Reverend Ciara S. SimonsonIs an Ordained Minister with the Christian

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Reverend Ciara S. Simonson is an ordained minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of The Presbyterian & Baptist Congregations Christ) and relationship counselor with the Imago Center of Washington DC. Indicative of in Cooperstown, New York her compassion for humanity and commitment to helping others heal and grow, Ciara established herself as a dynamic speaker and pastoral counselor integrating her theological and clinical background. Ciara identifies herself as the “wounded healer” who shares her passion for healing by educating, encouraging, and empowering others to honor the full context of their life. Ciara received an M.Div. from Howard University and M.S. in Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Jack and Jill of America, and Co-Founder of Love Works, an organization that supports relationships and families creating connections through safe conversations. Ciara’s pride and greatest joy is engaging the fullness of life with her loving husband, Victor Simonson while sharing the honor of parenting her daughter Victoria Grace, son Immanuel Justice, and carrying the memory of her angel baby Trinity. There is an African proverb that says, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and my village has been extremely impactful in supporting my journey…they keep me encouraged, inspired and remind me that I am not alone but connected to a wealth of resources that can make a difference in motherhood. Ciara Simonson, 2021 Virginia Mother of the Year®

Victor Simonson is a multi-disciplinary composer, conductor and pianist who is comfortable as a collaborator across many genres. As a composer, Mr. Simonson created the groundbreaking HIPHOPERA, Stomping Grounds that premiered at Glimmerglass Festival in 2017. He toured as Associate Conductor of Oprah Winfrey’s “The Color Purple” and “Memphis The Musical.” He is set to join the upcoming team of “American Prophet,” the original story of Frederick Douglas at Arena Stage in Washington D.C in 2021. He studied voice, piano and composition at the Eastman School of Music. He is also a candidate for the Master of Divinity Degree at Wesley Theological Seminary. He gives God all the praise for the blessings of faith, family and music!

Samantha McElhaney is an American Soprano whose voice has been described as “one of those dramatic, heroic, and epic, full-throated voices that comes along once in a lifetime.” Ms. McElhaney’s career has taken her to some of the world's best opera houses and concert halls. Her signature roles have brought Ms. McElhaney to the Washington National Opera, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera Chicago, Toledo Opera, The Royal Danish Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Washington Symphony Orchestra and The National Symphony Orchestra. Ms. McElhaney graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio and a Master of Music degree from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland.

The First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown The First Baptist Church of Cooperstown CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER Invitation to the Lord’s Table February 7, 2021, 10:00 a.m. Fifth Sunday after Epiphany What is written of trouble on the heart is written in His blood, and nobody can take the glory of his name away from you. He sho’ guides my trembling feet, I tell you, PRELUDE “A Little More Faith in Jesus” Traditional Spiritual bless His holy name; He sho’ is my heavenly Father, ooh merciful God. arranged for organ by John W. Work III (1901-1967) ~Slave name unknown “I do believe without a doubt, that Christians have a right to shout, Communion Hymn: “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power” Andrae Crouch (1942-2015) a little more faith in Jesus.” Prayers for the Bread and Cup (As the prelude begins, please use the time to center yourself for worship) Words of Institution CALL TO WORSHIP Communion Prayer after Communion In some places, if the slaves are caught praying to God, they are whipped more than if they had committed a great crime. The slaveholders will allow the slaves to dance, but Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you do not want them to pray to God. Sometimes, when a slave, on being whipped, calls the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the upon God, he is forbidden to do so, under threat of having his throat cut, or brains world. ~Harriet Tubman blown out. Oh, reader! this seems very hard- - that slaves cannot call on their Maker, CLOSING SELECTION “Amazing Grace” arranged by Victor Simonson, 2015 when the case most needs it. Sometimes the poor slave takes courage to ask his master BENEDICTION to let him pray, and is driven away, with the answer, that if discovered praying, his POSTLUDE “Toccata on Amazing Grace” back will pay the bill. ~Peter Randolph Based on the tune New Britain from Virginia Harmony, 1831 OPENING SELECTION “My Soul’s Been Anchored in de Lord” Setting by J. Christopher Pardini (b. 1973) Spiritual Arranged by Florence B. Price (1887-1953) Permission to reprint, podcast, and/or stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE COMMUNITY MATTERS with license #A-724436. All rights reserved

