Church Covenant Open and Affirming Statement

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2 Church Covenant We strive to be a joyful, welcoming Christian Community. We seek to be faithful in a world torn by suffering, injustice, oppression, and war. We are inspired by God, Christ s Ministry, and the examples of other faithful people. We join together in worship and song, fellowship, study, and mission to embrace the risks and challenges of continuing Christ s ministry. We struggle to live out our faith in the world by furthering justice and peace, witnessing to the truth, and proclaiming God s love and mercy for all people. Open and Affirming Statement As a covenant community we are committed to the belief that all people are created equal before God. In affirmation of the inclusive love of Christ Jesus, we welcome persons of any race, gender, age, sexual orientation, ability and economic circumstance to full participation in our community life and ministry. We strive to reflect these beliefs in the language and content of our worship and in our lives together. (This statement adopted in 2000, reflects the welcome of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people and their friends and families.) 2

3 January 20, :00 am Welcome to our worship service. Please join us for refreshments and time for fellowship immediately following the service. PRELUDE WE GATHER IN FAITH WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS CONGREGATIONAL GREETING GATHERING SONG Arise! Shine! CALL TO WORSHIP One: Many: One: Many: One: Many: One: All: As foreigners, pilgrims, wanderers, we come to the crossroads searching for meaning. Which way should we turn? We have a star and a story to light the road ahead. But stars rise and fall, and stories twist and turn. Who will go with us? We are called into community, companions on the journey. And how will we know the way? The way, the truth, and the life of Christ are marked with justice, peace, and compassion. The Spirit sings to us still in this star, this story, these companions, and this life that really is life, deep and meaningful, growing and good for all God s children. Let us worship God together. 3

4 *HYMN (Black, New Century) #575 O for a World CENTERING PRAYER & ASSURANCE OF GRACE CHILDREN S CIRCLE Children in Pre-K through 8th grade are invited to come forward to share in the Children s Circle. Afterward, they will go downstairs to their Sunday school classes, where families may pick them up after worship. READING (Pew Bible, NT p. 88) John 2:1-11 WE LISTEN FOR GOD S WORD SERMON Hungry for Something Better Rev. John MacIver Gage ANTHEM I Dream a World David L Brunner (b. 1953) SHARING OUR PRAYERS WE RESPOND TO GOD S CALL A LITANY INFORMED BY THE WORK OF REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. One: We remember the theological conviction of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Many: So we pray for the courage and determination of those who are oppressed. One: We remember Dr. King s warning that "a negative peace which is the absence of tension" is less than "a positive peace which is the presence of justice." Many: So we pray that all who work for peace would cry out first for justice. One: We remember Dr. King s insight that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly." Many: So we pray that we may see nothing in isolation, but may know ourselves bound to one another and to all people under heaven. One: We remember Dr. King s lament that "the contemporary church is often a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. It is so often the arch-supporter of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church's silent and often 4

5 vocal sanction of things as they are." Many: So we pray that neither this congregation nor any congregation of Christ's people may be silent in the face of injustice, but that we may be disturbers of the sinful status quo. One: We remember Dr. King s hope that "dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our feardrenched communities and in some not-too-distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty." Many: So, in faith, we prayerful submit ourselves and our lives in Christ as a holy offering to God, who bends the long arc of the moral universe toward justice for all God s children. Quotations from Letter from the Birmingham City Jail by Martin Luther King Jr.; Adapted by John MacIver Gage from a litany by W. B. McClain and L. H. Stookey. From The United Methodist Book of Worship. THE LORD S PRAYER, using these or whichever words are closest to your heart 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 and ever. Amen. CALL TO ENGAGEMENT OFFERTORY Take My Hand, Precious Lord Thomas A Dorsey ( ) arr. Joel Raney (b. 1956) SINGING OUR THANKS & PRAISE Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God, all creatures here below, Praise God above, ye heavenly host, Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen. 5

6 WE GO FORTH TO SERVE HYMN (Black, New Century) #576 For the Healing of the Nations COMMISSION & BLESSING POSTLUDE You are invited to coffee hour down the hall in Fellowship Hall. Liturgist: Kenneth Ruetenik Deacons: Scott Stewart, Jim Ruetenik Flowers: Mary Lou Hughes Altar Guild: Jean Veigas Ushers: Jim Conroy, Janet Jankowiak, Mike Normile, Peter Wells The flowers on the altar are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Patricia Wright Gworek by Amy and Jonathan Gworek. Parish Care Team We have a Parish Care Team to help attend to the needs of our church community. If you or anyone you know could benefit from a call or a visit from a Parish Care Team member, or a minister, please contact Dibby Moder at or dmoder@verizon.net. You can also call the church office ( ) with your request for a visit Collections* 1/13/2019 = $1,813 1/13/2019 Worship Attendance = 110 People December Electronic Pledge Amount: $13, Please contact the church office or office@needhamucc.org to find out how you can give electronically. *Collection amount does not include additional pledges received electronically. 6

7 Warrant for Annual Meeting Sunday, January 27, 2019 The Annual Meeting of The Congregational Church of Needham will be held in the Sanctuary immediately following the 10am worship service on Sunday, January 27, at 11:15am. Childcare will be provided while the meeting is held. As is customary in preparation for the Annual Meeting, an informational hearing will be held following the worship service on Sunday, January 20, in Linden Hall. Please attend the hearing to learn more about the Annual Report and to ask questions about articles to be addressed at the Annual Meeting. Copies of the Annual Report will be available in the Narthex on January 20 at the 10am worship service. Please help yourself to a copy of these documents in preparation for the meeting. The warrant of articles for the meeting is as follows: Warrant Article I - To receive and act on reports of the Standing Committees, Special Committees and Officers of the Church. Article II - To elect Officers and Committees for the Church Year Article III - To adopt a budget for Fiscal Year

