The Greenfield Hill Congregational Church

Thursday, November 24th 10:00 am

Brief, Fun, and Family Friendly

A Greenfield Hill Tradition America’s truly Congregational holiday Our purest holiday Thanksgiving: The World’s Oldest Worship

Invite Your Neighbors… Bring Your Family. From STRENGTH to STRENGTH Our strengths are obvious, and all around us

The Campaign for 2017 Fill out a pledge card today or online at www.greenfieldhillchurch.com/giving GREENFIELD HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT NOVEMBER 20, 2016 9:00 A.M. & 10:30 AM SERVICES Our Worship is central to our Service. Our Service is central to our Worship. We love kids! But sometimes services are too long for even the happiest child. So ... • For infants we have nursery care in the Church House, first floor. • For children from 3’s through 7th grade, we have a wonderful Church School program during our 9:00 hour. • And if your kids get squirmy, the Church Parlor has toys; the service is amplified in the Parlor and the seats are comfortable! Thanksgiving Sunday Prelude Priere Boellmann * Our Coming Together Prayer, said together: Now thank we all our God with heart and hand and voices, who wondrous things hath done, in whom the world rejoices. Now thank we all our God for family, for home, for friends, for memories; Now thank we all our God for work, for skill, for effort, for fulfillment; Now thank we all our God for faith, for hope, for love triumphant. Amen. * Choral Introit (10:30)

* Hymn Now Thank We All Our God Hymnal, no. 715 * Prayer of Confession, said together: We confess, Holy God, we are too busy to be grateful, too busy to remember, too busy to be mindful, too busy to give back, too busy to pay it forward, too busy to say “thank you”. Help us not to be too busy for Thanksgiving. Amen. (silent prayers of confession) * Assurance of Forgiveness * Gloria Patri Hymnal, no. 35 (This hymn, sung every Sunday, expresses our gratitude for forgiveness) Welcome and Announcements Please sign the green registration pad in your pew, and pass it to your neighbor. Anthem (10:30) The Prayer (with Lead Me Lord) Sager, Foster/ Arr. Tom Fettke Worship of God through Prayer Sharing our Joys and Concerns We welcome your prayer concerns. You may write them into the prayer request book in the Narthex, or contact the pastors. Pastoral Prayer The Lord’s Prayer (sung) Hymnal, no. 307 Worship of God through Giving: (We give in many ways, by various means. Some give quarterly, yearly, by check or card or bank withdrawals. Yet it is still important to “present our offerings” on the altar as part of genuine worship, our way of giving thanks to God.) Offering Offertory Eternal Life (A Prayer) Olive Dungan Words from St. Francis of Assisi, Hymnal 468 * Doxology Hymnal, no. 46 (This ancient hymn is sung every Sunday to thank God for all the gifts of our lives) * Dedication Prayer, said together: With thankful hearts, O God, we present our tithes and offerings. With gratitude at the heart of all we do, we present our best efforts, greatest hopes, and firmest commitments. Amen. Scripture 2 Timothy 1:8-12 Sermon This I Believe Rev. David Johnson Rowe (Thank you, Edward R. Murrow)

* Hymn I Know Whom I Have Believed See Page 10 * Pastoral Benediction Choral Benediction (10:30) Postlude * All who are able, please stand.

Serving in the Chancel: 9:00 ~ Junior Deacons Alex Poulter and Henry Selden 10:30 ~ Junior Deacons Peyton Brown and Abby Burns

