, that we are known by you, called by you, empowered by you to live honorably and humbly, in the spirit of Christ. We would exalt your name and sing for joy, knowing that we can trust you for guidance and directions we need. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
O God, we have not been faithful to your commands. We have been more ready to condemn than to console, more eager to justify ourselves than to work for understanding. We feed the flames of dissent instead of welcoming the freeing power of forgiveness. We gather as two or three, not to welcome your presence but to lament about those who are absent. Our sins are destroying us, God. Turn us around to a new way of being. Hear us now as we turn to you with our silent confessions, seeking your mercy, forgiveness and grace.
Moment of Silent Prayer
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 – Psalm 119:33-40
(Page 697 HS in pew bible)
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures – Ezekiel 33:7-11
(Page 982 HS in the pew bible)
Children’s Message & Lord’s Prayer
(Children leave for Sunday School and Youth Discussion Group)
*Hymn: #203 Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: With A Voice of Singing Martin Shaw
*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 – Romans 13:8-14
(Page 197 NT in the pew bible)
Sermon: “Put on the Armor of Light”
Reverend Dr. Diane Monti-Catania
Pastoral Prayer & Silent Prayer
Choral Response: Arise, Your Light Is Come
* Hymn: #377 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
Benediction
Response: Arise, Your Light Is Come
Postlude: Fugue in F Major Dieterich Buxtehude
(* Please stand if able.)
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 the guestbook at the front door 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.
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:
Kathy Mera for serving as lay reader
Jenn Good for serving as Youth Discussion Leader
Pat Palmer & Joe Catania for ushering
Prayer List
Charles Purcell, Dick Taber, Lee Collins, Gail Weigel, Paula Blumberg, Helen Ham, Harriet, Emily and those among us who struggle with anxiety, depression and addiction
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
Today: Sunday School & Nursery Care Resumes
11:30 am Trustees Meeting
11:30 am Christian Action Meeting
Wednesday: 7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday: 4:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
7 pm HousaTonics
OPPORTUNITIES
WOMEN’S/MEN’S BIBLE STUDY
The Women’s Bible Study group will resume meeting on Thursday, September 14th at 4:30 pm. All women are welcome to attend! No previous experience necessary.
Men’s Bible Study group will resume meeting Friday, September 29th at 7:45 am. The group will be studying, “The Parables of Jesus”. All men are welcome to join!
CROP WALK
Sunday, September 24th is the 34th Annual Northwest Connecticut CROP Hunger Walk. Please go online to pledge, to register, or to form a team:
https://www.crophungerwalk.org/fallsvillagect/. Your footsteps in September help hungry people overseas, and hungry neighbors here in our community.
2017 FAMILY DIRECTORY
The new directories are located on the marble table in the Parish Hall. Please, one per family.
PRAYER LIST
A new prayer list has been started. Please contact the office if you would like to continue to include names previously submitted. Names may be added at any time by calling the office 860-435-2442 or emailing [email protected].