THE GATHERING. March 1, 2015 Second Sunday in Lent 11:00 am. PRELUDE Sonata - II Quasi lento, tranquillo Herbert Howells

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1 March 1, 2015 Second Sunday in Lent 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 Sonata - II Quasi lento, tranquillo Herbert Howells *HYMN 208 God Loved the World Rockingham *PRAYER OF CONFESSION John M. Edgerton Gracious God, we confess that we know the lure of sweet fruit, the false comfort that comes from eating the bread of anxious toil, and the futility of filling our lives with things that do not satisfy. Deliver us from all indulgence, acquisitiveness, and vanity that we might learn a nobler contentment. Let us not fear what emptiness we feel, but trust in Your kind providing. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. * Indicates all who are able may stand

2 ASSURANCE OF GOD S GRACE AND MERCY 2

3 WORDS OF WELCOME ANTHEM Jesus, Tempted in the Desert Carol Doran, 1984 Satan: Paul Soper; Jesus: Rob Woodin Jesus, tempted in the desert, lonely, hungry, filled with dread: Use Your power, the tempter tells Him; Turn these barren rocks to bread! Not alone by bread, He answers, can the human heart be filled. Only by the word that calls us is our deepest hunger stilled! Jesus, tempted at the temple, high above its ancient wall: Throw Yourself from lofty turret; angels wait to break Your fall! Jesus shuns such empty marvels, feats that fickle crowds request; God, Whose grace protects, preserves us, we must never vainly test. Jesus, tempted on the mountain, by the lure of vast domain: Fall before me! Be my servant! Glory, fame You re sure to gain! Jesus sees the dazzling vision, turns His eyes another way; God alone deserves our homage! God alone will I obey! When we face temptation s power, lonely, struggling, filled with dread, Christ, who knew the tempter s hour, come and be our living bread. By Your grace, protect, preserve us, lest we fall, Your trust betray. Yours, above all other voices, be the Word we hear, obey. Herman G. Stuempfle, Jr., 1993 THE GIFT OF THE WORD SCRIPTURE Matthew 4: 1-11, The Temptations in the Wilderness Lynda Watson *HYMN 205 Forty Days and Forty Nights Heinlein (Children and teachers may leave for choir and childcare.) STORY TELLING Nancy S. Taylor and Tom Monahan *HYMN 209 (vv 1-3) O Love, How Vast, How Flowing Free Deo Gracias 3

4 RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS Dorothy Austin Delvyn Caetren Case Marina Connelly Diana L. Eck WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS Colin Edward Hill Katarina Bernice Holmgren Leanne Li Eleanor Helene Mason Anthony T. Livolsi LITANY OF INTENT One: Friends in Christ, we are received into the church through the sacrament of baptism. Many: These people have been led by the Spirit to claim in our presence their covenantal relationship with Christ and the members of the Christian church. One: They are here, as we are here, to endeavor to love God with all our hearts, and all our souls, and all our minds. God help us. Many: They are here, as we are here, to endeavor to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. God help us. One: Friends who are joining, we rejoice in your pilgrimage of faith which has brought you to this time and place. Many: We give thanks for every community of faith which has been your spiritual home. One: Do you promise, by the grace of God, to continue in your pilgrimage of faith, to be Christ s disciple, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ as best you are able? Those joining: We promise, with the help of God. Many: Do you promise to walk with us in faithfulness and in Christian love? And do you promise, that so far as able, you will participate in the life of this church, by worshipping God with us, and offering your time, talent and means for the ministry of this church and for the larger church of which this is a part? Those joining: We promise, with the help of God. One: Friends, we welcome you as partners in the common life of this church and rise in body or spirit to share our covenant of mission with you: 4

5 *All: (Please rise in body or spirit) I do now in the presence of God and before this assembly give myself to the One whom Jesus called Abba, Father as the God in whose love I am grounded and whose realm I serve; to Jesus Christ, God incarnate, to whom I surrender and who rules my life; to God the Holy Spirit as the One who sustains, recreates, and guides me. I will share God s everlasting covenant by loving and living responsibly in communion with this one God. And I do furthermore engage to walk with my brothers and sisters in the wider Church and the Old South Church secure in God's grace, prepared in gratitude to live by the promise and serve in the hope of the Gospel. *THE RIGHT HAND OF CHRISTIAN LOVE Rory Razon, Deacon OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS *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.) Anthony T. Livolsi 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 My Eyes for Beauty Pine Howells My eyes for beauty pine, my soul for Goddës grace; No other care nor hope is mine, to heaven I turn my face. One splendor thence is shed from all the stars above: Tis named when God s name is said, tis Love, tis heavenly Love. And every gentle heart that burns with true desire, Is lit from eyes that mirror part of that celestial fire. Robert Bridges 5

6 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 Let This Mind Be in You Amy Beach Matthew Wight, bass-baritone; Abra Bush, soprano Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of humans: and being found in fashion as a human, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross. Wherefore, God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Almighty. Philippians 2:5-11 PRAYER OF DEDICATION *HYMN 212 O Jesus Christ, May Grateful Hymns Charterhouse *BIDDING TO MISSION AND BENEDICTION Nancy S. Taylor POSTLUDE Paean from Six Pieces for Organ Howells Today, following the Postlude, those interested in a tour of the Sanctuary are invited to meet docent William Ghormley at the front of the Sanctuary. 6

