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. 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.