First Parish Church, Congregational United Church of Christ Worship Celebration Summer Message Series – “One Hit Wonders” Sunday, August 23, 2020 9:00 am Prelude “Strange Meadow Lark” Brubeck Welcome Hymn “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You” Joyful, joyful, we adore you, God of glory, God of love Hearts unfold like flowers before you, opening to the sun above Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the storms of doubt away Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day All your works with joy surround you, earth and heaven reflect your rays Stars and angels sing around you, center of unbroken praise Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea Chanting bird and flowing fountain, teach us what our praise should be You are giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest Loving Spirit, Father, Mother, all who love belong to you Teach us how to love each other, by that love our joy renew Mortals, join the mighty chorus which the morning stars began Boundless love is reigning o’er us, reconciling race and clan Ever singing, move we forward, faithful in the midst of strife Joyful music leads us onward in the triumph song of life Opening Prayer (together) Holy One, Your spirit is everywhere. It is in us and all things. It is in those we love and those we struggle to love. It is in those we know and in those who are strange to us or estranged from us. Help us to see it, God. Help us to open our minds and hearts to that Spirit. Let it lead us to say, “Yes” when our first instinct is to say, “No” out of fear, lack of awareness, habit, or convenience. Let it lead us to look beneath the surface when we believe we know all there is to know about a person or problem. Let it lead us to consider new positions and possibilities when we are certain there is only one right way. We ask all this in the name of Jesus, the One You sent to show us what Your mind, heart and soul-changing Spirit looks like. We pray to You now with the words He gave us… 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. Solo “We Sing to Him” Purcell Rebecca Shrimpton, soloist We sing to Him, whose wisdom formed the ear, our songs, let Him who gave us voices, hear. We joy in God, who is the spring of mirth, who loves the harmony of Heaven and Earth. Our humble sonnets shall that praise rehearse, who is the music of the Universe. And whilst we sing, we consecrate our art, and offer up with ev’ry tongue a heart. Prayer Intentions Time of Silent and Spoken Prayer Music Meditation “My Lord, What a Morning” spiritual, arr. Berry The Gospels Matthew 15:10-28 (New Revised Standard Version translation) 10 Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” 12 Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” 16 Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. 19 For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.” 21 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly. Message Solo “Blackbird” Lennon/McCartney Paul Knox, soloist Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these broken wings and learn to fly All your life You were only waiting for this moment to arise. Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these sunken eyes and learn to see All your life You were only waiting for this moment to be free. Blackbird fly, blackbird fly Into the light of a dark black night. Blackbird fly, blackbird fly Into the light of a dark black night. Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these broken wings and learn to fly All your life You were only waiting for this moment to arise You were only waiting for this moment to arise You were only waiting for this moment to arise. Blessing As Rev. Mark will be on vacation from tomorrow until September 9, we will be blessed next Sunday to have Rev. Dr. Llewellyn Smith lead us in Worship and offer the morning’s Message. Then, on Sunday, September 6, Dr. Weiss, Rebecca Shrimpton and Paul Knox will lead a special “Music Sunday” as we celebrate Labor Day weekend. We encourage all members and friends of First Parish to remain with us immediately after the conclusion of our Worship this morning for our Virtual Friendship Time on Zoom. You can join the meeting by computer, tablet, iPad, or smart phone by clicking this link https://zoom.us/j/720983063 Password- 244108 Dial in with your phone and join using just audio at this number 1- 301-715-8592 (Meeting ID- 720 983 063, Password- 244108). We welcome you for this time of additional community connection. “Deacon Fund” Support and Assistance – the “Deacon Fund” remains a vital means of assistance to FPC members in need, especially in this difficult and uncertain time. Contributions can be made “First Parish Church” with “Deacon Fund” in the memo section, and mailed to First Parish Church P.O. Box 187 Manchester, MA 01944. In addition, if a member of our spiritual community is need, please contact Rev. Mark to discuss available support. Continuing through Sunday, September 6, our Worship time will start at 9AM instead of 10. We return to our regular 10am start on Sunday, September 13. You can contribute to the work of First Parish Church or pay your pledge @PayPal.Me/FPChurchManchester Manchester Affordable Housing Trust Announces Emergency Rental Housing Payment Assistance - The Manchester Affordable Housing Trust (MAHT), in collaboration with Action, Inc., a Gloucester-based human and social services agency, is offering short-term rental housing payment assistance to income eligible Manchester residents in response to job and income loss related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Consistent with its mission to support and promote community affordable housing, the MAHT is reaching out to income eligible residents who are experiencing housing rent payment issues. The MAHT can and wants to help during this difficult and uncertain time. For further information please contact Action, Inc. at 978-282- 1000 or live chat at www.actioninc.org<http://www.actioninc.org. .