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Roxbury Congregational Church
A Congregation of the United Church of Christ We Are a Community Seeking to Share God’s Love!
We gather and celebrate all as God’s Children!
The Congregation Gathered (remotely) for Worship
Physically Distanced – Spiritually Connected
June 21, 2020 10:30 a.m. Third Sunday after Pentecost
Father’s Day ~ Celebration of the Ministry of Music
God Gathers Us in Community We ask all to have to have their computer mics on Mute mode during the service.
Preludes Sandy Kleisner, Piano Words of Welcome, Announcements, Pastoral Concerns and Celebrations
Pastoral Concerns can be shared using the “Chat” function in Zoom
Because we are much more public on Zoom and Facebook we invite people to be prudent in offering prayers: “For First name only, in need of healing”; “For First name only, comfort in grief” etc. You are invited to contact Rev. Peters directly with news of those needing extra pastoral care.
Leader: The Peace of Christ be with you. People: And also with you!
greet one another likewise in Christian friendship and peace. Introit Call to Worship
Leader: Come! Join the fellowship of God’s people—people who gather as faithful disciples of Christ. People: We seek the One who frees us from uncertainty and doubt. Leader: Come! Join the welcome of God’s people—people who meet together for justice and peace. People: We seek the One who is trustworthy, the One who gives us what is good. Leader: Come! Join the celebration of God’s people—people of the One who was, and is, and shall ever be. People: We raise our voices in praise and honor to God, and worship the One who is faithful.
Hymn # 15 “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart” Verses 1 & 2 Prayer of Invocation and Confession Assurance of God’s Forgiving Love
God Speaks with Us Responsive Reading: Psalm 86:1-10 Congregation: Bold , Liturgist
1Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
2Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God;
3be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all day long.
4Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.
6Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication.
7In the day of my trouble I call on you, for you will answer me.
8There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.
9All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.
10For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.
16Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant; save the child of your serving girl.
17Show me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame, because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
Old Testament (Hebrew) Scripture: Genesis 21:1-18 Abraham sends away Hagar and his son
Ishmael from his family. 21 1-4 God visited Sarah exactly as he said he would; God did to Sarah what he promised: Sarah became pregnant and gave Abraham a son in his old age, and at the very time God had set. Abraham named him Isaac. When his son was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him just as God had commanded. 5-6 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born. Sarah said, God has blessed me with laughter and all who get the news will laugh with me! 7 She also said, Whoever would have suggested to Abraham that Sarah would one day nurse a baby! Yet here I am! I’ve given the old man a son! 8 The baby grew and was weaned. Abraham threw a big party on the day Isaac was weaned. 9-10 One day Sarah saw the son that Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham, poking fun at her son Isaac. She told Abraham, “Get rid of this slave woman and her son. No child of this slave is going to share inheritance with my son Isaac!” 11-13 The matter gave great pain to Abraham—after all, Ishmael was his son. But God spoke to Abraham, “Don’t feel badly about the boy and your maid. Do whatever Sarah tells you. Your descendants will come through Isaac. Regarding your maid’s son, be assured that I’ll also develop a great nation from him—he’s your son, too.” 14-16 Abraham got up early the next morning, got some food together and a canteen of water for Hagar, put them on her back and sent her away with the child. She wandered off into the desert of Beersheba. When the water was gone, she left the child under a shrub and went off, fifty yards or so. She said, “I can’t watch my son die.” As she sat, she broke into sobs. 17-18 Meanwhile, God heard the boy crying. The angel of God called from Heaven to Hagar, “What’s wrong, Hagar? Don’t be afraid. God has heard the boy and knows the fix he’s in. Up now; go get the boy. Hold him tight. I’m going to make of him a great nation.”
Musical Meditation Sandy Kleisner Morning Message Rev. David Peters
God Listens as We Respond Pastoral, Silent Prayer and Lord’s Prayer (trespasses)
“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.” Offering
Offertory Music Doxology Hymnal # 46
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures here below; praise Him above ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
or Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ and Spirit, One. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication Recognition of the Ministry of Music see insert below
We Depart to Serve God in Our Daily Lives Hymn # 86 “Great is Thy Faithfulness “ Vs. 1 & 2 Benediction and Response Postlude Virtual Coffee Hour Follows We welcome especially our guests online this morning! If you do not have a church home, we invite you to consider the Roxbury Church. We invite you to sign our guest book at https://tinyurl.com/rccguestbook There are resources for Children on the Church’s website (www.roxburychurch.org) Looking for bible study resources? Just go to the Church’s website and click on the NURTURE tab. Roxbury Church sends out emails once a week, usually on Fridays during July. eFaith Matters includes announcements, the Sunday Prayer List, Opportunities to make a difference, and a brief Thought for the Day. If you would like to be on the list, send an email requesting it to [email protected]. This is most helpful during these days of social distancing.
