(** The people will rise in body or spirit.)

August 26, 2018 • 10 a.m.

Prelude “Les Misérables” Medley Victoria Shields arr. Lindsey Stirling and Jason Gaviati

Welcome Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza

** Exchange of Peace

** Opening Hymn Here in This Place

** Invocation

Time of Honesty and Reflection Rev. Kibbie Laird

Confession

Silence

Assurance of Forgiveness

One: In the name of Jesus the Christ, you are forgiven!

All: In the name of Jesus the Christ, you are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

First Lesson Acts 2:38-47

Modern Lesson Do You Hear the People Sing? Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg; Lyrics by Alain Boublil, Jean-Marc Natel, & Herbert Kretzmer

** Gospel Lesson Luke 15:1-10

One: Please rise in body or spirit in reverence to the words of Jesus.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church

All: We listen for a word from God:

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the

scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them

this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the

ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it,

he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and

neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you,

there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons

who need no repentance. “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not

light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls

together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’

Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

One: Hear this ancient witness from yesterday.

All: May the Word become flesh in us today!

** Gloria Glory to God Paul M. Vasile

Special Music Bring Him Home Rev. Chris Tate Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg; Lyrics by Alain Boublil, Jean-Marc Natel, & Herbert Kretzmer

Sermon Les Misérables: The Sermon

** Hymn of Response Amazing Grace #280

Tithes and Offerings

Offertory Castle on a Cloud Henry Tate Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg; Lyrics by Alain Boublil, Jean-Marc Natel, & Herbert Kretzmer

Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Jesus Christ and in God grow,

Alleluia, Alleluia!

Praise to the Holy Spirit give,

That we with God in love may live.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Prayers of the People

The Prayer of Jesus from The New Zealand Book of Common Prayer

Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father

and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven: May the hallowing of your name echo

through the universe! May the way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world! Your

heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain

our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb

from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and testing, strengthen us. From trials too

great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of

the power that is love, Now and forever. Amen.

** Closing Song Do You Hear the People Sing? (Please see insert.) Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg; Lyrics by Alain Boublil, Jean-Marc Natel, & Herbert Kretzmer

** Benediction

** Response Do You Hear the People Sing?

When the beating of your heart

Echoes the beating of the drums

There is a life about to start

When tomorrow comes!

** Ringing the Church Bell

Postlude “Final” from Symphony No. 1, Op. 14 Louis Vierne

All are invited to enjoy a continental breakfast and time of community hosted by the deacons

on the back terrace off the common room, which is down the hall and on the left.

Here in this Place Text and Music: Mary Haugen, 1979 GIA Publications; Glory to God, traditional liturgical

text, adapted by Paul M. Vasile (2008), music: Paul M. Vasile (2008); Amazing Grace, tune: Virginia

Harmony, 1831, text: John Newton, 1779; Doxology, text: Brian Wren, (1989), tune: Lasst uns Erfreuen;

CCLI # 11412435

TODAY AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NEW CANAAN

Welcome to the service of worship for the Lord’s Day. Summer worship continues through

September 2. Many of us are traveling or living elsewhere for the summer, but, if all who are in town

will make an effort to be here each Sunday, we can have an amazing spiritual adventure. Services,

which, as always, begin at 10 a.m., will be a bit more relaxed, so you can dress more comfortably.

We are going to practice laughing and loving in the presence of God each week. Parents of infants

through age four are encouraged to take their children to the nursery school classrooms during

worship. Students in PreK and up remain in worship with their families. Activity packets are

available in the back of the church. All are invited to join us following worship at 11:15 a.m. for a

continental breakfast provided by our deacons on the terrace located off the common room, which is

down the hall and to the left.

Greeters: Carole Clarkson Worship Coordinator: Nancy Flournoy

Ushers: Margaret Cooper and Paul Martin Refreshments: Kristen Rodgers

The flowers on the chancel this morning are given by Dede and Jim Bartlett in gratitude for their

wonderful family. If you wish to have flowers in the sanctuary to celebrate an anniversary, a baptism, a

birthday, or to memorialize a beloved family member or friend, please contact Barbara Wentzel, Flower

Coordinator, at 203-966-5402 or barbarawentzel@mac.com.

