First Parish Church, Congregational On the Village Green Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt, Interim Pastor Donald R. Dunn, Director of Music-Organist Jessica Skidmore, Christian Ministry Coordinator Tori Potter, Sexton Nancy Klebart, Office Manager 978-526-7661 office.fpchurch@verizon.net www.firstparishchurch.org
MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE November 25, 2018, 10:00 AM Reign of Christ Sunday ORGAN PRELUDE: Largo Henri Eccles (1670-1742) ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP: (based on Psalm 100, written by Bruce Prewer) Around the world this day, the universal church celebrates the The Reign of Christ. Christ Jesus, friend of the poor, the meek and the merciful, has been enthroned above all authority and power in this world and in the world that is to come. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth, serve the Lord with gladness come into his presence with singing. God has placed everything under Christ s wounded feet, appointed the one who wore a crown of thorns as the supreme head of the church, his body. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, come into his courts with praise. Give thanks and praise his loving name! *HYMN: Holy, Holy, Holy PH #251 blue GATHERING PRAYER (adapted from prayerscapes.com) God of grace, We open our hearts, minds and souls to worship to you. Thank you that today we dwell in your kingdom and live in your presence. Thank you that as we gather together we join with all Christians across the world to glorify your holy name. Come be with us, inspire us and lead us in our time together. We ask all this in the beautiful name of Jesus, who taught us to pray
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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen. *GLORIA PATRI: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen CHILDREN S SERMON After the children s sermon, children and youth may return to sit with their families. PRAYER SHAWL BLESSING (see insert) MORNING PRAYER Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer Silent Prayer ANTHEM: E en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come Paul Manz (1919-2009) Peace be to you and grace from him Who freed us from our sins, Who loved us all and shed his blood That we might saved be. Sing holy, holy to our Lord, The Lord, Almighty God. Who was and is and is to come; Sing holy, holy, Lord! Rejoice in heaven, all ye that dwell therein, Rejoice on earth, ye saints below, For Christ is coming, is coming soon, For Christ is coming soon! Een so, Lord Jesus, quickly come, And night shall be no more; They need no light nor lamp nor sun, For Christ will be their All! SCRIPTURE READING: John 18:33-37 33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, Are you the King of the Jews? 34 Jesus answered, Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me? 35 Pilate replied, I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done? 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here. 37 Pilate asked him, So you are a king? Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice. *HYMN: All Hail the Power of Jesus Name NCH #304 black
SERMON: Does Christ Reign? MOMENT OF MEDITATION OFFERTORY OFFERTORY ANTHEM: King of all ages, throned on high Paul Isom (b. 1959) King of all ages, throned on high, yet saviour too of those with faith, death at your onslaught dies in fear and grace triumphant rules supreme. Risen from death, the heavenly Christ receives from God the Father s hand power over all created things: a gift he could not know on earth. Then at your coming on the clouds with shining strength to be our judge, cancel the debt we owe you still, give back the glory we have lost. Glory to you O Christ our Lord, Exalted far beyond our sight, reigning in bliss forevermore, with Father and with Paraclete. *DOXOLOGY: Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below, Praise God above ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. PRAYER OF DEDICATION *HYMN: Hymn for 300th Anniversary First Parish Church, Congregational Words written by Rev. Dr. Llewellyn Smith, 2016 Tune: Duke Street Jesus Shall Reign Where er the Sun First Parish Church, Congregational, sings. Clear from God s people the chorus rings, Brightly and boldly giving glory and praise For three hundred years of faithful days. Down all the years the faith story we tell; Someone stands ready to ring the bell, Calling folks out each Sunday morn To welcome and baptize the next newborn, Weddings and funerals we gather to pray, Follow Christ s life and truth and way, Never forgetful of whose we are And that our God is never far. Brightly and boldly give glory and praise For three hundred years of faithful days. Stand with the founders right here on the town green: God s folk in Manchester since 1716. Brightly and boldly give glory and praise
For three hundred years of faithful days. Stand with the founders right here on the town green, God s folk in Manchester since 1716. *[The Removal of the Flame, which symbolizes the Spirit of God accompanying us out into the world] *BENEDICTION *CHORAL RESPONSE ORGAN POSTLUDE: He Is King of Kings African-American spiritual Setting by Charles Callahan (b.1951) * * * * * After the service join us for hospitality. The Deacons are Ann Heslop and Mark Heslop. Readers and Greeters are always needed, to volunteer speak to the Deacons, or you can also sign up online. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0444aca629a5f94-diaconate Listening devices are available for those in need; they are at the back of the Sanctuary. Feel free to address a Deacon should you need help. Welcome to all who are new to our worship. To join our mailing list please fill out a Welcome Card to place in the collection plate or contact office.fpchurch@gmail.com, 978-526-7661 ext 1. Brown Bag Lunch on Friday, November 30, sign up to help online https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4caba822a1f49- brown6 FPCC CARE TEAM Have you shared the experience? We support FPC families with meals, rides, & visits through times of illness and loss. Please contact Sue Pick (suepick1@me.com or 978-548-0145) if you would like to share your ideas, time, and talents with the FPC Care Team.
