THE GATHERING. PRELUDE Hallelujah Leonard Cohen, arr. Joel Raney Old South Ringers; Peter Coulombe, Director

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1 April 30, 2017 Care for Creation 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 Hallelujah Leonard Cohen, arr. Joel Raney Old South Ringers; Peter Coulombe, Director *HYMN 558 O How Glorious, Full of Wonder In Babilone *CALL TO WORSHIP One In the beginning, God made the world: Made it and mothered it, shaped it and fathered it; Filled it with seed and with signs of fertility, Filled it with life and with song and variety. All that is green, blue, deep, and growing, God s is the hand that created you. All that is tender, firm, fragrant, and curious, God s is the hand that created you. John M. Edgerton * Indicates all who are able may stand

2 All that crawls, flies, swims, walks, or is motionless, God s is the hand that created you. All that speaks, sings, cries, laughs, or keeps silence, God s is the hand that created you. *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 Nancy S. Taylor THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Sedona Avery Estrella Child of Christian and Julia Estrella Godparents are Kim Taylor and Adam Estrella INTRODUCTIONS AND ADDRESS LITANY OF BAPTISM (responsively) We are gathered to present Sedona Avery Estrella to the Church and to dedicate her to God. What can we affirm about her? Sedona is a child of God, made in God s own image. As Sedona grows in our congregation, how will she know this? We will give her our love and include her in the life and ministry of this Church. How will Sedona learn of the Christian faith? We will teach her the stories of Abraham and Sarah; of Moses and Miriam who led our ancestors out of bondage; of Mary and Joseph s openness to mystery; of the Savior, Jesus; and of the history of the church as the people of God. What, in turn, will we expect of Sedona? We look forward to sitting with her at Christ s Table, sharing with her the costs and joys of discipleship, learning and growing with her in the Christian pilgrimage, and declaring with one voice our faith in God and God s son, Jesus. Do you, Christian and Estrella, parents, and Kim and Adam, Godparents, assume your primary responsibility for fulfilling these expectations by growing with Sedona in the Christian faith and by offering her the nurture and support of the Christian church? 2

3 Parents & Godparents: With the help of God, we happily and genuinely accept this serious duty. And do you, the Old South Church, pledge to maintain a nurturing and challenging Christian environment for Sedona? We do, for she belongs to us as well. Then, may God be with us. God help us. Amen. BLESSING THE WATER AND ACT OF BAPTISM CONGREGATIONAL WELCOME (unison) Nancy Kukulan, Deacon We rejoice in God s empowering love, freely given to each and all. We welcome you, newly baptized, into the circle of love in Christ s church. We promise to pray for you, to seek the depths of faith with you, to support you, and to love you. We covenant with you to love God with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves. Amen. ANTHEM For the Beauty of the Earth John Rutter For the beauty of the earth, For the beauty of the skies, For the love which from our birth Over and around us lies: God of all, to Thee we raise This, our joyful hymn of praise. For the beauty of each hour Of the day and of the night, Hill and vale and tree and flower, Sun and moon and stars of light: God of all, to Thee we raise This, our joyful hymn of praise. For the joy of human love, Brother, sister, parent, child, Friends on earth and friends above, For all gentle thoughts and mild: God of all, to Thee we raise This, our joyful hymn of praise. 3

4 For each perfect gift of Thine To our race so freely given, Graces human and divine, Flow'rs of earth and buds of heav'n: God of all, to Thee we raise This, our joyful hymn of praise. F. S. Pierpoint (Children may leave for choir and childcare.) THE GIFT OF THE WORD SCRIPTURE Romans 8:18-25 Manuel Navia SERMON Gregory E. Sterling *HYMN 44 Beautiful Jesus Schönster Herr Jesu OUR PRAYERS, OUR GIFTS, AND OURSELVES *CALL TO PRAYER God be with you. And also with you. May the peace of Christ dwell in your hearts. Christ is our peace, our light, and our hope. Let us pray. (You 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. 4

5 PRAYER RESPONSE The Peace of Wild Things Cynthia Powell When despair for the world grows in me And I wake in the night at the least sound In fear of what my life and my children's lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, And the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things Who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. CALL TO THE OFFERING Wendell Berry In thanksgiving to God and giving witness to generous hearts, our financial gifts support ministries of mercy, justice, and beauty. OFFERTORY ANTHEM Festival Fanfare on Engelberg arr. Kevin McChesney Old South Ringers; Peter Coulombe, Director PRAYER OF DEDICATION John M. Edgerton *HYMN 17 (vv. 1-4) To You, O God, All Creatures Sing Lasst Uns Erfreuen *BIDDING TO MISSION AND BENEDICTION Nancy S. Taylor POSTLUDE Toccata on Come Y ou Faithful, Raise the Strain James Biery Today s preacher, Gregory E. Sterling, is Dean of Yale Divinity School, The Reverend Henry L. Slack Deacon and Lillian Claus Professor of New Testament, and an ordained minister in the Churches of Christ. Our reader, Manuel Navia, a member of Old South Church, serves on the Board of Trustees of Andover Newton at Yale. 5

