Village Church United Church of Christ April 19, 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. Cover picture: Milkweed and Butterfly from the end of the Gospel of Mark, The Saint John s Bible. Chris Tomlin, natural history illustrator All music and words in this bulletin are reprinted by permission under OneLicense.net, License #A-714276 and by CCLI, License #2910233.
ORDER OF WORSHIP CALL TO WORSHIP John Allen GATHERING SONG SONG Alleluia, Sing!
INVITATION TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION WORDS OF ASSURANCE *S *SUNG RESPONSE ESPONSE God of Abraham and Sarah
*PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST *S *SUNG RESPONSE ESPONSE Lord, Let My Heart Be Good Soil
SCRIPTURE CRIPTURE Matthew 13:1-8, 34-35 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop--a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.
SERMON ERMON I Love to Tell the Story Chris Braudaway-Bauman SUNG RESPONSE RESPONSE I Love to Tell the Story
OFFERING Invitation Offertory SETTING THE TABLE ABLE For Everyone Born, A Place at the Table
INVITATION TO THE TABLE *C *COMMUNION PRAYER 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen. WORDS OF INSTITUTION SHARING THE GIFTS OF BREAD AND CUP *P *PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING *S *SENDING SONG SONG In the Lord BLESSING ONE ANOTHER
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, contact Liz Garrigan-Byerly at 781-235-1988 ext. 14. In case of a pastoral emergency, please call 334-521-2481. Inquirers Gathering 11:15 am, Parlor How has your seeking led you to the Village Church? What do you hope to find here? How can we help you grow? Join us to discuss these questions and other topics. This is an informal time for us get to know each other better and explore how the Village Church can support you as you seek, find and grow in the life of faith. 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. Christian Meditation Practice Burtt Chapel, Sundays, 5:00-6:00 pm, Beginning April 19 Meditation: it's not what you think! Join us for a spirit-refreshing session to unwind the stresses of the week and energize ourselves for the week ahead. Join us for a short reading, followed by 20 minutes of silent meditation: an oasis of calm in the whirlwind of life. All ages welcome; come as you are. Contact John Hargrave (617-816-4123) for more information. Middle School Youth Group No meeting today. High School Youth Group No meeting today. For information about youth programs, contact Pam Emslie at 781.235.1988 x15 or pam@wellesleyvillagechurch.org. BULLETIN NOTES Being Mortal Book Group Sundays, 11:15 am-12:30 pm, April 26, May 3 & May 24 How do we live with the limits of medicine? What kind of health care decisions can we make so we can live to the last with dignity and joy? Join us to discuss these and other questions explored in Dr.
Atul Gawande s latest book. Contact Liz Garrigan-Byerly (liz@wellesleyvillagechurch.org, 781-235-1988 ext. 14) for more information. Books are on sale during fellowship hour. Caring for Our Elders Support Group April 30, 7:30 pm Caring for our elders can be both rewarding and challenging. If you are caring for an elder--a parent, aunt or uncle, a neighbor who has become family we invite you to join us for this group led by Liz Garrigan-Byerly and church member Jenn Gibbons, a geriatric social worker. This is a place to share your experiences, find resources and lean on the support of others. Please contact Liz at 781-235-1988 x. 14 or liz@wellesleyvillagechurch.org for more details or to sign up. Environmental Ministry News: MassReLeaf Ministry Tree Planting Event Saturday, May 2, 9 am You are invited to join volunteers from the Village Church and others to plant trees, shrubs and wildflowers at the Housing Authority Projects on Morton Circle (near the police station) and Weston Road in Wellesley. Nearly half of this low-income housing is occupied by the elderly or disabled. No prior knowledge is required; training starts at 9:00 and free lunch is provided at noon. Supervised children are welcomed to come help. Bring your own shovels and rakes if you wish. To RSVP or for more information contact Neal Seaborn (eseaborn@comcast.net, 781-237- 2152); Mary Gard (mgard62@gmail.com, 781-235-4014. Sponsored by MassReLeaf Ministry. The next meeting of the Environmental Ministry is Wednesday, April 22 at 7 pm in the library. Come join us! Village Churchwomen Save-A-Date for 12 on the 12th Please save Tuesday, May 12 at 12 noon for our Annual Meeting and Luncheon to be held in Village Common. Come for the food or come for the fellowship but be sure to come for what promises to be a special time with our own Mary Luti, following her trip to the Holy Land. More details to follow. The sign-up sheet will be in the church lobby or email sallykellogg@verizon.net. Worship Conversations Tuesday May 12 and Wednesday May 20, 6:30 pm, Village Common Our Church covenant begins with an affirmation that we are banded together to maintain the worship of God. Worship is at the heart of who we are. We are also currently engaged in a discernment process about the future of worship in our church and we invite you to be a part of our reflecting and visioning. Please join the Chapel Committee for a light dinner and a process of communal discernment about worship at Village Church on either or both of the dates listed above. Childcare will be available. Please Contact Susan Sullivan to RSVP (SusanSullivan422@aol.com or 508-655-3574).
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 1-8 will meet in Simon s Studio. Classes for Grades 1 8 conclude at 11:15 or the end of worship whichever is later. 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