First Parish Church, Congregational On the Village Green Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts
Awaken to the Light and Love of God; Be a Joyful Beacon to Our World
Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt, Interim Pastor Donald R. Dunn, Director of Music-Organist Jessica Skidmore, Christian Ministry Coordinator Tori Potter, Sexton Nancy Klebart, Office Manager 978-526-7661 [email protected]
www.firstparishchurch.org
MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE Memorial Sunday, May 26, 2019, 10:00 AM
ORGAN PRELUDE: “Adagio” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP: (adapted from Touch Holiness) Leader: May the peace of God rest upon our busy lives-- People: That we may be quieted into prayer. Leader: May the love of God flow through our worship-- People: That we may be alive with opportunities for service. Leader: May the grace of God be with us this Memorial Day Weekend— People: As we honor the men and women of our armed services who gave their lives serving their country, including those who are “missing in action.” All: Let us worship God, Creator, Christ, and Spirit, whose Grace calls us to loving service.
*HYMN: “God of Grace and God of Glory” #436 NCH black
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (adapted from Touch Holiness) Spirit of the Living God, we confess that we have not always accepted the challenge of your peace in the world. Sometimes we define peace in ways that preserve our own self-interests, overlooking the possibility that your peace may call us to great sacrifice. Sometimes we are content to believe that speaking of peace is sufficient, forgetting that your peace calls us to action and transformation. Sometimes, when we are speaking of peace, we disrespect the sacrifice that men and women have made in fighting to preserve human freedoms. Merciful God, forgive our lack of imagination and courage; forgive our disrespect. Empower us to strive anew to make our world a place in which your loving peace abounds. In the name of Jesus, who is called “the Prince of Peace,” hear us as we pray…
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, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
*GLORIA PATRI: Glory 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
MY STORY Fran Bachman
MORNING PRAYER Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer Silent Prayer
ANTHEM: “Teach Me, O Lord” Philip W. J. Stopford (b. 1977)
Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law, yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments for therein is my desire. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. O turn away mine eyes lest they behold vanity and quicken me in thy way. O stablish thy word in thy servant That I may fear thee. Amen. Psalm 119:33-39
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Psalm 67 The Nations Called to Praise God To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song. 1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us. 2 that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. 5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
6 The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us. 7 May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.
Revelation 21:10, 22:1-5 A Vision of the New Jerusalem 21:10 And in the spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. 22:1-5 Then the angel[a] showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the lamb2 through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.3 Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; 4 they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
HYMN SING In our sermon-time today—INSTEAD OF THE SERMON—you will be invited to call out the name and number of your favorite hymn—and which hymnal it is in-- and let us know which verse (or two) you would like the congregation to sing.
OFFERTORY INVITATION
OFFERTORY ANTHEM: “In My Father’s House” Philip W.J. Stopford (b. 1977)
In my Father’s house are many dwellings, And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, So that where I am, you also may be.
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you I am going to prepare a place for you?
Where I am going know the way For I am the way, the truth, and the life; No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you also know my Father.
My spirit will be with you always. The Advocate, the Spirit of Truth will remind you of all I have said. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled; Do not be afraid. I have told you, I will come back to you; have faith in me.
*DOXOLOGY: Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below, Praise God above ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*HYMN: “O Beautiful for Spacious Skies” PH #440 blue
*[The “Removal of the Flame”, which symbolizes the Spirit of God accompanying us out into the world]
*BENEDICTION
*CHORAL RESPONSE
ORGAN POSTLUDE: “The Emperor’s Fanfare” Antonio Soler (1729-1783)
* * * * * After the service join us for hospitality.
The greeters and lay readers are Fran Bachman and great grandson, Ryder Brady.
We welcome to worship this morning the members of Post #113, the American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit and the Seaside squadron of the American Legion.
The flowers on the altar are given by the Amaral Bailey Post #113 of the American Legion in honor of the men and women who have given their lives in our wars and conflicts.
The Deacons are Paul Gudonis and Christiane Alsop.
In Flanders Fields By John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
Readers and Greeters are always needed, to volunteer speak to the Deacons, or you can also sign up online. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4caba822a1f49-diaconate Listening devices are available for those in need; they are at the back of the Sanctuary. Feel free to address a Deacon should you need help.
Welcome to all who are new to our worship. To join our mailing list please fill out a “Welcome Card” to place in the collection plate or contact [email protected] , 978-526-7661 ext 1.
SAVE THE DATE First Parish Parent Network’s Happy Hour! Fri., May 31, 6-8 PM Please join your Christian Education Committee for a relaxed evening of conversation, fellowship, food and drinks. Home of Steve Carhart and Marty Farmer, 12 Bridge St Manchester.
FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR We would love flowers from your garden to brighten the altar! Please call Penny Lapham at 978- 526-7128 if you would like to donate.
SEASIDE PARISH KNITTERS Meeting the 1st & 3rd Thursdays (June 6 & 20) 3-5 PM, at the Chapel Conference Room. We all love to knit/crochet, but more importantly we have been rewarded with helping others by sharing our handwork. We would love to have you join us!
WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY Thursdays, 4:00 to 5:30 PM, at the home of Vin Terrill, 37 Beach Street. Scripture for June 6 is John 14:8-17, 25- 27. We will be studying the scripture texts for the following Sunday’s worship. Format of the study is as follows: we begin with sharing joys and concerns, we have a time of prayer (where people are free to pray silently or out loud), and then 2 volunteers read the text out loud, while we all notice which words the Spirit draws our attention to. (This way of reading Scripture is called “Lectio Divina.”) We each have the opportunity to share with others the words “speak” to us, as well as ask questions about the text. We also discuss how the text might apply to our lives today. The study is led by Rev. Marlayna. All are welcome to join us! No prior knowledge of the Bible is necessary. Email or call Rev. Marlayna for more information.
ANNUAL MEETING, Sunday, June 9 following worship. Committee Chairs look for an upcoming email about Annual Reports.
2019/2020 CALENDAR Committees please send your dates, to the office, for Program Year 2019/2020 to be included on the Calendar which will be set this summer, we are looking for meetings and events.
BOOK GROUP Meeting, Monday, May 27 at 6:30 PM at Liz Loomis’ house, 34 Bennett St., Manchester. The book for discussion will be “There There” by Tommy Orange. “There There” is a relentlessly paced
multigenerational story about violence and recovery, memory and identity, and the beauty and despair woven into the history of a nation and its people. It tells the story of twelve characters, each of whom have private reasons for traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow. Jacquie Red Feather is newly sober and trying to make it back to the family she left behind in shame. Dene Oxendene is pulling his life back together after his uncle’s death and has come to work at the powwow to honor his goodreads uncle’s memory... Please RSVP to Liz at [email protected] for planning purposes!
Join us for our annual Tuck’s Point Worship Sunday, June 23 10 AM
Monday Memorial Day Office Closed 6:30 PM Book Group Tuesday 10:00 AM COA Zumba 11:30 AM COA Lunch of the Month 6:30 PM Church Council 7:00 PM Search Committee 8:00 PM Executive Committee Wednesday 10:00 AM COA Yoga 7:00 PM Diaconate 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal Thursday 4:00 PM Bible Study 7:00 PM Search Committee Friday 8:00 AM Yoga 3:30 PM Brown Bag Lunches Sunday 10:00 AM Worship