THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN HARTFORD An Open and Affirming Congregation of The United Church of Christ THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION April 6, 2014 Welcome ~ Bienvenidos 10:30 AM WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT CENTER CHURCH. We are glad you have joined us for this service of worship and the fellowship of this congregation. We hope that you will be both comforted and challenged by the Word of God for us today. If you are new to our community, we hope you will consider making this your church home. Any of our worship leaders or ushers will be able to help with your questions. If you are already a member, be sure to extend a friendly greeting to those around you, starting with someone you don t know yet. Please turn off all cell phones and other electronic devices before the service of Worship begins. A comfortable nursery is available in the basement of the Meeting House where parents may take young children who are restless. The service can be heard through a speaker system in the nursery. PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP "If you live in the dark a long time and the sun comes out, you do not cross into it whistling. There's an initial uprush of relief at first, then--for me, anyway--a profound dislocation. My old assumptions about how the world works are buried, yet my new ones aren't yet operational. There's been a death of sorts, but without a few days in hell, no resurrection is possible." ~ Mary Karr, 21st century
GATHERING IN COMMUNITY The church s season of Lent (40 days, plus the six Sundays prior to Easter) offers the pilgrim opportunities for introspection while awaiting the assurance of resurrection joy. Some of the vestiges and acts of worship reflect these tenets through use of simpler material things and different ways of communal engagement with the Holy, including the cross, candlesticks, and offering plates of duller woods instead of shiny metals, the choir wearing robes without finishing touch of the pendant stoles, and the intentional use of additional or longer periods of silence. CHIMING OF THE HOUR and GREETING HIGHLIGHTING OUR MINISTRIES COMING BEFORE GOD PRELUDE for Two Flutes and Piano Andante from Andante and Rondo [op. 25] Franz Doppler (1821-1883) INTROIT for Choir Breathe on Me, Breath of God Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew that I may love the way you love and do what you would do. text: Edwin Hatch, 1886; alt. music: Robert Jackson, 1894 Breathe on me, Breath of God, so shall I never die, but live with you the perfect life of your eternity. *CALL TO WORSHIP The prophet asks: Can our soul-weary bones live again? People: O God, you know! We ask: Can we dance again after mourning, loss, and grief? People: O God, you know! The gift is sure and unmistakable: People: God s breath poured out as new life for weary souls! Let us celebrate the gift of God s new life, People: And come to worship God in laughter and dancing! * Those who are able are invited to stand.
*HYMN to the Holy Spirit No. 59 Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling NETTLETON INVOCATION, SILENT PRAYER, and 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. (* = traditional wording but you may use alternative wording, such as God, Creator, or Mother, as seems fitting.) CALL TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION CONFESSION AND RESPONSE People: ALL: Holy God of history and our lives, we confess that we sometimes doubt your ability to work in the world, sometimes wonder where you are, and sometimes disbelieve that anything good could happen. We are short of hope, tired of doing good, and skeptical of miracles. Amazing God, as we travel through Lent, let our trust deepen in your promises and our eyes be opened to the unexpected signs of your love and grace. God of our lives and all of history, ready our hearts and minds to see your new dawn in all of life. Amen. SILENT REFLECTION
WORDS OF ASSURANCE Minister: The love of God is broad like a beach or a meadow, and forgiveness flows to the very depths of our being. In the name of Jesus, we are forgiven. All: Thanks be to God! *Response (sung by all) We Are Forgiven text: traditional music: Hal H. Hopson, 1995 *THE PASSING OF THE PEACE People: The love of God, the Peace of Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always. And also with you. Since in Christ we have been reconciled, let us share his peace with one another. THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Lucas Jessee Merkent Parents: Jen & Chris Merkent Grandparents: Jessee & Nickie Person, Jill & Alton Blodgett, and Jan & Steve Merkent INVITATION AND WELCOME Minister: They were bringing children to Jesus that Jesus might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, Jesus was indignant, and said to them, People: Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the realm of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the realm of God like a child shall not enter it. Minister: And Jesus took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.
