Williston Federated Church United Methodist Church and United Church of Christ – Federated 1899

An Open and Affirming, Reconciling Congregation

Mission Statement Our church is a community which seeks, welcomes and gathers people to share the Gospel of God’s

love, enables people to find fullness of life through Jesus Christ, goes into the world to live lovingly and justly as servants of Christ, and responds actively to human need.

Silent Meditation

The Lord’s Prayer

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into

temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine in the kingdom, the power and the

glory, forever. Amen.

Offering

Offertory “I Will Follow”

(Songbook #68)

Presentation of Gifts with Doxology

We give thee but thine own, What e’er the gift may be:

All that we have is thine alone, A trust, O Lord, from thee.

Pastor ~ Reverend Paul Eyer 878-5792, pastoreyer@gmail.com Emeritus Pastor ~ Charlie Magill

Lay Leader ~ Ashley Dubois, Ministers ~ The People of the Church Church Office Administrator ~ Sally Nowotarski

Music Director ~ Martin Hain, Organist ~ Carolyn Pillsbury Choir Accompanist ~ Cindy Thurston, Nursery Caregiver ~ Michelle Davis

44 North Williston Road, Williston, VT 05495 Church Office: (802) 878-5792, e-mail address: office@steeple.org, Website: www.steeple.org

*Prayer of Dedication (unison)

As we have been gathered in this place because of the faithfulness of those who have

gone before us, so we pray that the gifts we offer in these moments might be used to

reach out to those in all corners of the world who need hope, who hunger for food and

justice, who yearn for peace, and who long for your graceful presence in their

lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Life and Mission of the Church

*Hymn “More Like You”

(Songbook #131)

Going Out to Do God’s Word

Benediction

Postlude "Twisting of the Hay Rope"

Traditional Irish arr by George Winston

Welcome To All Who Worship Here! March 11, 2018 ~ 9:30 A.M.

Fourth Sunday of Lent Childcare is available downstairs in the nursery for young children.

Hearing assistance devices are available – please ask an usher for assistance.

Centering Words "Trouble and perplexity drive me to prayer and prayer drives away perplexity and trou-

ble." Philip Melancthon, 16th century religious reformer

Words of Welcome/ Call to Worship Ashley Dubois

Lay Leader, Williston Federated Church

One: In this place, the community of faith is reminded of the promise:

All: God's love endures forever! One: In spite of our impatient grumbling, despite our attraction to the shadows:

All: Christ's light shines in us! One: When we think our hands our empty, when we have no music in our souls:

All: the Spirit fills us with glad songs, and creates us for good works!

Prelude "Give Me Jesus"

African American Spiritual arr by James Pethel

Introit “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”

Forgive us, Eternal Love:

lead us from the shadows of sin into the light of your joy;

raise us up, as your children, so we may kneel in service to others;

shower us with the grace, the hope, the peace

you have brought to us through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

SILENT CONFESSION

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

One: Let the community of faith say so:

All: God's love endures forever! One: Let those gathered in grace say so:

All: God's love endures forever! One: Let those gathered from all parts of the world say so:

All: God's love endures forever! One: This is the good news for us:

All: God's love endures forever. One: Thanks be to God. Amen.

Anthem “My Worth Is Not in What I Own” (by Keith and Kristyn Getty)

Listening for God’s Word

Time with Children of All Ages Diane Davis

Scripture reading Page 94 (in the New Testament) John 3:14-21

Sermon “Cover of Darkness” Pastor Paul Eyer

*Hymn “God Hath Spoken by the Prophets” (Hymnal #108)

Responding to God’s Word

A fond farewell to Trudy Anderson

Celebrations and Concerns

Prayers of the People. Response: Lord in Your Mercy, hear our prayer.

Pastoral Prayer

Greeting and Announcements

Lighting the Peace Candle

Sharing the Peace of Christ (a brief time of greeting other worshipers nearby)

*Hymn “I Want to Walk as a Child in the Light”

(Hymnal # 206)

CALL TO CONFESSION

CONFESSION (unison)

The Light of the world has come, O God, but we admit that we sometimes love

the shadows all around us. In the shadows, we can boast of our achievements,

rather than point to your grace. In the shadows, we can grumble our unhappi-

ness with you, instead of singing your praises. In the shadows, we can give into

our natural anger, and not be touched by your call to be agents of peace and

hope.

