United |
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Phones: 253-7698 • Phone/Fax: 253-8668 Email: chccucc@verizon.net • Website: www.chccucc.org | |
Pastor..................................................... Reverend Carol Asher Home Phone: 744-7864 E-mail: clsasher2@aol.com Ministers.............................................................. All Members Director of Music............................................ Nancy Turziano Secretary............................................................. Diane Lamper Ukama/Partner........ |
Word of the Week: “Paraclete”
There are many names for the Holy Spirit—comforter, guide, helper… Jesus used the Greek word for helper: “paraclete” which is an ancient soldier’s term. Greek soldiers were sent into battle in pairs, so when the enemy attacked, they could draw together back-to-back, covering each other’s blind side. One’s battle partner was the paraclete. Our Lord does not send us to fight life’s battles alone. The Holy Spirit is our partner who covers our blind side and fights for our well-being.
This Week in Our Church Family
Boldface = Church-sponsored events
Sunday (5/11) 10:00 am Worship and
11:00 am Fellowship and Refreshments in Gilpatric Hall
Monday (5/12) 9:00 am T’ai Chi
Tuesday (5/13) 7:30 am Spirituality
6:30 pm Missions
7:00 pm Community Caregivers Annual Meeting
Wed. (5/14)
Thursday (5/15) 6:30 pm T’ai Chi
Friday (5/16)
Saturday (5/17) 9:00 am CHCC Community Yard
5:30 pm Pot Luck Supper and Game Night
Sunday (5/18) 8:00 am Pancake Breakfast
10:00 am Worship and Student Recognition Sunday
11:00 am Fellowship and Refreshments in Gilpatric Hall
Thank You to Today’s Volunteers
Ushers: | Nursery Care: | Ask an usher | |
Liturgist: | Kent Warner | Greeters: | Kent & Mary Alice Warner |
Acolytes: | Ben & Hannah Crosby | Fellowship Hosts: | Bob and |
It’s wonderful to see garden flowers!
Morning Worship for Pentecost and Mother’s Day
Large print bulletins available—please ask an usher.
An asterisk (*) indicates “Please stand if you are able.”
Gathering for Worship
PRELUDE “Canzona in D Minor” Bach
IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH (announcements)
PREPARING THE WAY
Entering into Worship
CHORAL INTROIT
RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP
L: We have come to celebrate the birthday of the church.
P: We have come to celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit.
L: We have come to celebrate Pentecost and to open ourselves to God’s Spirit that it might fill us.
All: O God, help us to put our selfish desires aside and direct our thoughts to you, that your power might fill this church and our lives fully, just as it has filled churches and people throughout the ages. Teach us to be YOUR church and YOUR people.
*OPENING HYMN “On Pentecost They Gathered” Hymn #237
*GATHERING PRAYER (in unison)
O god, your saints are gathered here today, just as those on that first Pentecost, and we, as they, are filled with awe at your mighty works. Fill us, we pray, with your Pentecost insight and power that we might be your stewards of our time and talents. May we remember the calling of your church to minister in the world and may we renew our commitment to minister in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who taught us to say when we pray: “Our Father…”
*LORD’S PRAYER (using “debts”)
CHILDREN’S STORY “Catch the Wind!”
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
(Children will leave to go to an activity time at the beginning of this greeting time.)
*HYMN “Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove” Hymn #248
A Time of Sharing
PRAYER JOYS AND CONCERNS
Do what you can, then pray that God will give you power to do what you cannot.
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ANTHEM “A Mother’s Love” Bacon
CALL TO PRAYER (sung by the people)
“Hush now in quiet peace, be still your mind at ease;
The Spirit brings release, so wait upon the Lord.”
PASTORAL PRAYER
CHORAL RESPONSE
MOMENT FOR
Church World Service)
OFFERING
Organ Offertory “When The
*Doxology (sung by the people) #379
Accept, O God, the gifts we bring of spirit and of clay,
Transform them into blessings on those we serve today.
Rekindle deep within us all a passion to fulfill
The ministry disciples have, empower'd to do your will.
treasures bring, Christ, to you, our heav’nly king.”
*Prayer of Dedication
Reflecting on God’s Word
SCRIPTURE John 16: 5-15 p. 110 NT
SERMON “We Are Convicts—All of Us!”
