Month: April 2022

Worship Resources 3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C

* Call To Worship (from Psalm 30)

Leader: Sing praises to the LORD, O you faithful ones, and give thanks to God’s holy name.

           All: For God’s anger is but for a moment; God’s favor is for a lifetime.

           Leader: Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

           All: O LORD, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

* Gathering Prayer (Unison)

God of joy, God of adventure, give us the courage to try. Not every endeavor works out the way we plan. Sometimes we feel awkward trying new things. Because you are the master, we can join the adventure of lifelong learning. Thank you for the example of our ancestors in faith who fell down nine times and got up ten. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

God of abundance, we too often act out of an attitude of scarcity. Teach us to give freely so that we might live freely. Amen.

What’s Up with Pastor Todd 4-14-22

What’s Up with Pastor Todd 4-14-22

First Church of Christ in Saybrook Leadership Board is looking for nominations of those who might potentially serve on a Transition Team. The Transition Team is composed of 5 to 9 active FCC Saybrook members in good standing representing the diversity of the congregation in age, length of membership, race, sexual orientation, gender, ability, volunteer involvement, spiritual gifts, and other diversities. 

We hope to have all our nominations gathered by our next meeting, May 17. Please send/email nominations to Moderator Alan Ringen.

The Transition Team meets with the Transitional Pastor twice a month for the first 4 to 6 months and monthly thereafter to guide the congregation through the transition process, which prepares the congregation to call its next settled minister. 

The Transition Team plays a key role in preparing the church to shape its future. Based on my 25 years of experience I can assure you that how a church engages the transition between settled ministers has a huge impact on its future success. It can spell the difference between a call to a long term, healthy settled pastorate and a mismatch that results in conflict and disappointment.

The Transition Team is not the Search Committee. The Transition Team prepares the way for the Search Committee. The Transition Team clarifies essential questions such as “Who are we?” “Where are we going?” and “What kind of leadership do we need to get there?” The result is a congregational profile used by the Search Committee to evaluate potential candidates. 

Nominee criteria: 

  • Is not currently serving on staff at FCCS.
  • At least one person from Leadership Board.
  • Is widely trusted and respected. 
  • Is regular in their attendance and financial support of the congregation.
  • Is committed to the congregation and its future. 
  • Is willing and able to invest the necessary amount of time. 
  • Has a sense of creativity and openness to change.
  • Is able to “Speak the Truth in Love” to the Interim and other members of the congregation. 
  • Is willing and able to listen to all persons and perspectives without becoming defensive or anxious.
  • Is connected to major constituency groups (such as women’s, men’s, youth, music programs, education groups, and social action groups); while this is not a representative process, the ability to have open communication is essential. 

Worship Resources for Easter, Year C

Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 65)

Leader: For I am about to create a new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.

All: But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy and its people as a delight.

Leader: Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear.

All: The wolf and the lamb will feed together, the lion shall eat straw like an ox; but the serpent–its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the LORD.

Gathering Prayer
God of resurrection, we thank you for your child, Jesus, who died and rose again that we might have abundant life now and eternal life in the world to come. In every moment you make us anew. With every breath your Spirit sustains us. Teach us to breathe out the past–hurts that hinder us, traumas that haunt us–and breathe in fresh possibilities, wild dreams, new hopes. This is the day of resurrection. Today we find our freedom. Amen.

Dedication of the Offering

God whose generosity knows no bounds, we give with humble gratitude for your gift of abundant life. Amen.