The Congregational Church, United Church of Christ Amherst, New Hampshire All of us who have gone before them into the baptismal waters have done the same thing as those we see around us. Whether we were carried in our mother s arms or arrived under our own steam, we got into the river of life with Jesus and all his lawed kin. We are them, thanks be to God, as they are us: Christ s own forever. Barbara Brown Taylor
THE ORDER OF SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD The Congregational Church, United Church of Christ Amherst, New Hampshire January 13, 2019 The Baptism of Christ 10:00 AM First Sunday after Epiphany GATHERING CHIMES Let us be gathered in silence so that we may prepare to worship. GREETING AND NOTICES OF PARISH LIFE PRELUDE On Jordan's Stormy Banks Lyndell Leatherman INTROIT Chancel Choir *CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The powerful voice of God creates all worlds. People: The same voice calls us to worship. Leader: God s glorious strength shakes the wilderness. People: That same strength is offered to us as people of faith. Leader: God s cleansing and life giving waters low throughout Creation. People: Those same waters cleanse and bring life to our hearts. Leader: Come, let us celebrate our baptism as children of God. All: God gathers us in and makes our brokenness whole! *HYMN God of Grace and God of Glory No. 420 UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION and THE LORD S PRAYER (in unison) God of grace and glory, you call us with your voice and your Spirit to be your people, faithful and courageous. As your beloved Son embraced his mission in the waters of baptism, inspire us with the ire of your Spirit to join in his transforming work. Send your Holy Spirit once more to us this morning, to energize our worship and enliven our witness to the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray saying: 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.
*GLORIA PATRI (Tune #579) Glory to the Creator, and to the Christ, and Holy Spirit, One; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, Amen. SACRAMENT OF CHRISTIAN BAPTISM Scriptural Sentences Taylee Mae Normandin, Ella Faith Normandin, Oliver Henry Normandin, Cooper James Cashins Questions of Commitment Response of Members and Friends (in unison) We receive Taylee, Ella, Oliver and Cooper as new persons in Christ. We offer our understanding and support as they continue to explore life. We enfold them in our love, seeking together to grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and all people. We join with their parents in telling the Gospel in our midst, so that we may all live for Christ, showing forth God s love for all people. Amen. Pouring of the Water The Act of Baptism Prayer of Blessing Hymn of Thanksgiving Child of Blessing, Child of Promise (Tune: STUTTGART) Child of blessing, child of promise, baptized with the Spirit s sign, With this water God has sealed you unto love and grace divine. Child of love, our love s expression, love s creation, loved indeed! Fresh from God, refresh our spirits, into joy and laughter lead. Child of joy, our dearest treasure, God s you are, from God you came. Back to God we humbly give you: live as one who bears Christ s name. Sending Forth CHILDREN S TIME *THE PASSING OF THE PEACE The peace of God be with you. AND ALSO WITH YOU. ANTHEM At the River arr. Aaron Copland Chancel Choir THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS Isaiah 43:1-7 Page 623 Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 Page 891
SERMON Water, Wind, and Fire *HYMN Spirit No. 319 verses 1, 2 & 3 only You are invited to write your joys and concerns on the prayer cards in the pews, and pass to the minister to be lifted in prayer at this time. JOYS AND CONCERNS and PASTORAL PRAYER CHORAL RESPONSE Chancel Choir INVITATION TO SHARE OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS Along with our offering collected this morning, we dedicate the generous contributions of those who give monthly or electronically. All of our offerings support the work and witness of Jesus Christ here in this place and in the wider world. Each is given to the glory of God in faithful appreciation for many received blessings. Thanks be to God! OFFERTORY MUSIC Beautiful Savior Dale Wood *DOXOLOGY (Tune: From All That Dwell Below the Skies) Praise God from whom all blessings low; Praise God all creatures here below. Alleluia, Alleluia. Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Amen. *PRAYER OF DEDICATION (in unison) We give you thanks, O God of water, wind, and ire. May our offerings honor you. May our lives re lect your mercy. May our hands bestow on others the blessings we have received. May our prayers unite us with one another and with Christ, in whose name we celebrate the privilege of giving. Amen. *HYMN Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized No. 70 *THE LIGHT OF CHRIST GOES OUT INTO THE WORLD *COMMISSION AND BENEDICTION *CHORAL RESPONSE Chancel Choir *POSTLUDE Allemanda from Concerto Grosso No. 10 Arcangelo Corelli/ Kevin Norris (*Indicates that those who are able may stand.) Portions of today s liturgy are adapted from Gathered by Love by Lavon Baylor.