LYNNHAVEN COLONY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 2217 W. GREAT NECK RD VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23451 757-481-7674 LCCCUCC.ORG

WORDS FOR REFLECTION

"Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls."Mother Teresa, 20th century

Drawing by Tiffany Weaver

October 15, 2017 Rev. Jim Christopher Liturgist: Debi Wacker

PRELUDE   Pastorale On An Old Hymn Van D. Thompson

WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTSLeader: Peace be with you!People: And also with you!

INTROIT Sing Hallelujah

CALL TO WORSHIP (inspired by Psalm 23)Leader: In the darkest valley,People: at the banquet table;Leader: in the hard work of life,People: at the moments of ease;Leader: in our day-to-day reality,People: at times set aside–Leader: like this time, now–People: for worship, for listening, for paying attention;Leader: with every step we take:People: goodness and mercy follow us; our cups overflow.

*HYMN God of Grace & God of Glory #464

*OPENING PRAYERALL: Living God, at times you seem so distant; help us know you are near. At times we stray; welcome us home. Standing in your presence, we know there are other people we could be with; help us bridge the gap between your presence and the people we love. We pray in the name of Christ who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Hal-le Ha-le Hal-le-lu-jaHal-le Ha-le Hal-le-lu-jaHal-le Ha-le Hal-le-lu-jaHal-le-lu-ja, Hal-le-lu-ja

STEWARDSHIP MOMENT Paul & Judy Masoner

ANTHEM Thanks Be to God

SCRIPTURE John 6:1-14 (The Voice)Once this had transpired, Jesus made His way to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (which some these days call the Sea of Tiberias). As Jesus walked, a large crowd pursued Him hoping to see new signs and miracles; His healings of the sick and lame were garnering great attention.  Jesus went up a mountain and found a place to sit down and teach. His disciples gathered around.  The celebration of the Passover, one of the principal Jewish feasts, would take place soon.  But when Jesus looked up, He could see an immense crowd coming toward Him. Jesus approached Philip.Jesus (to Philip): Where is a place to buy bread so these people may eat? Jesus knew what He was planning to do, but He asked Philip nonetheless. He had something to teach, and it started with a test.Philip:  I could work for more than half of a year and still not have the money to buy enough bread to give each person a very small piece.Andrew, the disciple who was Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up.Andrew:  I met a young boy in the crowd carrying five barley loaves and two fish, but that is practically useless in feeding a crowd this large.Jesus:  Tell the people to sit down.They all sat together on a large grassy area. Those counting the people reported approximately 5,000 men—not including the women and children—sitting in the crowd.  Jesus picked up the bread, gave thanks to God, and passed it to everyone. He repeated this ritual with the fish. Men, women, and children all ate until their hearts were content.  When the people had all they could eat, He told the disciples to gather the leftovers.Jesus: Go and collect the leftovers, so we are not wasteful. They filled 12 baskets with fragments of the five barley loaves.  After witnessing this sign that Jesus did, the people stirred in conversation.Crowd: This man must be the Prophet God said was coming into the world.

SERMON Rev. Jim Christopher

PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLEThe 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.Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

OFFERING

OFFERTORY Cantilena G. E. Goltermann

*SONG OF THANKSGIVING Come, Ye Thankful People, Come (v.3) #718These to thee, our God, we owe, source whence all our blessings flow;And for these our souls shall raise grateful vows and solemn praise.Come, then, thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.

*BLESSING OF OFFERING

*HYMN Hallelujah (music by Leonard Cohen, lyrics anonymous)Congregation will sing the chorus(“hallelujah...”), with verses sung by Dean Englert.

*BENEDICTION

*POSTLUDE Postlude G. G. Blake

WORSHIPAs you enter for worship, please remember to silence your cell phones. We understand the use of cell phones and encourage you to check in to LCCC on Facebook!  We even have our bulletins digitally available now on our website (under worship - bulletins - then click on today's date). However, out of respect to others in worship, we do ask that you silence your phones.  Thank you!

The flowers on the altar are given with many blessings to these friends of mine who are having health problems. I have enjoyed their love and friendship here at LCCC and pray they will get better soon. Special prayers for Vesta Cruser, Mary Floyd, Mardell Bonney, and Ann and Norris Murrell. With all my love and prayers, Cherry.

Today's Greeters:  Cynthia and Bill Burleson. Bill and Cynthia came to Virginia Beach after living 60 years in a small town in New Hampshire (still adjusting to Virginia Beach!).   Bill is retired from the New Hampshire Air National Guard, but still works part-time in his daughter and son-in-law's business.  Cynthia is retired from working retail. They like boating, travel and spending time with their family herein Virginia Beach.

