THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PLAINVILLE

Founded in 1840

A Congregation of the United Church of Christ

A “God is Still Speaking”, Open and Affirming Church

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

We always have questions, O God, even when we don’t want to admit it. There are things with which we struggle, things that confuse us, things

that make us wonder. Yet you are with us through all of that – not condemning us, but continuing to love us. Thank you. Amen.

The Order of Morning Worship Second Sunday of Easter

April 23, 2017 10A.M.

We offer a warm welcome to all who have come here today. May you receive God’s comfort, insight and inspiration through worship, prayer and song.

* All who are able may stand

Announcements and Celebrations

Extravagant Welcome No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!

We Prepare to Hear God’s Word

Prelude (Silent preparation for worship begins with the appreciation of this music offering)

Introit

Call to Worship One: When doors were shut and the world was kept out,

All: resurrection found the disciples. One: When the church gathers and the world waits outside,

All: resurrection finds us. One: When fear grew and new questions were found,

All: resurrection found the disciples. One: When faith leads us into new questions about life,

All: resurrection finds us. One: When suffering remained and the city was hostile,

All: resurrection found the disciples. One: When Christ gathers with his followers in living worship,

All: resurrection finds us. One: Come, let us worship God!

*Opening Hymn Come You Faithful Raise the Strain NCH #230 Unison Prayer of Invocation

God of great surprises, God of unbounded joy, into our uncertainties and faltering this day your voice echoes in our hearts: Breathe deeply, take good heart, do not be afraid. Help us to remember this always, as we join our voices together in saying the prayer Jesus taught his disciples...

The 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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

A Story for All Ages * the children arrive to the Chancel to the “traveling music” of Jesus Loves Me!, NCH #327 * the children depart to their classrooms to “traveling music” of In the Bulb There Is a Flower, NCH #433 v.1

Anthem For the Beauty of the Earth – Voices of Praise F. Pierpiont Prayer of Confession

One: There are times when we judge others. Out of fear of being judged ourselves, we call them names, and put them down. We may discredit their faith, and write them off.

All: O God, forgive us. One: When other people have a faith that differs from ours, we say it is not enough.

All: O God, forgive us. One: Sometimes we believe that doubts are an impediment to faith.

All: O God, forgive us. One: Gracious God, in a world where there is such a vast rainbow of ways to have relationship with you, help us not to limit our vision and our understanding. We pray in the name of the risen Christ. Amen.

Words of Assurance and Grace One: Jesus said to Thomas, “Even better blessings are in store for those who do not see and yet believe.” We have never seen Jesus, and yet we know that in mysterious and wonderful ways the risen Christ is with us even now, offering us forgiveness and new life.

All: Thanks be to God! Amen.

*Gloria Patri PH #513 Glory be to the Father [Creator], and to the Son [Christ], and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

We Hear God’s Word

Centering Hymn We Live by Faith Not by Sight NCH #256

The Scripture Reading John 20:19-31 p. 115

Sermon Christ Eastering In Us

We Respond to God’s Word

Sharing our Joys and Concerns with God and each other Pastoral Prayer Message of Christian Concern Pauline Mowry Invitation to Share

The Offertory * The Doxology NCH #780

Praise God for whom all blessings flow. Praise [God] all Creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father [Creator], Son [Christ], and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Unison Prayer of Dedication We offer you these gifts, O God, as testament to the fact that we have come out of hiding. We are here, ready to go and proclaim your message of love, forgiveness, and hope to all the world. Use us, with all our doubts and questions, to proclaim this simple truth to the world. We pray in the name of the risen Christ. Amen.

*Closing Hymn Crown with Your Richest Crowns NCH #301 *Benediction Postlude

Thank you this morning to:

Deacon in charge: Lauralee Colella Trustee in charge: Ken Hodge Greeters: Fran Rose & Maria Nursery caregiver coordinated by: Donna Blanchard

Please remember to help yourself to a line on the sign-up sheets for Ushers, Greeters, Coffee Hour! As a matter of courtesy and welcome to those who may be visiting, please take a

moment to pick up your name tag on the wall in the narthex....and put it on.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Sun (4/23) 9:00 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 10:00 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Youth Choir Rehearsal 1:00 p.m. Box Bistro (Kitchen) 5:00 a.m. RI 7:00 p.m. NA Mon (4/24) 10:00 a.m. Al-Anon 6:30 p.m. Zumba (Kelsey Hall) 7:00 p.m. Flute Ensemble (Music Room) Tues (4/25) 10:30 a.m. AA 6:00 p.m. Girl Scout Meeting (Library) 7:00 p.m. AA Wed (4/26) 6:15 p.m. Yoga (Kelsey Hall) 7:00 p.m. NA 7:25 p.m. Chair Yoga (Kelsey Hall) Thurs (4/27) 2:00 p.m. Coffee Hours (Dunkin Donuts) 6:00 p.m. Amadeus Ringers (Bell Choir) 7:00 p.m. NA 7:15 p.m. Choir Rehearsal Fri (4/28) 7:00 p.m. NA Sat (4/29) 6:30 p.m. NA Sun (4/30) 9:00 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 10:00 a.m. Worship ~ Blessing: Sofia Roy 11:30 a.m. Youth Choir Rehearsal 11:30 a.m. Scrip Order Available (Kelsey Hall) 11:30 a.m. Trustee Committee Meeting (Library) 1:00 p.m. Box Bistro (Kitchen) 7:00 p.m. NA