The Beatitudes of Broadway This morning, we continue our sermon series “The

Beatitudes of Broadway” with Interim Pastor Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza’s all-time

favorite musical, “Les Misérables.” (He says he knows all the words, but he

promises to leave the singing to Rev. Christ Tate and his son Henry.) The series

closes next Sunday, September 2, with Associate Pastor Rev. Kibbie Laird’s

exploration of the spiritual lessons in the Lerner and Loewe classic “My Fair Lady,”

which she had the pleasure to see at Lincoln Center earlier this week. Rev. Laird also

will share stories from our summer mission trips. Please be sure to follow our Facebook page

(facebook.com/FPCNC) and our Instagram feed (FPCNC) for ways you can invite your family and

friends to join you in worship throughout the series.

Digital Evangelism We invite you to become a “digital evangelist” by taking a

moment now, before silencing or turning off your smartphone, to check in on Swarm

and Facebook. Leave a tip or thought about what First Presbyterian Church of New

Canaan means to you. Snap a picture of the sanctuary, or a selfie of you and your family

or friends, and post it to Instagram and use #FPCNC, or send a Tweet, perhaps

something like, Do you hear the people sing? Join me in worship at 10 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church

of #NewCanaan to explore the spiritual lessons in #LesMiserables, part of The #Beatitudes of #Broadway.

#FPCNC This afternoon, if you have not already, be sure to “Like” our Facebook page

(facebook.com/FPCNC) and follow us on Instagram (FPCNC). Then, as you ponder the sermon, take a

moment to post an idea to your page that challenged or uplifted you, letting your friends know they

can join you in worship next Sunday at 10 a.m. Someone who sees it is sure to need a word of grace.

See how easy it is to offer one?

NEWS & NOTES

End-of-Summer BBQ It’s the last gasp of summer, so please join us for an end-of-summer BBQ THIS

Tuesday, August 28, from 5-7:30 p.m. EVERYONE is invited to enjoy a night of fellowship and fun.

There will be outdoor games for the kids, music on the back patio, and a casual supper, including

hamburgers, hotdogs, and other picnic foods. Kids, be sure to bring your backpacks for a special

“Blessing of the Backpacks” before you head back to school. If you did not receive an invitation via email

and need to RSVP, please PRINT the keywords: BBQ RSVP in the comments section of our new red

registration pads. (Please also make sure we have your correct email address by printing that as well.)

Homecoming Sunday No matter how far you traveled, and no matter how

many worship services you were able to attend this summer, we will welcome

you back on Homecoming Sunday, September 9, with open arms. Invite

your neighbors, friends, and those whom you haven’t seen in a while to join

you. We’ll feast together on worship at 10 a.m. and then share a meal in

preparation for what promises to be a transformational season. Our theme

this fall will be reVision: Discovering Our Transformational Purpose! In worship and in small groups,

we will explore the vision and mission of our church and our lives as individuals.

Buildings & Grounds Although many of us have spent at least part of the summer elsewhere, the

buildings and grounds crews have been hard at work this season. Some of our efforts may go

unobserved, but one in particular will be highly visible! Longtime members may recognize the “new”

paint color currently being applied by our fantastic crew from KP Painting. After careful and in-depth

review and consideration by our design team, we are honoring the original intent of the

sanctuary architect, Philip Ives, by returning the exterior woodwork to its original rich, dark, natural

“stain.” Ives intended the sanctuary to be an expression of the natural state of the materials employed

and, to that end, used dark stained redwood for the exterior woodwork. The dark stain also renders a

palette more in line with the modern, dramatic, and angular design of our sanctuary. Take a look at the

dark stained wooden cross on the chancel, and you will understand how Ives gave critical consideration

to the use of natural material and how all elements in his design interrelated. The building and grounds

team views this decision as an expression of our dedication to First Presbyterian Church of New

Canaan’s original and ongoing mission to be bold and steadfast in our beliefs and our intent to make

a positive difference in our world. The return to the original, more natural finish may be a shock for

some, but we hope the improvement to the building will be welcomed by all and that, on Homecoming

Sunday, September 9, we all can celebrate the upgrade together!

New Canaan Food Pantry: Items in need now due to low/no stock are canned stew, canned fruits,

pancake mix (add water only), coffee, applesauce, cookies, crackers, apple juice, small laundry detergent,

white rice, canned pasta (e.g. Chef Boyardee), baby wipes, and size 6 diapers. No beans or soup are

needed at this time. Please drop these items in the shopping cart at the back of the sanctuary, and we

will deliver them to the New Canaan Food Pantry.

