all who are able are invited to stand. gathering · * all who are able are invited to stand....
TRANSCRIPT
FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT APRIL 2, 2017
* ALL WHO ARE ABLE ARE INVITED TO STAND.
GATHERING
O God, make the door of this house wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship, narrow
enough to shut out all envy, pride, and strife. Make its threshold smooth enough to be no stumbling block to children, nor to
straying feet, but rugged and strong enough to turn back the tempter’s power. God, make the door of this house the gateway
to Thine eternal kingdom. Amen. --The Gathering at St. Stephen’s Wolbrook, England
PRELUDE “Selections from Sonata No. 6 in D Minor” Felix Mendelssohn
* CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Kathryn Kibbie Laird
Minister: Come and worship! In wonder and awe let us seek the face of God.
People: God invites us to come just as we are. Minister: We come hungry to encounter the Word.
People: God feeds us the Bread of Life.
Minister: We come parched for renewal and restoration.
People: God quenches our thirst at God’s holy table.
Minister: Come and worship! In wonder and awe God reveals the divine self to us.
People: We come as we are and are changed by God's love and grace.
Give glory to God! Hallelujah! Amen.
* HYMN No. 482 “Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty” LOBE DEN HERREN
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) Rev. Paul E. Gilmore
God of wilderness people whose children often traveled confused and fearful, we confess our own
wanderings in sorrow, sadness and doubt. We know how it feels to be lost, hurt, troubled. It seems
often that we are wandering scared from all that threatens us. Desperate for survival, we settle for
only half-hearted attempts at life. Forgive our reckless measures to find security. Forgive our lack of confidence in the face of death.
Give us a large measure of your spiritual nourishment so that even in the great difficulties, we will
flourish in your grace. Amen.
TIME OF SILENT CONFESSION…
RESPONSE “Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God”
DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
* CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE No. 579 The 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.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Please sign the card and pass it to your neighbor. As you pass it back to the center, take note of who is here
so we can become better acquainted. Visitors, please give your address, telephone, and e-mail information.
CENTS-ABILITY COLLECTION – New Canaan Food Pantry & Presbyterian Hunger Program
CHILDREN ARE INVITED TO CHAPEL AND SUNDAY’S COOL ROTATION
(Please bring your buck and a can offering with you to Sunday’s Cool)
THE WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (unison) Michele McBride
Spirit of Wisdom and Light, shine in the deepest recesses of our minds and hearts. Allow no
hiddenness to remain in us. Instead, flood us with the truth of your Word, which has the power to
change and renew us. For truth is found in the Word Incarnate, and the truth will set us free. Amen.
FIRST LESSON Ezekiel 37:1-14 (OT page)
Minister: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
People: Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM “Out of the Depths” Camille Saint-Saens
Out of the depths I cry unto thee, O Lord hear my voice! Hear thou my supplications.
If thou, O Lord, should mark my iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
SECOND LESSON John 11 selected verses (NT page)
Minister: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
People: Thanks be to God.
SERMON “Telling Secrets: What Happened At the Table” Rev. Kathryn Kibbie Laird
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
* HYMN No. 507 “I Come with Joy” DOVE OF PEACE
PRESENTATION OF TITHES, OFFERINGS AND OURSELVES Rev. Mary Marple Thies
OFFERTORY “Prayer of Self-Dedication” Gary Davison
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations,
so control our wills, that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto thee; and then use us,
we pray thee, as thou wilt, and always to thy glory and the welfare of thy people; through our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
* DOXOLOGY OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God all creatures here below;
Praise God above ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
PRAYER OF GREAT THANKSGIVING Minister: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Minister: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Minister: It is truly right and our greatest joy...
The congregation is invited to sing responsively after the Cantor.
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.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE
Communion will be served by intinction in which the bread is dipped into the cup. The wine is served in
two chalices: the larger chalice contains wine, the smaller, grape juice. Gluten- free crackers are
available on each plate. “Thanks be to God,” is a proper response to the receiving of communion.
