GATHERING TOGETHER TO PRAISE GOD GIVING THANKS TO GOD THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE MOMENT FOR REFLECTION GATHERING SONG. Walk With Me

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1 The News in Prison, by Jan Richardson TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME August 20, 2017, 10:00 a.m. Hancock United Church of Christ, Congregational 1912 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA

2 MOMENT FOR REFLECTION GATHERING TOGETHER TO PRAISE GOD PRAYER OF INVOCATION GATHERING SONG Walk With Me David C. Clark The theme for this morning is providence, the understanding that God is always working for good, and that nothing can cause an end to the love of God for the world. We learn the lesson from one of the first extended narratives of the Hebrew scriptures, told in the book of Genesis. It is the story of Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob and his wives Leah and Rachel. Joseph annoys his brothers, and they deal with their annoyance by selling him into slavery in Egypt. But events transpire to lift the one sold as a slave to the pinnacle of power in Pharaoh s court. When his brothers learn that what they had intended for evil had been turned to good, we have our first lesson about God s providential care for the world. In dark and confusing times, we take comfort in the promise of God s providential care. PRELUDE Five Intradas Michael Altenburg 1. Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl 2. Vater unser in Himmelreich 3. Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr 4. Von Gott will ich nicht lassen 5. Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott CALL TO WORSHIP One: Come, friends, let us gather and worship God. Many: Truly, God loves the world, and works in it for good. One: Let our faith be renewed by the providential love of God for the world. Many: We will trust that God s love and God s power never cease. One: Let us sing praises to the great and endless love of God. Many: Let our voices ring with praise and thanksgiving to God: Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer! *OPENING HYMN Glorious Thing of Thee are Spoken #81 WORDS OF WELCOME CHILDREN'S TIME THE MORNING OFFERING Walk with me, I will walk with you, and build the land that God has planned, where love shines through (repeat) GIVING THANKS TO GOD David C. Clark OFFERTORY Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr Johann Hermann Schein To God alone on high be glory and thanks for his mercy, since now and forever more no harm can touch us. God is pleased with us, now there is great peace without cease, all feuds have now an end. *DOXOLOGY PRAYER OF DEDICATION CALL TO PRAYER PASTORAL PRAYER A TIME OF SILENT PRAYER From North and South and East and West, May God s eternal name be blessed! Alleluia! Alleluia! Til everywhere beneath the sun, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE #S-29 *Congregation standing some may wish to remain seated 2 3

3 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 temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. ANTHEM Das Vater unsure Balthasar Resinarius 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 our daily bread today and forgive us our debt, as we forgive our debtors, Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. THE GOOD NEWS IS PROCLAIMED THE SCRIPTURE READING Genesis 45:1-15 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, Send everyone away from me. So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph. Is my father still alive? But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, Come closer to me. And they came closer. He said, I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.for the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there since there are five more years of famine to come so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty. And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here. Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him. THE SERMON God Works for Good Rev. Paul Shupe CLOSING HYMN I Sing the Mighty Power of God #57 BENEDICTION *PASSING THE PEACE POSTLUDE Dances from Terpsichore Michael Praetorius Performing with this Sunday are: Sierra Marcy - soprano, Stefan Sigurjonsson - bass, Yi-Li Chang - violin and harpsichord, Sheera Strick - flute and recorders, Martins Aldins - tenor, recorders and crumhorns, Martha Davidson - tenor viol, Hannah Davidson - viol and rackett, and Na'ama Yacoby - bass viol Today s Flower Offering The chancel flowers this morning are given in memory of Merion Ritter on the 103 rd anniversary of her birthday, by Ruth and Larry Ladd, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. *Congregation standing some may wish to remain seated 4 5

4 Whoever you are, or wherever you are on life s journey, you are welcome here! We worship in traditional, Congregational style on Sunday mornings, at 10 a.m. in our main sanctuary. We worship in the contemporary, participatory, low-key style at our second service at 5 p.m. in Clark Hall, resuming September 10. Rev. Dr. Paul Shupe Who We Are 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 opportunities for instrumentalists. In addition, our Sunday evening service features our River Rock Band. You ll hear a mix of Celtic, bluegrass, jazz, folk, gospel, world and everything in between. Both services include regular appearances by top professional artists in various genres throughout the year. We value thinking and learning. Having questions 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 Generation; and aging well. Come and talk at Theology on Tap, a monthly gathering at a local pub. We are convinced that God is still speaking. We try to embody our values. We support each other when we need help. We seek justice, 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. M ark M organ, Dir. of M usic Barbara Callaghan, Minister We are an open and affirming church, which means we welcome people regardless of sexuality, race or gender identity. We love you, whoever you love. We come from all around the area, not just Lexington. We re also from Acton, Arlington, Woburn, Bedford, Waltham, and Somerville, among other places. Our senior members may live in retirement communities, like the Huntington in Nashua, NH, Brooksby Village in Peabody, Newbury Court in Concord, Carleton Willard in Bedford and Brookhaven in Lexington. Marilyn Becker, organist 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 but we never read it literally. We celebrate the use of reason, and regard science and faith as equally essential and highly compatible. 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 with no prior religious tradition. Many new families find their way to Hancock they are our largest new group. We have active, growing children s and youth programs. Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. our children s program invites kids from preschool to 7 th grade for worship, prayer time and classroom activities. Our 8 th and 9 th graders attend Confirmation Class and Our Whole Lives (a curriculum exploring sexuality) during the 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. timeframe. These two key classes are offered on alternating years. This year, Our Whole Lives will be taught for this age group, and Confirmation will be offered next year. Hancock Youth Group (grades 9-12) meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. More than 170 families are involved. Please feel free to address inquiries to Rev. Barbara Callaghan. David Clarke, student minister Who We Are Our staff includes four student ministers, a building caretaker, a financial administrator, an administrator and an administrative assistant who ensure that the church offices run smoothly. They assist members of the congregation as needed, and handle a myriad of communications. The church is run by our congregation, 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 also voluntarily contribute to the church budget. Andrew Harris, student minister Emelia Att ridge, Congregational Care Coordinator 6 7

