First Parish Church, Congregational On the Village Green Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts Rev. John G. Hughes, II, Senior Pastor Donald R. Dunn, Director of Music-Organist Priscilla Duda, Christian Ministry Coordinator Jessica Skidmore, Youth Director Nathan Duda, Sexton Nancy Klebart, Office Manager Church office: 978-526-7661 ext. 1 Fax: 978-526-7882 Email: office.fpchurch@verizon.net Website: www.firstparishchurch.org
MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE Memorial Sunday, May 29, 2016, 10:00 a.m. ORGAN PRELUDE: ANNOUNCEMENTS Prelude on America Setting by Charles Callahan (b.1951) *[Please stand for the lighting of the candles] CALL TO WORSHIP The Lord God is great and should be praised. God is to be honored above the vain glories of this world. We will declare God s graciousness. We will celebrate God s love. *HYMN: God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand National Hymn PH #433 blue PRAYER OF INVOCATION Eternal God, even the highest heavens cannot contain you; there is no other purpose above yours. And yet, you walk among us. We have experienced, and continue to experience, your presence in our midst. We feel your guiding hand in the lives around us. You faithfully have kept your loving covenant with us, and shown unfailing love for us. Look with mercy upon those who gather in your name. Go with us, as you have done throughout the history of your people. Give us a desire to do your will in all things, so that the entire world may come to know the graciousness of a loving God. Amen.
*THE LORD'S PRAYER (trespasses) 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, the power and the glory forever. Amen. *GLORIA PATRI 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 SCRIPTURE READING: Galatians 1:1-12 pg. 1809 ANTHEM: Thou who camest from above, The pure celestial fire to impart, Kindle a flame of sacred love On the mean altar of my heart. O Thou Who Camest from Above Text: Charles Wesley, 1762 Music: Philip W.J. Stopford (b. 1977) There let it for thy glory burn With inextinguishable blaze, And trembling to its source return, In humble prayer and fervent praise. Jesus, confirm my heart's desire To work and speak and think for thee; Still let me guard the holy fire, And still stir up thy gift in me. Still let me prove thy perfect will, My acts of faith and love repeat, Till death thy endless mercies seal, And make my sacrifice complete. MORNING PRAYER CONGREGATION S JOYS AND CONCERNS If we had a fraction of the love that you, O God, have shown us, This world would be transformed. If we showed a fraction of the faith that you have shown us, This world would be transfigured. If we had a fraction of the patience, you have shown, This world could imagine a glorious future. Convert us, Lord, to your holy ways, so that we might transform others. Amen.
Let us offer our silent prayers SILENT PRAYER-PASTORAL PRAYER-CHORAL RESPONSE SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 7:1-10 pg. 1602 Crossing the Bar Alfred Lord Tennyson Christiane Alsop *HYMN: Eternal Father, Strong to Save Navy Hymn PH #429 blue SERMON: Do We have Centurion Faith? MOMENT OF MEDITATION OFFERTORY SENTENCE OFFERTORY ANTHEM: America the Beautiful Text: Katharine Lee Bates,1893 Tune: Materna by Samuel Augusta Ward, 1882 Arranged by Michael McCarthy (b. 1966) O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife. Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold refine Till all success be nobleness And every gain divine! O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! *DOXOLOGY Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below, Praise God above ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *HYMN: This Is My Song NCH#591 black
BENEDICTION *[The Removal of the Flame ] CHORAL RESPONSE ORGAN POSTLUDE: Recessional Eternal Father, Strong to Save Setting by Charles Callahan (b.1951) * * * * * We welcome the American Legion to worship this morning. The flowers on the altar are given by the Amaral Bailey Post #113 of the American Legion in honor of the men and women who have given their lives in our wars and conflicts. The greeters and lay readers are Deirdre Henderson and Jill Benke. The Deacons are Paul Gudonis and Christiane Alsop. Readers and Greeters are always needed, contact the office or talk to the Deacons. Listening devices are available for those in need; they are at the back of the Sanctuary. Feel free to address a Deacon should you need help using them. After the service join us in the front of the church for hospitality. Welcome to all who are new to our worship. To join our mailing list fill out a Welcome Card to place in the collection plate or contact office.fpchurch@verizon.net, 978-526-7661 ext 1. Notes on Today s Offertory Anthem Today s arrangement of America the Beautiful was written and used in the Inaugural Prayer Service of January 21, 2009, marking the first term of President Barack Obama, and also used in the Inaugural Prayer Service on January 22, 2013, marking President Obama s second term. It was written by Michael McCarthy, director of music at the Washington National Cathedral.
