Village Church United Church of Christ September 21, 2014
All music and words in this bulletin are reprinted by permission under OneLicense.net, License #A-714276.
ORDER OF WORSHIP September 21, 2014 10:00 AM PRELUDE WELCOME AND CALL TO WORSHIP *HYMN NO. 55 Rejoice, You Pure in Heart New Century Hymnal (black) Liz Garrigan-Byerly MARION *PRAYER OF PRAISE Chris Braudaway-Bauman CALL TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION One: Come, O Fount of every blessing, All: pour your love on all who thirst for good news. One: We confess that we are thirsty too. All: We long to drink from the well of your mercy. One: When our lives become shallow, All: deepen them. One: When ideals dry up, All: revive them. One: When priorities become confused, All: clarify them. One: When horizons become narrow, All: widen them. One: Forgive us our failings, All: change our lives. One: In the quiet of our prayer, soak us in your presence, All: release us from every sin, One: float us in your grace, All: refresh us in your love... SILENT PRAYER *WORDS OF ASSURANCE
*PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST *HYMN Come, O Fount of Every Blessing DEPARTURE FOR CHURCH SCHOOL After the hymn, children will be invited by a pastor to depart for their classes. INVITATION TO CHURCH LEADERSHIP Leif Hille, Nominating Committee ANTHEM Cantate Domino G. Pitoni Come ye with joyfulness, come, sing ye, O come ye, sing a new song to your Maker, O praise him with the saintly congregation. Israel, be joyful and glad in him, in him who made Israel, and children of Sion, ye children of Sion be joyful, rejoice and be glad in your King. SCRIPTURE Acts 8:26-39 (Page 892, pew Bible)
SERMON E-vite Liz Garrigan-Byerly HYMN NO. 294 There s a Spirit in the Air New Century Hymnal (black) Congregation signs Verses, 1, 3, 5; Choir signs Verses 2 and 4. ORIENTIS PARTIBUS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Audra Teague Mackey OUR 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, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. RESPONSE Nearer, My God, to Thee Nearer, my God to thee, nearer to thee, All that thou sendest me, in mercy given; Angels to beckon me, nearer my God to thee, Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee. THE OFFERING During the offering, please sign and pass the fellowship book, which is located at the end of each pew. Invitation Offertory All People That on Earth Do Dwell Thomas Tallis All people that on earth do dwell, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice, Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell. Come ye before Him and rejoice. The Lord ye know is God indeed, without our aid He did us make, we are His flock, He doth us feed, and for His sheep He doth us take. O enter then His gates with praise, approach with joy His courts unto; praise, laud, and bless His name always, for it is seemly so to do. For why? The Lord our God is good, His mercy is forever, forever sure; His truth hath always firmly stood, and shall from age to age endure. Amen.
*Doxology and Presentation Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below Praise God for all that love has done, Creator, Christ, and Spirit One. Amen. *Dedication *HYMN NO. 77 Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing New Century Hymnal (black) SICILIAN MARINERS *SENDING AND BLESSING POSTLUDE Fugue in G Minor Dietrich Buxtehude *Those who are able, please stand.
TODAY S NOTES Pastoral Care Liz Garrigan-Byerly will be away at a conference from Monday, September 22 through Friday, September 26. If you have a pastoral care need during that time, please contact Mary Luti at 781-235-1988 ext. 12. In the case of a pastoral emergency, you may reach her directly at 334-521- 2481. Care Kits If during the worship service you find you need a tissue, cough drop, or a drink of water, please ask an Usher to help you. Hearing devices amplify sound anywhere in the Sanctuary. They are available at the back of the church. For assistance, please speak with an Usher. The Chancel flowers today are in memory of Melissa Bell Meisenhelder on her birthday, thirty years ago this week. 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 You are invited to 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 Fellowship Hour 11:15 am, Village Common Please join us for coffee and fellowship. Information for visitors is available at the Welcome Table. Providing hospitality today are members from the Service Ministry. Please take a moment to thank them.
