*Psalm 100 (1561) *A SIGN OF OUR UNITY AND RECONCILIATION We invite you to greet those around you, wishing them peace or the peace of Christ.

Transcription

1 HYMN FESTIVAL SUNDAY The Whole Booke of Psalmes (1640) October 27, 2013

2 *Psalm 100 (1561) 1 Make ye a joyful sounding noise Unto Jehovah, all the earth: Serve ye Jehovah with gladness: Before his presence come with mirth. 3 Enter into his gates with praise, Into his courts with thankfulness: Make ye confession unto him. And his name re-ve-rent-ly bless. 2 Know, that Jehovah he is God, Who hath us form-ed it is he, And not ourselves: his own people And sheep of his pasture are we. 4 Because Jehovah he is good, For evermore is his mercy: And unto generations all Continue doth his verity. *CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 95, Bay Psalm Book, 1640) One: O, Come, let us unto the Lord Many: Shout loud with singing voice: One: To the Rock of our saving health Many: Let us make joyful noise. Nancy S. Taylor One: Many: One: Many: One: Many: One: Many: Before his presence let us then Approach in thanksgiving: Also let us triumphantly With Psalms unto him sing. O Come, and let us worship give, And bowing down adore He that our maker is, the Lord O let us kneel before. *A SIGN OF OUR UNITY AND RECONCILIATION We invite you to greet those around you, wishing them peace or the peace of Christ. WORDS OF WELCOME ANTHEM Venite (Psalm 95) William Damon from The Psalmes of David in English Metre (1579) O Come let us sing unto the Lord, Let us hartyly rejoyce in the strength of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thankesgeuyng, And shew ourselves glad in him with Psalmes. * Indicates all who are able may stand 2

3 THE GIFT OF THE WORD RESPONSIVE READING Psalm 23 (BPB 1640) Larry Bowers One: The Lord to me a shepherd is, Many: Want therefore I shall not, One: He in the folds of tender grass Many: Doth make me down to lie One: To waters calm he gently leads Many: Restore my soul doth he One: He doth in paths of righteousness Many: For his name s sake lead me. One: Yea though in valley of death s shade Many: I walk none ill I ll fear, One: Because thou art with me, thy rod, Many: And staff my comfort are. One: For me a table thou hast spread Many: In presence of my foes; One: Thou dost anoint my head with oil Many: My cup it overflows. One: Goodness and mercy surely shall Many: All my days follow me; One: And in the Lord s house I shall dwell Many: So long as days shall be. (Children and teachers may leave for their Church School classes.) *Psalm 122 (1615) 1 I joyed in them that to me said To the Lords house go we, Jerusalem, within thy gates, Our feet shall standing be. 4 For there the judgments thrones, the thrones Of David s house do sit. O for Jerusalem her peace See that ye pray for it: 2 Jerusalem, it builded is Like unto a city Together which compacted is Within itself closely. 5 Prosper they shall that do thee love. Peace in thy fortresses O let there be prosperity Within thy palaces, 3 Whether the tribes, Gods tribes ascend Unto Israel s witness;. That they unto Jehovah s Name May render thankfulness. 6 3 For my brethren & for my friends, I ll now speak peace to thee. I ll for our God Jehovah s house, Seek thy felicity.

4 ANTIPHONAL READING (selections from the BPB 1640) John M. Edgerton and Nancy S. Taylor SERMON Praising God at the Threshold of Time Emily Click, Church Historian Our preacher this morning, the Rev. Emily Click, joined Old South Church with her husband, Rodney, six years ago. Emily serves as the Assistant Dean for Ministry Studies and Field Education and Lecturer on Ministry at Harvard Divinity School. As Old South Church s Historian, she is also an officer of the Church. *Psalm 84 (1592) 1 How a-mi-a-ble Lord of hosts Thy tabernacles be? My soul longs for Jehovah s courts, Yea even faints in me. 6 From strength to strength they go: to God In Sion all appear. Lord God of hosts, O hear my pray r, O Jacob s God, give ear. 2 Mine heart, my flesh also cries out After the living God: Yea e en the sparrow hath found out An house for her abode. 7 Behold O God our shield: the face Of thine anointed see. For better in thy courts a day, Than elsewhere thousands be: 3 Also the swallow finds her nest Thine Altars near unto Where she her young lays: Lord of hosts, My King, my God also. 8 I rather had a door-keeper Be in house of my God: Than in the tents of wickedness To settle mine abode. 4 Blest they that dwell within thy house: Still they will give thee praise. Blest is the man whose strength s in thee, in whose heart are their ways. 9 Because the Lord God is a sun, He is a shield also: Jehovah on his people grace And glory will bestow: 5 Who as they pass through Baca s Vale Do make it a fountain: Also the pools that are therein Are fill-ed full of rain: 10 No good thing will he hold from them That do walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, the man is blest That puts his trust in thee. 4

