Village Church United Church of Christ March 15, 2015
Welcome to First Worship! We extend a welcome as broad as the outstretched arms of God, who calls us to be here together to rejoice in God s glorious presence. Welcome to children of all ages to all the children of God, each one of us. If you are an old friend or here for the first time, we welcome you. Our worship is an intergenerational experience and we want children to feel fully included. Children are welcome to pick up an activity bag and to bring snacks to their seats. We remember that worship offers us all a special place to be with God. In this space we talk a little more softly and walk a little more quietly. We are listening for God. All music and words in this bulletin are reprinted by permission under OneLicense.net, License #A-714276 and by CCLI, License #2910233.
March 15, 2015 ORDER OF WORSHIP 9:00 am PRELUDE RINGING THE HOUR GATHERING SONG SONG Traveling the Road to Freedom
CALL TO WORSHIP Chris Braudaway-Bauman CALL TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION *S *SUNG RESPONSE ESPONSE Out of the Depths, O God, We Call
ASSURANCE I receive God's forgiveness; it shapes my life; I share it with the world. *PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST *S *SUNG RESPONSE ESPONSE "Send Your Spirit to Set Us Free" SCRIPTURE CRIPTURE Genesis 43:26-45:1-18, abridged and adapted SERMON ERMON Testing Mary Luti
SUNG RESPONSE RESPONSE There s a Wideness in God s Mercy
OFFERING Invitation Offertory SETTING THE TABLE Prepare Us For the Living Christ INVITATION TO THE TABLE
*C *COMMUNION PRAYER AND THE LORD ORD'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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen. *W *WORDS OF INSTITUTION *S *SHARING THE GIFTS OF BREAD AND CUP *P *PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING *S *SUNG RESPONSE ESPONSE I Want Jesus to Walk With Me I want Jesus to walk with me (repeat) All along my Lenten journey Oh I want Jesus to walk with me. *B *BENEDICTION
TODAY S NOTES Fellowship Hour 11:15 am, Village Common Following worship, please join us for coffee and conversation in Village Common. If you are new to Village Church, please stop by the Welcome Table. We are eager to help you find a home with us! Pastoral Care There are many ways that the Pastors and Members of Village Church help one another during the challenges of life. If you have, or know of, a pastoral care need, through March 16, please contact Pam Emslie at 781-235-1988 ext. 15. From March 17 on, contact Liz Garrigan-Byerly at 781-235-1988 ext. 14. In case of a pastoral emergency, please call 334-521-2481. Pastors Schedules Liz Garrigan-Byerly is on vacation through Monday, March 16. FHC Coin Jar Collection To support the orphanage and the work they do, we conduct different activities throughout the year. If you picked up a Coin Collection Jar at our Alternative Christmas Gift Fair last December, please bring it with you this Sunday. We will also be collecting the jars on March 22, during Fellowship Hour. Thank you. Abernethy Award Forum 11:30 am, Upper Room Please join us in the Upper Room following 10 am worship to hear from Rob Evans of Human Relations Services (HRS), this year's Abernethy Award recipient. He will be presenting a forum for anyone interested in learning about HRS; he will focus on the services they provide for youth experiencing mental health difficulties. Cherub Choir Rehearsal 11:15 to 11:45 am, Cherub Choir Room All children in K, 1st and 2nd grades are welcomed. Come sing! For more information, please email Linda Harding at hardinglr@gmail.com. Junior Choir Rehearsal 11:15 am, Youth Choir Room For information, please email Kevin McDonald at mcdonaldkevin23@yahoo.com. Middle School Youth Group and NWW Ecumenical Fellowship 4:30 pm, Burtt Chapel and Village Common High School Youth Group 7 pm, Parlor For information about youth programs, contact Pam Emslie at 781.235.1988 x15 or pam@wellesleyvillagechurch.org. BULLETIN NOTES Church Moms Group Tuesday, March 17, 7 pm, The Cottage, Wellesley After so much snow, snow and more snow, and many weeks since our last meeting, the Church Moms' Group will gather for dinner on Tuesday, March 17th at 7 pm at The Cottage in Wellesley. We would love to see
