Order of WorshipFirst Sunday after Epiphany January 7, 200710 o’clock in the morning

Welcome to this Service of Worship at First Congregational Church on this first Sunday after Epiphany. As we continue in this season which celebrates Christ’s revelation to the wise men, we also look for God’s continuing revelation in the living of our own lives. As Albert Einstein put it:

“True religion is real living; living with all one’s soul, with all one’s goodness and righteousness.”

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

PRELUDE Cheryll Hadley, organ Sortie George Blake

CALL TO COMMUNITY Dr. David D. Young

CALL TO THE 336TH ANNUAL MEETING Shirley Flierl

PRAISING GOD

CALL TO WORSHIP

*OPENING HYMN AND PROCESSION Praise to the Living God New Century Hymnal 8

to the tune DIADEMATA

OPENING PRAYERLoving God, we offer our prayer as people moving in faith, people striving to discern your will and your way, as taught to us by your son, to form a church responsive to the guiding of your Spirit. Inspire us to be a grateful church, one that comes to

a true appreciation of your abundant grace. Enable us to be a resourceful church, one that uses to your glory the abilities of all within it. Strengthen us to be a faithful church, one well aware that forgiveness requires change of heart, that peace takes the effort of building, and that righteousness leads in the direction of justice.

Finally, encourage us to be a hopeful church, one bold in the belief that a vision of your realm calls us to action within the world, even if sometimes uneasily. Through the life of your church, you connect those of us in this place with people throughout the earth. For this we offer our thanks and our praise. In Jesus’ name. Amen

CONFESSING TO GOD

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Loving God, Creator of all that is, we ask for the strength and wisdom to acknowledge that you are the Author of our lives, the sole authority that can lead us consistently in the ways of truth and love. Through our deeds, speak your Word to the world; through our prayers, attune us to the guiding voice of your Holy Spirit. We confess that we have succumbed to temptations. We have exalted our own desires and minimized the demands of discipleship. We have measured our success more by acquisitions than by commitments. We have defined neighbor in terms more restrictive than those used by Jesus. We have neglected to nurture the kind of curiosity essential to the maturing of belief. Forgive us, we pray. By your grace, renew us. With your compassion, equip us. Through your love empower us. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

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.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSEAlleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

HEARING GOD'S WORD

FIRST LESSON

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-15 Peter Schay

or everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal;a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh;a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose;a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew;a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate;a time for war, and a time for peace.

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What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover, He has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil. I know that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this, so that all should stand in awe before him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already is; and God seeks out what has gone by.

SCRIPTURE ANTHEM The Chancel Choir Go Not Far From Me, O Lord Nicola Zingarelli

Psalm 71: 7, 8, 10

SECOND LESSON Matthew 2: 16-18

hen Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and

around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’

Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22

s the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might

be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize

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you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

*SERMON HYMN We Cannot Own the Sunlit Sky New Century Hymnal 563

to the tune ENDLESS SONG

SERMON “What About Life?” Susan M. Craig

RESPONDING TO GOD

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

We believe in God, infinite in wisdom, goodness, and love, and in Jesus Christ, the Son, our Lord and Savior, who for us and our salvation lived, died, and rose again and lives evermore, and in the Holy Spirit, who takes the things of Christ and reveals them to us. We hold it to be the mission of the church of Christ to proclaim the gospel exalting the worship of God, and to labor for the progress of knowledge, the promotion of justice, and the reign of peace. Depending upon the continued guidance of the Holy Spirit we work and pray for the transformation of the world into the community of God. Amen. -- Adapted from “The Kansas City Statement”

*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.

CALL TO OFFERING

OFFERTORY ANTHEM The Chancel Choir Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies Harold Darke*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

SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER (seated)

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION

SERVING OF THE BREAD AND CUP

In 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.

UNISON PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Since, dear God, in this place, at this table, we have touched, we have tasted, and we have heard the signs of your love for us, grant that we may go away from this house filled with our love for you and overflowing with your love for those who are around us and who share our lives. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

GOING FORTH TO SERVE GOD

*CLOSING HYMN AND PROCESSION O for a World New Century Hymnal 575

to the tune AZMON

*CLOSING SENTENCES

Leader: God, may the day envisioned comePeople: When justice, peace, and joy for someLeader: Shall be for all, not just a few,People: Your reign in mercy coming true.

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE Echo Voluntary for Double Organ Henry Purcell______________________________________________________

Ushers: Ted Hoster and friendsDeacons Serving CommunionGreeters and Coffee Hour Hosts: Christian Outreach CommitteeFlower Delivery: Judy Gordon

The flowers in the Meetinghouse are given by Peter and Kitty Garlid to celebrate Kitty's 25 years of ordained ministry, and in loving memory of George Edward Morgan and Glenna Babbitt Morgan by their daughter Martha Morgan, granddaughter Emily M-R Bolmen, and great-grandchildren Isaac and Elizabeth Bolmen.._____________________________________________________TODAYChurch School resumes this morning with classes as usual. Childcare is also available.

