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, October 22, 2017, 10:00 a.m. Communion, New Members He brought him outside and said, Look towards heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them. (Genesis 15:5) ORGAN PRELUDE: Aria (in Baroque style) Robert Lau (b.1943) ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP (adapted from Touch Holiness) For the living of these days Let us heed promptings of possibility, Let us evoke creativities of compassion, Let us be poised for flight on soaring wings of faith and love. O come, let us worship God! *HYMN: God of Grace and God of Glory (vs 1-3) NCH #436 black OPENING PRAYER (adapted from Touch Holiness) Loving God, as we worship you today let not our hearts be as hard as stone, but make us soft and pliable as clay. Let not our minds be armored as a fortress but make us as open as an archway. Let us not cling to preconceived assumptions, but relax our hands to let go of all to which we grasp. Set us free to hold whatever you might send us. May we not be like rocks, unaffected amid the current, unconnected to its source. Instead, may we flow with your Spirit as a fallen leaf floats lightly on the surface of a stream, praying as Jesus taught us *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
TIME OF RECOGNITION Expressions of Gratitude by Christiane Alsop & Susan Parker *HYMN: Here I Am, Lord Insert MORNING PRAYER Pastoral Prayer and Silent Prayer There will be a time, during the silent prayer, where the pastor will invite the congregation to speak out loud their joys and concerns. ANTHEM: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise Text by Walter Chalmers Smith (1824-1908) Tune: St. Denio Arranged by Hal H. Hopson (b. 1933) Rebecca Shrimpton, soprano Alice Marie Alrie Terrill Memorial Music Immortal, invisible, God only wise, In light inaccessible hid from our eyes, Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, nor wanting, not wasting, thou rulest in might; thy justice, like mountains high soaring above; thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love. To all, life thou givest, to both great and small. In all life thou livest, the true life of all. We blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree, Then wither and perish; but naught changeth thee. Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light. Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight. All praise we would render; O help us to see tis only the splendor of light hideth thee! SCRIPTURE READING: Genesis 15:1-6 SERMON: Glimpsing God s Vision MOMENT OF MEDITATION OFFERTORY SENTENCE
OFFERTORY ANTHEM: Eternal Gifts Words attr. St. Ambrose of Milan, ca. 340-397 Tune: Deo Gracias, English ballad, 15 th century Arranged by John W. Becker (b. 1927) The eternal gifts of Christ the King, The apostles glorious deeds, we sing; And all, with hearts of gladness, Raise due hymns of thankful love and praise. Their faith in Christ the Lord prevailed; Their hope, a light that never failed; Their love a blaze over pathways trod To lead them to the eternal Godl. In them the Father's glory shone, In them the sill of God the Son, In them exults the Holy Ghost, Through them rejoice, with them rejoice the Heavenly host. *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. RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS Introduction Questions to the New Members Question to the Congregation Covenant (in unison): Acknowledging Jesus Christ to be our Savior and Lord, and accepting the Holy Scripture as as our rule of faith and practice, and recognizing the privilege and duty of uniting ourselves for Christian fellowship, the enjoyment of Christian ordinances, the public worship of God, and the advancement of His kingdom in the world, we do now, in the sight of God and invoking His blessing, solemnly covenant and agree with each other to associate ourselves to be a church of Jesus Christ, as warranted by the Word of God. We agree to maintain the institutions of the gospel, to submit ourselves to the orderly administration of the affairs of the Church, and to walk together in neighborly love. And this we do depending upon our God who so loved the world
that Jesus Christ, the only begotten son, was given for our salvation, and who redeemed us with His blood, and of the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Guide. The Right Hand of Fellowship Members Received: Elizabeth McKinley Loomis Betsy Joyce by reaffirmation Associate Members Received: Charles Hardwick and Sheilagh Mylott *HYMN: Be Now My Vision PH #391 blue *[The Removal of the Flame, which symbolizes the Spirit of God accompanying us out into the world] BENEDICTION CHORAL RESPONSE ORGAN POSTLUDE: Agincourt Hymn John Dunstable (ca. 1370-1453) * * * * * After the service all are invited to join us for refreshments. Greeters this week are our Vitality Committee and new members. The Lay Reader is Allison Moir-Smith, Vitality. The flowers on the altar are donated by the Vitality Committee in celebration of our new members. Please give a warm welcome to our new members and introduce yourself. The Deacons are Sarah Campbell and Mary Ellen Cook. Readers and Greeters are always needed, to volunteer speak to the Deacons or sign up online. 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. FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR Please call Penny Lapham at 978-526- 7128, by Monday to be included in the following Sunday s bulletin. COA BASKETS AND FRESHMAN 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. -Fuzzy socks -Cough drops -Notepads -Highlighters -Hard Candy -Hot Chocolate Packets -Chapstick -Snack sized pretzels, chips, nuts, etc. -Sudoku Puzzles -Crossword Puzzles -Adult Coloring Books and Colored Pencils -Gum -Mints Think of things you would like to receive! Bring to Church or Chapel.