5 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. (Please be seated) Anthony T. Livolsi PASTORAL PRAYER THE LORD S PRAYER (in 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. PRAYER RESPONSE Psalm 116 William Damon from The Former Booke of Musicke (1591) I loue the Lord because my voyce, & prayer heard hath he: When in my dayes I cald on him, he bowed his eare to me. CALL TO THE OFFERING OFFERTORY ANTHEM O Heauenly God, O Father deere William Damon from The Second Booke of Musicke (1591) O Heauenly God, O Father deere, Cast downe thy tender eye Vpon a wretch that prostrate here, Before thy throne doth lye. O powre thy precious Oyle of grace Into my wounded hart: O let the drops of mercie swage The rigor of my smart. PRAYER OF DEDICATION John M. Edgerton 5

6 *Psalm 115 (1561) 1 Not to us, not to us, O Lord, But glory to thy Name afford: Both for thy truth and mercies sake. 5 They noses have, but smell no jot Hands have they but they handle not: Feet have they, but they do not go: 2 The heathen wherefore should they say, Where is their God now gone away. But heav ns our God his seat doth make, 6 And through their throat they never spake Like them are they that do them make: And all that trust in them are so. 3 He hath done whatsoever he would. Their idols silver are and gold, The handy-work of men they were. 7 Trust in the Lord, O Israel: He is their help, their shield as well. O Aarons house the Lord trust ye 4 They mouths have speechless yet they be Eyes have they but they do not see. Ears have they but they do not hear. 8 He is their help, their shield also. Who fear the Lord, him trust unto: Their help, their shield also is he. *BIDDING TO MISSION AND BENEDICTION Nancy S. Taylor Following worship, those interested in a tour of the Sanctuary are invited to meet docent Mary Hunter at the front of the Sanctuary. 6

7 NOTES ON TODAY S MUSIC For our 6 th annual Hymn Festival Sunday, we celebrate the Bay Psalm Book, the first book printed in British North America (Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1640). Properly titled The Whole Booke of Psalmes Faithfully Translated into English Metre, it has been dubbed the rarest book on earth, as there remain only 11 extant copies, with Old South Church in possession of two of them. As the congregation recently authorized the sale of one of its copies (the beta ) to be auctioned by Sotheby s in New York in November of this year, today we take the opportunity to become more acquainted with the raw beauty of the often awkward translations and the purity of the tunes with which they were paired. But first it will be helpful to know why these psalms were so vital to the worship life of the Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. For this we turn to the writings of John Calvin, the father of Congregationalism, from his Epistle to the Reader in the Geneva Psalter (1542): We know by experience that song has great force and vigor to move and inflame people s hearts to invoke and praise God with a more vehement and ardent zeal. Care must always be taken that the song be not light and frivolous but have weight and majesty; and there is likewise a great difference between the music one makes to entertain people at table and in their homes, and the psalms that are sung in the Church in the presence of God and the angels. Wherefore, although we look far and wide and search in every land, we will not find better songs, nor songs better suited to that end than the Psalms of David, which the Holy Spirit made and uttered through him. And for this reason, when we sing them we may be certain that God puts the words in our mouths as if God sang in us to exalt God s glory. Perhaps the most striking disparity with our modern worship which will soon be encountered as one enters the Sanctuary this morning is the absence of the sound of our magnificent Skinner organ, or indeed any other musical instrument. Such was the practice in early American Puritan communities. In addition to these two mandates from Calvin regarding appropriate music for Divine Worship that only the psalms of David are worthy to be sung (excluding even musical settings of other portions of Scripture), and that the only musical instrument appropriate for praising God is the human voice are added the injunction against harmony and polyphony; the psalms are to be sung simply, in unison, as Calvin regarded the extravagant usage of harmony and polyphony to be idolatrous trappings of Roman Catholicism. Neither were there choirs in the early Puritan churches. In spite of this, the Old South Choir will offer three motets (one from 1579, the other two from 1591) that would have been sung by choirs in the new Church of England. They are not only in four or five parts, but also are written in a simple polyphonic style. All three were composed by William Damon (c ), a foreign composer resident in England. He arrived in 1566, perhaps from Italy, as a servant of Sir Thomas Sackville, the English statesman, poet and dramatist. In 1576 Damon became a recorder player at the Court of Elizabeth I. These motets are included in today s service because they were published in English & Scottish Psalm & Hymn Tunes c , alongside the various tunes which were paired with the psalms from the Bay Psalm Book. As we sing the psalms today, much as they would have been rendered almost 400 years ago, it is helpful to read the translators caveat from the Preface to the Bay Psalm Book: If therefore the verses are not alwayes so smooth and elegant as some may derive or expect; let them consider that God s Altar needs not our pollishings, for wee have respected rather a plaine translation, then to smooth our verses with the sweetnes of any paraphrase, and soe have attended Conscience rather then Elegance, fidelity rather then poetry, in translating the hebrew words into english language, and Davids poetry into english meetre... Harry L. Huff, Minister of Music 7

