THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
PRELUDE: ”Tis’ the Gift to Be Simple” – arr. D. Hartline
Doug and Ginny Hartline
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, Interim Summer Minister
*CALL TO WORSHIP: (PSALM 46)
One: God is our refuge and strength,
All: A very present help in trouble.
One: Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved,
All: And though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea;
One: Though its waters rage and foam, and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.
All: The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken;
One: God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.
All: Come now and look upon the works of the LORD,
One: What awesome things God has done on earth.
All: It is God who makes war to cease in all the world;
One: God breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,
All: And burns the shields with fire.
One: "Be still, then, and know that I am God;
All: I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth."
*OPENING HYMN: “Faith of Our Fathers”– Chalice p. 635
*UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION:
ALL: We believe in the triune God, creator Christ and Holy Spirit and the God is always speaking and calling people to action. We focus on Jesus, Lord and Savior inseparable from justice and service. It is a right to belong in a faith family, welcoming diverse people and spiritual journeys. Help us Lord to remember our “family of faith.” 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
HEBREW BIBLE READING: Isaiah 43:1-3 (Pg.631)
Cathy Pings
*SECOND HYMN: “Great is Thy Faithfulness” – Chalice p. 86
HEBREW BIBLE READING: Genesis 2:4b-7 (Pg.2)
ArDonna Hamilton
MESSAGE: “A Dirty God”
ArDonna Hamilton
MESSAGE RESPONSE:
Doug Hartline
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: “Good, Good Father” – Pat Barrett & Chris Brown
Doug and Ginny Hartline
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
ArDonna Hamilton
*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
*FINAL HYMN: “Fairest Lord Jesus” – Chalice p. 97
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Heidi Palmer
BENEDICTION
ArDonna Hamilton
POSTLUDE: “God is Good All the Time”
Doug and Ginny Hartline
* 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 Doug and Ginny Hartlinefor 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
Reading of the Declaration of Independence & Ringing of the Bell: Celebrate America 250 on Saturday, July 4, at 2 p.m.! We will host the Danbury Museum which will present a reading of the Declaration of Independence, followed by a short speaking program and patriotic sing-a-long. At 2:50pm we will participate in the citywide and nationwide ringing of bells.
Organ Fundraiser: Please donate the organ fund so that we can pay the cost of tuning this beloved instrument twice a year. Oftentimes, we discover minor issues that that must be repaired for an additional cost. Please give generously and write “organ fund” on your check’s memo. You may place your check in the collection plate, mail, drop it off at the office or PayPal. Thank you for supporting our Music Ministry.
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Taylor Swift Tribute by Candlelight Jul 11 at 7 and 9 pm:
Tickets are available online only -- CLICK HERE! Enter "Welcome 15" and save 15%.
2 Sittings | 1st Sitting: 7-8pm | 2nd Sitting: 9-10pm
8+ This event is for eight-year-olds & above
Entry Time: 1st Sitting: Doors open at 6pm | 2nd Sitting: Doors open at 8.30pm
Musical Theme: A Classical Taylor Swift Tribute
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.
Thrift Shop: 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.
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 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, July 1, at 7 PM. All are welcome and the first meeting is free.