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 Sunday, December 30, 2018, 10:00 AM ORGAN PRELUDE: Interlude on the Coventry Carol William S. Lloyd Webber (1914-1982) ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP: (adapted from Bread for the Journey) Leader: Come, all that are faithful, and all that seek faith. People: It is the season to sing and rejoice! Leader: The symbol of new hope and spirit shines, the spirit of peace. People: And we would follow and find that peace. Leader: We now have a promise fulfilled by God. People: That the Christ who is born will call us to a new life of faith and joyful action! *HYMN: Joy to the World! the Lord Is Come PH #130 blue OPENING PRAYER: (written by Rev. Maren Tirabassi) O God, there is a dark and lonesome gulf in worship, a cavern of the awesome into which we rarely go. We prefer catchy tunes, bright vestments, and holiday prayers. We would rather exchange fellowship than touch holiness. Enable us in this precious time to venture into the depths of worship which can never be found totally in individual spirituality but which open slowly before the shared pain, struggle, and love of the communion of the saints. We pray in the name of Jesus 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 A MESSAGE FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
MORNING PRAYER Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer Silent Prayer SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2:41-52 41 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43 When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44 Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety. 49 He said to them, Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father s house? 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor. ANTHEM: The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy West Indian Spiritual Arranged by Robert DeCormier (b.1922-2017) The Virgin Mary had a baby boy, An they said that his name was Jesus. Refrain: He come from the glory, he come down, He comes from the glorious kingdom. Oh yes, believer, Oh yes, believer, He come from the glory, he come down, He come from the glorious kingdom. The wise men saw where the baby was born, The wise men saw where the baby was born, The wise men saw where the baby was born, An they said that his name was Jesus. Refrain The angels sang when the baby was born, The angels sang when the baby was born, The angels sang when the baby was born, An they said that his name was Jesus. Refrain SERMON: Trusting in Anxious Times
MOMENT OF MEDITATION PAY IT FORWARD STORY CALL TO OFFERING OFFERTORY ANTHEM: A Coventry Carol Malcolm Archer (b. 1952) Rebecca Shrimpton, soprano Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child, by,by, lully, lullay. Oh, sisters too, How may we do For to preserve this day This poor youngling, For whom we do sing, by, by, lully, lullay? Herod, the king, In his raging, Charged he hath this day His men of might, In his own sight, All children young to slay. That woe is me, poor child for thee! And ever morn and day, For thy parting Neither say nor sing, by, by, lully, lullay. *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: Angels, from the Realms of Glory NCH #126 black *[The Removal of the Flame, which symbolizes the Spirit of God accompanying us out into the world] *BENEDICTION *CHORAL RESPONSE ORGAN POSTLUDE: God Rest You Merry Traditional English carol Setting by Wilbur Held (b. 1914-2015) * * * * * After the service join us for hospitality. The greeter and lay reader is Mary Ellen Cook. The Deacon is Christiane Alsop.
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. 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 Meeting 1 st and 3 rd Thursdays, January 3 and 17, of the month 3-5 PM, at the Chapel Conference Room. We all love to knit/crochet, but more importantly we have been rewarded with helping others by sharing our handwork. We would love to have you join us! BOOK GROUP Next meeting, Monday, January 28, 6:30 PM at Marianne Round's home, 3 Greenbrier Rd., Manchester, the book for discussion will be Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. It s 1843, and Grace Marks has been convicted for her involvement in the vicious murders of her employer and his housekeeper and mistress. Some believe Grace is innocent; others think her evil or insane. Now serving a life sentence, Grace claims to have no memory of the murders. An up-and-coming expert in the burgeoning field of mental illness is engaged by a group of reformers and spiritualists who seek a pardon for Grace. He listens to her story while bringing her closer and closer to the day she cannot
remember. What will he find in attempting to unlock her memories? goodreads RSVP to Marianne at Marianne.Round@nemoves.com or 978 902 5452. Monday, February 25 at 6:30 PM at Nina Gadmer s home at 20 Hickory Hill, Manchester. The book for discussion will be Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. One of the most important and enduring books of the twentieth century, Their Eyes Were Watching God brings to life a Southern love story with the wit and pathos found only in the writing of Zora Neale Hurston. Out of print for almost thirty years due largely to initial audiences rejection of its strong black female protagonist Hurston s classic has since its 1978 reissue become perhaps the most widely read and highly acclaimed novel in the canon of African-American literature. Amazon RSVP to Nina at ngadmer@hotmail.com or 978-412-5017. Book group is open to everyone! This is a time for church members as well as non-church goers to come together and engage with one another, build relationships, and share in discussion of books that are of interest to people of various backgrounds. We have fun visiting, discussing the book and sharing stories. Each month is a new host, who provides light snacks, beverages and dessert but only once a year!!!! The host then chooses the book for the next month. WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY Thursdays, 4:00 to 5:30 PM, at the home of Vin Terrill, 37 Beach Street. Scripture for Jan 3 Matthew 2:1-12. We will be studying the lectionary texts for the following Sunday s worship. Format of the study is as follows: we begin with sharing joys and concerns, we have a time of prayer (where people are free to pray silently or out loud), and then 2 volunteers read the text out loud, while we all notice which words the Spirit draws our attention to. (This way of reading Scripture is called Lectio Divina. ) We each have the opportunity to share with others the words speak to us, as well as ask questions about the text. We also discuss how the text might apply to our lives today. The study is led by Rev. Marlayna. All are welcome to join us! No prior knowledge of the Bible is necessary. Email or call Rev. Marlayna for more information.
SOUP & CONVERSATION Next Sunday, January 6, following worship, for a conversation about Jordan B. Peterson and a Psychological Approach to Scripture. While there are many approaches to understanding scripture, Canadian psychologist Jordan B. Peterson has recently received considerable attention for his lectures which look at scripture nontraditionally, from a psychologist's point of view. Simply summarized, Peterson posits that the Biblical stories can usefully be understood as a distillation of human wisdom garnered through millennia which address fundamental psychological questions which we face today, independently of one's religious beliefs. Join us as we share highlights of Peterson's lectures and their practical applications in our daily lives. Presented by Steve Carhart and Richard Smith. Sign up to bring soups, salad and more here https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4caba822a1f49-soup5 Upcoming events can be found on our website (www.firstparishchurch.org ) under News and Calendar Tuesday Happy New Year! Office Closed Wednesday 10:00 AM COA Yoga 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal Thursday 10:00 AM Health Clinic 3:00 PM Seaside Knitters 4:00 PM Bible Study 7:00 PM Search Committee Friday 8:00 AM Yoga Sunday 10:00 AM Worship, Nursery, Sunday School, Youth Group 11:30 PM Soup & Conversation
SUNDAY SCHOOL AND YOUTH GROUP PARENTS Please join your Christian Education Committee members, Jen Powers, Steve Carhart and Sheilagh Mylott for a round table discussion on youth and parent programming in our church. We will host two meeting times Sunday, January 13 th at 10:00 AM in the Chapel Parlor and Monday, January 14 th at 6:30 PM in the Chapel Sunday School Room. We recognize that families today have many demands on their time and multiple activities to choose to participate in. Questions for discussion will include: 1. What are we already doing well that helps your family feel a valued member of our church community and allows you and your child s faith to grow? 2. What could we do better/differently to accomplish the above, (in terms of programs, worship, small groups, etc.) The committee has some ideas we have been discussing over the fall and would very much appreciate your feedback on them, as well as hearing any questions or concerns you may have. Your participation is greatly appreciated at one of these meeting times.