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First Congregational Church of Reno
An Open and Affirming Congregation of the
United Church of Christ
627 Sunnyside Drive, Reno, Nevada 89503
(775) 747-1414
CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Times
June 18, 2017 - 10:00 a.m.
____________________________________________________________________________
Welcome this morning in the name and Spirit of Jesus Christ!
 Children ages three and under are welcome to visit the nursery with Ms. Sharon in the Annex building
 Children ages four to six are invited to Sunday School in the CE Building with Lupe Sofara
 Older Children are invited to stay in worship for our Confirmation!
 Please record your presence with us by signing the attendance register at the end of the pew
 Hearing assistance devices and large print bulletins are available. Please let an usher know if needed
Asterisk (*) indicates when those who are able are invited to stand.
Thought for the Day: Henri J.M. Nouwen, 20th century
"Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in
brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with
those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears.
Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and
powerless with the powerless."
Gathering in God's Presence
PRELUDE
Music for gathering is a time for us to enter into worship, please refrain from visiting at this time.
MUSICAL CALL TO WORSHIP
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
“Amazing Grace”
Fred Crist, Bagpipes
PASSING THE PEACE (please greet those nearest you)
Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still. Let this be our song, no one stands alone,
standing side by side, draw the circle wide. (Sing 2X)
All
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Russ Stuart
ONE: Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few”
MANY: The harvest Jesus has in mind is the Realm of God, a new world of love, peace,
justice, community, abundance for all, harmony with nature, eternal life
ONE: We yearn for such a world. From our fingers reaching for it to the deep secret places of
our hearts, we yearn for this Realm.
MANY: We come together this morning to welcome the possibilities of the Realm of God in
our individual lives, in our homes, in our congregation, and in our community.
One: We want to labor in this harvest. We want to be part of the movement towards this
Realm.
MANY: We come today to listen to Jesus. We want to learn how to use our time, talent,
treasures, and other resources in such a way that the whole world can be healed and
liberated!
*HYMN
“O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”
Please pass your prayer request cards to the center aisle.
Ushers will collect them during the last verse of the hymn.
NCH 42
*PRAYER of INVOCATION (Unison)
O Living God, Great Parent of all in the human family, on this glorious early summer
morning, we are so aware of your presence in the leaves now in full summer flush, in the
flowers bursting with color, in the laughter of children as we pass the pool, in the fragrance
of charcoal in the suppertime air, in the tastes and textures of the fruits and vegetables at
the farmers market, and in the shimmering sunsets that linger on the horizon like poetry in
the sky. In the glory of this season and in this hour of worship, we pray for your help in
learning how to wisely use our blessings for the benefit of all. Amen.
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
Pilgrim (Red Hymnal) 513
Glory be to our Maker, 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.
Proclaiming God's Word
HEBREW READING
GOSPEL READING
Genesis 18:1-15
Matthew 9:35-10:8
OT page 13
NT page 8-9
RITE OF CHRISTIAN BAPTISM
Eva Aurora Speed; Child of Nicolle Kary and Dustin Speed; Godparents Tamara & Robert Lopes
HYMN OF BLESSING
“Child of Blessing”
NCH 325
“Authority Given”
Rev. Dr Kate Lambertson
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
SERMON
Responding as God's People
CALL TO PRAYER
“Spirit of The Living God”
NCH 283
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND SILENT PRAYER
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 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.
RESPONSE TO PRAYER
“Spirit of the Living God”
NCH 283
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
(Please include your Blue Gratitude Cards in the offering plates as they are passed.)
*PRESENTATION
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God all creatures here below,
Praise God for all that love has done,
Creator, Christ and Spirit, One,
Pilgrim (Red Hymnal) 778
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Heavenly Parent, as citizens of your heavenly Realm we recognize the benefits we enjoy
and wish to share with others. Receive these gifts as we give them freely and gladly that
the good news of your love may be made known throughout the world. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN
“Blessed Assurance”
NCH 473
*BENEDICTION
CONGREGATIONAL BENEDICTION
“Send Me”
Yes God I’ll go where you lead me. I hear your Spirit calling my name. As long as I know
you’re with me, I know you’ll give me the grace that I need. So here I am, send me Holy
One. Here I am, send me Holy One. Here I am, send me Holy One.
Here I am, send me.
POSTLUDE
You are graciously invited to be ‘piped’ down to the CE Building by Fred Crist for our
Father’s Day Cookout!