THE BLESSING OF THE WATER Children of the Congregation Bless this water, Dear God. Make it holy and pure with love. Fill it with joy and goodness. May it be for Lucas as a fountain of abundant life. In Jesus name, Amen. CHARGE TO THE PARENTS, SPONSOR, AND CONGREGATION Minister: Is it your desire that your child be baptized into this faith? Parents: It is. Minister: Do you promise, with God's help, by your life and teaching, to lead your child toward an understanding of the Christian gospel, and a follower of Jesus Christ? Parents: We do. Minister: Do you as sponsors, depending on divine grace, by every effort, and example, support these parents in their faith, care, and nurture of this child in the Christian faith? Sponsors: We will. Minister: Brothers and Sisters of this community of faith, I commend to your love this child whom we are about to accept as a member of the family of God. Will you endeavor to live so that he may grow in the knowledge and love of God, and of our Savior Jesus Christ? Will you support these parents and sponsors in their efforts to guide this child in the way of the gospel and to faithful service in Christ's church? ALL: We will endeavor to do so, and we promise our love and support. THE ACT OF BAPTISM PRAYER FOR THE BAPTIZED
Minister: We give you thanks, O Holy One, mother and father of all the faithful, for this your child and for the grace acknowledged here today in water and the Holy Spirit. Embrace us all as sons and daughters in the one household of your love. Grant us grace to receive, nurture, and befriend this new member of the body of Christ. ALL: Give to Lucas Jessee: strength for life s journey, courage in time of suffering, the joy of faith, the freedom of love, and the hope of new life; through Jesus Christ, who makes us one. Amen. *HYMN of Welcome to the Newly Baptized No. 323 Little Children, Welcome SAIPAN In order to welcome Lucas in a more personal manner, please substitute brother for children. THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION COMMUNION PRAYER INVITATION AND WORDS OF INSTITUTION THE SHARING OF THE BREAD AND THE CUP Music for Organ Jesus Is Here Leon C. Roberts, 1986; arr. This tune is found in the hymnal at no. 348. UNISON PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Gracious God, we thank you that, in this sacrament, you assure us of your goodness and love. Accept our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, and help us to grow in love and obedience, that we may serve you in the world and finally be brought to that table, where all your saints feast with you forever. Amen.
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE People: The love of God, the Peace of Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always. And also with you. Since in Christ we have been reconciled, let us share his peace with one another. (Children are dismissed for Church School.) PROCLAIMING GOD S LIVING WORD PSALTER READING (responsive) Psalm 130 NRSV: Old Testament, p. 562 NEW TESTAMENT READING John 11:1-23 NRSV: New Testament, p. 980 SERMON In the Absence of God The Reverend Damaris D. Whittaker RESPONDING IN FAITH *HYMN of God s Presence In Deepest Night ROSE MARY A soloist will sing stanza one as a way to teach this new hymn; please then join in singing stanzas two and three. THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Choral Response Let My Prayer text: Psalm 141: 2 music: Benjamin Rauch, 2009 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Choir member Dorothy Wurts commissioned this piece of Mr. Rauch, who serves as the alto section leader in the choir.
THE OFFERING OF GIFTS AND TITHES Anthem for Choir and Organ Love Divine, All Loves Excelling text: Charles Wesley, 1747 music: Edward Tyler, 2014 Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heaven to earth come down; Fix in us thy humble dwelling, All thy faithful mercies crown. Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure unbounded love Thou art; Visit us with Thy salvation, Enter every trembling heart. Breathe, O breathe Thy loving spirit, Into every troubled breast! Let us all in Thee inherit, Let us find that second rest. Take away our bent to sinning; Alpha and Omega be; End of faith, as its beginning, Set our hearts at liberty. Come, Almighty to deliver, Let us all Thy life receive; Suddenly return and never, Nevermore Thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, Serve Thee as Thy hosts above, Pray and praise Thee without ceasing, Glory in Thy perfect love. Finish then, Thy new creation, Pure and spotless let us be. Let us see Thy great salvation Perfectly restored in Thee; Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise. Mr. Tyler, who serves as the director of choral programs at Manchester High School and is a published composer and professional singer, penned this new setting of Wesley s well-known text as the result of a post on Facebook by Mr. Charneski (please speak with him about the details). This offering of it marks its world premiere! Its relationship to worship this day is found in the opening sentence of the second stanza: Breathe, O breathe Thy loving spirit *Hymn of Presentation and Dedication For the Life that You Have Given PLEADING SAVIOR GOING FORTH INTO GOD S WORLD *HYMN of Hope No. 99 Abide with Me *BENEDICTION EVENTIDE stanza 5 harmonization: Noel Rawsthorne, 1991 POSTLUDE for Two Flutes and Piano Piu animato from Andante and Rondo [op. 25] Franz Doppler (1821-1883)