Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Transcription

1 Hancock Covenant of Welcome We welcome all who seek to know God. We believe that, although we are many members, we are one body in Christ. We have been called as well as challenged by God to respect and reconcile our differences. We recognize and love each individual as a child of God. We welcome, respect, support, and lovingly encourage people of every race, ethnicity, creed, class, gender, sexual orientation, age, and physical and mental ability to join us on our journey of faith. This faith journey indeed calls Hancock Members not to be silent in the face of prejudice, injustice, and exclusion, but to express our faith, in word and deed, for justice and inclusiveness for all humanity. As Paul wrote to the Galatians, In Christ there is no longer Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for all are one. Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Paul Shupe, Senior Minister paul.shupe@hancockchurch.org Marilyn Becker, Associate Director of Music marilyn.becker@hancockchurch.org Mark Morgan, Director of Music mark.morgan@hancockchurch.org Pam Cochrane, Acting Minister of Faith Formation pam.cochrane@hancockchurch.org Nancy Rottman, Seminarian nancy.rottman@hancockchurch.org Alex Shea Will, Acting Minister of Congregational Care alex.will@hancockchurch.org Becca Lockwood, Seminarian becca.lockwood@hancockchurch.org Church Office Phone Church Office Hours M-Th 9:00-4:00, Fri 9:00-3:00 Hancock Community Prayer Emergency Pastoral Care Phone For bulletin announcements, corrections, or suggestions, office@hancockchurch.org To conserve trees and your pledge dollars, consider sharing your bulletin. Please recycle. Hancock United Church of Christ, Congregational 1912 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA July 27, 2014 Morning Worship 10:00 am

2 Service of Worship The Week Ahead Gathering Together To Praise God MOMENT FOR REFLECTION While the Books of Kings detail aspects of the monarchy in Israel, they also features the stories of Biblical prophets that o en go unread. The most well known of these prophets is likely Elijah, but today s scripture reading features Elijah s protégé, Elisha. In this fascina ng story, a woman known only by her village of origin, discovers the power of advocacy when she demands the a en on of the prophet Elisha. What might we learn from this brave and faithful woman about the power of advocacy? How are we changed when we learn to advocate for ourselves and for others? PRELUDE Largo and Poco Allegro from E Minor Sonata J.B. Loeillet CALL TO WORSHIP ONE: At the very beginning of crea on, God graced us with voice, and declared it good! MANY: Voices for singing, praying, laughing, and sharing. ONE: Voices for naming and claiming, truth telling and witnessing! MANY: All so that we might not only listen, but be heard. *OPENING HYMN Praise to the Lord, The Almighty #15 Sunday, July 27 9:00 am Pastor s Class PEAR 10:00 am Morning Worship 11:00 am Fellowship Hour CLARK Monday, July 28 1:30 pm Skyloom KS Tuesday, July 29 10:00 am Staff Mee ng BELL 11:00 am Staff Worship Planning BELL Wednesday, July 30 1:15 pm Consort KS 6:30 pm Hancock Grills Thursday, July 31 1:00 pm Alex Will s Starbucks Office Hours Friday, August 1 We extend our sympathy to the friends and family of those who have passed away recently. Eleanor Redick Johnson passed away last Friday in Nashua, NH. A memorial service will be held at Hancock church on October 12, PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST It is perfectly fine to choose not to shake hands in an effort to quell germs. If your neighbor does not extend a hand, simply smile, exchange verbal gree ngs and know the reason for their cau on. WORDS OF GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS PRAYER OF INVOCATION Pam Cochrane GATHERING SONG Walk with Me Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the land that God has planned where Love shines through. 2 * Congregation standing some may wish to remain seated Saturday, August 2 10:00 am AA Mee ng CLARK 3:00 pm Brass Group KS Sunday, August 3 9:00 am Pastor s Class 10:00 am Morning Worship SANC 11:00 am Fellowship Hour CLAR Lexington Food Pantry Dona on baskets are located throughout the church. The food Pantry is always accep ng food and monetary dona ons as well as volunteers. LOCATION KEY BELL Bell Room CHAP Chapel CHOR Choir Room CLAR Clark Hall CONF Conference Room DR Dining Room RM205 Room 205 KS Kathie Stuart LIB Po er Library PEAR Pearson SANC Sanctuary WILS Wilson UR Upper Room To schedule an event or rent space, contact the Church Office at office@hancockchurch.org or call The complete Hancock calendar is available at calendar. 11

