WORSHIP AT ELEVEN * Processional Hymn I want to walk as a child of the Light Houston Children’s Time Adam Wade The children are invited to remain in Worship. No Worship Connections today. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Childcare continues to be available for Preschool, Toddlers and Infants. UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST The Hebrew Scripture Micah 6:1-8 (Page 866 O.T.) Meredith Roach L: The word of God for the people of God. February 2, 2014 The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany Youth Sunday P: Thanks be to God. Welcome to First Church! Anthem Offertory John Ness Beck The Teen Choir If you are visiting today and looking for a church home, welcome! For over 161 years our With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I Covenant has been: We covenant with the Lord Jesus Christ and one another, and bind ourselves in come before him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves? Will the Lord be pleased the presence of God to live together in all God’s ways as revealed to us by the Holy Spirit and holy with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give Him my scripture. The church acknowledges that all members have the right of individual interpretation of firstborn for my transgressions, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has t the principles of the Christian faith and respects them in their honest convictions. In accordance with shown you, O mortal, He has shown you what is good; and what does the Lord require the teaching of our Lord, the church recognizes two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion. of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Please turn off pagers and cell phones. —Micah 6:6-8 Hearing assistance devices and large-print bulletins and hymnals are available at the Sanctuary doors. Deacons wearing green nametags can assist you. The Epistle I Corinthians 1: 18-31 (Page 166 N.T.) Alfred Fields Cards requesting prayer are in the pew racks and placed in the offering plate. L: The word of God for the people of God. (*) Indicates the congregation should stand as they are able. P: Thanks be to God. Enter to worship-depart to serve. Please use this time for quiet preparation for worship. * Gospel Hymn 233 Blest are the incorrupt in heart Richmond Prelude Sonatina in G Major Ludwig van Beethoven Joseph Spofforth, pianist The Gospel Matthew 5:1-12 (Page 4 N.T.) Carl Jacobson “Silent Noon” Ralph Vaughan Williams L: The word of God for the people of God. P: Thanks be to God. Anna Rhoads, soprano A Monologue on the Beatitudes Steven Deliman Welcome and Parish News Ben Allred Communion Meditation Katie Gies Call to Worship Dylan Hopcraft Leader: Blessed be God, Light of the world, bright Morning Star, and Spirit of A time of reflection follows. love. * Invocation Luke Zimmerman * Then all stand. L: God be with you. The Blessing of the Keys Mark S. Williams L: Jesus, our Teacher, this is what you want us to learn P. And also with you. P: Not the world’s wisdom, but God’s. L: Let us pray. The Prayers Victoria Washington P: Everlasting God, you give strength to the weak and power to the faint. L: Awaken us to our need of you in our lives Our Lord’s Prayer P: And you will give us your life. Make us agents of your healing and wholeness, that your good news may be Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. L: Move us with sorrow for the sorrow of the world made known to the ends of your creation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. P: And you will make us strong through our tears. Amen. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive L: Give us the humility to admit our failures our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, P: And you will bring treasure out of them. * Song of Praise Lord, who may dwell within your house (Psalm 15) for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. L: Make us hungry for justice McKee P: And you will give us food that lasts. The Offertory L: Help us to see others through your eyes Mission Invitation Sarah Ahrens P: And you will show us ourselves with love. Cash and designated checks go to Kaleidoscope Youth Center that works with L: Show us how to practice what we preach young people in Central Ohio to create safe and empowering environments for P: And we will see God in everyone. lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth through advocacy, L: Support us in standing firm for truth, even when it costs education and support. P: And the truth will also make us free. Anthem See the silent ones who wait Cary Ratcliff Lord of feasting and of hunger, give us eyes to see your bread in the miracle of wonder, till all tables will be fed. See the silent ones who wait when the blessing seems too late. Lord of seed and Lord of harvest, turn the desert into bloom; purify the sky and forest, give your wisdom; send it soon. See the silent ones who wait... Lord of storm and heat and danger, deep inside and high above, break into all fear and anger, till you reign the earth * Passing of the Peace Morgan Shaw in love. See the silent ones who wait... Lord of taking and of giving, give us back our L: The peace of the Lord be always with you. dignity; in our universal living, break down all inequity. See the silent ones who wait when P: And also with you. the blessing seems too late. L: Let us greet one another with the sign of Christ’s peace. —Herbert F. Brokering 2 3 * Presentation Hymn Praise God, from whom all blessings flow Sharing the Bread and Cup Postlude Prelude in C Major, BWV 846 J.S. Bach sung to Lasst uns erfreuen Adam Wade, pianist Praise God, from whom all blessings flow Music During Communion Praise Christ, all people here below; Alleluia! Alleluia! Anthem Blessing Natalie Sleeth It is our custom to be seated for the postlude. Praise Holy Spirit evermore; The Treble Choir, Pam Welsh-Huggins, director Praise Triune God, whom we adores. Thank you for attending worship this morning. We hope that you have found peace and Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Hymn 343 Called as partners in Christ’s service sung to Hyfrydol grace here and invite you to return often. If you would like more information or have any questions about First Church, please ask anyone wearing a nametag. We’d be delighted to assist you. Please join us for Fellowship Hour in the Parish Hall immediately after The Sacrament of Holy Communion Please stand. worship. Cameron Wade, Will Zimmerman and the Rev. Timothy C. Ahrens * Prayer of Thanksgiving Nina Zimmerman We practice open communion: Wherever you are on your faith journey, you are welcome at Merciful God, you gave Jesus Christ to be for us the bread of life, that those who Bulletins are printed on recycled paper with a minimum 50% post-consumer content. the Lord’s table. Please come forward down the center aisle and return to your seat by the side come to him should never hunger: draw us to our Lord in faith and hope and All music in the bulletin is reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-717661. All rights reserved. aisle. (Wheat-free rice flour bread is available on the trays, cut into circles.) Cups with the love, that we may eat and drink with him at his table in the kingdom, where he purple ribbon around them are filled with wine. is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. Crucifer: Katie Wagner Acolytes: Ben Allen and Jack Koscher * Invitation * Feast of the Presentation/Candlemas Erin Murray, Jensan Allred Participants: Sarah Ahrens, Ben Allen, Ben Allred, Jensan Allred, Steven Deliman, February 2 * Sursum Corda Plainsong Alfred Fields, Jordan Gies, Katie Gies, Dylan Hopcraft, Carl Jacobson, Jack Koscher, This day, 40 days after the birth of Jesus, marks the traditional ending of the Advent-Christmas- Carly Kutshbach, Erin Murray, Anna Rhoads, Meredith Roach, Morgan Shaw, Epiphany cycle. It has been observed both as the presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:22- Joe Spofforth, Katie Trace, Adam Wade, Cameron Wade, Chase Wagner, 34) and the purification or cleansing of Mary, following the first of a male child, as was dictated Katie Wagner, Victoria Washington, Luke Zimmerman, Nina Zimmerman by Levitical law. The theme of Jesus, the true light – anticipated in Advent and brought into and Will Zimmerman. being at Christmas – now is sent to all the world: “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:23). Because of the emphasis of Christ’s light overcoming the The Flowers This Morning are provided by the Flower Fund of First darkness, candles have played a large part in the celebration of this day, thus the name Candlemas. Congregational Church In many churches, as is ours today, candles are blessed and distributed to be taken home and used during family devotions. Greeting at the Exits Today are: Rev. Wilson – Broad Street Leader: Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.