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

When the time had arrived for us to start, we blew out the lights, knelt down, and prayed to our Heavenly Father mercifully to assist us, as he did his people of old, to ANNOUNCEMENTS escape from cruel bondage; and we shall ever feel that God heard and answered our Welcome to worship! Whatever your religious background, and however you have come to prayer. Had we not been sustained by a kind, and I sometimes think special, be here, we welcome you to our fellowship. providence, we could never have overcome the mountainous difficulties… ~William and Ellen Craft Announcement Regarding In-Person Worship: In order to continue worshipping It wasn’t me, it was the Lord! I always told Him, ‘I trust to you. I don’t know where to confidently and joyfully, we have put in place standards that exceed state requirements. We go or what to do, but I expect You to lead me,’ and He always did. have added even greater separation at the front of the church between the pastor/singers/ ~Harriet Tubman musicians and the congregation, and we will restrict attendance to under 1/2 of what current SERMONIC SELECTION “God” Donald Lawrence (b.1961) (and evolving) Covid-19 restrictions permit. As you have been doing with such grace and perfection, please worship with us virtually if you are not feeling well, if you have any SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 40:21-31 symptoms associated with Covid-19, if you have been in close proximity with anyone suffering from or possibly exposed to Covid-19, if you have tested positive for Covid-19 SERMON “The Creator, Sustainer and Giver of Life” Rev. Ciara Simonson within the past 14 days, or if you have out of town visitors who have not been tested. The First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown The First Baptist Church of Cooperstown CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER Invitation to the Lord’s Table February 7, 2021, 10:00 a.m. Fifth Sunday after Epiphany What is written of trouble on the heart is written in His blood, and nobody can take the glory of his name away from you. He sho’ guides my trembling feet, I tell you, PRELUDE “A Little More Faith in Jesus” Traditional Spiritual bless His holy name; He sho’ is my heavenly Father, ooh merciful God. arranged for organ by John W. Work III (1901-1967) ~Slave name unknown “I do believe without a doubt, that Christians have a right to shout, Communion Hymn: “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power” Andrae Crouch (1942-2015) a little more faith in Jesus.” Prayers for the Bread and Cup (As the prelude begins, please use the time to center yourself for worship) Words of Institution CALL TO WORSHIP Communion Prayer after Communion In some places, if the slaves are caught praying to God, they are whipped more than if they had committed a great crime. The slaveholders will allow the slaves to dance, but Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you do not want them to pray to God. Sometimes, when a slave, on being whipped, calls the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the upon God, he is forbidden to do so, under threat of having his throat cut, or brains world. ~Harriet Tubman blown out. Oh, reader! this seems very hard- - that slaves cannot call on their Maker, CLOSING SELECTION “Amazing Grace” arranged by Victor Simonson, 2015 when the case most needs it. Sometimes the poor slave takes courage to ask his master BENEDICTION to let him pray, and is driven away, with the answer, that if discovered praying, his POSTLUDE “Toccata on Amazing Grace” back will pay the bill. ~Peter Randolph Based on the tune New Britain from Virginia Harmony, 1831 OPENING SELECTION “My Soul’s Been Anchored in de Lord” Setting by J. Christopher Pardini (b. 1973) Spiritual Arranged by Florence B. Price (1887-1953) Permission to reprint, podcast, and/or stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE COMMUNITY MATTERS with license #A-724436. All rights reserved