NOTE: The lighted flame entering the sanctuary at the beginning of worship symbolizes the Light

of Christ coming into our midst.

Liturgical resources: The Call to Worship , Prayer of Confession, and Assurance of Pardon were adapted

from “Lectionary Liturgies” by Rev. Thom Shuman, found at http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com/2015/03/

liturgy-wcommunion-for-march-15-2015_8.html.

Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year B, Volume 1: Advent through Pentecost

(Westminster /John Knox Press, 2014) at page 108.

The Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Pardon were adapted from Beu, B. J.. The Abingdon Worship

Annual 2018: Worship Planning Resources for Every Sunday of the Year (Kindle Locations 997-1001). Ab-

ingdon Press. Kindle Edition.

Copyright license: Williston Federated Church holds a copyright license (#176957) with CCLI (Christian

Copyright Licensing International) that gives the church permission for use of a wide range of faith-focused

music and media.

The Powerpoint presentation of projected images is the result of a collaborative effort involving our Church

Office Administrator, Sally Nowotarski, Heather Lewis, a member of the Communications Task Force, and

Pastor Paul Eyer. Heather Lewis is serving as the remote control operator today.

Help Enhance Our Worship Services: Do you enjoy the images projected at the

front of our sanctuary during worship services? Would you like to help those im-

ages to be displayed? We are looking for a few volunteers who would be willing

to operate the remote control device during worship. This consists of clicking a

button at the correct time to advance the image on screen. (You would be provided

with an annotated bulletin and thumbnail "script" so that you will know when to

advance the frame each time.) The goal is to have a team of remote control device

operators who can rotate responsibility for this role each week or each

month. Please let Pastor Paul (pastoreyer@gmail.com, 802-878-5792) know if you

are interested in helping in this way.

Different Types of Prayer for Lenten Devotion

During the weeks of Lent, there will be a table in the Gallery with instructions for

different types of prayer: Lectio Divina, Composing Prayer, Intercessory Prayer,

and Walking Prayer. The sanctuary is open during the week during day-care

hours: 8am to 5:00pm Monday thru Friday

A Thank You to Nancy Stone ~ our own resident artist is once again sharing her

collages, entitled "Point of Choice, with us for Lent. Please view them in the gal-

lery area. Nancy writes:

"These acrylic-collage scrolls grew out of two month's sketching and painting dur-

ing rehearsals of the rock opera "Jesus Christ, Superstar," a 1989 Lyric Theater pro-

duction. Some Flynn Theater architectural motifs are used for the same reason

that Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the contemporary music...so that people today

can respond to messages that transcend time."

Greeters: Romaine DeCamp Coffee: Chris Stewart

Ushers: Ginger Isham and Donna Goodheart

Scripture Reader: Sara Moran

Williston Federated Church ~ Week of March 11, 2018

Tuesday, March 13~ 6:00pm Christian Ed; 7:00pm Official Board

Wednesday, March 14 ~ 6:00pm Youth Ministry; 7:30pm AA Meeting

Thursday, March 15 ~ 8:00am Centering Prayer; 11:00am Membership; 6:00pm Bonhoeffer