Service Ministry Fair During Fellowship Hour Please join the Service Ministry in welcoming several organizations supported by Village Church. Representatives from these organizations will be available to talk about their work and discuss potential service opportunities. We hope you will come by to learn more about ways you can become involved, to volunteer and strengthen our ties with groups providing critical services to those in need. 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 Village Common or send a note to KChaulk@verizon.net or MarkLenci@verizon.net. Please sign up no later than September 28. Last Chance to Grab Some Joy! In case you missed them last June, Messages from Melissa provides ten tips of wisdom for developing habits leading to a joyful daily journey. Take an extra one for a friend, our gift to you in honor of Melissa s Birthday. They are available in the Central Street Lobby. Junior Choir Starts Today! Any singers in grades 3-6 are invited to join us for our first rehearsal of the year. Please come to the music room downstairs after the 10 am service. Rehearsal will last from approximately 11:15 am 11:45 am. If you have questions, please send an email to Dr. Kevin McDonald at mcdonaldkevin23@yahoo.com. Inquirer s Gathering 11:30 am, Parlor How has your seeking led you to 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 Village Church can support you as you seek, find and grow in the life of faith.
Ordination of Audra Teague Mackey to Christian Ministry 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. 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 Elbow Grease Needed Village Church is blessed with over 150 member volunteers who staff its boards, committees and ministries in rotating 3-year terms to keep it running like finely engineered clockwork. The Board of Nominating season is underway and your church needs your support in filling the fifty positions opening in 2015. Special skills required: A willing heart and Village Church membership. Previous experience needed: none Are you interested in serving Village Church in a new way? Do you have questions about the available positions? For information, visit the following web page: http://goo.gl/twrvd7 and/or contact Nominating Chair Leif Hille at leifhille@yahoo.com and 508-318-8138. All church members may receive an email web-survey and/or a phone call from a member of the Nominating team in the coming weeks. Please say Yes or indicate your interest in a future role when you are contacted. 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. Youth Choir Starts This Week! Any singers in grades 7-12 are invited to join us for our first Youth Choir rehearsal on Wednesday, September 24 from 6:15 7:00 pm in the music room on the lower level of the church. If you have questions, please email Dr. Kevin McDonald at mcdonaldkevin23@yahoo.com.
Little Fishes The Sacrament of Baptism Wednesdays, 7:30 to 9 pm, September 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. Meet the UCC Stillspeaking Writers Group Monday, September 29, 7:00 8:30 pm, Wilson Chapel, Andover Newton Theological School Featuring personal testimony of the writers of the UCC s Stillspeaking Daily Devotional. There will be time for questions and conversation. Reception to follow. 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 What does faith look like on a daily basis? And how can the daily activities of life as well as the big moments shape our faith? These are some of the questions we ll explore as we read and discuss Mudhouse Sabbath. 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). 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. Stewardship Corner: Our church is much alive! Regular worship services are thriving, our youth programs are booming, and multiple adult programs are going. We are in full swing!
Did you know The High School Youth Group gathers every week beginning in September and continues to meet right into the following June. Can you imagine meeting approximately 33 times a year with the same group of people, while also attending two weekend retreats and a weeklong service project? Can you imagine doing this four years in a row? The youth make an amazing commitment when they show up week after week, retreat after retreat, service project after service project year after year. It is out of such an experience that the youth grow to know who they are, love each other and are called to be his or her best vulnerable self. Nowhere to hide. Andover Newton Theological School Presidential Inauguration Reverend Martin B. Copenhaver Sunday, October 5, 3 pm, Old South Church, Boston Join the leadership and friends for the celebration of the 10th President of Andover Newton Theological School. Family Promise Hosting Week October 12 19 Join the Village Church/St. Andrew s team as we prepare to host families. Anyone can help by bringing a meal or participating in set-up/take-down. Those who have attended the one-time training can also work directly with our guests by hosting meals and overnights. Sign up after church or under Signup Genius in the Service/Family Promise section of the Village Church website. If you have questions, contact Susan Mykrantz (dmykrantz@verizon.net), Margaret Taylor (taylorcpa@hotmail.com), or Ruth Breden (ruthbreden@aol.com). Rosie s Place Volunteers Needed (and a change at Rosie s) 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. Signup board is located in the lobby near the parlor. If you have questions, feel free to contact Lisa Weinstock (leweinstock@gmail.com) or Jane Amara (amarajf@yahoo.com).
What s happening in 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: Games Grade 2: Artisans Market Grade 3: Science Room Grade 4: Fishes and Loaves Cafe Grade 5: Fishes and Loaves Cafe 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 An Open and Affirming Congregation of the UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST