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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
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THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
THE ORDER OF WORSHIP
Our faith is over 2000 years old.
Our thinking is not.
April 19, 2015
11:00 a.m.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MOTOWN
Motown was about music for all people –
white and black, blue and green, cops and the robbers.
I was reluctant to have our music alienate anyone.
~ Berry Gordy
Many Thanks to Our Musicians This Morning:
Dorian Reyes, drums; Jason Rosner, bass; Adjetey Osekre, guitar;
Ralph Condit, vocals; Joy Akers, vocals
And Special Thanks to Clay Ostwald, keyboards and musical director.
* Please stand as you are able
GATHERING MUSIC
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.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader:
Love is what draws us here.
People:
Our desire to be loved entices us.
Caring love invites us.
God’s creative love unites us.
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Leader:
People:
Leader;
People:
Leader:
People:
Love is what fills us here.
A handshake or embrace warms us.
Holy conversation informs us.
Christ’s grace reforms us.
Love is what encourages us here.
A compassionate tale stirs us.
A need made known prompts us.
God’s pervasive Spirit inspires us.
Let us practice such love with hearts open to God and God’s possibilities.
Let our worship be a wondrous act of love!
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Ashford and Simpson
Listen baby, ain't no mountain high,
Ain't no valley low, ain't no river wide enough baby
If you need me call me no matter where you are,
No matter how far; don't worry baby
Just call my name; I'll be there in a hurry
You don't have to worry,
OPENING SONG
*UNISON PRAYER
God, there is nothing that keeps You from us and so we come here to meet
You, to talk to You, to love You, to enjoy You, and to have fun with You. Let
us put aside all the things that have hurt us and bothered us this week so that
we can listen and be touched by Your still-speaking voice that comes to us in
new and different ways each day. Amen.
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
Leader: Friends, let us live fully, love wastefully, and have the courage to be all
that we can be. Let us extend that blessing to one another as we offer the
peace of Christ by saying, “The peace of Christ be with you.”
People: And also with you.
You are invited to share greetings of welcome and peace with those around you.
All children through third grade wishing to attend Sunday School are invited to exit to
the Fellowship Hall during the passing of the peace.
REFLECTION
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SONG
What’s Going On
Mother, mother, there's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today.
Marvin Gaye
Father, father, we don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today.
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Yeah, what's going on
Mother, mother, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply 'cause our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
C'mon talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
RESPONSIVE SCRIPTURE LESSON
from the Gospel of Matthew
Leader:
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat
down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them,
saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit,
People:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Leader:
Blessed are those who mourn,
People:
for they will be comforted.”
We pause for a moment in silence to pray for those in need of comfort this day.
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Leader:
People:
Leader:
People:
Leader:
People:
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will receive mercy.
We pause for a moment in silence to pray that we may find the strength
to forgive those who have hurt us.
Leader:
People:
Leader:
People:
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
We pause for a moment in silence to pray for those around our world
who are striving to find a road to peace in the midst of difficult circumstances.
SONG
Leader:
People:
Leader:
People:
War
War! What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing!
Edwin Starr
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all
kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the
same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.....
We pause for a moment in silence to pray for all who have braved ridicule and rejection
for their insistence on following the path of God's compassion.
Leader:
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or
what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life
more than food, and the body more than clothing?....Therefore do not
worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will
we wear?' For your heavenly Creator knows that you need all these things.
Strive first for the realm and righteousness of God, and all these things
will be given to you as well.
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SONG
Reach Out I’ll Be There
Holland-Dozier-Holland
Now if you feel that you can't go on
Because all of your hope is gone;
And your life is filled with much confusion
Until happiness is just an illusion;
And your world around is crumbling down.
Reach out come on reach on out for me.
I'll be there with a love that will shelter you,
I'll be there with a love that will see you through.
When you feel lost and about to give up
Cause your life just ain't good enough;
And your feel the world has grown cold
And your drifting out all on your own;
And you need a hand to hold.
Reach out come on reach out for me.
I'll be there to love and comfort you,
And I'll be there to cherish and care for you…
THE SHARING OF OUR GIFTS
Offertory Music
Get Ready
Smokey Robinson
*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.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Unison:
Gracious God, all the work we do, all the good purposes we intend,
every act of generosity, each kindness to the stranger, the money we
give, every act of your justice; each of these things celebrates the
resurrection. Alleluia! Amen.
THE RECEIVING OF NEW MEMBERS
INTRODUCTIONS
OPENING WORDS
QUESTIONS OF THE NEW MEMBERS
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WORDS OF THANKSGIVING
*QUESTIONS OF THE CONGREGATION
*THE CONGREGATION’S PROMISE
We welcome you with joy into the common life of this church. We promise
you our friendship and prayers as we support one another in the work to
which we feel called: striving for peace and justice among all people,
protecting and restoring the integrity of all God's creation, and bringing
hope to those most vulnerable. Amen.
*WELCOME
*SONG
Tim Knoll, moderator
Dancing in the Streets
Calling out around the world,
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer's here and the time is right
For dancing in the street.
They're dancing in Chicago,
Down in New Orleans,
In New York City.