you to reconnect after such a long winter! We hope everyone is well and thinking Spring! Please look for the Sign Up Genius to RSVP, coming soon! And please feel free to contact Kerry Evans (kegevans@gmail.com, 508-655-0345) or Kim Reohr (reohr@mac.com) for more information. Village Churchmen s Lunch The Village Churchmen meet again on Thursday, March 19, at Noon in Village Common. Open to all men of the church, all that is needed is your own lunch and a beverage, and you can join in the spirited conversations that mark these occasions. There is no charge and no need to respond in advance. News from the Environmental Ministry Are you concerned about the effects of Climate Change but don't know what you can do? The Environmental Ministry suggests that you sign up for the Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast 2015 sponsored by our own UCC at http://www.macucc.org/carbonfast. By providing your email address, you will receive a new suggestion each day during Lent on something that you might do to lower your carbon footprint, and the spiritual basis for such action. The Environmental Ministry will hold its regular monthly meeting this Thursday, March 19, at 7 pm in the Library. Under discussion will be plans for the upcoming Earth Day Plantings project. Membership Joining Sunday, March 22nd in First Worship Have you found a spiritual home at Village Church? Are you ready to make a deeper commitment to this community? Our next membership joining will take place in First Worship. Contact Liz Garrigan-Byerly at 781-235-1988 x14 or liz@wellesleyvillagechurch.org if you are interested. Easter Plant Donations If you would like to donate an Easter plant that will be used to decorate the Sanctuary and First Worship spaces for Easter, donations forms can be found at the back of your bulletin. Donation forms are due by Monday, March 23 at 9 am. Following services on April 5, the plants will be taken to those in need of encouragement or support. Family Promise 6th Annual Walk Away Homelessness On Saturday, April 11th, Family Promise Metrowest will be holding its 6th Annual Walk Away Homelessness Event to support families who are homeless. Family Promise Metrowest (FPM) is more than a shelter for families. It is a place they can call "home" for as long as they need. More than 2000 volunteers, many in our church, provide safe, warm bedrooms for our families, three nutritious meals a day and lots of love and kindness. Since opening its doors in October of 2008, the Family Promise Metrowest has been "Home" to more than 145 children. Please help support FPM's mission of providing families shelter with a spirit of warmth, hospitality and respect. Please consider joining the Wellesley Village Church team for the walk or supporting one of our members who is walking. Registration is on the Family Promise Metrowest website.
Easter Plant Donation Return this form with your payment to the Easter bag on the table in the Central Street Lobby by Please print clearly! Given In (check only one) Loving memory of Celebration of March 23, 9 am. By By (your name) Cash $ Check $ Plants are $20 each, payable to Wellesley Congregational Church. Please note Easter Plant on your check. Following services on April 5, the plants will be taken to those in need of encouragement or support.
What s happening in 10 am Church School today? Kindergarten students and younger will be welcomed in their classrooms before 10 am worship begins. The Infant/Toddler Room is located on the main floor just outside the Sanctuary to the left of the Chancel. 2 year olds through Kindergarten classrooms are located on the upper floor. Children should be picked up promptly at the conclusion of worship. Grades 1-8 will worship with their parents until it is time for class, as indicated in the bulletin. At that time, Grades 1-5 will meet at the signs downstairs in Village Hall and proceed to the following classrooms for a special activity. This week Grade 1: Storyteller s Tent Grade 2: Artisans Market Grade 3: Fishes and Loaves Cafe Grade 4: Games in Village Hall Grade 5: Games in Village Hall Grades 6, 7 & 8 will meet in Village Hall for Church School. Classes for Grades 1 8 conclude at 11:15 or the end of worship whichever is later. Students in Grades 3 and below should be met by their parents at their classrooms. The Family Room is available for parents who aren t quite ready to leave their infants and toddlers in childcare. In this room, parents will be able to listen to the worship service while their child naps or plays. This room is located upstairs beyond the library. VILLAGE CHURCH STAFF The Rev. Mary Luti Interim Senior Pastor The Rev. Pamela H. Emslie Associate Pastor The Rev. Elizabeth G. Garrigan-Byerly Associate Pastor The Rev. Christina L. Braudaway-Bauman Pastor at Large The Rev. John C. Allen Pastoral Resident The Rev. Audra C. Teague Mackey Pastoral Resident Linda C. Smith Pastoral Residency Coordinator Michaela F. McDonald Director of Children s Ministries David R. Carrier Director of Music Dr. Kevin J. McDonald Director of Youth Music Jodi M. Hitzhusen Music Director of First Worship Erin I. Donato Church Administrator Leslie W. Petzing Controller Shawn Doung Church Accountant Tricia T. Kibbe IT and Administrative Coordinator Felicia R. Nadel Administrative Assistant Christy L. Cadigan Administrative Assistant Donald S. Banks Sexton Dolphe Richard Assistant to the Sexton Gerardo Ortiz Assistant to the Sexton 2 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02482 781.235.1988 wellesleyvillagechurch.org An Open and Affirming Congregation of the UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST