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

March 19, 2023

4th  sunday in Lent                                                                                            10 am

“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 SHARING THE WORK OF THE CHURCH

HANDBELL PRELUDE                                        “Ah, Holy Jesus” -  Sandra Eithun
                                                      

SILENT MEDITATION IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                                 
              God of darkness and light,
Open our eyes to your Justice. 
              God of goodness and glory,
Open our minds to your Wisdom. 
              God of mercy and kindness,
Open our hearts to your Love. 
              God as distant as a star and near as our next breath,
We open ourselves to worship you in Spirit and in Truth.

*HYMN #247                            My Shepherd Is the Living God              Consolation

*UNISON INVOCATION AND LORD’S PRAYER                   (debts, debtors)
Out of the depths we cry to you, O God.  Hear our lament for what we have neglected, our admission of displacing You with other priorities in our lives.  Sometimes it is as if we are like dry bones, going through the motions of living.  This day, waken us to new beginnings.  Help us to know You, and live in reverence before you.  Lift us from our knees to serve you, as we offer our gratitude and praise.  We pray in Jesus’ name, Our Father…

*PRAISE RESPONSE FOR LENT  (tune #13)
              O my soul bless your Creator. 
              All within me  bless God’s name.
              Bless your Maker and forget not
              all God’s mercies to proclaim.    Amen. 

*PASSING OF THE PEACE                 (we offer a sign of Christ’s peace)
              May the peace of Christ be with you.
                           And also with you.

TIME FOR CHILDREN
Children are invited to attend church school.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

SCRIPTURE  LESSONS       (OT page 501)                                                                 Psalm 23
                                                  (NT page 102)  John 9:1-41, select verses

SENIOR CHOIR “The Lord is My Shepherd” – Thomas Matthews

SERMON                                          “…but Now I See”

MOMENTS OF SILENCE

*HYMN #547                                          Amazing Grace                     Amazing Grace C.M.

OFFERING OF OUR TITHES AND GIFTS
You are invited to place the blue prayer requests in the offering plate

HANDBELL OFFERTORY
 “Dona Nobis Pacem” - arr. Kevin McChesney

*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

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION           Response: Lord, hear our prayer

*HYMN #589                  Let There Be Light, O God of Hosts                     Pentecost
*BENEDICTION
  POSTLUDE                “Christ lag in Todesbanden” - S. Bach                                        
Please exit quietly so those who wish to stay and listen may

Welcome.   Thank you for worshiping with us today! All children are welcome to attend church school.  A nursery is located downstairs. 
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 Julie Clown in celebration of Dan Clow and sister Diana birthdays.

Serving in Worship:  Evelyn Bamford, deacon at the door; Gretchen Noonan and Kevin Noonan, ushers; Kevin Noonan,, lay reader; Pastor Sue, time for children. 

Please keep in your prayers: those serving overseas; all battling cancer; all struggling with financial crisis; for all working to bear the burdens of others; Stephanie and Doug Murray; Grace (Teddy) Graber; Janet Allen; Karen Clarke; Susan; Debbie Janda; Jeff Sullivan; Alice Robbins;  George McCullen; Larry Murphy; Aggie Terrill; Finn Fox; Melissa Thaxton and Wayne Sander, after surgery.

CALENDAR
Today:  1-4 pm Artisan Market
Thursday, 10 am:  Study Group:  Following Jesus in Lent
      5:00-5:30 pm:  Youth Choir (ages 7 thru High school ).                                                                              
      6:00-7:00 pm:  Senior Choir.
      7:15-8:30 pm:  Handbell Choir.
Saturday, 9 am – 11 am: Council ”Retreat” here.
Next Sunday, 11:15 am: Cemetery Committee.

- After Worship - Cherub Choir will meet in Choir Room for 20 minutes to prepare to sing at 10 a.m. Easter Worship on April 9. (For children ages 3 and up). See Mike with any questions.
- March 29 - 7:30 p.m. - Union Baptist Church, Mystic - M.A.E.C. presents Choir St. Nicolai, Einbeck, Germany. Free-will offering taken.
Lenten Offering:  ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
              Please bring your offerings for One Great Hour of Sharing every
Sunday during Lent large or small. Also, please try to do this
weekly prayer time each week ... making a difference in the lives
of people the world over.
We pray the week of March 19 that we will support water                     projects.

              “Thank you, God for our many blessings and teach of to share
what we have.” Then, name a blessing each week and pray that
God would show you ways that you could share with others.

Choir Anthem - Music by Thomas Matthews, Text - Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside       the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for    his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and     I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

All Hymns from the (NCH) New Century Hymnal; © 1995 The Pilgrim Press, have permission for 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

I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.                                                                                 - Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV)           

Some might say that “God has a plan” which might make us think that plan is something set in stone.  The writer in Deuteronomy gives us a better picture by telling us God gives us a choice.  Remember, the Creator who set all things in motion;  is in all and through all.  Basically, God is with us, cheering us on, hoping for our best.  This is backed up in John 10:10 - Jesus came to give us abundant life, and part of that abundant life is to be healthy and whole—physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.
              Abundant life.  Health.  These are affected by choices we make every day.  Joyce Meyer says:  “…you cannot “catch” health like you can disease.”  Disease easily finds its way to you.  But healthy ways, that takes choice.  The text above guides us:  “…choose life, that you and your descendants may live.”   One of the ways we can “choose life” is to allow our lives  to be enriched by the scripture.  It offers guidance, insight and usually makes us think a bit harder. 
God wants to make you whole, believe what His Word says more than you believe what you think or how you feel.    

Global Ministries Prayers for Sri Lanka 
Our heavenly Father, at this time of prayer, we would like to bring the oppressed and marginalized people working in the most difficult conditions, like the factories, mining industries, tea plantations, and rough seas of this nation for your mercies. Grant them your wisdom and power to overcome all the hurdles in their lives and experience your presence. Almighty Lord, I commit these deserving communities into your mighty presence. Bless them and fill them with your Holy Spirit so that they will make a difference in their lives and those around them. Grant them your knowledge so they can be faithful witnesses of your vineyard. We ask all these in your precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen