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It was updated on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 09:02 PM .

This Sunday’s Bulletin

M Y S T I C

C O N G R E G A T I O N A L

C H U R C H

United Church of Christ

Organized in 1852 at Mystic, Connecticut

 

 

 

 

March 7, 2010

COMMUNION SUNDAY

8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

March 7, 2010  -  8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.    

Welcome!  We’re glad you’re here today!  For more information about our church, please see our brochure in your pew.  You are invited to return the enclosed information card to share your contact information and/or your pastoral needs;

and you are welcome to sign our guestbook at the rear of the sanctuary.

Infant/toddler childcare is in Room 2 from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m.

All children in Grades Pre-K to 8th should report directly

to the Parish Hall by 10:00 a.m. for Children’s Church.

GOD’S PEOPLE GATHER

MEDITATION:  The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.      

                          ~ M. Scott Peck

PRELUDE  (time for silent reflection)   Trish Dehls

                             

GREETINGS and ANNOUNCEMENTS     Rev. Ann Aaberg 

One:  This is the day our God has made!

All:   Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

INTROIT (10:00 am)   

                             

CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive)   Based on Psalm 63 

One:         God has been our help; God’s right hand upholds us!

All:         In the shadow of God’s wings, we sing for joy!

One:         Let our mouths praise God with joyful lips!

All:         We will lift up our hands and call on God’s name!

                                         

*HYMN #15 (Red Hymnal)   Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

  

*PRAYER of CONFESSION (unison) ~ Kathryn J. Campbell from Before the Amen

Merciful God, your steadfast love and desire to forgive give us courage to face the wrongs that we have done.  We confess that we have broken our communities; we have turned away the stranger; we have forgotten to love the land.  We have pushed your priorities aside and refused to let your commandment question what we do.  Forgive us, we pray.  Restore us to our rightful minds, that we may walk with you in caring for your world and all its creatures, in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*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, and the power, and the glory forever.  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.

PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS

IN WORD & SACRAMENT

                             

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE (10:00 am)    Kathy Kerns

*HYMN #561 (Blue Hymnal, 10:00 am)   It Is Well with My Soul

PASTORAL PRAYER

Prayer cards are provided in your pew if you would like to make a prayer request.  They will be collected during the prayer.  Please pass your blue card toward the center aisle for collection.

SUNG RESPONSE #569 (Blue Hymnal)

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

SCRIPTURE  Isaiah 55:1-9 (Pew Bible, O.T. page 685)    

INTERLUDE (8:00 am)

                                    

ANTHEM (10:00 am)    Senior Choir

SCRIPTURE  Luke 13:1-9 (Pew Bible, N.T. page 76)  

                             

COMMUNION REFLECTION     “Let’s Try This”    Rev. Ann Aaberg

MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION

CALL TO GIVE OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS  

                             

OFFERTORY   

*DOXOLOGY                      

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN of PREPARATION #393 (Blue Hymnal)  One Bread, One Body

                       

HOLY COMMUNION    

Invitation to the Table

Prayer of Consecration

Distribution of the Bread and the Cup

(We serve the congregation the elements in the pews.  We invite you to take the bread and wait until all are served, signifying our unity as One Body of Christ.  We invite you to take the cup when you are ready, signifying your personal relationship with Christ.  It is the custom at this church to use unfermented grape juice in the cup.)

Prayer of Thanksgiving (unison)

Almighty God, we give you thanks for the gift of our Savior’s presence in the simplicity and splendor of this holy meal.  Unite us with all who are fed by Christ that we may faithfully proclaim the good news of your love and that your universal church may be a rainbow of hope in an uncertain world; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.  Amen.

*HYMN #391 (Red Hymnal)   Be Thou My Vision

GOD’S PEOPLE RESPOND

*OUR COMMON COMMISSION (unison)

Let us go forth into the world in peace, being of good courage, holding fast to that which is good, rendering to no one evil for evil, strengthening the faint-hearted, supporting the weak, helping the afflicted, honoring all persons, loving and serving the Lord, and rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

*BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL AMEN

POSTLUDE              

                

*All who are able, please stand.

Flowers

In memory of Alma & Ernest R. Messer,

and Thomas Graham, by Marilyn Graham & Family

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NOTES OF PARISH LIFE

HISPANIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE continues its annual Lenten Scholarship Appeal to assist qualified students from our local community with basic college expenses.  We will appreciate any amount that you wish to contribute.  Pink envelopes are provided in the pews for this purpose.

