Twenty-second Sunday after PentecostAll Saints Sunday5 November 200610 o’clock in the morning

Welcome to this Service of Worship at First CongregationalChurch. May the theme of our worship become a source of strength and service, as we are “Growing Gifts with God.” In the words of that extraordinary octogenarian, Buckminster Fuller,

“You and all others arehere for the sake

of others.Whether you care to be or not,

you are the custodianof a vital resource.”

First Congregational Church of Greenwich declares itself to be open and affirming; open to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment, and affirming of all who wish to join us as children of God. We continue to give thanks for God's guidance in our journey of faith.

PREPARING FOR WORSHIP

*All who are able please stand‡Seating of latecomers

PRELUDE Cheryll Hadley, organ

Allegretto in A George Frideric Handel

CALL TO COMMUNITY Dr. David D. Young

Please sign and pass the red book.

PRAISING GOD

CALL TO WORSHIP

*OPENING HYMN AND PROCESSION Lord, You Give the Great Commission(See back of bulletin)

OPENING PRAYER (in unison)You have called us into your church, O God, to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to serve you in serving the human family, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil. In gratitude we accept your call, we praise your holy name, and we testify to your loving deeds. Amen.

CONFESSING TO GOD

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison)We have promisedto live as your people, God.Yet we must confesswe often fail you and one another,we do not honor each other,we do not work together to your glory,we too often refuse your cry for helpin the voice of the poor, the hungry, the homeless,

We are unfaithfulto the trust you place in us.Merciful God, receive us as we areand forgive us.Encourage us with your loveand renew in us your right Spirit.Through the grace you show usin Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

‡CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSEAlleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

HEARING GOD'S WORD

FIRST LESSON Maryan Ainsworth

Philippians 2: 5-11et the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God,did not regard equality with Godas something to be exploited, but emptied himself,taking the form of a slave,being born in human likeness.And being found in human form, he humbled himselfand became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.

L

Therefore God also highly exalted himand gave him the namethat is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesusevery knee should bend,in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confessthat Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father.

SCRIPTURE ANTHEM The Children’s Choir, Nancy McLarnan,

accompanist, The

Palmer HandbellsPraise the Lord Who Reigns Above Jody W. Lindh

Praise the Lord who reigns above, And rules the earth below; Praise the holy God of love And all God’s greatness show;

Praise God for great and noble deeds,Praise God for power and love adored;Praise God from whom all good proceeds, Let all things praise the Lord.

Celebrate the eternal God With harp and psaltery, Timbrels soft and cymbals loud In this high praise agree;

Praise with every tuneful string; All the reach of heavenly art, All the powers of music bring, The music of the heart. Charles Wesley, alt., based on Psalm 150

SECOND LESSON

Luke 9: 18-25nce when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked

them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’ They answered, ‘John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered, ‘The Messiah of God.’

O

He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, ‘The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’

Then he said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?

‡*HYMNPilgrim Hymnal 404 to the tune VIENNA

Take My Life and Let It Be (The Pastor’s Class and Sixth Grade leave for their classes)

SERMON “An Empty Investment” Dr.

David D. Young

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

We believe in God,Who has created and is creating,Who has come in the true person, Jesus

to reconcile and make new,Who works in us and others by the Holy

Spirit.

We trust God.God calls us to be the church:

To celebrate Christ’s presence,To love and serve others,To seek justice and resist evil,To proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,

our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death,God is with us.

We are not alone.Thanks be to God. Amen. United Church of Canada A New Creed

*Gloria Patri (Pilgrim Hymnal 513 )Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

RESPONDING TO GOD

CALL TO OFFERING Rev. Ronald E. Halvorsen

OFFERTORY ANTHEM The Chancel Choir

Give Us the Wings of Faith Ernest BullockGive us the wings of faith to rise

Within the veil, and see The Saints above, how great their joys,

How bright their glories be. We ask them whence their victory came,

They, with one united breath, Ascribe the conquest to the Lamb,

Their triumph to his death. They marked the footsteps that he trod,

His zeal inspired their breast; And, following their incarnate God,

They reached the promised rest. (Isaac Watts)

*Doxology (Pilgrim Hymnal 515)Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

*Prayer of Dedication

In Memoriam

SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER (seated)Prayer of Consecration

Serving of the Bread and CupIn the tradition of our church, let us partake of the bread as it is served, remembering our individual uniqueness in the eyes of God and our diversity within the Body of Christ. Let us hold the cup until all have been served, remembering our oneness with God and our unity in the Body of Christ.

