FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WAUWATOSA

February 12, 2006

MORNING WORSHIP 8:45 AND 11:00 A.M.

THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

GATHERING MUSIC

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.

PRELUDE Two Variations on “Showalter” Spong

CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS

THE CALL TO WORSHIP R. Duane Coates, intern

Liturgist: The church is more than a building

People: and taller than a steeple.

Liturgist: The church is made of “living stones” and loving hearts.

People: Together we make the church, the Body of Christ.

All: For we are God’s own people, so that we may declare God’s wonderful deeds of love and of light.

Liturgist: Come, then, and bless the Lord!

People: May the Lord’s Name be blessed – now and forevermore! Alleluia!

*HYMN [insert, p. 2] Praise to the Living God

*THE CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP

*THE PRAYER OF INVOCATION AND LORD’S PRAYER (unison)

Lord God, we thank you for calling us into the company of those who trust in Christ and seek to obey his will. You have made us strangers no longer but pilgrims together on the way to your kingdom. Guide us closer to you and to one another in the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace, and strengthen us together in mission and service to your world. As you have made us in your image, help us to use the many gifts you have given us so that we might always bring our heads to worship you, as well as our hearts, that your glory may be known to all. We pray in the name of him who taught us to pray:

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.

*GLORIA PATRI (Hymn 513)

THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Bible, page 997

ANTHEM 8:45 A Little Lower Than the Angels Bebee

Junior Choir, directed by Roxanne Trump-Miles

11:00 King of Glory, King of Peace Near

THE PSALMODY (unison) Psalm 30 Bible, page 479

Rev. Samuel R. Schaal

*HYMN 259 We Limit Not the Truth of God {sung to Ellacombe}

{Children are dismissed to Sunday School during the singing of the hymn.}

THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 1:40-45 Bible, page 868

THE SERMON “Living Church” Dr. Peay

HYMN OF RESPONSE 266 One Holy Church of God Appears

THE CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION

THE PRAYER OF MINISTER AND PEOPLE

Minister: Sovereign God, we give you thanks for calling us your children

and for entrusting us with the care of your creation.

People: Help us to feel the many textures of your global tapestry. Unstop our ears, that we may hear your Word spoken in many languages. Breathe into us the sweet aromas of life, that we may taste the fruits of your reign.

Minister: Even now, Lord, even in Asia, so vast, so deeply rooted in tradition; where your church is small, but where religion is great,

People: Lord, teach us respect. Help us learn from those who express faith in you in different ways. Deepen our understanding of customs that are unfamiliar. Help us discover new ways to witness in this ancient land.

Minister: Even now, Lord, even in the Middle East, the cradle of the church, the land many faiths call holy, and now the place where the pain of the cross is so vivid,

where the dry earth is watered by the tears of suffering,

People: free your people from their warring madness. Teach us mutual respect, that the captives might be freed and the frightened might be comforted.

Minister: Even now, Lord, even in Latin America, where your church stands faithfully with the weak and the poor, where martyrs are made and drugs dictate, where we are paying for the sins of our past,

People: bring peace to our neighbors, O Lord. Tear down the barriers that divide

and build bridges that bring people together for the common good.

Minister: Even now, Lord, even in Africa, where your church grows rapidly, where faith is exuberant, but where there is famine and oppression,

People: break the cycle of suffering among our sisters and brothers and help us to respond to their needs in ways that bring your message of hope to those who languish in despair.

Minister: Even now, Lord, even in North America, where so much affluence causes so much indifference—North America, the land with so much to give yet a land held prisoner by its possessions—

People: help us to assume the role of a servant, as Jesus did. Open our eyes to all parts of your creation even now, Lord, even if what we see frightens us.

And help us to trust you to guide us as we act faithfully.

{The Minister continues and concludes the prayer.}

THE CHORAL RESPONSE

THE OFFERTORY

ANTHEM 8:45 Near to the Heart of God Manuel

11:00 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah arr. Hayes

*DOXOLOGY (Hymn 515)

*THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION

*HYMN 346 Come, Let Us Join With Faithful Souls

*THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*THE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

Go Now in Peace

*The congregation is invited to stand, if able.

Today’s Chancel flowers are given by
Roger and Carrie Laubenheimer

in celebration of their 55^th wedding anniversary.

Everyone is invited to Coffee Hour in the Social Hall and to visit the Sunday School Open House.

Worship Preview for Sunday, February 19, 2006 ~ 8:45 and 11:00 a.m.

Next Sunday we continue ‘Imagining Church’ as the Rev. Dr. Earl Holt of King’s Chapel, Boston preaches: “Rethinking Church: The View from Beacon Hill.”

Tom Gregory is the organist.

The Cherub and Junior Choirs sing at 8:45 under the direction of

Michelle Russ and Roxanne Trump-Miles.

The Jubilation Ringers play at 11:00 under the direction of Kimberly Williams.

Lee Jacobi directs the Pilgrim Choir at 8:45 and the Chancel Choir at 11:00.