EASTER MEMORIAL FLOWERS  If you would like to dedicate flowers to a loved one(s), please complete an order form available in the March issue of the Anchor or on the sanctuary and narthex tables.  Cost is $20 per plant.  Please return your order form to the church office not later than Monday, March 22nd, with your check payment made out to Mystic Congregational Church with “Easter Memorial Flowers” in the memo/note line.

AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS  Throughout the season of Lent you are invited to come forward to the front of the sanctuary and write your own special prayer(s) on one or more of the cards available at the foot of the cross and to tuck them under the cord anywhere on the cross as a symbol of turning your concern over to Jesus.  You will also find an array of small polished stones there which you are invited to take with you and carry as a rememberance that Jesus carries our burdens and is with us always as Comforter and Guide. 

ELIGIBLE CHILDREN IN GRADES 2 & 3 along with those in Grades 4 through 8, are invited to take Communion today with their families.  They will return from Parish Hall with some of their teachers at the appropriate time.

SCRIPTURE BEFORE SUPPER  A weekly Bible Study hour led by the Pastor continues every Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Library.  Reading for March 9th:  The Gospel of Luke, Chapters 22-24.


“STAYING HEALTHY:  PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY AND SPIRITUALLY AS WE AGE”   will be the topic of the Women’s Fellowship Meeting on Tuesday, March 9.  Dr. Ron Bowen, the noted gerontologist is the guest speaker.  The program in the parish hall begins at 9:15 a.m. with healthy–but delicious– refreshments.  Come and bring a friend!

 

OUR CHURCH WEBSITE is currently being evaluated by The Board of Trustees and we are seeking individuals with working knowledge of website design, maintenance and functionality.  If you or someone you know would be interested in assisting us in refreshing and redesigning our Church's internet website, please feel free to attend our MCC Website Redesign Meeting on Wednesday, March 10th, at 5:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall.  If you any additional questions, please call Bob Phillips at (xxx)xxx-xxxx.

CURIOUS ABOUT MEMBERSHIP?   A special information session will be held in the library on Sunday, March 14, following the 10:00 a.m. service for all who are interested in exploring membership in the Mystic Congregational Church.  Bring your questions!

ARE YOU AN A-S-K-A-B-L-E ADULT?  Stick by your home phone on Sunday evening, March 14, between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. to find out!  Our youth will be phoning you from our Youth Space seeking your support for our revitalized youth program!  The lines are open!

CHILDREN'S LENTEN MENUS and OGHS boxes are available in the Narthex.  The collection date for OGHS is March 14.  Children have been told about giving a penny to God if someone gives them a dime, 2 pennies if they receive a quarter, and so on.  Perhaps you would like to help them with that at home this Lent.

HYMN SING at Mystic Manor on Monday, March 15, at 2:30 p.m. is open for all who want to share the joy of singing with the residents there.  They do appreciate our coming. The cup of ice cream is a happy ending too.

AMISH GRACE   Our special Lenten Book study this year is Amish Grace:  How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy.  Copies are available from the Mystic and Noank Library and our local Bank Street Square Books.  We will join together for discussion on Thursday evening, March 18, at 7:00 p.m. in our Library.  Refreshments graciously provided by the Adult Christian Education Committee.

SOUTH AMERICA is our destination for Armchair Travel Night #2.  Several
of our members are ready to share their insights but there is room for others if you wish to participate.  Speak to Gladys Reynard.  Save the date of Friday, March 26, to enjoy the trip.

IS THAT ITEM IN YOUR HAND STILL USABLE?   Before you throw it out, consider saving it for the famous MCC Tag Sale on Friday, April 16th and Saturday, April 17th.  Questions? Call one of the intrepid Chairs of the event: Barbara Read at xxx-xxx-xxxx or Shirley Snyder at xxx-xxx-xxxx.

THE CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES OFFICE HOURS are Sunday through 4 p.m. on Wednesday.   If you need to reach Kathy Kerns after that, please call her at xxx-xxx-xxxx.   Thank you.

LETTERS FROM THE PHILIPPINES!  Please be sure to read the letters on the Children's Ministries bulletin board from Elaiza Nicole and Roselyn, 2 of our sponsorees in Duguette City.  They were written in response to Christmas letters sent to them from our children here at MCC.  Princess wrote individual letters which were distributed last week in Sunday School.

