Wellesley Village Church United Church of Christ October 30, 2016, 10:00am Reformation Sunday All theological language is an approximation, offered tentatively in holy awe. That s the best human language can achieve. We can say, It s like it s similar to, but we can never say, It is because we are in the realm of beyond, of transcendence, of mystery. And we must absolutely must maintain a fundamental humility before the Great Mystery. If we do not, religion always worships itself and its formulations and never God. Richard Rohr, The Divine Dance
Welcome to Worship at Wellesley Village Church! An Open & Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ Whoever you are, wherever you are on the journey of life and faith, we are delighted you are here! We Welcome All! We extend a welcome as broad as the outstretched arms of God, who calls us together to pray, sing, and rejoice in God s glorious presence. We welcome children to participate fully in Worship. During 10am Worship, childcare for under 5 is available in the Family Worship Room, located just outside of the sanctuary. Children 1st grade and older begin in worship before transitioning to Village Children s Church. Please see the blue resource folder for information and dates. We Value Community! Visitors, we want to help you connect with our community. Please fill out a Connection Card found in the blue folders or sign the welcome book in First Worship or the pew pads in Second Worship. Questions about our life together are always welcome, or find information on our website. Keep up to date with Village Church happenings through our weekly Enews. To subscribe contact Chris Toppin at: christine@wellesleyvillagechurch.org or at: 781-235-1988, x17. God Calls You By Name, and So Do We! Please wear a nametag; temporary stickers are available and you may request a permanent nametag anytime. We like to linger After First Worship we gather behind the worship space; after Second Worship we gather in Village Common, accessed through the doors by the piano and pulpit. www.wellesleyvillagechurch.org
ORDER OF WORSHIP October 30, 2016 Hymns can be found in the New Century Hymnal (black) *Please stand as you are able. PRELUDE 10:00 AM RINGING OF THE BELL The bell is rung three times to attune us to the presence of the Triune God. WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP Sarah Sarchet Butter PRAYER OF INVOCATION *OPENING HYMN No. 439 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God EIN FESTE BURG CALL TO CONFESSION AND PRAYER OF CONFESSION Merciful God, hope of your people in every age, We confess that we have sinned against you. We have wandered from your pathways, Turned toward idols, Lived without compassion, And disregarded the well-being of your creation. Do not turn away from us, O Lord, But renew your covenant, For only in you will our lives be healed. (Silence) In Jesus name; Amen ASSURANCE OF GOD S GRACE One: In Christ we are forgiven and set free to live in praise and thanksgiving! All: Thanks be to God! BLESSING OUR CHILDREN AND PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST One: Children of Village Church, All: Go with God s love and ours. One: The peace of Christ be with you all, All: And also with you.
*SUNG RESPONSE No. 387 O Christ, the Great Foundation (v.1) O Christ, the great foundation on which your people stand To preach your true salvation in every age and land; Pour out your Holy Spirit to make us strong and pure, To keep the faith unbroken as long as worlds endure. AURELIA RESPONSIVE PSALM Psalm 119:33-40 p. 494 Pew Bible SCRIPTURE Luke 19:1-10 p. 854 Pew Bible SERMON Short-Sighted *HYMN NO. 316 We Limit Not the Truth of God OLD 22nd OUR COMMON LIFE AND OFFERING Rummage Sale Offertory Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word Dietrich Buxtehude Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word; curb those who fain by craft and sword would wrest the Kingdom from Thy Son and set at naught all He hath done. Lord Jesus Christ, Thy power make known, for Thou art Lord of lords alone; defend Thy Christendom that we may evermore sing praise to Thee. O Comforter of priceless worth, send peace and unity on earth. Support us in our final strife, and lead us out of death to life. Grant peace, we pray, in mercy, Lord, peace in our time, oh, send us! For there is none on earth but Thee, none other to defend us. Thou only, Lord, canst fight for us. Give to our people, give to our people, to all that be in power, to all that be in power, peace, peace, peace, peace and good government, peace and good government, that by their protection we may lead a quiet and peaceful life always in all godliness and in all honesty. 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. *Prayer of Dedication PRELUDE TO PRAYER Meditation Religioso M. Greenwald Stacey Alden and Robert Curtis, violinists
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen *CLOSING HYMN No. 315 O Word of God Incarnate MUNICH *BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Allegro (Concerto in a minor) Antonio Vivaldi *** At conclusion of the postlude, ALL ARE INVITED for refreshments and conversation in the Village Common, located through the doors nearest the pulpit. Please come! TODAY, Brunch and Belonging will commence in the Chapel immediately following the service. All who are interested in membership at Village Church are invited to attend and explore being in covenant together with our family of faith. With gratitude for your presence, the pastors look forward to this time with you for a light lunch and conversation. All are welcome; childcare provided!
