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 Jessica Skidmore, Christian Ministry Coordinator Tori Potter, Sexton Nancy Klebart, Office Manager 978-526-7661 office.fpchurch@verizon.net www.firstparishchurch.org
MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE Sunday, May 28, 2017, 10:00 a.m. Memorial Day ORGAN PRELUDE: Prelude on America Setting by Charles Callahan (b.1951) ANNOUNCEMENTS *[Please stand for the lighting of the candles] CALL TO WORSHIP Lord God, you have been our place of refuge from generation to generation. Teach us to number our days, that we may live them all wisely. *HYMN: God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand PH #433 blue RESPONSIVE READING We remember that Memorial Day It began when Confederate war widows decorated the far-from-home graves of Union soldiers. We remember and pray for those who grieve on all sides of a conflict. We remember that Memorial Day also began at Charleston s Washington Race Course when newly freed slaves honored prisoners of war. We remember and pray for people everywhere who are seeking freedom or living with the loss of freedom. We remember that May 30 was chosen for Memorial Day because it was one day that did not commemorate a particular battle. We remember -- and pray for a time when every day is an anniversary of peace. We remember ANZAC Day, when Australians and New Zealanders memorialize not only those in combat, but nurses, stretcher bearers,
conscientious objectors, and those who bear home front burdens. We remember and pray to be aware of the gifts of many in our common causes. We remember Christmas Eve truces and paper cranes, amnesties and poppies, folded flags and the desperate need of veterans for gratitude made real in support. We remember -- and pray for a memorializing, not confined to a holiday but alive in the spirits of young and old, enlisted and civilian, brand new Americans and those with deep hometown-roots, people of every faith, no faith, and people willing to leave their politics outside the door in order to embrace everyone. Amen. *ANZAC Day -- Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Day, April 25 *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 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 ANTHEM: Alleluia, sing to Jesus! His the scepter, his the throne; Alleluia, his the triumph, His the victory alone; Hark, the songs of peaceful Sion Thunder like a mighty flood; Jesus, out of every nation, Has redeemed us by his blood. Alleluia, not as orphans Are we left in sorrow now, Alleluia, he is near us, Alleluia, sing to Jesus! Words by William Chatteron Dix (1837-1898) Music by Alan Smith (b. 1962) Faith believes, nor questions how: Though the cloud from sight received him When the forty days were over, Shall our hearts forget his promise, 'I am with you evermore'? Alleluia, bread of angels, Here on earth our food and stay; Alleluia, here the sinfull Flee to you from day to day. Intercessor, friend of sinners, Earth s Redeemer, plead for me,
Where the songs of all the sinless Sweep across the crystal sea. Alleluia, King eternal, The Lord of lords we own; Alleluia, born of Mary, Earth your footstool, heaven your throne: You within the veil have entered, Robed in flesh, our great high priest; You on earth both priest and Saviour In the Eucharistic feast. MORNING PRAYER CONGREGATION S JOYS AND CONCERNS May God be with you. And also with you. Let us pray SILENT PRAYER-PASTORAL PRAYER-CHORAL RESPONSE SCRIPTURE READING: John 17:1-5 pg. 1679 SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM *HYMN: Child of Blessing, Child of Promise Madeline Cora Stifler NCH #325 black SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 pg. 1891 SERMON: Suffering Transforms Us 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) Rebecca Shrimpton, soprano 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: Eternal Father, Strong to Save PH #429 blue BENEDICTION *[The Removal of the Flame ] CHORAL RESPONSE ORGAN POSTLUDE: Trumpet Tune Henry Purcell (c. 1659-1695) * * * * * Receiving the Sacrament of Baptism this morning is Madeline Cora Stifler, born May 13, 2016. Madeline is the daughter of Andrew and Caroline (Crofton) Stifler of Charlotte, VT. Godparents are Emily, Peter and Meredith Crofton of Manchester, MA. Grandparents are Gary and Meredith Crofton of Manchester, MA and Mary and David Stifler of Essex, VT. The lay reader is Fran Bachman. The greeters are Crofton and Stifler family members. The Deacons are Mary Lumsden and Paul Gudonis. Readers and Greeters are always needed; speak to the Deacons to volunteer. Listening devices are available for those in need; they are at the back of the Sanctuary. Ask 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. SAVE THE DATE! Celebration of Rev. John Hughes retirement following the June 11th Tuck s Point service. To volunteer contact John Feuerbach at jwfeuerbach@gmail.com. FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR Would you like to donate altar flowers in memory of a loved one? In celebration of an event? Please call Penny Lapham at 978-526-7128 Seaside Parish Knitters meets alternating Thursday afternoons in the Conference Room of the Chapel, 3-5 PM. Join us June 1 and June 15. The youth at First Parish church are doing a collection throughout the month of May.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, nonperishable 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. 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
We continue with a new selection for May; A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles immerses us in another elegantly drawn era with the story of Count Alexander Rostov. When, in 1922, he is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, the count is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin...Brimming with humor, a glittering cast of characters, and one beautifully rendered scene after another, this singular novel casts a spell as it relates the count s endeavor to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a man of purpose. goodreads. We will meet on Monday, June 26, location to be announced, at 7 PM. We will hold a Church Cleanup Day on Saturday, June 10 beginning at 9 AM. Volunteers are welcome to join whenever they can spare an hour or more to make our church shine. Volunteers will be received with coffee, donuts and grateful smiles. Monday Memorial Day Office Closed 6:30 PM Diaconate 7:30 PM Manchester Singers Tuesday 6:0 PM Tai Chi Class Wednesday 10:00 AM COA Yoga 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal Thursday 10:00 AM Health Clinic 3:00 PM Seaside Knitters 4:00 PM Bible Study Friday 8:00 AM Yoga Sunday 10:00 AM Jazz Sunday Worship, Communion, Baptism