5 It's Peak Season at the Interfaith Garden! Lexington s Interfaith Garden has donated organically grown, ready-to-eat vegetables, herbs and fruit to Lexington Food Pantry since August is peak season and volunteers of all ages from area faith communities and service organizations will be at the garden on Tuesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. No prior experience is needed. All garden tools are on site. Convenient parking is available behind First Parish Church, across the Lexington Common. Want to give it a try? You can join a Hancock team on: Saturday 8/26 8-9:30 a.m. Tuesday 9/5 4:30-6 p.m. Announcements Partnering with First Baptst Church, Arlington Ward-Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints and Pilgrim Congregatonal UCC Church Partnering with First Parish Church and Temple Emunah For more information or to sign up, contact Laurel Cooley at cooley.laurel1@gmail.com. Annual Pizza Dinner and Bell Cleaning Party Calling all bell ringers (past, present, and future), their families, and all friends of the HANDBELL MINISTRY! Our annual pizza dinner and bell cleaning party is fast approaching. Join us on Wednesday, August 30 from 6-8 p.m. in the Bell Room for a light supper of pizza, salad, and watermelon after which we will disassemble the bells, wash, polish, and then reassemble them. This labor of love helps the bells both sound and look beautiful. All skill levels and ages are welcome. Come for a short time or the entire evening. This annual event is a wonderful opportunity to chat with old friends, meet new ones, and find out how the bell work. RSVP to Cheryl Kraley at cheryl@kraley.com if you get a chance. Otherwise, just come! It s lots of fun! Standing Together Againt Racism and Violence: A Prayer Vigil The Lexington Clergy Association stands in solidarity with all those who are horrified at the growth of racism, anti-semitism and bigotry that was recently on display in Charlottesville. We believe that all citizens of our community need to be ready, willing and able to resist voices of hatred in our midst. We pledge to maintain vigilance in our community and to continue to raise the consciousness of members and parishioners about these evil that are growing in around us. We invite the Lexington Community to join us on the steps of Hancock Church, opposite the Lexington Green, for a prayer vigil to celebrate our solidarity against racism, bigotry and anti-semitism on Sunday evening, August 20 th at 6:00 p.m. Hancock Grill: Wednesday, August 23 rd Please join us next Wednesday, August 23 for our last Grill of the season! It will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the home of of the McEwen Wong family, at 1436 Mass Ave, in Lexington. Bring whatever you'd like to grill, a side dish to share, and something to sit on. RSVP to Christine at christinemcewen@gmail.com. Feel free to park on Mass Ave or in the driveway. The 8/23 Grill will be cancelled if it rains. Hallway Renovation Project Underway! Make a point to notice the renovations occurring in the downstairs hallway of the church, outside of the Dining Room. Beauty is happening before our eyes! If you are wondering who deserves your thanks for the improvements, thank: The Prudential Committee, and their team of willing volunteers who are doing much of the work themselves. Co-chairs Cheryl Kraley and Scott Martin have organized it all. The Hancock Nursery School, who generously contributed $5,000 to help defray our costs. The members of Hancock who support the church with regular contributions to our recent Growing for Good campaign, and our annual operating budget. Come see the good things that are happening. Announcements 8 9

6 We are delighted that you chose to worship with us today and are strengthened by your participation 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 activities, 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 questions, our Welcoming Committee 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 bulletins, hearing assist aids, and an elevator are available at Hancock Church. Please ask an usher for assistance. 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 information, please visit the Hancock website at *** Welcome to Hancock! 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. Sunday, August 20 9:00am Bible Study with the Preacher 9:30am Childcare available 10:00am Morning Worship in Sanctuary 10:15am Children's Christian Education 11:00am Fellowship Hour 6:00pm Interfaith Prayer Vigil Tuesday, August 22 8:30am Hancock Weekly Submission Deadline 10:00am Staff Meeting 11:00am Staff Worship Planning 7:00pm One People One World Wednesday, August 23 1:00pm Barbara's Office Hours 1:15pm Consort 6:30pm Hancock Grills Saturday, August 26 10:00am AA Meeting in Dining Room 3:00pm Plaster Posaunes Brass Group Sunday, August 27 9:00am Bible Study with the Preacher 9:30am Childcare available 10:00am Morning Worship in Sanctuary 10:15am Children's Christian Education 11:00am Fellowship Hour The Week Ahead Hancock Church Sermon in HD Online at Watch Service Live Online at from 10am-11am 10 11

7 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. The 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 in Galatians, In Christ there is no longer Jew or Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for all are one... Paul Shupe, Senior Minister paul.shupe@hancockchurch.org Barbara Callaghan, Minister barbara.callaghan@hancockchurch.org Andrew Harris, Student Minister andrew.harris@hancockchurch.org David Clark, Student Minister david.clark@hancockchurch.org Mark Morgan, Director of Music mark.morgan@hancockchurch.org Marilyn Becker Associate Director of Music marilyn.becker@hancockchurch.org Emelia Attridge Congregational Care Coordinator emelia.attridge@hancockchurch.org Church Office Phone: (781) Hancock Community Prayer: (781) Church Office Hours: M-Th 9:00-3:00, F 9:00-2:00 Emergency Pastoral Care Phone: (929) For bulletn announcements, correctons, or suggestons, office@hancockchurch.org To conserve trees and your pledge dollars, consider sharing your bulletn. Please recycle.