The Congregational Church, United Church of Christ Amherst, New Hampshire

The Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
Amherst, New Hampshire
“Never touch your idols: the gilding will stick to your fingers.”
—Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary
THE ORDER OF SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD
The Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
Amherst, New Hampshire
October 12, 2014
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
10:00 AM
Let us be gathered in silence so that we and those who enter with us
may pause, pray and prepare to worship God.
PRELUDE
Arabesque
Edward Broughton
GREETING AND WELCOME
Members and visitors are asked to sign the Friendship Register and to use a nametag.
NOTICES OF PARISH LIFE
INTROIT
Chancel Choir
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: This is Sabbath – the day we seek rest and recreation.
People: This is Sabbath – the day we celebrate resurrection and new life.
Leader: This is Sabbath – the day we come to hear the Good News.
People: This is Sabbath – the day we come together to worship God.
Leader: This is the day the Lord has made.
People: Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
*HYMN
God of Grace and God of Glory
No. 420
UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION and THE LORD’S PRAYER (in unison)
Gracious God, you have invited and welcomed us to this place of worship. You draw us away from
the idols we create to take your place. When we come together, we sense that there is nothing in life
that can substitute for a vital relationship with you. Yet we are only dimly aware of who you are. All
the mysteries of the universe are in your hands, yet you have made yourself known among the
people of this earth. We catch glimpses of your work among us and are amazed. We want to meet
you again today, as for the first time. Touch us. Remake us. Open our hearts, as we pray the words
that Jesus taught us: 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.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison)
God of all mercy, you have planted within us a desire to love kindness, to seek justice, and to walk
humbly in your name. We have promised to heed your commandments. We want to honor our
covenant with you, but we are often defensive, fearful, and distracted. We spend more time with our
toys than with your truth. We seek temporary thrills rather than lasting meaning. Then we are
disappointed when our “golden calves” bring no fulfillment. We return to you, loving God, intent on
following the guidance of your still-speaking voice. Open our ears to your call, we pray.
SILENT PRAYER… In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
*GLORIA PATRI (Tune #579)
Glory to the Creator, and to the Christ, and Holy Spirit, One;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
CHILDREN’S TIME
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of God be with you. AND ALSO WITH YOU.
ANTHEM
Ain't Got Time to Die
Chancel Choir
Kathy Skoglund, soloist
THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS
SERMON
*HYMN
Philippians 4:1-9
Exodus 32:1-14
Hall Johnson
Page 1024
Page 74
"Idol Hands"
Be Thou My Vision
No. 339
JOYS AND CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and PASTORAL PRAYER
CHORAL RESPONSE
Chancel Choir
INVITATION TO SHARE OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY MUSIC
Meditation
Louis Gottschalk
*DOXOLOGY (Tune: From All That Dwell Below the Skies)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God all creatures here below. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (in unison)
Thank you, God, for the wealth you have entrusted to us. As we share a portion of that wealth, we
pray that it may never become the object of our affection. Keep our focus on people and
relationships and lasting values, rather than on the possessions we can accumulate. We dedicate
our time, money, and ourselves to the reign of God among us, praying that all whom our gifts may
reach may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Amen.
*HYMN
Our God, Our Help in Ages Past
No. 210
*THE LIGHT OF CHRIST GOES OUT INTO THE WORLD
*COMMISSION AND BENEDICTION
*CHORAL RESPONSE
*POSTLUDE
Chancel Choir
Hymn to Joy
Beethoven/arr. Lani Smith
(*Indicates that those who are able may stand.)
Portions of today’s liturgy are adapted from Taught By Love, by Lavon Baylor.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF AMHERST
A Welcoming, Open and Affirming Congregation
of the United Church of Christ
“No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey,
you are welcome here.”
We, the members of the Congregational Church of Amherst, New Hampshire, United Church of
Christ, believe God’s Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ call us to love all our neighbors as we would want to
be loved. We are called to be as one body, seeking to walk together in the full life and ministry of our
church.
We welcome each individual as a child of God. As covenant members of Christ’s church, we
celebrate God’s love for people of all races and ethnic backgrounds, all mental and physical abilities, all
socioeconomic backgrounds, all sexual orientations, all gender identities and gender expressions, and
all of the other diverse attributes woven into the fabric of humankind.
