February 22, 2015 10 a.m.
First Sunday in Lent
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: “Father We Love You”
Men’s Chorus
* Hymn: “The Gift of Love” The United Methodist Hymnal # 408
Greeting & Welcome
Pastor Roy
*Call to Worship
Liturgist, Lindsay Jacobsen
Leader: A rainbow of peace paints the sky.
People: We worship a God of steadfast love and faithfulness.
Leader: The bright ribbon of color serves to remind us…
People: We worship a God of Steadfast love and
faithfulness.
Leader: The waters of baptism seal us in holy love.
People: We worship a God of steadfast love and faithfulness.
Leader: A voice over the water proclaims: “You are my Son, the
beloved; with whom I am well pleased.”
People: We worship a God of steadfast love and faithfulness.
Opening Prayer: Painter of rainbows amidst the clouds, set
your bow once more in the sky, and remind us that your
love and mercy are far greater than your righteous anger.
As we enter the season of Lent, remind us anew of your
saving grace, and of our chance of our rebirth, through the
cleansing waters of our baptism. Amidst the storms and
floods of life, teach us the ways of life and death, that we
may use this season as a time of gratitude for the past, and
a time of hope for the future, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Special Music: “Lord, Touch Me”
Men’s Chorus
Children’s Story Time “Good News”
Pastor Roy
Children in Pre k – Middle school will be dismissed at this time for
Sunday school. High school kids will remain in worship through the
end of March.
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
Lindsay Jacobsen
Epistle Lesson: 1 Peter 3:18-22 (NIV) p.858
*Hymn: “Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley”
The Faith We Sing #2112
* Gospel Lesson: Mark 1:9-15 (NIV) p.707
Pastor Roy
May God bless the reading, hearing, understanding and preaching
of His Holy Word. Response: AMEN.
Morning Message: “Wilderness Survival Training”
Pastor Roy
Our Offering: “The Lord’s Prayer”
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: “More Like You”
The Faith We Sing #2167
*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.
Bind us together, Lord, bind us together with cords that
cannot be broken. Bind us together Lord, bind us together,
Lord, bind us together in love.
*Organ Postlude
Let the fellowship continue – You are invited to join us for coffee in Fellowship Hall downstairs.
8 Church Street,
Secretary Office hours:
Stafford Springs, CT 06076
Mon. Weds. & Thurs.
(860) 684-2468
7:30 -12:30
Fax: (860) 684-3418
[email protected]
Fri. 7:30 -11:30
“Like” us on Facebook!
Connie Fogarty, Administrative Assistant
Our Web site is
www.fumcstafford.org
Our Participants in worship this morning:
Jill Gregori - Minister of Music
Weekly Attendance
Kathy Aborn – Lay Leader
Sunday Worship:
Liturgist – Lindsay Jacobsen
Morning Service 28
Greeters – Lisa Smith, Betty Burns
Evening Service 6
Ushers – Doug Fassett, Leroy Atkins
Prayer & Praise:
Nursery Attendant – Connie Fogarty
Coffee Hour – Phyllis Lindsay, Perne Barnes
Nursery,
Counters – Joan Johnson, JoAnn West
Pre K - 2, no class
Sound Techs – Butch Hajosy, Gary Symonds,
3-5, no class
Chris Rossick
Middle School, 6
Men’s Chorus – Pastor Roy, Tom Reilly,
High School,
Robert Spencer, Gene Panciera, Fred Streb,
Gordon Giller, Steve Jacobsen, Jeff Roberts,
Adult Study
Doug Fassett, Dave Burns, Leroy Atkins;
( groups),
Directed by Jill Gregori
Last Year 2014 Worship:71
Rev. Roy Richardson, pastor
Next Sunday, March 1, 2015– Worship Participants
Counters –Beth Gallison, Nancy Oaks, Liturgist –Ashley Wilson,
Greeters –Joan Johnson, Polly Streb, Ushers – Robert Spencer,
Charles Williams, Coffee Hour – Michelle O’Neill, Amanda Pekrul,
Communion – Stewards –Joan & JoAnn, Altar set up – Carol &
Debbie Beverage, Servers – Pastor Roy, Ashley Wilson, Doug
Fassett, Donna Panciera 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!  
Our Mission Statement:
We, the people of First United Methodist Church of
Stafford Springs, are in mission. It is our aim to reach
out in genuine acceptance, welcoming people into a
growing, life-giving relationship with God in Jesus
Christ through vital worship, warm fellowship, and
careful attention to people's needs.
First United Methodist Church
February 22, 2015