We Gather to Worship God

Transcription

1 Sunday, October 29, 2017

2 Robert K. Livingston Darcy A. Crain Senior Minister Associate Minister Change of Pace Worship Service: 9:00 a.m. Chapel Communion: 9:30 a.m. Traditional Worship Service: 10:00 a.m. We Gather to Worship God Silent Meditation Prelude Celebration of Community Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. -Isaiah 55:6 (NLT) Muziek voor de Eredienst 'Een Vaste Burgt' (A Mighty Fortress) Cor Kee ( ) Timothy L. Huth, Organist Rev. Darcy Crain Choral Introit * Processional Hymn We Worship You, God Hymnal #26 * Call to Worship Betty Bishop One: Happy are we All: One: All: One: All: One: When our treasures cannot be quantified. Happy are we When our knowledge is tempered by mystery. Happy are we When our pain is held in the balm of love. Happy are we

3 All: One: * Prayer of Invocation (In Unison) When our delight comes from beyond ourselves. Let us pray. O God you invite us to walk on this blessed journey and yet sometimes we stumble. Our vision becomes tunneled, our thoughts turn inward, and we neglect to love you and our neighbor fully. Forgive us and connect us with you and our faith community. Together may we seek to be pure in heart and humble in mind. May we be peacemakers and may we hunger for righteousness. Guide us as we seek to follow your Son more closely, for we pray together as he taught saying: * Lord s Prayer 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. * Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. Children s Circle Rachel Dudley, Interim Director of Christian Education (Children are invited downstairs to church school following children s circle) Give, Share, Rejoice Offertory Sentences and Offertory Rev. Bob Livingston

4 Choral Anthem A Mighty Fortress Is Our God James Nissen, Director of Music A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and pow r are great, and, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal. That word above all earthly pow rs, no thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth; Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; The body they may kill: God s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever. * Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. * Prayer of Dedication Rev. Bob Livingston We Grow in Our Faith * Hymn of Preparation Gospel Reading (In unison) O Love That Will Not Let Me Go Hymnal #485 Matthew 5:1-12 (NIRV) Sermon Solo Pastoral Prayer Choral Response The Blessed Journey: Persecution Rev. Darcy Crain Maya Ballester, soloist Rev. Bob Livingston

5 We Go Forth to Live and Serve * Recessional Hymn My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less Hymnal #403 Charge and Benediction Rev. Darcy Crain Choral Benediction Guide My Feet Guide My Feet Guide my feet while I run this race. Guide my feet while I run this race. Guide my feet while I run this race, for I don't want to run this race in vain! Hold my hand while I run this race. Hold my hand while I run this race. Hold my hand while I run this race, for I don't want to run this race in vain! Stand by me while I run this race. Stand by me while I run this race. Stand by me while I run this race, for I don't want to run this race in vain! Guide my feet while I run this race. Guide my feet while I run this race. Guide my feet while I run this race, for I don't want to run this race in vain! * Postlude Ps 46 (Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott) Johann Pachelbel ) Timothy L. Huth, organist * Congregation Standing (Please feel free to remain seated if standing is difficult for you.) Call to worship from Katherine Hawker, Outside Liturgy. The flowers on the communion table are given to the Glory of God and in memory and honor of many friends throughout the world by Betty Bishop. Following the service, please join us upstairs in Pilgrim Hall for refreshments and fellowship during Friendship Hour.

6 Matthew 5:12 (NIRV) Jesus saw the crowds. So he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to teach them. He said, 3 Blessed are those who are spiritually needy. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. 4 Blessed are those who are sad. They will be comforted. 5 Blessed are those who are humble. They will be given the earth. 6 Blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for what is right. They will be filled. 7 Blessed are those who show mercy. They will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are those whose hearts are pure. They will see God. 9 Blessed are those who make peace. They will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who suffer for doing what is right. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. 11 Blessed are you when people make fun of you and hurt you because of me. You are also blessed when they tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. 12 Be joyful and glad. Your reward in heaven is great. In the same way, people hurt the prophets who lived long ago. The Crucifixion By Samuel Barber Maya Ballester, soloist Rebecca Jones, piano accompanist At the cry of the first bird they began to crucify thee, o swan Never shall lament cease because of that it was like the parting of day from night Ah sore was the suff'ring borne by the body of Mary's son but sorer still to him was the grief which for his sake, came upon his mother.

