Village Church United Church of Christ You are my beloved with whom I am well pleased. Give to this one: strength for life s journey, courage in time of suffering, the joy of faith, the freedom to love, and the hope of new life; through Jesus Christ, who makes us one. We promise our love, support and care. We will, with the help of God. Confirmation Sunday May 18, 2014
ORDER OF WORSHIP May 18, 2014 10:00 AM PRELUDE WELCOME AND CALL TO WORSHIP *HYMN NO. 350 Now in the Days of Youth New Century Hymnal (black) *PRAYER OF PRAISE Cecilia Milano Rebecca Smith DIADEMATA John Allen CALL TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION Holy God, you call us into newness of life, but we confess that we do not give ourselves over to the transforming power of your Spirit. You send us the Spirit of peace, but we revert to division and discord. You send us the Spirit of kindness, but we ignore others needs. You send us the Spirit of joy, but we take your gifts for granted. Forgive us, God, and open our reluctant hearts to the power of your Spirit. Breathe new life into us as we pray to you in the silence... SILENT PRAYER SIGNS OF NEW LIFE WORDS OF ASSURANCE *PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST.
*RESPONSE IN SONG INTRODUCTION TO CONFIRMATION Dave Emslie *HYMN NO. 354 God, When I Came into This Life (vs. 1, 2, 3) New Century Hymnal (black) LAND OF REST CONFIRMATION REFLECTIONS The Confirmands *HYMN NO. 354 God, When I Came into This Life (vs. 3, 4,5) New Century Hymnal (black) LAND OF REST
THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION Pam Emslie and Dave Emslie Invitation Congregational Promises Leader: Before you stand God s people, God s gift to you, as you are to them. Will you welcome these ones with open hearts? Will you confirm the promises made at the time each one was Baptized, to teach them by word and example, to guide them in the ways of prayer and service, and to offer them the love and support of the Christian Church. Congregation: We will, with the help of God. Leader: Will you receive the new challenges and questions, insights and gifts that these Confirmands bring? Will you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow with them in the Christian faith, that together we might make God s love believable in the world that waits beyond these doors? Congregation: We will, with the help of God. Confirmands Acceptance of Promises Leader: Before you are God's people, a community that is God's gift to you, as you are to them. Will you receive these promises that were made at the time of your baptism and confirmed here again today? And will you accept the love and support, guidance and fellowship offered to you within this community as you continue on your journey of faith? Confirmands: I will, with the help of God. Confirmands Acceptance of Gifts Leader: Through the guidance given you by your family and this community, and having explored your faith throughout the past year, do you gratefully affirm the unique gifts you have received by the grace of God, and promise that you will strive to be the person that God has created you to be? Confirmands: I will, with the help of God. Leader: And will you promise to humbly share your gifts with this community, in all the places of your life, and in all faith communities of which you will be a part, that together we might make God s love believable in the world that waits beyond these doors? Confirmands: I will, with the help of God. The Laying on of Hands and Prayer of Consecration
CHARGE TO CONFIRMANDS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Many: Sung Response (4 times) Pam Emslie Bridget Brown One: Lift up your hearts! Many: We lift them up to God! One: Let us pray, singing together Many: Sung Response (twice) One: Creating God, we come before you today as a people who are striving to be worthy of your calling. To honor these gifts you have given us, these challenges you have set before us. But we cannot do it alone. So come, Holy Spirit, come, on this pentecostal day, draw near to us as we sing Many: Sung Response (twice) One: Tender and merciful God, even as we look to the world outside and see brokeness, on this day of affirmation and confirmation we are filled with the promise of your new creation. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Mother of us all, we long to knit the world back together with your mysterious unity of spirit through the bond of peace. So begin now, God. Knit us together, join with us as we sing Many: Sung Response (twice) One: Oh God, hear us now as we pray the prayer Jesus taught. Many: 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. Many: Sung Response (twice)
THE OFFERING Diane Anderson During the offering, please sign and pass the fellowship book, which is located at the end of the pew. Invitation Offertory Laudate Dominum M.A. Charpentier Praise the Lord, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. 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. 355 God the Spirit, Guide and Guardian New Century Hymnal (black) HYFRYDOL *BENEDICTION POSTLUDE David Carrier *Those who are able may stand.