TODAY S NOTES First Worship Guest Musician today is Cici Hunt. Welcome and thank you for being with us. Chancel Flowers this morning are given by Heather Banting. Thanking God for her heroic grandson, Finnley who continues his journey to recovery. New Nametags Can be picked up in the Village Common Lobby. Fellowship Hour is hosted today by the Board of Human Resources. Thank you! Picture Directory Signup North Hill on November 14th. Call Chris Toppin. 781-235-1988, ext. 17. TODAY AT VILLAGE CHURCH Reformation Sunday 9:00 AM First Worship, Village Hall, lower level Rev. Josh Fitterling preaching, Neil Simister, liturgist 10:00 AM Second Worship, Sanctuary Rev. Dr. Sarah Sarchet Butter preaching, Rev. Liz Garrigan-Byerly, liturgist Village Children s Church Infant Through Threes, Family Worship Room (9:50am arrival) Pre-K / Kindergarten Students, Upper Floor (9:50am arrival) Grades 1-8, Begin in worship then proceed to Upper Floor classes 11:15 AM Fellowship Hour, Village Common Brunch and Belonging, Burtt Chapel Cherub & Junior Choir, Upper Room Blood Pressure Clinic, Parlor 11:30 AM Rummage Sale Setup, Village Hall 1:00 PM Confirmation Retreat Returns Chinese School, Upper Floor 4:30 PM NWW Ecumenical Fellowship, Village Common & Burtt Chapel 6th & 7th Gr Youth Group, Village Common & Burtt Chapel 5:00 PM Christian Meditation, Parlor 7:00 PM High School Youth (10-12th Gr), Youth Room UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES Details at: www.wellesleyvillagechurch.org Christian Meditation Sundays 5-6pm (with exceptions), beginning TODAY! October 30th It's not what you think! 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. For more information please contact Kerstin Allen at: Kerstin.R.Allen@gmail.com. NWW Ecumenical Fellowship Today! 4:30-6:30pm The Newton Wellesley Weston Committee for Community Living is Village Church's partner in ministry to adults with developmental disabilities. For sixteen years NWW and Village Church friends gather in Village Common on Sunday afternoons from 4:30-6:30 for worship, food and fellowship. We invite you to experience this loving community. NWW guests will be with us on the following Sundays: October 30, November 20 (Thanksgiving Potluck Luncheon), December 18, February 12, March 12, and April 23 Led by Pam Emslie, Josh Fitterling and Judy Mongiardo, Ecumenical Fellowship is open to all. Contact Judy at: jmongiardo@earthlink.net.
