THE GATHERING. PRELUDE Mein Jesu, der du mich, op. 122 Johannes Brahms. *HYMN 181 You Are Salt for the Earth, O People Bring Forth

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1 February 9, 2014 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany 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 Mein Jesu, der du mich, op. 122 Johannes Brahms *HYMN 181 You Are Salt for the Earth, O People Bring Forth *CALL TO WORSHIP One: Let us sing and dance. Many: We will love God with all our hearts. One: Let us weep and pray. Many: We will love God with all our souls. One: Let us learn and grow. Many: We will love God with all our minds. One: Let us work for good. Many: We will love God with all our strength. One: Let us open our lives to Love. Many: We give ourselves to God. John M. Edgerton * Indicates all who are able may stand

2 *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 Light of the World from Godspell Stephen Schwartz You are the light of the world. You are the light of the world. But if that light s under a bushel it s lost something kind of crucial. You ve gotta stay bright to be the light of the world. You are the salt of the earth. You are the salt of the earth. But if that salt has lost its flavor, it ain t got much in its favor. You can t have that fault and be the salt of the earth. So let your light so shine before all. Let your light so shine So that they might know some kindness again. We all need help to feel fine. You are the city of God. You are the city of God. But if that city s on a hill, it s kind of hard to hide it well. You gotta stay pretty in the City of God. So let your light so shine before all. Let your light so shine So that they might know some kindness again. We all need help to feel fine. You are the light of the world. You are the light of the world. But the tallest candle stick ain t much good without a wick. You gotta live right to be the light of the world. Stephen Schwartz, from Matthew 5:13-16 THE GIFT OF THE WORD SCRIPTURE Matthew 5:13-20 Pierce McInturff *HYMN 525 This Little Light of Mine Lattimer (Children and teachers may leave for their Church School classes.) SERMON Anthony T. Livolsi 2

3 *HYMN 454 Lord, I Want to Be a Christian I Want to Be a Christian 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.) Nancy S. Taylor 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 Schaffe in mir, Gott, ein rein Herz Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in me. Psalm 51:10 CALL TO THE OFFERING Johannes Brahms In thanksgiving to God and giving witness to generous hearts, our financial gifts support ministries of mercy, justice, and beauty. OFFERTORY ANTHEM Kate R. Rogers And Then Shall Your Light Break Forth from Elijah Felix Mendelssohn And then shall your light break forth as the light of morning breaketh, And your health shall speedily spring forth then; And the glory of the Lord ever shall reward you. Lord our Creator, how excellent Thy Name is in all the nations! Thou fillest heaven with Thy glory. Amen! Isaiah 58:8; Psalm 8:1 PRAYER OF DEDICATION 3

4 *HYMN I m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me I m Gonna Live *BIDDING TO MISSION AND BENEDICTION Anthony T. Livolsi POSTLUDE Allegro assai vivace from Sonata I, op. 65 Felix Mendelssohn Following worship, those interested in a tour of the Sanctuary are invited to meet docent Allison Albaugh at the front of the Sanctuary. 4

5 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, Pierce McInturff, grew up in the church and is a member of the Old South Youth Group. Today s flowers are given by Ruth Edens and David Zimmer in honor of the Andover Newton Theological School faculty, staff, students, alums and trustees who joined the people of North Carolina at the Moral March on Raleigh. Forward together! 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). 5

6 NOTES ON TODAY S MUSIC In the fifth chapter of Matthew, we read the account of Jesus Sermon on the Mount. After reciting the litany of nine principles we now know as the Beatitudes, He continues with the following illustrations: Y ou are the salt of the earth but if the salt loses its flavor, how can it be salty again? You are the light of the world but a light is not meant to be hidden; let your light shine before all that they may see your good works and glorify God in heaven. The opening hymn and first choral anthem in this service are musical settings of these directives. You Are Salt for the Earth, O People was written in 1986 by Marty Haugen (b. 1950) during a residency at Holden Village, a retreat center in the state of Washington. He originally wrote this hymn as a processing song to be used for outdoor worship. Although Haugen is a member of the UCC, his hymns and liturgies have found great favor with Roman Catholic and Protestant congregations alike, especially Lutherans. Light of the World is a funk-rock gospel setting of the same text from the perennially popular 1971 stage musical Godspell, with music by Stephen Schwartz and a book by John- Michael Tebelak. The structure of the musical is that of a series of parables as related in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. The organ voluntaries and choral anthems during the prayer response and offertory are from the pens of two of the greatest composers of the 19 th century. The prelude is the first in a set of Eleven Choral Preludes, op. 122, written at Ischl, Austria by German composer Johannes Brahms ( ), during the last summer of his life. They were composed in memory of his dearest and most faithful friend, Clara Schumann. Most of the preludes deal with last things and, though somber, yet have a warm autumnal quality that is all Brahms own. Schaffe in mir, Gott, dates from 1856, just after Brahms took a strong interest in the works of Bach. Though brief, it is imbued with the great warmth and expansiveness that is characteristic of Brahms. This choral gem is notable for the use of canon (strict imitation) between the soprano and low bass voices, the bass following the soprano in augmentation (longer notes). And Then Shall Your Light Break Forth is the finale to the masterwork oratorio Elijah, op. 70, written by German composer Felix Mendelssohn ( ). In this chorus the opening outburst of the prologue resolves into a sturdy D-major fugue representing the immense faith and courage of the prophet Elijah, at the same time presaging the coming reign of Christ. The postlude is the finale to the first of six Organ Sonatas, op. 65, which were published in They are the result of a commission from the English publishers Coventry and Hollier, and were first performed publically in Britain by the organist Edmund Chipp in Harry L. Huff, Minister of Music