During communion The Chancel Choir will sing two stanzas of “O God of All Your People Past,” New Century Hymnal 374.

Prayer of Thanksgiving (in unison)We thank you, Lord, for inviting us to this table where we have known the presence of Christ and have received Christ’s gifts. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and let us show forth your praise in our lives. We celebrate our unity with the world community of faith as we have been renewed at Christ’s table and we join now in the universal prayer he taught us, saying. . .

LORD'S PRAYER 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.

GOING FORTH TO SERVE GOD

*CLOSING HYMN AND PROCESSIONPilgrim Hymnal 306 to the tune SINE NOMINE

For All the Saints

*CLOSING SENTENCES Leader: The service we render to others

is really the rent we payfor our room on earth.

People: It is obvious that we are travelers;that the purpose of this world

Is not “to have and to hold” but “to give and to serve”.

Leader: Human need in all its dimensionis the swinging door

into the innermost life of another.

People: They who come to do good knock at the gate;

They who love find the door open.

Wilfred Grenfell/Howard Thurman/Rabindranath Tagore

*BENEDICTION

*BENEDICTION RESPONSE

POSTLUDE With Praise and Thanksgiving Lani Smith

The flowers in the Meetinghouse today are given in memory of our former members by the Chancel Committee.

Deacons Serving Communion: Larry Haviland, Sheila Bennett, Tina Birkic, Alison Cox, Barbara Davidson, Dale Myer, Angela Stevens, and Andy TaylorUshers: Peter Flierl, Daren Beurer, Shirley Flierl, Bobbi Hopkins, Rich Hopkins, and Peter Schay.

Greeters and Coffee Hour Hosts: Tina Birkic, Shirley Flierl, Ron Klingner, Paul Kretschmann, and Enid Norris.Flower Delivery: Ruth Lindegren

Words: Jeffery Rowthorn, © 1978, Hope Publishing Co.; Music: Cyril V. Taylor, © 1942, 1970, Hope Publishing Co.Reprinted under OneLicence.net A-708958

CalendarTODAYChurch School Worship in the Daniels Center before class for Kindergarten - 5th Grades. Sixth Grade will meet in the Auditorium beginning at 10 AM. Pastors' Class begins in the Meetinghouse. All classes meet until 11:15 AM. Child Care for babies and toddlers is available in the Undercroft.

Flu Vaccine Clinic Flu shots will be available to people at least 18 years of age, for a fee of $25, from 9:00 to 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, in Room 203.  Please bring payment of cash or check (made out to FCCOG).  Medicare recipients may wish to get their shot at a Town of Greenwich clinic, as Medicare will cover it.  Pregnant women, and young people under the age of 18 should see their private physicians.  The Wellness Committee thanks you for your cooperation. 

Author Mary Durland will be doing a book signing during Coffee Hour. Both “Mr. Thank You So Muchly”, a story about friendship set in Binney Park, and “What Are YOU Doing Today?” a book to spark creativity in children’s playtime will be available. Mrs. Durand very generously wishes to donate 20% of her sales here at First Church to the Church School.

JPF 5 - 6 PM Room 103

SPF 6:30 - 8 PM Room 103

THIS WEEKRemembering Your Story, facilitated by Rev. Ron Halvorsen for residents of Edgehill who are members of First Church continues Tues Nov 7th 4:00 – 5:15 PM at Edgehill. This is the last session.