SERVING February 12, 2006

Head Greeters: Marilyn Auer, David Moore

Head Ushers: Sue Melby, John O’Meara

Ushers: 8:45 a.m. Carol Hudson-Captain, Julie Wills, Karen Syburg, Nancy Restyanszki, Claudia Scholl

Ushers: 11:00 a.m. Mark Boettcher-Captain, Sue Boettcher, Jeff Kelling, Beth Kelling

Greeters: 8:45 a.m. Matt, Donna, Ginger & Joseph Johnson

Greeters: 11:00 a.m. Jim, Karen, Jeffrey & David D’Ambrisi

Acolyte: 8:45 a.m. Jeremy Hahn, Caroline Fink

Acolytes: 11:00 a.m. Amanda Cummings

CALENDAR

WEEK OF February 12, 2006

SUNDAY, February 12

7:45 a.m. Lectionary Bible Study-Parlor

8:45 & 11:00 a.m. Worship/Children in Church/ Sunday School (Junior Choir sings-8:45)

10:00 a.m. Coffee Hour-SH, Jr. PF Cookie Sale-SH/Atrium, Sunday Symposium-Lounge, Cherub Choir Rehearsal-Nave, Sunday School Open House,

Valentine Book Sale-SH/Atrium

4:30 p.m. Jr. PF-302

6:30 p.m. Sr. PF-302

MONDAY, February 13

9:00 a.m. @CH-Suburban Retired Men’s Club

6:00 p.m. Pioneer Club (supper at 5:30)-202, 301, 302, SH, LL5

7:00 p.m. Bd/Trustees-Library, Bd/Benevolence-Conf Rm.

8:00 p.m. AA-LL5

TUESDAY, February 14

9, 10, 11:00 a.m. Music Jamboree-LL2

12:00 p.m. Circle 7-Lounge

7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts-LL5

WEDNESDAY, February 15

6:30 a.m. Women’s Bible Study “Invitation to the Old Testament”-Parlor, Men’s Bible Study-Lounge

9:00 a.m. Chapel Devotions

9:30 a.m. Prayer & Pilates-Lounge

10:30 a.m. Music Jamboree-LL2

5:30 p.m. @Venice Club-Girls’ Night Out

6:00 p.m. Debtors Anonymous-LL5

7:00 p.m. “A Generous Orthodoxy” Book Study-Lounge, Beginnings-Parlor

THURSDAY, February 16

9:00 a.m. Big Band-SH

6:45 p.m. Pilgrim Choir-LL1

7:00 p.m. Jubilation Ringers-LL5

7:55 p.m. Chancel Choir-LL1

FRIDAY, February 17

9:00 a.m. Harmony Singers-Lounge

7:00 p.m. All-Church “Game Night”-SH

SATURDAY, February 18

10:00 a.m. Music Jamboree-LL2

7:00 p.m. “Liberal Christianity” with Rev. Earl Holt-Lounge

Welcome to all visitors joining us today. Please check the welcome table in the atrium for information about our church.

For those who wear a hearing aid, our Nave is equipped with an FM loop system. Set your hearing aid to the “T” setting. In addition, there is a hearing assistance system,

which can amplify the worship service with the use of a receiver and headset. The headset is not usable with a hear-ing aid. Visit the church office for a receiver and headset.

Join us for Sunday Symposium at 10 a.m. today in Friendship Lounge when Rev. Dan Schowalter speaks on “Noah in the New Testament and Christian Tradition.” On February 19, Rev. Dr. Earl Holt will have a sermon discussion on “Rethinking Church.”

A Sunday School Open House will be held in the classrooms today following the 8:45 service. Everyone is welcome to attend. Treats will be provided. The 6^th, 7^th & 8^th grade will be sponsoring a shoeshine in room 302 and the Social Hall as a fundraiser for the Hosea Fund during the Open House.

Valentine Book Sale benefiting Libraries to be held today. We will have books available for you to purchase for the Library in honor of your favorite valentine. Selections for both the Library and Children’s Library will be available.

Today is the absolute last day to sign up for Girls’ Night Out. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15, enjoy socializing, dinner and entertainment with Rex Siles, a nationally renowned motivational mind reader. Cost: $10. Pre-paid reservations must be made at the church office today.

The Circle 13 Book Club will be meeting Friday, February 17, 7 - 9 p.m. at home of Tammy Bokern. The selection is “Reading Lolita in Tehran” by Azar Nafisi. Contact Jennifer Wareham at 262-827-9992 if you have any questions.

“All-Church Game Night” is scheduled for Friday, February 17, 7 - 10 p.m. in the Social Hall. Join us for a variety of games for all ages. Refreshments will be served.

On Saturday, February 18, Rev. Earl Holt, minister of King’s Chapel, Boston, will present: “Liberal Christianity: Retrospect and Prospect” at 7 p.m. in Friendship Lounge. There will be time for discussion at a reception following.

4 O’clock Concerts are back! On Sunday, February 19, “Pancho” DeMiles and the Cisco Kids will present spirited Latin American Jazz. On March 12, we’ll have “Bellisimi: An Afternoon of Opera Highlights” and on April 2, “You Don’t Know What Love Is,” a cabaret program of songs will be featured.

New Members Class is scheduled Thursday, 7-8:30 p.m., on March 2, 9, 23, 30 and April 6 in various locations throughout the church. We will receive new members on Easter Sunday, April 16. Those interested in becoming a member are asked to sign up in the church office.

Vacation Bible School Informational meeting: Sunday, March 5, 10 a.m. in the Conference Room. Anyone interested in volunteering or learning more about volunteer opportunities for Vacation Bible School is invited.