July 24, 2016 Bulletin - The First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor

Sunday, July 24, 2016
Robert K. Livingston
Darcy A. Crain-Polly
Senior Minister
Associate Minister
Chapel Communion: 9:30 a.m.
Summer Worship Service: 10:00 a.m.
We Gather to Worship God
Silent Meditation
Prelude
Words of Welcome
and Celebration of
Community
Opening Hymn
“May your faith be to you the same burden that wings are
to a bird.”
– Leslie D. Weatherhead
"It Is Well With My Soul"
Arranged by Mark Hayes
Rebecca Jones, Pianist
Rev. Bob Livingston
Please sign the friendship pad and pass it down the row and
back, giving us the opportunity to greet each other by name.
“Sweet Hour of Prayer”
Hymnal #505
* Call to Worship
One:
Long, long ago, some of the followers of Jesus asked him
to teach them how to pray.
All:
Jesus told them to pray daily and to begin each prayer
with praise.
One:
Pray, Jesus said, that you can help bring in the kingdom of
God right here on earth.
All:
Yes! Pray for what you really need to sustain life, but also
that you may always treat others as you yourself want to
be treated.
One:
In times of temptation, ask for special help.
All:
And end your prayer with praise and thanksgiving.
One:
What a wonderful gift! This prayer which over countless
centuries has encouraged God’s people to pray! Let us pray
together now slowly and thoughtfully the Lord’s Prayer.
* Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us
our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
* 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. Amen.
Children’s Circle
Rev. Bob Livingston
(Children are invited downstairs to church school with Sarah following children’s circle.)
Give, Share, Rejoice
Offertory Sentences
and Offertory
* Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
* Prayer of Dedication
* Hymn of Preparation
“Great is Your Faithfulness”
Hymnal #423
We Grow in Our Faith
Gospel Readings
Sermon
Solo
Matthew 19:13-14
Matthew 5:1-10
Matthew 7:7
Matthew 13:31-33; 44-45
Luke 17:20-21
Pew Bible Page 896-897
Pew Bible Page 880
Pew Bible Page 883
Pew Bible Page 890; 891
Pew Bible Page 955
“The Zest of the Story”
“The Prayer Perfect”
Rev. Dorothy L. Lenz
Elizabeth Ordinario Weil, Soloist
Poem by James Whitcomb Riley, set to music by Oley Speaks
Pastoral Prayer
Rev. Bob Livingston
We Go Forth to Live and Serve
* Closing Hymn
“God of Change and God of Glory”
Charge and
Benediction
* Postlude
Hymnal #177
Rev. Dorothy L. Lenz
"Higher Ground"
Arranged by Mark Hayes
Rebecca Jones, Pianist
* Congregation Standing (Please feel free to remain seated if standing is difficult for you.)
The postlude music is the concluding part of worship.
The flowers on the communion table are given to the glory of God
Following the service, please join us in Pilgrim Hall for fellowship!
Gospel Readings
Matthew 19:13-14
Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his
hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought
them; but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop
them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.
Matthew 5:1-10
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat
down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them,
saying:
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will
be filled.
‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the
door will be opened for you.
Matthew 13:31-33
He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a
mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of
all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes
a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.
He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a
woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was
leavened.
Gospel Readings (continued)
Matthew 13:44-45
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone
found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that
field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls.
Luke 17:20-21
Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with things that
can be observed; nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There it is!” For, in
fact, the kingdom of God is among you.
The Prayer Perfect
Elizabeth Ordinario Weil, Soloist
Poem by James Whitcomb Riley
Set to music by Oley Speaks
Dear Lord! kind Lord!
Gracious Lord! I pray
Thou wilt look on all I love,
Tenderly to-day!
Weed their hearts of weariness;
Scatter every care,
Down a wake of angel wings
Winnowing the air.
Bring unto the sorrowing
All release from pain;
Let the lips of laughter
Overflow again;
And with all the needy
O divide, I pray,
This vast treasure of content
That is mine to-day!
The First Congregational Church
Welcome!
We are glad you joined us this Sunday and look forward to meeting and
getting to know you. Please come to the Pilgrim Hall after worship for a
time of friendship and friendship visit our website at www.fccannarbor.org
to learn more about our church.
Guest Preacher
Dorothy L. Lenz
The Reverend Dorothy L. Lenz served on the staff of this church for 30
years, beginning in 1963 -- first as
Church School Director and then
as Assistant Minister. In the past
couple of years, in response to the
invitation by Bob and Darcy, she
has led the 9:30 a.m. Communion
Service one Sunday a month and
has taken her turn at preaching a
Sunday during the summer.
Welcome back to the pulpit, Dorothy!
Senior High
Mission Trip
Photojournalism
Exhibit
Our Senior High Youth have put together a photojournalism exhibit that
has been displayed during art fair and will remain on display through
August.
Grow A Row
How are our gardens growing? Despite marauding furry friends and
rainfall on the skimpy side, things are looking pretty well in our back yard.
As we did last year, we will begin gathering produce each Sunday
beginning July 24th. A market basket will be placed near the pulpit for
your contributions. This will be delivered to Food Gatherer's each
Monday.
No time? Not a gardener? Please consider donating bought veggies and
fruit from your local farmer's market or corner grocery.
We also are trying our luck with growing tomatoes in pots on our church
property. Look for them near the driveway on the south side of the
church. Questions? Call Connie Nagle at (734) 649-3612.
August 19 & 27
Habitat Work Days
The work days for the Ypsilanti Habitat houses this year are Friday,
August 19th and Saturday, August 27. Please see Marta Skiba in Pilgrim
Hall beginning Sunday, July 3rd to sign up. There are jobs that need to be
completed at every skill level. If you have questions or can volunteer, but
miss Marta in Pilgrim Hall, please email her at martalskiba@gmail.com.
September Courier
Please make sure all submissions for the September Courier are provided
to Renee no later than August 12! renee@fccannarbor.org
SUNDAY, JULY 24
9:30 a.m.
Chapel Communion, Douglas Chapel
10:00 a.m. Summer Worship Service, Sanctuary
Rev. Dorothy Lenz, Guest Preacher
11:00 a.m. Friendship Time, Pilgrim Hall
ENJOY THE ART FAIR!
SUNDAY, JULY 31
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
July 21-24
ART FAIR (Free Parking for Church-Goers!)
August 7
11:15 a.m.
AFC Meeting—Mayflower Room
August 8
7:00 p.m.
Church Council Meeting
August 15
6:15 p.m.
Trustees Meeting
August 19
Habitat Youth Work Day
August 27
Habitat Youth Work Day
August 29
6:00 p.m.
Chapel Communion, Douglas Chapel
September 5
LABOR DAY FCC—Office Closed
10:00 a.m. Summer Worship Service, Sanctuary
Rev. Dr. Bill Dunifon, Guest Preacher
September 6
FCC Regular Office Hours Resume
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday - Friday
September 11
KICK-OFF SUNDAY & MINISTRY FESTIVAL
9:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m. Friendship Time, Pilgrim Hall
JR High Girls Night
SUNDAY, AUGUST 7
9:30 a.m.
Chapel Communion, Douglas Chapel
10:00 a.m. Contemporary Service, Pilgrim Hall
11:00 a.m. Friendship Time, Pilgrim Hall
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14
9:30 a.m.
Chapel Communion, Douglas Chapel
10:00 a.m. Summer Worship Service, Sanctuary
Rev. Chip Marquardt, Guest Preacher
11:00 a.m. Friendship Time, Pilgrim Hall
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
(June—Labor Day)
Monday—Thursday 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m.—Noon
TODAY IN THE
CITY OF GOD
CHURCH SCHOOL
STAFF
Senior Minister
Associate Minister
Minister Emeritus
Minister Emerita
Director of Christian Ed.
Director of Music
Music Worship Leader
Director of Music Emeritus
Organist
Organist Emerita
Pianist
Chapel Organist
Bookkeeper
Administrative Assistant
Wedding Coordinator
Custodian
Robert K. Livingston (ext. 554)
Darcy A. Crain-Polly (ext. 552)
Terry N. Smith
Dorothy Lenz
Sarah Chaffee (ext. 553)
James C. Nissen (ext. 555)
Terry Farmer (ext. 557)
Willis Patterson
In Transition
Marilyn Mason
Rebecca Jones
Katherine Johnson
Nancy Sauve (ext. 560)
Renee Bovee (ext. 550)
Betty Jahnke
Steffen Gelletly
608 E. William St.,
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2420
Kindergarten—5th Grade Meeting Room
6th—8th Grade
Remain in Worship
Office: (734) 662-1679
Email: office@fccannarbor.org,