Confirmation Class 2014 Drew Bates Jack Bell Kristen Bishop Sarah Bower Cole Callahan Olivia Chapman Kelly Min Crowley Kathryn Elliott Vanessa Ferrara Libby Frambes Alexandra Glowacky Alyson Goff Ryan Joy Hannah Lee Chase Maney * Elizabeth Matt Jamie Mazzola Carter McDivitt Daniel O'Hanlon Tallia Palmer Elizabeth Raphael Graham Seaborn Luke Stuntz * Katie Walsh * Has decided not to be confirmed at this time
Faith Partners John Anderson Phil Braudaway-Bauman Janet Rose Lori Bruce Barbara Stock Heidi Almodovar Linda Smith Leslie Appleby Alan Rose Diane Seaborn Tracey Wood Susie Davis Neil Simister Jodi Hitzhusen Jim Strouse Janney Wilson Ken Accardi Mike Kellogg Ron Smith Alice Polley Nancy Smith Ken Chaulk Mabel Edwards Fran Hogan Heather Sawitsky Sue Williamson Dorothy Patton Gary Gillis Deb Duval Bill McConaghy Charlotte Harrington Cynthia Curtis Becky Georgenes Peg Mauldin Lou Mountzoures Sarah Hope Diane Bedrosian Don Mykrantz Associate Pastor and Youth Programs Leader Rev. Pam Emslie Adult Advisors Dave Emslie Rev. John Allen Diane Anderson Lorraine O Hanlon We wish to thank all the Advisors and Faith Partners for their love and leadership this year. Youth Advisors Julia Baker Sam Bauman Sarah Bradach Bridget Brown George Ebbs III Alex Kelley Richard Mauldin Dorrie McFadden Cecilia Milano Manuela Pavlina Sophie Peterson Turner Russell Charlotte Simon Rebecca Smith Ryan Stuntz
TODAY S NOTES Pastoral Care If you have any pastoral needs or know of any in the Village Church family, please call Diane Anderson at 781.235.1988 x14. 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 this morning are given in celebration of the Confirmands with love and welcome from members of Village Church who served as Faith Partners this year. Mary Luti s Schedule Sunday, May 18 Interim Senior Pastor Mary Luti will be in Indianapolis preaching the ordination sermon of one of her students. 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 Sharing Ministry. Please take a moment to thank them. Signature Drive for Updated Bottle Bill Referendum Environmental Ministry table during Fellowship Hour May 16 June 1 The current Bottle Bill (the 5-cent deposit on certain beverage containers) has a 30- year track record of increasing recycling, reducing litter, and saving cities and towns money on waste disposal. MASSPIRG and their petitioners need 25,000 signatures to qualify the Updated Bottle Bill for the November 2014 ballot. This bill would qualify water bottles, sports drinks, and other containers to get the 5-cent deposit, to make our ballfields, beaches, and parks cleaner. Drop by the Environmental Ministry table during Fellowship Hour between May 18 and June 1 to sign the petition. Village Church Birthday Celebration 11:15 am, Burtt Chapel We want to celebrate your birthdays with you! We invite all those with May birthdays to join us for a few minutes in the Chapel.
