April 15, 2018
Third Sunday of Easter
Prelude: Carillon de Westminster Louis Vierne
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #248 Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Choral Introit: Our God Is an Awesome God
Call to Worship
One: God has set apart those who are faithful.
Our Creator will hear us when we call.
All: God puts gladness in our hearts and minds. We will lie down in safety and sleep in peace.
One: Beloved, we are God’s children now.
What we will be has not been revealed.
All: We are here to remember Jesus Christ.
We want to be like the One who lived by love.
One: Our faith strengthens us for each day’s living.
God empowers our ministries of caring.
All: We trust God whose children we are.
We look forward to what God will reveal to us.
One: Come, let us worship God together!
Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
God of our ancestors, author of life, source of Easter good news, we are drawn together again by the mystery of life and death. We call on you, so far beyond our knowing, with a mixture of faith and doubt. Let your face shine on us as we put our trust in you. Draw together the fragments of our busy lives around the central core of love which you provide, that we might relate to one another as whole people. Grant us a fuller sense of what is right and good, and help us to live at our best. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
We are disturbed and distressed, O God, by the evil that surrounds us. It is hard to view many people we see as your children: murderers, abusers, those who cheat others and profit at their expense. We feel like victims. Why should we confess our sins when there is so much evil beyond our influence? Yet we know we do not abide in your love. We sin by turning away from the sisters and brothers who are also beloved by you, however they may differ from us. We seek the forgiveness you promise and the health you offer. 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: #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 4
(Page 603 HS in the pew bible)
Reading from the Early Church – Acts 3:12-19
(Page 146 NT in the pew bible)
Children’s Message & Lord’s Prayer
(Children will leave for Sunday School)
*Hymn: #41 O Worship the King
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) Charles Gounod
Dominique Fanal, conductor
Deryl Godshall, tenor / Choeur de Limours (France)
*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 – 1 John 3: 1-20
(Page 291 NT in the pew bible)
Sermon: “Almighty, Powerful God!”
Reverend Dr. Diane Monti-Catania
Pastoral Prayer & Silent Prayer
Choral Response: Our God Is An Awesome God
*Hymn: #625 How Great Thou Art
Benediction
Response: Amen
Postlude: Toccata Théodore Dubois
(* 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!
We welcome and thank the Choeur de Limours from France for enhancing our worship service today.
Please see an usher:
If you would like to use a hearing device
If you would like to bring your child to the Nursery
Please join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. All are welcome. Today’s host is Janet Kaufman.
Many thanks to:
Lorna Edmundson for serving as lay reader
Prayer List
Sandra Schafer, Mary O’Neill, Laura Hawks, Debbie Merwin, Jessica Whelton, Keith Grant, Jack Ritchie, Marian Ferguson, Jane Fitting, Libby Bishop, Miles Bishop, Chuck Carroll, Andrew Gunderson, Gail Weigel, Paula & Herman Blumberg, Harriet, Emily, Anne, Bill, Peter, Connie, Cheryl and those among us who struggle with anxiety, depression and addiction.
CALENDAR
Today: 3 pm Concert ~ The Creation
Wednesday: 7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday: 4:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
7 pm HousaTonics
Friday: 7:45 am Men’s Bible Study
Saturday: 9-2 pm Hotchkiss Library of Sharon Retreat in the Parish Hall
Sunday: 11:15 am Annual Meeting
Call To The Annual Meeting
The 273rd Annual Meeting, Part II, of the Congregational Church of Salisbury will be held following the worship service on Sunday, April 29, 2018, for the purpose of:
1.Presentation of Reports from Boards and Committees
2.The Nominating Committee’s Report
3.The Election of Officers and Committees
4. Other Business
COMMUNITY DINNER
Volunteers are needed to help prep and/or serve a Community Dinner at UCC Bridgeport on Thursday, April 26th. Car pools will be arranged. Please sign up during coffee hour or call the church office. Thank you.