Worship Bulletin

FIRST PARISH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF SACO
September 1, 2024 FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 10:00 AM
We extend a warm welcome to all who gather here.
We pray that the service will offer you peace, comfort, and substance to feed your soul.
The Community Gathers
Meditation “We shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done; not how well
we have spoken but how well we have lived.” ~ Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Introit
Call to Worship (by Julian of Norwich)
Leader: God is the still point at the center.
People: There is no “Doer” but he.
Leader: All this God showed me with great joy, saying, “See, I am God. See I am in
all things.”
People: “See I do all things. See, I never take my hands off my work, nor ever
shall, through all eternity.”
Leader: God wants us to know that he keeps us safe through good and ill.
ALL: We shall see God face to face, simply and wholly.
*Opening Hymn “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian” #403
Prayer of Confession (unison)
Loving God, you have searched us and know us. You know the heartaches that cause us pain. You know when we sit down and when we rise up. You know the restless worries that rob us of rest, the fears that drive us. You discern our thoughts from afar. You know what we attempt to conceal from everyone else. You know why we do what we do, when we do not even know ourselves. You are acquainted with all our ways. You see the good things we do in secret, as well as where we have fallen short.
Forgive us and help us, gracious God. Help us lay aside our fears. Forgive our inability to trust you in all things. Help us overcome the hurts of the past. We are the work of your hands, O God, fulfill your purpose for us. We offer this prayer in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.
A Message for the Child in All of Us
The Word of God to Us
The Reading of Scripture James 1:17-27 (NT, p. 202) Linda Sprague-Lambert
Meditation “Be Doers” Rev. Scott W. Cousineau
Anthem “We Are One in the Spirit” arr. Scholtes
We Respond to God’s Word
The Community at Prayer
Sharing our Prayers
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
Our 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.
Offering Our Gifts to God
        Invitation
Offertory
*Doxology
                Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God all creatures here below.
Praise God above ye heavenly hosts, Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost.
*Prayer of Dedication
Sharing the Sacrament of Communion
*Communion Hymn “In Remembrance of Me” #322
Invitation to All
Sharing of the Bread and the Cup
(There are gluten-free wafers available in the small packets.)
Prayer of Thanksgiving
*Hymn “Go Forth for God” #352
*Benediction
*Postlude

*Indicates to please stand if you are able.

Our altar flowers this morning are given by Vanessa Johnston in loving memory of
Jenny Veall in recognition of mom’s heavenly birthday.

The prayer shawls in the sanctuary are here to be shared. They have been blessed
in their making and in our worship. If you know someone that is in need of comfort and prayer, please share a shawl with them.

Rev. Scott Cousineau, Senior Minister
Kris Galasyn, Director of Christian Education
Jacqueline Savage, Director of Music
Lisa Edstrom, Nursery Care Provider

First Parish Congregational Church 12 Beach Street
Office Phone: 207-283-3771 Office email: office@firstparishsaco.org
Website: www.firstparishsaco.org Like us on Facebook – First Parish Saco, UCC
First Parish Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
An Open and Affirming Congregation
A Place for Everyone!

Offer Light

Congregational Church
UCC, SACO MAINE
12 BEACH STREET | SACO, ME 04072
207-283-3771

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