THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
PRELUDE: “Open Our Eyes” –- by Bob Cull
Doug and Ginny Hartline
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:
One: We call upon the name of the Holy One who hears our cry and responds to our prayer. What shall we return to the Holy One for all the blessings we receive?
All: We will call upon the name of the Holy One for as long as we live.
One: The Holy One has been our Companion in suffering and our Comforter in anguish. What shall we return to the Holy One for their presence among us?
All: We will serve the Holy One and be companions and comforters for God’s people.
One: The Holy One has given a new covenant of salvation, redemption, and restoration for the world. What shall we return to the Holy One for the gift of covenantal love?
All: We will declare the goodness of God with praise and thanksgiving. Hallelujah! Bless the name of the Holy One!
*OPENING HYMN: “When I Survey the Wonderous Cross” -- Chalice #195
*UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION
All: Living God, you are the fire that burns within us. You open our hearts to your presence, revealed in word and song, in hospitality and friendship, in sacrament and presence. Open our minds again so that we may recognize you when you meet us in unexpected moments. Let us encounter you in every phase and movement of worship that we might know you and love you more than before we gathered. And may that love burn brightly like the sun, cutting through the gloom of the storm to inspire us to go on with renewed hope and spirit. 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
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SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Yeinielys Sireine Ruiz
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INVITATION AND WELCOME
Leader: Members and friends in Christ, we now gather to celebrate the gift of grace in the sacrament of baptism. People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them; and the disciples scolded them. But when Jesus saw this, he was angry and said to them,
People: “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them; to such belongs the realm of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the realm of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Leader: And Jesus took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.
A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING OVER THE WATER
Leader: This is the water of life.
People: Like the splash of a baby’s bath, the crash of waves on the seashore, the gentle sound of falling rain or a tear in the eye of the friend.
Leader: This is the water of history, reminding us of our story as a people of God.
People: From a dry wasteland, God made the waters of creation. After the flood, God placed a rainbow in the sky as a sign of God’s promise of love. When God saw Israel as a captive people, God parted the water and led them to new freedom.
Leader: This is the water of renewal, reminding us of our Savior.
People: Jesus was baptized by John and sanctified to preach the Good News of freedom and forgiveness. He showed love to all people and invited us to share in His baptism and lead others to become His disciples too.
Leader: This is the water of hope.
People: O God, pour out your Spirit on us and this gift of water. By your Spirit, help those who declare their faith in Jesus to believe that nothing bad will have power over them. May the gift of this water remind us of your love, make us happy and help us when things get hard or scary. Let the touch of your baptism bring us into the special circle and soft hug of your family which is the church. Amen!
VOWS OF THE PARENTS
Leader: Denise and Omilenier, do you desire to have your child baptized into the faith and family of Jesus Christ?
Parents: We do.
Leader: Will you encourage Yeinielys to renounce the powers of evil and to receive the freedom of new life in Christ? Will you teach your child so that she may be led to profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciples, to follow in the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the word and work of Christ to the best of your ability? Do you promise, according to the grace given to you, to grow with Yeinielys in the Christian faith, to help her to become a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ, by celebrating Christ’s presence, by furthering Christ’s mission in the world, and by offering the nurture of the Christian church so that she may one day affirm her baptism?
Parents and Godparents: We do, with the help of God.
VOW OF THE CONGREGATION
Leader: Jesus Christ calls us to make disciples of all nations and to offer them the gift of grace in baptism. Do you, who witness and celebrate this sacrament, promise your love, support and prayers to the one about to be baptized?
People: We promise to love, support and pray for this child.
ACT OF BAPTISM
Leader: By what name will your child be called? Yeinielys Sireine Ruiz, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen!
PRAYER FOR THE BAPTIZED & PRESENTATION OF GIFTS
Leader: Spirit of the Living God, once again you have taken the substance of the earth in your gentle hands, fashioned it in your likeness, and given it the breath of life. We give you thanks for Yeinielys, whom you now entrust to the world’s care. Send your blessing and peace upon her and upon her family, that their love for one another and for you may grow. Help this church to be a good and Christ-like influence in their life so that they may see you reflected here and to learn to love and trust you. In the name of your beloved Child, Jesus, we pray.
People: Amen
APOSTLES READING: Acts 2:36-41 (NT Pg. 112)
Heidi Palmer
*HYMN “Be Thou My Vision” -- Chalice #595
A READING FROM THE GOSPEL: Luke 24:13-35 (NT Pgs. 84-85)
Stephen Stapleton
MESSAGE: “On the Emmaus Road”
Stephen Stapleton
MESSAGE RESONSE
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 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 a kingdom the power and the glory forever. Amen.
OFFERTORY
Jonathan Orr
OFFERTORY ANTHEM: “In Christ Alone” – by Stuart Townend & Keith Getty
Doug and Ginny Hartline
*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
Stephen Stapleton
*CLOSING HYMN: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” (vs. 1 & 4) – Chalice #65
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Heidi Palmer
BENEDICTION
Stephen Stapleton
POSTLUDE: “I Walk by Faith” – by Chris Falson
Doug and Ginny Hartline
* All who are present in the Sanctuary and are able, please stand.
Our thanks this morning to Stephen Stapleton for leading our worship, as well as Doug and Ginny Hartline for our music.
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:
Pastor Reverend Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, General Minister, President of UCC
Reverend Darrell Goodwin, Executive Conference Minister
Reverend Margret Hofmeister, Area Conference Minister
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lapel Pin Fund Raiser -- For $5, proudly wear the United Church of Christ's vision of "A Just World for All" with a sturdy lapel pin. It measures 1.25 inches square, with colorful "A Just World for All" design on white background. Steel backing. Proceeds will fund our ministries. See Heidi Palmer or call the office at 203-744-6177.
Danbury Community Orchestra: Foreshadowing Beethoven April 24 @ 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Before Beethoven changed the course of symphonic music, composers like Luigi Cherubini and Étienne-Nicolas Méhul were already writing music with the kind of drama and energy that we attribute to the music of Beethoven. This program features Cherubini’s Fanska Overture and Méhul’s Symphony No. 1 in G Minor. Admission is free. Donations will be gratefully accepted.
Across the Pond and Back: Choral Music of British & American Composers May 2 @ 4 pm – 5:30 pm. Featuring choral works by living British and American composers, exploring shared traditions and fresh voices on both sides of the Atlantic. Music by Gwyneth Walker, Eric Whitacre, Dominic DiOrio, John Rutter, Jennifer Tibbetts, Rollo Dilworth, and René Clausen.
More information about concerts at First Church are available on our website.
Thrift Shop -- Can you volunteer for few hours? Join our friendly crew and see why our thrift shop is one of the best shopping experiences in Danbury! 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!
Coffee Hour -- Join us for coffee hour right after the service in the workroom for a time of fellowship with one another. Also, please consider signing up for coffee hour.
AA Meetings -- Held on the third floor every Wednesday evening, at 7 p.m.
The West-Conn Toastmasters -- Next meeting is on Wednesday, April 15, at 7 p.m. All are welcome and the first meeting is free.