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF AMHERST A Welcoming, Open and Af irming Congregation of the United Church of Christ No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey, you are welcome here. We, the members of the Congregational Church of Amherst, New Hampshire, United Church of Christ, believe God s Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ call us to love all our neighbors as we would want to be loved. We are called to be as one body, seeking to walk together in the full life and ministry of our church. We welcome each individual as a child of God. As covenant members of Christ s church, we celebrate God s love for people of all races and ethnic backgrounds, all mental and physical abilities, all socioeconomic backgrounds, all sexual orientations, all gender identities and gender expressions, and all of the other diverse attributes woven into the fabric of humankind. With God s grace, we invite all to share in the life and leadership, ministry and fellowship, worship and sacraments, responsibilities and blessings of our church. We are pleased that you have chosen to worship with us this morning. Our membership is open to all those who choose to walk with us in our witness. Please speak with any of our deacons or pastors should you have any questions regarding our church or our membership. Worship Notes: Nursery Care is provided for children ages two and under at the beginning of worship. Church School is available for children in Pre-K through grade 7 immediately following Children s Time. Joys and Concerns may be written on the cards found in the pew racks. Cards will be collected by one of the pastors during the middle hymn and shared during the Prayers of the People. Nametags Please remember to wear your nametag each Sunday, so that we may all greet our neighbors. If you do not have a permanent nametag, temporary nametags may be found inside the friendship registers. If you are in need of a new, permanent nametag, please see one of the deacons. Fellowship Please join us in the community room following worship to welcome visitors and friends. Emergencies In the event of an emergency, please remain seated until instructions have been given. An emergency plan is in place for the children in the nursery and in the church school. The church of ice is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Here s how to reach us: by telephone 673-3231, or by email andrea@ccamherst.org. If we are unavailable by phone, please feel free to leave a message using the personal directory, and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Visit our church s website at www.ccamherst.org, and follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/ ccamherst. Grounded in God s Love Serving Neighbors Near and Far Welcoming to All
PARTICIPATING IN TODAY S SERVICE Members and Friends of The Congregational Church Ministers to the World Maureen R. Frescott Acting Senior Pastor Katherine Rogers Acting Associate Pastor Sara L. Phelps Director of Music Michael Havay Organist/Accompanist Gail Wiegand Deacon In Charge Art and Vicky Leknes Greeters David and Karen Stowe Ushers Peter Labombarde Liturgist Marilyn Gibson Church School Coordinator Laura Green Nursery Coordinator Doug Topliffe Fellowship Host ******************************************* Wendy Valeri Handbell Choir Director WE REJOICE TODAY in the baptisms of the four children in the Cashins family: Taylee Mae, Ella Faith, Oliver Henry and Cooper James. Kathleen and James Cashins are their parents, and their sponsors are Paul and Rita McCullough, and Rick and Maureen Cashins. YOUTH CHOIR rehearses today after worship in the vestry. Let s start singing! CHURCH SCHOOL: Today is the irst Sunday after Epiphany, and "The Disciples" is our lesson. With the birth of Jesus we are called to be his disciples. We are learners or students who try to follow Jesus by studying his words, actions, teachings and story. Doing this changes lives. After worship and a small snack at fellowship, all children are to gather in the vestry with Mrs. Phelps for music practice. Gently used prescription eye glasses are being collected by church school children for our January mission project. Clean out your drawer where these are left unused. Deposit them in the box provided in the narthex or church of ice, or give them to a church school child. FELLOWSHIP HOSTS NEEDED: With the start of another New Year, your Fellowship Team is looking for help with coffee hour after the Sunday morning worship services. A new sign up sheet is waiting on the coffee table or feel free to contact Roger Hooper (rhooper673@aol.com) or Meredith Dart (603-305-9065). BEWARE OF FALLING SNOW: It is that time of year when we want to remind folks that snow and ice may fall from our roof at any time. Please use caution in our driveway and do not walk too close to the building. The Lectionary texts for the next two weeks are: January 20: Isaiah 62:1-5 Psalm 36:5-10 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 John 2:1-11 January 27: Nehemiah 8:1-3 5-6, 8-10 Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a Luke 4:14-21