Sunday Afternoons Live begins TODAY!! Eric Comstock, acclaimed cabaret singer, will kick off our 2007 series at 4 pm in the Auditorium. If you’ve ever heard him, you’ll be there. The rest of you, don’t miss it! And bring the kids. Tea and hot chocolate from 3:30.

The 2007 Directory of Members and Friends will be made available at today’s Coffee Hour. You can also pick up your copy in the church office - Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm.

The Junior Pilgrim Fellowship (JPF –Middle School) will meet at 5:00 PM in the Youth Room

The Senior Pilgrim Fellowship (SPF – High School) will meet this evening at 6:30 P.M. in the Youth Room.

Honduras. The Senior Pilgrim Fellowship and their advisors are beginning to get ready for a February trip to Honduras. During this next month donations of medicines, toothbrushes, toothpaste and children’s vitamins will be accepted in the Church Office. A list of what is needed is available in the Church Office. All medications must be current. In addition, we will be purchasing MAP boxes to take with us. A MAP box is a box of medications specifically designed for the needs of people in Honduras. The cost of a MAP box is $400, its value is $10,000. The pharmaceutical companies in the US direct their overage to US citizens who can personally courier their boxes ordered by US doctors and hand delivered to Honduran doctors. Your contributions toward MAP boxes can be received until January 15. Many thanks in advance for your support.

______________________________________________________________January 9 Confirmation begins: Second semester starts this

Tuesday, January 9, at 7 pm in the Youth Room

January 11 Hats Off, our women’s book group, will resume on January 11th. This month we will be reading Barbara Kingsolver’s book, “Small Wonders.” We will read the first six essays for our January 11 meeting. All are welcome. We meet from 10:00 to 11:30 AM Thursday mornings with refreshments beginning at 9:45 AM.

January 13 Church School: Our children and their families are invited to join in a group going to see “Charlotte’s Web.” Children must be accompanied by a parent. Please contact Rosemary Lamie for more details (rosemaryl@fccog.orgor 637-1791 ext. 20). Sign-up in Coffee Hour or call the Church Office by January 12 for your reservation.

January 14: Church School will have a Big Event based upon the new movie and classic Charlotte’s Web. Clips from the movie will be used, so it is not necessary to have seen the movie ahead of time. Childcare will be available as usual.

January 14 Second Hour: The Healing Power of Meditation. Roberta Brown Brugo, R.N., L.M.T., yoga instructor and Clinical Resource Nurse from Greenwich Hospital’s Integrative Medicine Department, will share her expertise. Come, explore and experience this interactive workshop.

January 21 Second Hour: Globalization, Religion and Nonviolence by Karikottuchira K. Kuriakose, Ed D., who recently edited the book, “Religion, Terrorism and Globalization –Nonviolence: A New Agenda.”

January 25: The 336th Annual Meeting of the First Congregational Church of Greenwich, Old Greenwich, Connecticut, is hereby called for 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, 2007. The meeting will be held in the Meetinghouse: To hear and act upon the annual reports of the pastors,

officers and committees; To hear and act upon the report of the Nominating

Committee, and to elect officers for the coming year; To adopt the budget for 2007; To hear and act upon the recommendation of the

Church Committee to amend the by-laws, and To transact such other business as may properly come

before the meeting. Shirley Flierl, Church Clerk

Pie and coffee will be served in the Auditorium from 7:30 –8:00 p.m. prior to the Annual Meeting. Please come for this time of fellowship and treats provided by the Women’s Fellowship.

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NEWS AND NOTICES

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the beautiful Christmas decorations and to Loretta Stagen for her design.

The upcoming Sunday Afternoons Live schedule:

January 21 Doug Cameron, jazz violinistJanuary 28 Edita Orlinyte, violinist, Li-Pi Hsieh, pianistFebruary 4 Jeni Slotchiver, pianistFebruary 11 Mary Costanza, cellist, Ray Pierpont, pianistFebruary 18 Holly Sorensen, mezzo-soprano,

with Mark Swicegood February 25 Yale Russian Chorus

If you have not done so, please take five minutes to complete the Women's Fellowship Survey. It is very easy to access from the FCCOG.ORG homepage. Just click on the link found in the Messages Box. Whether or not you have participated in Women Fellowship activities, your opinions on this church mission are very important to us. Printed copies are also available in the Office. Call either Barbara Norrgard or Lori White with questions.

Hospital AdmissionsAre you or a loved one going into the hospital? If so, would you please contact the church office at 637.1791. Or upon admission, please list First Congregational Church of Greenwich as your church affiliation. Similarly, if you know someone who is homebound and would benefit from a Clergy or Parish Nurse visit, please let the church know.

Individual Counseling for Medicare Part DHalf hour sessions will be offered right here at church, thanks to some volunteers who have generously offered their time, talents, and laptops.Contact Parish Nurse Sue Asselin to reserve a time, or leave a message on extension 21 and the Wellness Committee will return your call.