THE GATHERING. *HYMN 70 God is Here! As We Your People Meet Abbot s Leigh

Transcription

1 October 11, 2015 Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost 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 Meditation from The Sacred Concerts Duke Ellington *HYMN 70 God is Here! As We Your People Meet Abbot s Leigh *CALL TO WORSHIP (from the Iona Community) One: In the beginning before time before people before the world began Many: God was. One: Here and now among us, beside us enlisting the people of earth for the purposes of heaven Many: God is. One: In the future when we have turned to dust and all we know has found its fulfillment Many: God will be. * Indicates all who are able may stand Nancy S. Taylor

2 One: Not denying the world, but delighting in it, not condemning the world, but redeeming it Many: God was. God is. God will be. One: In the name of the One through Whom God redeemed the world, let us offer to one another Christ s peace. Many: Peace be with you and with all who are here. *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 Something bout Believing from Sacred Concerts Ellington Somethin bout believin that keeps unfolding. Somethin bout believin that makes my soul sing. Somethin bout believin that keeps me holding On to God Almighty. Somethin bout believin that helps my mending. Somethin bout believin that there s no ending. Believin all the way because I m depending On the God Almighty. I don t light a lamp to see the sun. Don t need proof of God because I know That there ain t a-gonna be but one. Somethin bout believin in the creation. Somethin bout believin the information. Somethin bout believin there s just one nation Under God Almighty. I wanna be hip, I wanna be cool. I gotta be with it all the way Cause I ain about to be no fool. Somethin bout believin that s greater than pleasure. Somethin bout believin that s more than treasure. Somethin bout believin that s beyond measure. Just one God Almighty Duke Ellington 2

3 THE GIFT OF THE WORD SCRIPTURE Mark 10:17-31 Evan Shu *HYMN 315 O Word of God Incarnate Munich SERMON James W Crawford * HYMN 448 Take My Life and Let It Be Vienna OFFERING OUR GIFTS AND OURSELVES *CALL TO PRAYER One: God be with you. Many: And also with you. One: Lift up your hearts. Many: We lift our hearts to God. One: Let us pray. (The congregation may be seated.) John M Edgerton PASTORAL 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 PRAYER RESPONSE Prayer of St. Francis Lloyd Pfautsch CALL TO THE OFFERING Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace, Where there is hatred let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, firm faith, Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. Lord, grant that I may seek more To comfort than to be comforted, To understand than to be understood, To love than to be loved. For it is in giving that one receives, By self-forgetting one finds, By forgiving one is forgiven, It is by dying one awakes to eternal life att. to St. Francis ( ) OFFERTORY ANTHEM Jacob s Ladder Calvin Hampton We are climbing Jacob s ladder, Bearers of the cross. Ev ry round goes higher, higher, Bearers of the cross. Sinners, do you love my Jesus? Bearers of the cross. If you love Him, why not serve Him? Bearers of the cross. Rise, shine, give God glory, Bearers of the cross. We are climbing higher, higher, Bearers of the cross Traditional 4

5 PRAYER OF DEDICATION Nancy S. Taylor *HYMN 538 Standing at the Future s Threshold Lux Eoi *BIDDING TO MISSION AND BENEDICTION James W. Crawford POSTLUDE Fanfares from Suite #1 Hampton Close-Up, a 20-minute tour of the Sanctuary, begins following worship at the front of the Sanctuary. Led by docent Mary Hunter. 5

