THE GATHERING. The Willowbrook High School Concert Choir, Villa Park, IL Karyn C. Wolcott, Director

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1 March 2, 2014 Transfiguration Sunday 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 Jubilate Deo G.P. da Palestrina Praise to the Lord F. Melius Christiansen Ezekiel Saw the Wheel William L. Dawson Salve Regina Cesar Alejandro Carrillo The Willowbrook High School Concert Choir, Villa Park, IL Karyn C. Wolcott, Director *HYMN 184 O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair Deo Gracias * Indicates all who are able may stand

2 *INVOCATION (unison) From the Iona Abbey Nancy S. Taylor Ever-changing God, You break through into the mundane greyness of our lives to make all things new. Lift up our eyes to see Your glory In the taken-for-granted intimacy of human loving, In the persistent courage of day-to-day struggle, In the renewal of green growth after winter, In the surprising insight that stretches our imagination. Lift up our eyes to see the wonder and mystery of your presence, even now, as You beckon to us through everyday glimpses of grace. Amen. *A SIGN OF OUR UNITY AND RECONCILIATION WORDS OF WELCOME We invite you to greet those around you, wishing them peace or the peace of Christ. ANTHEM All You Who with Bright Hope Bruce Saylor All you who with bright hope, have gathered here; Look up and see what drew the ones before: The long straight way that leads to glory clear, Beyond the cross to life forevermore. On rocky ground who sprang the Jordan s flow, The Master challenged Peter to declare What only Heaven s grace could have him know: You are the Christ, the Son of God so fair! Then on the mount with James and John allowed To see his Lord with shining radiance seized And hear the voice of God from out the cloud: This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased! Now hear within, He calls to you the same: Lift up your gaze and see that I am here; Will you love Me, as one who bears My name? Then open wide your heart to love so dear. 2

3 The trumpets call, the time to yield is now; Embrace your Master let all else recede. Go boldly forward make your solemn vow With joyful song and soaring spirit freed. For His great plan let Him transfigure you; Surrender, surrender self and let His will be done. Go forth, united with His Spirit true; Press towards the mark, the race is almost won! David Manuel THE GIFT OF THE WORD SCRIPTURE Matthew 17:1-9 Claire Brown *HYMN Fairest Lord Jesus St. Elizabeth (Children and teachers may leave for their Church School classes.) 3

4 SERMON Anthony T. Livolsi *HYMN 409 I Heard My Mother Say Give Me Jesus 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.) Kate R. Rogers 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. PRAYER RESPONSE The Lord Bless You and Keep You The Willowbrook High School Concert Choir Peter Lutkin 4

5 CALL TO THE OFFERING John M. Edgerton In thanksgiving to God and giving witness to generous hearts, our financial gifts support ministries of mercy, justice, and beauty. OFFERTORY ANTHEM Blessed They from Les Béatitudes César Franck Paul Soper, baritone Solo (in French) Blessed they who, from earth s dreams awaking, Turn their hearts from worldly pride; Who every other joy forsaking, Of wealth the golden fetters breaking, Treasures of heaven spread around on every side, Then when the awful trumpet soundeth, Let them rejoice! Let them rejoice! Blessed are they, in whom God s grace and love aboundeth; Angels for them heaven s gates fling open wide! Choir (in English) Blessed are they, in whom God s grace and love aboundeth; Angels for them heaven s gates fling open wide! Joséphine Colomb, after Matthew 5:3 PRAYER OF DEDICATION 5

6 *HYMN Love Divine, All Loves Excelling *BIDDING TO MISSION AND BENEDICTION Anthony T. Livolsi POSTLUDE Grands Jeux from Suite Bréve Jean Langlais Following worship, those interested in a tour of the Sanctuary are invited to meet docent Emily Click at the front of the Sanctuary 6

7 7 all are welcome.

8 Old South Church welcomes The Willowbrook High School Concert Choir from Villa Park, IL under the direction of Karyn C. Wolcott at a glance Mixed choir of 49 voices Tackles quality (and difficult) repertoire, often eight-part divisi Tours every three years Has performed at National Cathedral, Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (D.C.), Trinity Episcopal, St. John the Apostle and St. John the Divine (NY, NY), St. Louis Cathedral, St. Paul Cathedral (MN), as well as many fine cathedrals in the Chicago area. 8

9 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 scripture reader, Claire Brown, joined Old South in December She serves as both a hospitality and front desk volunteer. She participated in the Urban Body of Christ program, and coordinated a series on the issue of food insecurity in Boston. Today s flowers are given by Steve Dutton in loving memory of Valerie Papillo, March 5, October 30, Today s ASL Interpreter is Gabrielle Weiler. 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 - $20k per year). 9

