1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

WELCOME TO WORSHIP!
•No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey,
you are welcome in this United Church of Christ congregation.
•Large-print bulletins, hearing devices, and cough drops
are available from the ushers.
•Nursery and pre-school care is available during worship if you wish.
•God is calling you today, but probably not on your cell phone!
Please remember to put it on vibrate.
•ALL are welcome to this time and place of worship.
Know that in this space you are welcome as you are and for who you are.
As followers of Christ, we are compelled by the Gospel to seek reconciliation and
wholeness in a world that is all too often an unloving place.
Therefore, whether you are gay, straight, or in-between;
whatever your country of origin or ancestry;
whether you are a believer, a doubter or a seeker;
in Christ’s love, we welcome you, so that by the power
of the Holy Spirit we can work together to
usher in God’s Reign of justice, peace, and mercy.
•Invite your family and friends around the world to worship with us online
each Sunday at http://gablesucc.org/live.
The Reverend Dr. Laurinda Hafner, Senior Pastor
The Reverend Dr. Guillermo Márquez-Sterling, Associate Pastor
The Reverend Megan Smith, Associate Pastor
The Reverend Dr. Richard J. Bailar, Pastor Emeritus
Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ
3010 De Soto Boulevard
Coral Gables, Florida 33134-6317
Phone: 305.448.7421 ~ www.Gablesucc.org
CCLI License # 11282912
1
April 12, 2015
THE ORDER OF WORSHIP
Our faith is over 2000 years old.
Our thinking is not.
11:00 a.m.
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
GATHERING MUSIC
Dr. Gregory Taylor, Parish Musician
THE WORDS OF WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thank you for signing the red hospitality pad found in the pews and passing it around.
Please use your smart phone to check in on Facebook or Twitter and let your family and
friends know that you are at Coral Gables Congregational UCC.
Invite your family and friends around the world to worship with us online
each Sunday at http://gablesucc.org/live.
Be sure to “like” us at http://facebook.com/mycgcc.
You are most welcome to connect your smart device to our free wifi service.
THE PRELUDE
*THE CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader:
We are on a journey –
People:
the journey of faith.
Leader:
We walk the hard road –
People:
the road of surprise.
Leader:
We cast our nets –
People:
and abundance will take on a new meaning
Leader:
We cast our anxiety on God.
People:
We cast our hope on God.
Leader:
Beloved, come and enter. God’s glory is upon us.
People:
Let us worship the God of grace!
Leader:
Come, Holy Spirit, breathe upon us!
ALL:
Fill us with the breath of life!
2
*OPENING HYMN
O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
*OPENING PRAYER
Unison:
Loving God, we welcome your living presence in our midst. Share our
joy and our thanks for the life you give us. Sing with us! Dance among
us! Pray with us! Shower us with your love! We ask this in the name
of the Living One, Jesus Christ who taught us to pray…
*THE LORD'S PRAYER (sung)
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.
3
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
Leader:
Because we know God's grace through Jesus Christ, we therefore know
God's peace. May we share that peace with one another by saying, “The
peace of Christ be with you.”
People:
And also with you.
You are invited to share the peace or words of welcome with those around you.
All children through 12th grade wishing to attend Sunday School are
invited to leave during the Passing of the Peace and go to the Fellowship Hall.
THE CONTEMPORARY WITNESS
John Shelby Spong
The biblical narratives purporting to tell the story of Easter have always held a particular
fascination for me. As I got more and more deeply into the subject of Easter, it became so
obvious that the resurrection texts of the gospels were not written to be read literally.
Their language, words and concepts are far too fanciful for that level of understanding.
The Easter stories were developed because an incredible life-changing power, that was
indisputable to the gospel authors, had to be communicated. It is that experience that
needs to be explored far more than the way they tried to explain it. This means we must
find a way to get beneath the literal words of the Easter story. Whatever Easter was
originally, it had considerable power.
THE GIFT OF MUSIC
Honor! Honor!
Mark Hart, vocalist
arr. Hall Johnson
THE GOSPEL WITNESS
John 21:1 – 14
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this
way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in
Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to
fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and
got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not recognize him.