SEASIDE PARISH KNITTERS We would love to have you join us on the 1 st and 3 rd Thursdays, of the month in the Conference Room of the Chapel, 3-5 PM. Next meetings December 6 & 20. Contact Penny Lapham with any questions or if you need yarn by speaking to her after worship, calling her at 978-526-7128 or emailing her at laphenpen@live.com. Meeting, Monday, Nov. 26, 6:30 PM at Donna Johnson s home, 9 Hickory Hill Road Manchester (the Gudonis last house). We continue with a new selection; Elephant Company : The Inspiring Story of an Unlikely Hero and the Animals Who Helped Him Save Lives in World War II by Vicki Croke. The remarkable story of James Howard Billy Williams, whose uncanny rapport with the world s largest land animals transformed him from a carefree young man into the charismatic war hero known as Elephant Bill. Amazon All are welcome bring a friend. Please RSVP to bommadonna@icloud.com or 978-704-9662. Coming in December SATURDAY EVENING ADVENT VESPERS December 8, 15, & 22 5:30 to 6:00 PM Join us for a quiet service of prayer, poetry, and candle lighting on three Saturday evenings in December as we await and celebrate the presence of Christ among us.
You can find more information about First Parish Church @ Website: firstparishchurch.org Instagram: fpcmanchesterbythesea Facebook: firstparishhurchmanchesterma Upcoming events can be found on our website (www.firstparishchurch.org ) under News and Calendar Monday 6:30 PM Book Group 7:30 PM Manchester Singers Tuesday 10:00 AM COA Zumba 11:30 AM COA Lunch of the Month 7:00 PM CC Committee Wednesday 10:00 AM COA Yoga 10:00 AM Women s Fellowship College Baskets 6:30 PM Diaconate 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal Thursday 10:00 AM MBTS Luncheon 4:00 PM Bible Study Friday 8:00 AM Yoga 3:00 PM Brown Bag Lunches Saturday 1:00 PM Library Program Sunday 10:00 AM Worship Nursery, Sunday School, Youth Group
Awaken to the Light of God Be a Joyful Beacon to our World ANNUAL FUND DRIVE 2019 will be held during November. Letters and pledge cards will be sent at the beginning of the month. Please use this pledge card if you have not brought yours today. Any questions about pledging or the annual drive speak to Mary Ellen Cook or call 978-526-7178. Thank you for all your generous giving. First Parish Church Annual Fund Drive In support of the First Parish Church, Congregational I/we plan to make the following contribution for 2019 Total Pledge for 2019 Name: Thank you for your pledge
Prayer Shawl Blessing* INTRODUCTION Pastor: God of love and comfort, we gather together to celebrate one of the ministries of the First Parish Church, Congregational, UCC. We give thanks for the opportunity out of love and out of concern for our Christian brothers and sisters to share a tangible gift to those in need, a prayer shawl. While we know that you are always present in our lives and that your love transcends all tragedy, illness and pain, we also know that sometimes a physical reminder can bring hope, healing and peace to someone who is crying out. We pray that these prayer shawls bring comfort to those who will receive them. Congregation: Oh God, open our eyes so that we might see, open our ears so that we might hear and open our minds so that we might know who is in need of your healing power and presence. Open our hearts so that we might reach out to them. AFFIRMATION OF PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY Without even knowing who would receive it, a shawl was made specifically for the person who will receive it. May they see the intricate love and care given to their shawl, mirroring the intricate love and care that God bestows upon all people. A shawl was made to bring warmth to someone who feels a chill. May they feel the warm breath of the Holy Spirit as they wrap themselves with it. A shawl was made to bring comfort to someone who feels alone. May they feel comfort in knowing that someone prayed for them as they knit it together. A shawl was made to bring peace to someone in need of prayer. May they feel the power of our prayers as they feel the yarn winding through their fingers. A shawl was made to remind the recipient that they are part of this community.
May they feel touched by our love, moved by our guidance and held up by our support. PRAYER OF BLESSING God of creation, redemption and sustaining grace, we praise you for all the people who have taken part in this Prayer Shawl Ministry, who use their gifts on behalf of our church to tangibly share the Light and Love of God with a world beyond ours. We thank you for putting those in need on our hearts and in our minds so that we might fully live out your call to love and serve. We ask that you bless these shawls and those who will receive them. May they feel the love, comfort and peace of your presence. And may your light shine in them and be a beacon of the hope that is promised to all of us. Amen. *adapted from a blessing written by Sarah E. Weaver 2011
Fall Healing Service 30-minute Service of Healing, Movement, and Prayer The service will draw on both Christian and Eastern traditions, incorporating easy movements from Qi Gong and Yoga (No prior experience with prayer or movement is necessary) Sunday, November 25th, 11:30 A.M. First Parish Church, Congregational 10 Central Street Manchester-By-The-Sea Offered by Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt, Interim Pastor of First Parish Church, Congregational; and Carla Mattioli, M.A., Interfaith Minister of Awakening Arts, Teacher of Yoga, Tail Chi, Qi Gong People from all Religious Traditions are Welcome