6 NOTES ON TODAYS MUSIC The prelude and first anthem this morning are excerpts from the Sacred Concerts of Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington ( ). Though perhaps better known as the composer of many jazz standards such as The A-Train and Satin Doll, he was a deeply religious man, and began writing sacred music as early as the 1940 s. In the last decade of his life, Ellington compiled his vast collection of religious songs and instrumentals into three separate concerts: #1 A Concert of Sacred Music (Grace Cathedral, San Francisco 1965), #2 Second Sacred Concert (Cathedral of St. John the Divine, NYC 1968), and #3 Third Sacred Concert (Westminster Abbey, London 1973). The critic Gary Giddins has characterized these concerts as Ellington bringing the Cotton Club revue to the church. Both Meditation and Something bout Believing were first presented at the Second Sacred Concert. Ellington played Meditation himself as a piano solo and, as in many of his songs, he wrote his own lyrics to Something bout Believing. His lyrics are often enchantingly childlike and stream-of-consciousness. He was writing pop poetry decades before hip-hop, and even before the Beat poets of the 1950 s. Last Sunday was St. Francis Day, and in honor of the saint, we as a congregation recited the enduring prayer attributed to him. Today, as the prayer response, the Old South Choir will present a musical setting of it by Lloyd A. Pfautsch ( ). He was ordained in the United Church of Christ, but spent most of his career at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where he was Professor of Sacred Music and Director of Choral Music from 1958 to The offertory anthem is a poignant setting of the beloved spiritual, Jacob s Ladder. Treasured equally by African-Americans and Appalachian people, it was inspired by the Biblical story of Jacob s dream in which he saw a ladder reaching to heaven and angels ascending and descending on it. The spiritual draws a parallel in the ladder s steps representing the exile of the Jewish people with the tribulations of American slavery, with both to be ended by the example of God s covenant to Jacob. This a cappella choral setting is by the late NYC composer Calvin Hampton ( ). The postlude is taken from Hampton s Suite #1 for organ. The jubilant and raucous piece was inspired by his love for American cinema in this instance, a tribute to the score of the 1950 film All About Eve! Harry L. Huff, Minister of Music 6

7 SCARED FOR GOOD! HALLOWEEN ORGAN CONCERT Friday, October 30, 2015, 7:30 pm Old South Church Sanctuary It's been a whole year of checking under your bed and sleeping with the light on since Horrific Harry s last hair-raising performance of Scared for Good! In a night sure to rattle your bones, this creepy crawly concert will feature everyone's favorite ghoulish tunes, played on the delightfully devilish E.M. Skinner organ. Set amidst the candlelit Gothic splendor of Old South Church, The Phantom of the Opera, Sweeney Todd, The Exorcist, Harry Potter, The Ride of the Valkyries, and many more will all be brought (back) to life by the supernatural powers of Minister of Music Harry Huff. Costumes are absolutely encouraged. Admission is free. A voluntary offering will support the Allston-Brighton Food Pantry. The Food Pantry, located at 404 Washington Street in Brighton, provides nourishing food at no cost to members of the Allston-Brighton community. They are dedicated to maintaining a welcoming atmosphere respectful to all community members without regard to race, religion, social position, ethnicity, gender, age or sexual orientation. 7

8 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, Evan Shu, is 27 year member of Old South, editor of the Reporter, and sings in the Gospel Choir. Today s flowers are given by Beth Luckenbach in honor of National Coming Out Day and in celebration of all who have come out as LGBTQ or as an ally for equality. 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). 8

9 CALENDAR Sunday, October 11 8:30 am First Worship Choir 9:00 am FIRST Worship, Nancy S. Taylor preaching 9:45 am Old South Café in the Gordon Chapel 10:00 am Community Hour: Sunday Morning Bible Study Choir Rehearsal 11:00 am FESTIVAL Worship, James W. Crawford preaching 12:15 pm Fellowship Hour in Gordon Chapel Monday, October 12 Church Closed for Indigenous Peoples Day Tuesday, October 13 8:00 am Capital Campaign Steering Committee 6:00 pm Handbell Choir 7:00 pm Council Wednesday, October 14 7:00 pm Music Committee Thursday, October 15 6:00 pm JAZZ Worship, new members joining Anthony T. Livolsi preaching 6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 7:00 pm Through the Whole Bible Study Young Adult Book Group Sunday, October 18 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 Youth Group Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser 10:00 am Community Hour: Christianity and Judaism in Conversation Sunday Morning Bible Study Godly Play Choir Rehearsal 11:00 am FESTIVAL Worship, new members joining, Anthony T. Livolsi preaching 12:15 pm Fellowship Hour in Gordon Chapel 12:30 pm Gospel Choir Rehearsal 6:00 pm EVENING Worship 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 Robert Blenman, 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