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The Rev. Abby Mae Gackenheimer, Transitional Minister Jurg Oggenfuss, Organist

Richard Carsey, Director of Chancel Choir Karen Hodge, Bell Choir and Children’s Choir Director

Kathleen Marsan, Sunday School Superintendent Teresa Talarico, Church Administrator

The Congregational Church of Plainville, United Church of Christ 130 West Main Street, Plainville, Connecticut 06062

(860) 747-1901 (Office Hours 9:00-1:00 p.m. Monday~Friday) Email: churchoffice@uccplainville.org Website: www.uccplainville.org

In our Prayers this week, we remember: Dwight Lewis, Peggy (Deanna Hoxie’s step-mother), Fritz (Deanna Hoxie’s father), Deanna Hoxie, Mark (Steve Vastola’s cousin), Bobbie (Steve Vastola’s aunt), Katie (Antonio Casiano’s mom), Brian Gorneault Sr., John Dombroski (Sandy Dombroski’s brother), Carol Walsh’s daughter & grandchild-to-be, Eleanor Kordes, Anna Mae Vaillant (Eleanor Kordes’s sister), Geraldine & Erin Guthrie, Aaron Gudema (Eleanor Kordes’s brother-in-law), Melissa (Ann Campbell’s daughter), Laurel Underwood & her family, Robert Clark, Robert Ryan, Sydni Spencer, Ethan Greathouse (Teresa Talarico’s nephew), Marty Gorneault, Charlotte Karabin, Charles & Barbara (Frank Hoxie’s friend’s parents), Sue (Bev Letendre’s friend), George Fensick, Barbara McClellan, Georgie (Rinette Yanez’s sister-in-law), Jim & Claranne Parker, Sebby Berarducci, Emma Mae Hodges (Rev. Abby’s mom), John, Cassidy (Becky & Brian Silvernale’s daughter), Sheri Boucher (Sebby Berarducci’s friend), Laura (Laurie Cassinari’s friend), Kaara Koplowitz’s students and co-workers, Shirley Osle, Emily (Rex & Cheryl Cone’s daughter), Yvonne (Joanna Vastola’s friend), Joe Robar, Bill & Family (Ruthe Boiczyk’s friend), Eileen Devine (Jocelyn Michaud’s friend), Paul & Diane (Ann Campbell’s friends), Carmen (Ann Campbell’s friend), Lechek (Ann Campbell’s friend), Bernie (Ann Campbell’s friend), Deanna (Nancy Simone’s friend), Billy and family (Eleanor Kordes’s son-in-law), Laurel (Ken Hodge’s daughter’s friend), Scott Carpenter and Joyce Lagana, Diane (Ann Campbell’s friend), Richard Carsey, Bill Nemetz, Jonathan (Rex Con’s son-in-law), Georgie (Rinette Yanez’s sister-in-law), Maria (Ann Campbell’s friend), Vickie Flener, Paul & Ann Cormier (Beth Fraychak’s brother-in-law), Robert Jordan (Ruthe Boiczyk’s cousin), Leandra (Joanna Vastola’s co-worker), Vicky Stilwill, Diane & John (Ann Campbell’s friends), Karen, Ken Malley, Friend & Family of Deanna Hoxie’s daughter, Lauralee Colella’s co-worker, and Antonio Casiano, Michelle, Amy (Nancy Simone’s co-worker), Students in Crisis, Joseph (Ann Campbell’s grandson), Brian (Ann Campbell’s friend), Bernice (Ann Campbell’s friend), Ann Campbell, and the families and friends of: Alyssa Farnum (Teresa Talarico’s sister), Danny Coughlin, Arthur Williams, Joseph (Marilyn Borry’s brother-in-law), Frank Urbanski (Bobbi Turcotte’s brother-in-law), Audrey Posadas, Ned Michaud (Jocelyn Michaud’s brother-in-law), Abby Lafrenier (Deanna Hoxie’s friend), Laura Mayne (Richard Carsey’s sister), Walter McTagee, Carol Dalman (Ellen Binder’s cousin), John Huwe, Jon Maguire (Claranne Parker’s cousin), Don Barrows, Liz, Mary Pryor, as well as members and friends serving in the military: Justin Meyers , Spencer Pelletier, Renny Astolfi Sr., James Palmer, Tommy Daigle, Mark Terrill, Dalton Morehouse, David Sauer, Ryan Steikers, Shawn Ellis & Cody Temple.

ANNOUNCEMENT(S) FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP

IF YOU WOULD LIKE REV. ABBY TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON YOUR BEHALF, PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM AND RETURN TO CHURCH OFFICE

THE FRIDAY BEFORE YOU WOULD LIKE THE ANNOUNCEMENT MADE.

WHO (is this from)? WHAT (is this for)? WHERE (will this be held)? WHEN (is this happening)? WHY (are we doing this)? Where would you like this information placed? ____ Steeple _____Bulletin _____E-Blast Start Date__________________ End Date___________________

PRAYER REQUEST CARD

Requested By:

Prayer of JOY! for (Name and Situation) . . . ~ PLEASE PRINT ~

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Prayer of CONCERN for (Name and Situation) . . . ~ PLEASE PRINT ~

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