We will begin with people in the back rows and work our way to the front.
COMMUNION PRAYER (unison)
Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant
that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others in the name
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SENDING
* HYMN No. 309 “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” DIVINUM MYSTERIUM
* CHARGE AND BLESSING (Please be seated for the Choral Response & the Ringing of the Church Bell)
CHORAL RESPONSE “God Be in My Head” John Rutter
RINGING THE CHURCH BELL
* POSTLUDE “Allegro Molto from Sonata No. 6 in D Minor” Felix Mendelssohn
TODAY AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
Welcome to the Service of Worship for the Lord’s Day. Parents of infants through age four are encouraged to
take their children to the Nursery School classrooms during our services. Students in PreK- 4th grade should
follow Mrs. Volanakis to the Common Room. 5th-7th Grades meet in the Youth Barn.
Today in Sunday’s Cool Mrs. Volanakis will lead chapel at Sunday’s Cool while our confirmation class wraps up
its final day of Stations of the Cross. They will be leading the children in two rotations: the crucifixion and the
empty tomb. Please bring your buck and a can and join us! Crucifixion and Empty Tomb: The Confirmation Class
with Scott Beyer assisting. Kinder School (for 4’s, 5’s, and 6 year olds) in the Bay Window Room with Ashley
Walker and Sarah Van de Graaf. 1st-4th Teachers at Chapel: Huw Gilbert and Scott Beyer. Rev. Paul Gilmore in
the Barn with the 5th, 6th, and 7th graders for Feasting on the Word.
Youth News: What is happening at FPC for our MSYG (6th-8th graders and their friends), and HSYG (9th-12th graders and their friends). Everyone is welcome!
MSYG (6th-8th) HSYG (9th-12th)
4/9 5-6:30pm Cooking for Domus 4/9 5-6:30pm Cooking for Domus
4/23 4-5:30pm Mission Trip Orientation to RI 4/23 11-12:30pm Mission Trip to Alaska
4/23 6-7:30 Barn Night
Greeters: The Santora family; Worship Coordinator: John Servidea; Ushers: Kip and Mike Farrell, Janet and
John Lanaway ; Cross Bearer: Kristen Rodgers; Lay Reader: Michele McBride; Communion Preparers: Erica
Bergmans and Rose Scott Rothbart; Communion Officers: Emma Dahill, Jack Dahill, Jennifer Van de Graaf;
Musicians: First Presbyterian Church Choir.
Let us keep in our thoughts and prayers: New Concerns: family of Jacqueline Bradley. Continued concerns:
Grace Chung; Neil Coakley; Ann Depuy; Darren Dionne; Ed Elbert; Anne Blose Eydt (daughter of Marion
Blose); Jennifer Gallagher (a member of the Riehl family); Graham Harden; Sister Therese Jacobs (friend of Mary
Jane Bolin); Vince Lombardi; Doris Mierendorf; Beryl Stone (a friend of the Van de Graaf’s); The Abo Noktah
family (our Syrian refugees): Khaldoun (father), Khawla Alzob (mother), daughters Hanin (12) and Zain (5), and
sons Yaman (11) and Ahmed, (10).
Easter Flowers: Would you like to see our sanctuary filled with flowers during the joyous weeks of Easter? Please call
the church office, (203) 966-0002, if you would like to contribute.
Flower Memorials: If you wish to have flowers in the sanctuary to celebrate an anniversary, a baptism, a
birthday, or to memorialize a loved family member or friend please call Barbara Wentzel, Flower Coordinator, at
203-966-5402 or email at [email protected].
If you have remembered FPCNC in your estate plans, and would like to be included on
the list of members of the Bell Tower Society, please let the church office know. Thank
you for making plans to leave a legacy.
