Wellesley Congregational Church United Church of Christ F I R S T W O R S H I P May 6, 2012
May 6, 2012 ORDER OF WORSHIP 9:00 am PRELUDE RINGING THE HOUR
CALL TO WORSHIP Daniel Cooperrider CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE After each prayer of confession, please join in proclaiming together our assurance of God s forgiveness. All: But then, O God, you roll the stone away. Fear becomes surprise. Mourning turns to dancing. Forgiveness twirls with joy. Jesus skips ahead of us, singing Alleluia all the way. THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Invitation The Covenant Promises Of the Parents Of the Godparents Of the Congregation Deacon: Will you who witness and celebrate this sacrament promise your love, support, and care to this child who is about to be baptized? Congregation: We will, with the help of God. Through this act we welcome this child into the fellowship of Christ s church and invite her to share with us the cost and joy of discipleship. We promise to receive her as a fellow pilgrim on the
Christian way, to guide her by our precepts and example, that all of us may grow in the knowledge and love of God, according to the measure of the fullness of Christ. Amen. Pouring of the Water Prayer of Blessing Act of Baptism Congregational Response We thank you, God, for Piper Marie, bless her and keep her now and forever. Prayers for the Baptized Congregation: God of our fathers and mothers, and our God, we thank you for this, your child, and for the grace acknowledged here today in water and the spirit. Grant us grace to receive, nurture and befriend this new member of the body of Christ. Give to the newly baptized 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. Amen. CELEBRATING THE WATERS OF BAPTISM
SUNG RESPONSE *PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST Jesus Is The Only Answer That I Know Leader: Hallelujah, Jesus is the only answer that I know Congregation: Jesus is the only answer that I know
SCRIPTURE CRIPTURE Acts 8:26-40 SERMON ERMON What Is To Stop Me? Jocelyn Gardner Spencer SERMON RESPONSE Deep Within Our Hearts
OFFERING Invitation Offertory SETTING THE TABLE INVITATION TO THE TABLE
*C *COMMUNION PRAYER AND THE LORD ORD 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, and the power and the glory forever. Amen. *W *WORDS OF INSTITUTION *S *SHARING THE GIFTS OF BREAD AND CUP
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING *BENEDICTION *Those who are able may stand.
TODAY S NOTES Pastoral Care If you have any pastoral needs or know of any in the Village Church family, please call Martin Copenhaver at 781.235.1988 x12. Chancel flowers are given in memory of Yvonne Johnson, from Les Johnson. Healing prayer service 11:15 am, Burtt Chapel One of the pastors will be there for a laying on of hands, and anointing with oil, if you like. You may use this time of quiet and music to pray silently, or write your prayer, to be prayed by the pastors. Join us to experience the gift of healing prayer. 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 Service Ministry. Please take a moment to thank them. Inquirer s Gathering 11:30 am 12:30 pm, Parlor Martin Copenhaver will gather with those interested in learning more about Village Church. Please come. Childcare, along with a snack, will be provided. Cherub Choir 11:15 am, Upper Room Junior Choir Rehearsal 11:15 am, Music Room B6 7th & 8th Grade Youth Group 5 pm, Youth Room High School Youth Group 7 pm, Youth Room For information about youth programs, contact Pam Emslie by email at pam@wellesleyvillagechurch.org or by phone at 781.235.1988 x15. BULLETIN NOTES Blood Drive Monday, May 7, 1 7 pm There is an need for blood donors of all types, especially Type O. In order to donate blood you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health. You may call the American Red Cross at 800.448.3543 to schedule an appointment. It is important to drink plenty of fluids before donating. Refreshments will also be provided. Please bring a valid ID. If anyone is interested in volunteering at this drive, helping people register, or serving cookies and juice, please call Susan Hoffman at 508.545.0189.
Village Churchwomen Annual Meeting and Program Tuesday, May 8, Noon Ever wonder what it s really like at Divinity School? Come meet our very own Alanna Copenhaver, this year s VCW scholarship recipient, and get the inside story. All women are invited to the Village Churchwomen s Annual Meeting which includes lunch. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the Central Street Lobby by May 4 so we can plan for the food. Blood Pressure Clinic Sunday, May 13, 11:15 am Trained nurses from our congregation will take your blood pressure and provide you with helpful handouts from the American Heart Association. This is an opportunity for everyone: whether you are worried about your blood pressure, are already under medical supervision, or have never had your blood pressure taken. Village Churchmen s Lunch Tuesday, May 15, Noon Meetings of the Village Churchmen are open to all men of the congregation, visitors, and their guests. Lunch will be served. If you are a first-time or occasional participant please contact Arthur Stock at ajstock@earthlink.net or 781.449.1970 in order that we may have an accurate count for meal planning. Babson Night Sunday, May 20, 4 pm Each year, the Church School participates in Babson Night which is a program for the Grace Knight Babson Fund for Religious Education. Houses of Worship from Wellesley come together for a short program where children from each Religious Institution present a song or skit. This year, our presentation theme is Acceptance. The Junior Choir will sing their song from the Share the Dream Service. All church school children ages 6 16 are invited to participate there are singing and/or speaking roles available. We will meet for rehearsals: April 29 during Church School and will assign roles, May 6 after Church School, and May 20 will be our dress rehearsal during Church School. Family Promise Metrowest Host Week Help Needed Next Host Week: Sunday, May 20 Sunday, May 27 Please contact Peg Dutcher at pdutcher88@comcast.net if you can help out. We are looking for: Meal Prep: 1/2 meal prep-saturday, May 26; Evening Hosts (from 5-8 pm, must be trained): 2 hosts-saturday, May 26; Overnight Hosts (must be trained): 1 host-sunday, May 20, 2 hosts-saturday, May 26; Breakfast supplies for the following day, delivered to church: on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Someone to make a warm breakfast on Saturday morning at 7:45 am, Laundry: To be picked up on Sunday, May 27. Parking Please remember to park in the nearby lots and on the side streets if you can, on Sundays and in the evening, and reserve the church spots for those who truly need to park very close to the building.
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 worship with their parents until it is time for class, as indicated in the bulletin. At that time, Grades 1 8 will meet at the signs downstairs in Village Hall and proceed to the following classrooms for a special activity. This week... Grade 1: Games Grade 2: Artisan s Market Grade 3: Science Grades 4 & 5: Fishes and Loaves Café Grades 6, 7 & 8 will meet in the room behind Village Hall. Classes for Grades 1 6 conclude at 11:15 or the end of worship whichever is later. Students in Grades 3 and below should be met by their parents at their classrooms. 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. Today is the last day of Church School for all children ages 3-Grade 8. Childcare will be available for Infants and Toddlers on June 17 and 24. Childcare will be available during our Summer Sunday Worship Services which will be held at 9 am in Village Common beginning July 1. WELLESLEY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH STAFF The Rev. Martin B. Copenhaver Senior Pastor The Rev. Kathleen E. Musser Associate Pastor The Rev. Pamela H. Emslie Associate Pastor The Rev. Christina L. Braudaway-Bauman Associate Pastor The Rev. Daniel P. Cooperrider Pastoral Resident The Rev. Jocelyn B. Gardner Spencer Pastoral Resident 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 Fred H. Edling Financial Administrator Tricia T. Kibbe IT and Administrative Coordinator 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 An Open and Affirming Congregation of the UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST