First Church Congregational, Fairfield

Our Purpose is to love God and our neighbor as ourselves.Our Mission is to welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.

Our Vision is a just world for all.

September 12, 2021 — 10:15 AMThe Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Welcome! How wonderful it is to worship together indoors. In keeping with guidance fromthe Fairfield Department of Public Health, please wear a mask and practice social distancing.Hymns will be sung by a soloist or small group. These simple steps will help keep us all safe!

All the People of God (that’s you!) speak the text inboldface.Worship leaders speak the text in regular type.

Italic Text provides explanation or instruction.

We Gather to Hear God’s Word

Welcome & Announcements

We seek to extend the extravagant welcome of God to all people, all the time. Regardless ofyour race, class, ancestry, gender identity, marital status, ability, age, immigration status, or

sexual orientation, you are always welcome at First Church. We affirm your inherent dignityas a child of God. God created you just as you are and loves you just as you are. We do, too!

Prelude Prelude in Classic Style Gordon Young

1

Introit O Come Let Us Sing Unto the Lord

*Call to WorshipThe heavens are telling the glory of GodMay our worship reflect God’s glory.

The firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.May we see each other as the handiwork of God as well.

Let our prayer and praise, our singing and proclamation project the love of God.With our hearts and voices with faithful people around the world,And with God’s people throughout time.

Let us worship God together!

Hymn The God of AbrahamPraisePlease meditate as you listen to the hymn, since we are limiting singing to keep the most vulnerable among us safe.

The God of Abraham praise,all praises to God's name,who was and is and is to be, fore'er the same!The one eternal God, before what now appears;the First, the Last: beyond all thought through timeless years!

God has eternal life implanted in the soul;God's love shall be our strength and stay,while ages roll.All praise the living God! Extol that hallowed name,who was, and is, and ever shall be still the same!

God's spirit freely flows, high surging where it will;God spoke of old in prophet's word;that word speaks still.Established is God's law, and changeless it shall stand deepwritten on the human heart, in every land.

The God of Sarah praise,all praises to God's name,who was and is and is to be, fore'er the same!The one eternal God, before what now appears;the First, the Last: beyond all thought throughtimeless years!

*Prayer of Invocation and The Lord’s PrayerPlease respond:Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy willbe done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive usour trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not intotemptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power and theglory forever. Amen.

2

Children’s Message

Candle of Witness Cottage Meetings Teresa Harris

Gloria PatriGlory 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. Amen.

Scripture James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38

Sermon The Reverend Vanessa Rose

Musical Offering The Summons arr. Tom Trenney

Will you come and follow meif I but call your name?Will you go where you don'tknow and never be the same?Will you let my love be shown.Will you let my name be known,Will you let my life be grownin you and you in me?

Will you love the 'you' you hideif you but call your name?Will you quell and fear insideand never be the same?Will use the faith you've foundto reshape the world around,through my sight and touch and soundin you and you in me.

Will you leave yourself behindif I but call your name?Will you care for cruel and kindand never be the same?Will you risk the hostile stareshould your life attract or scare?Will you let me answer pray'rin you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded seeif I but call your name?Will you set the pris'ners freeand never be the same?Will you kiss the leper clean,and do such as this unseen,and admit to what I meanin you and you in me?

Lord, your summons echoes truewhen you but call my name.Let me turn and follow youand never be the same.In your company I’ll gowhere your love and footsteps show.Thus I’ll move and live and growin you and you in me.

3

Joys and Concerns

Prayers of the People

Invitation to the Offering

Doxology and Prayer of Dedication

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.Praise God all creatures here below.Praise God for all that love has done.Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen.

Hymn Lift High the Cross

Please meditate as you listen to the hymn, since we are limiting singing to keep the most vulnerable among us safe.

Come, christians follow where our Savior trod,the Lamb victorious, Christ the child of God. [Refrain]

Set up your throne, that earth’s despair may cease,beneath the shadow of its healing peace. [Refrain]

Each newborn servant of the crucifiedbears on the brow the seal of Christ who died. [Refrain]

So shall our song of triumph ever be;praise to the Crucified for victory. [Refrain]

O Christ, once lifted on the glorious tree,Your death has brought us life eternally. [Refrain]

Refrain: Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim;Let all adore and praise that sacred name.

Blessing for Our Meal

Benediction and Sung Response

Postlude Lift High the Cross Donald Busarow

4

Leading Us in WorshipThe Reverend David W. Spollett

The Reverend Vanessa RoseDeacons Michelle Nolan and Pertrinea Cash

Dr. Frank Martignetti, Director of Music and OrganistThe Chancel Choir

Cheri Evan, Alan Fuehring, Amy-Alison Ward,Andrew and David McKinnis, Technical Team

PermissionsMusic reprinted with permission, OneLicense.net #A-731937.

Call to Worship from Jesus Sets the Table, resources by theUnited Church of Christ, posted on theirWorship Ways website.

