THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
PRELUDE: “Sheep May Safely Graze” by Bach
Jim Moriarty
GREETING AND TIME FOR CENTERING AND SILENCE
From our scattered, unfocused lives, and circumstances we come, O God, to become again a community of prayer and service. Help us to claim and center our spirits, so that we may be more tuned to your divine Spirit. Help us to bring before you all those concerns for which we need to offer prayer, trusting that in your grace and your own time, our prayers will be answered. Amen
WELCOME:
ArDonna Hamilton
*CALL TO WORSHIP:
(From "Oceans" by Hillsong Worship)
One: You call us out upon the waters.
ALL: The great unknown where feet may fail.
One: And there we find you in the mystery. In oceans deep our faith will stand.
ALL: And we will call upon Your name. And keep our eyes above the waves. When oceans rise, our souls will rest in Your embrace, for we are Yours and You are ours.
One: Your grace abounds in deepest waters, Your sovereign hand will be our guide.
ALL: Spirit lead us where our trust is without borders. Let us walk upon the waters wherever You would call us.
One: And our faith will be made stronger in the presence of our Savior.
ALL: And we will call upon Your name. And keep our eyes above the waves. When oceans rise, our souls will rest in Your embrace, for we are Yours and You are ours.
*OPENING HYMN: “Fairest Lord Jesus” Chalice # 97
*UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION:
(From Cole Arthur Riley's Black Liturgies)
God of those who tremble,
Courage can feel foolish when we've seen the world in all its terror. But protect us from life lived in perpetual vigilance. Keep fear from monopolizing our relationships, our desires, our motivations, so that we can act without rehearsing the worst of our imaginations. Help us meet our fear with kindness and mercy.
There are times when we feel small and exhausted. Harness our courage. Grant us contentment in our limits, and community in our battles. Send others who tremble alongside us, who will speak truth with calmness. Show us we need not be giants if we have good friends. And lead us beside still waters. The space is thin between bravery and rest. Remind us that fear is as bodily as any emotion. Slow our breath, ground our attention. Lie still with us as courage finds us. May the Holy Spirit join us in this work. May it be so. 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
*SECOND HYMN: “Jesus Loves Me" Chalice #113
SCRIPTURE READING: Genesis 16:3-13 (Pg.(12)
ArDonna Hamilton
MESSAGE: “Run. Hide. Fight!”
ArDonna Hamilton
MESSAGE RESPONSE: "Santo, Santo Santo" Chalice #111
Vidhi Rana (Soprano) and Summer Smith (Alto)
JOYS AND CONCERNS
Heidi Palmer
*PASTORAL PRAYER/THE 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, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
OFFERTORY
Jonathan Orr
OFFERTORY ANTHEM: “Great Peace Have They" by J. B. Lully
Vidhi Rana (Soprano) and Summer Smith (Alto)
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God all creatures here below
Praise God for all that love has done;
Creator, Christ and Spirit, One. Amen
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
ArDonna Hamilton
*FINAL HYMN: “Let the Whole Creation Cry" Chalice #21
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Heidi Palmer
BENEDICTION
ArDonna Hamilton
POSTLUDE: “God of All Righteousness" by D. Paxton
* All who are present in the sanctuary and are able, please stand.
Our thanks this morning to ArDonna Hamilton for leading us in today's worship, and to Jim Moriarty, Vidhi Rana and Summer Smith for the music. All music licensed by OneLicense & CCLI.
Parts of the liturgy are adapted and reprinted by permission of Westminster John Knox Press from Connections Worship Companion. Copyright 2023. Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48287
Our Ordained Partners in Ministry:
Reverend Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, General Minister, and President of UCC
Reverend Darrell Goodwin, Executive Conference Minister
Reverend Margret Hofmeister, Area Conference Minister
ANNOUNCEMENTS
330th Anniversary Update: We are so excited! Our 330th Anniversary Celebration will begin with a concert on Sept 26. Then, on Sept. 27 Rev. Bob Naylor and Rev. Melinda Keck (the dynamic duo) kickoff our year-long celebration during our 10 a.m. service. Bring your friends. We are Danbury’s First Church!
Thrift Shop $10 Bag Sale August 21, 22, 28 and 29: Fill a bag with clothes, shoes and handbags for only $10 per bag! 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Thrift Shop Volunteers: Join our friendly crew and see why our thrift shop is one of the best shopping experiences in Danbury! We’re open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We have a particular need for bi-lingual volunteers.
Thrift Shop Workday September 8 & 9: We need volunteers to clear out the summer clothes and restock for Autumn. It’s a workday, but it’s still fun. Contact Pat Moriarty or call the office if you can help.
Men’s Retreat -- Reel Faith: The Hero’s Journey with Jesus: The Third Annual UCC Men’s Retreat is happening November 20th – 22nd at Wisdom House in Litchfield, CT. Join men from across the state in an exploration of the spiritual journey of Christian faith through the lens of science fiction and fantasy films. With thoughtful conversation, scripture and personal reflection, Rev. Todd Shipley will connect moments from several films that uncover the sacred journey unfolding within and around us. For more information, contact Greg Pings or David McKinnis at [email protected] or sign up at https://bit.ly/FEAMensRetreat.
Prayers Work: Join Our Prayer Chain: We invite you to stay connected through prayer. Join our email prayer chain to share your joys and concerns, and to pray for one another as a community. Sign up here https://fcdanbury.activehosted.com/f/57 Or send an email to Sheila Vetter at [email protected] Let’s stay in touch and take time to pray a little more together.
Lapel Pin Fundraiser: For $5, proudly wear the United Church of Christ's vision of "A Just World for All" with a sturdy lapel pin. Proceeds will fund our ministries. See Heidi Palmer or call the office at 203-744-6177.
Free Inspirational Reading: Free books, booklets and The Upper Room are available in the Narthex and the Johnson Foyer. Use these resources for yourself, or give them to family, friends and neighbors courtesy of Guideposts and us!
Join Us for Coffee Hour: Right after the Sunday service in the workroom or under the red maple (weather permitting) for a time of fellowship with one another.
AA Meetings: Held on the third floor every Wednesday evening, at 7 p.m.
The West-Conn Toastmasters: Next meeting is on Wednesday, Aug. 19. at 7 PM. All are welcome and the first meeting is free.