THE GATHERING LIGHTING THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE

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1 December 6, 2015 Second Sunday in Advent 11:00 am Warning! To enter into the life of this people of God is to encounter God s soul-challenging, life-changing, radicalizing love. Will you join us? Do you dare? THE GATHERING PRELUDE Prelude from Suite, op. 5 Maurice Duruflé *HYMN 277 Holy, Holy, Holy Nicaea LIGHTING THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE Donald Wells PRAYER OF CONFESSION One: What is confession? Many: Truth-telling. An unburdening. A letting go. One: To whom do we confess? Many: We confess to the One we know as Love, in whose grace we trust. One: What do we confess this day? Many: We confess the wrong we have done, and the hurt we have caused. We confess the good we have not done, and the sin we have not claimed. * Indicates all who are able may stand

2 One: Many: Let us come before God with the whole of our lives and make our confession. Holy and merciful God, it is Your will that we would enjoy You and the world You have given us, that we would serve your creation and your children. Yet we do not do your will. With clenched hands, we can neither give nor receive. With eyes tight shut, we can see neither pain nor beauty. With feet of clay, we can neither dance in joy nor run to help. Forgive us. Open our eyes, loosen our grips, and guide our feet, we pray. Amen. SUNG RESPONSE Be Not Afraid Harry Lyn Huff WORDS OF WELCOME Nancy S. Taylor THE GIFT OF THE WORD ANTHEM Kyrie from Messe Cum Jubilo Duruflé Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy SCRIPTURE Genesis 18:1-15 Amelia Nugent (At this time, children may leave for choir or childcare.) *HYMN 128 In the Bleak Midwinter Cranham 2

3 SERMON Anthony T. Livolsi *HYMN There Are Angels Hovering Round Traditional OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS *CALL TO PRAYER One: God be with you. Many: And also with you. One: May the peace of Christ dwell in your hearts. Many: Christ is our peace, our light and our hope. One: Let us pray. (The congregation may be seated.) Nancy S. Taylor PASTORAL PRAYER AND SILENT PRAYER THE LORD S PRAYER (unison) 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. 3

4 CALL TO THE OFFERING In thanksgiving to God and giving witness to generous hearts, our financial gifts support ministries of mercy, justice, and beauty. You can access our secure online giving page at: OFFERTORY ANTHEM Sanctus from Messe Cum Jubilo Duruflé Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Benedictus from Messe Cum Jubilo Rob Woodin, baritone Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. SHARING THE LAST SUPPER THE INVITATION One: Many: One: Many: He was always the guest. In the homes of Peter and Jairus, Martha and Mary, Joanna and Susanna He was always the guest. At the meal tables of the wealthy Where he pled his case for the poor He was always the guest. Upsetting polite company, Befriending isolated people, Welcoming the stranger He was always the guest. But here, at this table, He is the host. Those who wish to serve him, Must first be served by him. Those who want to follow him, Must first be fed by him. Anthony T. Livolsi 4

5 One: So come, you who hunger and thirst for a deeper faith, a better life, a fairer world. Come to the table where Christ is host and we are guests. Come, remembering. Join us in the Story of the Last Supper THE STORY OF THE LAST SUPPER SHARING THE MEAL Gluten and allergen free bread options will be offered on separate plates. All of the cups contain unfermented grape juice. COMMUNION MUSIC Bread Agnus Dei from Messe Cum Jubilo Duruflé Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us. Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us. Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world: Grant us peace. Cup Plainte from Suite Brève Jean Langlais PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Anthony T. Livolsi *HYMN 144 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Mendelssohn *BIDDING TO MISSION AND BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 661 J.S. Bach Close-Up, a 20-minute tour of the Sanctuary, begins following worship at the front of the Sanctuary. Led by docent Allison Albaugh. 5