PENTECOST LITANY (on insert)
Sending
*CLOSING HYMN “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” Hymn #261
*BENEDICTION
ORGAN POSTLUDE “Postlude in C Major” Bach
Power can be used in at least two ways; it can be unleashed, or it can be harnessed. The energy in ten gallons of gasoline, for instance, can be released explosively by dropping a lighted match into the can. Or it can be channeled through the engine of a Datsun in a controlled burn and used to transport a person 350 miles. Explosions are spectacular, but controlled burns have lasting effect, staying power. The Holy Spirit works both ways. At Pentecost, he exploded on the scene; his presence was like "tongues of fire" (Acts 2:3). Thousands were affected by one burst of God's power. But he also works through the church-- the institution God began to tap the Holy Spirit's power for the long haul. Through worship, fellowship and service, Christians are provided with staying power. One day our church copier broke down. I'm not mechanically minded, but I called the repair shop to see if they could tell me what the problem was and if I could do anything about it. I quickly discovered, however, that I didn't even know how to describe what was broken. I didn't know the names of the parts or what was specifically wrong. I just knew the copy machine didn't work. So the repair shop sent out a technician. While working on our machine, he also called the shop. Unlike me, he knew how to describe what was needed. He used words I didn't understand, but the person at the shop did, and soon the copier was repaired. My need was met because someone came and communicated to headquarters in words I could not express. The apostle Paul teaches in Romans 8 that this is also what the Holy Spirit does for us. When we don't know how to pray, the Holy Spirit knows precisely what we need and prays in a language the Father perfectly understands.
Announcements
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Welcome to all!
May the Holy Spirit fill your hearts to praise the Lord and to face the future with confidence. Praise God! Praise Christ! Praise the Holy Spirit! God—three in one! Commune with God during this worship time and fellowship with others in Gilpatric Hall following worship.
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Community Caregivers Annual Meeting
On Tuesday, May 13, the Community Caregivers (which began in our church) will celebrate ten years of service to our community. All church members are invited to the annual meeting in Gilpatric Hall, starting at 7 PM. The original organizers will be honored, as well as the wonderful volunteers who make this service possible. Noted NH humorist and story-teller, Rebecca Rule, will also speak. Come and help celebrate this milestone.
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Yard Sale
Please think about items you may be able to contribute to the yard sale next Saturday, May 17th from 9 AM - 2 PM (set up at 8 AM) Due to limited storage space, please bring items to the church early on the morning of the 17th. If you have items that need to be picked up, please call the church office.
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Family Game Night
Come one and come all! On Saturday, May 17th, we want the whole church family to come for a POT LUCK SUPPER at 5:30 PM and then clear the tables to make room for our favorite games.
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Student Recognition Sunday
On May 18th, our children and youth will lead worship as they wrap up a year of Church-School activities. We will begin the morning with a PANCAKE BREAKFAST from 8-9:30 AM, which will benefit our two sponsored students in
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NH Conference Annual Meetings
Plan to attend the annual gathering of NH UCCers to be held at
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PENTECOST After His resurrection Jesus was able for forty days to appear often to His disciples to continue to teach and train and prepare them. On Ascension Day, Jesus was lifted up out of their midst and rose into the clouds to take His place near the throne of God. The disciples were left afraid and alone, not knowing how they were to continue the works that Jesus had talked about. But at the same time, they were filled with joy, because they had a glimpse of Jesus’ glory. Remember that Jesus’ death and resurrection occurred at the time of the Jewish Passover. Fifty days after the Passover was the Jewish festival of Pentecost-- the Jewish day of thanksgiving for all God’s blessings and for the harvest. Many people from all parts of the known world had gathered in Suddenly, as they were gathered together, there was a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind. The disciples saw flames descend from Heaven and rest on the head of each of them. They had become filled with the Holy Spirit and were filled with knowledge and strength and power. They went out and the many people heard them speaking, each in the language of their homeland -- what an incredible miracle! People came from all around to hear them proclaim the greatness of God and the power and grace of Jesus Christ. They had received exactly what Jesus had promised -- the joy and peace and the power to carry on Christ’s mission. The day of Pentecost is the day that the Christian church was actually born. It was the day that the DISCIPLES turned into APOSTLES. A “disciple” is a learner, one who is being trained-- all those who follow Jesus are considered His disciples. An “apostle” is one who is being sent-- those twelve original disciples (the eleven that Jesus chose plus Matthias who was chosen to fill Judas’ place) were being sent into the world to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to teach others. In a sense, all Christians need to move from being learners to being workers, sent into the world to carry out specific tasks. The mark of “graduation” is the receiving of the Holy Spirit -- that free gift from God, available to each and every Christian. Pentecost Sunday is the beginning of a whole long church season of Pentecost, where the emphasis is on our response to God’s great plan for us and for our world. How will YOU respond?