Order of Service
November 10, 2024, 10:00 a.m.
A Time for Centering: We use this time to make the transition between “getting here” and “being here.” Take these few minutes of quiet time to get in touch with the calm places, the still, deep places in you; the spirit. Relax your body, quiet the inner dialogue of your mind. Focus on feeling, on being. Be receptive to your center—your reservoir of inner peace, strength, love. Be aware of being with others. Feel the spirit of community.
PRELUDE Balance J. Raney
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
INTROIT How Can I Keep from Singing? setting, J. Conahan
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Gracious and Eternal God, through Jesus Christ you have joined us into one living body. We thank you for these bonds of love that unite us.
All: Help us to perceive your unseen hand in the unfolding of our life together. Work within and among us.
Leader: Confront us with your tenderness. Set us free to live in the way of Jesus.
All: Enable us, by your Spirit, to walk together in unity of love and purpose, to uphold one another by word and example, and to reach out to the world with care and compassion.
*HYMN 683 O For a World
*OPENING PRAYER
O God, with great gentleness and care, you call us to be your people and to join you in your creative, life-giving work. As we gather today, we open ourselves to your presence. We pray that you will touch our lives with your transforming power, so that we may grow from strength to strength in our full commitment to the common good. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
*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 and ever. Amen.
*GLORIA PATRI
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Malin Carta
Children may leave for Church School at this time.
MUSIC Litany J. Musto Brooke Larimer, alto
SCRIPTURE LESSON Genesis 45:3-11 &15 NRSV
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me; do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there, since there are five more years of famine to come, so that you and your household and all that you have will not come to poverty.’
And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them, and after that his brothers talked with him.
MEDITATION
SCRIPTURE LESSON Luke 6: 27-38 NRSV
“But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
MEDITATION
*HYMN 658 Restless Weaver, verses 1, 2 & 4
INVITATION TO OFFERING
There are three ways to give an offering:
In-person: Offering plates will be passed throughout the congregation at this time.
Website: Click on the Donate button at the top right corner of the homepage.
Mail: write a check to RHCC, mail to 395 Round Hill Road, Greenwich, 06831
OFFERTORY ANTHEM Grant Peace, We Pray F. Mendelssohn
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*DOXOLOGY
*HYMN My Country 'Tis of Thee, verse 4
Our fathers’ God, to thee, author of liberty, to thee we sing;
long may our land be bright with freedom’s holy light;
protect us by thy might, Great God, our King.
PASTORAL PRAYER
CHURCH PRAYER
Our Heavenly Father, shed forth thy blessed spirit upon all our lives. Make each one of us an instrument in thy hands for good. Purify our hearts, strengthen our minds and bodies, fill us with Christian love. Let no pride, no self-conceit, no rivalry, no ill will ever spring up among us. Make us earnest and true, wise and prudent, giving no just cause for offense; and may thy holy peace rest upon us this day and every day throughout the coming week, sweetening our trials, cheering us in our work, and keeping us faithful to the end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*HYMN 668 For the Healing of the Nations, verses 1, 2 & 4
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Even Song Kate Boundy
NEWS AND EVENTS
THANK YOU: to Kathryn Pane & Heather Sandifer for hosting coffee hour today. If you would like to host for an upcoming Sunday, signup sheets are in the Parlor.
RHCC ANNUAL MEETING: Please join us for Our Annual Meeting on November 17th, at 11:15 AM. We will introduce and vote on the new slate of Church officers.
THANK YOU: Thank you to Malin Carta for leading our Children’s Message this morning. Malin is a member of the alternative band, Lavender Social Club, and regularly performs with big bands. This summer, Malin played with The Temptations.
Operation Christmas Child: Filled boxes must be delivered to RHCC by tomorrow. Thank you to all those who participated.