3 Summer Worship 2014 at Hancock A People Like Us: Stories from our Bible If you d like to read ahead for August 3rd, Adam Hearlson is preaching on the story of Jonah. You can read his story in the book of Jonah. Keep an eye on the next weekly for more informa on. Here is the tenta ve schedule for the summer: 8/3/2014 Adam Hearlson 8/17/2014 Paul Shupe 8/10/2014 June Cooper Interfaith Garden UPDATE The Interfaith Garden is flourishing and there s more and more to pick and deliver to the Lexington Food Pantry. Come check it out. Be er yet, be a part of the Hancock team that works alongside others from the community. It s fun, upli ing, and no prior experience is needed! Hancock volunteers are scheduled to work on the garden on: Saturday, August 16, 8 9:30 am Saturday, August 23, 8 9:30 am If these mes don t work, there are many other mes when extra help is needed. To sign up or get more info, contact Amy Swanson, swanamy5@gmail.com. Directory UPDATE The latest copy of the Hancock Church Directory will be available today during Coffee Hour. Please check to see if your informa on is correct. If you d like to update any directory informa on, please contact the Church Offices at or office@hancockchurch.org. Thank you! Service of Worship THE CHILDREN S TIME Pam Cochrane Children Pre-K through grade 5 are invited to Adventures in Faith. Older youth are welcome as helpers. JULY CELEBRATIONS Giving Thanks To God THE MORNING OFFERING Manuel Navia OFFERTORY Allegro ma non troppo from E Minor Sonata J.B. Loeillet *DOXOLOGY *PRAYER OF DEDICATION From North and South and East and West, May God s eternal name be blessed! Alleluia! Alleluia! Till everywhere beneath the sun, Thy kingdom come Thy will be done. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! The Prayers of the People CALL TO PRAYER O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go #399 PRAYERS FOR OUR HANCOCK COMMUNITY Alex Shea Will A TIME OF SILENT PRAYER PRAYERS FOR THE WORLD Nancy Rottman 10 ANNOUNCEMENTS * Congregation standing some may wish to remain seated 3

4 4 Service of Worship THE LORD S PRAYER 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 tempta on, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. ANTHEM Largo from C Major Sonata J.B. Loeillet The Good News Is Proclaimed THE SCRIPTURE READING 2 Kings 4:18-37 Manuel Navia When the child was older, he went out one day to his father among the reapers. He complained to his father, Oh, my head, my head! The father said to his servant, Carry him to his mother. He carried him and brought him to his mother; the child sat on her lap un l noon, and he died. She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, closed the door on him, and le. Then she called to her husband, and said, Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, so that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again. He said, Why go to him today? It is neither new moon nor sabbath. She said, It will be all right. Then she saddled the donkey and said to her servant, Urge the animal on; do not hold back for me unless I tell you. So she set out, and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, Look, there is the Shunammite woman; run at once to meet her, and say to her, Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is the child all right? She answered, It is all right. When she came to the man of God at the mountain, she caught hold of his feet. Gehazi approached to push her away. But the man of God said, Let her alone, for she is in bi er distress; the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me. Then she said, Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, Do not mislead me? He said to Gehazi, Gird up your loins, and take my staff in your hand, and go. If you meet anyone, give no gree ng, and if anyone greets you, do not answer; and lay my staff on the face of the child. Then the mother of the child said, As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave without you. So he rose up and followed her. Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. He came back to meet him and told him, The child has not awakened. We come from all around the area, not just Lexington. We re also from Acton, Arlington, Woburn, Bedford, Waltham, and Somerville. Our senior members may live alone or in re rement communi es, like the Hun ngton in Nashua, NH, Brooksby Village in Danvers, and Newbury Court in Concord. At Hancock we can and do believe in a variety of ways. We take the Bible seriously as a way to understand how God yearns to interact with us humans but we never read it literally. We celebrate the use of reason, and regard science and faith as equally essen al and highly compa ble. Each of us is responsible for growing in our understanding of faith and belief, and no member is compelled to agree with any other member. Our ministers do not speak for us, but bear witness to us. We re a growing church. In the past few years, many new folks of all ages and from many different backgrounds have joined us: other Protestants, former Catholics, and those from no prior religious tradi on. Many new families find their way to Hancock they are our largest growing group. We have active, growing children s and youth programs. Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. our children s programs invite kids from pre school to Junior High for worship, prayer me and classroom ac vi es. Confirma on Class (Grade 9) meets from 5 6:15 p.m., Our Whole Lives (a curriculum exploring sexuality for grades 7 8) meets from 7 8:30 p.m., Hancock Youth Group (grades 9 12) meets from 7 8:30 p.m. More than 170 families are involved. Please feel free to address inquiries to our Ac ng Minister of Faith Forma on Pam Cochrane. Our Staff includes a music director, an organist, three ministers, a director of children s ministries, two seminarians, a facili es manager, a financial administrator, and two administra ve staffers who ensure that the church offices run smoothly, assist members of the congrega on as needed, and handle a myriad of communica ons. The church is run by the congrega on, who elect the lay leadership team and vote on all important issues, including the hiring of the ministers and the annual budget. In thanks to God, members voluntarily contribute to the church budget. 9

