August 5, 2018
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude: Voluntary in A Major William Selby
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #1 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Introit: #616 Our God Is An Awesome God
(sung by all) Our God is an awesome God who reigns from heaven above with wisdom, power, and love; our God is an awesome God!
Call to Worship
One: Draw near to God, who has heard your complaining. Come in the name of Jesus, who understands your need.
All: We have received manna in the wilderness. We have been offered the bread of life.
One: Open your selves to God’s steadfast love. Be honest before the Holy One who knows all you do.
All: We are judged according to our deeds. Our secret sins are known to God.
One: The Holy Spirit has come to restore your joy. God’s presence is real to those who accept God’s gift.
All: Whoever comes to Jesus will not be hungry. Whoever trusts in Christ will never be thirsty.
One: Come, let us worship God together!
Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
We hear you calling us, loving God, to a life of humility, gentleness, and patience. Keep your call before us in this hour that we may recognize and celebrate our oneness in Jesus Christ. May your Spirit unite us in the bond of peace. Speak to us of the Savior, who bore humanity’s shame that we might learn to bear with one another in love. Draw us to a common faith, in spite of our differences. Lead us into new depths of trust beyond our knowing, and along new pathways of service outdistancing our fears. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
O God, our transgressions are many. We have sinned against you and done evil in your sight. We have wandered far from your truth. You alone know the extent of our guilt. You are justified to pass judgment and sentence us. We are crushed by the wrong we have allowed and the good we have avoided. We plead for mercy. Wash us thoroughly and cleanse us deep within. Put a new and right spirit in us and restore to us the joy of your salvation. Help us to lead lives worthy of your call to us, in Jesus’ name. 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: #583 Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest! Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia!
Responsive Reading – Psalm 51:1-12
(Page 640 HS in the pew bible)
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures –2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a
(Page 353 HS in the pew bible)
*Hymn: #2 Come, Thou Almighty King (v. 1 & 2)
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: #2 Come, Thou Almighty King! (v. 3 & 4)
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring J.S. Bach
*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 – John 6:24-35
(Page 119 NT in the pew bible)
Sermon: “Holy Trinity: Three in One”
Reverend Dr. Diane Monti-Catania
Pastoral Prayer, Silent Prayer & Lord’s Prayer
Response: #469 Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying
(sung by all) Lord, listen to your children praying; Lord, send your Spirit in this place. Lord, listen to your children praying. Send us love; send us power; send us grace.
*Hymn: #10 Sing Glory to the Name of God
Benediction
Response: #598 Amen, We Praise Your Name
Postlude: Fugue in A Major William Selby
(* 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 see an usher if you would like to use a hearing device.
Please join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. All are welcome. Today’s host is Sheryl Knapp.
Many thanks to:
Karin Noyes for serving as lay reader
Stephanie Tierney & Roger Crain for ushering
Prayer List
Salvo Family, Tristan Sorensen, Tom Splaine, Joe K., Linda & Peter Davis, John & Jan Hazard, Stan & Pam Brown, Sal Accardo, Don & Bonnie Cuneo, Violet Hvasta, Bob “Bullet” Sherwood, Mary O’Neill, Laura Hawks, Debbie Merwin, Jessica Whelton, Keith Grant, Jack Ritchie, Marian Ferguson, Jane Fitting, Libby Bishop, Miles Bishop, 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
The family & friends of Shirley Rogers, Nancy Tuckerman, and Ann Kaufman.
Memorial Services
Shirley Rogers passed away at Noble Horizons on July 28, surrounded by her family. A Memorial Service for Shirley will be on Saturday, August 11 at 11:00 a.m. in the Meeting House. A collation in the Parish Hall will follow. Please keep Shirley’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.
Nancy Tuckerman passed away at Noble Horizons on August 1. A Memorial Service for Nancy will be held on Saturday, August 25 at 11:00 am in the Meeting House. A collation in the Parish Hall will follow. Please keep Nancy’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.
CALENDAR
Monday: Kitchen Closed
3:30-5 pm Parish Hall Library in use
Wednesday: 11 am Worship at Noble Horizons
Saturday: 11 am Memorial Service for Shirley Rogers in the Meeting House. A collation to follow in the Parish Hall
Next Sunday: 10 am Guest Speakers: Caleb, Olivia & Jeff May
11:30 am Trustees Meeting
6:30 pm Pastor Diane preaches at the Church in the Wildwood, Colebrook, CT
OPPORTUNITIES
ALICE GUSTAFSON RECOGNITION DAY
Music Mountain, in Falls Village, CT, will be hosting an Alice Gustafson Recognition Day on Sunday, August 12th. A concert performed by the Amernet String Quartet will begin at 3 pm at Gordon Hall. Tickets are $35.00 each.
Rising Strong: Women’s Retreat to be held with United Congregational Church, Bridgeport from Friday, September 7 – Sunday, September 9 at Silver Lake Conference Center. Saturday, September 7 will feature a ‘Mindfulness Retreat’ led by Kathy Voldstad. Come for part or all! Details to follow.