ROCKY HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Established 1727 ~ An Open and Affirming Community

March 13, 2016 ~ 10:00 a.m.

Fifth Sunday in Lent

~ O RDER O F W ORS H I P ~

We welcome all and extend a special greeting to our guests; our service is enriched by your presence! Please join us in Chapin Hall for fellowship time after worship.

The Welcome Table in Chapin Hall offers information about the church and members who can answer your questions. Hearing devices are available for worship—ask an usher. Nursery care is always available down the hall in Room 4.

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Please include your full address and phone number as you sign our friendship registration pads, and please wear your nametags. All announcements should be written down and given to the ushers or pastors prior to worship.

If you have a prayer request you would like read aloud for today’s prayers, please fill out one of the prayer cards found in the friendship registration pads (your name is optional). Be prepared to pass it to the aisles at the time of the offering, when the cards will be collected.

Prelude “O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus” Francis and Williams Victoria Bower, violin

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Come, for our generous God has restored your fortunes – People: Let us tell of abundance as we shout with joy! Leader: Come, growers, for the Creator has brought up rivers in the desert – People: Let us declare our praise as we plant our fields! Leader: Come, pilgrims, for the Righteous One has set a path through the sea – People: Let us rejoice as we make our journey! Leader: Come, people of God, for the Holy One has done great things for us! People: Let us worship God!

* P l e a s e r i s e i n b o d y o r i n s p i r i t . * B o l d t y p e d e n o t e s c o l l e c t i v e r e s p o n s e .

*HYMN “God of Grace and God of Glory” New Century (black) 436

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER Come to this sanctuary, this house, this home, Holy Christ,

And let us receive you with lavish welcome. You are the restorer of our fortunes, The promise of new life – We pour out our praise to you. Fill this room with your Spirit: The sound of wind, the warmth of flame, the scent of perfume And fill our hearts with your compassion, Not just in this time and place, But in all times and in all places, So that as we celebrate the great things you have done for us,

We may also embody the love you give to all. We pray this in Jesus’ name, who taught us to pray, saying,

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.

*SUNG RESPONSE::::

MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES

CHILDREN’S RECESSIONAL (Children are invited to depart for S.P.I.R.I.T. Church School)

ANTHEM “Ubi Caritas” Maurice Durufle The Choir

SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 43:16-21 O.T. p 632 pew Bible

SERMON “Do Not Remember the Former Things” The Rev. Craig L. Cowing

*HYMN “Now Is the Time Approaching” New Century (black) 609

OFFERING OF GIFTS During the time of offering, your prayers can be offered using the blue prayer request cards and placed in the offering plate. The pastor will read the prayers aloud during the Joys and Concerns.

Invitation to the Offering For those who have already given their offering, Giving Cards are available in your pew so that all may participate in the act of the offering.

OFFERTORY ANTHEM “There is a Balm in Gilead” Traditional Spiritual The Choir

*Doxology

Praise God from whom al l blessings f low; Praise God, al l creatures here below;

Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen

*Prayer of Dedication

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

Joys & Concerns

Sung Call to Prayer

Pastoral and Silent Prayer

*HYMN “In the Bulb There Is a Flower” New Century (black) 433

*BENEDICTION

*POSTLUDE

LITURGIST Stephanie Heneghan

USHERS

HOSPITALITY Lynn and Will McKenna

The Tower is lit in loving memory of Betty Sieniuc

by Gail and Natalie Tine

LOOKING AHEAD

TODAY: March 13 Budget and Elections Meeting Immediately following worship.

Palm Sunday, March 20 - 2nd Hour Program: “Good Friday and Easter in Art East and West”

Craig will discuss how these two days, central to the Christian faith, are portrayed in art from the medieval and Renaissance worlds.

He will also have copies of paintings he has done.

TODAY: ANNUAL BUDGET AND ELECTIONS MEETING

The annual Budget and Elections Meeting of the Rocky Hill Congregational Church, United

Church of Christ will be held today, immediately following worship in the sanctuary for the

transaction of the following items of business:

1. to vote on the proposed budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year;

2. to approve all special offerings for Missions and Diaconate;

3. to vote on the distribution of any undesignated bequests for the 2016-2017 fiscal year;

4. to elect church officers and board and committee members for terms beginning May 1,

2016;

5. to hear Council sub-committee report of introduction/overview for proposed

modifications to church governance structure and function;

6. to approve the recommendation of the Fair Committee for expenditure of the proceeds

from the 2015 events;

7. to approve the dissolution of the Pastoral Search committee as recommended by the

Council;

Marsha Hoffman, Church Clerk

2016-17 Budget Proposal

Copies of the Council-endorsed budget proposal for the 2016-17 fiscal

year are available this morning in the narthex.

