April 30, 2017
Third Sunday of Easter
Prelude: Allegro from Sonata in C Felix Mendelssohn
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #246 Christ Is Alive
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Choral Introit: Be Not Afraid
Call to Worship
One: God has called us together for this time of worship.
God is listening to our thoughts and to our speaking.
All: God inclines an ear to us and hears us.
God knows us better than we know ourselves.
One: Let us open our hearts to the One who gives us life.
Let us set our faith and hope in God.
All: In one another’s presence, we renew our vows.
Together we offer our thanksgiving sacrifice.
One: God’s promises to us are ancient and ever new.
God is with us here and all the roads we travel.
All: Together we lift our voices in songs of praise.
Together we recognize we are precious in God’s sight.
One: Come, let us worship God together!
Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
Wondrous God, you are present with us when we do not know it, valuing us when the soil of our hearts is hard and unyielding. Open our eyes to recognize you here. May we sense your presence next to us. May we hear your voice. May we know your touch. May we see you in one another and in the beauty all around us. May your reality emerge deep inside each life, transforming our thoughts and deeds and our relationship with one another. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
O God, we confess that we rush through our days without recognizing your presence with us. We follow our busy diversions without reference to your will for us. We strive for financial success and personal recognition, while you call for obedience to truth and genuine mutual love. Purify our souls, we pray, and redirect our priorities. May we be born anew through your living and enduring word. 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, 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.
Responsive Reading – Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
(Page 694 HS in the pew bible)
Reading from the Early Church– Acts 2:14a, 36-41
(Page 144 NT in the pew bible)
Sacrament of Baptism for Sofy and Jack
Children’s Message and Lord’s Prayer
(Children leave for Sunday School and Youth Discussion Group)
*Hymn: #252 Day of Arising
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: An Invitation to Joy Joseph Martin
*Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
Gospel Reading – Luke 24:13-35
(Page 109 in the pew bible)
Sermon “On the Road to Emmaus”
Reverend Diane Monti-Catania
Pastoral Prayer and Silent Prayer
Choral Response: Amen
*Hymn: #255 O Sons & Daughters, Let Us Sing
Benediction
Response: Be Not Afraid
Postlude: Carillon-Sortie Henri Mulet
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.
Please join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. All are welcome.
Our host today is Cynthia LaPier.
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:
Mike Clulow for serving as lay reader
Bob Weber & John Arnold for ushering
Joan Wallace for donating the flowers
Prayer List
Jack Bowman, Terre Lefferts, Hatsie Baltus, Emma Mae, Leonard Kaufman, Laura Flores, Paul McAbee, Shirley Rogers, Jane Fitting, Nancy Tuckerman, Barbara Jacquette, Gloria Buckley, Petie Robinson, Gay Ayers, The Sosnoff Family, Wilma Tillerman, Will, Nina, Jack and Linda, Tully family, family and friends of Walter Crain
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
Today: 11:30 am Christian Action Meeting
2 pm PTU Lecture ~ Meeting House
3 pm PTU Concert ~ Meeting House
Monday: 6 pm Debtors Anonymous Meeting in the Parish Hall Library
Tuesday: 5:30 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
Wednesday: 7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday: 4:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
6 pm National Day of Prayer ~ Town Hall (Meeting House if inclement weather)
7 pm HousaTonics
Friday: 7:30 am Men’s Bible Study
Next Sunday 11:30 am Trustees Meeting
2 pm Service at Noble
OPPORTUNITIES
PEACE THROUGH UNDERSTANDING SERIES
You are invited to our Peace through Understanding Series this afternoon ~ Welcoming Our Jewish Friends. The dialogue will begin at 2 pm in the Parish Hall with Dr. Yehezkel Landau, Jewish Scholar and International Peacemaker followed by a performance at 3 pm in the Meetinghouse by The Hevreh Ensemble ~ Creating Original World Music. Admission is free.
SILVER LAKE SUMMER CAMP
Registration for Silver Lake Conference Center in Sharon is now open. Take a look at the many great offerings by visiting: www.silverake.ctucc.org. Brochures can also be picked up at the Opportunity Table at in the Parish Hall.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY/MEN’S BIBLE STUDY
Women’s Bible Study meets on Thursday afternoons in
the Parish Hall Library at 4:30 pm. All women are welcome to attend.
Men’s Bible Study will meet on Friday morning at 7:30 am in the Parish Hall. This will be the last meeting until the Fall.
CREATED BY GOD
CALLED BY JESUS CHRIST
GUIDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
DEDICATED TO LOVING AND SERVING GOD AND NEIGHBOR
The Reverend Diane Monti – Catania, Pastor