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 First Parish Church Congregational uses candid photos of church activities on its website and in its publicity from time to time. Any photos of children used will not contain personally identifiable information. Members of the community not wanting their photos depicted (or those of their children) should inform the church office. SEASIDE PARISH KNITTERS has begun again! We would love to have you join us on the 1 st and 3 rd Thursdays 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 October 26, Ephesians 4:7-16 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 Sunday, October 29, all are welcome to join us for a conversation on Reformation with Rev. Dr. Llewellyn Smith. Join us at the Chapel following worship. Soups needed! Contact Jessica at 978-526-7661 ext. 3 or cedirector.fpchurch@verizon.net. Click here to donate soup or salad.
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. 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. BOOK GROUP The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. Next gathering, October 30th at 7 PM, at Bonnie Benincasa s home 25 Hickory Hill Road, Manchester. FAIR SILENT AUCTION The Church Fair on November 11 will take place almost before you know it! Most baskets tend to value between $30-$100. But of course, there is no limit For the silent auction, we need large empty baskets and, of course, items to fill them. These items should have a theme. For example: Get Well Basket Christmas Basket Patriots Party Basket Wine (or Beer) Basket Arts & Crafts Basket All items need to be delivered to the Chapel or to Lauren Gudonis, by Sunday, October 29. Questions or to brainstorm ideas contact Lauren 617-633-5333 or lbgudonis@gmail.com Thank you for your continued generosity! NEW ITEMS TABLE VOLUNTEER Looking for one member of our church to take charge of the New Items Table. It involves pricing items and setting up the table on Thursday or Friday afternoon and selling the items on Saturday from 9 am - 2 pm. By all accounts, it is the easiest job at the Fair! Contact Pam Scarafoni pscarafoni@comcast.net or Sarah Campbell sarah.campbell50@gmail.com
HARVEST FOOD DRIVE, October 2017. In 2016 we gathered 96 pounds for Beverly Bootstraps and 99 pounds for The Open Door. The annual First Parish Church Harvest Food Drive helps our neighbors who are struggling to feed their families. Every year our congregation responds generously to the call for food donations to stock the pantries at Beverly Bootstraps and The Open Door. The canned goods and non-perishables that are collected during our Harvest Food Drive assist families and individuals in Beverly, Manchester, Essex, Gloucester, Essex, Ipswich, and Rockport. The Missions Committee, FPC Youth Groups, and the Sunday School are all cooperating in this important effort. All through the month of October we will be collecting non-perishable food items. Items can be dropped off at the Chapel or Church. RESCHEDULED SILENT PRAYER/AWARENESS WALK Nov. 5 Your Interim Pastor, Transition Team, [and Prayer Team], invite you to join them in a brief walk around the neighborhood, November 5th, 11:30 to 12:15. In case you ve never been on a walk like this, here s what it entails: A small group of us silently walking around Manchester for half an hour or so, simply being aware of what we see. For example: Are there tricycles in the driveways? Trampolines in the yards? Moms/dads with strollers on the sidewalks? Elderly people sitting on porches? Houses with peeling paint? Handicap ramps? Halloween decorations? Shops with creative signs/displays in their windows? etc, etc. At the end of the walk, we gather in the sanctuary and report back what we noticed. Then, we pray for the well-being of the people we ve seen. Note: Prayer walks are not a means of evangelizing our neighbors; prayer walks are a means for God to open our eyes and hearts to the people around us. (Also note: We won t be conspicuously praying while we are walking, so anyone taking notice of us won t view us as religious zealots; to the average person, we will simply look like a small group of people out for a Sunday stroll :).
Youth Group Corn Maze Fun was had by all! 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 Christian Ed Tuesday 10:00 AM COA Zumba 11:30 AM COA Lunch of the Month 4:30 PM Friends of COA Wednesday 10:00 AM COA Yoga 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal Thursday 4:00 PM Bible Study 6:30 PM Diaconate Friday 8:00 AM Yoga 10:00 AM Brown Bag Lunches Sunday 10:00 AM Worship, Nursery, Sunday School, Youth Group 11:30 AM Soup & Conversation