2017 Lenten Food Drive: It is the tradition of the First Presbyterian Church to add something during The Lenten
season rather than take away something. Over the past several years, we have added items needed by the New
Canaan Food Pantry into our carts as we do our grocery shopping during Lent. We fill the back of the sanctuary
with our donated groceries until on Palm Sunday (April 9) we deliver the bags to the NC Food Pantry. Grocery
bags with an attached list of items needed will be distributed beginning Ash Wednesday (March 1) and available
every Sunday during Lent. The items needed are canned fruit (except pineapple), dried fruit, honey, canned
pasta, side dishes (instant potatoes, rice and pasta), tea (regular, decaf and herbal – no green tea), nuts,
salad dressings and Kleenex. Many people remember the NC Food Pantry around the Thanksgiving and
Christmas season. Donations drop in the spring and summer. Please think of our New Canaan neighbors in need as
you go grocery shopping during Lent and throughout the year.
Cents-ability: On March 5, we collected $187. Our total collection since we began Cents-ability at our church in
November 2011 is $16,858. Thank you for your awareness and generous response to hunger. If you would like
more information on Cents-ability or need a Cents-ability cup, please see Robin Lewis. Remember to fill up your
Cents-ability cup ‘til it runneth over! Our next collection is May 7. Staying Put Presents Panel on End-of-Life Planning ● Today ● 11:30 a.m. in the Common Room
Staying Put in New Canaan will present a program on End-of-Life planning on Sunday, April 2nd at 11:30 am in
the Common Room. The panel will provide guidance to seniors and their adult children on how to orchestrate a
family conversation which ensures that final wishes will be honored, and will outline the purpose of various legal
and medical directives, as well as options for end-of-life care. Panelists will include Sherman Bull, M.D.,
Stamford Health, Michelle Beltrano, J.D., R.N., Beltrano Law, Kristin Edwards, M.D., Yale-New Haven Health,
and Staying Put Advisory Council Member Pat Stoddard. For more information, please call 966-7762.
Palm Sunday FPC Craft Fair and Egg Hunt, Sunday, April 9
Calling all children!! 11:15 am egg hunt begins
The Children's Ministry Committee is pleased to sponsor our Annual Easter Craft Fair, this
year during worship on Palm Sunday. After a special children’s chapel, the children will
be invited to enjoy many religious crafts about Holy Week. During Coffee Hour, the kids
will be invited to participate in our Easter Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt outside (rain or shine,
so please be prepared). Please bring a basket for hunting. Children will hunt eggs by age
group. This is an excellent opportunity to invite a friend to our church. Bring your
cameras, your family, friends, and join us!
Spring Musical!
Sunday, June 4th at the 10am service! This Wednesday, April 5th, we begin rehearsals for the spring musical "In the Image." The musical features all
ages, singers and non-singers who tell the story of God's creation in a Sunday School classroom. Thinking their
teacher won the lottery and moved to Tahiti, the class takes over as teachers and discover that God really is the
creator of all things - even snakes, mosquitos and Brussels sprouts! This fun, funny and uplifting musical is sure to
be a hit! The directors, Chris Tate, Victoria Shields, and Sherry Tate all hope you can join us in the choir room from 5:30-
6:30 this Wednesday, April 5th. Rehearsals will break for Spring Break on Wednesday, April 12th, but will resume
on Wednesday, April 19 from 5:00-6:30. The musical will be on Sunday, June 4th. Contact Chris Tate at
[email protected] or Victoria Shields at [email protected] for more information. We hope you'll join us!