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
He said, “Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they
did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
4
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon
Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him and
jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of
fish, for they were not far from shore. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals
there with fish on it, and some bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter
climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but
even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have
breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the
Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This
was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Friends, listen. God is still speaking!
Thanks be to God!
THE MORNING MESSAGE
THE ANTHEM
The Rev. Dr. Guillermo Márquez-Sterling
Didn’t I See My Lord
Chancel Choir
Hayes
THE MORNING PRAYERS
PRAYER RESPONSE
Come and fill all my life,
Come and fill all my life
Each and ev-'ry ten-der place
Ho-ly Breath, move through me
Come and fill all my life,
Come and fill all my life
Pouring gently, rushing strong
Ho-ly Breath, move through me
THE RECEIVING OF OUR GIFTS
Offertory Music
*PRESENTATION OF GIFTS AND THE SINGING OF THE DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below.
Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*THE PRAYER OF DEDICATION
ALL:
We pray, O God, for your Spirit to empower these gifts so they may
reach the many people desperate for the Easter message, so their
despair may be transformed into hope. Amen.
5
*CLOSING HYMN
I Come to the Garden Alone
6
*THE BENEDICTION
*THE POSTLUDE
During the postlude you are invited to come forward to the piano and enjoy the music.
Following worship this morning, please join us for Coffee Hour with anniversary cake
donated by Tom Carney in honor of his wife Janet Copeland on the occasion of their 35th
wedding anniversary. Visitors, we would LOVE to have you join us.
A WARM AND CORDIAL WELCOME TO ALL GUESTS!
If you are visiting us today, we welcome you. We are grateful we have found each other.
And, if somehow, there is something in you, some still small voice seeking a place to live
out your faith, to ask important questions, and to serve beyond yourself, we invite you
into our community. For more information about the church or membership, please
contact Pastor Laurie at 305.448.7421, ext. 116, [email protected], or text her at
305.968.6482.
IN OUR PRAYERS…
We remember all those places of war, violence and unrest, as we continue to pray for
peace for all people around the world. A lighted candle on the altar table symbolizes
our prayers for peace.
STAY IN TOUCH
Once a week or so, Pastor Laurie e-mails a pastoral letter, Laurie’s Lines, to all
members and friends, filling them in on the week’s events, any special concerns that
have arisen, and general church business. If you would like to be included, contact
Ron Morgan at [email protected].
ONE CONGREGATION: TWO WORSHIPPING LOCATIONS
This morning, many from our congregation have joined Pastor Laurie on South Beach as
we share the good news of an inclusive welcoming gospel message with those who are
gathering for the annual Gay PRIDE parade. We will gather in worship at 11:00 a.m. on
South Beach and then march in the Gay PRIDE Parade with our float featuring several of
our gay couples who were recently legally married here at Gables Congregational UCC.
GERMAN LANGUAGE CHURCH
Contact [email protected] to sign up for our mailing list.
7
THANK YOU TO OUR USHERS: Coleen Atkins, Head Usher; Keidy and Richard
Caldwell, and John Graham.
CARDS FOR NANCY AND TERRY
You are invited to sign a card in the Fellowship Hall for Nancy Morgan and Terry Rohm,
two of our church members who were in a car accident a week ago Friday.
FAIR TRADE MARKETPLACE
Your purchases empower artisans to work and build strong families and villages globally.
Unique and Special Gifts ~ Located outside the Fellowship Hall
Say thank you or congratulations with our beautiful new gift certificates.
They can be purchased for as little as $5.00 and are perfect as Mother’s Day, graduation,
Confirmation, birthday, get well, or baptism gifts. These color photo gift certificates were
donated by church members Raul Ley of Sir Speedy printers; Mary Walsh of Swim
Snaps; and Paul King, who purchased the elegant envelopes.
NEHEMIAH ACTION ASSEMBLY
Monday, April 20, 2015
Be a part of the movement, the opportunity for us to stand in solidarity with the wider
community for racial justice. Visit the Justice and Witness Table in Fellowship Hall.
THIS AFTERNOON: CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall
We are pleased to partner with the local ACLU chapter of South Florida, as they offer to
our community a forum presentation on the prison conditions in the state of Florida.
