Round Hill Community Church

ORDER OF SERVICESeptember 18, 2016

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

PRELUDE

WORDS OF WELCOME

INTROIT

CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: God’s truth shines in the light of a new day!

All: We come wanting God’s truth to be our guide.

Leader: God’s truth leads us to a place of holiness and light.

All: We come wanting God’s truth to be our home.

Leader: God’s truth lives in songs of praise and joy!

All: We come wanting God’s truth to be our feast.

Leader: God’s truth deepens our life as our thirst for God deepens.

All: We come thirsty for God’s truth. We come thirsty for God. We come thankfully to drink from the well of God’s grace, that God’s truth may live in us.

*HYMN No. 276 We Gather Together

*The congregation is invited to stand

*OPENING PRAYER O God, come to us with the resources of your power,that we may be strong within.We ask not for easy lives,but for adequacy.We ask not to be freed from storms,but to build our houses on rock that will not fall.We pray not for a smooth sea, but for a stout ship,a good compass and a strong heart;in the name of him who faced enmity and deathwithout flinching,Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 PATRIGlory 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.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE The Rev. Dan Haugh

Children may now leave for Church School.

ANTHEM Locus Iste        Bruckner

This is the Lord's House, which he hath made. Profoundly sacred, it is beyond reproof.

SCRIPTURE LESSON Psalm 111

Leader: Alleluia! I will thank you, God, with all my heart in the meeting of the just and their assembly.

All: Great are your works to be pondered by all who love them.

Leader: Glorious and sublime are your works; your justice stands firm forever.

All: You help us remember your wonders. You are compassion and love.

Leader: You give food to those who fear you, keeping your covenant ever in mind.

All: You have shown your might to your people by giving them the lands of the nations.

Leader: Your works are justice and truth; your precepts are all of them sure;

All: they are steadfast forever and ever, made in uprightness and faithfulness.

Leader: You have sent deliverance to your people and established your covenant forever. Holy your name, greatly to be feared.

All: To stand before you in awe is the beginning of wisdom; all who do so prove themselves wise. Your praise shall last forever!

Acts 27: 33-38

Just before daybreak, Paul urged all of them to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have been in suspense and remaining without food, having eaten nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food, for it will help you survive; for none of you will lose a hair from your heads.” After he had said this, he took bread; and giving thanks to God in the presence of all, he broke it and began to eat. Then all of them were encouraged and took food for themselves. (We were in all two hundred seventy-six persons in the ship.) After they had satisfied their hunger, they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the sea.

SERMON Gratitude: The Heart of Prayer The Rev. Dr. Ed Horstmann *HYMN No. 526 The Gift of Love

OFFERINGInvitationAnthem O How Amiable      Vaughan

Williams*Doxology 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.

*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 bythy might, Great God, our King.

PASTORAL PRAYER

*HYMN No. 714 For the Fruit of All Creation

CHURCH PRAYEROur 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.

BENEDICTION and CHORAL RESPONSE

ROUND HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH CREEDI believe in God, the one universal Father of all mankind, revealed supremely in Jesus Christ, our Lord, and present with us to guide, comfort and inspire in the Holy Spirit. I believe in the Kingdom of God; and in the mission of the Christian Church to proclaim the Gospel to all the world, exalting the worship of the Lord our God, and laboring for the progress of knowledge, the promotion of righteousness, the reign of peace, and the realization of human brotherhood. United in Christian love, we pray and labor for the coming of the Kingdom, the triumph of righteousness and the life everlasting. Amen.

ROUND HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH MISSON STATEMENTWe, the members of the Round Hill Community Church, a self-governing, non-denominational body, seek to foster a community of faith where people of all ages and backgrounds pursue spiritual growth; where God is worshipped in Word and praised in music; where friends are made and hurts are healed.

We seek to be a community where individuals commit their time and resources to education, fellowship, and to helping those in need among our Church family and in the broader world. We are a church where faith, hope, justice and love are valued, and above all, Jesus is Lord.

CHURCH NEWS

Thank you to Doug Conn and Paige Greytok for ushering this morning.

Thank you to Heidi Morrison for hosting coffee hour this Sunday. Please join her in the parlor following the service.

Faith Formation

After the service today and a quick cup of coffee, we invite you to return to the Sanctuary for an overview of our recent Simply Smiles service trip to South Dakota this summer. Participants from the trip will share their experiences and we will present a slideshow of some of the most memorable highlights.

Please plan to attend our traditional Blessing of the Animals next Sunday, September 25 at 10 a.m. All creatures, great and small (even stuffed animals!) are welcome, and should be kept in carriers, cages or on a leash. Special treats will be available for our pet friends, as well as for all humans at the coffee hour after the service. This year, we’ve expanded our event! Be sure to stop by and visit with participating representatives from local animal welfare organizations, pet supply stores and advocacy resources – all located under the tent on the lawn!

