No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey Come, experience God s love Go, serve God s world Main Street Congregational Church United Church of Christ 145 Main Street Amesbury, Massachusetts 01913 978.388.0982 www. main-street-church.org office@main-street-church.org
Main Street Congregational Church United Church of Christ At 145 Main Street, Amesbury, MA 01913 978-388-0982 www.main-street-church.org The Congregation The Reverend Joan MacPherson Danny Smith Ministers Pastor and Teacher Music Minister 2nd Sunday after Epiphany 10:00 A.M. January 20th, 2019 Prelude Come, Let us Bow Down Let it Shine, Made Me Glad Come and Behold Him Introit Shine Jesus Shine Call to Worship (adpated form Spill the Beans) One: From the busy, bustling world to this time and place set apart, Many: God, gather us. One: From the noises all around to this silent sacred space, Many: God, gather us. One: From the constant back and forth to a stillness and a calm. Many: God, gather us. One: From the distractions and missteps to the light of love Many: God, gather us into your love, your light, your promise, your hope *Hymn Goodness is Stronger than Evil Goodness is stronger than evil, love is stronger than hate Light is stronger than darkness, life is stronger than death Show us the way, show us the way, Jesus our brother Show us the way, show us the way, Jesus our brother *Unison Prayer (adapted form Spill the Beans) Ever present God, in the midst of the bustling city, still there is wilderness. In the profound quiet of the winter beach, still there is power. It isn t just in deserts that we wonder about life in its fullness and depth. Tall questions press, searing truths pierce and hearts get laid bare. We are tempted to turn for ease, safety and distraction but here we are this morning, stepping into your story, your nudging, your transforming love, which is deeply engaged with the world and all her people. Hold and encourage us as we seek to care and serve in the way of Jesus who taught us to pray...
Lords 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, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. *Gloria Patri A Time for Children Anthem Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer 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, Amen Eagles Wings *Hymn Arise Your Light Has Come Insert Gospel Matthew 4: 1-17 Insert Sermon Offertory *Doxology Prayer of Dedication Jesus, Martin & Main Street Rev. Joan MacPherson The Mind of God Praise God from whom all blessings flow Praise God All creatures here below, Praise Him ye above ye heavenly host. Creator, Savior, Holy Ghost *Hymn We Shall Overcome Insert Commissioning and Benediction Response *Those who are able, please stand Carry your candle, run to the darkness Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn. Hold out your candle, for all to see it Take your candle, go light your world Take your candle, go light your world.
Welcome to worship at Main Street Church - During this time of worship we seek to open our full lives to the gift of God s radical and inclusive love. We are honored that you are worshipping with us today. If you are new in our midst, please fill out the welcome card in the pew so that we may stay connected. Please make a point of speaking with the pastor, she would welcome the chance to get to know you. Each week there is nursery care available in the Parish House for those four and under. Sunday School (grades k-8) begins after the time for Children and is held in the Parish House. Our music ministry begins with 10-15 minutes of pre-service praise and worship music every Sunday morning. You are welcome to join in words in three ring binders in the pew - or center yourself silently. Coffee Hour following worship is located in the vestry (the building to the right of the sanctuary). The vestry can be accessed by going outside turning right and using the back entrance by the kitchen or by following the crowd through the swinging door at the front of the church and to the left of the choir. The vestry is located past the bathrooms through the kitchen. Financial Giving at Main Street Church - Offerings are received in worship each week for support of our ministries. Gifts can also be given through simple give from our web page main-street-church.org or with automatic bill pay from your bank. We are grateful for you support and for what your generosity enables. LARGE PRINT BULLETINS ARE AVAILABLE, PLEASE ASK THE GREETER. If you are visiting from another church: Please ask one of our Deacons for a Peace Candle to bring back to your home church. Please take our greetings and prayers with you and ask your home church to burn the candle during worship. Worship Ministry this week: Deacon: Sharlene Price Greeters: Pat & Jim Smith Coffee hour: Bob & Bonnie Buxton, Holly & Marshall Dawes Lay Reader: Charlie Monroe
Matthew 4: 1-17 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread. But he answered, It is written, One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, He will command his angels concerning you, and On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone. Jesus said to him, Again it is written, Do not put the Lord your God to the test. Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me. Jesus said to him, Away with you, Satan! for it is written, Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him. Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned. From that time Jesus began to proclaim, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.
