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First Parish Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
12 Beach St,
Saco, Maine
"A Church with Love and Hope to Share"
“No matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!”

 

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THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

10:00 A.M.                                                                                              August 17th, 2008

Welcome to each and all.  We are very glad you have come and we trust you will find something of substance to feed your soul in our morning worship.  Please take a moment to sign our pew pad and pass it to the next person in your pew.  When everyone has signed, please pass it back to where it has come from, taking note of the people who share the pew with you.  Perhaps further conversation may emerge for you in the fellowship time following our worship.

 

FOCUS:  “If we were willing to learn the meaning of real discipleship and actually to become disciples, the Church in the West (and the world around it) would be transformed, and the resultant impact on (the world) would be staggering.”                                                                               - David Watson

 

GATHERING MUSIC:                      “Sonata in C”                                    - Valentini

                                                                                                          Thomas Kremser, Trumpet                                                                   (Let the chimes call us to a deeper attentiveness to God)

 

WELCOME / FELLOWSHIP PADS / ANNOUNCEMENTS:       

 

*UNISON CALL TO WORSHIP:   (adapted from Psalm 133)

(Let all who are able please stand.  If standing is difficult,

please remain comfortably seated.)

 

            How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head; like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For the LORD ordained blessing, life forevermore.

Let all the gathered sing to the LORD!

 

* OPENING HYMN:             “I Sing the Mighty Power of God”                        #57

(The candles are lit and the Bible brought forward at this time to visually represent

the creation of a Holy space in which to worship.)

 

*INVOCATION: 

            Living Christ, your earthly ministry was full of struggle as well as joy; yet you were faithful in following God’s desires.  Breathe your Spirit into our lives, that we may never fall back from the way of discipleship or the effort of loving.  Grant that we may find true peace as we accept the cost and joy of faithful discipleship.  We yearn for this in your name.  Amen!

           

ANTHEM:                                    “O God, You Search Me”                                 - Farrell

                                   

CHILDRENS SERMON:             “Connected in Christ”

(Children age 4 through 4th grade may go to One Room Church School following this time.

Visitors are very welcome)

 

THE HEARING OF SCRIPTURE:          John 6:30-35                    - Dolly Anagnostis

 

*HYMN OF PREPARATION:                 “Called as Partners”                     #353

 

SERMON:                      “When God Calls...Will You Answer?”           - Lauren Roedner

 

THE COMMUNITY AT PRAYER:

            SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS

            VISUAL PRAYER PRESENTATION                                                       

            PASTORAL PRAYER OF SOLIDARITY

SUNG LORD’S PRAYER (unison) 

            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.

 

THE SHARING OF THE OFFERING:

            INVITATION   

            OFFERTORY                 “A Plea and A Promise”                              - Duross                                                                                                               (Sawyer / Brockington)

 

            *DOXOLOGY 

            Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God all creatures

            here below. Praise God above the heavenly hosts.   Creator, Christ,

            and Holy Ghost.  Amen.           (or other  familiar words if preferred)  

  

  *PRAYER OF DEDICATION 

                                                                                                                                                                                                * CLOSING HYMN:                           “Lord, You Give…”                                  #355

 

* BENEDICTION                                                                                             -Rev. Nielsen

 

* CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE:     “Go in Peace                              #349

 

Go in peace and the peace of God be with you this day.

Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always.

Celebrate and share the joy!

Celebrate new life!

Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always.

 

POSTLUDE                                  “Postlude on ‘Ellecombe”                               - Smith