Bread and More Soup Kitchen continues to serve a free to-go meal every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5:30-6:15.
If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact Pastor Murray at 631-727-2621. We are an open and affirming member of the United Church of Christ and no matter who you are or where you are in life's journey, you are welcome here.
Announcements:
Save the Date: On Sunday, Oct. 8th the First Congregational Church of Riverhead will sponsor the Alice Summerville Quilt Show from 10-3. Come visit the church during the Riverhead Country Fair and see an assortment of beautiful quilts in our sanctuary. Raffle tickets available for one of Alice Summerville's quilts. Free admission.
The newest edition of the Beacon Light is available on our website. If you would like a paper copy, please call the church office at 631-727-2621.
The thrift shop remains open Tuesday, Thursdays from 10-2 and Saturday 9-1.
If you would like to join us on Zoom, please follow the link
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85014939172?pwd=L2E4UGJ5YS9iZGd6VmkrRktUb2trdz09
Meeting ID: 850 1493 9172
Passcode: 7272621
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
A Service of the Word
September 17, 2023 10am
OPENING WORDS:
We open our hearts to the presence of God and worship together.
PRELUDE: Solfeggio Hummel
Once the music begins we ask that you would please maintain respectful silence.
*CHORAL INTROIT:
We are here this day to share God's love.
We have come with burdens and cares,
For within this place, we are bound as one
In this fellowship we share.
*CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: Tremble, O earth, at the presence of God.
Let us remember God’s marvelous works.
Many: Surely God has saved us in difficult times.
How can we forget God’s guiding hand?
One: When evil surrounds us and we have wronged,
God helps us turn the evil to good.
Many: We need not be afraid whatever happens.
We are in God’s care wherever we go.
One: Sing the praises of God, our strength.
Know that God is majestic and holy.
Many: How great is God’s mercy for all who love God!
We sense among us God’s kindness and patience.
*HYMN: Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer #18
WELCOME
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
…Majestic God, who led our spiritual ancestor with a pillar of cloud that hid them by day and protected them by night, lead us through the threatening times in which we live. Save us from the floods of our own misplaced trust, as you saved them from the waters of the sea and the weapons of their pursuers. On this day, grant strength to those who are weak and support for all who are stumbling. Let every tongue
praise you as we give account to you of our deeds...
PASSING OF THE PEACE
ANNOUNCEMENTS, CELEBRATIONS AND CONCERNS
Adult Bible Study: Reminder, we are now studying the Gospel of Mark, each Friday 10:00-11:00 in the Fellowship Hall. Can’t make it in person? Join us on Zoom.
Country Fair Sunday October 8: Please note will have a brief prayer
service at 9:00 am before our Alice Summerville Memorial Quilt Show in our sanctuary from 10:00 -3:00. Volunteers are needed to sell raffle tickets and work as greeters. Please speak to Nancy Repp.
A TIME OF PRAYER:
❖ Pastoral Prayer
…Forgiving God, whose strength enables us to stand against the temptations we face and whose judgment discerns our deepest motives, empower us by your Word to embody the spirit of Christ in our relations with one another, and in our care for all people, that oppression may end, desperate needs be met, and mercy be extended to all your children…
❖ Silent Prayer
❖ 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. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine isthe kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen.
OFFERING & OFFERTORY
Poor Wayfaring, Stranger Arr. Althouse
*DOXOLOGY AND BLESSING OF GIFTS:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above you heavenly host:
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
❖ Exodus 14:19-31 OT Page 114
❖ Psalms 114 HYMNAL Page 698
❖ Romans 14:1-12 NT Page 142
❖ Matthew 18:21-35 NT Page 17
SERMON: “Moving Forward”
The longer I live, the more I understand that life is largely a matter of overcoming challenges. With the challenges come victory and defeat, but thankfully, for many I see the hand of God at work with them and around them and know that victory is far more often the rule. But it’s seldom easy. Of course, there are some challenges that are more like annoyances: The burnt-out light bulb or two, (and the realization that there are no replacements to be found in the house!); the dead battery, in the mouse or in the remote or in the car. But some challenges are way bigger and can shake us so that sleep
is tough, and anger or fear and anxiety walk with us throughout our days. When bad enough, we can feel powerless and lost to the fickleness of fate that has beset us.
The Exodus story which we heard today is doubtlessly foreign to us. We are not in the midst of war, fleeing from our homes with an army chasing us down. Yet there are those, even in our lifetimes, whohave had to do so and who are doing so even today. Is there a path in the sea for them? And what awaits them on the other side? Is victory of any kind possible even for them?
If history teaches us, informs us, we know that there could be. But the Exodus out of Egypt was not instantly followed by comfortable reestablishment in the land of milk and honey. For those ancient ones, it was wilderness wandering that awaited them, and the challenges of food and water, and most of all, of faith.