10 NOTES ON TODAY S MUSIC The Last Sunday after Epiphany is the traditional commemoration of the Transfiguration the occasion when Christ revealed His glory on the holy mountain. The Gospel states that His face shone like the sun and His garments became intensely white as light. The music this morning was chosen to reflect this dazzling occurrence. The first anthem is a setting of David Manuel s Transfiguration text by New York composer Bruce Saylor (b. 1946). It was commissioned for the dedication of the Church of the Transfiguration in Orleans, Massachusetts on June 17, The offertory anthem is an excerpt from the epic oratorio Les Béatitudes by Belgian composer César Franck ( ). This massive choral and orchestral work was completed in 1879, but was not publicly performed until 1891, after the composer s death. The libretto, by the amateur poet Joséphine Colomb, stretches the 10 verses of Matthew s gospel out to operatic length, and illustrates the meaning of each of the Beatitudes by introducing various metaphorical characters. Each of the nine movements opens with a terrestrial chorus reveling lustily in a particular sin or vice; midway through each movement the Voice of Christ is heard calling the perpetrators away from that sin into the joys of heaven; each movement then ends with a celestial chorus echoing those words of Christ. This anthem is taken from the last half of the first Beatitude, blessed are the poor in spirit. The first section (not sung today) has the terrestrial chorus viciously declaiming: We pursue riches with greed! For the offertory today, we begin with the Voice of Christ (sung in French by a baritone soloist) promising the riches of heaven to those who turn away from earthly sin and pride; the Old South Choir, performing as the celestial chorus, echoes those words in English. The organ postlude is a dazzlingly brilliant paean, and was chosen to portray the radiance of the Transfiguration narrative. It is from the pen of blind Parisian organist Jean Langlais ( ). He held the esteemed position of organiste titulaire at the Basilica of Sainte-Clotilde in Paris from 1945 until 1988, the very same position César Franck had held from 1858 until his death in We warmly welcome to Festival Worship this morning the Willowbrook High School Concert Choir from Villa Park, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago). They are under the direction of Karyn C. Wolcott, and will sing four selections during the prelude, as well as the lovely Peter Lutkin The Lord Bless You and Keep You as the prayer response. Harry L. Huff, Minister of Music 10

11 CALENDAR Sunday, March 2 9:00 am FIRST Worship, Anthony T. Livolsi preaching 9:45 am Old South Café in the Gordon Chapel 9:45 am Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser 10:00 am Believe Belong, session 4, Evil 10:00 am Sunday Morning Bible Study 11:00 am FESTIVAL Worship, Anthony T. Livolsi preaching 12:15 pm Fellowship Hour in the Gordon Chapel 3:00 pm Chorus Pro Musica Concert 6:00 pm EVENING Worship, reflection by Marcia Gregg Monday, March 3 6:00 pm Theological Book Group 7:00 pm Christian Service and Outreach Committee Tuesday, March 4 10:00 am Marathon Scarf Project Knitting Circle 6:00 pm Old South Ringers Rehearsal 6:00 pm Marathon Scarf Project Knitting Circle Wednesday, March 5 12:00 pm Ash Wednesday Service 6:00 pm Ash Wednesday Service Thursday, March 6 6:00 pm JAZZ Worship, John M. Edgerton preaching 6:30 pm Old South Choir Rehearsal 7:00 pm Restored Vision Project Friday, March 7 7:00 pm Berklee College of Music Recital First Sunday in Lent Sunday, March 9 9:00 am FIRST Worship, John M. Edgerton preaching 9:45 am Old South Café in the Gordon Chapel 10:00 am HEALING Worship 10:00 am Believe Belong, session 5, Salvation 10:00 am Sunday Morning Bible Study 11:00 am FESTIVAL Worship, John M. Edgerton preaching 12:15 pm Fellowship Hour in the Gordon Chapel 12:30 pm Lenten Program: Week 1, Discernment 6:00 pm EVENING Worship, reflection by Yoana Dimitrova Monday, March 10 6:00 pm Theological Book Group 6:00 pm Vision Working Group 7:00 pm Sanctuary in the City Task Force Tuesday, March 11 10:00 am Marathon Scarf Project Knitting Circle 6:00 pm Old South Ringers Rehearsal 6:00 pm Marathon Scarf Project Knitting Circle 11

12 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 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, Administrator & Webmaster Rosemary Clarke, Accountant Janet Butler, Wedding Coordinator Amanda Wilson, Sunday Hospitality Host Elias Perez, Senior Sexton Ozo Nwodo, Robert Blenman & Jahadul Islam, Sextons Corey Spence, Rubia Reyes, & 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. 12