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

When the time had arrived for us to start, we blew out the lights, knelt down, and prayed to our Heavenly Father mercifully to assist us, as he did his people of old, to ANNOUNCEMENTS escape from cruel bondage; and we shall ever feel that God heard and answered our Welcome to worship! Whatever your religious background, and however you have come to prayer. Had we not been sustained by a kind, and I sometimes think special, be here, we welcome you to our fellowship. providence, we could never have overcome the mountainous difficulties… ~William and Ellen Craft Announcement Regarding In-Person Worship: In order to continue worshipping It wasn’t me, it was the Lord! I always told Him, ‘I trust to you. I don’t know where to confidently and joyfully, we have put in place standards that exceed state requirements. We go or what to do, but I expect You to lead me,’ and He always did. have added even greater separation at the front of the church between the pastor/singers/ ~Harriet Tubman musicians and the congregation, and we will restrict attendance to under 1/2 of what current SERMONIC SELECTION “God” Donald Lawrence (b.1961) (and evolving) Covid-19 restrictions permit. As you have been doing with such grace and perfection, please worship with us virtually if you are not feeling well, if you have any SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 40:21-31 symptoms associated with Covid-19, if you have been in close proximity with anyone suffering from or possibly exposed to Covid-19, if you have tested positive for Covid-19 SERMON “The Creator, Sustainer and Giver of Life” Rev. Ciara Simonson within the past 14 days, or if you have out of town visitors who have not been tested. We thank Lorraine Cronkhite and Kathy Allen our Ushers today. [email protected] or leaving a message at 607-547-9371. In your order, please Deadlines for Bulletin Announcements and Sunday Community Matters: In order to note chili, soup or chowder, quantities, and pick-up day and time. Orders are for take-out better serve our growing virtual community, we plan to publish our Sunday bulletin via email, only; no seating will be provided. online, and on the church’s website (cooppres.org) early in the week. If you want Clothing Donations: The First Baptist Church is happy to announce that its Clothing Shed is announcements included in the bulletin, please get them to us by 11 a.m. on Monday. In once again open for donations. The decision to open or close the shed is made by St. Pauly's addition, we want to include announcements, joys and concerns from our virtual community Textiles, which collects and distributes the donations. We accept used clothing, shoes, during Community Matters each Sunday. If you want something included, please let Faith sneakers, belts, purses, linens, pillowcases, blankets, curtains, and stuffed animals. Donations know ([email protected]) or text 646 712 4794) by 7 a.m. on Sunday morning. must be bagged and should not be left outside the shed. Please do not leave furniture, Zoom Bible Study: The Zoom Bible Study with Cindy Falk will continue on Sundays at electronics, household items, books, toys, garbage, pillows, rags, and fabric scraps. Donations 8:45 am. Please contact Cindy Falk at [email protected] if you would like to attend. go around the US and the world to governmental and relief organizations, the U.N., and We have been so fortunate to have reconciliation counselor Mark Betley working with private companies. Coming Worship Leaders and Service Locations: us. Mark has scheduled another day for one-on-one conversations with people who have not February 14: Rev. Faith Gay, FPCC yet met with him and with those who may want to speak with him a second time. He will be February 21: Rev. Jerrie Shepard Matney, FBCC at the church on Tuesday, February 23. If you would like to set up an appointment to talk February 28: Rev. LaDana Clark, FPCC with Mark, please call or email Anne Blabey (547-6013, [email protected]). March 7: Matt Nabinger, FPCC, Celebration of Communion Theology, Art & Literature Reading Group/Special Guest Speaker Tim Lord - NOW March 14: Rev. Faith Gay, FPCC MEETING BY ZOOM: This group will next meet to discuss Jack by Marilynne Robinson March 21: Rev. Ed Townsend, FPCC on Saturday, March 6 at 12:30 pm by Zoom. A Zoom link will be distributed prior to the March 28: Rev. Jerrod Hugenot, FBCC, Palm Sunday meeting. Books are available outside the pastor’s office.

