The Congregational Church

   of

   North Stonington, U.C.C.

   89 Main Street

   North Stonington, CT 06359

   860-535-0379

   NoStoUCC@comcast.net

   www.northstoningtonucc.com

September 25, 2022                                                                                                                                
16th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST                                                     10 a.m.
“As an Open and Affirming church:
       We respect the worth and dignity of all persons who come into our church family regardless of race, age, marital standing, gender, economic status, mental or physical challenges, nationality or sexual orientation.  We promise to support one another in our personal struggles, to understand and accept differences in one another, and pray to strengthen our love and acceptance.”

       *indicates those who are able are invited to stand
 
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE                                                                              “With Wings as Eagles” - Oyer                                                                                                                       

SILENT MEDITATION  IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                  (based on Psalm 91)
       Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
 Will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.      
       Under the wings of the Lord you will find refuge;
We will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day . . .
       If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and trust,
       no harm will overtake you.
Angels watch and guard over us . . .           
       They will lift you up in their hands,
        so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
Let us say:  “There - there is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

*HYMN #425                           For the Fruit of All Creation                          Ar Hyd Y Nos

*INVOCATION AND LORD’S PRAYER
Spirit God, in the beginning You gave life and movement,
color and harmony to the universe.  Everything moves by Your power and is one through You.  Most of all You come in the power of Jesus, bringing love, joy and peace, patience, gentleness and self-control.  So move us now in mind and conscience.  Stir and quicken us with beauty and with truth as we worship.  In Jesus’ name we pray:                 Our Father . . .

*GLORIA PATRI  (#759)
Glory to the Creator, the Christ, the Holy Spirit 
Three in One; As it was in the beginning,
Is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

 *PASSING OF THE PEACE
May the peace of Christ be with you.
       And also with you.
(We greet one another with a sign of Christ’s peace)
 (Children are invited to attend their church school classes.)

SCRIPTURE LESSON                                                                                Amos 6:1a, 4-7                                                                                                                                                              Luke 16:19-31

SENIOR Choir                            “On Eagle’s Wings” - Joncas, arr. Wagner

SERMON                                          Rich or Poor - Still Human

MOMENTS OF SILENCE

*HYMN #423                            Great is Your Faithfulness                           Faithfulness
                  
OFFERING OF OUR TITHES AND GIFTS
(The ushers will now receive the offering and blue Prayer requests.)

OFFERTORY                                                              “Offertory on ‘Azmon’” - Broughton                   
*DOXOLOGY (#780)             
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow;      
Praise God all creatures here below;     
Praise God above, you heavenly host;    
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION            

*HYMN 433                               In The Bulb There is a Flower                                   Promise
*BENEDICTION

Welcome to worship.   Thank you for worshiping with us today!
The service is available at www.northstoningtonucc.com.

We light one white candle each Sunday to remember and pray for military and civilians serving our country and in harm’s way.

The flowers are given to the glory of God by the Evans family in loving memory of Everett.

The steeple  To honor or remember someone by lighting the steeple
you may sign up on the sheet on the wall leading into the sanctuary.

Serving in Worship:  Dave McCord, deacon; Kris and Joe Serwinski, ushers; Dave Larson, lay reader.

We Pray For:  the healing of:  Stephanie Murray; Larry; Grace (Teddy) Graber; Janet Allen; George Danley; Mark Ball (Pat Danley’s son);  Mobby Larson’s brother, Steve Brown; Mike Laing; Karen Clarke; Elaine Falk Smith; Susan; Julie Evans; Debbie Janda; Jeff Sullivan; Janet Lewis; Dave McCord; Mary Wassung;  Judy Lumiere, friend of the Murphy Family who broke her hip; Sharon Roode; Doreen Gerrish;  members of our church family with or recovering from Covid:  Dennis, Gabe, Ann and Jeff, Irene and others.  We lift up all our local health care workers exposed daily to Covid.

CALENDAR
Today: Farmer’s Market in Mystic.
Friday:  Making Pies. 
Saturday:  Baking Pies.
Thursday, 5:00-5:30 pm: Youth Choir . ( ages 7 thru High school ).                                                                               Sign up info in office hallway. See Mike for details.
                   6:00-7:00 pm: Senior Choir.  All adults are welcome to join                                                                                   
                                                     the Sr. Choir.
                   7:15-8:30 pm: Handbell Choir.                                                        

­October 1st:  Townwide Tag Sale.  Set up for Anniversary program. 
October 2nd:  10 am    Worship with 19th Century focus. 
                                             1 – 3 pm.  Anniversary Meal and Program.  RSVP
October 5, Noon:  Women’s Fellowship Meeting and brown bag  
                                  lunch.