All we need is music, sweet music.
There'll be music everywhere.
There'll be swinging and swaying and records playing,
Dancing in the street.
Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear,
Just as long as you are there.
So come on, every guy, grab a girl.
Everywhere around the world.
There'll be dancing, they're dancing in the street.
This is an invitation, across the nation,
A chance for folks to meet.
There'll be laughing, singing, and music swinging,
Dancing in the street.
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Gaye/Stevenson
*WORDS OF COMMITMENT
Leader:
Faith demands choice.
By the grace of Christ, we can choose.
People:
We choose to believe
that light is better than darkness,
sharing is better than hoarding,
truth is better than deceit,
mercy is better than revenge,
love is better than indifference,
God is stronger than chaos.
Leader:
We choose to have faith in the God who is love
and choice will verify itself on the long and narrow road of life.
People:
By grace, we choose to choose faith.
Thanks be to God!
*THE POSTLUDE
During the postlude you are invited to come forward and enjoy the music.
Following worship this morning, please join us for Coffee Hour provided by the
Women’s Fellowship. Visitors, we would LOVE to have you join us.
After worship, be sure to also check out our Early Childhood Center’s annual Art Show
in Fellowship Hall – it’s always a treat for the eyes and a lift for the spirits. Look for
their Book Fair with Barefoot Books. It will be hard to resist these beautifully illustrated
and culturally diverse books.
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.
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].
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THANK YOU TO OUR USHERS: Lois Legge, Head Usher; Dana Viggiano, Sofia
Larraz, John Graham, and Andrea Heuson.
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.
GERMAN LANGUAGE CHURCH
Contact [email protected] to sign up for our mailing list.
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.
NEHEMIAH ACTION ASSEMBLY
Monday, April 20, 2015 ~ 6:30 p.m. sign-in; 7:30 p.m. agenda
New Birth Baptist Church
2300 NW 135rd Street, Miami, FL 33167
Our children deserve prevention services, not arrest records! Our children need to be in a
safe learning environment! We all are worthy of a safe, affordable place to live in MiamiDade! We NEED to demonstrate our power as members of our community! 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 to learn more or to
register.
BACK ON TRACK
Tuesday, April 21 from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in Havighorst Lounge
Back on Track Network is a faith-based, career support organization offering spiritual,
motivational and practical techniques and best practices to individuals in various stages
of career transition. This week’s program will feature guest speaker Georgina Hernandez,
a Vice President and Human Resources Advisor at SunTrust Bank, who will speak on
different types of interviews and how to prepare for them. There are phone interviews,
group interviews, stress interviews, interviews with case studies, blah, blah, blah. Learn
how to not be flustered when you encounter each of them. All are welcome.
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CHURCH NIGHT IN
Each Wednesday Evening from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
$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.
ADULT SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Sunday Mornings from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in Havighorst Lounge
The History of Making the Bible
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.
THE FIRST ANNUAL CORAL GABLES TALENT-PALOOZA
Presented by Girl Scout Troop 2762
to benefit Team Hope of the National Parkinson's Foundation
Tuesday, April 28, 2015 ~ 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
In the Fellowship Hall
Tickets are $5 for kids/$10 for adults
Additional donations are welcome!
(Cash or checks made payable to Troop 2762)
Refreshments will be on sale as well.
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].
THE ELEPHANT RETURNS TO WORSHIP THIS SUMMER
Has there ever been something you wanted to know about your faith, but were afraid to
ask? Well, this is your chance to ask tough questions about the Bible, church, ethics, or
life and get an honest and personal answer back from Pastor Laurie. E-mail, write, or call
Pastor Laurie, or go to the Gables UCC Facebook page and leave your question. She just
might preach on it!
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COMING IN MAY: THE FLORIDA CONFERENCE OF THE UCC
What an honor! UCC members and clergy from around Florida will gather right here in
our beautiful, lively and historic church over the weekend of May 1 – 3 for the Annual
Meeting of the Florida Conference of the UCC.
On Friday evening, May 1 there will be an open house at Pastor’s
Laurie’s to meet John Vertigan, the new Florida Conference
Minister and Geoffrey Black, the General Minister and President
of the UCC.
On Saturday, May 2, the all-day meeting which begins at 9:00
a.m. will include hearing reports from the various Conference
committees and leaders, workshops, and looking at issues which
the delegates would like the Florida Conference to embrace. At
2:45 p.m., a special worship service will take place that will
include our choirs, brass, bells and the installation of our new Florida Conference
minister, the Rev. John Vertigan.
This is a great opportunity for our congregation to shine by sharing its warm hospitality,
beautiful music, and historic building with many Floridians who have never been to this
area. Can you volunteer to help greet, usher, serve lunch, be a church tour guide, bake
cookies, or anything else that may be needed? If so, please let Drew know at
[email protected].
We are also privileged on Sunday, May 3 to have the new Florida Conference Minister,
John Vertigan bring the morning message during our 11:00 a.m. worship which will also
feature the music of our very own Community Arts Program All-STAR Jazz Ensemble,
Bell Choir, Vocal Ensemble and Chancel Choir. Truly a morning not to be missed!
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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
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