5 Whoever you are, or wherever you are on life s journey, you are welcome here! We worship in tradi onal, Congrega onal style on Sunday mornings, at 10 a.m. in our main sanctuary. We worship in the contemporary, par cipatory, low key style at 6:15 p.m. in Clark Hall Well). Music is important to us. Our morning service includes music by the Chancel Choir, which twice each year performs with orchestra, four handbell choirs, a kids choir, and opportuni es for instrumentalists. In addi on, our Sunday evening service, Well, features our River Rock Band. You ll hear a mix of Cel c, bluegrass, jazz, folk, gospel, world and everything in between! Both services include regular appearances by top professional ar sts in various genres throughout the year. Service of Worship When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. So he went in and closed the door on the two of them, and prayed to the Lord. Then he got up on the bed and lay upon the child, pu ng his mouth upon his mouth, his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands; and while he lay bent over him, the flesh of the child became warm. He got down, walked once to and fro in the room, then got up again and bent over him; the child sneezed seven mes, and the child opened his eyes. Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, Call the Shunammite woman. So he called her. When she came to him, he said, Take your son. She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground; then she took her son and le. THE SERMON Prophecy, Advocacy and New Life Alex Shea Will *CLOSING HYMN Take My Life and Let It Be #404 *BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Gigue from C Major Sonata J.B. Loeillet We value thinking and learning. Having ques ons is not only okay it s encouraged! Come and learn more on Sunday or during the week in a small group. We discuss topics like poetry and spirituality, prayer, the bible, raising kids today, grief, life in the Sandwich Genera on, or aging well. For those in their 20s and 30 s, come and talk at Theology on Tap, a monthly gathering at a pub in Somerville. We are convinced that God is s ll speaking. We try to embody our values. We support each other when we need help. We seek jus ce, march in the Gay Pride Parade, build houses with Habitat, grow organic veggies for those in need in an interfaith garden, take our high school kids on an annual service trip to Kentucky, and support our partners, including: homeless people in Cambridge, a music program in South Boston, and a village in Honduras. We are an open and affirming church, which means we welcome people regardless of sexuality, race, or gender iden ty. We love you, whoever you love. 8 * Congregation standing some may wish to remain seated 5

6 Service of Worship Welcome to Hancock! Today s Liturgist Susan and Manuel Navia have been members at Hancock for over 21 years. Their two boys, Andrew (21) and David (17) have been brought up in the Church and both have been active members of HYG. Most recently, Susan has been involved in the HYG auction and has served as a Deacon. Manuel has served on a number of Committees over the years, currently including the TV Ministry and Stewardship. Special thanks to today s musicians: Suzanne John, flute Marilyn Becker, piano Summer 2014 We are delighted that you chose to worship with us today and are strengthened by your par cipa on in our service! We warmly invite you to coffee and refreshments immediately following worship. Coffee can be found through either of the doors next to the Chancel. If you d like to learn more about our church community and ac vi es, please take the flier hanging in the pew. You may also fill out the Welcome slip in the pew holder, and hand it to one of the clergy or ushers today. We hope that you feel very much at home here and that you will make Hancock Church your church. If you have any ques ons, our Welcoming Commi ee would be happy to help: welcoming@hancockchurch.org. Child care is available each Sunday beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the nursery and toddler room. All children and youth are invited to worship with their families, to come forward for the Children s Gathering, and then recess to the Church School for K 5. Older children are invited to stay in worship or help with younger youth. Large print bulle ns, hearing assist aids, and a stair li are available at Hancock Church. Please ask an usher for assistance. Today s Flower Offering Given in loving memory of Nariman s father, Ziauddin Behravesh, by the Behravesh family. All services are recorded and cablecast locally by LexMedia Cable TV (RCN 3, Comcast 8 and Verizon 35) Sunday 10 AM and 7 PM, Tuesdays 10 PM. For more informa on, please visit the Hancock website at *** SERVICE DVDS AVAILABLE Just fill out the orange form just outside the television studio on the lower level. The cost is $10.00 which can be paid upon ordering or upon pickup at the church. All proceeds go to support the television ministry. HANCOCK CHURCH SERMON IN HD Online at 6 WATCH SERVICE LIVE Online at livestreaming.html from 10am 11am 7