7 Welcome! THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ANN ARBOR We are glad you joined us this Sunday and look forward to meeting and getting to know you. Please join us after the 10 a.m. service for refreshments and friendship upstairs in Pilgrim Hall. Please don t forget to visit our website at to learn more about our church. Sunday Worship Childcare and Church School Healing Space During our programming year (September through May), we offer our contemporary Change of Pace worship service in Pilgrim Hall at 9:00 a.m. There is a brief 15-minute communion service in our Douglas Memorial Chapel at 9:30 a.m. Our more traditional worship service is in the sanctuary at 10 a.m., and is normally followed by refreshments and friendship in Pilgrim Hall. Assisted listening devices are available for services held in our sanctuary. Nursery care is available for children newborn to 2 years of age with screened and consistent childcare workers. If you d like to keep your infant or child with you in worship, you are more than welcome to do so. Please feel free to move about during the service as is needed. Also, during the regular program year, children and youth are invited to leave after our children s circle and attend their church school classes. Join us on Sunday, November 12 from 7-8 p.m. in Pilgrim Hall when we feature music by pianist Kathe Johnson. Gratitude will be the focus of the reflection and guided meditation. There will also be a time for prayer. This new service meets the 2nd Sunday of each month from 7-8 p.m. in Pilgrim Hall. If you need further information, please contact Gail Haynes or Liz Larrivee. Input is welcome and all are welcome. Luncheon Group These luncheon gatherings, hosted by Bob Livingston, meet monthly on the fourth Monday of each month (September through May). They are highly informal, with welcoming and wide-ranging conversations, with the hopeful result of the nourishment of both the mind and body. The luncheons are held at Knight s Restaurant on 2324 Dexter Avenue in Ann Arbor. Our next luncheon will be November 27. Tuesday Night Series (TNS) At TNS, we view and discuss a variety of relevant and interesting theological issues. This 6-week series is based on lectures by popular, fascinating, and renowned Bishop John Shelby Spong. We meet on Tuesday nights in the Mayflower Room from 7-8:30 a.m. and are currently listening to lectures on the Gospel of John. Please come and join us. Text Breakfast We gather with Bob Livingston every Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. at the Classic Cup Café (4389 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor) for lively discussion. Our next breakfast is scheduled for November 1 where we will continue discussing our sermon series, Salt and Light, reading from Matthew 5: Mind & Spirit Book Group The Mind and Spirit Book Group is a community of women of all ages. We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 10:15-11:45 a.m. in the Mayflower Room. Please contact Janet Chen at a2janetchen@gmail.com for additional information. 20/40 Our 20-, 30-, and 40 somethings meet on Wednesday evenings. Our first study this year was from the UCC A Listen Up Bible Study where we explored Ecclesiastes through a four part series. Our next gathering will be November 1.

8 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29 8:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal 9:00 a.m. Change of Pace, Pilgrim Hall 9:30 a.m. Chapel Communion, Douglas Chapel 10:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Friendship Time, Pilgrim Hall 12:00 p.m. JH Leaf Raking SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 NEW MEMBER SUNDAY (DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS) 8:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal 9:00 a.m. Change of Pace, Pilgrim Hall 9:30 a.m. Chapel Communion, Douglas Chapel 10:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Friendship Time, Pilgrim Hall BOCE Meeting, Mayflower Room UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS Oct. 31 NO TNS Halloween Nov. 1 8:30 a.m. Text Breakfast (Classic Cup Café) 10:15 a.m. Mind & Spirit Book Club 6:30 p.m. 20/40 (Meeting Room) Nov. 5 Daylight Savings Time Ends (Fall Back) NEW MEMBER SUNDAY 11:00 a.m. BOCE Meeting (Mayflower Room) 11:15 a.m. Music Committee Meeting (MtgRm) 6:00 p.m. JH OWL (Meeting Room) Nov. 7 11:45 a.m. Men s Luncheon (Knight s) 7:00 p.m. TNS (Mayflower Room) Nov. 8 8:30 a.m. Text Breakfast (Classic Cup Café) 6:30 p.m. 20/40 Group (Meeting Room) Nov. 11 VETERAN S DAY Nov :00 a.m. Second Sunday Presentation 7:00 p.m. Healing Space, Pilgrim Hall Nov. 13 6:15 p.m. Trustees Meeting, Mayflower Room Nov. 15 8:30 a.m. Text Breakfast (Classic Cup Café) 6:30 a.m. 20/40 Group (Meeting Room) Nov. 19 PILGRIM SUNDAY 6:00 p.m. JH Fellowship (FCC) Nov. 22 8:30 a.m. Text Breakfast (Classic Cup Café) SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12 8:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal 9:00 a.m. Change of Pace, Pilgrim Hall 9:30 a.m. Chapel Communion, Douglas Chapel 10:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Friendship Time, Pilgrim Hall Second Sunday Presentation 7:00 p.m. Healing Space, Pilgrim Hall TODAY IN CHURCH SCHOOL Infants and preschoolers are invited downstairs to church school before the service. Children (K-8) are invited to church school after children s circle. STAFF Senior Minister Robert K. Livingston (ext. 554) Associate Minister Darcy A. Crain (ext. 552) Minister Emeritus Terry N. Smith Minister Emerita Dorothy Lenz Interim Director of C.E. Rachel Dudley (ext. 553) Director of Music James C. Nissen (ext. 555) Music Worship Leader Terry Farmer (ext. 557) Director of Music Emeritus Willis Patterson Organist Timothy L. Huth Organist Emerita Marilyn Mason Pianist Rebecca Jones Chapel Organist Katherine Johnson Hand Chimes Cindy Bylsma Bookkeeper Nancy Sauve (ext. 560) Administrative Assistant Renee Bovee (ext. 550) Wedding Coordinator Betty Jahnke Custodian Steffen Gelletly Sound/AV Techs Russ Wilcox-Cline, Brandon Bovee, Greg Eggleston 608 E. William St., Ann Arbor, MI Office: (734) office@fccannarbor.org