Acolytes: Cassady Dzurik and Charlotte Wagner

The Mission Board invites you to enjoy a “Sunday of Shopping” at our annual Alternative Christmas Market after both services in the Memorial Room, TODAY, Sunday, November 20th Church members can help support international missions by purchasing handmade gifts made by artisans from around the world. Our partner organization, Ten Thousand Villages, brings exquisite items to the U.S. and assists crafters from developing countries earn income through long- term, fair trading relationships. See samples of crafts in the Narthex today! Another way to help support the church's global missions is through the purchase of an "alternative gift” from agencies such as Partners in Development (Haiti), Ethiopia Reads, Madre (for refugee women), FOCI, Homes for the Brave, Mi Casa, iiConn, and more! In addition, Our Woven Community will be selling their hand-sewn bags and accessories. Choose your favorite charitable gift at the fair and receive a printed card to send to a loved one to let them know an alternative gift was donated in their honor. It’s easy for you to give unique, noncommercial Christmas gifts and to help provide relief for needy people around the globe. CHURCH NOTES WELCOME … HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! … Then, soon, “Merry Christmas!” followed by “A Blessed New Year!” The Holiday Season is upon us. Let our church life strengthen you during these joyful weeks. Visitors: Welcome! Want to know more about us? Take a bag home from our Visitors’ Table, just outside the front door. At our 9:00 a.m. service, you have been greeted by Deacon Seth Baratz and our Junior Deacons Nicky Allen and Connor Byrne. At our 10:30 a.m. service, you have been greeted by Deacon Seth Baratz, Junior Deacons Michael Waugh and Allie Deluca, and our Junior Greeter Jack Muhlhauser. Junior Deacons assisting with Church School are Grace Badger, Brianna Auray, Grant Carnemark, Tommy Chandler, and Max Chandler. Our crib room helper today is Eloise Gacetta. A note about children in worship: We love them! But if you’d prefer to enjoy worship on your own, our Church Nursery for infants-toddlers is across the street in the Church House. Special beepers/pagers are available to parents so that they may be quietly contacted during the worship service if their child misses them! If your child in worship becomes restless or unhappy, please make use of the Parlor (through the double doors by the choir loft, or head outside and through the side doors). There is a comfortable space there for your child to play with toys and a speaker which carries the service. The Arrangement in the traditional Banks Bowl on the Communion Table is given in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Frederic C. Banks and Miss Alva Banks. The Banks Bowl was originally owned by Sherwood Banks who was the grandfather of Myrial Banks Whetstine, Helen Banks Vogel and Dorothy Banks Grant, the mother of Thomas Grant. Seventy years ago, Mr. Banks’ daughter, Alva, started the tradition of having the bowl filled with local fruits and vegetables and place on the communion table the Sunday before Thanksgiving. This year’s arrangement has been done by Nancy Grant. If you or a loved one is hospitalized, please contact us, or have someone contact us. Hospitals do not contact us independently. Many thanks for helping our pastoral ministry Remembering our Soldiers Laura Riebel . . . Mark Riebel . . . Brian Shelton . . . Derrick Keene . . . Mike Lincoln . . . David Elliott. . . Stephen Honan . . . Molly Hanson . . . Shelby Wallace . . . Cooper Harris . . . Kelsey Wallace . . . Lawrence Benjamin

CHURCH SCHOOL NOTES This morning in our Church School classes…Our preschool through Kindergarten classes are learning about Israelites in the Wilderness. Our 1st Grade through 6th Grade classes are learning about Money & Time through our rotational Learning Centers… 1st Grade – Special Center 2nd Grade - Games Center 3rd Grade – Cooking Center 4th Grade – Art Center 5th Grade – Story Center 6th Grade – Science Center 6th and 7th

graders… Join us today for JPF (our youth group for middle schoolers) are meeting today at 5pm at the Barn! TODAY!! A Special Afternoon of Service for ALL Church School Kids!! We’ll be meeting in the Memorial Room TODAY, Sunday afternoon, Nov, 20 from 2 to 3:30, to do a variety of service projects together, including packaging gifts for soldiers, preparing our Giving Tree, making Thanksgiving decorations for families in need. (4th/5th grades: this will replace YPF today). A great way to give back before the holidays! Get started on your Christmas shopping early!! The Mission Board invites you to enjoy a “Sunday of Shopping” at our annual Alternative Christmas Market, after both services, TODAY Sunday, November 20th. “Shopping lists” for mission gifts, and a glimpse of the crafts we’ll be selling, are in the Narthex today! LAST CHANCE to bring in Thanksgiving meals which we will be donating to dozens of families in need. Please bring your items to the Church House Kitchen, DUE TODAY BY 2pm… we are packing it all up later in the afternoon! Our annual Advent Devotional, with 40 beautiful devotions written by members of our church family, is available TODAY! The Deacons are providing these inspiring booklets absolutely free, and invite you to take copies to give to friends and family! Again this year, we are offering you the opportunity to receive each day's devotion via email! If you were on the email list last year, you are already signed up this year… If you or someone you know would like to be added to our list, simply let us know in the church office, and we will add you to the list! ([email protected], or 203-259-5596

