March 3, a.m.

Transcription

1 Many hearts, one song; many hands, one church March 3, a.m. Children of all ages are welcome in worship. Nursery care is provided for ages 0 to 3 in the Education wing, if desired. See an usher for directions. Large-print bulletins and hearing devices are available from the ushers. Plymouth Congregational Church

2 Theme: Honor many pathways to the sacred vplease rise in body, mind or spirit, as you are able, when you see this mark. Please silence your cell phone before worship begins. Prelude MOUNTAIN MUSIC Judith Bingham (2018) EPITHALAMIUM Dominick Argento (Wedding Poem) (1999) PRAYER-LULLABY Dominick Argento (from Evensong) (2008) Jenny French, soprano Keep watch this night, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary. Bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous and wash away our sins that we may dwell with thee in thy glory forever and all for your love s sake we pray. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer Performed in memory of noted composer Dominick Argento, a dear friend of Plymouth Church, who passed away February 20 at age 91. vprocessional Hymn O WONDROUS TYPE! O VISION FAIR Wareham (see facing page) Wendy Reynolds Leader: We gather thinking we are separate beings. Congregation: Yet as we worship, we share even our molecules. Leader: We gather believing we need only ourselves and our loved ones. Congregation: Yet as we worship, perhaps we glimpse our interdependence. Leader: We gather, sometimes feeling that we know God. Congregation: Help us to become lost in an ocean of deeper awareness and mystery. May it be so. vcall to Worship Robert Wetzler (1964) The lightnings lightened the world, the earth trembled and shook. How lovely are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts: my soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord. vintroit for the Transfiguration of Our Lord

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4 vunison Prayer Divine Mystery, even as we address you with names, we know that you are nameless. Even as we visualize your form, we know you are formless. Help us to enter into this darkness, which is your light, so that we may open ourselves to the myriad of ways that you may be approached. Help us to understand that in others, in their different views and experiences, we can see both ourselves and also you. Help us to approach all with a stance of curiosity, wonder, compassion and love. vthe Lord s Prayer Tender loving God, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. Welcome and Announcements Fellowship Joy Paula Northwood Nedra Robinson, Simpson Housing, and Gingie Ward The Sacrament of Baptism Reid Martin Somermeyer, child of Kiri and Sean Somermeyer Ed Curtiss With great gladness, we the members of the church join with you in the covenant that you are making today on behalf of your child. As those who are yoked with Reid in the universal company of Christ s people, we rejoice in the hope and love that he represents. We unite with you to labor and pray for your child s spiritual growth, that the grace into which Reid was born, and which is signified by this sacrament, may manifest itself in your child always. The Baptismal Promise of the Congregation (seated) Anthem MOST MIGHTY, MOST HOLY Horatio Parker (from the oratorio Hora Novissima, sung in Latin) (1893) My portion, my God in eternal grace, Thy appearance will be loved and seen, having authority in Thy mouth. Then Jacob, Israel, Leah and Rachel will be brought about, and the courts of Zion and the beautiful country will be perfected. Translated from the Latin of Bernard of Morlaix, by Warren Loud This year marks the centenary of the death of Horatio Parker, noted American composer and church musician, who also served as Dean of the School of Music at Yale University for many years.

5 Reading Ubuntu philosophy by Hanneke Stuit A description of the interrelation between Ubuntu and hospitality is given by Nelson Mandela, who is beyond a shadow of a doubt the most famous personification of what many people understand Ubuntu to mean. Mandela explains Ubuntu as follows: A traveler through our country would stop at a village and he didn t have to ask for food or for water. Once he stops, the people give him food, entertain him. That is one aspect of Ubuntu, but Ubuntu has various aspects. Xhosa writer AC Jordan takes this kind of tactical hospitality to the next level by placing the stranger center stage. In his reading of Reverend Tiyo Soga s essays, The Believers and the Pagans, Ubuntu is formulated as the distinguishing factor between Christians and pagans : The converted has lost Ubuntu (generosity, respect for men irrespective of his position). The pagan can no longer expect hospitality amongst the Christians. Soga gives an instance of a pagan traveler who spent a cold night in the open veld because none of the Christians in the village would admit him into their homes. vversicles Minister: Let us prepare our hearts for prayer. Minister: God be with you. Congregation: And with your spirit. Minister: Let us pray. Pastoral Prayer Offertory THE DARKNESS IS NO DARKNESS Judith Bingham and (1994) THOU WILT KEEP THEM Samuel Sebastian Wesley IN PERFECT PEACE (1853) Judith Bingham composed her anthem to precede S. S. Wesley s music, using the harmonies of his anthem in her own. The darkness is no darkness with Thee, but the night is as clear as the day. In Him is no darkness at all. Surely the darkness shall cover me; in Him there is no darkness at all. Psalm 139:11 12, 1 John 1:5 continued

6 Thou wilt keep them in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee. The darkness is no darkness with Thee, but the night is as clear as the day. The darkness and the light to Thee are both alike. God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. O let my soul live, and it shall praise Thee, for Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for evermore. Isaiah 26:3, Psalm 139:12, 1 John 1:5, Psalm 119:175 Prayer of Dedication vdoxology #464 Praise to God, immortal praise, for the love that crowns our days! Bounteous source of every joy, let thy praise our tongues employ; Singing thus through all our days: Praise to God, immortal praise! Amen. Scripture Reading Luke 7:24 35 Sermon Playing in the marketplace Daniel Wolpert vrecessional Hymn CHRIST COMES AMONG US Jesus ist kommen (see facing page) vbenediction and Choral Amen Postlude PROCESSIONAL Dominick Argento (1997) Chancel flowers are given in loving memory of Dr. John A. Haugen, Phebe S. Haugen, John E. (Bud) Haugen, Jim Gaffney and Shaun Gaffney by Jane and Dobson West and Phebe Haugen. Guild Hall Flowers are given in celebration of the baptism of Reid Somermeyer by his parents, Kiri and Sean. Cover Image: downloaded as an illustration of Ubuntu from Google Images; provenance unknown. If You Have a Hope, a Suggestion or a Concern about Plymouth, please contact the Deacons via their address, deacons@plymouth.org. Parents and Families of Our Children: Thank you for bringing your children to church. If you need a place to go with a restless or hungry child, the Parsons Room (next to the library) is available. You and your children can hear the service from there.

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8 Recently Married Kim Lutes and Sarah Simons (2/16/2019) Convalesing Mary Kay Sauter, at home Harlan Widholm, St. Therese, New Hope CHURCH REGISTER as of February 27, 2019 Home and Hospital Visits: Plymouth s ministers call upon members of the church in their homes, in hospitals or care and rehabilitation centers. If you know of someone who would like a visit from a minister, please contact Beth Faeth (bethf@plymouth.org or 612/ ). The Plymouth Covenant We covenant with you, O God, and one with another, and do bind ourselves in your presence to walk together in all your ways, according as you are pleased to reveal yourself to us in your blessed word of truth. based on the Salem Covenant of 1629 Paula Northwood, Acting Senior Minister Beth A. Faeth, Minister for Congregational Care and Worship Daniel Wolpert, Interim Minister Seth Patterson, Director of Spiritual Formation and Theater Philip Brunelle, Organist and Choirmaster Sonja Thompson, Music Associate George Maurer and Laura Caviani, First Service Music Directors Plymouth Congregational Church 1900 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota / churchinfo@plymouth.org