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, November 12, 2017, 10:00 a.m. Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Luke 12:15 ORGAN PRELUDE: Adagio from Concerto in A minor by Antonio Vivaldi (1675-1741) arranged for organ by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP(adapted from www.worshipconnection.cokesbury.com) So many things draw us away from God. We are sometimes tempted by trinkets and gadgets. We can easily place our interest in temporal things. But Christ calls us to a higher level. We are called to focus our lives on living as God would have us live. We are called to be open to ways of service and compassion. May the light of God s love shine through all that we say and do. *HYMN: Awake, Awake to Love and Work PH #34 blue PRAYER OF APPROACH AND CONFESSION (adapted from www.worshipconnection.cokesbury.com) Merciful God, we live in a society that focuses on gathering things. We see our neighbors collect, store, and gather items, gadgets, even people. Sometimes we do the same thing-- we focus so much energy and attention on our collections, that we have little to spare for the needs of others, for those who are struggling. O God, we are sorry for the times we have neglected the needs of those around us. Forgive us. Continue to show us ways in which our wealth, both of substance and spirit, can be used for healing and hope. In Jesus name we 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 SCRIPTURE READING: Proverbs 3:9-10 9 Honor the LORD with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. ANTHEM: Awake, My Soul and Sing Allen Pote (b. 1945) Alice Marie Alrie Terrill Memorial Music Awake, my soul and sing arise and sing a psalm. For great are you, Lord, and great your love; your kindness is forever. You have been my hope, my confidence since my youth. I will proclaim your marvelous deeds. I will ever sing praises. Even when I am growing old, do not forsake me, O God. I will declare your strength and power to the next generation, to all who are to come. Awake, my soul, and sing. Arise and sing a psalm. Be exalted, O God above the heavens, your glory over all the earth. You have been my rock, my fortress, and my shield. I will ever praise your name, for you are my God. Awake, my soul, and sing. Arise and sing a psalm. For great are you, Lord, and great your love. You arc my God! Awake, my soul! Awake, my soul, and sing! Text from Psalms 71 & 108 SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 12:13-21 13 Someone in the crowd said to [Jesus], Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me. 14 But he said to him, Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you? 15 And he said to them, Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. 16 Then he told them a parable: The land of a rich man produced abundantly. 17 And he thought to himself, What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops? 18 Then he said, I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry. 20 But God said to him, You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be? 21 So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.
*HYMN: Take My Life and Let It Be PH #404 blue SERMON: It s Good To Be Rich MOMENT OF MEDITATION ANNUAL FUND DRIVE TESTIMONIAL Jen Powers OFFERTORY SENTENCE OFFERTORY ANTHEM: The heavens are declaring the Lord s endless glory, Thro all the earth His praise is found, The seas reecho the marvelous story. O man, repeat that glorious sound. The starry host He orders and measures, He fills the morning's golden springs; He wakes the sun from his night curtained slumbers, Oh, man adore the King of Kings. What power and splendor, and wisdom and order, In Nature s mighty plan unrolled! Thro space and time to infinity s border, What wonders vast and manifold. The earth is His, and the heaven's over it bending The Maker in His works behold! He is, and will be, Thro ages unending, A God of strength and love untold. The Heavens Are Declaring Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) *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. *HYMN: God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending NCH #565 black *[The Removal of the Flame, which symbolizes the Spirit of God accompanying us out into the world] BENEDICTION CHORAL RESPONSE ORGAN POSTLUDE: Chaconne Louis Couperin (c. 1626-1661)