13 Boylston & Dartmouth Streets at the Copley T Sunday Announcements March 2, 2014 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 PANCAKE BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER: 9:45-10:45 am, fourth floor. Join the Old South Youth Group for homemade pancakes in support of the Allston-Brighton Food Pantry. Suggested donation is a box of hot or cold wholesome cereal, or $5 per person, $10 maximum per family. BELIEVE BELONG: 10 am, second floor. The fourth of a six-session series continues with discussing Evil: why? For the complete schedule, see next page. SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: 10 am, fourth floor Sam Johnson Room. Study and reflect on the day s preaching text. Led by BU M.Div. candidate and Field Education Intern Kate Rogers. CHORUS PRO MUSICA: 3 pm, Sanctuary. CPM presents James Whitbourn s Annelies, the first major choral setting of the diary of Anne Frank. There will be a 2 pm pre-concert talk with Jamie Kirsch, CPM music director, and Rev. Amy L. Fisher, director of the Interfaith Center and university chaplain at Suffolk University. Tickets $ Choruspromusica.org 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, March 9, 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. ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES: March 5, 12 and 6 pm. Join Old South Church for simple services of prayer, silence, confession, and the imposition of ashes to mark our entrance into the reflective and somber season of Lent. Clergy will be available for the imposition of ashes between services. CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP Tom Hudson, Stewardship Committee On our way to Old South Church two weeks ago, Emma asked if a baby was going to be baptized at church. I told her we would have to wait and see. As luck would have it, she stayed with me during the service and there was a baptism. Emma watched attentively. Later that day, she asked me to bring a bowl of water up to her room. What are you doing Emma? She replied, I am pretending to be Nancy and baptizing my dolls! What a feel good parent moment! I gladly support Old South s mission and appreciate the influence on our daughter. But the experience makes me wonder what other positive moments are created by Old South that I will never realize.

14 MARATHON SCARF PROJECT Marathoners from around the world come to Old South Church each year for our Blessing of the Athletes. In this year of Remembrance and Hope, our vision is to wrap each runner in the love poured into stitches of handmade blue and yellow scarves. We promise to wrap runners in your love until all your scarves are distributed. Suggested Guidelines: Scarves should be interwoven with love and courage, measuring approximately 4-6 wide and 60 long, any pattern. Colors: blue and yellow (Use the official Boston Athletic Association colors Pantone 109C and Pantone 294C as a guide.) Share Your Work: We encourage you to share photos of your scarves with us on Facebook or tweet a photo Use #marathonscarves and #oneyearlater. Knitters, crocheters, weavers: Send or bring your scarves to arrive by April 5, We are accepting scarves immediately. Please include contact information. KNITTING CIRCLE: Tuesdays through April 15, 10 am - 1 pm and 6-8 pm. Start or continue your scarf, learn how to knit a simple scarf, or stitch your love and prayers into a group scarf. Scarf yarn kits available. SERVE ROLLING FOOD DRIVE: We are collecting low sodium soup to benefit the Allston-Brighton Food Pantry. Donation baskets in the church entryway. LENTEN CARBON FAST: As you ponder giving something up for Lent, consider whether you want to commit to reducing your carbon footprint. With simple, concrete, easy to complete steps, you can join with members of UCC churches across the country in committing to help care for God s good creation. Washing your clothes with cold water, driving more slowly, programming your thermostat these can all add up to meaningful carbon reductions over the course of Lent. John@oldsouth.org LEARN BELIEVE BELONG: Sundays through March 16, 10 am. This six-session series, held between First and Festival Worship, is an opportunity for the Old South community to gather around the big ideas of progressive Christianity and grow in faith and friendship. We ask prospective members to select and attend a minimum of three sessions. March 9th March 16th Salvation: being saved doesn't mean others are damned Church: cooler than a yoga class 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: Tomorrow we conclude reading Stitches. Our next book is the Lenten study text, Practicing Our Faith. Books available at the Front Desk for $15. granwell@comcast.net LENTEN SERIES: Sundays beginning March 9, 12:30 pm. Join us for a journey of spiritual deepening. We will read together Practicing Our Faith and discuss one theme from the text each week over a soup lunch. Books available at the Front Desk for $15. Beginning March 23, join us in the 10 o clock hour for an intergenerational lab. All are welcome. Visit OldSouth.org for details. 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. GOSPEL CHOIR: Be a part of Old South s newest choir, singing Gospel music monthly. Led by Old South member Tim Harbold. Next rehearsal dates are March 16 at 12:30 pm and March 20 at 5 pm for Jazz Worship that evening. tharbold@wheatoncollege.edu CELLO RECITAL: Friday, March 21, 8:30 pm, New England Conservatory of Music, Williams Hall. Cellist Sam Ou presents an evening with Bach. Accompaniment by Minister of Music Harry Huff and soloist Adriana Repetto. Free admission. Reception to follow recital. A free-will offering will benefit Saturday s/sunday s Bread. (Old South Church volunteers with this organization on the last Sunday of every month.)