7 CALENDAR Sunday, February 9 9:00 am FIRST Worship, Anthony T. Livolsi preaching 9:45 am Old South Café in the Gordon Chapel 10:00 am Believe Belong, session 1, Bible 10:00 am HEALING Worship 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 12:30 pm Mission Ministry Meeting 12:30 pm Young Adults Group 12:30 pm Restored Vision Project 6:00 pm EVENING Worship, reflection Stephanie LaShoto Monday, February 10 9:00 am Treasurer s Meeting 6:00 pm Theological Book Group 6:00 pm Vision Working Group 6:30 pm Congregational Care and Support Committee 7:00 pm Sanctuary in the City Task Force Tuesday, February 11 5:30 pm Old South Ringers Rehearsal 7:00 pm Church Council Thursday, February 13 6:00 pm JAZZ Worship, John M. Edgerton preaching 6:30 pm Old South Choir Rehearsal Friday, February 14 6:30 pm North of Boston Potluck, Melrose Saturday, February 15 10:00 am Prison Book Program, Quincy Sunday, February 16 9:00 am FIRST Worship, Kate R. Rogers preaching 9:45 am Old South Café in the Gordon Chapel 10:00 am Believe Belong, session 2, God 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 Gospel Choir Rehearsal 6:00 pm EVENING Worship, reflection Taj Smith Monday, February 17 Presidents Day Church Closed Tuesday, February 18 5:30 pm Old South Ringers Rehearsal Wednesday, February 19 6:00 pm Faith at the Crossroads Task Force Thursday, February 20 5:00 pm Gospel Choir Rehearsal 6:00 pm JAZZ Worship, Nancy S. Taylor 6:30 pm Old South Choir Rehearsal 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 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 Elias Perez, Senior Sexton Ozo Nwodo, Robert Blenman & Jahadul Islam, Sextons Corey Spence & Rubia Reyes, 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. 8

9 Boylston & Dartmouth Streets at the Copley T Sunday Announcements February 9, 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 BELIEVE BELONG: 10 am, second floor. The first of a six-session series starts today with discussing Bible: taking it seriously, but not literally. For complete schedule, see second 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. HEALING WORSHIP: 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. OUTREACH CUPCAKES: 12:30 pm, Gordon Chapel. Did you know that Old South gives away $100,000 a year to organizations doing good work in the world? At Fellowship Hour today, grab a cupcake and learn about the organizations being supported this year. YOUNG ADULTS GROUP: 12:30 pm, second floor. Join Old South s college students, grad students, and young professionals for our monthly lunch. 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. SUNDAY FLOWERS: The Sunday Flower Calendar for 2014 is up in the first floor elevator lobby. April 27 is still available. Donating Sunday flowers is a special way to remember loved ones and special events. The cost is $50. Put your name by the date you want and send the message you wish to appear in the bulletin to helen@oldsouth.org. Please note that more than one person can sign up for any one Sunday. CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP Kurt Gaertner, Stewardship Committee This past Sunday was our 344th Annual Meeting. As I sat, enjoyed my chicken, chatted with my neighbors, and listened to members of our church leadership outline major activities of the past year, several things struck me. First, we have a really impressive church family. A lot of talented people committed a great deal of their time and effort to benefit Old South in Second, the room was full of happy people, smiling and definitely engaged in what was going on. Finally, I realized that this can do joyful spirit is what makes it really easy to give of my time and money!

10 SERVE ROLLING FOOD DRIVE: We are collecting crackers to benefit the Allston-Brighton Food Pantry. Donation baskets in the church entryway. SUNDAY S BREAD: February 23, 12:30-4 pm. Join the Old South Church team in preparing and serving a community lunch to people who are homeless and low income at Church of St. John the Evangelist, Beacon Hill. This is a great opportunity for fellowship with other members, friends, and citywide volunteers. To RSVP, contact Mary Ann Lape and Lucy Costa at sundaysbread@yahoo.com. LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAY: Thursday, February 27, 9 am - 3 pm, MA State House. Join with the MA Coalition to End Homelessness in a day of engaged and active democracy. The day will include presentations about important legislation on the issue of homelessness, as well as opportunities to meet with your representatives and make your voice heard. Lucygarnet@aol.com 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. February 9th Bible: taking it seriously, but not literally February 16th God: what is he/she/it? February 23rd Faith: more questions than answers March 2nd March 9th March 16th Evil: why? 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: Mondays, 6 pm. We begin a new book tomorrow: Anne Lamott s Stitches. Lamott asks, what sustains us when life gets out of balance and when evil and catastrophe seem inescapable? Books are available at the Front Desk for $11. Led by Theologian in Residence Donald Wells, granwell@comcast.net. RE-THINK THE WAR ON DRUGS: Tuesday, February 25, 7 pm. Join the Restored Vision Project for a free screening of the documentary film The House I Live In a penetrating look inside America's criminal justice system, revealing the profound human rights implications of U.S. drug policy. We will be joined by guest speakers. An opportunity for discussion will follow the film. MEET NORTH OF BOSTON VALENTINE S DAY POTLUCK: Friday, February 14, 6:30 pm. Join us at the home of Adriana Repetto and Jeffrey Mead in Melrose. Bring food for six people (sorry, no microwave available for warming) and a beverage. For directions or transportation from the Oak Grove T stop, RSVP your yes to northofboston@oldsouth.org. 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 February 16 at 12:30 pm and February 20 at 5 pm for Jazz Worship that evening. tharbold@wheatoncollege.edu