A Life Worth Living

Jesus said: “I have come that you may have life, and have it in abundance.” Beginning today, the Center for Faith Development of Round Hill Community Church has launched a yearlong exploration of the theme, A Life Worth Living. From month to month we will explore different dimensions of this theme. Through worship, classes, speakers, and resources to be made available on our website, we will give you many ways to engage your thinking about A Life Worth Living. The theme for the month of September will be Gratitude, and it is in a spirit of gratefulness for our life together that we look forward to joining you on this journey of faith!

As we embark on this program of learning we will provide you with ongoing announcements and opportunities for study and reflection through our church website, church Facebook page, and e-blasts. We invite you to extend and enhance your growth via the tools available to you.

LEARNSunday sermons- Each week the sermon will explore one aspect of the current theme.

Website- The year-long Faith Formation curriculum, sermons, scriptures, resources, links, videos, and more are uploaded. (Perfect for those who like to learn at their own pace and refresh their learning periodically)

LIKE Facebook- Join the RHCC Facebook page by clicking on the

Facebook icon on our website and then click the Like button. Each week we will be uploading videos and additional resources to our Facebook page. This platform makes it easy to share your experience with your community of friends.

SHARE

Email- You will receive a monthly email snapshot of the current theme. If you like what you are learning, forward the email to your circle of friends and family.

As we Grow in Faith together by listening to sermons, watching videos & reading scriptures, we encourage all to share your experience and spread the word. Round Hill Community Church needs your help to GROW.

Outreach

Please join us this year in the Inspirica Youth Center! Volunteers are needed every Tuesday starting September 6 from 4 pm - 6 pm. Children arrive off the bus, have some free time, are fed a snack and then begin homework. Please talk with Jenny Rye (203-861-6757) or Caroline Lazzara (203-353-0003) if you are interested.

We are currently looking for meal providers for Inspirica’s Early Childhood and Parenting Program [ECPP] beginning in September. The program runs Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights with the meal being served at 7p.m. You can either cook on site or drop off a prepared meal, whatever is easiest for you! Please look for available dates that you would be able to fill at www.inspiricact.org/meal-calendar/

Neighbor to Neighbor …..With school back in full swing, we are initiating a special Lunchbox Collection in September! Please help fill lunch boxes (and hungry tummies!) with healthy and nutritious elements such as granola bars, single serve boxes of dried fruit, 100% real fruit juice boxes/pouches, fruit roll-ups, peanut butter or cheese crackers, beef jerky, pouches of trail mix, fruit or pudding cups, etc.  Also, canned tuna is a welcome addition for

sandwich fillers. Please leave donations in the food wagon located near the front entrance.

Les Beaux Arts Gallery

We invite you to come to Les Beaux Arts Gallery to view the current exhibit of landscapes and drawings by Yukio Ishizuka. The exhibit runs through October 19.

We invite you to join us in the Community House on Sunday, October 2nd

at 4pm for our first First Sunday service following the summer hiatus! We are pleased to welcome back to Round Hill Community Church the always fun and energetic song leader, Nick Page, who will lead us in a casual and contemporary service of worship. A family-style supper will follow. All are welcome…bring a friend!!

SIMPLY SMILES SERVICE TRIP 2016

PARTICIPANTS:

Michelle Garay

Dan Haugh

Madison Heath

Janet Huley

Joe Huley

Bethany Johnson

Christine Kommer

Valerie Kommer

Linda McGough

Ann McStay

Isaiah Melendez

Sarai Melendez

Amy Minella

Kadee Munoz

Liam Palacios

Jenny Rye

Leo Vargas

Mekhi Williams

Susan Horstmann (volunteered in April)

~ STUDENT REFLECTIONS~

This summer, from July 30 to August 8, six students from Greenwich High School participated in the annual summer service trip to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation in La Plant, South Dakota. Following the trip, they shared about their experience, lessons learned and how each will approach their upcoming year at GHS differently because of the trip.

Michelle: My experience was amazing. I am going to miss the kids so much. There were a few in the beginning who were rude, but I knew that I couldn’t give up on them. I made sure that I was there for them and I made myself sure that they got to know me before they got to judge who I was. My most memorable moment was when my favorite group of children was

sitting with Madison and me while we were making bracelets and talking about life.

That came to show that I actually had an impact toward the way these kids looked at us “foreigners.”

Kadee: Overall my experience at the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation was an unforgettable journey. From creating a bond with the team to creating special and happy moments with the people at the reservation - it has been an eye opener. Simply Smiles has not just created a future for these forgotten people but has also made a change in my life. We work together as a community to build homes for those in need, we work together in creating summer activities, and we work together to create a united community to help everyone, giving each other a hand when needed and making a change in everyone’s lives with little actions.

Leo: My experience here was eye opening. I have a better understanding of the native people in America. I never knew that in this country there would be areas that are in so much need. My goal is that someday I would make a difference, and I think I have achieved that on this trip. However my journey here is not over. I have so many years to live and many more opportunities to make a change wherever I go from now on. Next year I will appreciate more what I have. For example, I will appreciate the clothes that I wear and what I eat. These simple things make life better and they are not always there for the Native Americans. Simply Smiles has done something big for these people, and I am grateful for that.