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7 WELCOME TO OLD SOUTH CHURCH Welcome to Old South Church in Boston. We are a progressive Christian church first gathered in The Church played a significant role in early American history. Today, Old South Church continues to outfit itself for mission and ministry in the 21st century as a thriving urban church in the heart of Boston. Join us immediately following worship for fellowship and refreshments in the Gordon Chapel. Contributions in honor or memory of loved ones and special events are being accepted for the display of poinsettias on the chancel during Advent and Christmas. The cost is $20. Cards are included in this bulletin and available at the Front Desk and may be returned to Helen McCrady. Or send your message and make payment online. Deadline is TODAY. Hospitality Hosts for January, February and March 2016 It s time to schedule folks to usher, welcome, bring, and serve food at Jazz Worship on Thursdays, and First (9 am), Festival (11 am), and Evening (6 pm) Worship on Sundays. It takes 25 people EVERY WEEK to fill our different hospitality opportunities. We often hear from visitors and new members what a difference Old South s welcome made to them early on. We work to create a schedule that fits everyone s availability and preferences. Please select dates you may be able to volunteer, and the activities you are willing to try. Indicate how many times you'd like to serve and note any special preferences. Forms are available at the Front Desk, or visit and enter your information electronically. Name tags facilitate community and help newcomers feel welcomed. If you don t see a tag with your name on it, let us know. Parents are free to wander when restless. Audio of the service is available across the Narthex in the Gordon Chapel. For LARGE print bulletins or hearing assistance devices ask an Usher. GARAGE PARKING VALIDATIONS We have arrangements for discounted parking with two nearby garages for Old South Church worship or church business (excluding weddings and concerts): 1. Park at the Garage@100 Clarendon (behind Back Bay Station), have your ticket validated at our Front Desk, and you pay the discounted rate of $7 for up to 3 hours. Old South bears no cost. 2. Park at the Prudential Garage for up to 5 hours on Saturday or Sunday, have your ticket validated at our Front Desk, and the Prudential Garage will bill Old South (costing us $15k - $20k per year). 7

8 NOTES ON TODAY S MUSIC The prelude and choral music for this second Sunday in Advent is from the pen of Maurice Duruflé ( ). One of the greatest French organ virtuosos of the 20 th century, he became organist at the church of Saint-Etienne-du-Mont in Paris in 1929, a position he shared after 1953 with his wife Marie-Madeleine Duruflé-Chevalier until an automobile accident in 1975 ended his career as a performer. Today he is best remembered for his beloved Requiem, op. 9, published after WWII in 1947, and dedicated to the memory of his father. Duruflé s body of work is characterized by its relatively small quantity, yet its great perfectionism. His tonal vocabulary is rich with Impressionistic harmonies, often gracing ancient Gregorian plainsong melodies, as is the case in the Requiem, as well as in the music presented in this service Messe Cum Jubilo op. 11, written in 1966 in honor of his wife. Cum Jubilo is another moniker for the Gregorian plainsong mass, Missa Marialis, in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On past Advent Sundays here, the Old South Choir has sung that mass a cappella for Festival Worship. Duruflé utilizes two methods of enhancing the Gregorian text, either entrusting it to the choir, while the organ is limited to the enrichment of a modal background, or the organ is prominent with the plainchant, the voices developing the material on the basis of the chant. The Kyrie is remarkable for its simplicity and the suppleness of its melodic design. The Sanctus is built on an ostinato bass and leads to a climax at the concluding hosanna in excelsis. A solo baritone sings the Benedictus, in which the economy of writing reinforces the emotion stemming from the chant. The Mass ends with the Agnus Dei, the delicate shading of which brings a mood of faith and peace. The prelude sets a somber tone for this service in the penitential season of Advent. It is the first movement of a three-movement Suite, op. 5 from Prélude is constructed as a large arch. It opens with a funereal theme that exploits the organ's darkest, most brooding colors. As the movement progresses, the brighter organ stops slowly overcome the darkness of the opening until the grand sound of the full instrument bursts forth. From this great expanse of sound, Duruflé gradually returns to the contemplative mood of the opening. The postlude is based on Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (Come Now, Savior of the Nations), one of the most popular Lutheran Advent chorales from the late Renaissance through the Baroque period. This setting is a fiery toccata with an orchestral motive imitating violins being played with broad, vigorous strokes of the bow. The chorale melody, grand and solemn, arrives thundering in long notes in the pedal. 8 Harry L. Huff, Minister of Music

