August 24, 2008                                                                                        Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

GATHERING AS THE CHURCH

 

MEDITATION WITH MUSIC:  Preparing for Worship

 

Words for Reflection:   Thirst for Jesus, so that he may inebriate you with his love.  Blind your eyes to all that is held in honor in the world, so that you may be held worthy to have the peace which comes from God reign in your heart. – Abraham of Nathpar (c.600)

 

CHIMES

 

SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS                     

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

            Introit

            Psalter                                     Psalm 42                                                                      The New Century Hymnal

           

            Litany                                                                                                                                John 7: 37 - 38

            One:    Jesus cried out:

Let anyone who is thirsty come to me,

and let the one who believes in me drink.

            All:      As the Scripture has said,

                        ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’

 

*HYMN #14                                       Come, Thou Fount                                                      Spiritual Life Songs 

 

*PRAYER                                                                                                                                          Psalm 63: 1-4

 

O God, you are my God; I seek you; my soul thirsts for you.  My flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 

 

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.  Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.  So I will bless you as long as I live.  I will lift up my hands and call on your name. 

 

PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL

 

ANTHEM                                           I Will Arise

 

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

 

PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

 

            One:                The peace of Christ be with you!

            All:                  And also with you!   

 

*SONG OF PRAISE            

 

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.  Amen!

 

*HYMN # 351                                    Fill My Cup, Lord                                                       Chalice Hymnal

 

*SCRIPTURE READING                The Gospel According to John 4: 7-15

 

SERMON                                           All Blessings Flow:     Thirsty for God

 

TESTIMONY                                                                                                                                      Jenna Randall

 

RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                    United Church of Christ Statement of Faith in the Form of a Doxology

 

            We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit,

            God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God,

            and to your deeds we testify:

                        You call the worlds into being,

create persons in your own image,

and set before each one the ways of life and death.

 

You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.

 

You judge people and nations by your righteous will

declared through prophets and apostles.

 

In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior,

            you have come to us

            and shared our common lot,

            conquering sin and death

            and reconciling the world to yourself.

You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit,

            creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ,

            binding in covenant faithful people of all ages,

tongues and races.

 

                        You call us into your church

                                    to accept the cost and joy of discipleship,

                                    to be your servants in the service of others,

                                    to proclaim the gospel to all the world

and resist the powers of evil,

                                    to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table,

                                    to join him in his passion and victory. 

 

                        You promise to all who trust you

                                    forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace,

                                    courage in the struggle for justice and peace,

                                    your presence in trial and rejoicing,

                                    and eternal life in your realm which has no end. 

 

            Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you.  Amen. 

 

*PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

 

Silent Prayers . . .

 

Pastoral Prayer

 

The Lord’s Prayer

            Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed by 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.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.  Amen. 

 

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS TO GOD

 

            Invitation to Give

 

            Offertory

 

            *Song of Praise                                                      #781 The New Century Hymnal

 

                        Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

                        Praise Christ the Word in flesh born low!

                        Praise Holy Spirit evermore!

                        One God, Triune, whom we adore.  Amen. 

 

Prayer of Dedication

GOING FORTH IN THE NAME OF CHRIST

 

*HYMN #64                                       Shall We Gather At the River                                      Spiritual Life Songs

 

*BLESSING                                                                                                 

           

*MEDITATION WITH MUSIC:  Preparing for Service in the World

WORSHIP NOTES

 

Ordinary Time begins with the Sundays following Epiphany (after the seasons of Advent and Christmas) and resumes after Pentecost (and the seasons of Lent and Easter).  The Sundays are numbered, or “ordered” (hence the name “Ordinary.”)  This time is also “ordinary” in our usual sense of the word:  For the rest of the church year (until the new year begins, at Advent), worship is more routine for the long season of the church in mission. 

 

Green is the liturgical color associated with Ordinary Time.  The color of nature, green symbolizes hope, nurture, and seasons of growth. 

 

The flowers on the altar are from the Halman Family.

 

Assisting us in worship this morning is Lois Fortune (greeter)

 

Time for Meditation with Music is provided at the beginning and end of the worship service.  Begin to worship as you come into the sanctuary:  Listen, centering your attention on God:  You may want to pray or meditate upon parts of the liturgy in which we will soon share; pray privately about whatever your own spirit brings to this worship time; or meditate upon the cross, the bulletin cover, or some other symbol.  Conclude worship with a few moments for private prayer and reflection, before you go into the foyer for fellowship and go forth into the world to serve God and your neighbors.

 

The hymns Come Thou Fount and Shall We Gather At the River are congregational favorites, sung by request.

 

Welcome, Phoebe Pacleb!  We are grateful to have Phoebe at the organ helping to lead worship today.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Welcome!  No matter who, no matter what, no matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.  Whether you are regularly involved or are here for the first time, your presence is vital.  If you are visiting for the first time, please give us your mailing address, email address and/or telephone number when you sign the Attendance Registration pad.  Thank you!

