Large print bulletins and hearing assistance devices are available

January 18, 2015 10 a.m.
Welcome Guests! It is a pleasure to have you worship with us today! In
the mighty name of our living Lord Jesus, we welcome you to this service
of celebration. May you feel Christ’s presence, hear his Word proclaimed,
and be blessed, and renewed. Please be sure to sign the guest book and
join us again, if possible, in the near future.
Please note that Nursery care is available during worship for ages 0-2.
The asterisk (*) Indicates to please stand, if you are able.
Large print bulletins and hearing assistance devices are
available from the ushers.
Gathering
Prelude
Lighting of the Altar Candles
Introit: “He Is Lord”
Chancel Choir
* Hymn: “Morning Has Broken”
The United Methodist Hymnal #145
Greeting & Welcome
Pastor Roy
*Call to Worship:
Liturgist, Sue Pagano
Leader: The voice of the Holy One flashes forth, filling the world
with awe and delight.
People: The God of light sits enthroned in holy splendor.
Leader: The voice of the Holy One cries out, bathing the world in
goodness and hope.
People: The God of glory thunders, full of majesty.
Leader: The voice of the Holy One calls to us from the waters,
pouring out love in an endless stream.
People: Let us worship the God who calls us.
Opening Prayer: Holy Maker of all that is and ever will be, in
the beginning, you breathed over primal waters: speaking
light out of darkness, separating evening from morning,
creating the first night and the first day. When Jesus rose
from the waters of his baptism, you spoke again, calling him
your holy child as the Holy Spirit came upon him like a dove.
When Paul baptized the new believers at Corinth, your Holy
Spirit came upon them, pouring out words of prophesy and
story. In this day of celebration and memory, fill us with
your word and bathe us in your Spirit, that we may know
ourselves as beloved children, ready to give ourselves for
the sake of the world. Amen.
Children’s Story Time “Baptism”
Pastor Roy
Children will be dismissed at this time for Sunday school.
Finding the Quiet Center
Our Time of Intercessory Prayer: We come, together in prayer,
with prayers of Joy & Thanksgiving, with prayers for Hope, Healing,
and Wholeness. --With prayers for ourselves, and for others, with
prayers for our homes, and the world around us. Today, is there an
experience of God that you might share in praise of God?
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 is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory
forever. Amen.
Proclamation and Response
Hearing the Word of God in Scripture
Liturgist, Sue Pagano
Epistle Lesson: Acts 19:1-7 (NIV) p.786
*Hymn: “Wade in the Water”
The Faith We Sing #2107
* Gospel Lesson: Matthew 18: 1-6 (NIV)
Pastor Roy
May God bless the reading, hearing, understanding and preaching
of His Holy Word. Response: AMEN.
Morning Message: “Safe Sanctuaries”
Pastor Roy
Our Offering: “If You Ask Him”
Chancel Choir
The United Methodist Hymnal #95
*Giving Glory to God in Song
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all
creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Sending Forth
*Closing Hymn: “Spirit Song”
The United Methodist Hymnal #347
*Dismissal with Blessing
Pastor Roy
*Our parting prayer in song for one another: You are invited
to circle the sanctuary, to sing this prayer to one another. This
little light of mine, I’m goin’-a let it shine, this little light of
mine, I’m goin’-a let it shine; this little light of mine, I’m
goin’-a let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
*Organ Postlude
Let the fellowship continue – You are invited to join us for coffee in Fellowship Hall downstairs.
8 Church Street,
Stafford Springs, CT 06076
(860) 684-2468
Fax: (860) 684-3418
[email protected]
“Like” us on Facebook!
Our Web site is
www.fumcstafford.org
Secretary Office hours:
Office will be closed January 19
Mon. Weds. & Thurs.
7:30 -12:30
Fri. 7:30 -11:30
Connie Fogarty, Administrative Assistant
Our Participants in worship this morning:
Jill Gregori - Minister of Music
Kathy Aborn – Lay Leader
Liturgist – Sue Pagano
Greeters – Lisa Smith, Betty Burns
Ushers – Leroy Atkins, Gordon Giller
Nursery Attendant – Connie Fogarty
Coffee Hour – Joan Johnson, JoAnn West
Counters – Jeff Aborn, Robert Spencer
Sound Techs – Butch Hajosy, Gary Symonds,
Chris Rossick
Rev. Roy Richardson, pastor
Weekly Attendance
Sunday Worship:
Morning Service 118
Evening Service 1
Prayer & Praise: 3
Nursery, 0
Pre K - 2 ,1
3-5, 3
Middle School, 8
High School, no class
Adult Study
(8 groups), 37
Last Year 2014 Worship:114
Next Sunday, January 25, 2015– Worship Participants
Counters – Joan Johnson, JoAnn West, Liturgist – Phyllis Lindsay,
Greeters –Al Higgins, Doug Fassett, Ushers –Charles Williams, Fred
Streb, Coffee Hour – Polly Streb, Betty Burns. If you are unable to
participate next week contact the office by Wednesday. If you have a
last minute cancellation and the office is closed it is your responsibility to
find a replacement! Thank you!  
Gathering to Celebrate our Church as a
Safe Sanctuary
TODAY --- JANUARY 18, 2015
We will host a guest speaker, Jennifer
Falcone (this will take place in the
sanctuary). We especially hope all parents,
grandparents and those working with our
children and youth will attend. Attendance
is required of staff and volunteers
entrusted with the care of children per the Church Conference
and our insurance carrier. Please stay and enjoy the fellowship and
introduction to a safe sanctuary.
A pot luck luncheon will follow the presentation to celebrate our
church as a safe sanctuary. The entire congregation is invited.
First United Methodist Church
January 18, 2015