FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Rev. Dawn Garrett-Larsen, Pastor
Seventh Sunday of Easter Memorial Day Sunday
General Charles and Gwen McCausland, Lay Readers
May 24, 2020 Worship 10:30 AM
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE Elegy by G. Talben-Ball
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: In a world filled with violence and war,
People: we gather together to celebrate the promise of peace.
Leader: In a world filled with tyranny and oppression,
People: we gather together to celebrate the promise of justice for all.
Leader: In a world filled with hunger and greed,
People: we gather together to celebrate the promise of plenty for all.
Leader: Our hope is in the name of the Almighty God,
People: the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of heaven and earth.
*HYMN Let There Be Peace on Earth (Hastings College Choir)
INVOCATION (in unison)
In the quiet sanctuaries of our own hearts, let each of us name and call on the One whose power over us is great and gentle, firm and forgiving, holy and healing …
You who created us, who sustain us, who call us to live in peace, hear our prayer this day. Hear our prayer for all who have died, whose hearts and hopes are known to you alone …
Hear our prayer for those who put the welfare of others ahead of their own and give us hearts as generous as theirs …
Hear our prayer for those who gave their lives in the service of others, and accept the gift of their sacrifice …
Help us to shape and make a world where we will lay down the arms of war and turn our swords into ploughshares for a harvest of justice and peace …
Comfort those who grieve the loss of their loved ones and let your healing be the hope in our hearts…
Hear our prayer this day and in your mercy answer us in the name of all that is holy.
The peace of God be with you.
LORD’S PRAYER (trespasses)
GLORIA PATRI
MEMORIAL DAY LITANY OF REMEMBRANCE:
Leader: In the rising of the sun and in its going down,
we remember them.
People: In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter,
we remember them.
Leader: In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring,
we remember them.
People: In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer,
we remember them.
Leader: In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
we remember them.
People: In the beginning of the year and when it ends,
we remember them.
Leader: When we are weary and in need of strength,
we remember them.
People: When we are lost and sick at heart,
we remember them.
Leader: When we have joys we yearn to share,
we remember them.
People: As we decorate their graves and give thanks for their sacrifices,
We remember them.
Leader: This Memorial Day weekend, and every day,
we remember them.
People: So long as we live, they too shall live, for they are now a part of us,
as we remember them. Amen.
SPECIAL MUSIC This is My Song O God of All the Nations ~ Jesse Garrett-Larsen and Hannah Cox
CHILDREN’S TIME (2 parts)
EPISTLE Acts 1: 6-11
MORNING PRAYER
*HYMN My Country ‘Tis of Thee (Taylorsville High Chorale)
GOSPEL LESSON John 17: 7-11
SERMON New Normal ~ Rev. Dawn Garrett-Larsen
OFFERING Invitation to Share
Offertory Meditation on America arrangement by Janet Linker
The Doxology #34 (Green)
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (in unison)
With these offerings, we proclaim the good news we believe. With these gifts, we go into all the world with the joy of the gospel. As we give, we celebrate the whole of God’s creation that we have experienced. Thank you, God, for faith and love, for knowledge and wisdom, for all the seasons of life that present us with opportunities for growth and fulfillment. Receive our gifts and our renewed commitment. Amen.
*HYMN For All the Saints (RSMC Millennium Youth Choir)
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE America arranged by Janet Linker
Call to Worship reprinted from On Earth as in Heaven: Praying for Peace, MCC Peace Sunday Packet 2008; http://resources.mennonitechurch.ca/FileDownload/9603/Peace_Packet_08_high_res.pdf; Invocation adapted and reprinted from Austin Fleming; Memorial Day Litany reprinted and adapted from Rabbi Sylvan Kamens and Rabbi Jack Riemer, © by the Central Conference of American Rabbis. From Gates of Prayer, published by Central Conference of American Rabbis; Unison Prayer of Dedication reprinted from Fresh Winds of the Spirit, Book 2
Last Sunday Zoom was down across the Northeast of the United States and in parts of the UK. We are sorry that we didn’t get to have coffee hour together. Our next coffee hour will be next Sunday, Pentecost at 9:00 am. We are trying an earlier time and will see how it compares to 11:45. Jennifer Schneider will be available to answer questions about the School budget and special projects prior to voting in June. Please join us!
