No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey Come, experience God s love Go, serve God s world Main Street Congregational Church United Church of Christ 145 Main Street Amesbury, Massachusetts 01913 978.388.0982 www. main-street-church.org office@main-street-church.org
Main Street Congregational Church United Church of Christ At 145 Main Street, Amesbury, MA 01913 978-388-0982 www.main-street-church.org The Congregation The Reverend Joan MacPherson Danny Smith Ministers Pastor and Teacher Music Minister 6th Sunday after Pentecost 10:00 A.M. July 1, 2018 Prelude Introit Call to Worship One: God is light and in God we find no darkness at all. Many: Lead us from dark paths that we might walk in your light. One: God is light and in God we find community. Many: Heal us and restore us, cleanse us and reshape us. One: God is light and in God we find transforming love. Many: May we worship God and know God s presence. *Hymn Halle Halle Halle Halle Halle Halle leuia Halle Halle Halle leuia Halle Halle Halle leuia Halle leuia, Halle leuia Confession Mysterious God, we do not claim to understand you or know you fully, and yet you reveal yourself to us in so many ways. We do not know why sometimes we choose to ignore your signs and choose instead to grope around in our darkness. We are sorry, God. We regret those times we choose to turn away from your light. Help us to turn back to bask in the light of your love, to draw strength from it and to then share your love with others. May we seek to be light bearers in this world that loves to choose darkness over light. Amen.
Assurance of Grace *Gloria Patri Anthem Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen. Joys and Concerns Pastoral 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, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. *Hymn Christ Be Our Light Epistle 1 John 1:5-2:2 Insert Meditation Light Rev. Joan MacPherson Offertory *Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly host, Creator, Savior, Holy Ghost. Amen. Prayer of Dedication
Sacrament of Communion Invitation Blessing of the Elements Words of Institution Sharing of the Elements All are welcome at the table. We eat the bread as we receive it as a sign that we are called as individuals to the table. We hold the cup and drink it together when all have been served as a sign that we are all one in Christ s body. You may choose between juice or water from the communion. (There are gluten free crackers on the plates.) Prayer of Thanksgiving *Hymn We Are Marching in the Light of God We are marching in the light of God, We are marching in the light of God, We are marching in the light of God, We are marching in the light of God, We are marching, we are marching, we are marching, oh oh, We are marching in the light of God We are marching, we are marching, we are marching, oh oh, We are marching in the light of God Commissioning and Benediction Response Carry your candle, run to the darkness Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn. Hold out your candle, for all to see it Take your candle, go light your world Take your candle, go light your world. *Those who are able, please stand.
Welcome to worship at Main Street Church - During this time of worship we seek to open our full lives to the gift of God s radical and inclusive love. We are honored that you are worshipping with us today. If you are new in our midst, please fill out the welcome card in the pew so that we may stay connected. Please make a point of speaking with the pastor, she would welcome the chance to get to know you. Each week there is nursery care available in the Parish House for those four and under. Sunday School (grades k-8) begins after the time for Children and is held in the Parish House. Our music ministry begins with 10-15 minutes of pre-service praise and worship music every Sunday morning. You are welcome to join in words in three ring binders in the pew - or center yourself silently. Coffee Hour following worship is located in the vestry (the building to the right of the sanctuary). The vestry can be accessed by going outside turning right and using the back entrance by the kitchen or by following the crowd through the swinging door at the front of the church and to the left of the choir. The vestry is located past the bathrooms through the kitchen. Financial Giving at Main Street Church - Offerings are received in worship each week for support of our ministries. Gifts can also be given through simple give from our web page main-street-church.org or with automatic bill pay from your bank. We are grateful for you support and for what your generosity enables. LARGE PRINT BULLETINS ARE AVAILABLE, PLEASE ASK THE GREETER. If you are visiting from another church: Please ask one of our Deacons for a Peace Candle to bring back to your home church. Please take our greetings and prayers with you and ask your home church to burn the candle during worship. Worship Ministry this week: Deacon: Evelyn Olson Greeters: Cathy Young & Wendy Brennan
