January 18, 2009
MORNING WORSHIP 9:00 A.M.
The 2nd Sunday after Epiphany

(Please pass the red pew pads now. If you are a guest this Sunday, welcome.
Our abbreviated worship service will flow directly into our Annual Meeting.
Please do not feel obligated to stay unless you would like a peek
into the inner workings of First Congregational Church.)

THE PRELUDE Improvisation on Slane

CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS

THE CHURCH MEETS TO WORSHIP

THE CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Robert J. Brink
Minister: We have been invited to follow.
People: We have been invited to come and see.
Minister: Now we come with hearts opened to courage.
People: Now we come with minds opened to believe.
ALL: Let us look, listen, and learn, for we are followers of Christ.

*HYMN 19 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

*THE PRAYER OF THE DAY and THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)
Eternal God, your Son, Jesus Christ, now exalted as Lord of all, pours out his gifts on the church. Grant us that unity which your Spirit gives, keep us in the bond of peace, and bring all creation to worship before your throne; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever and taught us to say:

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.

*THE GLORIA PATRI (Hymn 558)
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.

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON 1 Samuel 3:1-10 Bible, page 244 Children’s Bible, page 370

THE CHILDREN IN WORSHIP Jubilate Deo Lightfoot
Junior Choir, directed by Roxanne Trump-Miles

*THE PSALMODY Psalm 139 sung to Hyfrydol
[Children are invited to go to Sunday School during the Psalmody.]

Thou, O Lord, hast searched and known me,
When I rest, and when I rise;
Not a single thought I cherish
Is kept secret from Thine eyes.
Ev’ry word my lips would murmur
Needs no speech to make it known;
All I do, ere it be started,
Is as done to Thee alone.

Whither shall I flee Thy Spirit?
From Thy presence, vanish where?
Heights of heaven, darkest shadows
Hide me not, for Thou are there.
If I take the wings of morning,
And in earth’s far corner stand;
Even there Thy love will find me,
Hold me fast within Thy hand.

In the brilliance of Thy glory,
Darkest night is bright as day;
Shadows flee the path before me,
When Thy wisdom lights my way.
Thou who knit my parts together,
Knew my life before my birth,
Sees my faults, yet trusts my promise
Far beyond my feeble worth.

Lord, how precious is Thy favor
Shown in Thy goodwill to me;
To the godless in their rancor,
Let me Thy confessor be.
Search, O Lord, my heart’s ambitions,
Thoughts my mouth would dare not say;
Judge with mercy, and preserve me
In the everlasting way.

THE GOSPEL LESSON John 1:43-51 Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D. Bible, page 967 Children’s Bible, page 1512

THE PASTORAL REFLECTION “The Church: Called and Gathered” Dr. Peay

THE CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION

THE PRAYER OF PEOPLE AND MINISTER
[The Minister will offer prayer and then invite us to join together to say:]
Eternal God, you called us to be a special people, to preach the gospel and show mercy. Keep your Spirit with us as we
meet together, so that in everything we may do your will. Guide us lest we stumble or be misguided by our own desires.
May all we do be done for the reconciling of the world, for the upbuilding of the church, and for the greater glory of
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER

THE OFFERTORY

THE ANTHEM For Where Love Is, There Is God Wagner

*THE DOXOLOGY (Hymn 563)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION

*HYMN 353 Be Thou My Vision

THE CHURCH CONTINUES WORSHIP IN ANNUAL MEETING

[The Moderator now presides and reminds us that we have been called to order.]

Ministers’ Reports Rev. Robert Brink

Rev. Steven Peay, Ph.D.

Approve Minutes of the 165th Annual Meeting

Treasurer’s Report, Michael Simmons

Benevolence Report, Nick Sgarlata

Stewardship Report, Bill Cummings

Long Range Planning Committee Report, Marc Blazich

Report of the ad hoc Committee on Governance, Marc Blazich

Moderator’s Comments, Jim Benz

Budget and Finance Report, Marc Blazich
--discussion of the 2009 Budget

New Business

Motion to Adjourn

THE CHURCH IS SENT FORTH TO LOVE AND TO SERVE

THE BENEDICTION Dr. Peay

*HYMN 542 Lord, You Give the Great Commission

*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.

Today’s Chancel flowers are given by Helen & Bob Milne in memory of loved ones.

CARE FOR CHILDREN

A nursery for infants and toddlers is available during
the 9 a.m. service and the Annual Meeting.

Sunday School for children 4 years through entering 5th grade.

Worship Preview for Sunday, January 25 10:00 A.M.
Rev. Steven Peay will offer the sermon entitled “Disciple = ?”
Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Choir of First Church.
Kim Williams directs the Jubilation Ringers