Happy Birthday
May 25 Pat Smith, Barb Stahl & Joe Gilbert May 30 Mike Nyerges & Griffin Bond
May 26 Elena Muscato May 31 Abbie & Josh Dutcher
May 27 Marie Oakleaf
Calendar
Monday May 25: Memorial Day, office closed
Sunday May 31: Coffee Hour 9 am; Pentecost (Wear red, even if we are worshipping online!)
Sunday June 7: CANCELED Church Picnic
Prayer List
Muriel Allemand (Jim & Connie Malone’s friend); Steve Beck (Heidi Schwarz’s brother); Keith Blaker; Brad Bliss; Ruth Bundy (Cheryl Bootes’ friend); Marjorie Case; Cathy Coots; Peggy & Bob DeSantis (Dorice & Don Raw, Sr.’s friends); Julie English (Janet & Kim Tenreiro’s friend); Brian Fuscaldo (Mara Huberlie’s nephew); Jerry Gomez (Kathi Nacca’s friend); Gayle Henry; Carin Herren; Jeff Johnson (Jim & John Johnson’s brother); Carol Kober (Debbie Lyon’s neighbor); Jim Kolesar (George & Carin Herren’s friend); Sue Kotalik; Laura (Karen DeMay’s sister); Michelle List (JoAnn Reed’s friend); Loren (Meg & Jack Radley’s friend); Lynn (Joan Ryan’s friend); Scott Lyon (Betty’s son); Eileen McCarthy (Carla DeMeco & Betsy Dresser’s friend); Sally Mueller; Liz Nelson (Kathy Ward’s friend); Chris Pritchard (Rick, Cindy Mullen & George Herren’s friend); Jack and Meg Radley; Sara (Meg & Jack Radley’s granddaughter); Scott and Amanda (nephew and niece of Don & Marilyn DeSmith); John Paul and Pat Smith; Smith/Dworetsky Family (Okke & Kathy Postma’s friends); Sally Stowell (Alice Berry’s mother); Walker (Don & Dorice Raw’s friend); Kathy Ward; Gordon Wenner (George & Carin Herren’s friend); Merle Winn (Amy Ogden’s friend); Josh Yeo (Barb Stahl’s friend); Jason Zeller (Kathy Ward’s son); Linda Zeller (Kathy Ward’s daughter in law)
Healthy Families Diaper Drive – Remote Edition!
It seems so long ago that we heard Teresa Deacon’s Healthy Families presentation at the March 5 soup supper. Now that May is upon us, Social Action hopes that you will participate in our month-long diaper drive, which we will handle a bit differently than planned. Here is a reminder of just some of the services provided by Healthy Families:
Pre- and post-natal support
Child development assessment and activities
Regular home visits for 5 years
An annual baby shower
A grandparent support group
A twice-monthly baby café
Car seats
Breastfeeding support
Positive parenting options
These services are free for 50 young families in the county, regardless of income or education. And they go through LOTS of diapers! So, the diaper drive: If you would like to purchase diapers (all sizes welcome, but the newborn size (N) is least needed), you can either drop them off on the Naccas’ porch at 109 Chapel Street or call Kathi at 394-7901 and she will get them from your doorstep. If you would like to donate money for diaper purchases, please send a check to the church with the word “Diapers” on the memo line.
Difficult times demand creative solutions, and we hope this diaper drive, remote edition, will gain support. If you have any questions about Healthy Families or about the diaper drive, please call Kathi Nacca at 394-7901. THANK YOU. ~ Social Action
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
United Church of Christ
58 N. Main St., Canandaigua, NY 14424 (585) 394-2184
Website: www.canandaiguachurch.org
E-mail: office@canandaiguachurch.org
We’re a Different Kind of Church
- We value and respect diversity in the ways we express our faith.
- We enjoy thoughtful dialogue about faith issues.
- We encourage each other to work for justice and to care for people in need in our community and in our world.