THIS WEEK AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 178 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, CT 06840
Tel.: 203-966-0002 / www.fpcnc.org
Church Office Hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
SUNDAY, APRIL 2: Fifth Sunday in Lent
10:00 AM Holy Communion
Rev. Kathryn Kibbie Laird preaching
10:15 AM Sunday’s Cool for Grades PreK-7
11:15 AM Cherub Choir
11:15 AM Coffee Hour
11:30 AM Staying Put Presentation
3:30 PM Pro Arte Benefit High Tea
5:00 PM Pro Arte Concert and Reception
MONDAY, APRIL 3
2:00 PM Meditation Group
TUESDAY, APRIL 4 9:30 AM Leadership Team
11:30 AM Gentlemen Songsters
4:00 PM English Handbell Choir
8:00 PM Men’s A.A.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5
10:00 AM Music Librarians
5:00 PM Cherub Choir
5:00 PM Carol Choir
5:00 PM Confirmation Class
5:30 PM Spring Musical Rehearsal
THURSDAY, APRIL 6 3:30 PM Special Church
7:30 PM FPC Choir
SATURDAY, APRIL 8
9:00 AM Goodwill Truck in Parking Lot
9:15 AM A.A. (closed discussion)
10:30 AM A.A. (open discussion)
SUNDAY, APRIL 9: Palm Sunday
9:15 AM Ecumenical Blessing of Palms
on God’s Acre
10:00 AM Worship
10:15 AM Easter Craft Fair (no MS classes)
11:15 AM Easter Egg Hunt
11:15 AM Coffee Hour
11:20 AM Cherub Choir
5:00 PM MSYG/HSYG Cooking for Domus
Pro Arte Singers Benefit High Tea
and Concert
Sunday, April 2nd
Tea at 3:30 pm
The Benefit includes tea, refreshments,
silent and live auction, and a short
musical program by Pro Arte. The event
will benefit Pro Arte’s mission to bring
the world’s finest choral music, in
professional performances, to Fairfield
County audiences.
Concert at 5:00 pm
At 5 p.m., the Pro Arte Singers and
Festival Chorus present a program of
works by Herbert Howells and Josef
Rheinberger, two Pro Arte audience
favorites, along with a sampling of
beautiful choral music from around the
world. Pro Arte is celebrating 45 years of
leadership of its founder and Artistic
Director Arthur Sjögren.
Tickets for the Benefit High Tea and the
concert are $60; tickets for the concert
alone are $35, or $30 for seniors and
students. Tickets will be sold at the door.
Tuesday Mornings during Lent Tuesday, April 4, 11:00 – 12:30 p.m. “Not A Silent Night – Mary Looks Back to Bethlehem” – Teacher Paul E.
Gilmore. Presbyterian poet and author, Ann Weems, wrote, “If there is no cross in the manger, there is no Christmas.”
This class, using a book and video by Adam Hamilton, views the life of Jesus through Mary’s eyes, beginning with the
last years of her life and her death. Then in each succeeding chapter we’ll work our way backward, from the crucifixion
and Jesus’ ministry, to his discovery in the Temple as a twelve-year-old, to the announcement of the Savior to come,
until finally we end with the birth of Jesus. By looking at the significance of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we will
reconsider the meaning of his birth – of the cross in the manger. Book available for $17.
Wednesday Nights during Lent Wednesday, April 5, 3:45 pm at the United Methodist Church; 6:00 pm at the New Canaan Library
“An Evening with Debby Irving” The Interfaith Council of New Canaan invites all of us to an evening with Debby
Irving, racial justice educator and author of the book, “Waking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race.”
Irving will share her journey from believing that she was “color blind” to race, a “good person,” and a great ally to
people of color till an “aha!” moment in 2009 woke her up to the reality that she still had a lot of work and
understanding to do. Book available for $20. It’s been called “one of the most important books on race in recent
memory.” The Co-Moderators of the 222nd General Assembly (2016), the Reverends Denise Anderson and Jan
Edmiston, are urging Presbyterians via their “One Church, One Book” project to read and discuss it. “Her story
resonates with a lot of Presbyterians,” Edmiston said in a workshop at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Polity
Conference in October. “Our hope is that it would start conversations. But it’s not just about reading the book. My
hope is that we would be somewhat changed.” The Co-Moderators’ “One Church, One Book” project invites
Presbyterians over the next couple of months to read and discuss Irving’s book where they gather—in pastor support
groups, ministry alliances, mid councils, church school classes, Bible studies, book clubs, and anywhere else.