Please, join us on Sunday, June 5 as we welcome our Confirmands as the newest members of our Church. Worship at Tuck s Point Sunday, June19, at 10 AM Please bring your own picnic and stay for cake provided by the Vitality Committee. VACATION BIBLE PROGRAM Save the Date! Surf Shack, June 22, 23 & 24, 1 PM - 3 PM Catch the Wave of God's Amazing Love with games, songs, crafts, and more! Questions? Contact Priscilla 978-526-7661ext. 3 or cedirector.fpchurch@verizon.net We continue to knit blankets, shawls, and scarves; and for our military troops: helmet liners, neck gators, and scarves. We meet the 1 st and 3 rd Thursday each month at 3 PM in the Conference Room. We welcome anyone wishing to join us. Contact Penny Lapham at 978-526-7128 or laphenpen@live.com with questions. The Deacons will be cleaning our church on Saturday, June 11. We would LOVE any and all support, be that a brief stopping in for ten minutes to cheer us on, an hour with a broom in your hands or staying with us until the job is done. Let s make our beautiful church shine from the inside out. We will start at 9 am and will welcome you with hot coffee, donuts and gluten free cake. Women's Fellowship, Save the date! August 18, 7 PM or 5-7 PM at Tuck's Point More info to follow.
We continue with a new selection for June, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom. This is the epic story of Frankie Presto the greatest guitar player who ever lived and the six lives he changed with his six magical blue strings. Frankie, born in a burning church, abandoned as an infant, and raised by a music teacher in a small Spanish town, until war rips his life apart. At nine years old, he is sent to America in the bottom of a boat. His only possession is an old guitar and six precious strings. His amazing journey weaves him through the musical landscape of the 1940s, 50s and 60s, with his stunning playing and singing talent affecting numerous stars (Duke Ellington, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley) until, as if predestined, he becomes a pop star himself. Good Reads We meet again Monday, June 20 at 7 pm. Jen Powers home 8 Story Road, Magnolia. All are welcome! YOUTH GROUP MISSION The youth at First Parish church are doing a collection throughout the month of May for Operation Troop Support, located in Danvers. There will be a box located in the back of the church and another located downstairs in the youth room. The most important items the soldiers are looking for these days are white crew socks, non-perishable food snacks, such as nuts, pretzels, gum, individual servings of applesauce, oranges, pears, puddings in a cup, noodles in a cup, and those snack foods that do not require refrigeration. On the toiletry side, individual containers of shampoo, body lotion, calamine lotion, or sun screen. Anything you can donate is appreciated especially letters of thanks & encouragement. Youthdirector.fpchurch@verizon.net Christmas Fair- November 19 Keep your eyes open for craft workshops coming soon. Remember to save good White Elephant, Books, Jewelry, Knitting, Sewing, Canned Goods!
The Nominating Committee is looking for Church members who would be interested in joining the Diaconate or the Vitality Committees. It is one of the most rewarding ways to learn about the running of our church and also to spend valuable time with old.and new.friends. We have a few spaces that still need to be filled for the nominating slate to be presented at the June Annual Meeting. So if you have questions that we could answer or you just wish to sign up, we would love to hear from you. Contact one of us on the Nominating Committee, Martha Gubbins, 978-526-4643, Jen Powers, 978-525-2368, Marianne Round, 978-526-9460, Mary Lumsden, 978-526-1579, Penny Lapham, 978-526- 7128 THE CARE TEAM MINISTRY, Have you shared the experience? We support FPC families with meals, rides, & visits through times of illness and loss. If you would like to become involved with this wonderful team contact; Sheila Kafer 978-525-3253, smkafer@comcast.net Janet Groth at 978-526-8408, janbythesea244@gmail.com Monday Memorial Day Office Closed Tuesday 10:00 AM COA Zumba Wednesday 10:00 AM COA Yoga 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal Thursday 10:00 AM Health Clinic Friday 8:00 AM Yoga 4:00 PM Bible Study Sunday 10:00 AM Worship