11 ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY AT OLD SOUTH: October 11, 2015 First Worship Choir rehearses at 8:30am to learn a simple song. Come-asyou-can each week. For more information, lleslie@tuftsmedicalcenter.org Community Hour offers a variety of educational opportunities for children, youth, and adults at 10am between the morning services. See inside for more information. THURSDAY AT OLD SOUTH Fun-and-Not-Scary, at-a-snail's-pace, Read Through of the Whooooole Bible meets at 7pm. We are going to sink our teeth into the scriptures, taking them chapter by chapter, and book by book. Reading the Bible through in this way -- called lectio co ntinua -- opens up a new world of allusions, parallels, and rich insights. For information about the schedule and nature of the commitment, and to get in on the action, anthony@oldsouth.org Young Adult Book Group meets Thursdays at 7pm. Graduate students and young professionals gather for spirited, searching discussion... and pretty darn hilarious company. For more information, anthony@oldsouth.org The Digging Deeper Book Group explores the book Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande onthursdays at 7pm, beginning October 22nd. This group, co-led by OSC member and retired nurse Anna Yoder and seminarian Amelia Nugent, will explore what has been hailed as a deeply affecting, urgently important book - not just about dying and the limits of medicine, but about living to the last with autonomy, dignity, and joy. To reserve a spot, anthony@oldsouth.org LOOKING AHEAD P A N C A K E S!!! Come support the Youth Group and eat pancakes at their semi -annual fundraiser, Sunday October 18th from 9:30am - 10:45am. The youth group will be raising funds to both give charitably and to participate in wider church youth events. 10am Bible Study, Choir Members, Children's Choir Members, and Godly Play students are encouraged to come early from 9:30-10am so that they do not miss their regularly scheduled activities. Registrations are due for our next Parent's Night Out - Kid's Night In! Children join our Children's Ministries staff for dinner, games, crafts, books, and a cartoon from 6 pm - 10 pm on October 16th while parents are encouraged to nurture their adult relationships and sanity out in the Back Bay! Register your children and then make your reservations for dinner! Horrific Harry Huff returns for a hair raising performance of Scared for Good on Friday, October 30th at 7:30pm. In a night sure to rattle your bones, this creepy crawly concert on Copley will feature everyone s favorite ghoulish tunes, played on the delightfully devilish E.M. Skinner organ. Costumes encouraged. FREE admission. A voluntary offering will support the Allston-Brighton Food Pantry. Children s activities in the portico 4:30-6:30 pm.

12 STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION I discovered Old South Church in 2010 when I was working in Massachusetts. After changing jobs and returning to Arizona, I was delighted to find that I could access OSC s full-length worship recordings via the internet. Accordingly, I listen to each week's Festival Worship service, worshipping with you from Arizona. What does OSC provide that I can't experience in my local area? First, a traditional worship music format (large pipe organ, hymns, choir, etc.) combined with a progressive Christian "open and affirming" stance and intelligent, thought-provoking sermons. Second, OSC's service to its urban community (as well as nationally). OCS s leadership was abundantly clear in the aftermath of the Marathon Bombing, the Long Island Bridge closure and the "Boston Warm Day Center." OCS s actions, service and sincerity inspire me to financially support to OSC from afar. Bob Bertram Phoenix, Arizona ADULT EDUCATION The Theological Book Group continues its spirited discussion of John Dominic Crossan's How to read the Bible and Still be a Christian, Monday evenings here at OSC. Watch for information on the next book which will begin in early November. Consider joining! For information, contact Don Wells at granwell@comcast.net MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES The Old South Choir rehearses Thursdays at 6:30pm and Sundays at 10 am to prepare for Festival Worship each week. harry@oldsouth.org First Worship Choir rehearses Sundays at 8:30am to learn a simple song. Come-asyou-can. lleslie@tuftsmedicalcenter.org Gospel Choir sings at Jazz Worship once a month. The next rehearsal will be Sunday October 18 th and they will join Jazz Worship on October 21 st. For more information Tim Harbold at tharbold@wheatoncollege.edu The Old South Ringers rehearse Tuesdays at 6pm. handbells@oldsouth.org Festival Children s Choir, open to grades 3-8, rehearses Sundays at 11:15am. childrenschoir@oldsouth.org First Children s Choir, a fun first-choir experience for age 5 through grade 2, gathers Sundays at 9am. Children are returned to parents during First Worship. children@oldsouth.org Joyful Noise, a multi-age children s group, gathers Sundays at 9 and 11:30am. children@oldsouth.org

