February 03, 2019
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Prelude:Passacaglia Andre Raison
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn:#32 I Sing the Mighty Power of God
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Introit:#595 Holy, Holy, Holy
Call to Worship
One: God’s Spirit is moving among us; give thanks! New things are unfolding before us; give praise!
All: We greet this day for all it may hold, and gather to sing our praises and thanks.
One: God has done great things for us and we are glad! Now God is urging us on in new ways.
All: We are waiting to hear what God would have us do; we are ready to risk new behaviors to be faithful.
One: Into the wilderness of our lives comes God’s voice, giving us new reasons to hope.
All: We listen for God’s words to us as we greet our future.
One: Knowing God is among us, let us worship God together!
Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
Almighty God, weaver of truth and grace,
be with us this day as we offer you our praise and prayers. Open our hearts to your redeeming love, that we might hear again your message of unremitting grace, and remember that you have called us your own. And in our remembering, may we be renewed in love and faithfulness. Amen
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (in unison) (from John Killinger)
We confess to you, O God, that we have used only a small part of the potential that is in us: there are energies, powers and possibilities in us that have never been released. Forgive us for settling for second best, for growing accustomed to the way we think and act, and then failing to go beyond our usual responses. Help us to yield to you this day, and thus to open our lives once more to your joy, service and adventure, made possible through the embracing forgiveness of your son Jesus Christ. Hear now our silent confessions as we turn to you, 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 107:1-9
(Pg. 687 in the Hebrew Scriptures in the pew Bible)
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures – Exodus 3:1-12
(Pg. 62 in the New Testament in the pew Bible
*Hymn:#517 Here, O Our Lord, We See You Face to Face
Sacrament of Communion
The cut bread on the communion plate is gluten free.
The communion wine is non-alcoholic.
Communion Prayer (in unison)
In this time of looking back, O Lord, we are more prepared to look forward. In remembering all you have done for us, we are better able to look to thefuture. We give thanks that your mercy has revived and encouraged us that we might go forward in love and forgiveness. For this time of renewal and hope, we give you our humble praise. Amen.
*Hymn:#169 Dear Lord and Father of Mankind (vs 1-2)
(Children will leave for Sunday School)
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem:Kyrie from Mass in G Franz Schubert
*Doxology:#607 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; praise Holy Spirit ever more;
praise Triune Godwhom we adore. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
Gospel Reading – Matthew 3:13-17
(Pg. 3 in the New Testament in the pew Bible)
Sermon: A Trip to the Wilderness Reverend Dr. D. Elizabeth Mauro
Covenant Renewal
Pastor: Let us renew our covenant vows together:
All: We covenant with God and with one another to walk in God’s holy ways. We unite for the worship of God and for continued striving to know and to do God’s will and for the service of God and humanity.
We acknowledge this Church to be part of all those in every age and nation who are united by the Holy Spirit of God in Christ, and we dedicate ourselves to serve this fellowship according to our strength, ability and opportunity. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer, Silent Prayer & Lord’s Prayer
Response:#595 Santo, santo, santo
*Hymn:#697 Take My Life and Let It Be
Benediction
Response:#546 Lord Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing
Postlude:Toccata in A Minor Benedetto Marcello
(* Please stand if able.)
Dr. D. Elizabeth ‘Betsey’ Mauro was ordained in 1987 and served churches in Colebrook, Connecticut and Rockland, Maine. She earned her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary, focusing on clergy ethics. Prior to returning home to Connecticut, she worked as Dean of the Center for Congregational Leadership, a joint ministry of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches and Olivet College in Olivet, Michigan. She now is the Executive Director of Women’s Support Services in Sharon, Connecticut, whose mission is to create a community free of domestic violence and abuse through intervention, prevention and education.
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.
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:
Reverend Dr. Betsy Mauro for leading Worship
Jenn Oberto for serving as our lay reader
Kevin Wolgemuth & Michael Voldstad for serving as ushers
Prayer List
Roberta Fay, J. Kevin Carroll, Siddhi, Evan Adsit, Marty Sorenson, Franny Yerkes, Terry Roy & family, Petee Robinson, Leonard Kaufman, Dick Taber,Tom Splaine, Laura Hawks, Joe K., Peter & Linda, Paula & Herman, Anne & Bill, Jan & John Hazard.
The Deacons on call this week will be
Clare Rashkoff (860-307-9524) &
Karin Noyes (860-248-0112)
CALENDAR
Today: 11:30 am Trustees Meeting
Monday: 1 pm Salisbury Duplicate Bridge
Wednesday: 9 am Music Committee
7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday: 7 pm HousaTonics
Friday: 7:45 am Men’s Bible Study
Next Sunday: 1 pm SWSA Chili Dinner
Shopping bags are available in the Parish Hall Entryway for The Corner Food Pantry. Please fill your bag and bring to church on Sunday, February 10. The bags will placed in the Parish Hall Entryway before Worship.
The shelves are low! Below are a few suggestions of what they are in need of. Your donations will go to local families in need. Thank you for your support!
To receive our weekly eblast and other Church announcements, please email Melissa at: [email protected]. If you are NOT online – please call Kathy (860-435-2442) to be put on a phone list for emergency closings.