THE BRIARCLIFF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

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ORDER OF WORSHIPSunday, September 2, 2012 Twenty-second Sunday in

Ordinary Time

The Nursery, for infants and toddlers,is open, downstairs in the Stimson Room.

The flowers on the altar this morning are given by Beverly Aisenbrey, in memory of her parents, Al and

Evelyn Walker.

OUR WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP LEADERS TODAY:

Greeter: David and Ruth DykstraUshers: Ted Buerger, Martha Yergeau

Deacon of the Day/Reader: Jill BenzenbergDeacons: Jill Benzenberg, Mel Corbett

Sabbatical Pastor: Rev’d Dr. Martha JacobsLemonade Club: David and Jelane Caspar

Please join us following worshipfor fellowship and refreshments on the church

lawn.

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRISTBRIARCLIFF MANOR, NEW YORKWe demonstrate in worship, words and deeds our faithand commitment to Jesus Christ by sharing each others’ burdens and joys, by giving of our selves and resources,and by inviting others to join us as we seekto understand and realize the promises of God.

We are Open and AffirmingThe Rev. Dr. Bonnie Rosborough, PastorDr. Hui-Mei Lin, Director of MusicTelephone: 914.941.4368 www.briarcliffchurch.org email: church-office@briarcliffchurch.org

All who are able may rise where indicated by *

THE PRELUDE “Little Star” M.P. Mussorgsky

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP

THE COLLECTCreator God,You have loved us passionately into being. We come today seeking your presence and to know we are your beloved!Enter our sanctuary and enter our heartsthat we may look into your loving gaze and see ourselves reflected there, as you see us.Let our love for you reflect and mirror your perfect love.

* HYMN “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” No. 2

PRAYER OF CONFESSIONDear God, you call us to be doers of the Word, not hearers only. You call us to love the world with your passion, and to let that love be expressed in justice, forgiveness, peace.Forgive us when our hearts are constricted with fearand do not let your transforming grace open us to the world you cherish. Forgive us when we honor you only with our lips and not with our actions.

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MOMENTS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION AND PRAYER

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

* STATEMENT OF PRAISE “Gloria Patri” No. 35

* HYMN “Amazing Grace” No. 546

A LESSON FROM THE FIRST TESTAMENT Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

RESPONSORIAL PSALM No. 23, page 734, response #1

THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 12:28-31

THE MESSAGE “And”

THE OFFERTORY “Andante Spianato” F. Chopin * THE DOXOLOGY No. 46

* THE DEDICATION

* HYMN “Let Us Break Bread Together” page 5

~ THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION ~

THE INVITATIONThe congregation will please come forward and gather

around the communion table. Please bring your Order of Worship with you. Those who prefer to sit for the

sacrament are invited to use the front pews.

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYERGod be with you. And also with you.

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Lift up your hearts. We lift them to God.Let us give thanks to God Most High.It is right to give God thanks and praise.Holy God, our loving creator, close to us…entire family of your faithful people everywhere, saying:Holy, holy, holy God of love and majesty,the whole universe speaks of your glory, O God Most High.Blessed is the one who comes in the name of our God!Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!As brothers and sisters in faith…boldly what we believe:Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.Come, Holy Spirit, come…in all for whom Christ died. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR

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.

THE COMMUNIONThe elements will be passed among the congregation and both received by intinction when passed. Congregants are

invited to offer and receivethe elements with the words,

“The Body of Christ” or “The Bread of Heaven” and“The Blood of Christ” or “The Cup of Forgiveness.”

The cup contains unfermented grape juice.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVINGWe give thanks, Almighty God,

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that you have refreshed us at this table,in bread and cup and by the presence of our redeemer.Strengthen our faith, increase our love, deepen our witness.And keep us mindful of your presence with us as we go now,returning to our world in courage and peace to serve others in the name and spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.

* HYMN “How Great Thou Art” page 6

* THE BLESSING

THE POSTLUDE “Toccata” J. Pachelbel

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ANNOUNCEMENTSThis morning, after you catch up with your fellow BCCers and enjoy some lemonade and sweets, stop into the Eastman Room to see what our new website looks like! We will have it available to view so that people can see it clearly and begin to think about how it can be expanded as we get into our new church year. Some sections will still be “under construction” but the basics are there!

Volunteers Needed! If you would be willing to help with Gathering Sunday next Sunday, September 9, there is a need for two volunteers from 8:30-9:45 a.m. for setup and two volunteers from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. to help with the picnic. Please contact John Panagacos at 914-762-2941 johnpana01@gmail.com. Please put “VOLUNTEERS” in the subject line.

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M EN'S F ELLOWSHIP P ICNIC: SEPTEMBER 26th, 6 p.m.BRIARCLIFF PAVILION

(in the park next to the library)This will include a quick review of past events and what you can look forward to in this coming year. We have some catchy ideas to extend our program, include more members and broaden our scope of activities.In line with surprising new events, and as an added attraction, Pastor Tom Lenhart will start our affair with a mystery tasting of some very interesting liquids to liven up the social hour. The picnic will include hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken with chips and all the trimmings. Bring your own drinks or have some of the red wine remaining from last December’s dinner. It will be well-aged by now.With your help, we want to do everything possible to convince more of you to attend our events. Your preferences will help define how we move forward. We need all of you who believe this is a worthwhile organization to come and give us your thoughts. Though this is a men’s organization, wives (and significant others) are more than welcome at this event. Please bring them. There is no charge for the picnic, but donations are welcome. To plan properly, we need a head count. Please RSVP at the church office. Please do join us!

Get Your Acts Together! for the BCC Talent Show on Saturday, September 29th, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Beebe Hall. If you are interested in performing or helping with the show, please contact Fimi at huimeilin924@gmail.com.

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