Today, at 3:00 p.m., an elite panel of experts will discuss the relationship between drug
policy and racism in society, resulting in high rates of African American men in prison.
The panel will look into the decriminalization of “minor” drug offenses. Join Katy
Sorenson, former Miami Dade County commissioner, as she digs into these issues to help
us understand what we can do about them. This event is free to the public.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Monday, April 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Church Library
We gather to create beautiful prayer shawls to share with members of our church family
who are ill or grieving. You do not have to know how to knit or crochet – someone will
teach you. If you are looking for a ministry of prayer and care for others, this may be it.
Come and help wrap someone in God’s love by creating a beautiful prayer shawl.
8
CHURCH NIGHT IN
Each Wednesday Evening from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
$5 for adults / $3 for kids 12 and under
Take-Out Available
Come see old friends and meet new friends while gathering for a delicious dinner.
CALLING ALL FUN-LOVING AND ADVENTUROUS PEOPLE
Join us as we explore South Florida
The Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera Art Exhibit
at the NSU Art Museum Ft. Lauderdale
Thursday, May 14 ~ Leave church by shuttle at 9:30 a.m.
$25 includes tour and lunch at the Museum
To make reservations for either event, contact Drew Sandbulte at 305.448.7421 ext. 150
or [email protected].
FAMILY PROMISE: THE NEXT STEP
Thursday Evening, April 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Temple Judea
5500 Granada Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33146
A mother loses her job, a father is kept from working by an injury, a family is forced
from their home by fire or natural disaster. These are the reasons why families now make
up 40 percent of the homeless population. In response to this crisis, a national
organization called Family Promise seeks to bring the faith community together to help
families regain their housing, their independence, and their dignity.
Over the past months we have been meeting to see how we could create a Family
Promise affiliate here in Miami to help keep homeless families intact as they work to get
back on their feet. It is an exciting and hope-filled project that joins with 6,500
congregations and 160,000 volunteers across the country in working toward a nation in
which every family has a home, a livelihood, and the chance to build a better future.
Please join us on Thursday evening, April 16, at 7:00 p.m. at Temple Judea to hear
more about Family Promise and how this congregation along with the larger interfaith
community of Miami can be engaged. If you have further questions, please contact Pastor
Laurie, Drew Sandbulte, or Larry Silvester, who are our congregation’s liaisons to
Family Promise, during this time of development and dreaming.
9
ADULT SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Sunday Mornings from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in Havighorst Lounge
The History of Making the Bible
Sundays, April 12 - June 14
What is our Biblical Canon? How were the books selected? What books were left out and
why? Why are there different versions? Join us as we view lectures from The Teaching
Company and share information from text sources as we reflect on the making of the
Bible. Childcare will be provided.
NEW MEMBERS WILL BE RECEIVED SUNDAY, APRIL 19
If you don’t want to check your mind at the church door…..
If you know that God’s love embraces all people, no matter who they are…
If you want religion with relevancy…
If you’ve wished for an open and embracing community of faith to nurture your spirit,
grow your faith, and raise your children…
Then we warmly invite you to help us build the family of Gables UCC.
For more information, contact Pastor Laurie at [email protected] or 305.448.7421
ext. 116.
COMING IN MAY: THE FLORIDA CONFERENCE OF THE UCC
The Annual Meeting of the Florida Conference of the UCC is going to be held right here
in Coral Gables on the weekend of May 1 – 3. It is going to be a wonderful weekend as
representatives from the 100 UCC congregations across Florida will gather for business,
worship, fellowship, workshops, and service. The festivities include the installation of
our new Florida Conference Minister John Vertigan and a presentation by the General
Minister and President of the UCC, Geoffrey Black. There are many ways you can
participate including attending the many activities and events of the meeting and/or
volunteering your time. We will need ushers, greeters, servers, hospitality, and
cookies! If you can volunteer, please let Drew know at [email protected].
WE ARE OUT OF THE BOX PEOPLE!
Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ
3010 De Soto Boulevard, Coral Gables, Florida 33134-6317
Phone: 305.448.7421 ~ www.gablesucc.org
10
11
12