April 22, 2018
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Prelude: Prelude in E Minor J.S. Bach
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #664 Morning Has Broken
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Choral Introit: #14 Lord of all, to thee we raise
Call to Worship
One: Morning has broken!
All: We gather to greet the new day by praising God.
One: God created us for relationship with God, one another, and the earth.
All: Let us honor those relationships today and every day.
One: We seek to care for our brothers and sisters around
the world and tend to God’s Creation.
All: Let us honor those relationships today and every day.
One: May we commit to new ways of honoring your Creation as a means of sharing Jesus’ transforming love,
All: And let us seek God’s grace, justice and mercy for all.
One: Come, let us worship God together!
Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
God, You are Love: You formed us in our mother’s womb and brought us to this hour. Join us together in a fellowship of compassion and justice, rejoicing with those who are honored, suffering with those who have lost so much. May the gifts You have given us be activated for the good of all people and creation. Embrace us in Your creating, redeeming love. May we live what You have made us to be: Your eyes that see what You see; Your ears that hear what You hear; Your feet that carry us to places most in need; Your hands that work for healing, justice and reconciliation; and hearts on fire with Your Love for each blessed person and each creature You have made. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
Earth Day Holy One, Breath of Creation, stir in us. Open our hearts that we may see, all of creation’s glory. Open our hearts that we may know, life is holy. Open our hearts that we may love with wonder and awe and reverence. Creating One, we understand that we live within creation, all woven together by the sacred breath of life. We confess the times we have chosen to forget; we name to you our careless greed when habitat has been denied, when invasive species have been introduced, when thoughtless destruction has been allowed, even encouraged. Help us to discover the second chance of a growing awareness, a deepened understanding, and active love. May we live wisely, with reverence for Creation. May we live gently on this earth, giving room, sharing space, providing for all. 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: #581 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.
Responsive Reading – Psalm 8
(Page 605 HS in the pew bible)
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures – Genesis 9:8-17
(Page 9 HS in the pew bible)
Children’s Message & Lord’s Prayer Pam Arifian
(Children will leave for Sunday School & Youth Discussion Group)
*Hymn #14 For The Beauty of the Earth
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: Alleluia Palestrina arr.Wright
*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
Scripture Readings – Micah 6:1-8
(Page 1060 HS in the pew bible)
Mark 12:30-31
(Page 60 NT in the pew bible)
Sermon: Who is Our Neighbor?
Reverend Pam Arifian
Pastoral Prayer & Silent Prayer
Choral Response: #14 Lord of all, to thee we raise
*Hymn: #611 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
Benediction
Response: #14 Lord of all, to thee we raise
Postlude: Fugue in E Minor J.S. Bach
(* 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 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 see an usher:
If you would like to use a hearing device
If you would like to bring your child to the Nursery
Please join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following Ms. Arifian’s talk in the Meetinghouse. All are welcome.
Many thanks to:
Pam Arifian for the Sermon, Children’s Message and post-worship dialogue.
Kathy Mera for serving as lay reader
Erin Swett for leading the Youth Discussion Group
Becky Belcher Feen & Kathy Mera for ushering
Prayer List
Jeff Krock, Ron Ham, Sandra Schafer, Mary O’Neill, Laura Hawks, Debbie Merwin, Jessica Whelton, Keith Grant, Jack Ritchie, Marian Ferguson, Jane Fitting, Libby Bishop, Miles Bishop, Chuck Carroll, Andrew Gunderson, Gail Weigel, Paula & Herman Blumberg, Harriet, Emily, Anne, Bill, Peter, Connie, Cheryl and those among us who struggle with anxiety, depression and addiction.
CALENDAR
Today: 11-11:30 Dialogue with Pam Arifian
11:45 am Deacons’ Meeting
Tuesday: 5:15 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
Wednesday: 7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday: 3-7:30 pm Bridgeport Community Dinner
7 pm HousaTonics
Friday: 7:45 am Men’s Bible Study
Sunday: 11:15 am Annual Meeting
COMMUNITY DINNER
Volunteers are needed to help prep and/or serve a Community Dinner at UCC Bridgeport on Thursday, April 26th. Car pools will be arranged. Please sign up during coffee hour or call the church office. Thank you.