 

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that children attending the Pre-K Sunday School in the Noah's Ark Room be signed in each Sunday.  This is our record of attendance in the event of an emergency.  Thank you.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS – POSITIONS AVAILABLE!  Mystic Congregational Church is currently seeking people to fill 2 positions:  Children’s Ministries Director beginning 6/1/10, Temporary Administrative Assistant beginning 4/1/10 until 10/15/10.  Usually, the most effective method for finding employees is by word-of-mouth.  So tell your friends to visit our website at www.mysticcongregational.org for details and tell them “There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place!”

DONATIONS FOR FOOD, HOUSEHOLD & HEALTHCARE ITEMS  are continually collected and then taken to the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center or the Groton Human Services Food Lockers.  Food stamps do not cover diapers or other sanitary supplies so those items are welcomed as well.  Thank you for your continued support.  

COVENANTAL PRAYERS THIS WEEK  are for Park Congregational Church (Rev. Mobby Larson, Supply Minister), and our partner churches Dongbu Sun-lin in South Korea and First Hispanic Baptist Church of New London.

PRAYER CHAIN  The Prayer Chain is active!  A group of 15 of our fellow parishioners have gathered around this important ministry.  If you have a prayer concern which you feel could be helped by the prayers of this group, let them know. To put the Prayer Chain in motion for you, call Lynda Hewitt at (xxxx)xxx-xxxx, or Pastor Ann through the Church Office, (860)536-4259 Ext.112.  All prayer requests are held in the strictest confidence.

HEARING SYSTEM  Please be aware that a system for the hearing-impaired is now available in the Sanctuary.  Questions?  Please ask the Deacons.

CONTACTING PASTOR ANN 

Confidential Voice Mail at any time:  (860)536-4259 Extension 112

Email:  ann@mysticcongregational.org

Pastoral Emergency:  (xxx)xxx-xxxx

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MORNING MINISTRY

 Ministers:                                            All Members of the Church

 Pastor:                                                Rev. Ann M. Aaberg

 Director of Music:                               Trish Dehls

 Director of Children’s Ministries:        Kathy M. Kerns

 Parish Care Coordinators:                   Jane Donnel & Lauren Watson

 Nursery Attendant:                             Kathy Graham

 Hospitality:                                         Betsy Van Winkle & Candace Wood

 Flowers:                                              Pam McGee

 Deacon:                                              Bonnie Johnson

 Scripture Reader.:                                Bonnie Johnson

 Ushers:                                                Bob Haberman, Bonnie Johnson, Fran Pan, Karin Stuart

 Trustees:                                             Sue Lettrich, Bob Phillips

Our Mission Statement:  To joyfully bring the Christian principles of faith, hope and love to all through quality worship, education, fellowship and outreach.

CHURCH CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK

                           

Sunday, 3/07      8:00 & 10:00 am    - Worship & Communion Services

                    9:00 am           - Nominating Committee (Conference Room)

                    9:15-11:15 am - Nursery Care (Room 2)

                    10:15 am         - Children’s Church (Parish Hall)

                    11:45 am         - Confirmation Meeting (Library)

                    4:00 pm           - Mary & Martha (Library)

                               

Monday, 3/08     Meals on Wheels

                    9:00 am           - Spiritual Life (Conference Room)

                    3:00 pm           - Parish Care Captains (Pastor’s Office)

                    6:00 pm           - Trustees (Conference Room)

                    6:30-9:00 pm  - AA (Parish Hall)

                    7:00 pm           - Deacons (Library)

                    7:00 pm           - Tutoring (First Hispanic Baptist Church)

                   

Tuesday, 3/09     9:00 am   - Staff Meeting (Pastor’s Office)

                    9:15 am           - Women’s Fellowship (Parish Hall)

                    5:00-6:00 pm  - Scripture Before Supper (Library)

                    6:15 pm           - Bell Choir (Music Room)

                    7:30 pm           - Senior Choir (Music Room)

Wednesday, 3/10             5:00 pm   - Church Website Redesign (Parish Hall)

                    6:30 pm           - Nancy Peterson Story Hour at Shelter

                   

Thursday, 3/11   8:00-10:00 am         - Men’s Fellowship (Parish Hall)

                    7:00-9:30 pm  - AA (Youth Space)

                   

Friday, 3/12        Meals on Wheels

                           

Saturday, 3/13     No Church Event   

                           

Phone numbers are intentionally "x'd" out in observation of our privacy policy.

LINK to 
Mystic Congregational Church Committees and Boards

Updated: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 09:02 PM