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP

Sunday, March 13—4 to 7pm Soarin’

We will go to Soarin’ in Manchester, an indoor ropes place. Bring $19 for entry and $3 for dinner. If this exceeds your budget, please let Georgette know. Scholarship funds are available. Sunday, March 27—Easter No Youth Group meeting

Sunday, April 10—5 to 7pm Who Are These People?

We will take this time to get to know Pastor Craig, Steph Heneghan, and Georgette Huie a little better—and they will get to know you! Bring $3 for dinner. Sunday, April 24 Possible taco-in-a-bag fundraiser.

More info to come MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP

Sunday, March 20 Bowl-A-Rama, Newington.

We’ll meet at 5:30pm at the Church, and return at 7:30pm. Bring $10 for bowling, shoe rental, pizza and soft drinks. Save the date: May 6-7 Heifer Farm Trip

Submission deadline for the April issue of The Church Mouse will be

Tuesday, March 15 and the mailing date will be Tuesday, March 29.

We want to hear from you! Send your articles and photos to:

office@rhccucc.org. Thanks.

Attention Parents and Grandparents of the 6yr and under crowd!

Little Scholars Preschool will head out to Romp and Roll in Wethersfield on Sunday

March 20th from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. If you would like to attend, please leave cash or

check (pay to Little Scholars Preschool) in an envelope with your name and how many

children attending written on the outside of it, in our mailbox in the church office by

March 18. Cost is $10 per child.

Holy Week at Rocky Hill Congregational UCC

March 20 Palm Sunday 10:00 Worship in the Sanctuary with Communion 2nd Hour Presentation: “Good Friday & Easter in Art. East and West” with Rev. Craig.

Lunch will be provided by the Board for Faith Formation and Trustees

March 24 – Maundy Thursday 7:00 p.m. Service of Tenebrae in the Sanctuary

Tenebrae is distinctive for its gradual extinguishing of candles while a series of readings

and psalms is recited.

March 26 – Holy Saturday 10am – 11:30am Designed for families with children, but open to all! We will transform the broken crayons from Lent into beautiful objects, have an Easter egg hunt, and a brief time of worship.

March 27 Easter Sunday All are Welcome!

Sunrise Service at Rose Hill Cemetery

Arrive just before sunrise (6:40am sunrise)

Follow the car path to the right and up to the back corner

(close to Gilbert and West St. end) Breakfast will follow at the Church in Chapin Hall

10:00 Easter Service in the Sanctuary

Visit: www.rhccucc.org/lent

SCRIP-SURE What is it? Scrip-sure is a fundraising program for our church, which allows the regular shopping we do at a variety of retailers to generate income for the church. How? Participating retailers sell gift certificates or gift cards to our church at a discount. Church members buy the certificates for full face value and redeem them for full face value, and our church keeps the difference as revenue. Everybody wins!

We have most of the usual cards in inventory for immediate purchase this morning. Here is a partial list of cards typically available:

� Coffee: Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks � Fast food: Boston Market, Chipotle, McDonalds, Panera, Subway, Wendy's � Gas: Exxon/Mobil, Shell, Sunoco � Grocery: Big Y, Stop & Shop, Trader Joe's, Westside Marketplace, Whole Foods � Pharmacy: CVS, Walgreens � Restaurants: Bertucci's, Bonefish Grill, Buffalo Wild Wings, Denny's, Olive Garden,

On the Border, Outback Steakhouse, Red Lobster � Shopping: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, Kohl's,

iTunes, L.L. Bean, Lowes, Michaels, Payless Shoes, Target, Toys R Us, Walmart

The next order deadline for cards not stocked in inventory will be Easter Sunday, March 27. Did you know that you can donate to the Rocky Hill Food Pantry and "Covenant-to-Care for Children" through our scrip program? Your cash/check donations are used to buy gift cards to local groceries (food pantry) or other retail stores (CC). For these donations, we do not retain any profit, so a $1.00 donation effectively buys about $1.07 in groceries or clothing. You may donate at the scrip table in Chapin Hall.

See Gail Hall at the scrip table in Chapin Hall this morning for a complete listing of available cards, or to have all of your questions answered. Think SCRIP!