9 CALENDAR Second Sunday in Advent Sunday, December 6 8:30 am First Worship Choir 9:00 am FIRST Worship, Anthony T. Livolsi preaching 9:45 am Old South Café in the Gordon Chapel 10:00 am Community Hour: Sunday Morning Bible Study Godly Play Choir Rehearsal Hark! Wait What are the Herald Angels Anyway? 11:00 am FESTIVAL Worship, Anthony T. Livolsi preaching 12:15 pm Fellowship Hour in the Gordon Chapel 12:30 pm Advent Poetry Festival 12:30 pm Connections Lunch 12:30 pm Table G(R)ace 6:00 pm EVENING Worship Monday, December 7 4:30 pm Leadership Committee 6:00 pm Stewardship Committee 6:00 pm Theological Book Group 7:00 pm Christian Service and Outreach Committee Tuesday, December 8 5:30 pm Old South Ringers Rehearsal 7:00 pm Church Council Wednesday, December 9 7:00 pm Music Committee Thursday, December 10 6:00 pm JAZZ Worship 6:30 pm Old South Choir Rehearsal 7:00 pm Young Adult Book Group Through the Whole Bible Book Group Friday, December 11 6:00 pm Parents Night Out 7:30 pm Old South Ringers Christmas Concert Saturday, December 12 11:00 am Boston Children s Chorus Concert (and 3 pm) 9

10 OLD SOUTH CHURCH IN BOSTON MINISTERS, OFFICERS AND STAFF Nancy S. Taylor, Senior Minister Harry L. Huff, Minister of Music John M. Edgerton, Associate Minister Anthony T. Livolsi, Associate Minister James W. Crawford, Senior Minister Emeritus Kate Nintcheu, Director, Children and Family Ministries Donald A. Wells, Theologian in Residence June Cooper, Theologian in the City Calvin Genzel, Wedding Outreach Minister Ken Orth, Healing Worship Minister Jackie Geilfuss, Youth Leader Amelia Nugent, Field Education Intern Carolyn Davis, Director, Old South Preschool George Sargeant, Associate Organist and Choirmaster Laurel Leslie, Choir Director, First Worship Willie Sordillo, Music Coordinator, Jazz Worship Peter Coulombe, Director, Old South Ringers Amy Budka, Children s Music Leader Linda O Donnell, Director, Children s Choirs Timothy Harbold, Director, Gospel Choir Deb Washington, Moderator Lisa Mahnke, Clerk David Vogan, Treasurer Phil Stern, Chair, Board of Trustees Emily Click, Historian Debbie Leonard, Senior Deacon Vicki A. Newman, Pledge Secretary Helen McCrady, Senior Church Administrator Amy Perry, Communications Rebecca Bowler, Administrative Assistant Rosemary Clarke, Director, Accounting and Human Resources Janet Butler, Wedding Coordinator Elias Perez, Senior Sexton Ozo Nwodo and Oppong Serebour, Sextons Corey Spence, Rubia Reyes, and Lena Rojas Receptionists CCLI License # A NOTE ON THE INCLUSIVE DIMENSIONS OF GOD S GRACE Old South Church in Boston, in the name of its host, Jesus Christ, and in the spirit of Christ s invitation carved into the stone of this church s portico, Behold I Set Before You an Open Door, welcomes all who seek to know God. Following the One who we believe is Sovereign and Savior, we affirm that each individual is a child of God, and recognize that we are called to be like one body with many members, seeking with others of every race, ethnicity, creed, class, age, gender, marital status, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression to journey together toward the promised realm of God. We invite everyone to join in the common life and mission of our reconciling community through participation and leadership in this congregation, and by fully sharing in the worship, rites and sacraments of this church. As we all move forward with the work of this church, we commit ourselves to making justice and inclusivity a reality in this congregation and in the world. On the threshold of Christ s open door, we rely upon the healing, unconditional nature of God s love and grace to be our help and guide. 10