PRAYER LIST & CLIPBOARD A Prayer List clipboard is available as you enter the church. We invite you to list those who will be added to our prayer list. If there is a person who you feel would benefit from pastoral care, please let a deacon know. PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS Zach Field and Newburyport Youth Service Team in Africa, Henry, Howard, Les Weiner, Bucky Buxton, Tom Hodge, family & friends of Paul Jensen, Bill Wallace, Ellie, Bea, children and families separated at the border. According to the Northeast Area UCC Prayer Calendar, we pray for the Lynnfield Community Church in Lynnfield, MA and the Rev. Ray Henderson. Nursery Schedule Nancy will also be off July 8. However, If two parents want to volunteer to watch one another's children, that is an option, but is not church-sponsored. Thanks. This Months communion offering This month s communion offering will be going towards Circle Camp at Camp Fleur de Lis in Fitzwilliam, NH. Circle Camp offers a free week of camp to girls grieving the death of a parent. This is a week of traditional overnight camp. Weekly Calendar Today 10:00 a.m. Worship Monday-Friday 6-6:45 am AA meeting Tuesday 9-11 a.m. volunteers sort bags at Steppe Up In 10:30-12 Joan @ Bakehouse in Market Sq. Wednesday 4th of July Office Closed 11 am MSCC service on Cable 12 Thursday 2:30 p.m. MSCC service on Cable 12 Friday 9:30 p.m. NA Vestry Saturday 9-Noon Steppe Up In open
1 John 1:5-2:2 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; 7 but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Christ Our Advocate 2My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world
Attention Prayer Shawl Knitters and Crocheters Let s get together again on Monday, July 9th from 12:30 to 3ish, in the Webster room of parish house.all are welcome, and if you re interested in learning to knit, we ll be happy to help, and we supply yarn and needles. We also make preemie blankets and hats for Beth Israel Hospital. Any questions, or need a ride call Betsy @ 603-770-7910 Donations for Dieter - Love and care for John Pouliott is phenomenal - to date more than $5000 has been raised. When the collection began we didn t know what would be needed for John to get a new service dog or when that would happen. Now we know more. John is scheduled to get a dog in October of 2018 from an agency that does not charge for the dog. John s request for the money that we have received is that we use it in a variety of ways that support John s independence and his having a service dog. To that end this the plan - a donation to Seeing Eye will be made, money will be used/set aside for veterinary bills, dog food and other costs of having a dog, some will be used for movement therapies for John to increase his balance and mobility.
Covenanting in Membership - July 22 It is a privilege to have new people worshipping with us here at Main Street Church. It is our hope that you have found here a place to be nurtured, encouraged, challenged and to grow in faith. It is our prayer that all can come here, know they are accepted and learn and grow together. While there is no one way to have a faith journey, most journeys include steps of deepening commitment and faith growth. One way of making a commitment is by church membership. Membership in the church is a step along a faith journey a time of covenant and commitment as one feels called to deepen their connection with the body of Christ. If you are interested in joining on July 22, or learning more about membership, please be in touch with Rev Joan
Collecting of Water - Please take some time to collect water from places that matter to you and brig it back to worship on September 9th. We will pour all the water together (filter it) and use it for our baptisms in the year ahead. New this year - we would love for you to write a sentence or two about the source of your water and why it matters to you - and send those sentences in over the summer (so we have them in advance of the gathering Sunday) You can email your sentence to office@mainstreet-church.rg - or leave In the offering plate during worship. Mark Your Calendars - Hymns and Hops Sunday August 5, 7-8 pm at Flatbread. We have a guest musician ready to lead us this time around. DIRECTORY Rev. Joan MacPherson, Pastor 978-388-0982 (o), 978-388-1419 (h) joan.macpherson@main-street-church.org Korty Church, Moderator 603-808-3605, kcchurch@comcast.net Marie Roy, Treasurer 978-346-9900 Kay Weiner, Collector 978-388-9028, yak385@gmail.com Lee Ford, Chair-Worship & Music 978-388-3750, lee4d1972@gmail.com Betty Vitale-Neal, Chair-Fellowship 617-529-0198, bigbrat1974@hotmail.com Brian Cressey, Chair-Trustees 978-388-5010, bcressey@yahoo.com Evelyn Olson, Clerk 508-577-7257, luckyduck98_81@yahoo.com Jim McDonald, Chair-Pastoral Relations 978-834-0495/dogsneck@comcast.net Jennifer Stinson, Director Sunday School Jennifer_nordwall@hotmail.com 508-560-1093 Lee Ford and Deb Rider, Co-chairs Sanctuary Team 978-388-3750, lee4d1972@gmail.com 603-490-7054, dcranberry@comcast.net. Robin Schell, Call to care rschell@jjwpr.com Danny Smith, Music Minister 603-642-5262/danlgee@comcast.net Stacy Lamson, Church Admin. M-F 9am-1pm Office@main-street-church.org Sue Ranshaw, Prophet 978-346-9940, suzispof@comcast.net Nancy Noseworthy, Manager, Steppe Up In 978-462-1318, jazvan1@netzero.net Maryanne Hatfield, Volunteer Coordinator, Steppe Up In 603-974-2795, mhseashell@aol.com Nancy Paradis, Nursery Care / 978-388-9554 Lori Belleville, Sexton 978-417-0745 /loribell82@yahoo.com Steppe Up In 978-388-9061