8 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 Donald A. Wells, Theologian in Residence June Cooper, Theologian in the City Calvin Genzel, Wedding Outreach Minister Ken Orth, Healing Worship Minister Kate R. Rogers, Field Education Intern Patricia Hazeltine, Church School Director Adrienne Kisner, Youth Leader Carolyn Davis, Director, Old South Preschool George Sargeant, Associate Organist & Choirmaster Laurel Leslie, Choir Director, First Worship Willie Sordillo, Music Coordinator, Jazz Worship Peter Coulombe, Director, Old South Ringers Amy Budka, Children s Music Director Linda O Donnell, Director, Children s Choir Katie Gerrish, Director, Chime Choir Mark Schueppert, Moderator Kate Silfen, Clerk David Vogan, Treasurer Phil Stern, Chair, Board of Trustees Emily Click, Historian Candace Kosturko, Senior Deacon Vicki A. Newman, Pledge Secretary Helen McCrady, Senior Church Administrator Amy Perry, Administrator & Webmaster Rosemary Clarke, Accountant Janet Butler, Wedding Coordinator Elias Perez, Senior Sexton Ozo Nwodo, Robert Blenman & Jahadul Islam, Sextons Corey Spence, Rubia Reyes & Jim McDonnel, Receptionists CCLI License # 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. Today s flowers are given by Emily Click in celebration of Rodney Click, whose birthday they celebrate on October 21. If you are interested in deepening your participation, or if you just love Old South, it s time to think about CONNECTIONS CLASS. Contact one of the ministers: (617) Name tags facilitate community and help newcomers feel welcomed. If you don t see a tag with your name on it, let us know. Audio of the service is available across the Narthex in the Gordon Chapel for those who would like a place to take restless children. For LARGE print bulletins or hearing assistance devices ask an Usher. Visit OldSouth.org for audio and a transcript of today s sermon. 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 8 - $20k per year).

9 Boylston & Dartmouth Streets at the Copley T SUNDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS October 27, 2013 (617) Like us! Facebook.com/OldSouthChurch Worship services and events at Old South Church are sometimes photographed and videotaped to document the vibrant life of our church. If you do not wish to be included in these recordings, please notify an usher. TODAY TRICK OR TREAT FOR UNICEF. Your spare change helps children around the world. The Confirmation class will be collecting for Unicef after Festival Worship. SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: 10 am, fourth floor Sam Johnson Room. Study and reflect on the day s preaching text. BREAKING (GOOD) NEWS: 10 am, fourth floor kitchen. As you listen to or read the news do you often ask Where is God in this story? Join us as we discuss the topics of the day. OLD SOUTH KNITTERS: 10 am, Gordon Chapel. Join Old South Church s knitting ministry to practice the art of creating Prayer Shawls. OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS: 12:15 pm, Gordon Chapel. We will celebrate all those who are October-born with candles, cake and song. All are invited to join in the festivities. SUNDAY S BREAD: Today, volunteers are preparing and serving a community meal at the Church of Saint John the Evangelist on Beacon Hill. If you would like to help next month, Sundaysbread@yahoo.com. SOUTH OF BOSTON POTLUCK: 5-8 pm. Join us at the home of Dan Oates in Quincy. Bring a dish for 6 to share. Drinks provided. For directions, RSVP to djoatesmd@hotmail.com. MEET THE MAYORAL CANDIDATES: 5:15 pm, 100 Malcolm X Blvd, Roxbury. Today's forum is a Q&A for the mayoral candidates at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center. Open to members and friends of Old South through the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, a non-partisan community organizing group and one of our most important institutional partners. Please be sure to sign in and indicate you are from OSC. GOD AND OTHER THINGS THAT SCARE US: 7 pm, off site. Share your scariest God stories and explore what of Christian belief and the Bible spooks us the most. We will meet after Evening Worship and go together to Boloco (569 Boylston Street) for food and conversation. WORSHIP FIRST WORSHIP: Sundays, 9 am. In the intimacy of the Gordon Chapel we turn our attention to God in an informal service of word and sacrament. Led by Rev. John Edgerton and Field Education Intern Kate Rogers. FESTIVAL WORSHIP: Sundays, 11 am. Our worship is enhanced by the Old South Choir. Led by Revs. Nancy Taylor, John Edgerton, and Anthony Livolsi, and Minister of Music Harry Huff. EVENING WORSHIP: Sundays, 6 pm. Be called into worship by the sounds of trickling water and the beauty of the flute. Our worship is a blend of ancient and new, contemplative yet bold, song and story. Led by Rev. Nancy Taylor and members of Old South Church. JAZZ WORSHIP: Thursdays, 6 pm. The Willie Sordillo Trio, Rev. Anthony Livolsi, and the Holy Spirit are our guides as we move through rhythms of music, silence, and spoken word to freshen the faith of longtime Christians and invite new ones into discipleship. HEALING WORSHIP: Sunday, November 10, 10 am, Children s Chapel. Tap into God s healing love with a gentle service of prayers and reflection led by Rev. Ken Orth, a pastoral counselor and spiritual director. MEET YOUNG ADULTS GROUP: Wednesday, October 30, 6 pm. Join Old South Church s college students, grad students, and young professionals for holiday festivities as we decorate Halloween cookies and share in fellowship with one another. Kate@oldsouth.org

