September 16, 2018
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude: Elevation Francois Couperin
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #157 I Danced in the Morning
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Introit: #70 What Does The Lord Require of You (sung by all)
Call to Worship
One: Come away from dullness and complacency. Wake up! God is calling us to listen and learn.
All: The heavens are telling the glory of God. The firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.
One: How long will we refuse the wisdom God offers? How long will we ignore God’s counsel and reproof?
All: The law of God is perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of God are sure, making wise the simple.
One: Our waywardness separates us from God. Then, we call on God, we hear no answer.
All: We seek to renew our relationship with God. We seek enlightenment and the revival of our souls.
One: Come, let us worship God together!
Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
God of all wisdom, renew our sense of awe and wonder as we gather before you, the Source of all knowledge. Make your Word known to us, and stretch out your hand to touch us. Draw us away from our own devices that we may truly listen to the witness of all creation speaking of wonders we have ignored. Give us eyes to see beauty in all around us. Align us with truth and righteousness. Quiet our scoffing and awaken our trust. Show us the disciplines we need to stay in touch with you each day. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
God of all worlds, we confess our arrogance in turning away from the knowledge you offer and the relationship with us that you desire. We make light of your commandments and scoff at discipline and boundaries as if they did not apply to us. Our tongues reveal our ignorance before the vastness of your truth. The words we speak in error spread poison that cannot be contained. Our waywardness is destroying us. Our complacency before evil, within us and all around, threatens life itself. O God, we cry out for forgiveness. 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: Glory Be To The Father (see insert)
Responsive Reading – Psalm 19
(Page 613 HS in the pew bible)
Anthem: I Believe Mark Miller
I believe in the sun, even when it’s not shining. I believe in love, even when I don’t feel it. I believe in God, even when God is silent.
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures – Proverbs 1:20-33
(Page 719 HS in the pew bible)
Children’s Message & Lord’s Prayer
(Children will collect food donations, bless them & leave for Sunday School)
*Hymn: #718 Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said
Offering of our Gifts
Offertory: #505 The Trumpet Sound, the Angels Sing Adult Choir
*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 – Mark 8:27-38
(Page 53 NT in the pew bible)
Sermon: “Who Do People Say that You Are?”
Reverend Dr. Diane Monti-Catania
Pastoral Prayer & Silent Prayer
Response: #469 Lord, Listen to your Children Praying
(sung by all) Lord, listen to your children praying; Lord, send your Spirit in this place. Lord, listen to your children praying. Send us love; send us power; send us grace.
*Hymn: #724 O Jesus, I Have Promised
Benediction
Response: #724 (v. 4, last 2 lines) And Jesus I Have…
Postlude: Chaconne Louis Couperin
(* 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.
Please join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. All are welcome.
Many thanks to:
Charlie Norman for serving as lay reader
Kathy Mera & Jim Hussey for ushering
Prayer List
Natalie Crain, Dick Taber, Tom Splaine, Jack & Sue Ritchie, Harriet, Peter & Linda, Paula & Herman
Family & friends of Don Cuneo
CALENDAR
Today: 11:30 am Church Council Meeting at Scoville Library
Monday: 3:30 pm Parish Hall Library in use
Tuesday: 5 pm Christian Action Meeting in the Parish Hall Library
7 pm Sinfonietta Rehearsal in the Parish Hall
Wednesday: 7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Friday: 7:45 am Men’s Bible Study in the Parish Hall
Pastor Diane will be attending a class on Appreciative Inquiry at Champlain College September 19-23.
OPPORTUNITIES
PRAYER LIST
Please contact the office if you would like to add a name to the prayer list. Names may be added at any time by calling the office 860-435-2442 or emailing [email protected]. Please make sure you have permission from someone to add their name to this public list.
BIBLE STUDY
Women’s Bible Study will resume on Thursday, September 27 at 4:30pm in the Parish Hall Library. All women are welcome, no previous experience necessary. Men’s Ecumenical Bible Study started meeting on September 14, and meets on Friday mornings at 7:45 am. All men are welcome.
2018 CROP HUNGER WALK
The CROP Hunger Walk will take place on Sunday, September 30. Salisbury Congregational Church is once again building a spirited team to walk and/or donate. Cammiel Hussey and Mary O’Neill are co-captains for CROP Walk 2018. Join our team! Walk! Donate! Help our local, national, and global neighbors fight hunger and build self-sufficiency. The CROP Hunger Walk will take place on Sunday, September 30. Salisbury Congregational Church is once again building a spirited team to walk and/or donate. Cammiel Hussey and Mary O’Neill are co-captains for CROP Walk 2018. Join our team! Walk! Donate! Help our local, national, and global neighbors fight hunger and build self-sufficiency.
SAVE THE DATE
Leo Gafney will be our guest preacher and presenter on Sunday, October 14. He is the co-facilitator of the Men’s Interfaith Bible study group with Dick Taber. Leo is a former Jesuit priest who earned a Master’s degree in Theology and Mathematics and a Doctorate in Education. He was the founding principal of a small inner-city school in Baltimore. His latest book is “Never Stop Praying”.
CORNER FOOD PANTRY
We normally collect donations for The Corner Food Pantry on the second Sunday of the month during worship. There’s a basket in the vestibule and in the Library Street corridor – nonperishable food donations welcome at any time! Please consider donations of “extras” that people often look for: coffee, toothpaste, deodorant. Today we are having a special ‘coffee’ collection for the Food Pantry.