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: It s 2019, and it is Our Time, Our Turn! Our capital campaign continues to make progress. We have received more than $550,000 in pledges and gifts, and have nearly completed work on our ire suppression system. Work on that system reinforced the need to address important safety-related items, including work on the electrical and alarm systems. It is clear that our campaign is timely and much needed in order to keep our church home and parsonage safe and in good working order. On Sunday, January 27, you are invited to a meeting to hear an update on our progress and to discuss the next project(s) to be tackled. Projects will only be undertaken when funds are in hand (and the pledge period is three years), but thanks to the generosity of the congregation, the good news is that we already have over $120,000 of capital campaign money in place to put to good work. Come, listen, and offer your input! We thank all those who have pledged or given gifts toward this important campaign to restore and repair our historic meetinghouse and parsonage. If you have any questions about the campaign, please contact co-chairs Doug Topliffe (dtopliffe@rcn.com or 673-7436) or Susan Holden (bagnarathornton@comcast.net or 566-2394). FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Join us on Saturday, February 9 for our annual Family Game Night and Potluck Supper. All ages, friends and community are welcome. Games will be provided, however if you have a favorite game, please bring it with you. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with supper, followed by games for everyone, including ping pong and Bingo. Members of the Fellowship Committee will bring casseroles, Subway sandwiches and beverages. If your last name begins with A through L, please bring a dessert to share; M through Z, please bring a side salad. NEW Adult Ed Series First and Third Wednesdays, Beginning January 16 Daytime: 10:00-11:30 a.m. Evening: 7:00-8:30 p.m. At Home: Any Time! Hope?? Why bother?? Is there reason to hold onto hope in a world that often feels hopeless? The answer is a resounding YES! We ll explore the how s and why s of holding onto hope in this challenging and inspiring eight-part series produced by Darkwood Brew an online faith community. Noted author and UCC pastor, Dr. Eric Elnes, is joined by Scott Russell Sanders, author of the book Hunting for Hope, and other notable progressive Christian voices like Phyllis Tickle and Michael Piazza. In addition to offering ways to ind hope in the teachings of our Christian faith, the series draws inspiration from unconventional sources of hope, including nature, culture, community, relationships, and simplicity. The series challenges us to see HOPE as a viable force in our world, and explores ways we might harness its energy for a better future. Each session will feature a 20-30 minute video followed by discussion. Participants are welcome to read Sander s book Hunting for Hope as a companion to the series but it s not required. Attend either our MORNING or EVENING session, every irst and third Wednesday of the month. The video content will also be available to view ONLINE for those who can t be with us in person.
Sunday, January 13, 2019 Planting The third wealthiest man in the world and the largest philanthropist in the United States, Warren Buffet is also known for his simple quotes, distilling his knowledge into simple aphorisms that speak volumes. It may seem odd to quote a self-proclaimed atheist on the back page of a Congregational church bulletin; however, his wisdom reaches far beyond the world of stocks and bonds. The following seems very appropriate today, here in this sanctuary, in this church, at this time, in this town. Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. When we plant a young sapling in our yard or on the church grounds, we know that we may not see it reach its mature size. After watering it and fertilizing it, we hope it will take root. The tree changes every season, and its buds, lowers and foliage bring joy to the owner and the passerby. Sometimes it needs pruning, but it continues to grow. It provides more shade and shelter each year. Like the sapling in our yard, our meetinghouse has grown and changed. We are sitting here today, in the beauty and the comfort of this sanctuary, built 244 years ago by the men and women of Amherst who wanted and needed a place of worship. Two centuries of parishioners have enjoyed the fruits of their labor, and have continued to plant the trees by lovingly caring for the building providing a space for peace, sanctuary, and solace as we carry on the mission of the church. We are baptizing an infant and three children today, promising to offer our love and support to them and to their families. We are planting the seeds for the next generation, helping them and us to grow together in wisdom, understanding and Christian love. May we continue to plant the seeds and tend the trees, so those who come after us can enjoy the shade, the shelter, and the fruits of our labor. SSS