THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
“I have learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances.” -- Martha Washington 1732 to 1802 former First Lady of the United States
“Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but it gets you nowhere.” -- Erma Bombeck
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength“. -- Corrie ten Boom
“If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it’s not fixable, then there is no help in worrying.” --Dalai Lama
PRELUDE: "I've Got Peace Like a River"
Nancy Wildman
GREETING & TIME FOR CENTERING AND SILENCE: We begin our worship with a brief period of silence. During this time, we invite you to be open to the signs of God's Presence here-take a deep breath, lay aside the distractions of the morning, and make a space for the Holy Spirit to enter in.
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Leader: Look at the heavens!
All: They’re shouting the glory of God
Leader: The days and the nights declare the magnificence of God’s creative works
All: Their voice goes through all the Earth and their words reach the ends of the world.
Leader: Let our words of praise be acceptable to you.
All: our Lord, our rock, or redeemer.
*OPENING HYMN: Chalice #575 vs. 1,2 "Come and Find the Quiet Center"
*UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION: ALL:
It says in the Bible O God, that you created the world through your word.
Your word is powerful and so are our words.
They can heal create a smile be a declaration of love, but they can also hurt and impede a sense of self-worth.
Give us your wisdom, God of the word,
so that as a church and as individuals, we use our words to build up. Amen
*GLORIA PATRI
HEBREW BIBLE READING: (OT.P.472&629) Psalm 19: 9-11 and Isaiah 41: 10
*SECOND HYMN: Chalice #620 "The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow"
GOSPEL READING: (NT:P.6) Matthew 6: 25-27, 34
MESSAGE: "Worry"
Heidi Palmer
MESSAGE RESPONSE: "Precious Lord, Take my Hand"
Nancy Wildman
JOYS AND CONCERNS
THE LORD'S PRAYER
OFFERTORY:
Heidi Palmer
God has given us the sun And made us stewards of all creation God has given us our lives and our very beings, Let us give to God, from what God has given us.
OFFERTORY ANTHEM: "Be Not Afraid"by Robert J Dufford
Nancy Wildman
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God all creature here below
Praise God for all that love has done
Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
Heidi Palmer
God of wisdom, May this offering serve as a powerful witness to this world in need. Guidance as we administer the gifts that you have given us for the building of your kingdom In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen
FINAL HYMN: Chalice #630 vs. 1,2&4 "We Shall Overcome"
BENEDICTION: May God, our wisdom, pour out God‘s thoughts in you Make God’s words known to you. May Jesus Christ, our Messiah, Give you the strength to carry your cross and to follow him. May the Holy Spirit, our tongue of fire, guide our words and our actions, as we strive to bless the world with our witness.
POSTLUDE: "Peace Be Upon You"
Nancy Wildman
* All who are present in the Sanctuary and are able, please stand.
Our thanks this morning to Nancy Wildman for our 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. Pat Kriss,
Pastor Reverend Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, General Minister,
President of UCC Reverend Darrell Goodwin,
Executive Conference Minister Reverend Margret Hofmeister, Area Conference Minister
Beginning Monday, Sept. 15, 6:30 p.m. – Pathways to Happiness is a free, powerful five-week program sponsored by Guideposts that is designed to unlock your happiness and personal growth through guided spiritual exploration. Be among the first to experience this powerful program which will begin on Monday, September 15, at 6:30 p.m. in Annie Orr Hall. Guideposts will present a new 90-minute session each Monday through October 13. Please commit to the entire five weeks, if you are able.
or call the office at 203-744-6177. Please leave your name, email and phone number.
Movie Night, Friday, Sept. 26, "The Queen of Katwe" ~~ Living in the slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, is a constant struggle for 10-year-old Phiona Mutesi and her family. Her world changes when she meets Robert Katende, a missionary who teaches children how to play chess.
Enjoy a light meal, snacks beverages and discussion. Admission is free We'll gratefully accept any donations.
When: Friday, September 26
Where: Annie Orr Hall, behind the sanctuary
Time: Doors open at 5:30 p.m., buffet at 6 p.m., movie at 6:30-ish
or Call the Office at 203-744-6177. Please leave your name, phone number, email and how many in your party.
THRIFT SHOP ~ The thrift shop introduces the Men’s Boutique – high-end clothes in excellent condition. Time to step it up, guys, and look sharp. And yes, we carry large sizes of clothes for men and women, up to 3X!
Open Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
TWO GIFTS FROM GUIDEPOSTS~ 1) Free one-year subscription to their Abide app, the world’s most popular Christian meditation app. 2) Free books and booklets are available in Annie Hall, the Narthex, and the Johnson Foyer. Use these resources for yourself, or give them to family, friends and neighbors, courtesy of Guideposts and us!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR COFFEE HOUR- Please consider signing up for coffee hour. Items for coffee hour are provided. If you can volunteer to set up and help, please sign-up in the Annie Orr Hall room. Also, join us for coffee hour right after the Sunday service in the Annie Orr Hall room for a time of fellowship with one another.
AA MEETINGS~ Are held in the Annie Orr Hall every Wednesday evening, at 7 p.m.
THE WEST~CONN TOASTMASTERS~ Next meeting is on Wednesday, September 17 at 7 p.m. All are welcome and the first meeting is free.