WORSHIP AT ELEVEN * Invocation Alec Deitz The Epistle Philippians 1:21-30 (Page 196 N.T.) Mr. Deitz FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH L: God be with you. L: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. P. And also with you. P: Thanks be to God. UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST L: Let us pray. P: Grant us, O God, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to Children’s Time & Presentation of 4th Grade Bibles Mr. Williams love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things September 21, 2014 The 15th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 20 Children, Kindergarten through 2nd grade, are invited to the Worship Connections in that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through the Children’s Library on the 2nd floor of the Education Wing. They will return after Welcome to First Church! Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy the sermon. A fully-staffed childcare ministry is provided during each Sunday Morning Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Worship Service and Education Hour for infants through age 4. This ministry is located If you are visiting today and looking for a church home, welcome! For over 161 years our in the nursery and toddler rooms on the first floor of the Education Wing. Covenant has been: We covenant with the Lord Jesus Christ and one another, and bind ourselves in the presence of God to live together in all God’s ways as revealed to us by the Holy Spirit and holy Reception of New Members The Rev. Timothy C. Ahrens scripture. The church acknowledges that all members have the right of individual interpretation of We welcome into membership: Laura Ann Baird (Hamish, Devon, Braden & Sophie), * Gospel Hymn There’s a wideness in God’s mercy Corvedale the principles of the Christian faith and respects them in their honest convictions. In accordance with Barbara & Albert Glover, Heather Whaling (Evan), Pat Groseck. the teaching of our Lord, the church recognizes two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion. Please turn off pagers and cell phones. Statement of Faith & Covenant Rev. Ahrens Hearing assistance devices and large-print bulletins and hymnals are available at the The church is a community of faith called to witness and to serve. Sanctuary doors. Deacons wearing green nametags can assist you. We covenant with the Lord Jesus Christ and with one another, and Cards requesting prayer are in the pew racks and placed in the offering plate. bind ourselves in the presence of God, to live together in all God’s (*) Indicates the congregation should stand as they are able. ways as revealed to us by the Holy Spirit and the holy scripture. The church acknowledges that all members have the right of individual Enter to worship-depart to serve. Please use this time for quiet preparation for worship. interpretation of the principles of the Christian faith and respects them in their honest convictions. In accordance with the teaching of Prelude Rondo passacaglia Cynthia Dobrinksi our Lord, the church recognizes two sacraments, baptism and holy The First Church Ringers communion. Welcome Christine Farquhar Welcome and Parish News Mark S. Williams We welcome you with joy to the life and ministry of The First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Columbus, Ohio. Call to Worship The Rev. Timothy C. Ahrens We promise you our friendship and prayers as we share the hopes and Leader: The grace of our Savior Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the labors of the church of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit may we continue to grow together in God’s knowledge and love, and communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. be faithful witnesses to the ways of Christ, our Lord and Savior. People: And also with you. * Then all stand. * Passing of the Peace The Rev. Dan Clark L: I will extol you, O holy God, and bless your name forever and ever. L: The peace of the Lord be always with you. P: Every day I will bless you, and praise your name forever and ever. P: And also with you. L: Great are you, O God, and greatly to be praised; there is no end to L: Let us greet one another with the sign of Christ’s peace. your greatness. P: One generation shall praise your works to another, and shall The Hebrew Scripture Jonah 3:10—4:11 (Page 860 O.T.) Mr. Deitz declare your power. L: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. L: I will ponder the glorious splendor of your majesty and all your P: Thanks be to God. marvelous works. P: They shall speak of the might of your wondrous acts, and I will tell Anthem Sing, my soul, his wondrous love Ned Rorem of your greatness. L: They shall publish the remembrance of your great goodness; they shall Sing, my soul, his wondrous love, God, the merciful and good, sing of your righteous deeds. who from yon bright throne above, bought us with the Savior's blood, P: You are gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and of great ever watchful o'er our race, and, to make our safety sure, kindness. still to us extends his grace. guides us by his Spirit pure. The Gospel Matthew 20:1-16 (Page 21 N.T.) Rev. Ahrens —Psalm 145:1-8 L: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. Heaven and earth by him were made; Sing, my soul, adore his Name! P: Thanks be to God. all is by his scepter swayed; Let his glory be thy theme: * Processional Hymn 446 Glorious things of thee are spoken Austria what are we that he should show praise him till he calls thee home; so much love to us below? truth his love for all to come. Sermon “Be present in this world” Rev. Ahrens —Anonymous, 1800 A time of reflection follows.

