THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN HARTFORD An Open and Affirming Congregation of The United Church of Christ THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM THE RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION February 2, 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 Give light and people will find the way. ~ Ella Baker CHIMING OF THE HOUR and GREETING
COMING BEFORE GOD PRELUDE for Piano Heaven Edward Duke Ellington^ (1899-1974); arr. Many musical expressions or the texts written for such this month will be by composers or authors who are of African-American heritage, as February is African-American Heritage Month. These persons will be indicated by ^. INTROIT for Choir Something Is Out There text: Marilyn B. Watson^, 2013 music: Jason Charneski, 2013 Something is out there, and it s very powerful. Something is touching me, like the wind on the sea. Oh, it s mighty and very strong. God, is it you? I am here, Lord, waiting for you. *CALL TO WORSHIP Church member Marilyn Watson submitted this poem to Mr. Charneski, who found qualities within it that could work well in a musical setting. Leader: People: Leader: All: Why are we here? We are here to receive God s Spirit, to see visions with the eagerness of youth, to dream dreams with the confidence of age, to hear the word of the Lord through all the people of God. Come, then, expecting the wind of the Spirit to open closed windows, to make fresh breezes blow. Seek and you will find. Listen and you will hear. Let us be bold in our worship! *HYMN for the Church No. 386 The Church s One Foundation AURELIA stanza 4 descant and harmonization: Paul Halley, 1999 * Those who are able are invited to stand.
PRAYER OF INVOCATION 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.) SILENCE FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION Choral Petition Lord, Have Mercy music: Avon Gillespie^, 1987 text: Greek, 6 th century; transl. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. *Congregational Response Glory to God the Creator music: Ronald A. Nelson, 1986 text: Gloria patri, 3 rd century, transl. OPENING WORDS BY MINISTER CHARGE TO CANDIDATE THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Candidate: Roderick Demario Jones Minister: Roderick, do you desire to be baptized into the faith and family of Jesus Christ? Candidate: I do. Minister: Sponsor, are you ready, with God s help, to guide and encourage Roderick, by counsel and example, in prayer and with love, to follow the way of Jesus Christ?
Sponsor: I am. Minister: Do you renounce the powers of evil, and desire the freedom of new life in Christ? Candidate: I do. Minister: Do you profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? Candidate: I do. Minister: Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ s disciple, to follow in the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the work and world of Jesus Christ as best you are able? Candidate: I promise, with the help of God. Minister: Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow in the Christian faith, and to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ, celebrating Christ presence, and furthering Christ s mission in all the world? Candidate: I promise, with the help of God. CONGREGATIONAL ASSENT Minister: Jesus Christ calls us to make disciples of all nations, and to offer them the gift of grace in baptism. Do you, who witness and celebrate this sacrament, promise your love and support to Roderick as he lives and grows in Christ? People: We promise our love and support. THE ACT OF BAPTISM PRAYER FOR THE BAPTIZED Minister: Gracious God, you have filled the world with joy by giving us the gift of Jesus. Bless Roderick as he is newly baptized. May he be filled with joy, and may he never be ashamed to confess a personal faith in you. People: Give him 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 Community No. 394 In Christ There Is No East or West MCKEE THE RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS ^Led Baxter, ^Nancy Baxter, Ruth Fortune, Roderick Demario Jones, Garrett Rapsilber, David Reynolds, and Sabas Whittaker PROCLAIMING GOD S LIVING WORD *HYMN of Discipleship Cuando El Pobre/When the Poor Ones EL CAMINO Please sing stanza 1 in the language Spanish or English that enables you to offer your best unto God. text: José Antonio Olivar, 1976; transl. Martin A. Seltz (b. 1951) music: José Antonio Olivar and Miguel Manzano, 1976 PSALTER READING (responsive) Psalm 15 NRSV: Old Testament, p. 485 NEW TESTAMENT READING Matthew 5:1-12 NRSV: New Testament, p. 882 REFLECTION The Reverend Damaris D. Whittaker Choral Response Listen, God Is Calling music: Tanzanian melody; arr. Austin C. Lovelace, 1968 text: Tanzanian traditional; transl. Howard S. Olson, 1968 Listen, God is calling, through the Word inviting, offering forgiveness, comfort, and joy. Help us to be faithful, standing steadfast, walking in your precepts, led by your Word.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE RESPONDING IN FAITH Choral Response I Love the Lord, Who Hears My Cries music: Richard Smallwood^, 1975 text: Isaac Watts, 1719; alt. I love the Lord, who hears my cries, and pities every groan. Long as I live and troubles rise, I ll hasten to God s throne. THE OFFERING OF GIFTS AND TITHES Hymn for Choir and Organ Amazing Abundance music: Mark A. Miller^, 2003 text: Laurie Zelman, 2003 Amazing abundance poured out on this land, the mark of your gracious and generous hand. Your blessing is richest on those who will give with joy and thanksgiving so others may live. We pray for communion, all nations so strong that difference is honored and all might belong. A tapestry woven by myriad hands, a banner of freedom the bright braided strands. Praise God for the nations, O help us to see the whole world is yours, Lord, and yearns to be free. Mark A. Miller was a presenter on the Diversity in Sacred Music education series offered here at Center Church in May of 2012. Mr. Miller is the director of music at Christ Church, UCC, in Summit, New Jersey, and serves on the faculty of the Institute of Sacred Music at Yale University. Prior to his appointments at Yale and in Summit, he served as the associate director of music and organist of The Riverside Church in New York City. *Hymn of Presentation Faithful Lord of All Things Living MEIGS ST.
*UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION Liberator Christ, you went to the top of a mountain, and taught a sacred word about the meek and the grief stricken, about the lost and the lonely. Come to this place now, and by these gifts help us to see the world not as it is, but as it could be, that we may become good news to all. Amen. THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION COMMUNION PRAYER Holy, Holy, Holy (sung by the choir) music: Lena McLin^, 1972 text: Isaiah 6: 3b and Matthew 21: 9b Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. WORDS OF INSTITUTION THE SHARING OF THE BREAD AND THE CUP Spiritual for Choir Swing Low, Sweet Chariot arr. Alice Parker and Robert Shaw, 1961 Swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home. I looked over Jordan, and what did I see: a band of angels coming after me. I m sometimes up and sometimes down; sometimes I m almost to the ground. UNISON PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING We thank you, God, for inviting us to this table where we have known the presence of Christ and received all Christ s gifts. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and let us show forth your praise in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE Leader: People: Leader: 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. BEING THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD SHARING OUR LIFE IN CHRIST GOING FORTH INTO GOD S WORLD *HYMN for Christian Unity No. 401 O God, in Whom All Life Begins *BENEDICTION and DISMISSAL NOEL stanza 3 harmonization: Noel Rawsthorne, 1991 Minister: Go forth in peace to love and serve the Lord. People: Thanks be to God! POSTLUDE for Organ Toccata from Sixty Short Pieces Flor Peeters, 1955