Michelle: I feel like I am going to stop taking everything for granted because after this week I saw how poorly these kids were living, and I just couldn’t help but to think about how I have it so much better. I’m going to respect my parents because I now see that they are always there for me no matter in any situation. I will also take advantage of the good education I have and become the greatest person I can be.

Kadee: This upcoming year is an opportunity to do things that I have never done before. I will help those who need it, lend a hand whenever I can, spread tons of positivity towards everyone, and appreciate dearly everything that I am offered and have at every moment possible. I will not give up, and when fallen down I will get right back up to make myself stronger. I am going to make a difference.

Isaiah: One thing I found out this year is that I should appreciate the things I have because others don’t have the opportunity to have these things. I feel that for the rest of my life I should work my hardest to help others when help is needed. I feel like Simply Smiles has done many good things for the people who are in need of food and have helped these kids who otherwise wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to have fun or enjoy their lives.

Mehki: One thing I should appreciate is taking more care of my stuff and always help my mom out when she asks me. And I should be able to appreciate these things in life because without my mom and the others I wouldn’t be able to help people and make a change. Simply Smiles helps with a lot of stuff and keeps all the littles kids hope up and makes sure that they are always happy. Even a smile can create a big change in these kids’ lives because they have so little and I’m glad that we are there for them. I’m really thankful to go help these kids and I get to experience what it’s like. I hope I can go again and see a bigger change in the future.

Bethany: My experience in La Plant, South Dakota was a life changing experience for me. Not only did it further my education regarding the Lakota people, it opened my eyes. After this trip, I have adopted a completely different perspective on life, my family, my friends, and my school. On this trip I saw first-hand that many children do not have a fraction of the things I have. I realized that there are so many things that I complain about on a daily basis that these kids would kill to be able to have. It was an amazing

feeling to know that I was making a difference in this Lakota community even if only for a week. When I get home and back to school, I will share this story and allow it to change me and how I act with others. After this trip I gained patience and sympathy. I now have a strong desire to help people in my own community no matter what the impact; big or small. Instead of constantly looking at myself and what I may need / want, I want to serve and help others first.

To learn more about Simply Smiles, please visit their website: http://www.simplysmiles.org/ . To see photos of the 2016 Summer Service trip, please visit the Facebook page of Round Hill Community Church.

If you are interested in learning more about participation in future service trips please contact Dan Haugh at dan@roundhillcommunitychurch.org

CHILDREN’S CORNER

Flowers are beautiful and can convey so many meanings….happy birthday, good luck, sympathy, apologies, welcome home, etc. Let’s imagine that each of you has just received a single, beautiful flower for a special occasion. To keep that flower fresh for as long as possible, you rush to put it into a cup of water but the stalk of the flower is long and the flower head is heavy, and within a day or two, it falls over on its own. If it had a little support, it might last longer. Perhaps it belongs somewhere else, really. Perhaps flowers need the support of other flowers to last longer, like when they are arranged together in a bouquet. And in order to put them all together, that means you have to give your single, special one back. You have to give away something special that belongs to you.

Once we put our single flower together with other ones, we create a stunning bouquet of many colors and fragrances! If everyone kept their own piece, the pieces might have gotten damaged or would have wilted and died. But together? The pieces are stronger, they’re prettier, and they can make us all feel good. If we all give something of our own, we can create something even more perfect.

Oftentimes, to really enjoy something, we have to give it away. Giving is a very important concept in Christianity. Jesus taught us that it is more blessed to give than to receive and that every act of kindness to others is an act of kindness to Christ himself. As in the case of our flowers, if we were all more concerned with giving than with getting, how much nicer a world would it be?

Child’s Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to love others and to live as Jesus asked us to. Help me to be the reason someone smiles today. Amen.

Decorate this this bouquet then give it to someone you love!

REFLECTION

Try saying this silently to everyone and everything you see for thirty days: “I wish you happiness now and whatever will bring happiness to you in the future.” If we said it to the sky, we would have to stop polluting; if we said it when we see ponds and lakes and streams, we would have to stop using them as garbage dumps and sewers; if we said it to small children, we would have to stop abusing them…if we said it to people, we would have to stop stoking the fires of enmity around us. Beauty and human warmth would take root in us like a clear, hot June day. We would change.

-Joan Chittister

Senior Pastor: The Rev. Dr. Edward G. HorstmannAssociate Pastor: The Rev. Dan Haugh

Guest Organist: Jon Hunt Director of Children’s Ministries: Jenny Byxbee

Minister Emeritus: The Rev. Dr. Ralph AhlbergRound Hill Community Church

395 Round Hill Road, Greenwich, CT 06831203.869.1091 roundhillcommunitychurch.org