CHURCH EVENTS THIS WEEK Bible Study ~ 'The Gathering' … Led by David, we meet every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Church House Library (the corner of Old Academy and Bronson)... We’ve got a new topic underway, The Letters of St. Peter. SPF every Thursday from 6 to 7:30 in the Len Morgan Barn... youth group for our high schoolers. Last week we had “Open Topic Night”… unfamiliar with that? It’s a night where our SPF decided what they were going to talk about! Wouldn’t you like to know what was said!! This week no SPF due to Thanksgiving, but we’ll see you back on December 1st!

UPCOMING EVENTS AT CHURCH Thanksgiving Day Worship! Join us on Thanksgiving morning at 10:00 a.m. for a brief, casual, family-friendly informal service of thanks-giving, with communion. Start the day right! Join us for a Musical Feast!! Music for Youth will hold their Young Artist Showcase at the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church on November 25th at 3 pm. This program will feature talented musicians from around Fairfield County including: violinists Zoe Lonsinger and Cameron Chase; pianist Avery Duer; string ensemble: Dayii Ephamus and Rahnumar Rahman, Curtis Gorganzora; and the Fairfield Woodwind Trio: Max Moon, Eric Hirsch, and Kate Wegener. Food and cash donations will be accepted at the door for Operation Hope in lieu of an admission fee. Let this afternoon of music lift your spirits and give you joy! Women of the Church - The Fellowship Board warmly invites you to our annual Christmas Silver Tea on Sunday December 11th from 2 - 4 pm at the home of Mrs. Anna Taylor, 105 Meeting House Lane, right behind the church. There is no cost to attend; however, there will be an opportunity to make a donation to Horizons at GFA. Please RSVP to the Church Office at 203-259-5596 or [email protected]. Also, if you would like to contribute a finger dessert or tea sandwiches, please let us know. Deacons Christmas Concert will be held on Sunday, December 11th - 4pm in the Sanctuary followed by refreshments in the Parlor. Our fabulous Wendy Gerbier will definitely get us all in the holiday spirit. Be sure to save the date, you won’t want to miss it! (see page 13 for more details) Time to register your child for the Christmas Pageant! This year's Pageant will be performed on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 5:00, and Sunday Dec. 18 at the 9:00 service, with one required rehearsal on Wednesday, Dec. 14. Children ages 4 through 7th grades are welcome to participate – and children in 3rd grade and up have the option to request a speaking part. Registrations are due by tomorrow, November 21! To find out more about the pageant, and to sign up online, please check out the ‘Children’s Programs’ page of our church website … or email Alida at [email protected]. Advent Wreath-making event! Kids and adults, please join us at 10:00 a.m. in the Memorial Room, right after Church School NEXT SUNDAY, November 27th, to celebrate the first Sunday in Advent by making Advent Wreaths for your home! Our Children and Youth Board is hosting this annual event. The cost for each wreath is $15 (includes candles and oasis) Call or email the church office to let us know you’re coming, so we can have plenty of materials on hand! Decorating the Church for Christmas -- We will be decorating the church grounds for Christmas on Friday, December 2nd beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Church House Memorial Room We will have wreaths to hang, bows to attach (they are already made!), and some garlands to attach, and we would love to have some extra hands to help out! Questions? Contact Marcia Carothers at [email protected] CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NOTES We are seeking individuals who would be interested in serving on any of the church boards starting in 2017. This is a great way to serve the church and whatever talents you may have, we have opportunities for everyone! The boards include: Adult Education, Children & Youth Ministries, Communications, Development, Diaconate, Facilities, Fellowship, Finance, Member Care, Member Involvement, Mission and Outreach. If you have questions about the types of things any of these Boards do you can contact Bob Stearns at [email protected]

CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 20, 2016 Sunday ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS MARKET (11/20) 9:00 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary 9:00 a.m. Church School in the Church House Classrooms 10:30 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary 2:00 p.m. All Kids Service Project!!! (in the Memorial Room) 5:00 p.m. JPF for our 6th and 7th Graders in the Barn Monday 7:00 p.m. Confirmation Meeting (in the Barn) (11/21) Thursday THANKSGIVING DAY (11/24) 10:00 a.m. Thanksgiving Worship Service in Sanctuary Friday 3:00 p.m. Musical Feast Concert in Sanctuary (11/15) Sunday FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT (11/27) 9:00 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary 9:00 a.m. Church School in the Church House Classrooms 10:00 a.m. Advent Wreath Making Event in Memorial Room 10:30 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary 2:00 p.m. All Kids Service Project!!! (in the Memorial Room) 5:00 p.m. JPF for our 6th and 7th Graders in the Barn

Words to The Prayer We pray You'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go, and teach us to be wise in times when we don't know. Let this be our prayer when we lose our way. Lead us to a place, guide us with Your grace to a place where we'll be safe. We pray you'll be our light and hold it in our hearts as darkness falls each night, remind us where You are. Let this be our prayer, when shadows fill our day. Lead us, Lord, lead us in Your righteousness; make Your way plain for us to see. We pray we'll find Your light, and hold it in our hearts as darkness falls each night, remind us where You are. Let this be our prayer, just like every child needs to find a place, guide us with Your grace. Give us faith so we'll be safe. Lead us, Lord.

LAST CALL….

GHCC OUTING TO THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4TH 12:00 - 6:30 pm Please join Adult Education Board and your Church Friends in a guided tour exploring this fascinating Jerusalem exhibit at the Met. Bus leaves from GHCC at 12:00 noon. Or arrange your own transportation and meet us at the Met 5th Avenue.

Please complete the form below and return to Roni Widmer in the main office with a check payable to “GHCC” OR go to greenfieldhillchurch.com/News and Events and Sign up there! RSVP’s are due by November 20th