The Deacon is Paul Gudonis. After the service join us for hospitality. Readers and Greeters are the Pick Family, Sue, Tilly, Ava and Charlotte. 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 using them. Welcome to all who are new to our worship. To join our mailing list fill out a Welcome Card to place in the collection plate or contact office.fpchurch@verizon.net, 978-526-7661 ext 1. THE CARE TEAM MINISTRY, Have you shared the experience? We support FPC families with meals, rides, & visits through times of illness and loss. If you would like to become involved with this wonderful team contact; Sheila Kafer 978-525-3253, smkafer@comcast.net Janet Groth at 978-526-8408, janbythesea244@gmail.com FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR Please call Penny Lapham at 978-526- 7128, by Monday to be included in the following Sunday s bulletin. SEASIDE PARISH KNITTERS has begun again! We would love to have you join us on the 1 st and 3 rd Thursdays (Nov 16 th ) of the month in the Conference Room of the Chapel, 3-5 PM. Read more about us here. BIBLE STUDY (for adults) Thursdays 4-5:30 PM at 37 Beach St (home of Vin Terrill). Join us for a weekly study of our scriptures led by Rev. Marlayna. Scripture for November 16, Mark 12:28-34. SUNDAY SCHOOL Would you like to be more involved with our Sunday school program? Check out all the opportunities to help online. Contact Jessica 978-526-7661 ext. 3
BOOK GROUP Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. Based on one of America s most notorious real-life scandals in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphisbased adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country Wingate s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong. Goodreads Next gathering, November 27th at 6:30 PM, at the home of Jill Auld. 53 1/2 Trask St. North Beverly, MA. We are asking that everyone RSVP's to the hostess so she knows how much food and drink are needed. COA BASKETS & COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES! Upcoming in November the Sunday School will be putting together the Council On Aging baskets for around 25 of our friends there. Women s Fellowship will be assembling Care Packages for freshman, associated with our Church, to receive before mid-term exams. We are in need of: -Travel size shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, mouth wash, etc. -Crossword Puzzles-Adult Coloring Books and Colored Pencils -Fuzzy socks -Cough drops -Notepads -Highlighters -Hard Candy -Hot Chocolate Packets -Sudoku Puzzles -Snack sized pretzels, chips, nuts, etc. -Gum -Mints -Chapstick Think of things you would like to receive! Bring to Church or Chapel.
PRAYER TEAM For where 2 or 3 are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20 Would you like to request prayers? Email prayer.fpchurch@gmail.com. We meet November 2nd and 16 th. All are welcome to gather in the parlor of First Parish, on the 1 st & 3 rd Thursdays of each month. We will start promptly at 6:00 PM and end at 7:00 PM. We will be praying in one accord, a form of conversational prayer. Bring your concerns to the Lord whether they are for Yourself, Family, Friends, our Country, and the World! You may pray along silently or pray aloud. UPDATE FROM THE TRANSITION TEAM We had our first congregational meeting in the Interim Vision Process on Sunday, October 22nd. 40 people were in attendance, and people shared, each from their own experience and perspective, what they saw as the highlights and struggles the church has gone through, as well as naming key events in the community and the world that impacted the church in some way. We will meet as a Transition Team in mid-november, and at that time, we will put together a summary of the meeting to share with the whole congregation. Once our summary is shared, we would welcome your feedback on it especially if you weren t able to attend the meeting. Please feel free to add your perspective if you do not see it represented in the summary! (You can do this by speaking with or writing to any member of the Transition Team). We hope that everyone will join us in this process, so that together we can say, We have looked at the past, we are reflecting on it and learning from it and are moving on with a spirit of hope! Thank you for your participation! (And please mark your calendars for the next congregational meeting: Sunday, December 10th, 11:30 to 1 pm) Paul Driscoll, Lauren Gudonis, Mary Lumsden, Jeff Parker, Jason Smith, and Lelly Smith
FIRST PARISH CHURCH ANNUAL FUND DRIVE 2018 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver 2 Corinthians 9:7 Call Mary Ellen with questions about pledging 978-526-7178. Save the date and bring your pledge cards on Pledge Sunday, November 19 Upcoming events can be found on our website (www.firstparishchurch.org ) under News and Calendar and on our Facebook page (First Parish Manchester-by-the-Sea) under Events Monday 7:30 PM Manchester Singers 7:00 PM BOT Tuesday 10:00 AM COA Zumba 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 6:30 PM Prayer Group Friday 8:00 AM Yoga Sunday 10:00 AM Worship, Pledge Sunday, Golden Anniversary Nursery, Sunday School, Youth Group