Sending Forth

*Closing Hymn   No. 439    “God, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing”

*Benediction

Bell Postlude with Mashpee Congregational Church Choir

            “God Be in My Head” –Peter deMets/arr. Kevin McChesney

  Thank you for joining us for worship today.  You are invited to fill out a Guest Registration Card and leave it in the offering plate or hand it to an usher.  Welcome!   We hope to see you back soon.

We welcome the Hand Bell Choir from First Church, Sandwich UCC.  Thank you for sharing your music ministry!

By the front entrance you will find a basket to recycle bulletins.

Wednesday Evening-August 27

            6:00  Hand Bell Choir rehearsal-ringers needed!

            6:30  Prayer Shawl knitting group.

            7:00  Choir rehearsal-voices needed! 

            All welcome for all evening activities!

 SIGN UP TODAY!  Plans are underway for our first-ever potluck dinner and gathering on Monday evening, September 15 in the Meeting House.  Following what will surely be a great meal, we will have the opportunity to review our first summer season of worship and to discuss our exciting plans for the fall.

             ABOUT THE SHAWLS…In 1998, Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo, two graduates of the 1997 Women’s Leadership Institute at The Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut gave birth to a ministry as a result of their experience in this program of applied Feminist Spirituality under the direction of Professor Miriam Therese Winter, MMS.  Compassion and the love of knitting/crocheting have been combined into a prayerful ministry and spiritual practice which reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace, as well as in celebration and joy.  Many blessings are prayed into every shawl.

            -www.shawlministry.com

Last week’s offering:  $713

   New Mashpee

   Congregational Church

   United Church of Christ

Our flowers this morning are given in loving memory of Miriam P. MacLeod, who died on July 4, 2008.  Miriam was best known to her friends at the Popponesset Marketplace as the proprietor of Blue Balloon Estate Sales on Cape Cod.  Today we celebrate her friendship and enthusiasm for life.

   August 17, 2008

   9:30 a.m.

The Rev. Dr. James S. Scovil                                                  Pastor

Mike and Cathy Bonnett                                      Music Co-Directors

Order of Worship

“O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things.”  (Ps. 98:1

Welcome and Announcements

Praise and Preparation

Bell Prelude:     “Allegro Spiritoso”                     -Greg Underwood

                                    Maggie Ribb, Director

Call to Worship

   Our help is from God, who made heaven and earth.

   Come to worship the One who answers our prayers.

            If God were not on our side, we could not live.

            If God were not for us, we would be swept away.

   God has gifted each one of us in unique ways.

   In our variety, we complement one another.

            We rejoice in God’s love and faithfulness.

            Blessed be our God, whose word is true.

   In thankfulness, we bring our joyous songs.

   We are here to pay attention to God’s instruction.

            We are here, seeking to discern God’s will.

            We are open to God’s transforming Spirit.

*Hymn No.   25     “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”

*Prayer of Invocation (unison)

            God beyond our knowing, we believe that you care for humble people who seek to follow your Word more than for those who are pretentious and proud in places of power.  You have protected your people when they were surrounded by trouble.  You have provided a way of escape in the midst of oppression.  Your love never fails.  Come, Holy One, to transform us.  Work within and among us to renew our minds and build community.  Nurse us into the health you intend for all your children.  You are our help and our hope.  Amen.

*Gloria Patri No. 35

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,

And to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

World without end.  Amen. Amen.

Sharing of Concerns and Joys

Pastoral Prayer

Silent Prayer

Our 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 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, for ever.    AMEN

Commissioning of our Prayer Shawl Ministry

            *Congregational Covenant:  We gather in celebration of the joy that is ours to be partners with you in the service of Jesus Christ though our new Prayer Shawl Ministry.  We promise to honor your handiwork and assist you that together we may be the church God calls us to be.

Prayer

Hymn No. 686 “Of Women, and of Women’s Hopes We Sing”

God’s Word in Our Lives

Matthew 16:13-20

Bell Anthem:        “In Christ Alone”              –Getty and Townend

                                                                                arr. Patricia Cota

Sermon:  “The Question for All Generations”

Sharing Our Gifts and Prayers

Invitation

Offertory:  “Spirit Song”      –John Wimber/arr. Cynthia Dobrinsk      

*Doxology No. 46

*Prayer of Dedication