TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Transcription

1 To Zion with Singing, by Jan Richardson TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME September 17, 2017, 10:00 a.m. Hancock United Church of Christ, Congregational 1912 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA

2 Service of Worship GATHERING TOGETHER TO PRAISE GOD PRAYER OF INVOCATION Service of Worship Emelia Attridge MOMENT FOR REFLECTION Welcome home! It is Celebration Sunday, the annual first day of the new church year, and amid the joy of seeing old friends and the possibilities of making new ones, we rejoice in remembering the values of the faith that bind us together, and that give our shared work its great strength. This morning we begin walking through the letter of Paul to the church at Ceasaria Philippi, an important Roman provincial capital in what is today Macedonia. Paul established this congregation and loves the people dearly. His letter is written from within the stone walls of a Roman prison, making his longing for his people and the freedom of new life in Christ very powerful indeed. His prayer for them, which he makes daily and without ceasing, is that in them, love might overflow, so that others may see in them the Good News of Christ. This day, this Celebration Sunday, may our love overflow, for one another, and for the world. PRELUDE I Thank You Jesus Kenneth Morris River Rock Band CALL TO WORSHIP One: Come one, come all! Whether this is your first Sunday at Hancock or whether you have been too often to count, still we truthfully say: Many: Welcome Home! One: Welcome to all: the sinner and the saint, the believer and the seeker, the confident and the confused, to life long disciple and the one wondering about Jesus for the first time! Many: Welcome all, welcome home! One: Let us worship God, drawing on what faith is given to us, trusting that here, within this beloved community, the love of God will overflow and carry us into new life and new possibility. Many: Welcome all, welcome home, to a beloved community of God s people. Thanks be to God. *OPENING HYMN Praise Our God, All Glories Show #30 WORDS OF WELCOME GATHERING SONG Come All You People traditional Zimbabwean song CHILDREN'S TIME Come all you people, come and praise your maker (3 times) Come now and worship the Lord U-ya-i mo-se ti-na-ma-te mwa-ri (3 times) U-ya-i mo-se zvi-no Come all you people, come and praise your maker (3 times) Come now and worship the Lord U-ya-i mo-se ti-na-ma-te mwa-ri (3 times) U-ya-i mo-se zvi-no David C. Clark We worship this morning as a whole church family! There are no Church School classes or middle school programming. Childcare is available for children aged 3 and younger in the Church School wing. There are toys and activities available in the Narthex as well. Classes will resume next Sunday. GIVING THANKS TO GOD MOMENT OF SHARING "150 Acts of Service" Carmen Ramos-Kalsow One People, One World THE MORNING OFFERING Andrew Harris OFFERTORY Praise His Holy Name Keith Hampton Chancel Choir and River Rock Band Sing till the power of the lord come down. Shout hallelujah, praise his holy name sing till the power of the lord come down. Shout hallelujah, praise his holy name Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved that wretch like me I once was lost but now I m found, was blind but now I see Jesus, Jesus how I love thee. Shout hallelujah praise his holy name! Must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free? No there's a cross for everyone, and there s a cross for me Jesus, Jesus how I love thee. Shout hallelujah, praise his holy name Holy Jesus, praise his name, oh hallelujah, praise his holy name! *Congregation standing some may wish to remain seated 2 3