8 Welcome to all who are new or here for the first time! If you are interested in learning more about our church, please or call the office at to set up a conversation. For updates on church life, our family ministries, Christian Education and Youth Ministries follow us on Instagram Congregational Church of Needham UCC on on Twitter Please silence your cell phone before attending the service. You can Check In on Facebook and let people know you are here. Feel free to Tweet, Snapchat, or Instagram during the service. If you would like or need a hearing device an usher will be able to assist you. Children s Childcare is offered for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers in the Nursery located downstairs during the service. Rev. John MacIver Gage Office Hours Please contact Rev. John to schedule an appointment during his office hours on Tuesday and Wednesdays 12 3pm. Hours are also available by appointment. Senior Minister The Rev. John MacIver Gage RevJohn@needhamucc.org , ext. 106 Director of Children &Youth Ministries The Rev. Madelyn Foster RevMaddie@needhamucc.org , ext. 104 Music Director Valerie Becker musicdirector@needhamucc.org Organist/Accompanist Sangyoung Kim Staff Church Administrator Danielle Jurdan Office@needhamucc.org , ext. 101 Office Assistant & Bookkeeper Cindy Sullivan Office2@needhamucc.org , ext. 100 Housekeeper Sanira Alchaar Handyman Bill Donovan The Congregational Church of Needham 1154 Great Plain Avenue Needham, Massachusetts Facebook: Congrega onal Church of Needham UCC Twi Instagram: needhamucc of ice@needhamucc.org The Rev. Dr. Paul Clayton, Pastor Emeritus 8

9 ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS January 20, 2019 The Village Fair Team is pleased to announce our final results from the 2018 Village Fair. Thanks to the hard work of many people, the Fair netted over $10,000 this year. Of that money, $1,000 will be kept in reserve for seed money for the Village Fair/Alternative fundraiser* for With the rest, the Team has decided that we will invest in the purchase of new carpet for the upstairs hallway from Fellowship Hall to the Sanctuary, including the entrance stairs from the parking lot. The Village Fair funds will not cover the full amount, so it may take some more fundraising to complete this. *The Village Fair, as we know it, is struggling. It becomes harder and harder to recruit help, and the job of running the Fair is a lot for one person to take on. In terms of Fundraising and Fellowship, it is a wonderful event, but we can t compel people to help more than they have time. It is felt by the Team that it might be appropriate for a Time Out for the Village Fair, and to come up with an alternative fundraiser that is less labor intensive. We will be meeting on Sunday, March 18 after church to discuss ideas for a new event. ALL are welcome to attend. If you have an idea for something new and bold or similar and safe please do plan to attend. The best results usually come from brainstorming! All that we ask is that if you come with an idea, please also be willing to help with the implementation. Looking forward to seeing some new faces on the 18 th as well as the faithful who have already given so much to the Fair. Respectfully, Diana Conroy 2018 Village Fair Chair CHIMERS WANTED! Some of our regulars aren t able to chime this season, so we need to fill 3 spots in order to continue the sound we ve come to be inspired by and enjoy in worship. Please consider joining us. It s not a difficult instrument to learn, and within 1 rehearsal you ll find yourself looking forward the next one, being part of a supportive, fun-loving, inter-generational group. Prerequisites: flexible wrists, ability to keep time, able to laugh at yourself (We ALL make mistakes.) and follow directions (Our director Crosby Goshgarian takes us step by step, always encouraging.), enjoy making music. Still hesitant? Contact any Chimer or Joanne Seiden ( ; jseiden@basiclink.com) to arrange an opportunity to try chiming.) Challenge a friend to join you. THANKS! Environmental Ministry Team removing plastics tip: Request zero plastic and Styrofoam packaging when ordering on line. Volunteer Opportunity for Baby Basics We are looking for a person who can host the distribution table on the first Tuesday of every month. This entails giving families diapers from 6-7 pm, dinner provided for you and your family. Contact Jennifer Haggerty at jenniferhaggerty@hotmail.com for more information or to volunteer. 9

10 Sunday January 20th Monday January 21st Wednesday January 23rd Sunday January 27th Monday January 28th Tuesday January 29th Sunday February 3rd Monday, February 4th Tuesday February 5th Wednesday February 7th Saturday February 9th Sunday February 10th 8:15 am 8:30 am 10:00 am 11:30 am Men s Breakfast, Library Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary Worship, Sanctuary Hearing for Annual Meeting, Linden Hall Bible Study, Reception Room Youth Choir Office Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day 7:15 pm EMT Meeting, Reception Room 8:30 am 9:00 am 10:00 am 11:15 am 3:00 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary Mindful Meditation, Chapel Worship, Sanctuary Annual Meeting, Sanctuary Youth Choir Youth Group 9:00 am Cancer Support Group, Reception Room 7:00 pm Outreach Meeting, Reception Room 8:30 am 10:00 am 11:30 am Super Bowl Subs Pick Up Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary Worship, Sanctuary Guatemala Partnership Meeting, Library Bible Study, Reception Room Parish Care Team, Chapel Youth Choir 9:00 am Cancer Support Group, Reception Room 6:00 pm Community Dinner, Linden Hall 12:00 pm 6:15 pm 7:30 pm Soup Lunch, Library Chimers Rehearsal, Sanctuary Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Linden AB 8:30 am Board and Deacon Retreat 8:30 am 10:00 am 11:30 am 3:00 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary Worship, Commissioning Guatemala Mission Trip, Sanctuary Chimers Rehearsal, Sanctuary Mindful Meditation, Chapel Bible Study, Reception Room Youth Choir Youth Group 10