Exploring the Bible Launch Date, November 2016 SIGNUPS DUE TODAY! Massachusetts Bible Society is engaging New England in a study of the Bible from literary, historical, and devotional perspectives, and Village Church is joining in. Beginning in November, there will be 4 options to engage the six week intro course, What is the Bible?, where we will explore the organization and history of the Bible as well as take a peek into interpretation and the revelations presented by archeological findings. More information regarding group timing, dates, and sign-ups can be found in Village Common or on our website. Contact Rev. Josh Fitterling (joshua@wellesleyvillagechurch.org) with any questions. Books available for purchase after worship in the Village Common for an $11. donation. Heritage Sunday Sunday, November 6, 11:15am Come celebrate our history! Wellesley Congregational Church and Cemetery s listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Hear our story. Hear your story. Hear God s story. Village Churchwomen s 75th Annual Rummage Sale! Sunday, November 5th 9am-3pm Help for the Rummage Sale - The Village Church Women s annual rummage sale is the primary source of funds for the charitable giving by the Village Church Women. Last year this event raised over $22,000 which went to our church and other charitable organizations. To make this happen, we need volunteers (women, men, and especially youth!) to help the Village Church Women on the following short jobs: Set up: On Sunday, Oct. 30 at 11:30am, after 10am worship to set up the rooms downstairs (1 to 1 ½ hours). During the sale: On Saturday, November 5 there are two shifts: 8:45 11:00 and 11:00 to 1 PM. We need two security people (keep an eye on things and general help), two door people first shift, one door person the second shift to sell entrance tickets. These roles can be seated and are low physical effort. Take down: On Saturday, Nov. 5 at 1:30 PM after the sale ends, to take down the tables & racks, and to help clean out the area (about 1 ½ hours). If you are available and would be willing to contribute your time please contact Mark Lenci at: MarkLenci@verizon.net. A couple hours of your time will make a difference and we promise it will be an enjoyable experience with other Village Church members! Sip and See: Handwork from the Kopanang Community November 11, 2016, Noon to 3pm An Opportunity to sip tea and get an early start on your holiday shopping and to support a community of grandmothers supporting their grandchildren in a South African Village riven by Aids. Each handmade, hand-embroidered scarf, ornament, bag, stuffed animal (and more) is signed. Please join us - Margaret Taylor and Martha Rowland, and meet Sister Shiela Flynn, Founder of the Kopanang Community. Contact Margaret Taylor at: taylorcpa@hotmail.com. Help Pack Caps for Kids Saturday, November 12 at 9am - 12 Noon in Village Common Knitted caps will be packed in boxes to be delivered to Boston schools, medical and health centers, preschools, Brigham Hospital preemie department, Head Start and Home for Little Wanderers. Last year 8000 handmade caps were delivered, some made by Village Church knitters and others by knitting groups all over the country. We need lots of help, please join us. This is sponsored by the knitting group of the Village Churchwomen. Contact Betty Seaborn at baseaborn@comcast.net.
Wellesley Village Church An Open and Affirming Congregation of the UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 2 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02482 Office: 781-235-1988 Urgent Pastoral Care Cell: 781-591-7451 Our Church Covenant We are banded together as a Christian Church to maintain the worship of God, to proclaim the gospel of Christ, to develop in all people a consciousness of their relations and duties to God and to each other, and to inspire them with love for truth, passion for righteousness, and enthusiasm for service. To this end we pledge our loyalty to Christ and covenant with each other to express God s spirit in our individual and corporate life; to live together as Christians and to submit ourselves to the government of this Church, working, giving, praying for its increase, its purity, its peace, and seeking in every way to make it a power for the building up of the kingdom of God. Ken Sipe ~ Moderator Susan Sullivan ~ Vice Moderator Vicky Lazzell ~ Immediate Past Moderator The Rev. Dr. Sarah Sarchet Butter ~ Senior Pastor Associate Pastors The Rev. Pam Emslie The Rev. Liz Garrigan-Byerly Pastoral Residents The Rev. Megan Snell The Rev. Joshua Fitterling Ministry Directors Michaela McDonald Children s Ministry David R. Carrier Music Jodi Hitzhusen First Worship Music Dr. Kevin McDonald Youth Music Erin Donato Administration All music and words in this bulletin are reprinted by permission under OneLicense.net, License #A-714276 and by CCLI, License #2910233.