DEACONS’ FUND: Special envelopes are enclosed today, as they are on every Communion Sunday, for the Deacons’
Fund. These may be placed in the offering plates. The Deacons’ Fund enables the church, on a confidential basis, to help
individuals in our congregation who are in special need. Please let the ministers know of any who might now be helped by
this Fund. Various specific needs are great at this moment, so do give generously.
Calling all lads and lassies!! Scottish Sunday is April 30
With Scottish activities leading up to the big day
Sunday, April 23, 11:30am: Kiltmaker Bonnie Heather Greene will discuss the kiltmaking tradition and provide
tartan sample books for perusal to find you family tartan or pick one you like. In the Common Room. Wednesday, April 26, 6:00pm: Assist master shortbread bakers Molly Ludtke and Susan Gress in the FPCNC
kitchen to bake batches of homemade shortbread to share on Scottish Sunday. RSVP: [email protected] Friday, April 28, 6:00-8:00pm: Scottish Heritage Cocktail Party and Kirkin’ (get measured and order a custom kilt)
at the home of Scott and Susan Gress. Bring an app and beverage to share. RSVP: [email protected] Sunday, April 30: (drop off lunch items in Common Room before going to the sanctuary) Join the fanfare starting
with a bagpipe procession at the beginning of the 10:00 service, grab some coffee and homemade shortbread in the
back of the sanctuary and enjoy the Ceilidh featuring Scottish songs, harp and bagpipes. Follow the pipers to the
Common Room for lunch immediately following the Ceilidh and try some haggis (or not), bring something to share
(plenty of non-haggis options) based on the first letter of your last name: A-E bring cold cuts; F-J bring sliced
bread and cheese; K-N bring salads (green, pasta, cole slaw, potato salad); O-R bring fruit or dessert;
S-V bring appetizers; W-Z bring condiments (mayo, mustard, pickles). The FPCNC Scottish Committee will
provide wine, Scottish beer and soft drinks. A wee donation is much appreciated to defray our costs (we must pay the
piper after all). Monies leftover will be donated to the Deacons Fund. RSVP: [email protected] Brought to you
by The FPCNC Scottish Heritage Committee
OUR MINISTERS
The Entire Congregation
OUR PASTORS
The Rev. Paul E. Gilmore, Pastor
The Rev. Kathryn Kibbie Laird, Associate Pastor for Children, Youth and Families
OUR STAFF
Victoria Shields, Director of Music / Sherry Tate, Cherub Choir director
Michelle Olsen, Church Administrator / Tina St. Armand, Office Manager
Erika Hagan, Administrative Assistant to Children and Youth Ministries
Kuky and Andres Pereira, Operations/Security Managers / Edgar Torres, Day Sexton
HOLY WEEK SERVICES
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NEW CANAAN
PALM SUNDAY, April 9 • 10 A.M.
(preceded by Ecumenical Blessing of the Palms at God’s Acre at 9:15 A.M.)
MAUNDY THURSDAY, April 13 • 7:30 P.M. Communion Service
GOOD FRIDAY, April 14 • 7:30 P.M. Tenebrae Service
EASTER SUNDAY, April 16
RESURRECTION OF THE LORD
Two services with Holy Communion: 9:00 A.M. & 11:00 A.M.
The First Presbyterian Church Choir
Carol and Cherub Choirs; Choir Chimes (9 am service)
English Handbells
Brass Quintet and Organ
Presenting festive music by Ralph Vaughan Williams, John Ferguson,
J.S. Bach and Charles-Marie Widor
The Rev. Paul E. Gilmore preaching
Infant care and special program for children for both services
Triumphal Entry - Procession with Palms and
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ
St. John Passion Choruses
Tomás Luis de Victoria
The First Presbyterian Church Choir
Infant care and special program for children.
Children’s Easter Egg Hunt (rain or shine)