Bulletin

 March 17, 2019

SecondSunday in Lent

Prelude: Grave from Sonata # 2                  Felix Mendelssohn

Chiming of the Hour

*Hymn:#36 For the Fruit of All Creation

Welcome

Joys and Concerns

Introit: In The Bulb There Is a Flower                    Natalie Sleeth

              Amaya Godshall, soloist

Call to Worship

All:      We gather in Worship of Creator,

            Who has given us the power to be called

His children, and the blessing of our place in

Creation!

One:   When I know my place, I respect the place of others

             ~ all my relations.

 All:     When we understand that humans are just part of

             the created universe, we have a better      

             understanding of our place.

One:    I am part of all Creator has made, and I come to this

           holy place to praise and worship Him!

Prayer of Invocation (in unison)

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. It turns problems into gifts, failures into successes, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. It can turn an existence into a real life, and disconnected situations into important and beneficial lessons. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.Let us pray.

 Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession (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 all 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.

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 27

(Page 619  in the Hebrew Scriptures in the pew Bible)

Reading from Hebrew Scriptures:

Genesis 15:1-12, 17 & 18

(Page 14  in the Hebrew Scriptures in the pew Bible)

Children’s Message & Lord’s Prayer

(Children will leave for Sunday School)

*Hymn: #370This Is My Father’s World

 Offering of our Gifts

Anthem: Surely the Lord Is In This Place             Carl F. Mueller

 *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: Luke 13:31-35

(Page 93 in the New Testament in the pew Bible)

Sermon                       Bryan Nurnberger

Pastoral Prayer & Silent Prayer  

Response:#313  Lord, Make Us More Holy

*Hymn:#269 Lead O, O King Eternal!

 Benediction

Response:#313 Lord, Make Us More Holy

Postlude: Fugue in C from Sonata #2           Felix Mendelssohn

 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:

Bryan Nurnberger for leading Worship

John Estabrook for serving as our lay reader

Becky Belcher & Michael Voldstad for serving as ushers

Prayer List

Gail Weigel, Jean Gallup, Roberta Fay, J. Kevin Carroll, Siddhi, Evan Adsit, Marty Sorenson, Franny Yerkes, Terry Roy & family, Petee Robinson, Leonard Kaufman, Dick Taber,Tom Splaine, Joe K., Peter & Linda, Paula & Herman, Anne & Bill, Jan & John Hazard, Pauline

The family & friends of Laura Hawks

The Lead Deacons on call this coming week will be

Karin Noyes & Kathy Mera

CALENDAR

Today:             11:30 am Church Council Meeting

                        5 pm Torrington Dinner

Monday:          1 pm Salisbury Bridge Club

Wednesday:     10:30 am Lenten Soup Making

                        6 pm Lenten Dinner

                        7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal

Thursday:         4:30 pm Women’s Bible Study

                        7 pm HousaTonics

Friday:             7:45 am Men’s Bible Study

OPPORTUNITIES

BIBLE STUDY

Women’s Bible Study has resumed on Thursday afternoons. The Reverend Rich Reifsnyder will be leading the group beginning at 4:30 pm in the Parish Hall Library.

Men’s Bible Study meets on Friday mornings at 7:45 am in the Parish Hall.

Everyone is welcome to join both groups.

WHAT IS GOD CALLING YOU TO DO?

In this time of transition in the life of Salisbury Congregational Church, we invite you to get involved! Please share with the Nominating Committee your talents, interests, and availability. Please take a moment to respond to a short survey so that we can get in touch with you. You may also fill out the paper form that is available at the church office or at the service on Sunday.

If you are willing to serve on a Board or Committee, great! If you are willing to provide food, work with children, contribute flowers, provide a ride to a neighbor in need, thank you!

If you are not sure what you can provide, but would like to help, a member of the Nominating Committee would be happy to chat with you about the needs of the church to find the right fit for you.

Thank you for your stewardship of our congregation!

YOU ARE INVITED

The Deacons’ Lenten Dinners are a gift for all–a gift of a meal prepared with love; a gift of coming together to talk, share, and laugh; a gift of time out of our everyday routines so we can reflect on all that we have in common.

Please come! Take a break! Enjoy Community! All are welcome–congregation members, their families and friends. We will be serving a simple meal of hearty soup, salad, bread, and dessert made and served by the Deacons and other volunteers. All you need to do is show up with your appetite.

Please indicate the names of all attendees, any dietary restrictions and ages of children you are bringing. Dinners will be limited to 25 attendees per week.