February 4, 2018
Fifth Sunday After Epiphany
Prelude: Elevation François Couperin Le Grand
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #41 O Worship the King, All Glorious Above
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Choral Introit: #579 Kyrie Eleison
Call to Worship
One: Welcome to church!
All: New friends and old ones, welcome.
One: Strangers, family, friends-to-be, welcome.
All: Today, we take time to we celebrate friends–
One: People who have walked with us, stayed with us,
All: Carried us, and loved us.
Welcome!
*Unison Prayer
God of love, you have made us to love you and one another. We thank you for friendship, that holy relationship of mutual support and delight. Help us to treasure our friends; may we not take one another for granted. Strengthen the bonds among us and keep us open to new friendships, we pray. May the love we share shine brightly and bind us in your service. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
Almighty God, you sent Jesus to bless and to heal; to proclaim the good news of your kingdom; to serve others. Forgive us when we have taken blessings for granted; when we have forgotten to thank you for healing. Help us to overcome our fear of sharing our faith with others, and make us more like our brother Jesus, who, though he was divine, showed us what humility and service look like. 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.
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures – Isaiah 40:25-31
(Page 818 HS in the pew bible)
*Hymn: #834 Precious Lord, Take My Hand
Sacrament of Communion
The cut bread on the communion plate is gluten free.
The communion wine is non-alcoholic.
Communion Prayer (in unison)
Gracious God, you have once again shown us your love by bringing us to this meal. We go from this table, renewed in faith, renewed in courage, and strengthened by your presence. Thank you for loving us so tenderly. Thank you for challenging us to know you better and to receive you more fully. It is in Christ’s name that we pray. Amen.
*Hymn: #835 Just a Closer Walk (Refrain, V.1, Refrain)
(Children will leave for Sunday School)
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: Teach Me To Pray Jesse Mae Jewitt
*Prayer of Dedication
Gospel Reading – Mark 2:1-12
(Page 43 NT in the pew bible)
Sermon: “Fierce Friends”
Reverend Shannon Wall
Pastoral Prayer, Silent Prayer & Lord’s Prayer
Choral Response: #579 Christe Eleison
Hymn: #796 We Come To You For Healing
Benediction
Response: #579 Kyrie Eleison
Postlude: Veni Creator Jean Titelouze
(* 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 join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. All are welcome.
Today’s hosts are Sheryl Knapp & Sheryl Kennedy .
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:
Rev. Shannon Wall for serving as leading worship
Bob Maxwell for serving as lay reader
Michael Voldstad & Kathy Mera for ushering
Pastor Diane will be out of town Wednesday, January 31st through Saturday, February 10 and will be returning Sunday, February 11th. For pastoral emergencies, please contact a deacon.
The bulb garden is in memory of Graham Davidson from his family
Prayer List
Gordon Weekly, Debbie Merwin, Gloria Buckley, Jessica Whelton, George Kieffer, Keith Grant, Ellie Owens, Jack Ritchie, Marian Ferguson, Jane Fitting, Libby Bishop, Miles Bishop, Chuck Carroll, Andrew Gunderson, Dick Taber, Gail Weigel, Paula & Herman Blumberg, Harriet, Emily, Anne, Bill, Carolyn, Peter, the family & friends of Erik Rydingsword, family & friends of Barbara Pogue, friends & family of Barbara Jaquette, friends & family of Gloria Buckley and those among us who struggle with anxiety, depression and addiction.
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
Today: 11:30 am Trustees Meeting
Wednesday: 11 am Worship at Noble Horizons
7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday: 9-1 pm Blue Sky Conversation for
Litchfield North and Litchfield South Clergy in the Parish Hall
4:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
7 pm HousaTonics
Friday: 7:45 am Men’s Bible Study
Next Sunday: 12-5 pm SWSA Award Ceremony in the Parish Hall
1:30 pm PTU Dialogue in the Meeting House
3 pm PTU Concert in the Meeting House