To Keep in Our Thoughts and Prayers We remember in prayers their families and loved ones as well.
Terry Alfson, Diane Meade,
Pat Fraley, David P. Sandy Kleisner’s mother, Beverly,
Cory, Bill, Stan, Robin, Thomas, Ron, Gurmit, Those affected by or fearful because of COVID-19,
The healing of the nation and issues of racial justice and equality Those dealing with medical issues
Congratulations to the Shepaug High School seniors who graduated last evening.
Mission Highlight: Holy Joe’s Café
Please let the church office know of anyone you would like added to this list. It can be an illness, death or celebration.
This morning we lift up one of our Mission Partners: Holy Joe’s Café based out of the First Congregational Church of Wallingford, CT, HJC supports the work of US military chaplains overseas with coffee and supplies so that they can provide the setting for pastoral interactions with those involved in war and its aftermath. http://holyjoescafe.blogspot.com
Church Notes
Music Ministry Appreciation Sunday
Choir Members 2019-20 Vail Barrett, Barbara Cover, Nancy Glover, Colby Kalisher, Bill Jayne,
Sterrett Kelsey, David Lincicome, Pat Lowe, Dale Pinchbeck, Charlie Stauffacher, Sue Stauffacher, Beverly Wolmer, Mark Wolmer
And we thank Sandra Kleisner for her leadership as our Minister of Music. David Lincicome deserves special mention as our occasional guest pianist.
Thank You All! The Choir concluded their weekly singing back before COVID-19 need for social distancing and virtual
worship in March. Still, we offer a heartfelt word of appreciation to each member for their contributions of time and talents to the enrichment of our worship services during the year. If you would like to contribute special music to our services during the summer, please speak with Sandy.
Helping with Sunday Virtual Worship
If are willing to be a reader, to play or sing, or share a faith story during a Sunday Virtual Worship Service, please contact Rev. Peters. These can be pre-recorded.
Phasing-in In-person Worship Survey – Your input desired!
The Deacons are requesting the input and opinion of the congregation as they plan along with Rev. Peters, for the coming months and the thought of resuming in-person worship in a safe manner. You can fill out the survey online, also one has been sent by mail to be returned. Thank you for your time and interest as we seek the best way forward.
Mindfulness Meditation Group – Saturday mornings The Mindfulness Meditation Group continues to meet online using Zoom each Saturday morning at 10:20 a.m. Check out the Church’s NUTURE page for links and more information.
Work Projects around the Church Buildings and Grounds We are grateful to those who have been helping out around the Church buildings and grounds in these days. We are not going to be able to have a Work Day this spring, so we have listed the jobs on the Church’s Home page with a sign up. We are grateful for the projects begun: Raking out and mulching of the front gardens, planting of the side gardens, and the priming and painting of the handicap ramp. (we need painters)
David’s Mystery Church Tour – each Thursday Join David as he brings us to another place on the church grounds to share some history, information and meaning. We have been in the bell tower, inside the organ, where will he be this Thursday? Check it out Thursday afternoons on the church’s Facebook page or on YouTube at https://tinyurl.com/RoxburyCyoutube
Looking for ways to be helpful and share God’s Love?… - Make a phone call to a neighbor, someone who is older or lives alone to check in on them. - When at the store, pick up some items for either Daily Bread or the Roxbury Food Pantry. They
can be dropped off at Christ Church Parish House Wed. or Fri. mornings. Or for Daily Bread inside the front door of the church. Daily Bread has double the number of clients now. If you prefer, financial donations to Daily Bread are welcome. Send them to the Church Office, clearly mark for “Daily Bread.”
- If you are healthy and willing to help others with running errands, or some other need, please email Rev. Peters at [email protected].
- Ray Fitch and Sue Stauffacher are collecting items to be donated to 2 nursing homes in New Milford to support them as they care for the vulnerable during this time of social isolation. They are seeking donations of coloring books, crayons, crosswords puzzles, sudoku books, appropriate themed movie DVD’s, CDs of 60 & 70’s music, outdoor solar lights and simple lawn decorations, including pts for plants, for outside a resident’s room. Donated items can be placed in the marked basket in the Narthex.
Donations of Outdoor Flower Plants and Small Bushes sought
If you have a flower plant or small bush to donate, please speak with Ray Fitch as he coordinates the plantings in the side garden at the Church’ Parish House. 203-586-9599.
Roxbury Congregational Church, UCC Ministers in the World – Members of the Congregation
The Rev. David F. Peters, Minister [email protected] Sandra S. Kleisner, Minister of Music [email protected]
Nancy Glover, Church Secretary [email protected] Bruce Rossiter, Custodian [email protected] 24 Church Street, Roxbury, Connecticut 06783-1703
Church Office: 860-355-1978 [email protected] www.roxburychurch.org ~ facebook.com/RoxburyChurch