13 COMMUNITY HOUR, Sundays 10-11am FOR CHILDREN Infants through grade 2 are welcome in our childcare ministries beginning at 8:40am. Care is available uninterrupted through First Worship, Community Hour, and Festival Worship. Our Montessori-style Godly Play program invites children to see themselves as active participants in the story of faith. Because of the All-Church Retreat we will have a single all -age Godly Play class at 10 am. Come and enjoy a day of creating. FOR YOUTH Grades 7-12 are welcome to gather at 10am in John's office, but there is no official Youth Group this week because of the All-Church Retreat. FOR ADULTS Sunday Morning Bible Study reflects on the day s preaching text in the fourth floor Sam Johnson Room. Have you ever longed for a behind-the-scenes window into how they prepare for the music presented each week in worship? Well, Meet the Choir is your chance! This will be an "instructed" rehearsal - meaning, Minister of Music Harry Huff will explain each part of the process that aids the Choir to be ready to lead worship every Sunday morning. Just come to the Sanctuary today at 10 am (or anytime during the hour before Worship), and we will make you feel most welcome. Then, when the service begins at 11 am, you will be part of the musical cognoscenti! Join in Dying Well: Christian Conversations on Life and Death, October 25th November 8th. 100% of us will die. And still death is, for so many, difficult to discuss. In this three-week series, led by Maren Batalden, Holly Gooding-Tran, and Phil Stern, we will consider the spiritual dimension of our mortality. What does it mean when Christians speak of dying well? Living well? Share with us in these holy, life-changing, death-changing conversations. SMALL GROUPS LGBTQ Brunches. Join us October 25th and every fourth Sunday for brunch at Stephanie s on Newbury. Meet at the rear of the Sanctuary after Festival Worship and we will walk to the restaurant together. For more information, anthony@oldsouth.org. Looking to deepen your faith? Looking for friends to share the experience of being a young adult Christian? So are we! Join the Old South Young Adults Group for those years old for our monthly lunch and other occasional outings. The North of 35 group invites you and your children to celebrate Halloween from 6 8pm on Friday October 30th followed by Halloween for adults 8pm midnight. Kids and parents are welcome to stay after 8pm (just keep in mind that adults without kids will start appearing at that time). Address and other information will be sent to all who RSVP with Elena Kurbatzky at ekurbatzky@gmail.com

14 SERVICE The Rolling Food Drive is collecting boxes of stuffing mix to benefit the Allston- Brighton Food Pantry. The Christian Service and Outreach Committee will match up to $1500 in donations to the UCC s Collection for Syrian Refugees. Go to oldsouth.org/online-giving or make a check out to Old South Church with Syrian Refugees in the memo line. Old South partners with the Teen Parenting Program at Casa Myrna Vasquez to help teen mothers who are victims of domestic violence. You can be part of enriching a child s life and combating the isolation of domestic violence. Contact Suzanne Bacon at suzbacon@me.com for more information. Our animal companions are an important part of the Old South Family. If you would like to help support Old South members and friends join the Old South Pet Crew. If you are interested in sending cards to our pet owners, or fostering a beloved companion, please send an to care@oldsouth.org. WEEKLY WORSHIP Jazz Worship: Thursdays, 6pm. With soul and sax. October 15th: Anthony T. Livolsi preaching First Worship: Sundays, 9am. Informal and vibrant. October 18th: Anthony T. Livolsi preaching Festival Worship: Sundays, 11am. Our signature service - grand and expressive. Evening Worship: Sundays, 6pm. Ancient, timeless, and alive. Healing Worship: 2nd Sundays, 10am. Gentle and tender. NOTICES 1) 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. 2) Please do not leave bags unattended in the building, including in the Sanctuary, for any length of time. Old South Church in Boston Boylston & Dartmouth Sts. at the Copley T (617) OldSouth.org