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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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April 26, 2015
THE ORDER OF WORSHIP
Our faith is over 2000 years old.
Our thinking is not.
11:00 a.m.
FOURTH 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.
CENTERING CHANT
Alleluia
Chancel Choir and Congregation
*THE CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader:
Come sisters and brothers, gather together.
People:
From all the stresses of a busy week, gather.
Leader:
Plunge your sorrow and worry into the fountain of life.
People:
Here, find comfort and hope.
Leader:
Place your dreams and concerns on the table of blessing.
People:
Here, find courage and renewal.
Leader:
Give your questions and doubts to the heart of God.
People:
Here, find a peace that lightens the load and restores the faith.
Leader:
Come all of you in this place;
People:
Become a family of love, a community of song, a people of prayer.
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*OPENING HYMN
Praise to the Living God
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*OPENING PRAYER
Unison:
Come upon us, communal God. Enter our hearts. Enter our heads.
Create a time and place for our souls to connect with you, whether we
walk in the valleys or on the mountains this day. Guide us, Good
Shepherd and transform us through word, song and prayer in this
holy hour. The risen Christ is in our midst, so with Christ we 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.
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
Leader:
Loved, comforted and guided by the Good Shepherd as one flock, let us
greet one another in Peace saying: “Peace 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 5th grade wishing to attend Sunday School are
invited to leave during the Passing of the Peace and go to the Fellowship Hall.
THE GOSPEL WITNESS
John 10:11-18
Jesus said: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf
coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters
them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am
the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me
and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do
not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there
will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down
my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own
accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received
this command from my Father."
Friends, listen. God is still speaking!
Thanks be to God!
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THE PSALTER
The Lord is My Shepherd-Psalm 23
Greg Jackson, soloist
THE MORNING MESSAGE
THE ANTHEM
arr. Keith Green
The Rev. Megan Smith
Shepherd Me, Lord
Chancel Choir
Rosenbaum/Kingsley
THE MORNING PRAYERS AND SUNG PRAYER RESPONSE
THE RECEIVING OF OUR GIFTS
Offertory Music
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
arr. Mack Wilberg
Chancel Choir; Katie Martinez and Anthony Cabrera, flute.
*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:
O Christ, who reigns among us, may these gifts be a part of your
realm on earth. Bless them and send them to those who may be
walking in valleys this day. Keep us in covenant with you in our
giving, we pray. Amen.
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*CLOSING HYMN
Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us
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*THE BENEDICTION
Leader:
May the fullness of God’s grace remain with us through the challenges of
this week.
ALL:
May we pass on the grace we have received to those around us as we
work, serve and rest. Amen
*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 provided by the
Women’s Fellowship. 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.
THANK YOU TO OUR USHERS: Coleen Atkins, Head Usher; Peter McDougal,
Margaret Roles, Michael Flegel, and David Dangler.
THE FLOWERS THAT GRACE OUR CHANCEL are given by Gilbert Rios in
loving memory of Betty Sadey.
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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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.
THE FIRST ANNUAL CORAL GABLES TALENT-PALOOZA
Presented by Girl Scout Troop 2762
to benefit Team Hope of the National Parkinsons 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
(Cash or checks made payable to Troop 2762)
Refreshments will be on sale as well.
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.
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].
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DIG OUT THOSE TAP SHOES
Gables UCC’s Got Talent
Friday, June 5 from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in Moye Chapel
Attention singers, actors, jugglers, hog callers, baton twirlers, poets, story-tellers, and all
the talented people of the church: the Gables Congregational UCC’s Got Talent Coffee
House, Season Six, is back. Contact Ron Morgan at [email protected] to sign up. All
members of all ages are welcome to participate in this event, and all are encouraged to
attend. We will provide the coffee and beverages. Audience members are asked to donate
desserts and fruit. This fun event is being hosted by the Board for Congregational Life.
MOTHER’S DAY OFFERING OF LETTERS
Gables Congregational UCC is a partner congregation with Bread for the World, an
organization that stands in a long biblical and prophetic tradition of those who speak out
boldly in defense of people who are poor, hungry and consigned to the margins of
society. By changing policies, programs, and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to
persist, we provide help and opportunity far beyond the communities where we live.
On Sunday, May 10, we will hold a Mother’s Day Campaign Against Hunger. Following
worship, all church members and friends are invited to participate in Bread for the
Worlds’ Annual Offering of Letters, urging Congress to renew our federal government’s
major child nutrition programs including those for school meals and the WIC nutrition
program for pregnant and new mothers along with their small children.
In honor of your mother, grandmother, or other special women in your life, we invite you
to write a letter to President Obama and/or to your elected legislatures on behalf of so
many mothers who struggle every day to feed their families. In turn you will receive a
card to be given to your mother or special woman which says, “In your honor, I have
sent letters to the President of the United States and to my congressional leader urging
them to renew support for helping mothers around our nation and around the world to
feed their children. Happy Mother’s Day!” We can end hunger in our time, but everyone
must do their part. For more information about Bread for the World and how you can
play a part in helping to end hunger, visit http://www.bread.org.
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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THIS IS BIG!!!
The Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ
is holding its Annual Meeting right here at
Coral Gables Congregational UCC
What an honor! UCC members and clergy from around the State will gather right here in
our beautiful, lively and historic church next weekend May 1 – 3 for the Annual Meeting
of the Florida Conference of the UCC.
On Thursday and Friday, the various boards and committees of the Florida Conference
will be meeting at the church. On Friday evening, May 1 there will be an open house at
Pastor’s Laurie’s to meet and greet John Vertigan, the new Florida Conference Minister
and Geoffrey Black, the General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ,
and other Conference Ministers and UCC Seminary representatives participating in the
meeting.
On Saturday, May 2, the Annual Meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. with opening worship
in our sanctuary. The all-day meeting will include hearing reports from the various
Conference committees and leaders, workshops, and looking at issues of concern
regarding the kinds of initiatives and commitments 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. All members of Gables Congregational UCC are urged
to attend this beautiful and inspirational service.
What do we need? Cookies! Lots and lots of cookies. In fact,
about 1,200! Can you back a dozen or two? We are looking for a
variety of cookies including gluten-free, sugar-free, and lots and
lots of chocolate! You may drop them off at Pastor Laurie’s office
and she promises not to touch them…except under extreme duress
or to taste test.
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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