10 CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP Tom Hehir, Stewardship Committee My uncle and namesake was a Jesuit priest. He devoted his life to the poor in India, Iraq, Lebanon, and the South End. He was a devoted uncle and a true spiritual mentor who demonstrated the power of the Christian faith in the way he lived his life. I recall an incident back in the 80s when my mother and aunts gave my uncle $100 to buy a new winter coat to replace the tattered one he had been wearing for years. At Christmas he proudly displayed his new coat to my mother. My mother reacted strongly to what appeared to be but a slight improvement over the one he had before. She exclaimed, Father, you did not pay $100 for that. He replied, Of course not, I got this for ten bucks at Goodwill and gave the other $90 to the poor. Living a life of poverty was an integral part of his Christian life. Whenever I consider my stewardship pledge, I think of my uncle s example. Though I always fall short of his example, every year I try to do more, knowing that in giving to the Church and its missions to the poor I am honoring his memory. CONSECRATION THURSDAY AND SUNDAY & CELEBRATION LUNCH: November 14 and 17. Next month we will joyfully consecrate to God our financial giving for Be sure to bring your Giving Card. On Sunday, November 17 at 12:15 pm, you are invited to join us for a Celebration Lunch. RSVP to reception@oldsouth.org. In the event that you are unable to join us, we ask that you give careful consideration to your pledge and return your completed Giving Card to Old South Church by Thursday, November 14. SERVE OLD SOUTH GARDENERS: November 2, 9 am - 4 pm. Join in a mission of beauty as we plant bulbs that will mark the return of life and color to our front door next spring. Come for an hour or the day! jh@hooddesign.com ROLLING FOOD DRIVE: We are collecting peanut butter to benefit the Allston-Brighton Food Pantry. Donation baskets in the tower entryway. PANCAKE BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER: Sunday, November 3, 9:45-10:30 am. The Church School and Youth Group invite you for homemade pancakes in support of the Allston-Brighton Food Pantry. The suggested donation is a box of wholesome cereal, or $5 per person, or $10 for the whole family. HALE HOUSE GAME DAY: Sunday, November 3, 2 pm, Back Bay. The Christian Service and Outreach Committee is seeking 4-5 volunteers to help with a special edition of Wheel of Fortune and to serve snacks to residents. Hale House provides supportive services to older adults. Contact Suzanne Bacon, suzbacon@me.com. MUSIC FIRST WORSHIP CHOIR: Sundays, 8:30 am. Each week our pick-up choir rehearses one song to sing during 9 am First Worship. No experience is necessary. You are invited to sing as often as you like. JOIN THE GOSPEL CHOIR: Rehearsals are held 12:30-2 pm the Sunday before every third Thursday, and that Thursday at 5:15 pm in preparation for 6 pm worship. Next rehearsal dates are November 17th and 21st. Led by Old South member Tim Harbold, tharbold@wheatoncollege.edu. CHORUS PRO MUSICA: Sunday, November 3, 3 pm. CPM Music Director Jamie Kirsch s first season begins with brilliant choral works aspiring to the heavens, perfectly suited to the resonant space of Old South Church and its magnificent Skinner organ. Tickets $ Choruspromusica.org LEARN GOD AND OTHER THINGS THAT SCARE US: Join us tonight after Evening Worship (off site) or Thursday after Jazz Worship to share our scariest God stories and explore what of Christian belief and the Bible spooks us the most. Friend Rev. Kate Layzer will haunt these gatherings. CHILDREN AND YOUTH: The Old South Church School offers programming for children, infant through high school. Infant, toddler, and preschool care is offered 8:30 am - 12:15 pm. Elementary aged children are invited to a multi-age class during First Worship. Graded classes through eighth grade are offered during Festival Worship. A variety of enrichment activities are available between services. The High School Youth Group meets at 9:45 am. Churchschool@oldsouth.org THEOLOGICAL BOOK GROUP: Mondays beginning October 28, 6 pm. We will begin a new book, Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously but Not Literally, by Marcus Borg. For questions, contact Theologian in Residence Don Wells at granwell@comcast.net.