6 WELCOME TO OLD SOUTH CHURCH Close-Up, a 20-minute tour of the Sanctuary, begins following worship at the front of the Sanctuary. Led by docent Mary Hunter. 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. Yale College / Yale Divinity School and Old South Church: A Long Association Old South Church s ministers have a long association with Yale College and Yale Divinity School (YDS). OSC s eleventh minister, Joshua Huntington, graduated from Yale College with a BA in His portrait hangs in the Dining Hall of Yale s Branford College. George Blagden, our fourteenth minister, graduated from Yale College in 1823 and co-founded the Yale Club of Boston on January 19, Frederick M. Meek, our eighteenth minister, earned his theological degree from YDS; Senior Minister Nancy Taylor graduated from YDS in 1981, received the YDS Alumni Award for Distinction in Congregational Ministry in 2009, served as the Luccock Visitor in 2016, and currently serves on the Dean s Advisory Council. In 2016 the Yale Art Gallery purchased our John Coney Basin ( ) through private sale, and Yale s Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscripts Library holds many books, manuscripts, sermons, and other publications which originated from or are intimately associated with Old South Church in Boston. The flowers today are given in celebration of Old South Church by Christine Hewko. SUNDAY FLOWERS The Sunday Flower Calendar for 2017 is up in the first floor elevator lobby. June 11 and July are still available! 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. Name tags facilitate community and help newcomers feel welcomed. If you don t see a tag with your name on it, let us know. For LARGE print bulletins or hearing assistance devices ask an Usher. 6

7 CALENDAR Sunday, April 30 8:30 am First Worship Choir 9:00 am FIRST Worship, Gregory E. Sterling preaching 9:45 am Old South Café in the Gordon Chapel 10:00 am Community Hour, Care of Creation 11:00 am FESTIVAL Worship, Gregory E. Sterling preaching 12:30 pm LGBTQ Brunch, onsite Monday, May 1 6:00 pm Minister of Music Search Committee 6:00 pm Theological Book Group 6:30 pm Reading Group Return of the Prodigal Son 6:30 pm Discussion Group Faith and Everyday Life 7:00 pm Christian Service and Outreach Committee 7:30 pm Spiritual Classics Reading Group The Cost of Discipleship Tuesday, May 2 6:00 pm Old South Ringers Rehearsal Wednesday, May 3 6:15 pm Young Adult Book Group Practicing Our Faith 6:30 pm Young Adult Book Group The Freedom of Simplicity Thursday, May 4 5:00 pm Operations Committee 6:00 pm JAZZ Worship 6:30 pm Old South Choir Rehearsal 7:00 pm Through the Whole Bible Book Group 7:00 pm Young Adult Women s Discussion Group 7:00 pm Young Adult Book Group The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions 8:00 pm Discussion Group Social Change and the Church, offsite Saturday, May 6 8:00 am Christian Formation Committee 9:00 pm Rolling Soup Kitchen 6:00 pm North of Boston Potluck Sunday, May 7 is Youth Sunday! 7

8 OLD SOUTH CHURCH IN BOSTON MINISTERS, OFFICERS AND STAFF Nancy S. Taylor, Senior Minister 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 Carrie Swayne-Gerrish, Youth Leader Rebecca Bowler, Seminarian 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 Tim Harbold, Director, Gospel & Festival Choir Deb Washington, Moderator Rob Gabler, Clerk Lauren Berk, Treasurer Randy Billings, Chair, Board of Trustees Emily Click, Historian Stephanie LaShoto & Ralph Watson, Senior Deacons Vicki Newman, Pledge Secretary Helen McCrady, Senior Church Administrator Amy Perry, Communications Kelsey Walck, Administrative Assistant Linda Van Praet, Accounting and Human Resources Janet Butler, Wedding Coordinator Elias Perez, Senior Sexton Ozo Nwodo and Oppong Serebour, 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. 8

9 ANNOUNCEMENTS COMMUNITY LIFE THE MINISTER OF MUSIC SEARCH COMMITTEE WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU, OSC What do you love and cherish about music at Old South Church? What personal qualities are you looking for in our next Minister of Music? What important skills should the Minister of Music possess? The Minister of Music Search Committee (MMSC) wants to hear your thoughts on these topics. Opportunities to meet with members of MMSC are scheduled for: Saturday, May 13 at 10 am Monday, May 15 at 6 pm Sunday, May 21 at 10 am Sunday, May 21 at 12:30 pm Hope to see you at one or more of these sessions and looking forward to hearing from you! You may also contact the MMSC at musicsearch@oldsouth.org. LGBTQ BRUNCH GROUP The LGBTQ Brunch Group will gather TODAY at 12:30 pm for fellowship and food on the second floor. Childcare available on the third floor. NORTH OF BOSTON POTLUCK All are invited to the North of Boston Potluck on Saturday, May 6, at 6 pm at the home of John and Mary Ann Lape in North Reading. Please bring a dish for six, a beverage, and enthusiasm for delicious food and an all-around good time! For more information, or to RSVP yes, northofboston@oldsouth.org or call John and Mary Ann at