Please Hold in your PrayersDisciples at First Church: John Beggs, Sandy Bromer; Ken and Betsy Dalling; Gayle Hand;Sonia Gutierrez and Henry Hernandez; Christy Jefremow; Cathy Kane, her brother Scottand great niece Amelia; Adelaide Kitchen; Alice and Jerry Krenke; Lillian Klein; GerryKuroghlian; Judy Magness, Gerry O’Donovan; Chantel Opal; Tommy Petraglia; DonnaSchmidt; Joe and Lauren Strickland’s five grandsons in Libya; Arlene Studer; Joann VanEsselstyn; Bill Verdier; Elinor Wilber; and Edith Zambo.

Serving in the military: James Classy, Sam Classy, Trevor Dawson, David Elmore, SeanLomnitzer, and Christopher Muschett.

Those on the Front Lines of COVID-19:Members of First Church: Eric Anderson, Michelle Baker, Laura Burr, Pertrinea Cash,Brooke Hine, Greg Jefremow, Kristin Koch, Kristin Lupo, Beth McKinnis, Kim ChaffeeTrupp, and Edite Weddle.

5

Friends of First Church: Elizabeth Brennan, Marguerite Dolan (Matt Dolan’s mom), FairfieldEMS, Ericka Gordon, Stephen Huelskamp, Tracie and Devon Lingenfelter, Lauren RedlerMcGrath, Maria Pellegrino, Diane Marble, Casey Redler, Maria Sutton (First Baptist Church)Anna Taft, and Ann Yergeau.

Family and Friends: Thelma Anderson (David McKinnis’ Aunt); Connor, Mike & JessCallahan (friends of Rita Skog); Elizabeth Clark (friend of the Gindek family); BrandonDeedon (Pertrinea Cash’s son); Charles Donovan (friend of Frank and Heather Martignetti);Linda Drew (friend of Poppy Buonuomo); Tom Dwyer (Phil’s brother); Sharon Friedlander(Connie Sargent's cousin); Greg and Laura Fregio; John Gindek (Dave’s Dad); LindaGoldstein (friend of Poppy Buonuomo); Greenawalt and Darnall Families (Gindek family);Jose Gutierrez (Sonia’s Dad); Christina Holms (Connie and Bill Sargent’s niece); NormaJenkins and Family (friends of the Gindek family); Nancy and Paul King;Martha Krollman;Tim Marble (Charlotte Dyslin’s brother); MaKayla and John McGovern (friends of DonnaKersten); David Mollett; Artie Quinn; Sara Redeghieri (the Spollett’s “Italian” daughter);Nan Scarbrough (David McKinnis' dad's wife); Levi Schmidt (friend of Penny Stevens);Darlene and Bobby Scaia (Pat Bilotto’s cousins); Dorothy Steinman; Seth Sullivan (JacquePaige’s nephew); Hayder, Nada, Ali, and Leith Tawfiq (friends of First Church); and DanielleTaal and her five sons (Lauren and Joe Strickland’s daughter and grandsons).

The Needs of God’s Beloved World● All those who served in Afghanistan over the past twenty years, especially the 2,385

who were killed and for their grieving families● All the people of Afghanistan, especially females and LGBT people● All those who suffered and died in the earthquake in Haiti and Hurricane Henri and

Ida.● All those suffering from severe weather and raging wildfires in the Western US.● All who have suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent surge from the

Delta variant. Over 4,500,000 people have died, including 640,000, in the US.● Those who are suffering economically due to the pandemic.● All those who work to provide vaccinations so that all people may be safe.● Health care workers who care for COVID-19 patients.● All those afflicted with addiction, those in recovery, who have died, and loved ones.

6

● Victims in 481 mass shootings and the 27,254 killed in the epidemic of gun violence.● Survivors of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment and those who love them.● All who work to prevent domestic violence and to care for the victims.● All who are committed to the work of antiracism.● All who are involved in education: parents, teachers, administrators, and staff.● All who suffer from loneliness, depression, all mental illnesses, and their families.● The Uighur, Rohingya, and Karen people who are subjected to genocidal violence.● The people of Darfur, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Mozambique, Central African Republic,

Chad, Nigeria, Syria, Libya, Dem. Rep. of Congo, Yemen and all who are suffering theravages of war.

● Nearly 80 million refugees and displaced people around the world.● Our community partners: FaithActs for Education; Council of Churches of Greater

Bridgeport (CCGB); Mercy Learning Center; Operation Hope; Westbridge; SimplySmiles; Make the Road Connecticut; Congregations Organized for a New Connecticut(CONECT); and the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI).

Your support of the United Church of Christ’s USA Emergency Fund keeps up poised tohelp those left in need after hurricane devastation. We are grateful for your previous giftsthat have assisted thousands of individuals and communities in recovering and rebuildingfrom tremendous loss. We ask that you extend your generosity to those in the southern USaffected by Hurricane Ida.

How to help

The UCC has launched a Severe Storms 2021 appeal to receive donations for Hurricane Idarelief. Please visit https://www.ucc.org/appeal-severe-storms-2021/to make your gift. You may also text SevereStorm2021 to 41444 to make a donation.

7

The members of theWelcome the Stranger Pathway invite the church to support a newopportunity for ministry! With your support and blessing, we plan to sponsor a family fromAfghanistan along with other local interfaith congregations in Wesport: St.Luke's, Temple,and the Muslim Community, and the Conservative Synagogue. Together, our congregationsplan to form the Interfaith Refugee Resettlement Committee (IRRC) and work alongsideIntegrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS) in New Haven to foster a successfultransition for a family into their new community.

We have been longing to build meaningful relationships, share our gifts, and to supportAfghani refugees, so this comes as the answer to many of your heartfelt prayers. Come hearmore about it at the All Church Meeting on September 14th.

We are pleased to once again be hosting our “Equal Exchange” table! As many of youknow, First Church has been participating in this fair trade initiative for over ten years, alongwith thousands of churches, temples and communities of faith around the U.S. EqualExchange's directly and equitably traded products connect you with the people who growyour food: small-scale farmers. When you buy Equal Exchange products, you help to helpsupport small farmers and their families. The Church donates the proceeds from our EqualExchange sales to Holy Joe’s Café, an organization which serves thousands of free cups ofcoffee to our troops in 70 countries throughout the world and is a dynamic part of militaryChaplains 24/7/365 service to the troops. Look for the Equal Exchange table on WelcomeBack Sunday and on the first Sunday of every month. If you would like to help with thisinitiative, please reach out to Julie Mughal (jmughal@live.com).

8

You Can Help!!

Deliver Non-Perishable Food, Diapers, Checks, and Gift Cards toWakeman Hall by Thursday Noon for delivery

to the Food Pantry at Mercy Learning Center on Friday Morning!!These are basic items that will help right now:

● bags of rice and bags of any type of dried beans, lentils, etc.● tomato paste, tomato sauce, or diced tomatoes● oatmeal, cream of wheat, corn meal,● pasta, cooking oil, flour● powdered or evaporated milk● canned meats, canned fruit, canned vegetables● toilet paper, bars of soap, other toiletries● Diapers: sizes 4, 5, and especially 6● Gift cards: Stop and Shop, ShopRite, Walgreens, CVS● Financial Donations: Mail to First Church, check payable to Mercy Learning Center.

Compassionate Care Drivers Needed!Rides to 10:15 worship for Arlene StuderPlease click the link above for more information or visithttps://my.lotsahelpinghands.com/community/firstchurchfairfieldct/home

9

Tuesday, September 147:00PM

on ZOOMDetails can be found on our Facebook Page and

Website

Meeting Topics:

● Facilities Board’s recommendation for a mechanical air circulation (HVAC) system for theSanctuary

● Electrical system update for the building● Finance Board recommended to Council that we sell the parsonage at 127 Rowland. Council

unanimously approved this to be put forth for Congregational vote. Our most importantpriority is to be able to worship together, and the sale will free up a church asset we do notneed. We considered the trend of full-time pastors moving away from parsonage living andto owning their own home. The sale of this parsonage will allow the church to do muchneeded work throughout the building including the new mechanical air circulation (HVAC)system for the Sanctuary, Webb Room, and Eunoia Room. We plan to list it for $1.035million.

● vote on recommended changes to the Bylaws.

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7250635457?pwd=bHByL0Z3ODFlZGZQbDYrRWNzTVYyZz09

Meeting ID: 725 063 5457 Passcode: 113372

CALL IN:

+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 725 063 5457 Passcode: 113372Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbRis7aYj5

10

The Bible – What Does It Mean Today?

Join David in this spiritual journey of revealing how

God’s word is still speaking and relevant to us, even today.

Wednesday Study Group

“The Gospel of John”

Beginning on September 15 at 10 am on ZOOM

Sunday Study Group

“The Letter to the Ephesians”

Beginning on September 19 at 9:15 am on ZOOM

Contact Cheri Evan for login information cevan@firstchurchfairfield.org

or call the church office (203) 259-8396

Read Aloud Day at Madison School, October 20 at 9:00. Join other folks

from First Church sharing the love of reading with Bridgeport students!

Great fun! Contact Geri Spollett 203-339-5658 or spollettgr@gmail.com.

11

CalendarSunday, Sept. 128:15am Worship, Wakeman Hall10:15am Worship, Wakeman Hall and Online10:15am Disciple Road, Library10:30am Middle Road, Garden of Hope11:30am Welcome Back Celebration6:00pm High Road, FirepitTuesday, Sept. 147:00pm All Church Meeting on ZOOMWednesday, Sept. 1510:00am Bible Study on ZOOMThursday, Sept. 1612:30pm Pastoral Team Meeting4:30pm Children’s Choir, Chapel5:15pm Youth Choir, Chapel6:00pm Hand Bell Choir, Webb Room7:30pm Chancel Choir, Wakeman HallFriday, Sept. 174:00pm The Loft, Wakeman StageSunday, Sept. 198:15am Worship, Wakeman Hall9:15am Bible Study on ZOOM10:15am Worship, Wakeman Hall and Online10:15am Disciple Road, Library10:30am Middle Road, Garden of Hope11:30am Confirmation, Outside6:00pm High Road, Firepit

Sunday worship at 10:15am can be viewed on our website: www.firstchurchfairfield.org

12