Health and Happiness Post COVID- 19: Kristen Jastremski will lead a monthly online peer support group starting February 9, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. for Covid 19 survivors. Please contact Staff: Kristen if you would like to participate [email protected]. Kieran Andrews, Church Treasurer [email protected] Rides to COVID-19 Vaccination Sites: Rides are available to vaccination clinics; Betty Baxter, Office Administration [email protected], 607-547-8401 individuals may call (855) 373-4040 from 7:00 am to 7 pm. The name of the program is Katie Boardman, Director of Music [email protected] Getthere. Amanda Bottoms, Web Master [email protected] Peter Deysenroth, Organist & Parish Coordinator [email protected] Weekly Community Zoom Chat: Join us every other Wednesday, 6 till 6:30 pm, for an Rev. Faith Gay, Pastor, [email protected], 646-712-4794 informal gathering to share Scripture, inspiration, art, news, ideas - or just to say hello. A Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday – Friday Zoom and telephone link will arrive in your inboxes on Wednesday morning. Website: www.cooppres.org The First Baptist Church is adapting its traditional Soup R Chili luncheon for this year’s Cooperstown Winter Carnival. Friday & Saturday, February 19 & 20 the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown will offer chili, beef barley soup, and broccoli chowder available to-go in pints and quarts with oyster crackers, 11am - 2pm. Minimum suggested donation of $5 for a pint, $10 for a quart. Advanced orders appreciated by emailing We thank Lorraine Cronkhite and Kathy Allen our Ushers today. [email protected] or leaving a message at 607-547-9371. In your order, please Deadlines for Bulletin Announcements and Sunday Community Matters: In order to note chili, soup or chowder, quantities, and pick-up day and time. Orders are for take-out better serve our growing virtual community, we plan to publish our Sunday bulletin via email, only; no seating will be provided. online, and on the church’s website (cooppres.org) early in the week. If you want Clothing Donations: The First Baptist Church is happy to announce that its Clothing Shed is announcements included in the bulletin, please get them to us by 11 a.m. on Monday. In once again open for donations. The decision to open or close the shed is made by St. Pauly's addition, we want to include announcements, joys and concerns from our virtual community Textiles, which collects and distributes the donations. We accept used clothing, shoes, during Community Matters each Sunday. If you want something included, please let Faith sneakers, belts, purses, linens, pillowcases, blankets, curtains, and stuffed animals. Donations know ([email protected]) or text 646 712 4794) by 7 a.m. on Sunday morning. must be bagged and should not be left outside the shed. Please do not leave furniture, Zoom Bible Study: The Zoom Bible Study with Cindy Falk will continue on Sundays at electronics, household items, books, toys, garbage, pillows, rags, and fabric scraps. Donations 8:45 am. Please contact Cindy Falk at [email protected] if you would like to attend. go around the US and the world to governmental and relief organizations, the U.N., and We have been so fortunate to have reconciliation counselor Mark Betley working with private companies. Coming Worship Leaders and Service Locations: us. Mark has scheduled another day for one-on-one conversations with people who have not February 14: Rev. Faith Gay, FPCC yet met with him and with those who may want to speak with him a second time. He will be February 21: Rev. Jerrie Shepard Matney, FBCC at the church on Tuesday, February 23. If you would like to set up an appointment to talk February 28: Rev. LaDana Clark, FPCC with Mark, please call or email Anne Blabey (547-6013, [email protected]). March 7: Matt Nabinger, FPCC, Celebration of Communion Theology, Art & Literature Reading Group/Special Guest Speaker Tim Lord - NOW March 14: Rev. Faith Gay, FPCC MEETING BY ZOOM: This group will next meet to discuss Jack by Marilynne Robinson March 21: Rev. Ed Townsend, FPCC on Saturday, March 6 at 12:30 pm by Zoom. A Zoom link will be distributed prior to the March 28: Rev. Jerrod Hugenot, FBCC, Palm Sunday meeting. Books are available outside the pastor’s office.