Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ

All Saints Day, Communion Sunday 22nd Sunday after Pentecost

November 1, 2020 9:30 a.m.

A Just Peace Church An Open and Affirming Congregation A God is Still Speaking Congregation

Our faith is 2000 years old; our thinking isn’t. GATHERING

Welcome

Prelude “Holy Spirit, Come” arr. by Marilyn Ham The beginning of the prelude is an invitation to silent, personal preparation for the worship of God.

Call to Worship One: On this day, we feel a great cloud of saints in our midst. They bring us hope and have strengthened our faith. All: This cloud is comforting: these saints are more than friends, they are family. One: On this day, we remember the call Christ offered each of us – a call to move to a new covenant: one of peace that would pass all understanding. All: God names us as welcome; as God has called to our faith ancestors, God calls to us. The table is set for community, the table is here for solace. We may come.

Hymn “God, We Thank You for Our People” NCH (blk) #376 Verse1 God, we thank you for our people, roots dug deep within the soil, hardy spirits, rich in loving, strong for struggle, bold for toil. Faithful Rock of generations, you whom parents’ parents praised: here in hope as we remember may our song to you be raised.

Verse 2 Thank you, God, for gentle pleasure: lessons learned and secrets told, hopes and memories saved as treasure, passed to young ones by the old. Pranks and glories, songs and stories, food by loving hands prepared. God, we bless you for your presence in our tears and laughter shared.

Verse 3 Still we must confess before you, sometimes, Savior, we have failed: though we worship and adore you, sometimes love has not prevailed. Tempers racing, devil chasing, hearts estranged by ice or flame You transform by ways forgiving. Grace amazing! Grace, your name!

Verse 4 By your Spirit of creation keep us bold for risking still, eager in anticipation, ever strong to do your will. Bind us close to one another, sharing life and death and birth, Welcoming as sister, brother, all your children on earth.

Gathering Prayer One: O Holy Creator, You have prepared for those who love You joys beyond all understanding. Fill our hearts with such a faith that, trusting You in all things, we may give freely of your graciousness and fulfill Your dream of joy for all creation. All: God, in the earth and in Your followers we have seen deep hope. During our time together today let us remember that in You all is made new and we may come simply as we are. Let us remember that with there was imperfection. Give us the audacity to dream Your divine dream and envision Your divine realm. Let us hear in melodies, sacred text and prayer that we are enough and that there is space for us. Let us be prepared to take such love, Your Love, to all the world.

Silence for Personal Reflection

God’s Promise of New Life One: Time and again, God has offered us space to find peace and reconciliation. God makes space for us to come as we are, perfectly imperfect. All: Just as we are, we come. We’ll claim our place in the choir of saints, even as we sing in multiple parts harmony and sometimes off key. There is nothing, nothing here, nothing anywhere else that will separate us from the love of God in Jesus. It is for this promise and spirit that we sing!

Response “Spirit of Love” Blk#58 Though we have frayed the fabric of your making, tearing away from all that you intend, Yet, to be whole, humanity is aching – come, work with us, and weave us into one.

HEARING THE WORD Scripture Readings Ephesians 1:11–23 Matthew 23:1-12 One: Here end the readings from our tradition. May God grant us wisdom and courage to live our faith with the fiery passion of Pentecost. All: Amen.

Message “Humility” Rev. Sara M. Holland

Hymn “For All the Saints” NCH (blk) #299 Verse 1 For all the saints who from their labors rest, who to the world their steadfast faith confessed, your name, O Jesus, be forever blessed. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Verse 2 You were their rock, their refuge, and their might: you, Christ, the hope that put their fears to flight; ‘mid gloom and doubt, you were their one true light. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Verse 3 Still my your people, faithful, true, and bold, live as the saints who nobly fought of old, and share with them a glorious crown of gold. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Verse 4 Ringed by this cloud of witnesses divine, we feebly struggle, they in glory shine; yet in your love our faithful lives entwine. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Verse 5 And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long, steals on the ear the distant triumph song, then hearts are brave again and faith grows strong, Alleluia! Alleluia!

Remembering All Saints Names lifted up of our local community are listed at the end of this order of service.

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

Offertory “Holy Spirit, Rain Down” by Russell Fragar We invite you to remember your support for the ministry of PCUCC.

Offertory Prayer All: With all that we have God, we pray You are blessed. In our step, let us make Your name known. In our offering, let Your vision be seen. Holy Spirit, bless these gifts: let these gifts be carried to places most in need. Amen.

CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation to the Table One: We are scattered God: in apartments, houses, condos; on counters, at dinner tables, on our couch, and stretching on the floor. As we join in this historic ritual, let us know that this holy meal brings us together – not just with our local church family but with Christians all over the world. All: We are prepared, God. Our tables and makeshift tables may be messy, but they are set. These tables are open: there are no prerequisites for God’s love. This table is for those who believe a little, or a lot. This table is for those who need community, those who need solace, and those who need strength. Let us share in this abundance.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE You will be invited to offer your silent prayers for others.

Breaking of the Bread and the Pouring of the Cup

Sharing of the Bread & the Cup

Closing Prayer All: Spirit of the Living God, you have filled us with Your life, embraced us with Your love, and fed us with Your grace. Now send us out into Your beloved world to share Your life, Your love, Your grace with all. This we pray through Christ our Lord who taught us to pray.