“Getting Oriented to Enlighten the Christian Faith” Tues Nov 7th 7:15-8:30 PM in the Church Lounge. A DVD/discussion series facilitated by Marty Berlin. A repeat of same material covered on Sun Nov 5th. Please plan to arrive promptly, so as not to miss any material, however come late if you must, and come to any and/or all of the dates. For further details about the series please refer to your Adult Education Booklet.

Children’s Choir Wed Nov 8th 5 - 6 PM in the Choir Room

Women's Fellowship Fall Brunch will be held on Thursday, November 9 from 9:30 - 11:00 AM to celebrate the upcoming wedding of our sexton, Lilliam Mora. Invitations have been mailed to all women of the congregation. We hope you will join together for this joyous occasion. RSVP to the office by November 6. There is no charge for the brunch.

Hats Off will be attending the Fall Brunch

Chancel Choir rehearsal Thurs Nov 9th 7:30 - 9:00 PM

Call for Pumpkins and Baskets The Chancel Committee encourages you to bring pumpkins, baskets, and harvest decorations into the church office this week. These will be used to decorate the Meetinghouse for Harvest Sunday.NEXT SUNDAY“Getting Oriented to Enlighten the Christian Faith” 8:30-9:45 AM in the Church Lounge. A DVD/discussion series facilitated by Marty Berlin. Material will be repeated on Tues Nov 14th 7:15-8:30 PM. Please plan to arrive promptly, so as not to miss any material, however come late if you must, and come to any and/or all of the dates. For further details about the series please refer to your Adult Education Booklet.

Meeting For ALL Church School Teachers in the Daniels Center from 11:20 - Noon. Refreshments and Child Care will be provided.

Medicare Part D Second Hour Medicare Part D open enrollment begins in November, and Sam Deibler, Director of the Greenwich Commission on Aging, will be here November 12 to update us on the latest developments.

NEWS AND NOTICES

Purchase your tickets today at Coffee Hour! See Pilgrim Towers Board

member Sherry Myer!Want to support Pilgrim Towers and go on

a shopping spree? Purchase a $5.00 ticket to Stamford’s Lord & Taylor Benefit Bash! The $5.00 goes directly to Pilgrim Towers and you can shop all day Wednesday, November 15th using a one-time 20% discount card, a 15% off Savings Card and enjoy a list of hourly events! This year, you can pre-select your purchases on Nov. 11th to be rung

up on the day of the Benefit Bash-then come by and pick them up that day!

First Church is one of the founding churches of Pilgrim Towers, which remains the only low-income housing unit for senior citizens with an on-site social worker in Stamford. First Church supports Pilgrim Towers through the Outreach Committee, Women’s Fellowship, and providing volunteer Board members!

The Women's Fellowship Board urges you to complete a very important and easy survey regarding the future mission of Women’s Fellowship between now and December 1st. Simply log on to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=504682523218 to complete the survey online or pick one up in the Office today.

Christmas gifts for H.O.M.E. - The Christian Outreach Committee and the Church School 5th and 6th grades will be coordinating the collection of gifts from our Church School families. Gift tags will be available beginning Sunday, November 12 during coffee hour for each person who will receive our gifts. 

IN MEMORIAMALL SAINTS’ DAY 2006

Martha Rice FingerleDeen Dodge

ThompsonRenatta J. KeysWallace E. CardwellW. Kenneth LucasSylvia ConronJane CantwellArthur HagnerRaymond WilliamsonDulcie FairbanksSophie KulchuckJohn E. BuscherEdina SheeranWalter CrowleGordon BennettHarry Ralph SchrederJames E. Morris

Dorothy K. KeyesMillicent Addy Boyd

Schongalla (Penny)James John BriggsCaroline HodgeVirginia NickersonJohn W. BallardEmmett L. Mc Carthy Jr.Carolyn NickersonRuth LockwoodDr. Robert WyattDavid Woodbridge WaltonJames F. SmithSylvia TrussLinda Lorne MayJohn Edwin Dearden

GrunowWalter F. Hoffman