3 *DOXOLOGY PRAYER OF DEDICATION 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 PRAYERS FOR OUR HANCOCK COMMUNITY PASTORAL PRAYER A TIME OF SILENT PRAYER Service of Worship #S-29 David C. Clark THE LORD S PRAYER #270 We will be singing the Lord's Prayer for the next 3 weeks. Music for this simple tune may be found at #270 in the hymnal. ANTHEM The Road Home based on PROSPECT, arr. by Stephen Paulus Chancel Choir Tell me, where is the road I can call my own, That I left, that I lost So long ago? All these years I have wandered, Oh when will I know There s a way, there s a road That will lead me home? After wind, after rain, When the dark is done, As I wake from a dream In the gold of day, Through the air there s a calling, From far away, There s a voice I can hear That will lead me home. Rise up, follow me, Come away, is the call, With the love in your heart As the only song; There is no such beauty As where you belong; Rise up, follow me, I will lead you home. THE GOOD NEWS IS PROCLAIMED THE SCRIPTURE READING Philippians 1:3-11 Andrew Harris I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. THE SERMON That Your Love May Overflow, More and More Rev. Paul Shupe CLOSING HYMN Thuma Mina South African BENEDICTION *PASSING THE PEACE Service of Worship Thuma mina, thuma mina, thuma mina so-mand-la Thuma, thuma, thuma mina n ko-si-la POSTLUDE Prelude in Classic Style Gordon Young David Owens, organist Today s Flower Offering The chancel flowers are given by Diana Hamlin, in honor of her dad, Edward Hamlin's birthday, 9/17/26. *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 Join Us for Well Tonight! Worship at the Well has launched for the new year at our new time of 5:00 p.m. in Clark Hall. Join us tonight as Andrew Harris leads us in this informal and interactive service of sharing, preaching, and communion. Mark Morgan will be leading the music. Open to all bring a friend! Hurricane Harvey Relief The devastation of Hurricane Harvey is still continuing, but already the church is responding. The Christian Service Committee of Hancock voted unanimously to direct $2,000 from our budgeted funds (your pledges in action) to the United Church of Christ Disaster Relief Fund. The Southeast Conference of the UCC is on the ground, and will target our funds to where they will do great good. More can be learned here: In addition, we are inviting you to make additional contributions between now and Celebration Sunday on September 17. Checks can be made payable to Hancock Church, and designated for Hurricane Relief. All your gifts will flow through Hancock directly to the UCC efforts in Houston and southeast Texas. Gifts can be placed in the offering plate on Sundays, or brought or mailed to: Hancock Church, 1912 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA Grief Group Starting This Fall This year we are offering a Hancock Grief Group led by Paul and Emelia. The group will meet in the Wilson Room on the following Sundays right after Well, at 6pm in the Pearon Room: Sept. 17, Oct. 1, Oct. 22, Nov. 12, Dec. 3, and Dec. 17. This is open to anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one and would like to connect with others in their grief process. The group is open, which means that people attend as they are able to do so. Wherever you are on your grief journey you re welcome. Please reach out to Barbara (barbara@hancockchurch.org) or Emelia (emelia@hancockchurch.org) with any questions. Hancock 150 th Kick-Off Gala Save the date! The kick-off gala will be held on October 21, 2017 from 7-11 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge. TICKETS Tickets are available today in Clark Hall immediately after the Service. Tickets are $40/person in advance and $50 at the Door. Major credit card, check and cash are all accepted. There will be a sign-up sheet available listing specific tasks that need to be done to make this a fun event for our Congregation and the entire Lexington Community. Come sign up to be part of this once in a lifetime Anniversary Kick-Off. And all who purchase tickets or volunteer will receive a collector s item 150 th Anniversary Pin! SILENT AUCTION ITEMS A sign-up form will be available after Church in Clark Hall come with your ideas. Or if you have something to donate bring it in. We will have a secure storage space for items we receive. Our deadline for Brochure production is October 1 st.please contact Julie Duncan at jduncan@barrettsir.com with any questions. Sports Memorabilia we already have a Pedro Martinez signed baseball! Any Patriots? Bruins? Celtics? Tickets to Sporting Events or Arts Events that occur after October 21 st Donate your vacation rental property for a week or weekend Airline miles Donate a service would ordinarily have a charge. Gift Certificates to local Restaurants or Shops - $50+ preferred tell them you are donating it to Some suggestions for Silent Auction Items: Hancock s 150 th Anniversary Silent Auction Original Art Jewelry Themed Gift Baskets, for example: Movie Night Basket Ethnic Food Basket Children s Rainy Day Basket Girls Night In Basket Offer to Host a Dinner Party in the home of the high bidder 8 9

6 Hancock Tables A Great Way to Connect! We believe people are created to be in RELATIONSHIP with God and with others. Hancock Tables are a great way for you to get connected and build relationships with other Hancock Church attendees and members in a casual environment. You'll be placed in a group of 7-8 people. Organize amongst yourselves to hold a number of small-group dinners throughout the year. Whether you want to barbecue, have a lovely meal in, or choose to go out, is all up to your group. If you are interested in joining a Hancock Tables group, Bettina McGimsey at BMcGimsey@alumni.virginia.edu. You can also sign up at the Welcoming Table in the Narthex for the next few weeks. We'll start the year off with a kick-off party the evening of Friday September 29 at Hancock (details to follow). Whether you've signed up or not we welcome you and can place you in a group if you aren't already! Blessing of the Animals at the Well Save the date! On September 24 at 5:00 p.m. at Well in Clark Hall, bring your pet to our unique and joyful (if rather loud and messy) annual Blessing of the Animals worship service. All God s creatures got a place in the choir, even stuffed animals if your child so chooses. Adult Christian Education Book Group Resumes The Adult Christian Education book group is resuming on Monday, September 18 at 10 a.m. in the Pearson Room. We will be discussing our summer read, What Is The Bible? How An Ancient Library of Poems, Letters, and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything, by Rob Bell. This group is open to everyone. Please come and join us! College Scholarships Available to High School Singers The new Hancock Choral Scholars program is auditioning high school singers for two $2000 scholarships. The scholarships are available for high school juniors and seniors. The program is open to any high school junior or senior, regardless of faith or denomination. The Scholars will sing with our Chancel Choir, learning valuable musical skills while lending their voice to our choir. They will be expected to rehearse with the choir on Thursday evenings, and sing with the choir for the Sunday morning service. Auditions are now underway. Interested students should contact Mark Morgan, Director of Music, immediately at mark@hancockchurch.org