All: 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. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

SENDING

Hymn “Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether” NCH (blk) #337 Verse 1 Draw us in the Spirit’s tether, for when humbly in your name, two or three are met together You are in the midst of them; Alleluia! Alleluia! Touch we now your garment’s hem.

Verse 2 As the disciples used to gather in the name of Christ to sup, then with thanks to God the Giver break the bread and bless the cup, Alleluia! Alleluia! So now bind our friendship up.

Verse 3 All our meals and all our living make as sacraments of you, that by caring, helping, giving, we may true be disciples true. Alleluia! Alleluia! We may serve with faith anew.

Benediction

Postlude “Little Trumpet Tune for Manuals” by Michael Lawrence The Postlude ends our gathered worship and sends us into the world where our true service begins.

PREPARE COMMUNION BEFORE WORSHIP Today’s worship service will include the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. We encourage you to participate in the sacrament and to prepare bread and cup before the service begins. Here is a suggested preparation. Before the time of the service, you will want to prepare some bread, a slice or a small loaf of any kind of bread. In some parts of the world tortilla, rice cake or cassava are used as this element which is defined not as a wheat product, but as the most common food of the people. Let it be something you alone or you with others in your house may break and share. Prepare a cup or cups of juice — perhaps grape or cranberry — or wine, with or without alcohol. Set these elements in the living room or kitchen where you experience worship electronically with our faith community. Perhaps you want to put them on a lovely cloth or fabric that reminds you of a special time or a person deeply connected with you in the communion of saints. Perhaps you will light a candle, place a flower/plant or the photograph of someone you wish to bring into the circle of faith beside the bread and the cup. Thank you for your preparation.

Saints from Our Communities and Our Families Herbert H. Bartron Val Raymond Joe Oustecky Charles Durgin Tina Leehr Rev. Ralph Reynolds

Keeping in Prayer Dick Brace Patti Dyszinsky Annie Rice Frank Bartko Prayers for Our Nation and for the World! Our partner church - Masvingo UCCZ, Zimbabwe Prayers for Sam Lovett as he prepares for his Ecclesiastical Council. If you have a prayer request you'd like Rev. Sara to include in Sunday Worship, please email her at [email protected].

This Week and More at PCUCC Today – 9:30 AM Worship Service on Facebook Live 10:00 AM Zoom Virtual Sunday School 2:00 PM – Confirmation Hike with Rev. Sara Tuesday, 9:15 AM & Wednesday, 11:30 AM - Zoom Staff Meetings Wednesday, 12:30 PM – Lunchtime Prayers and Devotional 3:30 PM – Hike with Rev. Sara at Walter-Newton Rainbow Falls Loop

Announcements Sam Lovett Ecclesiastical Council – Sam’s Council is scheduled for Sunday, November 15th, at 2:00 PM via Zoom. You can join the by the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84521472867. The meeting ID is 845 2147 2867, and the passcode is 167124.

Finance Committee - CHOOSE OUR CHURCH as your favorite charity on AMAZON SMILE and support our ministries and mission. Yes, HANNAFORD prepaid grocery cards are available during this "stay-at-home" time of practicing safe distancing. Denominations of $100, $250 and $500 are available. Finance safe distancing. Denominations of $100, $250 and $500 are available. Finance orders cards regularly. Please let Linda or Larry know via phone or email what you would like to purchase.

We'll let you know when to mail your check to the church. If you shop at HANNAFORD for your essentials, please purchase a prepaid card. The church receives 5% of each card purchased. Thank you for your continued support!

HOPE Fund - The need for assistance through our HOPE Fund will increase as families at risk need assistance paying for rent, heating, electricity and medications. Please consider giving to the HOPE Fund. You can send your check to PCUCC and write HOPE Fund in the memo. Send to Plymouth Congregational UCC, P.O. Box 86, Plymouth, NH 03264.

We want to thank the congregation for the outpouring of generosity for the Hope Fund during this time of need; this will surely be critically important throughout the winter months.

Book Group - Here is our intended order of Book Group readings so that you can purchase or otherwise obtain them in advance: November: The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert December: My Own Words by Ruth B. Ginsberg January: Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate February: The Yellow House: A Memoir by Sarah M. Broom Cheers, Peggy

Our church is closed to all events until further announcement. The Worship Services will be live streamed on our Facebook page. Please check for Constant Contact and the Facebook page for information about upcoming Worship Services.

Pastor’s Office Hours During this time of "physical distancing" and working remotely, Pastor Sara will be at the church for office hours Monday 10:00-3:00, Tuesday 9:00-3:00, Wednesday 9:00-3:00 and Thursday by appointment though all church doors are locked. Small meetings may be possible in person with masks. Please feel free to contact her by email at [email protected] or on her work cell phone number at 336-485-5618 to set up a meeting.

The Rev. Sara M. Holland, Pastor [email protected] Deborah Healey, Office Administrator [email protected] David Williams, Director of Music [email protected] Ashley Paine, Organist/Pianist [email protected] Gale Adams, Co-Director of Faith Formation [email protected] Julie Kelsey, Co-Director of Faith Formation [email protected] Larry Spencer, Treasurer [email protected] Celia Woolverton, Grace Counseling [email protected]

Carol Stewart, Liturgist

Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ 4 Post Office Square, P.O. Box 86 Plymouth, NH 03264 (603) 536-2626 ~ [email protected] ~ www.uccplymouth.org