 

Lynnhaven Colony Congregational Church, United Church of Christ believes that, although we are many members, we are one body in Christ.  As such, we are called to love one another, to do justice, to offer freedom from oppression and to walk humbly with our God.  We are an open and affirming church, embracing diversity and affirming the dignity and worth of every person created in the image of God.  We welcome into full membership and participation in the Body of Christ persons of every race, language, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, mental ability, socio-economic status, marital status, and faith background.  We welcome all people as they are, without reservation, to share in the full life, leadership, ministry and fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities and blessings of participation in our congregation. 

 

The pastor plans to be in the office this week Monday 10 am-1pm, Tuesday 2 pm-5pm, and Thursday, 10am-1pm. 

 

The church office is usually open Monday thru Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

 

Everyone is invited to a Pool and Beach Party Sunday, Aug 31 (Labor Day Weekend) after worship and fellowship at the home of Allen Anderson (2628 Ocean Shore Avenue, Virginia Beach).  Hopefully we will have great weather like last year!  For questions about parking, see Allen.

 

Prayer Group regularly meets in the church parlor every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. All are welcome!

 

Choir Practice The choir has taken a break from its regular schedule. For information, please contact Marsha Wallace.

 

“Grand Sweep” Bible Study will meet Sunday August 24 at 9:00 a.m. in the Community Center and on Tuesday, August 26 at 6:45 p.m. after Tuesdays Together.

 

Tuesday Together  Come join us for food and fellowship on Tuesday, August 26 at 6:00 p.m. Sign up at the bulleting board.

 

Bon Secours Hampton Roads Lay Health Promoter Training Course (4 day) will be held October 2, 3, 9, 10, 2008 from 8 am – 5 pm. The course is $50.00 and covers materials and refreshments.  Registration deadline is August 29, 2008. Check the bulletin board for more information. 

 

Making Friends with Church Numbers seminar on September 13, 8 am- 12 pm in our Community Center. For more information, see Jim Long.

 

Fall Ball…..Save the Date, October 4. See Laura – Madison or Stephanie in the church office for tickets.

 

Grandparents Group All grandparents are invited to meet together with Cheryl McIntosh today after worship for a time of fellowship and planning. Bring ideas for how we can support one another and our families.

 

School Supplies Offering  Social Ministries is continuing to collect school supplies for homeless children in Virginia Beach and there are some great buys right now so please bring your donation. The box for supplies is in the back of the sanctuary.

 

The next JCOC dinner is Sept 26th and Tuna Casserole is the main dish.  Sign up sheet at the bulletin board.

 

Prayer Class    Come join Lauri Madison Wednesday nights in September from 7pm to 9pm in the office parlor for a class on Spiritual Prayer. The class will run throughout the month and is open to all.

 

UCC SOUTHERN CONFERENCE MISSION STATEMENT—let’s talk about it…

Plans are underway to begin a series of discussion sessions designed to study and critique our Southern Conference’s recently issued mission statement, “New Occasions Teach New Duties…Hope for the Future.”  Each discussion will consider each bullet point that composes the statement (9 bulletpoints = 9 discussions total). To view the online version of the mission statement, go to http://www.soc-ucc.org/index.htm, scroll down to the bottom and click on the link below “New Occasions Teach New Duties” (paper copies will also be made available by request to the church office). Sessions are scheduled to begin Sunday September 14th at 9 am. For more information, contact Jenna Randall 215-459-8102 or jrandall1980@gmail.com.  Also, look to our September newsletter for more details. God is still speaking; now it’s time for us to reply!

Confirmation Class will begin on September 7, after the Rally Day festivities, from 1-2:30 p.m.  If you have a Middle School or High School youth who is interested in Confirmation and church membership, please give prayerful consideration to his or her participation, talk to your child about it, and call the pastor if you have questions.

Attendance and offering for August 10

Attendance:   72         Regular Offering: $ 986.50               

Live the Vision (to date): $845.00                 

 

Attendance and offering for August 17

Attendance:  61                      Regular Offering: $  1,555.00

Live the Vision (to date): $845.00                 

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

 

SUNDAY – 8/24/08

9:00 a.m. – Sunday School classes for Adults and Grand Sweep Bible Study

10:00 a.m. – Worship with Sunday School classes for Children

11:15 a.m. – Fellowship time

11:30 a.m. – Grandparents Group

 

MONDAY - 8/25/08

9:00 a.m. – Exercise

 

TUESDAY – 8/26/08

10:00 a.m. – Child Development Center Chapel

5:00 p.m. – Prayer Group in the Church Parlor

6:00 p.m. – Tuesdays Together

6:45 p.m. - Grandsweep Bible Study

 

WEDNESDAY – 8/27/08

9:00 a.m. – Exercise

6:00 p.m. – Hampton Roads Church of Christ

 

THURSDAY – 8/28/08

 

 

FRIDAY – 8/29/08

9:00 a.m. – Exercise

 

SATURDAY – 8/30/08

 

 

SUNDAY – 8/31/08

9:00 a.m. – Sunday School classes for Adults

10:00 a.m. – Worship with Sunday School classes for Children

11:30 a.m. – Pool/Beach Party @ Allen Anderson’s house