You Can Help us Repair the Ceiling on GoFund Me.  the link https://gofund.me/e7596345. We are also on Givelify 

If you shop online, your purchases can benefit the church.  If you go to https://www.iGive.com/NSCC-UCC  just joining gives a $15 bonus  to the church and a percentage of your purchase  at over 2,000 stores is also donated to the church!! 

Reflecting Back, Looking Forward 
Anniversary Supper and Program  - October 2nd   - 1 – 3 pm
RSVP for the meal (suggested donation $10 to cover cost of meal.  Any monies extra will be put toward the cost of Ceiling Repair. 
Celebrate with us…
and help us by being part of a set-up or break down team,
a baker (breads or desserts),
kitchen team,
or be a “player” in the historical program. 
Sign up after worship! 

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE – CROP Hunger WALK
Mystic Area Ecumenical Council invites us to WALK in the Crop Hunger Walk on October 16th in Mystic. The Walk begins and ends at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Pearl Street. Information and sign up sheets will be available in Hewitt Hall. We Believe in ending hunger!

All Hymns from the (NCH) New Century Hymnal; © 1995 The Pilgrim
Press, have been granted permission for this one-time use.       Permission to reprint, podcast, and / or stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #735340-A. All rights reserved.  Permissions granted under CCLI License # 11212116

CHOIR ANTHEM                                                                  - Joncas, arr. Wagner

       You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
       who abide in His shadow for life, say to the Lord:
       “My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!”

Refrain: And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings.
                bear you on the breath of dawn,
                make you to shine like the sun,
                and hold you in the palm of His hand.

       The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
       and famine will bring you no fear:
       under His wings your refuge,
       His faithfulness your shield.

Refrain:

       You need not fear the terror of the night,
       nor the arrow that flies by day;
       though thousands fall about you,
       near you it shall not come.

Refrain:

       For his angels He’s given command
       to guard you in all of your ways;
       upon their hands they will bear you up,
       lest you dash your foot against a stone.

Refrain:

“Large crowds were traveling with Jesus. He turned and said to them, "Whoever comes to me and does not hate their family, yes and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”                                                   - Luke 14:25-27 (NRSV, adapted)             

              Jesus would have benefited from a book or two on church growth.
If so, he might not have torpedoed an impressive, growing entourage with impossibly high requirements like, “Hate your family, hate your life . . .” 
It’s almost as though he was shooing people away!                
              Well, yeah. He was.
              Look at the first line: “Large crowds were traveling with Jesus. He turned and said to them…” Did you catch that? Large crowds traveling, not following. So Jesus laid it down. He culled the rolls, separated the mesmerized masses from the faithful followers. He wasn’t into Big Church.
              Most churches in the United Church of Christ have less than 100 people in attendance on a Sunday morning. Often far less. Despite the financial and organizational challenges that come with modest-sized memberships, small church (or small groups within a big church) might be the sweet spot.
              Sure, a big crowd feels nice, but a wee community of committed people is all Jesus wants.                                                                                                                                                       - Matt Laney

Global Ministries Mission Prayer for Puerto Rico  God, Creator of all we see and do not see, your overwhelming grace, compassion, and love is upon your people. We thank you for your blessing today and your mercy tomorrow. But your promises go beyond today’s needs. Your commitments tell us that you will safeguard us in the future, providing for your needs, housing, land, fields, and vineyards as you have provided for the people of Puerto Rico during the recovery from disaster and the pandemic. May we remain faithful servants of your love, mercy, and reconciling gospel. May we continue listening to your sweet voice, guidance, and compassion. As we have experienced your everlasting love for your creation in our journey at the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico, we may bear witness so others may see, experience, and feel your care, compassion and love. We praise your name and ask for your continuous lover Mighty God, amen.

Michael G.  Noonan, Director of Music
Kay Lautzenheiser, Christian Education Coordinator
Rosemary Kuemper, Church Secreta
Charlotte Melia, Sexton  
Office Hours:  Monday –Thursday, 9am – 1pm