Babson Fund Night 4 pm, Babson campus The annual program of the Grace Knight Babson Fund for Religious Education will be held today in the Richard Knight Auditorium on the Babson campus. Roger Babson gave the funds for this event in memory of his wife Grace Knight Babson. Mr. Babson sought to encourage scripture memorization and understanding. Village Church will participate in this event along with other houses of worship in Wellesley. High School Youth Group 4 pm, Youth Room For information about youth programs, contact Pam Emslie at 781.235.1988 x15 or pam@wellesleyvillagechurch.org. BULLETIN NOTES Environmental Ministry News Viewing of Years of Living Dangerously : A wine and cheese watch party Monday, May 19, 7:00 8:30 pm A film presented by Sustainable Wellesley and Wellesley Grassroots from awardwinning director James Cameron. Celebrities guide us around the globe to hear the dramatic stories of people who are being affected by climate change. This event is being held in conjunction with the Global Day of Action to Cut Conflict Palm Oil (http://events.ran.org/crude). Please RSVP at lmolney@fulhamco.com for Wellesley location. Youth Choir Rehearsal Wednesday, May 21, 6:15 pm, Youth Choir Room For information, email Kevin McDonald. Sabbatical Blessing for Pam Emslie Next Sunday, May 25, we will bless and send Associate Pastor Pam Emslie on her way to a much deserved sabbatical. Come and pray for Pam, that God will grant her a renewing and restful time away. Capital Appeal Commitment Sunday Mark your calendars! In worship on Sunday, June 1, we will celebrate the faithfulness and daring vision of our church by receiving your pledges for the Capital Appeal "For Such A Time as This." Please be with us that morning to offer your pledge and to witness the generosity of our 'leaning forward' congregation! (If you have not yet received a packet of information about the Appeal, including a pledge card, please contact the church office right away.) Also, before and after worship be sure to check out the Burt Chapel and other venues for a video of sights, sounds, and testimonies shot during the Capital Appeal brunch on May 4. See yourself and other Village Church folks speaking joyfully about our life together and their commitment to the Capital Appeal.
Inquirer s Gathering Sunday, June 1, 11:30 am 12:30 pm, Parlor Mary Luti will gather with those interested in learning more about Village Church. Please come. Childcare, along with a snack, will be provided in the Kindergarten Room. Village Churchmen On Friday, June 13, the Village Churchmen will be attending a game between the Red Sox and Terry Francona's Cleveland Indians. We have 4 tickets still available - 2 pairs of 2 seats each. Excellent seats in grandstand section 18 behind home plate looking down the 3rd base line. Game time is 7:00 PM. Cost is $61.41 each. Invite your spouse, child or friend. This will be a lot of fun. Also the group sales office has offered us as past group purchasers an opportunity to get some tickets before they are offered to the general public to a great soccer game between Manchester United and Roma (Italy) in Fenway Park on Wednesday, July 23. Game time will either be 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM. This is a great opportunity for children together with their parent(s) to see world class soccer as it is played in Europe. In Fenway Park, no less. 10 have already signed up. We can get tickets for up to 20 more but we need to order early. You may choose between the $30 tickets (grandstand) and the $40 (loge) tickets, all with good sightlines. Contact Arthur Stock at ajstock@earthlink.net or 781-449-1970. Installation Dates for Pastoral Residents Three of our former Pastoral Residents will be installed at their churches in June. We send our blessings and love to each as they commit themselves to their roles as pastors in new calls. June 8, 2014, at 2:30 pm, The Rev. Jennie Barrett Siegal will be installed as Senior Pastor of Old South Union Church, 25 Columbian St., South Weymouth, MA 02190. June 8, 2014, at 4:00 pm, The Rev. Daniel Cooperrider will be installed as Senior Pastor of the Weybridge Congegational Church, 2790 Weybridge Rd, Weybridge, VT 05753. June 15, 2014, at 4:00 pm, The Rev. Kent French will be installed as Senior Pastor of The United Parish in Brookline, 210 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446. All are invited to attend any of the services or send a note of greeting. For further information, contact Linda Smith Pastoral Residency Coordinator, 781-235-1988, Ext. 20.
What s happening in Church School today? Kindergarten students and younger will be welcomed in their classrooms before 10 am worship begins. The Infant/Toddler Room is located on the main floor just outside the Sanctuary to the left of the Chancel. 2 year olds through Kindergarten classrooms are located on the upper floor. Children should be picked up promptly at the conclusion of worship. Grades 1-8 will remain in worship with their parents. All Babson Participants meet in the Upper Room at 10 am. All other students remain in 10 am worship to celebrate Confirmation Sunday. 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 Diane E. Anderson Interim Minister of Pastoral Care 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