Village Church United Church of Christ September 14, 2014
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.
ORDER OF WORSHIP September 14, 2014 9:00 am PRELUDE RINGING THE HOUR GATHERING SONG ONG Fellow Traveler Arranger, Jodi Hitzhusen CALL TO WORSHIP John Allen CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
SUNG RESPONSE Come Come Whoever You Are *P *PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST *S *SUNG RESPONSE ESPONSE From You I Receive to You I Give
SCRIPTURE CRIPTURE John 4 SERMON Audra Teague Mackey SERMON RESPONSE ESPONSE Come and Fill CELEBRATING THE CAPITAL APPEAL Ed Bedrosian, Co-Chair
OFFERING Invitation Offertory SETTING THE TABLE ABLE Help Us to be Present Words and Music: Mark Unbehagen, Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Arrangement:: Anthony White and Mark Unbehagen. Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Arrangement: Jodi Hitzhusen. INVITATION TO THE TABLE
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. WORDS OF INSTITUTION SHARING THE GIFTS OF BREAD AND CUP PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING *S *SUNG THANKSGIVING HANKSGIVING Draw the Circle Wide Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still. Let this be our song, no one stands alone, standing side by side, Draw the circle wide. Words and Music: Gordon Light, Copyright 1994 Common cup[ company, www.commoncup.com. All rights reserved. Used by permission. This arrangement: Michael Bloss, Copyright 1998 Wood Lake Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. *B *BENEDICTION
TODAY S NOTES Village Church Capital Appeal Special Announcement Our Capital Appeal, For Such A Time as This, will close today, as we celebrate in both worship services the faithful generosity of this congregation. Come and give thanks for one another and the God from whom all blessings flow. The congregation is also invited to a forum downstairs in Village Hall immediately after the 10 am service to talk about the results of the Appeal and our next steps. Although the Appeal closes this Sunday, there are still a few days left for you to bring us nearer our $5 million goal. If you have been meaning to give but have not gotten around to it, or if you'd like to increase your pledge, matching funds are still available to make your gift do more of God's work! To pledge, please email Barbara Kucich (Barbara@wellesleyvillagechurch.org). Our Soloist in 10 am Worship this Morning We warmly welcome Annie Schulenberg to our community today. Annie, who comes to us from Somerville, is our new soprano soloist. We are grateful and delighted that she is sharing her voice and presence with us this year. Pastoral Care If you have or know of a pastoral care need, please contact Liz Garrigan-Byerly at 781-235-1988 ext.14. In case of a pastoral emergency, please call 334-521-2481. The Chancel flowers today are given by Ruth and Wil Breden. Blood Pressure Clinic 11:15 am, Parlor Trained nurses from our congregation will take your blood pressure and provide you with helpful handouts from the American Heart Association. Middle School Youth Group 5 pm, Youth Room High School Youth Group 7 pm, Youth Room For information about youth programs, contact Pam Emslie at 781.235.1988 x15 or pam@wellesleyvillagechurch.org.
BULLETIN NOTES Village Church Newsletter If you would like to receive the weekly church e-news, which includes a devotional and announcements about upcoming church events, please email Felicia@wellesleyvillagechurch.org. Ordination of Audra Teague Mackey to Christian Ministry Sunday, September 21, 3 pm, First Congregational Church in Natick, Junction of Routes 27 & 135, across from the Natick Common All are invited to come celebrate Audra s ordination. Come for Early Morning Prayer Tuesdays, 8-8:30 am, Beginning September 16 We gather for an informal time of Scripture, silence and intercessory prayer. All are welcome to come each week, or whenever you are able. Contact Linda Smith 781-237-6813 for more information. Knitting and Sewing Group Wednesdays, 9:30 am, Beginning September 17, Seminar 1 All are welcome as we continue work on Prayer Shawls, Baptism Blankets, Children's and Premie caps. All levels of knitters are invited, even beginners. Email Ruth Breden, ruthbreden@aol.com or Bobbie Hayes, rchkch@verizon.net for more information. Little Fishes The Sacrament of Baptism Wednesdays, 7:30 to 9 pm, September 17 and 24, October 1, 8 and 15, Upper Room, Led by Mary Luti A 5-week series exploring some well-known and forgotten dimensions of baptism, scriptural images and related stories, diverse baptismal practices, our own experiences, and the sacrament s ethical implications for disciples of Jesus. Fellowship Dinner Groups Forming Would you like to get to know other members of the congregation better? Fellowship Dinner Groups offer the chance to get together in groups of eight to ten people, 4 or 5 times during the year. The dinner groups rotate between the participants homes and everyone contributes an element of the meal. This informal, comfortable setting is a wonderful way to get to know other members of the congregation more deeply. Signup after church during coffee hour at the Fellowship Table located in the Common Room or send a note to KChaulk@verizon.net or MarkLenci@verizon.net. Please sign up no later than September 28.