7 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. Guest Speaker: A native of Boston, and homeless for 20 years, Tom Monahan will speak about his nights outside and his days at Old South s Boston Warm Day Center. Tom comes to us today through the Public Voice Project of City Mission Society. Today s scripture reader, Lynda Watson, a graduate of Boston College, serves as the Director of Homelessness Prevention at Boston s City Mission Society. She is here today to feature Lift Up, a program that works to keep young mothers from homelessness. Lift Up graduations are held at Old South Church. The flowers today 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. 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). 7

8 NOTES ON TODAY S MUSIC The Scripture reading this morning relates the encounter between Jesus and Satan in the desert wilderness following Jesus baptism in the Jordan by John. This dramatic account is recorded in three of the Gospels in Matthew 4:1-11, in Mark 1:12-13, and in Luke 4:1-13. The Old South Choir, with Paul Soper playing the role of Satan, and Rob Woodin as Jesus, presents a mini opera of the scene. The text was written by Herman G. Stuempfle Jr., a Lutheran theologian and academic. For this presentation it is paired with the hymn-tune Authority by Carol Doran. After a series of attempts at testing Jesus, Satan presents a final temptation, promising Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor if Jesus will fall down and worship him. Jesus responds, it is written, Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him. Ironically, we read in Paul s letter to the Philippians that God highly exalted {Jesus} and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bend. This powerful text, which encapsulates the very seed of Christian faith, was lovingly set in 1924 by Amy Marcy Cheney Beach ( ), America s first recognized woman composer. She was a child prodigy, gifted with perfect pitch, who could sing 40 tunes in key at the age of one. Before she was two, she began to compose. She made her debut as piano soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at the age of 17. Her music is melodic, harmonic, and especially, emotional. She believed that musical composition had three parts: the emotional, which reflected inner feelings and created a desire to communicate; the intellectual, in which one understood the musical form; and the spiritual, which involved the listener and the creator. She is considered a late Romantic, a peer of such composers in the Second New England School (The Boston Six) as Horatio Parker, George Chadwick, Edward MacDowell, John Knowles Paine, and Arthur Foote, and was accepted by them on equal terms. Her poignant and very personal setting of these words is almost Puccini-esque in its soaring lyricism. The soloists this morning are bass-baritone Matthew Wight and new Choral Fellow, soprano Abra Bush. The prelude, prayer response and postlude are from the pen of British composer Herbert Norman Howells ( ). His evocative tonal vocabulary is a blend of English pastoral lyricism and Impressionism. The organ voluntaries, Sonata and Paean, date from 1933; his setting of My Eyes for Beauty Pine, a poem by Robert Bridges ( ), was written in Harry L. Huff, Minister of Music

9 CALENDAR Second Sunday in Lent Sunday, March 1 9:00 am FIRST Worship, Nancy S. Taylor preaching 9:45 am Old South Café in the Gordon Chapel and The Good Works Fair 10:00 am Sunday Morning Bible Study 10:00 am Lenten Community Hour 11:00 am FESTIVAL Worship, Nancy S. Taylor preaching 12:15 pm Fellowship Hour in the Gordon Chapel and The Good Works Fair 12:30 pm Young Adults Group 6:00 pm EVENING Worship Monday, March 2 6:00 pm Theological Book Group 6:00 pm Stewardship Committee 7:00 pm Christian Service and Outreach Committee Tuesday, March 3 11:00 am Tuesday Knitters 5:30 pm Old South Ringers Rehearsal 7:00 pm Christian Formation Committee Wednesday, March 4 7:30 pm Grove City College Chorus Concert Thursday, March 5 6:00 pm JAZZ Worship + Love Feast Meal 6:30 pm Old South Choir Rehearsal 7:00 pm Introduction to the Gospels Book Group 7:00 pm Introduction to the Hebrew Bible Group Friday, March 6 8:30 am Planned Giving Committee Third Sunday in Lent Sunday, March 8 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 Sunday Morning Bible Study 10:00 am Lenten Community Hour 11:00 am FESTIVAL Worship, John M. Edgerton preaching 12:15 pm Fellowship Hour in the Gordon Chapel 3:00 pm Hammond Performing Arts Series 6:00 pm EVENING Worship 11

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 Kate R. Rogers, Youth Leader Liz Williams, Field Education Intern 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 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 Rosemary Clarke, Director, Accounting and Human Resources Janet Butler, Wedding Coordinator Elias Perez, Senior Sexton Ozo Nwodo & Robert Blenman, 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. 12