With God’s grace, we invite all to share in the life and leadership, ministry and fellowship, worship
and sacraments, responsibilities and blessings of our church.
We are pleased that you have chosen to worship with us this morning. Our membership is open to
all those who choose to walk with us in our witness. The next new member orientations will be
held October 28 and November 13. New members will be formally received on Sunday,
November 23. Please speak with any of our deacons or pastors should you have any questions
regarding our church or our membership.
Worship Notes:
• Nursery Care is provided for children ages two and under at the beginning of worship.
• Church School is available for children in preschool through grade 7 immediately following
Children’s Time.
• Joys and Concerns may be written on the cards found in the pew racks. Cards will be
collected by one of the pastors during the middle hymn and shared during the Prayers of the
People.
• Nametags – Please remember to wear your nametag each Sunday, so that we may all greet
our neighbors. If you do not have a permanent nametag, temporary nametags may be found
inside the friendship registers. If you are in need of a new, permanent nametag, please see
one of the deacons.
• Fellowship – Please join us in the community room following worship to welcome visitors
and friends.
• Emergencies – In the event of an emergency, please remain seated until instructions have
been given. An emergency plan is in place for the children in the nursery and Sunday School.
The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Here’s how to
reach us: by telephone 673-3231, or by email andrea@ccamherst.org. If we are unavailable by
phone, please feel free to leave a message using the personal directory, and we will get back to you
as soon as we can. Visit our church’s website at www.ccamherst.org.
To remember our church in your estate planning, please contact our church administrator.
PARTICIPATING IN TODAY’S SERVICE
Members and Friends of The Congregational Church
Richard G. Leavitt
Maureen R. Frescott
Sara L. Phelps
Michael Havay
Doug Topliffe
Jean and Holly Tonnesen
Adrienne and Doug Topliffe
Sally Bowkett
Stephanie Jones
*******************************************
All the Congregation
Wendy Lazott
PLEASE WELCOME our guest organist today,
Paul Bordeleau.
JUNIOR CHOIR will rehearse on Monday at
4:00 p.m. in the vestry.
THE CHURCH OFFICE will be closed on
Monday for the Columbus Day holiday.
FAITH PROMISE SUNDAY: The annual pledge
campaign will begin on Faith Promise Sunday,
October 19. Pledge cards and a stewardship
brochure containing some relevant items to
consider when making your pledge this year
will be distributed before the service. During
the service there will be a moment of reflection
to consider your pledge, and each pledging
member will proceed to the front of the church
to place their pledge in the basket. If you will
not be available on this date and still wish to
pledge, please contact Andrea in the church
office and we will make sure a pledge card is
sent to you.
Senior Pastor
Associate Pastor
Director of Music
Organist/Accompanist
Deacon In Charge
Greeters
Ushers
Liturgist
Nursery Coordinator
Ministers to the World
Handbell Choir Director
FOOD CONTRIBUTIONS WANTED: The
Woman’s Association is hosting the reception
following the Service of Ordination for Regina
Kinney on October 19. This is a celebration
not to be missed, and the first in our church in
twenty years. If you are able to contribute a
food item for the “party” table please contact
Carol Lyon at cml750@comcast.net or 6720100. Dessert is already arranged so sweets
are not needed. Thank you. See you there!
The Lectionary texts for the next two weeks are:
October 19:
Exodus 33:12-23
Psalm 99
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22
October 26:
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Matthew 22:34-46
WA BIRCH BARK CRAFT WORKSHOP:
Crafters are invited to join us on Monday,
October 20 from 10:00 a.m. to noon for a
special workshop to learn how to make
miniature birch bark houses for decorations
and ornaments. Teacher Mary Salmon will show
us the secrets of shaping and gluing the bark to
make these uniquely NH decorations that we
will sell at the Holiday Fair. If you would like to
participate, please call Anne Krantz 673-9684
for a list of supplies and tools to bring.
SHARE FOOD PANTRY requests for October
are holiday dinner supplies: stuffing, gravy,
cranberry sauce, canned corn and green beans,
and pie crust. Donations can be left in the
SHARE cupboard in the narthex or in the
container by the community room entrance.
Many thanks for your continuing support!