2 3 The Prayers of the People Rev. Clark Notes on Today’s Music: We welcome the First Church Ringers to worship First Church is a faith community: this morning. Their prelude, “Rondo passacaglia” combines two popular Our Lord’s Prayer forms, the Rondo – a repeating theme that returns over and over – and the • Called together by God, the Creator and Sustainer of life, Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Passacaglia – a repeating melody over which variations are made throughout to worship, pray and serve; Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. a piece of music. This joyful celebration is atour-de-force for handbells. We • Led by Jesus Christ, our Teacher and Savior, to learn the Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, are delighted to offer it this morning. The Gradual motet is by American faith and welcome all God’s children; as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver 20th century composer Ned Rorem. Mr. Rorem, born in 1923, is a prolific • Empowered by the Holy Spirit to witness to God’s love us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the composer of classical music and wrote this beautiful motet in 1955 and is and justice between ourselves, and throughout the world. glory forever. Amen. among his most beloved choral works. The Gospel hymn, “There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,” is a familiar text to us, but is sung today to a different tune. Our Open and Affirming Statement The Offertory Found in the English hymnal Common Praise (2000), the tune Corvedale was Mission Invitation written by Maurice Bevan (1921-2006). It is a gentle, lovely tune that mirrors We, the members of First Congregational Church, United Cash and designated checks go to Kairos addressing the spiritual needs of the comfort of the hymn text itself. The Offertory anthem is from Felix Church of Christ, Columbus, Ohio, believe the following incarcerated men, women and children, their families and to those who work in Mendelssohn’s large oratorio, Elijah. A familiar anthem to many of us, the represents our commitment and desire to reach out and welcome the prison environment. acompaniment employs undulating triplets throughout, possibly suggesting all those in need of and searching for God’s love: We believe the omnipresence and ever-watchful nature of God over the people of God’s that we are all created in God’s image, female and male, and Anthem He Watching Over Israel (Elijah) Felix Mendelssohn creation. It uses the fourth verse of Psalm 121 (I will lift up mine eyes unto we are called to love our neighbors as Jesus loves us. We believe we are many members, but one body in Christ, and called to He, watching over Israel, slumbers not, nor sleeps. Shouldst thou, walking in grief the hills from whence cometh my help.) The postlude this morning is the last languish, He will quicken thee. movement of Sir Edward Elgar’s Sonata in G Major, Op. 28 for organ. If you unite all people in God’s love. We welcome and affirm all people. —Psalm 121:4 would like to hear the complete Sonata, it will be played as part of Mr. Jones’ We invite those who are seeking God’s presence in their lives to join us on our common journey. Our faith community seeks to organ recital next Sunday,September 28 at 4 p.m. * Presentation Hymn Old Hundredth unite persons of all ages, races, nationalities, ethnicities, sexual Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, orientations, mental and physical abilities, socioeconomic levels Praise Christ, all people here below; and political and theological backgrounds. Together in our Praise Holy Spirit evermore; diversity, and being empowered and directed by the Holy Spirit, Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen. Worship on Sunday, October 5 we will “do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God.” (Micah 6:8) (adopted September 8, 2002 by the congregation) * Prayer of Dedication Rev. Clark Don’t miss three unique opportunities for * Closing Hymn 281 Guide me, O thou great Jehovah Worship! Cwm Rhondda

* Benediction Rev. Ahrens 9 am - Morning Prayer and Holy Postlude Sonata in G Major, Op. 28 Edward Elgar Communion in the Parish Hall iv. Presto (comodo)

It is our custom to be seated for the Postlude 11 am - Holy Communion and Blessing of Thank you for attending worship this morning. We hope that you have found peace and grace here and invite you to return often. If you would like more the Animals on the West Lawn (A Great Opportunity to reach out to our Discovery

information or have any questions about First Church, please ask anyone wearing of Christ United Church Church, Congregational First District neighbors and beyond! Bring your pets.) a name tag. We’d be delighted to assist you. Please join us for Fellowship Hour in the Parish Hall immediately following the service. Crucifer: Adam Wade Acolytes: Allyssa & Courtney Batchelor 4 pm - Choral Evensong in the Sanctuary with the First Church Choir The Flowers This Morning are given by Bev Cook in celebration of the music ministry of First Church. First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ Greeting at the Exits Today are: Bulletins are printed on recycled paper with a minimum 50% post-consumer content. 444 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215-3885 Broad Street – Rev. Clark All music in the bulletin is reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-717661. All rights reserved. phone: 614.228.1741 fax: 614.461.1741 Ninth Street – Rev. Ahrens Bulletins and audio podcasts of services are available on the website for each week: www.first-church.org/Worship.aspx www.first–church.org Education Wing – Mark S. Williams 4 5