For them, it was 40 years of tough survival, eating quail and manna, and as age took hold of the wanderers, it became clear that the final destination was no longer the focus, but the quality of the journey was what mattered. It was communal living and existence for a congregation surrounded by harsh realities where wind and rain still shook them, and by the human difficulties of interpersonal relationships and feuding that were doubtlessly still among them. Times of challenge continued to beset
them, and yet the real trial was not that which nature or circumstance brought, but rather it was always amatter of right and faithful being and living where they were on any given day. I’d like to imagine that the stories they told and the songs they sung around evening fires brought them some solace. I’d like to imagine that the beauty of nature, awesome sunsets and blooming meadows, brought comfort and quality to even life in a strange land on a journey of years. Most of all, I’d like to
imagine that their faith served as a buoy for their spirits -- that knowing that God was still with them and leading them, that God would always see them through, was sufficient to bring peace and well-being for the very old and still young alike as they simply moved forward. I’d like to think the same is true for us.We, too, are still the wanderers of sorts, and our challenges are both similar and other. Similar in that
each day is a matter of moving forward with faith. Each day is a challenge to find faith and peace. Each day is a challenge to draw near to God that God may draw near to us. Yet our challenges are other, too. Other in that that which rocks us, shakes us, angers us, or worries us, is different than striving for a
quality of life in a wilderness setting. After all, we have electricity and running water, food that easily accessible, even TV and internet, and heat or A/C when we need it. But still, life comes at us and throws us a bit.
that As I look over my shoulder at the week that was, it’s easy for me to see the challenges that were and even still are. I’ve heard it said that “things happen in three,” but now find myself wondering what number I’m up to. This week, as the cement blocks of the walls of the basement were knocked out, the loud pounding was so fierce it rocked the house, and things fell off the shelf and crashed on the floor. Then there was the irrigation system that would turn on seemingly by itself at odd times of day, but run in just one zone, creating yet more muddy patches on a property already filled with huge piles of sand and broken concrete. Then there was the garage door opener that just ceased to operate. Finding peace through faith hasn’t been easy. And last night, I was told about the toilet problem here. I shutter to even ask, “What next?”
But on the bright side, I haven’t been recently challenged to forgive someone seven times, much aloneseventy-seven times. I haven’t been recently challenged by harsh judgmentalism about which Paul writes. And other than the same old aches and pains, I haven’t recently been bothered by health issues. Such, I know, is not true for all.
To date, even as I’ve come to realize that life is largely about overcoming challenges, I also know that it’s largely a matter of seeing life as forward movement towards a better day when peace and faith can flourish, and flourish without so much personal effort. The mess and din will pass, fixes will come, and with the doing, it’ll all be done. The challenge is always with the day alone. There is blessing and beauty still to be had, and peace can be found as God comes home to the heart with the whisper of “my
peace I give to you.” With God who leads us, we’re moving forward to a better place, thanks be to God.
*HYMN: Lead on Eternal Sovereign #573
*BENEDICTION
CHORAL BENEDICTION:
May the light of God shine on us today.
May the light of God shine on us today.
May it show us where to travel,
Lead us back if we should stray.
May the light of God shine on us today.
POSTLUDE Sonata Telemann
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
A Service of the Word
September 10, 2023 10am
OPENING WORDS:
We open our hearts to the presence of God and worship together.
PRELUDE: Solfeggio Hummel
Once the music begins we ask that you would please maintain respectful silence.
*CHORAL INTROIT:
We are here this day to share God's love.
We have come with burdens and cares,
For within this place, we are bound as one
In this fellowship we share.
*CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: Tell the whole congregation of Gods’ people:
This is a day for new beginnings.
Many: This is a time for God’s appearing.
This is the moment for faithful response.
One: Praise God in the assembly of the faithful.
Make melody to God and sing a new song.
Many: Praise God for life enriched by love.
Praise God for love that fulfills God’s law.
One: This is the hour to wake from our sleep.
The energy of God’s love fills this place.
Many: Here we claim our identity as Christians.
Here we become the church of Jesus Christ.
*HYMN: Enter, Rejoice, and Come In #73
WELCOME
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
…This is a festival day, glorious God, a day of remembering our faithfulness through the centuries, a time for celebrating your vibrant presence with us, a pause of anticipation for the seasons yet to be. We rejoice at the assurance that your take pleasure in us, that we are known by you, called by you, empowered by you to live honorably and humbly, in the spirit of Christ. We would exalt your name and sing for joy, knowing that we can trust you for the guidance and direction we need….
PASSING OF THE PEACE
A TIME OF PRAYER:
❖ Pastoral Prayer
… Eternal God, to whom we owe all we have and all we are, and whose law of love points to fulfillment in this life beyond, show us how to live honorably and help us to make those choices that are pleasing to you, that your church may become a trusting community that leads many to lives of quality and realization…
❖ Silent Prayer
❖ 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. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine isthe kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen.
OFFERING & OFFERTORY:
Poor Wayfaring, Stranger Arr. Althouse
HEALING PRAYER
*DOXOLOGY AND BLESSING OF GIFTS:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above you heavenly host:
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
❖ Ezekiel 33:7-11 OT Page 758
❖ Psalms 119:33-40 HYMNAL Page 702
❖ Romans 13:8-14 NT Page 142
❖ Matthew 18:15-20 NT Page 17
SERMON: “Better Together”
Really fine ending of that account, Matthew: “Where two or three are together,…” Love that. But the lead-in. Ugh. Seriously, maybe you should reconsider.
But he didn’t. As Matthew tells the story, he suggests that problems in the church are as old as the days of Christ. Yet there’s no out-and-out complaint, just a suggestion, but one with stern consequences.The psychology of church has been rightly linked to that of family dynamics. The more and more I learn of how families are these days, the more I learn that my particular families – that of birth and that of choice –are particularly fortunate. We all get along. Trust me, that’s not as common as one would think. Given
that family dynamics are so tough, it’s no wonder that many a church will run into problems every now and then.
There’s an old saying about joining a church: “If you ever find a perfect church, don’t join it… You’ll ruin it!” Yet fortunately perfection is not a prerequisite for church membership. No pastor, no congregant, no church, club, or community is perfect in every way, and yet as we learn and grow together, and regularly
strive to let love shine, the imperfections become little more than the occasional rather than a dark hole.
I’m coming up to my 30th anniversary of ordination. Over these past three decades, I’ve worked with many churches, not simply as pastor, but also as clergy colleague, friend, and consultant. I know church. I’ve heard the stories and witnessed the struggles and victories alike.
Of all the churches I’ve known, I gotta’ say, this is truly one of the healthiest ones out there. The days of impassioned feuding at Annual Meetings and leadership struggles are long behind us. There’s been a genuine peace, respect, love, that has settled in. That’s a lot to say.Over the years, we’ve overcome much and accomplished much. Today, our fellowship, finances, and buildings are in some of the best shape they’ve ever been. We hit the speed bumps, of course, but we regularly take them in stride. This is not simply a matter of God in action, but of people working together with the love of God well at home in their hearts. Those people are you. You have been good about stepping up and doing what you can do. We’ve grown to a place where the skills of the gathered are regularly pooled to make things happen.
Our Thrift Shop is thriving only because volunteers have stepped up. Worship, including music (well on most days) and festal celebrations throughout the year with flowers and decorations, is solid because people have stepped up to help in a variety of ways – singing, reading, decoration, cleaning, even buying supplies such as water and tissues. Our mission programs, including the food we regularly donate, the special drives for school supplies or Christmas gifts, the prayer shawls, and the funds we offer to support ministries here and far away, are solid because of the support you give. Our newsletter gets together and out because of many hands that pitch in to write, to edit, to do. Our fellowship gatherings, such as that we’ll have to do, always see abundant offerings and lots of smiles and loving touches because you are doing what you can to
pitch in.We’re family, with its quirks and quirkiness, but we’re a healthy one only because so many of us know that we’re better together, together as a team, together puzzling things out and making things work. This week offered more prime examples of how we, as a church, are better together with the help of those around us.
Our church secretary Elaine came down with not only an ear infection this week, but also Covid. That was before the bulletins were done. Yet there was help to be had in the folding and inserting among other tasks. Then just last night I got a call from Marguarite who let me know the second leg of her flight, that from
Denver to LaGuardia, was cancelled. I knew I could reach out to Melinda, and rather than sing hymns with the help of our carillon as I was thinking, she came up with the better notion of the wireless speaker. She also saw to contacting the choir and letting them know. And so we continue over the speed bumps and
even manage to do so joyfully.
On this Rally Day, I offer my thanks, appreciation and applause to us, our First Congregational Church of Riverhead, and I offer the encouragement of God for you to find your place where you can shine the brightest here among us and with us and we continue to strive to be always better together.
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS: (Please see insert)
*HYMN: Called as Partners in Christ’s Service #495
*BENEDICTION
CHORAL BENEDICTION:
May the light of God shine on us today.
May the light of God shine on us today.
May it show us where to travel,
Lead us back if we should stray.
May the light of God shine on us today.
POSTLUDE: Sonata Telemann
We're biblical, traditional, yet progressive.
We honor and take pride in our
Congregational roots.
We covenant with one another and with God,
as revealed
in Jesus Christ through the illumination of
the Holy Spirit.
We endeavor to walk humbly with God and
strive for justice and peace.
My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.
Isaiah 56.7
We are an open and affirming congregation in which all persons regardless of race, ethnic background, economic status, gender, age, or personal ability, are equally affirmed into membership, leadership and employment
and joyfully welcomed.
Our church office is open for phone calls at 631-727-2621. Pastor Sean will return your calls. Our secretary is in the office Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
Our church office is open for phone calls at 631-727-2621. Pastor Sean will return your calls. Our secretary is in the office Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
Worship on Sundays at 10:00am.
No matter who you are or where you are in life's journey, you are welcome here.
103 1st Street, Riverhead, New York 11901, United States
Open today | 09:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Our church office is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am-12:00. Church services are held on Sunday at 10:00am, and coffee hour in the fellowship hall following the worship service. Sunday School will be held at 10:00 am. (To run concurrent with our worship service)
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