Junior and Youth Choirs The Wellesley Village Junior Choir (Grades 3-6) and Wellesley Village Youth Choir (Grades 7-12) are welcoming new members. If you are interested in singing, having fun, and being active in our church, then these groups are perfect for you. Jr. Choir rehearses on Sundays after the 10 am worship service for 30 minutes and the Youth Choir rehearses on Wednesday nights from 6:15-7:00 pm. If interested, please email Dr. Kevin McDonald at mcdonaldkevin23@yahoo.com. Junior Choir will start on Sunday, September 21. Youth Choir will start on Wednesday, September 24. For His Children February Mission Trip Register Now For His Children (FHC) is an orphanage for abandoned infants and children in Ecuador. Village Church has sent seventeen mission trips over the past 14 years. Our next trip is scheduled for the 2015 February public school vacation week. Our pastoral resident, John Allen, will be joining the group this year. All reservations must be made by September 20, 2014. For more information or to register, please contact Debbie Duval (debbieduva@aol.com, 508-400-4616. Inquirer s Gathering Sunday, September 21, 11:30 am 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. Monday Morning Book Group Mudhouse Sabbath: An Invitation to a Life of Spiritual Discipline by Lauren Winner September 29, October 6, 20, 10 am, Parlor, Facilitated by Liz Garrigan-Byerly Raised Jewish and now a practicing Christian, Winner explores Jewish spiritual practices that can transform the way Christians view the world and God. Join us for informal conversation and fellowship. If you are interested in childcare, speak with Liz (liz@wellesleyvillagechurch.org). Bible for Beginners Sunday Mornings following 10 am Worship September 21, October 5, 19, 26, November 9, Seminar Room (2nd floor) Led by Linda Smith, Barbara Stock, Audra Teague Mackey, and Chris Braudaway-Bauman Join us on this five session tour through central stories and themes of our sacred text. Bibles provided. For more information and if you are interested in childcare for this time, please contact Audra Teague Mackey, audra@wellesleyvillagechurch.org. September 21: How the Bible Came to Be October 5: Moses and Exodus October 19: Jesus and the Gospels October 26: Paul and his Letters November 9: Why the Bible Matters
Discernment Circles Forum Sunday, September 28, following 10 am Worship, Upper Room Led by Ken Sipe and Members of the Discernment Circles Ministry A Discernment Circle is a structured meeting designed to assist an individual to hear the voice of his or her own inner teacher and the voice of the Holy Spirit. Come to find out more and to hear from those who have experience as a participant in a Discernment Circle. Sunday Morning Offering Counters Needed Beginning last Fall, in an effort to improve our financial controls, and to follow recommendations made in an external review last year, we have implemented a simple two-person counting of Sunday morning collections after the 10 am Worship service from September through June and after the 9 am Summer Worship services. Two church members will count the cash donations received, list the number of checks and add up the totals. The donations will be locked and stored for the church accountant to conduct a second count and deposit. We will be establishing six teams of two people each who will alternate Sundays. The team will spend 30-45 minutes after the 10 am worship service to carry out the counting service. If you are available, please contact Barbara Kucich at 781-235- 1988, x18 or at Barbara@wellesleyvillagechurch.org. Rosie s Place Volunteers Needed (and a change at Rosie s) We are again looking for people to support our monthly volunteer opportunity at Rosie s Place, a women s shelter in Boston. As we have for many years, Village Church will be providing the evening meal on the first Sunday of every month. Because Rosie s guidelines have changed, we will no longer be shopping for and cooking the meal here at Village Church. Instead, groups of 2 6 Village Church members will head to Rosie s Place to join other volunteers and Rosie s staff to prepare and serve the meal from 3 5:30 on the first Sunday of each month. Please consider signing up for this wonderful opportunity. Sign-up board is located in the lobby near the parlor. Feel free to contact Lisa Weinstock (leweinstock@gmail.com) or Jane Amara (amarajf@yahoo.com). (amarajf@yahoo.com).
What s happening in 10 am Church School today? Kindergarten students and younger will be welcomed in their classrooms before 10 am worship begins. Older toddlers 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: Fishes and Loaves Café Grade 2: Games Grade 3: Artisan s Market Grade 4: Science Room Grade 5: Science Room Grades 6, 7 & 8 will meet in the art studio for art mural workshop. 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 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 Barbara P. Kucich 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