Prayer Requests: Hospitalized: Bonnie Dinges (In Rehab)Recovering at Home: Jeanellen Rhudy’s father who had a stroke. Ed Hampshire; Diane Spayd; Jean Knowles, who recently fell; Vesta Cruser with pneumonia Continuing treatment/care : John Simpson, brother Randy battling cancer; The Woods family, neighbors of Erin Cashin whose son is suffering serious complications from a fall; Glenn and Mary Floyd; Penny Henderson’s sister Sue; Richard Burwell; Tracy Halman’s nephew, Danny Bowling, who has leukemia; Frank Harrison, father of Tracey Halman who is recovering from a stroke; Tammy Uren; Dean Englert’s brother Denny; All our loved ones battling cancer; Jean Holcombe’s sister with cancer; the Bro family (extended family member diagnosed with cancer)Others : Jean Holcombe’s son; For the safety and well-being of all service members, past and present, and their families; and all those confined to home or other facilities; Megan Crain’s niece Teresa; Gordon Bray and Abby Rathbone who are friends of Karen Muldoon; Jill Sprunt, aunt of Jane Greer; Mary Floyd with the loss of her son Glenn

WELCOME!Welcome! You are welcome here! We’re so glad you’ve come to Lynnhaven Colony Congregational Church, United Church of Christ. If you’d like to let us know more about you or to receive our newsletter, please fill out the card in the pew and put it in the offering plate. Thank you! Please find us on Facebook and check out our website for updated information www.lcccucc.org

We, the members of Lynnhaven Colony Congregational Church, join together as a community of service for the purposes of worship, spiritual growth, and interacting with others as loving human beings, using the example set by Jesus as our guide. Although we are many members, we are one community.  As such, we are called to love one another, to do justice, to offer freedom from oppression, and to walk humbly in our understanding of God.  We are an open and affirming church, embracing diversity and affirming the dignity and worth of every person.  We welcome into full membership and participation in this community of service persons of every race, language, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, mental ability, socio-economic status, marital status, and faith background.  We welcome all people as they are, without reservation, to share in the full life, leadership, ministry and fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, and blessings of participation in our congregation. The ideals we hold most dear are expressed in the two greatest commandments ascribed to Jesus:   to love God with all your being and to love your neighbor as yourself. 

OFFICE INFORMATIONPastor Kim's office hours this week Pastor Kim will be out of town October 12-20.

The church office is usually open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am-1pm. Information and announcements for the weekly Sunday bulletin are due by the preceding Wednesday. Monthly newsletter articles are due by the 24th of the month.

EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS Adult Christian Education -9:00 AM – The adult Sunday school class The Wired Word meets in the church office.Progressive Pints – 7-8pm Mondays at Pleasure House Brewing; this series theme: modernity & how it interacts with our faith.Living the Questions – Offered periodically after worship. Science/Religion Discussion Series – Sundays 7pm in Community Center through Nov 19thYouth and Children – 9am Every Sunday: Children’s Sunday School meets in Community Center; Teen Class

meets in the Ramborger Chapel.

FELLOWSHIP This week fellowship is hosted by: Women’s FellowshipNext week fellowship is hosted by: Fellowship & CommunicationThe Next Potluck is Nov 12

SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, October 22nd, after worship, we will host a speaker from the Transgender Advocacy Speakers Bureau. This will be a time to facilitate conversations about life stories, while providing a forum for participants to engage in a question-and-answer dialogue. It has been advertised in the local paper, so we may welcome visitors from the community for this discussion.

OTHERThank you to all who donated supplies to the disaster relief buckets!

We would like to take this opportunity to invite you and all members of the Lynnhaven Colony Congregational Church to our annual Fall Festival. The festival will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017 from 10am-6pm. In addition, we welcome all vendors and persons who are interested in selling homemade items, art, and other merchandise.  To help make our festival successful this year, we also need volunteers who can draw, oversee game tables and help with other children’s activities. Our festival will be held inside the community center as well as outside on the grounds of the child development center. Our theme this year is “The Wild, Wild West” and some featured activities include Teeny Tiny Petting Zoo, Face Painting, Mini Hayrides by Wagon and much, much more. If you can volunteer, please contact Vanessa Boone at 757-481-2909. As we come together, we look forward to an evening of fellowship and fun." - Vanessa Boone, CDC Director

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sunday, 10/15/17 9:00 am Adult Sunday School (The Wired Word) in office9:00 am Children’s & Teens’ Classes10:00 am Worship- Rev Jim Christopher preaching11:00 am Fellowship7:00 pm Science/Religion Discussion

Monday, 10/16/17

Tuesday, 10/1717 10:00 am Yoga7:00 pm Church council

Wednesday, 10/18/1710:00 am Art Dabblers7:00 pm Choir7:00 pm Community Center Rental

Thursday, 10/19/17

Friday, 10/20/17

Saturday, 10/21/17

Sunday, 10/12/17 9:00 am Adult Sunday School (The Wired Word) in office9:00 am Children’s & Teens’ Classes10:00 am Worship11:00 am Fellowship7:00 pm Science/Religion Discussion

Last Sunday’s offeringRegular Contributions: $2455.00Amount needed weekly to reach budget goal $ 2327.00Special offerings: $Amount needed weekly to reach budget goal $346.00Capital Improvement Fund total contributions: $34,000

Dear Church Family;I will be returning to Haiti November 12-18th with iTot, the International Therapy Outreach Team. I am happy to tell you that Jordan Washnieski will be going along for the first time.  We will travel to many of the 12 classrooms serving children with disabilities, issue wheelchairs and equipment for those who need it, and provide some instruction to the teachers on ways to integrate therapy into the curriculum.  In addition, we will be meeting and mentoring some of the rescued Restavic children, those who have been rescued from domestic and sexual slavery in Haiti. They are now being housed in an orphanage at the church I stay at.  Please keep us in your prayers.  If you would like to make a donation on our behalf, we are each raising $1550.00 for the trip.  The address to send it (tax deductible) is:

International Therapy Outreach Teams (iTot)c/o Dawn WeidemoyerPO Box 744Sellersville, PA 18960attn:  Sara Smiley/ Jordan Washnieski; HaitiTHANK YOU!