For Rev. Bob Lane and those whose lives were touched by the ministry of the late Rev. Fidi Lane. In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to the First Church in Windsor, 107 Palisado Ave

Windsor, CT 06095 or a non-profit charity of your choice. For online condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.

REMEMBER OR HONOR LOVED ONES WITH EASTER FLOWERS

The flowers will adorn the sanctuary for worship on Easter Sunday, March 27th.

The three choices this year will be: Easter Lily in 6 1/2 inch pots with 6+ buds

Hyacinth 6 inch with 3 bulbs

Tulip 6 inch full pots with limited color options

The Deadline for orders is March 21.

Please fill out the information below and give to Kim Burghoff or the Church Office.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Given by: __________________________________________________ Daytime Telephone Number: _________________________ Dedication (“in loving memory of…”, “in honor of…”, etc.):

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

Number ordered Dollar Amount

Lily @ $11.95 each ____________ x 11.95 = _____________________ Hyacinth @ $7.95 each ____________ x 7.95 = ______________________ Tulip @ $7.95 each ____________ x 7.95 = ______________________ Daffodil @$7.95 each ____________ x 7.95 = ______________________

TOTAL ENCLOSED $______________________________

Please select: [ ] I will pick up my plant after worship on Sunday, March 27 [ ] The flowers may remain in church to decorate the sanctuary

Make checks payable to RHCC and mail them directly to

Kim Burghoff at: 204 Gray Fox Lane, Rocky Hill CT 06067 You may call Kim Burghoff with questions at 860 563-3287.

THIS WEEK AT RHCC

M a r c h 1 3 S u n d a y 10:00am Worship Sanctuary 11:00am Budget & Elections Sancturary 4:00pm HS Youth Group Soaring 4:00pm Siragu Tamil School Rm 22, 23, 24, 25, 27

Ma r c h 1 4 M o n d a y

7:00pm Little Scholars Board Mtg Fiorilli 7:00pm Women’s AA Chapin Hall 7:30pm Bell Choir Loft

Ma r c h 1 5 T u e s d a y NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 10:30am Retired Clergy Parlor 7:00pm Hearing Voices Room 25

Ma r c h 1 6 W e d n e s d a y 6:00pm Pilates w/Caroline Chapin Hall 7:30pm Adult Choir Choir Room

Ma r c h 1 7 T h u r s d a y 9:30am Little Hands in Harmony Room 25 7:30pm Men’s AA Chapin Hall Ma r c h 1 8 F r i d a y Ma r c h 1 9 S a t u r d a y 8:30am Men’s Bible Study Fiorilli Rm 1:00pm RHCC Member Party Chapin Hall

HOSANNA! Next Sunday, March 20 is

March 13 Richard Somes

Jacqueline Little

March 14 David Bell

March 15 Alex Ware

March 17 Kathy Morgan

March 18 Haydee Salazar

RHCC High School

Youth Group

Outing

Today March 13

4 to 7pm Soarin’

We will go to Soarin’

in Manchester, an

indoor ropes place.

Bring $19 for entry

and $3 for dinner.

See Georgette with

questions.

Rocky Hill Congregational Church, United Church of Christ

805 Old Main Street Rocky Hill, CT 06067

Church Office: office@rhccucc.org / 860 529-4167

Church Website: rhccucc.org Visit us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/rhccucc

O f f i c e H o u r s Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Friday – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Open and Affirming Statement

Because we believe that all people are created in God’s image and thus are blessed and loved equally by God, and because love is a unifying and strengthening force within our Christian Faith,

We, the members of the Rocky Hill Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, hereby declare ourselves an Open and Affirming Christian community, actively expressing Jesus’ inclusive embrace of all people.

We welcome all who seek to follow Jesus, including persons of every age, gender, race, national origin, faith background, marital status and family structure, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental and physical ability, economic and social status, and educational background, to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, blessings and joys of our church family.

Jesus teaches us to welcome all God’s children into God’s covenantal community. As we grow together in faith and love, we will strive to celebrate the diversity in which God has created us.

Approved by congregational vote June 2009

Ministry Team Ministers: All the members of the church

Pastor: The Rev. Craig L. Cowing ccowing@rhccucc.org Minister for Children and Youth: Georgette L. Huie ghuie@rhccucc.org

Minister of Music: Mary DeLibero mary@rhccucc.org Office Manager: Theresa E. Cleary office@rhccucc.org

Webmaster: Dave Hall webmaster@rhccucc.org