7 Growing and Giving at Interfaith Garden Since 2010, Interfaith Garden continues to provide meaningful experiences for each and every Hancock volunteer. It's the perfect place to get your hands a little dirty, enjoy the outdoors, and meet volunteers from other faith communities, committed to growing good food for local families in need. Come join a Hancock team on Saturday, 9/30, from 8-9:30 a.m. No prior experience is needed to help out. The garden is located just across Lexington Common. Plus adjacent parking is available behind First Parish Church. You can also sign up or receive more information by ing Laurel Cooley at: cooley.laurel1@gmail.com. Hancock's Endowment Fund Divests of Most Fossil Fuel Holdings Back in July 2013, United Church of Christ became the first major religious body in the U.S. to vote to divest from fossil fuel companies. Since this decision, Hancock s Endowment Committee has been hard at work divesting Church funds from companies with significant carbon footprints. As a result of decisions made over the past few years by the Endowment Committee, Hancock has reduced the carbon footprint of its Endowment investment portfolio by about 75%. This means that Hancock is financing about 200 tons of CO2 less annually with our Endowment investments. We will certainly continue to pursue additional means of lowering this figure even more in the future. For those of you who are interested in divesting fossil fuel companies from your personal portfolios, you can use the tools at fossilfreefunds.org to calculate CO2 tons in your portfolio as well as identify funds with low/no CO2 exposure. Imagine What It's Like INSIDE the Music Join the Choir! If you've enjoyed the choral music you've heard on Sunday morning, imagine what it must be like to be inside that sound, and not just inside, but being a part of making that sound. I guarantee you that it is an experience like no other. So why not make it happen? Rehearsals are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. in the choir room. We have a wide range of music on deck for this year everything from the great a capella works of the masters, to spirituals, gospel, works with orchestra a year of terrific music to celebrate our 150 th anniversary! Please come and join us on this memorable journey we have openings in all parts, have no auditions, and people of all ability levels are encouraged to give us a try. Open to anyone grade 9 and older from any faith tradition invite a friend or co-worker to come try us out! Questions? Please contact Mark Morgan, Director of Music at (781) or mark@hancockchurch.org. Hancock Handbell Ministry There is a handbell group for everyone, no matter your age or musical ability. If you can count to four and know your right hand from your left, you can ring bells! (Church membership is not necessary for participation in any bell choir.) Questions: handbells@handcockchurch.org or speak with Marilyn Becker or Cheryl Kraley. MARTING TO GLORY RINGERS: intergenerational choir for ringers from 3 rd grade through adults of all ringing abilities on Sun mornings 9-9:50 a.m. except holiday weekends. Beginning ringers welcome. Come to the Open Rehearsal to discover the fun of this fast-moving group on Sun 9/17. Bring a friend and double the fun! MORNING GLORY RINGERS: Fri morning choir for ringers of all abilities from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Come to the Open Rehearsal on Fri 9/22 to experience the nurturing environment of this mixed-ability group. Beginning ringers welcome. Social time after rehearsal for those interested. HANCOCK CARILLON: advanced choir for experienced ringers ringing 5 octaves bells and 6 octaves chimes at a bronze level on Wed evenings beginning 9/6. Interested? Contact Marilyn Becker at handbells@hancockchurch.org

8 Welcome to Hancock! The Week Ahead 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 *** 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 Watch Service Live Online at from 10am-11am Sunday, September 17 8:30am Music Rehearsals 9:00am Coffee Fellowship 9:00am Bible Study with the Preacher 9:00am Marting to Glory 9:40am Joys and Concerns 10:00am Celebration Sunday in Sanctuary 11:00am Celebration Sunday Brunch 3:30pm Well Music Rehearsal 5:00pm The Well in Clark Hall 6:00pm Grief Group 6:00pm OWL Parent Meeting 7:00pm HYG in Upper Room Monday, September 18 10:00am Adult Christian Education Book Group 1:30pm Skyloom 6:30pm Giving Committee 7:00pm 150 Celebration Committee Tuesday, September 19 8:30am Hancock Weekly Submission Deadline 10:00am Staff Meeting 11:00am Staff Worship Planning 7:00pm Standing Committee Meeting Wednesday, September 20 1:00pm Barbara's Office Hours 1:15pm Consort 7:00pm Carillon Rehearsal Thursday, September 21 6:30pm Boy Scout Troop 119 7:30pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:30pm Hold for Chancel Choir 7:30pm Theology on Tap Saturday, September 23 10:00am AA Meeting in Dining Room 11:00am AA Event 3:00pm Plaster Posaunes Brass Group Sunday, September 24 8:30am Music Rehearsals 9:00am Coffee Fellowship 9:00am Bible Study with the Preacher 9:00am No Marting to Glory 9:00am Waffle Church 9:40am Joys and Concerns 10:00am Morning Worship in Sanctuary 10:15am No OWL 10:15am Church School 11:00am Fellowship Hour 11:00am Hancock Talks 11:00am JYO and Choristers 11:15am Group Voice Class 3:30pm Well Music Rehearsal 5:00pm The Well in Clark Hall - Blessing of the Animals 7:00pm HYG in Upper Room 14 15

9 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.