10 ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAYS at 10 am between First and Festival Worship COMMUNITY HOUR Caring for Creation TODAY and May 7th How do we think and talk about the good stewardship of the creation from a Christian perspective? And how then do we put this Christian perspective into practice? Today, guest presenter Gregory Sterling, Dean of Yale Divinity School, will share how one faith community is taking bold and imaginative ecological action. And on May 7, OSC members Bev Hanna and Emma Brewer-Wallin, along with Ben Hellerstein of Environment Massachusetts, will invite us into needful work of our own. LECTIONARY BIBLE STUDY: Engage the preached scripture text for the week in depth and detail and enjoy the lively discussion facilitated by our Boston University School of Theology Seminarian Rebecca Bowler. WEEKDAYS SMALL GROUPS: Small Groups form for 3-month cycles. While this season s (April to June) groups are now full, we will gladly form new groups as there is interest. For information about future participation, contact anthony@oldsouth.org. ROLLING SOUP KITCHEN On Saturday, May 6, from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, join Ralph Watson in prepping a hearty, hot bag lunch and then distributing the food through Copley Square, walking in pairs and offering the lunches to those in need. To sign up, ralphwatson258@gmail.com. FAITH INTO ACTION Sanctuary Church Rapid Response Training: Sunday, May 7, 2:00-5:00 pm, Temple Sinai in Brookline (50 Sewall Ave). The rapid response team will act quickly to come to the aid of undocumented families or individuals in the Boston area who face arrest or detainment for immigration-related charges. Learn how to be involved.

11 CHILDREN + FAMILIES CHILDCARE: 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. CHURCH SCHOOL: Our Montessori-style Godly Play program invites children to see themselves as active participants in the story of faith. Today all three classes (Preschool and Early and Older Elementary) will explore Known in Breaking of Bread (Walk to Emmaus). Meet the Ancestors for middle school students will explore Mary Magdalene: Unsung Apostle. YOUTH GROUP: Students in grades 8-12 explore issues of life and faith on Sundays with Youth Leader Carrie Swayne-Gerrish. YOUTH SUNDAY Next Sunday, May 7, the Youth Group will lead 11:00 am Festival Worship, for which they have been planning for weeks! Christina Bulkeley will deliver the Sunday reflection, Graciela Berman-Reinhardt will lead us in a Call to Worship she has composed, and several youth will perform instrumental pieces... including a song by Ms. Beyonce Knowles! There will be a collective Pastoral Prayer and performances by the Children's Choir and Chancel Choir. A Sunday not to be missed! PHILLIS WHEATLEY SUNDAY On Sunday, May 14, Old South Church will hold our annual celebration of the first published African American poetess, who opened doors for persons of color and enslaved persons with pen and ink, with poetry and letters, with wit and fortitude. At 10:00 am, local historical interpreter Valerie Foxx will bring Phillis poetry and story to life with a costumed performance on the second floor, followed by a promenade to the Boston Women s Memorial on Commonwealth Ave at 10:30 am. At 11:00 am Festival Worship, the Open Door Award will be presented to Callie Crossley, host of WGBH s Under the Radar with Callie Crossley and a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow who speaks about the intersection of race, gender, and media. Promenade to Comm Ave follows at 12:15 pm.

12 BOSTON HANDBELL FESTIVAL Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 16, 8:00 pm! The eleventh annual Boston Handbell Festival features four Boston-area handbell ensembles our very own Old South Ringers, Back Bay Ringers, Merrimack Valley Ringers, and New England Ringers, plus special guest ensemble Penobscot Bay Ringers from Camden, ME. Each group performs two solo pieces; two pieces played by the five groups together will be conducted by Griff Gall, artistic director of Back Bay Ringers. A two-octave set of choirchimes will be presented to Willis E. Thorpe (K-5) School in Danvers by Back Bay Ringers. Admission is free. MACUCC ANNUAL MEETING Old South Church is seeking delegates for the Massachusetts Conference UCC s 218th Annual Meeting in Hartford, CT on June 16 and 17 held as part of the historic first Tri-Conference Meeting with the Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut conferences. Be a part of UCC history! To participate, helen@oldsouth.org. GBIO ACTION Join the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization for an upcoming action day on Thursday, May 18, 6:30-9:00 pm at Temple Israel Boston to act powerfully on issues like xenophobia and islamophobia, runaway out of pocket health care expenses, the too-high cost of home ownership in Boston, and perhaps even the shadows that would be cast on our windows because of a proposed high rise condo building. Can you be there? RSVP to Kate Silfen at ksilfen5@gmail.com. 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 (617) OldSouth.org