11 ANNOUNCEMENTS TODAY AT OLD SOUTH: March 1, 2015 Following both morning services, join The Good Works Fair in the Chapel. Representatives from each our five grant recipient organizations will be available to discuss the work our grants support and ways to get involved. Details inside. Study and reflect on today s preaching text (Matthew 4: 1-11, The Temptations in the Wilderness) at Sunday Morning Bible Study at 10 am in the fourth floor Sam Johnson Room. Lenten Community Hour from am boasts offerings for children, youth, and adults including Godly Play and adult formation. Check out details inside. The Young Adults Group will gather for lunch at 12:30 pm on the fourth floor. GO HUNGRY for God fills the hungry with good things This Lent, Old South Church is living the rhythms of fasting and feasting. We invite all members of the community, who are able, to fast every Thursday in Lent and then break the fast together in special Love Feast services Thursdays at 6 pm. (Would you consider helping with cooking or set-up?) A collection of alternately poignant and hilarious daily devotionals all written by church members and supporting our exploration of fasting and feasting is available at the Front Desk while supplies last. Also available to read online. NEW Families with Children: looking for a way to do Lent with your kids? Pick up a custom-made grace cube at the Front Desk a fun way to make family dinners a little less hectic and a little more holy! Suggested donation $20. Or consider sponsoring a grace cube for someone else, helping to bring prayer into every home. Designate your donation for grace cube and drop it at the Front Desk. As a congregation, we are reading and devoting Community Hour sessions to a discussion of Sara Miles memoir, Take This Bread. Books are available at the Front Desk for $15. For March 8th, come having read Chapters Reading assignments and information on how to help with the Love Feast meals available at OldSouth.org/Lent.

12 MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES The Old South Choir rehearses Thursdays at 6:30 pm and Sundays at 10 am to prepare for Festival Worship each week. The Old South Children s Choir, open to grades 3-8, rehearses Sundays at 11:15 am. childrenschoir@oldsouth.org First Worship Choir rehearses Sundays at 8:30 am to learn a simple song. Come-asyou-can. lleslie@tuftsmedicalcenter.org Gospel Choir for third Thursday Jazz Worship rehearses the Sunday before at 12:30 pm. tharbold@wheatoncollege.edu The Old South Ringers rehearse Tuesdays at 6 pm. handbells@oldsouth.org Joyful Noise, a multi-age children s group, gathers Sundays at 9 and 11:30 am. children@oldsouth.org Kinder Choir, a fun first-choir experience for age 5 through grade 2, gathers Sundays at 9 am. Children are returned to parents during First Worship. Our second of three all-church retreats will be held Saturday, March 14 at 10:30 am on Christians in Formation. RSVP to reception@oldsouth.org LENT MORE WAYS TO OBSERVE THE SEASON On Sunday, March 15 at 2 pm, Old South Church will host a special Lenten program: Darkness From Which I Come. This song cycle for soprano and piano, based on select poems of Ranier Rilke, was composed by OSC member Delvyn Case and will provide opportunity for meaningful reflection during this season. The program will be followed by discussion with Delvyn and Theologian in Residence Don Wells. For more information, contact Don at granwell@comcast.net. Free and open to the public. Participate in an ecumenical Carbon Fast a daily opportunity to fast from carbon as a Lenten discipline. To get involved, Ted Wade at tedwade461@gmail.com. Each day you will receive an with a suggested carbon-reducing activity.

13 LENTEN COMMUNITY HOUR, Sundays am FOR CHILDREN Infants through grade 2 are welcome in our childcare ministries beginning at 8:40 am. 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. Today s story for the Preschool, Early Elementary, and Older Elementary Classes: Faces of Easter II. FOR YOUTH Through Lent, the Youth Group and Confirmation Class (for grades 7-8) will together explore and discuss Lenten practices in Sara Miles memoir, Take This Bread. FOR ADULTS Today, we discuss chapters 6-10 of Sara Miles memoir, Take This Bread. For March 8th, come having read chapters THE GOOD WORKS FAIR City Mission Society A Lift Up preventing 30 families a year from falling into homelessness. Casa Myrna Vasquez Teen Parenting Program providing confidential shelter for teen mothers and their children who are victims of domestic violence. Common Cathedral gathering a radically-welcoming weekly worship for the city s unhoused on Boston Common. Victory Programs Boston Living Center providing nutritious meals and supportive services for men living with HIV. Fourth Presbyterian Church offering arts and cultural enrichment for teens living in public housing in South Boston.

14 SERVICE The Rolling Food Drive is collecting peanut butter to benefit the Allston-Brighton Food Pantry. Collection in the stone entryway. Volunteers are needed to pick up food donations for Boston Warm from the Panera Cares Cafe near Government Center and deliver them to Old South. Pick up between 6-6:30 pm on Mondays. Requires a vehicle or ride. If you can help, lucygarnet@aol.com. WORSHIP First Worship: Sundays, 9 am. Informal and vibrant. Festival Worship: Sundays, 11 am. Our signature service - grand and expressive. March 8th: John M. Edgerton preaching at First and Festival Worship Evening Worship: Sundays, 6 pm. Ancient, timeless, and alive. March 8th: Lenten service followed by a simple meal and fellowship Jazz Worship: Thursdays, 6 pm. With soul and sax. March 5th: Lenten Love Feast service Healing Worship: 2nd Sundays, 10 am. 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