Our Church Calendar
October 12—18, 2014
Today
10:00 a.m. Worship
11:10 a.m. Fellowship—
Community Room
11:30 a.m. Youth Choir—Vestry
6:00 p.m. Senior High Youth Group—
Youth Room
Monday
9:30 a.m. WA Workshop—Vestry
4:00 p.m. Junior Choir—Vestry
Tuesday
8:30 a.m. Men’s Fellowship—
Youth Room
7:00 p.m. All Committee Night
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Study Group—Parlor
7:00 p.m. God in America Series—Parlor
Thursday
6:00 p.m. Handbell Choir—Sanctuary
6:30 p.m. Confirmation Class—
Youth Room
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir—Vestry
Saturday
9:00 a.m. Memorial Service for
Keith Hunt
Regina Kinney’s
Ordination
October 19, 2014
Mark your calendars! On Sunday, October
19, 2014, The Congregational Church of
Amherst will proudly host Regina Kinney’s
Ordination Service, beginning at 4:00 p.m. in
the sanctuary.
Following the service, we invite everyone
to join us in the community room for a
celebration of her journey and her ordination
in the United Church of Christ as a minister,
and in recognizing all the preparation,
dedication, devotion and sacrifice that Regina
has endured to follow her call to serve.
Congratulations Regina!
SUCCESS CARD ORDERS – Next Sunday:
Where will you be shopping for the
holidays? Shaw’s, Macy’s, LL Bean, Target,
Walmart, Amazon? If you plan ahead a bit,
you can purchase shopping cards for
dozens of stores and restaurants from the
SUCCESS program for no extra cost, and use
these for your shopping. You spend no
more, and the church reaps a financial
benefit. Card orders will be taken after
church next Sunday, October 19, and cards
distributed the following week. Thanks for
joining in our SUCCESS!
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Neighbors in Need
Imagining another world where a quality education is accessible to all.
As God-fearing people, we know there are times in which we must demand justice for all from those
in authority. Jonah 3:4-5 reads, "Jonah entered the city, went one day's walk and preached, 'In forty
days Nineveh will be smashed. The people of Nineveh listened, and trusted God. They proclaimed a
citywide fast and dressed in burlap to show their repentance. Everyone did it—rich and poor, famous
and obscure, leaders and followers.'"
Charleston Area Justice Ministry (CAJM) believes injustice, fairness, and equity for all people. As a
2013 Neighbors in Need (NIN) grant recipient, CAJM is a growing network of faith-based congregations
in South Carolina who are culturally, economically, geographically and religiously diverse, coming
together to make the Charleston area a more just place to live.
CAJM accomplishes this mighty task by doing research, educating the public, and addressing the
root causes of, and solutions to, poverty and injustice in our communities. CAJM is unique in its
approach in that it transforms the systems that cause suffering by holding local officials accountable for
resolving these inequities and injustices.
According to Lead Organizer Treva Williams, "Charleston County School District suspended over
4,000 students last year. Those 4,000 students accounted for over 9,000 suspensions. There are 85
schools in Charleston County. Eleven of those schools accounted for over 50 percent of the total
number of suspensions. Many of these schools have adopted discipline policies that are failing our
students, pushing them out of the classroom on to the streets and into the criminal justice system. One
middle school alone suspended 51 percent of its student body."
Williams further shares, "This past April, 1,700 people from 24 different congregations assembled
to hold the education system accountable for using fair and just discipline practices. Practices that are
proven to lower suspension rates, change behavior, school climate, and keep kids in school. With our
power of people, we gained a commitment from our superintendent, Nancy McGinley, and school board
to implement Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) in the 10 schools with the worst
suspension rates. We also gained a commitment from her to implement a pilot program of Restorative
Justice in two schools. We are excited about the students, families, cities, and schools these positive
discipline practices will impact."
"Lastly," Williams says, "local law enforcement officials, the Did you know? Low reading skills
Department of Juvenile Justice, and Solicitor General Wilson are cause more students to drop out of
school before receiving a diploma
all committed to participate in a task force to develop a plan to
than poverty. Reading Changes Lives,
reduce juvenile detention by 65 percent in 2014."
the
UCC's
newest
all-church
Because of the guidance of CAJM, Charleston residents are
initiative, is a literacy program
more confident that their children won't become another
designed to combat this global crisis.
statistic.
Your support of the NIN offering
helps to provide funding to these
With your support, Neighbors in Need is imaging
another world where a quality education is accessible to all. important initiatives.