Summer Office Hours: Through August 31, the church office will be open Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-

4 p.m. and on Fridays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Cents-Ability On Sunday, August 5, we collected $164.21 for Cents-Ability, a

program of Presbyterian Mission. We invite worshipers of all ages in our

congregation to contribute a few cents at every meal to be donated at our monthly

collection, a small first step in fighting hunger and poverty. This simple act is an

expression of thanks for what we have received and a commitment to share with

others in response to Jesus’ command, “You give them something to eat.” When

members bring their offerings to church on the appointed Sunday, the coins “make a joyful noise unto

the Lord” as they are received and dedicated. Our total collection since we began Cents-Ability in

November 2011 is $19,415. If you would like more information or need a Cents-Ability cup, please

call the church office at 203-966-0002. Our next collection is NEXT Sunday, September 2.

No Gift Too Small! The Bell Tower Society, which allows members of the community and our

congregation to bequeath enduring statements of faith, welcomes gifts and bequests of all sizes. Every

dollar given makes a difference in serving the long-term welfare of our church. If you have questions

about remembering the church in your estate plans, please contact our acting office administrator, Jim

Beall, in the church office at 203-966-0002.

DEACON MINISTRIES

Baptisms: The deacons at FPCNC help to welcome the families of children or adults being baptized.

This is a ministry of welcome, hospitality, and care. One of our deacons will welcome the family on the

chosen Sunday, help them get comfortable in the common room, let them know that the minister will

meet with them before the service begins, and direct them where to sit in the sanctuary. They also help

by taking photos for the family and for the church office. If you would like to learn more about baptisms,

please do not hesitate to speak with the pastor or contact the church office for further information.

Memorial Services: Assistance for memorial receptions is a central ministry of service for the deacons

at FPCNC. Given the grief and stress on families and the planning needed for a reception, the deacons

share in the responsibility to assist at these events. Deacons work through the church office in reaching

out to the family to ask how they can be of assistance with any reception set up, food and beverages,

and other important details. Deacons assist during memorial services to help ensure the family receives

the support and help they need. To learn more about memorial services, please speak with our pastor

or inquire at the church office.

Stewardship: Thank you all so much for your GREAT response to the recent appeal from Associate

Pastor Rev. Kibbie Laird and Clerk of the Session Scott Beyer. Many of you already stepped up and

generated incremental and new pledges and gifts. We’re incredibly grateful to the families and

individuals who so quickly contributed an additional $81,000, bringing us up to $763,000. This puts us

within reach of our $800,000 goal for the 2018 operating budget. We’re not quite there yet, however,

and great First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan programs and services are still in jeopardy. If there’s

any way you can consider an additional pledge for 2018, please contact the church office at 203-966-

0002 to be put in touch with Barbara Wentzel, our stewardship chair, or Armin Thies. You also may visit

fpcnc.org/stewardship to pledge or donate electronically TODAY! Every donation and pledge are a

blessing to this congregation and its mission, as are you.

THIS WEEK AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

178 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, CT 06840

203-966-0002 / fpcnc.org

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26

10 a.m. Worship Service

with Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza

11:15 a.m. Continental Breakfast and

Fellowship

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28

10 a.m. Leadership Team meeting

5 p.m. Back to School blessing & dinner

8 p.m. Men’s A.A.

SATURDAY, September 1

9:15 a.m. A.A. (closed)

10:30 a.m. A.A. (open)

SUNDAY, September 2

10 a.m. Holy Communion

with Rev. Kibbie Laird

11:15 a.m. Blood Pressure Clinic

11:15 a.m. Continental Breakfast and

Fellowship

OUR MINISTERS

The Entire Congregation

OUR PASTORS

The Rev. Dr. Michael S. Piazza, Interim Pastor

The Rev. Kathryn Kibbie Laird, Associate Pastor

The Rev. Mary Marple Thies, Parish Associate

The Rev. Christopher G. Tate, Parish Associate

OUR STAFF

Victoria Shields, Director of Music / Sherry Tate, Cherub Choir director

Jim Beall, Acting Church Administrator / Tina St. Armand, Office Manager

Erika Hagan, Administrative Assistant to Children and Youth Ministries

Edgar Torres, Day Sexton / Jonathan Roos and Kate Stringfellow, Operations Managers

The Rev. T. Guthrie Speers, Jr., Pastor Emeritus / Mrs. Marilyn J. Ballantine, Minister of Music Emerita

Let us keep in our thoughts and prayers: Continued concerns: Catherine Armstrong; Grace Chung;

Graham Harden; Bob Jackson; William Boyd Kegg (son of Kip and Mike Farrell); Vince Lombardi; Jim

Mierendorf; The Stricos family (friends of Joe and Diana Ruszkowski); The Abo Noktah family (our

Syrian refugees): father Khaldoun, mother Khawla Alzob, daughters Hanin and Zain, and sons Yaman

and Ahmed.