We are an Open and Affirming
congregation, welcoming all persons –
regardless of race, ethnic background,
economic status, gender, age, personal
ability, or sexual orientation
– into the full life and ministry of this
church.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: ( FCC Reno-UCC subscribes to LicenSing #625075 )
ABUNDANCE REPORT
Attendance
General Fund YTD – May 30, 2017:
Last week’s attendance:
Actual
Budget
% of Budget
This Year: 84
Total Income
$89,950
$94,712
95.0%
Last Year: 67
Total Expense
$88,548
$95,822
86.2%
Net Income
$1,402
($1,110)
What’s Up?
June 18, 2017
The BOOK CLUB with meet on Thursday, June 22; 4:30 pm in the Manley
Room., ALL WELCOME! Beyond Resistance, by John Dorhauer – current
President and General Minister of the UCC, is a template for those devoted
to the idea that faith should be just, generous and inspire commitment to
the common good. The rise of postmodernity and its influence on the
expression of faith are not the cause of religion’s perceived diminishment in
capacity, relevance, and impact. To the contrary, both the Institutional
Church and those who hold faith in a postmodern key can—and should—be
allies in a common cause.
OUR CONGRATULATIONS AND BLESSINGS ARE OFFERED TO EVA AURORA SPEED
IN HER BAPTISM; DAUGHTER OF NICOLLE KARY AND DUSTIN SPEED;
GRANDDAUGHTER OF DAVE AND KIM KARY; GODCHILD OF TAMARA AND
ROBERT LOPES.
THE LIFE AND WORK OF OUR CHURCH
TODAY, June 18
WEDNESDAY, June 21
THURSDAY, June 22
FRIDAY, June 23
Worship and Sunday School
Father’s Day Bar-b-Que, CE Building
Missions Meeting
10:00 am
Following service
Adult Christian Education, “Living the Questions” study series,
Annex
Book Club, Manley Room
Men’s Prayer Group (weekly, Chism Chapel)
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
9:00 am
10:00 am
4:30 pm
6:30 am
Leaders Among Us
Thank You!
Today
Greeters
Cinda deWyk
Head Usher
John Collins
Liturgist
Russ Stuart
John and Carolyn Collins
Frank and Becky Yerxa
Counters
Refreshments
Father’s Day Bar-b-Que
Deacon of the Month: Russ Stuart
Sound Technicians: Don Busick
Church Photographer: Meredyth Busick
Next Sunday
Fred Crist
Brad Truax
Jerry Robinson
Jane and Al Chapman
Cinda deWyk
Barbara Rowell
Our Staff
Pastor: Rev. Dr. Kate Lambertson – [email protected]
Music Director: Ted Owens  Christian Education Director: Saralinda Kiser  Office Administrator: June Jakowchik
Contact Us
Phone: 775.747.1414 Office Administrator Hours: Monday – Friday 9 am - 2pm
Email: [email protected] Web: www.renofirstcongregational.org “Like” and “Share” us on Facebook
Sarah Laughed
Stories always have many viewpoints. In Genesis, the ancient and elderly Abraham
is sitting by a tree and three men appear. Abraham, recognizing them as divine
emissaries, invites them to a meal and orders Sarah (his ancient and elderly wife)
to make them food. After she has served them, she sits, out of sight, and listens.
The four men set about to discuss Sarah’s future pregnancy. Sarah laughs . . . out
loud. Wouldn’t you? What a ridiculous idea it was that an old lady should get
pregnant. Of course, if Abraham is going to be the father of a great nation
somebody has to get pregnant, and in this ancient tale of wandering tribes and
tent societies Sarah is the only choice for matriarch. But still she is scolded for her
laugh. Perhaps there is ancient embedded wisdom in the Erma Bombeck quote, “If
you can laugh at it, you can live with it.”
As old as the old tales are, there isn’t much about human beings that hasn’t been
told. Many a sitcom has begun with a spouse bringing unexpected company home
for dinner. The saga of Abraham and Sarah is a story that walks between worlds of
social class, power and gender. In these motifs we can read a lot that resonates
with our contemporary world.
Glennon Doyle Melton is a best-selling author who reflects on such contemporary
stories. She facilitates an online community called Momastery. Her quirky take on
motherhood, family, politics, religion, and women’s lives has resonated with many
around the country, and she will be a featured speaker at General Synod 2017 on
Saturday, July 1. General Synod meets every other year and it is the body that
steers the work of the United Church of Christ. People from all walks of life, from
all over the country and the world gather to vote on resolutions, elect officers and
create a vortex of denominational energy. This year we will meet in Baltimore,
Maryland, and the theme is “Make Glad.” Gathered in that one body, the
delegates that will make up that Synod each bring their own stories, like Sarah’s,
that shine a light on both what unites and divides us.
First Congregational Church of Reno
June 18, 2017