PRAYER LIST & CLIPBOARD A Prayer List clipboard is available as you enter the church. We invite you to list those who will be added to our prayer list. If there is a person who you feel would benefit from pastoral care, please let a deacon know. PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS Family & friends of Spencer Cote, Paul Cullity, Les Weiner, Rachel Monroe, furloughed federal employees -non employees impacted by the shut down DJ Emery s mom, Roberta, Bobby and Billy Buxton s mom Juanita, Susan Gleason s spiritual director, Brian Longval, Pat, family & friends of Robert McDonough. According to the Northeast Area UCC Prayer Calendar, we pray for the Second Congregational Church in Beverly, MA and the Rev. Alan Froggett and the Rev. Tara Olsen Allen. This Months communion offering This month's offering will go to support Tammi s Closet. Tammi s Closet was started by member, Betty Vitale-Neal after her 19 year old daughter was killed in a car accident in 1996. In April of 2013 Tammi's Closet opened in her memory. The organization gives away free prom dresses to girls who otherwise cannot afford them. Weekly Calendar Today 10:00 a.m. Worship Monday-Friday 9-1 pm Office Hours Monday MLK Day observed Office closed Tuesday 9-11 a.m. volunteers sort bags at Steppe Up In 10:30-Noon Joan is at the Bakehouse for conversation 7-8:30 pm Adult Faith Wednesday 7 a.m.-7p.m. Our Neighbor s Table 11 am MSCC service on Cable 12 12:30-1:30 p.m. Intentional Spirit Community 3-6:00 p.m. Steppe Up In Open Thursday 2:30 p.m. MSCC service on Cable 12 7 pm Come join the choir night! Friday 9:30 p.m. NA Vestry Saturday 9-Noon Steppe Up In open
DIRECTORY Rev. Joan MacPherson, Pastor 978-388-0982 (o), 978-388-1419 (h) joan.macpherson@main-street-church.org Korty Church, Moderator 978-808-3605, kc.church@comcast.net Marie Roy, Treasurer 978-346-9900 Kay Weiner, Collector 978-388-9028, yak385@gmail.com Lee Ford, Chair-Worship & Music 978-388-3750, lee4d1972@gmail.com Betty Vitale-Neal, Chair-Fellowship 617-529-0198, bigbrat1974@hotmail.com Brian Cressey, Chair-Trustees 978-388-5010, bcressey@yahoo.com Dee Morse, Pastoral Relations 603-380-0929, tedanddee@hotmail.com Evelyn Olson, Clerk 508-577-7257, luckyduck98_81@yahoo.com Jennifer Stinson, Director Sunday School Jennifer_nordwall@hotmail.com 508-560-1093 Lee Ford and Deb Rider, Co-chairs Sanctuary Team 978-388-3750, lee4d1972@gmail.com 603-490-7054, dcranberry@comcast.net. Robin Schell, Call to care rschell@jjwpr.com Danny Smith, Music Minister 603-642-5262/danlgee@comcast.net Stacy Lamson, Church Admin. M-F 9am-1pm Office@main-street-church.org Sue Ranshaw, Prophet 978-346-9940, suzispof@comcast.net Nancy Noseworthy, Manager, Steppe Up In 978-462-1318, jazvan1@netzero.net Maryanne Hatfield, Volunteer Coordinator, Steppe Up In 603-974-2795, mhseashell@aol.com Nancy Paradis, Nursery Care / 978-388-9554 Lori Belleville, Sexton 978-417-0745 /loribell82@yahoo.com Steppe Up In 978-388-9061
ANNUAL MEETING IS COMING Mark your calendars now Sunday, FEB 3rd, 2019 at 11:30 following worship. There will be childcare available and light munchies. Hard to believe that it s almost time for our annual meeting, but yes, Sunday Feb 3rd (yep super bowl Sunday), is coming quickly! This is our one time a year we gather to celebrate our ministries, all the events and activities that have been a part of our history in 2018. Please plan on attending. Calling All Turkeys! The Next Pettengill Meal is Saturday, February 2, and it is a Turkey Dinner. We are also updating our CONTACT ME FOR ALL PETTENGILL MEALS DISTRIBUTION LIST. Even if you cannot cook at turkey If you want to be on the monthly distribution list for direct e-mails regarding our Pettengill mission from us (Cathy & Wendy not the church) Please e-mail one of us below. If you are interested in preparing a turkey for the meal, please contact Wendy Brennan or Cathy Young ASAP. We will be able to provide you with a 10-12 pound bird on Sunday, January 27th which you will then cook, slice and deliver on February 2. Thank you for your ongoing efforts to help provide a hot meal for our neighbors in need. Wendy Brennan & Cathy Young wbrennan65@gmail.com ceyoung62@gmail.com
Missions Committee News We are excited that the Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity (MVHFH) has started the Salisbury project! Here s a review of what is happening: We are now building in Salisbury and the project will be a total of 7 affordable homes. We are starting with a single house and a duplex and are already in the process of looking for families who will partner with Habitat. These families have financial need, live in substandard housing, will work 240-360 sweat equity hours and buy their homes with a 0% interest 20-30 year mortgage.. Would you be ready to build with them? They welcome volunteers on any Thursday or Saturday (so please attend as your schedule allows), but we, MSCC, will be coordinating trips for the first half of 2019. Mark your calendars for :April 27 & June 1 PLEASE remember, you do NOT need to be a professional what-ever to help! Making lunches for our crew, giving rides or being a goffer on the jobsite are all worthy and welcome jobs!!! Please see Jane Ansaldo Church, Anne Bourbeau, Laurie Irwin or Nancy Frick to sign up for jobs and/or work dates. Thank you! Of Money and Ministry Hope, generosity, community - there has been a surge of response and commitment to our ministry for 2019 - thank you, thank you. Pledge, gifts, questions, care. As we go to press the spreadsheet people are still doing their work - we likely will have be planning for more ministry than we have income - but an amount that is responsible and doable. This has happened because new pledges have come in and people have increased their pledges - what statements of hope. Thank you, Joan
Jericho Walk Tuesday, January 29th, 8-9 am The Jericho Walk is coordinated by the Burlington Clergy for Justice. It that takes place in front of the I.C.E. office in Burlington. The walk developed from the Bible story in which a group of Israelites circled the walls of Jericho until the walls collapsed, defeating the Canaan army in the Battle of Jericho. The story of Jericho illustrates how the power of the people uniting helps others as much as humanly possible, and the rest must be left to the higher power. The walk is done is silence but ends with the group chanting a prayer out loud in front of the building entrance. No signs or political statements are allowed - this is a walk of faith and hope. Interested in carpooling contact Joan - we will be leaving by 6:30