The First Congregational Church of Canton Center
United Church of Christ
An Open & Affirming Congregation
January 31, 2021; 4th Sunday after Epiphany
Order of Worship, Prayers and Hymn Lyrics can be found beneath the video.
Or, if you wish to print a full copy of the bulletin, click HERE.
PRELUDE One Faith, One Hope, One Lord Craig Courtney
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN O God of Vision
O God of vision far greater than all human scheming,
Gather us now in your presence, refreshing, redeeming.
Show us anew life in your breathtaking view,
Lovely beyond all our dreaming.
Grant to us insight, O God, for this time of decision.
May we dream challenging dreams of both depth and precision.
Speak through the dark, dispel by lightning’s bright spark
Whatever clouds dim our vision.
Break the sun’s rays into color, a rainbow around us.
Storm clouds, though real and near, are not enough to confound us.
Arched in the sky, beauty and promise are nigh,
Giving us hope to astound us.
GATHERING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER
God of all,
Source of all our being,
help us remember again today
our connection to each other
and to all others
in this sacred world.
Help us know again today that you abide in us
and we in you,
like branches and vine --
our spirits finding life in your spirit,
our private hearts finding a common heart,
so that all our stories find their place in your Story.
This we ask in Christ’s name and spirit, as we also pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom
come, thy will be done, on earth as it is 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.
READING FROM SCRIPTURE John 15:1-11
SERMON My Story, Our Story, The Story
MUSICAL INTERLUDE Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Charles Wesley arr. Mark Hayes
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Joys & Concerns, Pastoral Prayer
HYMN Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song
Like the murmur of the dove’s song, like the challenge of her flight,
Like the vigor of the wind’s rush, like the new flame’s eager might:
Come, Holy Spirit, come.
To the members of Christ’s body, to the branches of the vine,
To the church in faith assembled, to our midst as gift and sign:
Come, Holy Spirit, come.
With the healing of division, with the ceaseless voice of prayer,
With the power to love and witness, with the peace beyond compare:
Come, Holy Spirit, come.
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE God of Glory, Lord of Love Mary McDonald
______________________________
Mary Lou Keefe, Director of Music
Karen Needham, Reader
Jerry Alonzy, Webmaster
The Rev. Dr. Brenda Pelc-Faszcza, Pastor