Name(s):______1-hour private guided tour – includes Museum admission ______# Adults @ $31.00 ______# Seniors (65 & over) @ $24.00 ______# Students @ $19.00 ______# Transportation (bus from GHCC) GREENFIELD HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT Telephone: (203) 259-5596 Fax: (203) 255-4641 Website: www.greenfieldhillchurch.com email: [email protected] www.facebook.com/GreenfieldHillCongregationalChurch OFFICERS: Rev. Dr. David Johnson Rowe, Pastor; Rev. Dr. Alida Ward, Pastor; Chris Shea, Church Council Chairperson; Debbie Noyes, Church Clerk; Amy Johnson, Treasurer. STAFF: Roni Widmer, Office Manager; Sandra Shaw Murphy, Music Director; Sara Mastrony Hoefer, Junior Choir Director; Marcia Carothers, Director of Christian Education; Susan Rippey, Nursery School Director; Jessica Campbell, Financial Manager; Amity Almond and Kelcey King, Assistant Treasurers; Sarah De Meneses, Accountant; Jim Zalenski, Sexton CHURCH BOARD MEMBERS Adult Education: Michael Moore, Chairperson; Cathy Fell, Ingeborg Haug, Alice Horrigan, Sandra Timmerman Children and Youth Ministries: Sue Bambach, co-Chairperson; Wendy Steinfeld, co-Chairperson; Pam Badger, Erika Duffy, Bob King, Amory Mitchell, Marc Power Communications: Dave Hinkle, Chairperson; Michael Fox, Nikki Wingate Development: Joe Holland, Chairperson; Hugh Bennett, Tom Kreitler, Don Lord, Martha Lord Diaconate: Rick Fernandes, co-Chairperson, Emily Orben, co-Chairperson; Greg Bambach, Seth Baratz, Mike Fedak, Charlie Gulotta, Kristin Jennings, Karin Keith, Carole Lisi, Blake Titrud, Matt Vogel, Leonard White Facilities: Wendy Simon, co-Chairperson; Rob Steczkowski, co-Chairperson; Pam Dies, Andy Hoder, Carol McCullough, Joe Mitchell, Neil Poulter, Gary Rafsky, Dom Savino Fellowship: Amy Desel, co- Chairperson; Francine Jacques, co-Chairperson; Marj D’Elia, Chris Gulotta, Kevin Ebers, Siobhan Ebers, Lois Lehman, Marisol Lombardo, Casey Mitchell, Jen Richard, Lynn Taikowski, Christine Wegener Finance: Brian Schwinn Chairperson; Betsy Burgess, Debbie Dies, LaWanza Holder, Jerry Hood, Amy Johnson, Glenn Lajeunesse, Ken Nelson, Brad Orben, Junior Deacons: Maddy Abrahamson, Nicky Allen, Brianna Auray, Grace Badger, Andrew Baratz, Peyton Brown, Abby Burns, Connor Byrne, Grant Carnemark, Max Chandler, Tommy Chandler, Garrett Cutler, Allie DeLuca, Shay Desmond, Samantha Dies, Natalie Dileo, Ingrid Duffy, Henry Durham, Ryan Eckert, Andrea Engemann, Robert Farruggio, Jack Flanagan, Gareth Gacetta, Sam Hawley, Lucy Hermann, Quinn Hermann, Katie Hinkle, Harrison Houghton, Peter Hwang, Miles Kaps, Olivia Keden, Justin Keith, Olivia Lajeunesse, Julia Langeland, Isabella Lombardo, Olivia Luther, Cameron Luther, Sarah McIlroy, Maggie McKeon, Ben Mellor, Sam Nielsen, Ted Orben, Charles Pearce, Alex Poulter, Charlotte Powers, Adam Savino, Ben Schwinn, Henry Selden, Hannah Sharpe, Caroline Simon, Alex Steele, Brian Tormey, Clay Wackerman, Alexandra Wagner, Michael Waugh, Kate Wegener, Clint Wyckoff Member Care: Wendy Savino, Chairperson; Maryann Barrett, Sharon Jacobs, Margot Pearce, Lisa Santiana, Sue Trischman, Lisa Vacheron Member Involvement: Bob Stearns, Chairperson; Becky Brown, Jen Chandler, Betsy Milicia, Jon Sabrowski, Ellen Swan Mission and Outreach: Henry Bishop, tri-Chairperson, Vickie Frankenburg, tri-Chairperson, Kathy Scoville, tri-Chairperson, Barbara Bishop, John Fallon, Susan Hood, Laraine Petersen, Michelle Stearns Church Council At-Large Members: Mike Smith, Bill Strittmatter, Roni Widmer Church Historian: Lynn Van Winkle Internal Auditor: Mark Durham. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS Dogwood Festival, Betsy Auray and Kim Smith; Flowers, Lynn Davies; Ushers, Joyce Bultman; Church Housing Representatives (Parish Court), Jerry Grace, Tony Hwang, Peggy Ruble; Memorial Garden, Lynn Davies; Nursery School, Alison Lochridge; Fairfield East Delegate, Bill Carothers; Bridgeport Council of Churches, Michelle Stearns; Human Resources, Cheryl Jones CHANCEL CHOIR David Callahan, Lia Carter, Sunnie Chapell, Karen Curtin, Lynn Davies, Wendy Gerbier, Thomas Grant, Zoe Grosser, Sue Leiss, Donald Lord, Peggy McCain, Art McCain, Michael Moore, Jon Passmore, Melinda Reynolds, Earlyne Seaver, Dianne Simpson, Bob Stilson, Michael Trnik, David White CHURCH SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS Kristin Allen, Amity Almond, Kim Baer, Jennifer Bargas, Jessica Campbell, Sarah De Meneses, Erika Duffy, Dawn Dzurik, Betsy Ewing, Karen Fox, Mark Gilrain, Rachelle Giordano, Ann Harvey, Amanda & Ted Heyn, Katie Holland, Andra Horsch, Mary Janacek, Cheryl Kellman, Stacie Kenney, Bob & Molly King, Jen Lubarsky, Krishna Lynch, Suzanne Monk, Andrea Muhlhauser, Kirsten Navin, Gwen Powell, Allyson Power, Bronwyn & Matt Prohaska, Jen Richard, Kirsten Sabrowski, Sarah Schunk, Kara Snyder, Kelly Spencer, Cate Steczkowski, Wendy Steinfeld, Marike Toothaker, Chris Tormey, Kelly Vogel, Ellen Waugh, Nikki Wingate, Betsey Young