Study Series: 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal

Friday, March 16~ 7:00am Men’s Bible Study

Saturday, March 17 ~ 9:00am Alanon

Sunday, March 18 ~ 9:30am Worship Service

~~~~~~~

Thanks to everyone who is participating in the Heifer Project! The boxes are due

back at Church on April 8th."

Holy Week/Easter Schedule

March 25, 9:30am Palm Sunday

March 29, 7:00pm Maundy Thursday at WFC

March 30, 7:00pm Good Friday at Richmond Congregational Church,

(Across from Richmond Library and Post Office)

April 1, 6:30am Sunrise Service at the home of Tony and Susan Lamb at the

corner of Beebe Lane and Oak Hill Road near Lake Iroquois. There will

be a pot luck breakfast at the Lamb's after the service bringing food is

optional.

April 1, 9:30am Easter Service at WFC

Rummage Sale – March 23rd 9 AM – 6 PM and March 24th 9 AM -12 PM.

This sale is for clothing, shoes, purses, jewelry and linens only. Think tex-tiles. We are looking for donations of gently warn clothing for all ages, clean and in good condition, as well as linens, shoes, jewelry, purses. Items may be brought to Fellowship Hall beginning Monday, March 19th Tables will be set up and labeled. If you have time, please take a moment to place your items on the appropriate tables. Folks are needed to help with table set up on Sunday the 18th, sort clothes during the week, work at the sale Friday & Sat-urday and to help take the left over items to Goodwill on Saturday. If you can help, please sign up on the bulletin board near the kitchen or contact Carol Bouchard at 862-7400 or carolcbouchard@gmail.com Note: Please no dona-tions before March 19th.

Martyr or murderer? Theologian or Thug? Come explore one of the most fascinating

figures in all of church history! Who was Dietrich Bonhoeffer? Why did the Nazis want

him killed? Why do the provocative writings of this German pastor remain controversial over

seventy years after his death? And why is Bonhoeffer’s dramatic life story—abounding in

cloak-and-dagger intrigue—profoundly relevant to our lives today? Come find out in this

new adult study series continuing each Thursday through March 22 at 6:00 p.m in the

Fellowship Hall., led by Pastor Paul Eyer. Don’t miss this spiritual spy story!

JUMP

Imagine having to go without a toothbrush, deodorant, or shampoo to afford food for

your family. For many people in Chittenden County this is exactly the decision they

confront on a monthly basis. But thanks to JUMP, the Joint Urban Ministry Project,

these folks can obtain personal hygiene items by simply stopping by at the First Congre-

gational Church in Burlington. JUMP also provides vouchers for transportation, bicy-

cles, and bus passes to economically disadvantaged neighbors so that they can get to

work and back.

Please join your friends at Williston Federated Church by making a donation to the “

JUMP Personal Hygiene Drive” during the month of March. The items most needed

include: toothbrushes, deodorant, hand and body lotion, toothpaste, shampoo,

conditioner, dental floss, razors and shaving cream. Collection boxes will be on the

tables outside Fellowship Hall throughout the month. Thank you for helping our most

vulnerable community members maintain dignity and stay healthy.

From your Mission and Social Concerns Committee

Kids4Peace Summer Camps:

Be the first student from to Williston Federated Church to attend K4P camp. Now there

are many options for grades 6 and up. Also, our church has some financial help available

so please contact Nancy Stone about that.

Currently in 6th or 7th grade VERMONT/NEW HAMPSHIRE CAMP

Dates are June 24 - July 1 and the location is Plymouth State University in Plymouth, NH.

We have a new program for this age group with lots of exciting activities. Sign up now!

More details here: www.k4p.org/summer2018 Tuition is $800

(The website lists other options for tuition: $600 is for those needing financial assistance;

$1,0000 to cover the $800 tuition plus donated additional money for subsidy to help oth-

ers attend.)

Currently in 8th grade INTERNATIONAL CAMP

This camp includes teens from Jerusalem as well as across North America. Located in

Hendersonville, North Carolina, with a field trip to Atlanta. The priority deadline is Feb-

ruary 15th; registrations will be accepted on a rolling basis until all places are filled. Au-

gust 1 - 12. All the details can be found here: www.k4p.org/international-camp

Currently in 9th grade GLOBAL INSTITUTE

This camp is based in DC Dates: July 8 - 18 All the details can be found here:

www.k4p.org/global-institute

Currently in 10th grade or beyond We have exciting camp counselor opportunities and more. Email Jeff Mandell at

jeff@k4p.org

Dear Friends,

March 11th will be Trudy Anderson’s last Sunday at WFC before she and Sandy

move to FL. We thought it might be nice to shower Trudy and Sandy with cards

and notes of appreciation for all they have meant to the WFC church fam-

ily. Cards or notes may be left in the basket in the gallery, beginning this Sun-

day. Should you forget, extras will be available. Blessings, Membership Com new address is: Trudy & Sandy Anderson 7039 Pine Hollow Drive Mount Dora, Florida 32757