An open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ Eighth Sunday after Pentecost The Christening of Samuel Moran Carter July 15, 2018 Once you have grace, you are free. Without it, you cannot help doing the things you know you should not do, and that you know you don t really want to do. But once you have grace, you are free. When you are baptized, there is no power in existence that can force you to commit a sin nothing that will be able to drive you to it against your own conscience. And if you merely will it, you will be free forever, because the strength will be given you, as much as you need, and as often as you ask, and as soon as you ask, and generally long before you ask for it, too. Thomas Merton, to his brother John Paul In The Seven Storey Mountain (1948)
Welcome to our summer worship service. This summer the hymns are located in a summer hymn book located outside the Chapel. Please take one when you come in and please return them when the service is over. Please join us for refreshments and time for fellowship immediately following the service. PRELUDE HYMN (page 14) Improvisation on traditional Zimbabwean (Shona Culture) mbira songs Rob Dunlavey - mbira Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) WELCOME & PEACE HYMN (page 31,32) As the Deer CANDLES AND PRAYER You are welcome to come forward to light a candle. You may share I light this candle for...:, I light this candle to celebrate, I light this candle in memory of or you may just light the candle and return to your seat. COMMUNITY PRAYERS Please use whatever form is comforting to you. Mother/Father, or Our Father/Our Creator...trespasses or debts PRAISE (page 20,21) Longing for Light vs. 1-3 The Sacrament of Holy Baptism of Samuel Moran Carter Witnesses: Michael and Maria Moran (maternal grandparents) Jim and Kathy Carter (paternal grandparents) Statement by parents Jay and Kate Carter Blessing of the Water The Christening Presentation of Christ Candle by James Carter PRAISE (page 20,21) Longing for Light vs. 4-5 2
SCRIPTURE & SERMON 1 Samuel 3:10 Rev. Jim Mitulski OFFERING & ANTHEM Anthem The King of Love My Shepherd Is Felix Mendelssohn, adapted by Carl Fredrickson Maggie Furtak WELCOME TABLE EVERYONE is welcome to receive the Bread and Cup. You don't need to be a member of this church or any church. Pick up a piece of gluten-free bread, dip it in the cup, and hold it. We will receive all at once, following the pastor s direction. If you are not sure what to do, ask, and we are glad to explain. The cup contains grape juice. As communion concludes we will sing Hallelujah We Sing Your Praises (pages 17,18) Post communion Prayer There is One Body and One Spirit There is one hope in God s call to us One Source, One Faith, One Baptism One God, Mother and Father of All Let us pray Father and Mother of all, we give you thanks and praise that when we were still far off you met us in your Son and brought us home. Dying and living, he declared your love, gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory. May we who share Christ's body, live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights, give light to the world. Keep us in this hope that we have grasped; so we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name. HYMN & BLESSING (page 33-35) We Are Called POSTLUDE Improvisation base on traditional Zimbabwean(Shona culture) mbira songs Rob Dunlavey - mbira 3
We would like to thank Rob Dunlavey for sharing his gift of music with us today. Worship Assistant: Jim Ruetenik Deacons: Phil Gotwals, Paul Brown Altar Guild: Laura Cullen Flower Delivery: Martha Lamb Ushers: Jim Conroy, Janet Jankowiak, Mike Normile, Peter Wells The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in respectful, loving memory of George and Martha Hopkins, long-time church members who supported our church activities and extended much kindness to our church family. The mbira is a 3000 year old type of African thumb piano. It s full name in Shona is mbira dza vadzimu which, roughly translated means voice of the ancestors. In traditional ceremonies in Shona culture, the repetitive hypnotic melodies summon ancestor spirits to commune and communicate with their descendants. The spiritual connections allow for reconciliation and a sense of interconnectedness. When being played, the mbira is often placed inside a dry, hollowed out calabash (Rob s is made from fiberglass!) which amplifies the sound. Church Covenant We strive to be a joyful, welcoming Christian Community. We seek to be faithful in a world torn by suffering, injustice, oppression, and war. We are inspired by God, Christ s Ministry, and the examples of other faithful people. We join together in worship and song, fellowship, study, and mission to embrace the risks and challenges of continuing Christ s ministry We struggle to live out our faith in the world by furthering justice and peace, witnessing to the truth, and proclaiming God s love and mercy for all people. Open and Affirming Statement As a covenant community we are committed to the belief that all people are created equal before God. In affirmation of the inclusive love of Christ Jesus, we welcome persons of any race, gender, age, sexual orientation, ability and economic circumstance to full participation in our community life and ministry. We strive to reflect these beliefs in the language and content of our worship and in our lives together. (This statement adopted in 2000, reflects the welcome of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people and their friends an d families.) 4
7/8/2018 Collections* = $3,235 7/8/2018 Worship Attendance = 32 People June Electronic Pledge Amount: $10,698.84 Please contact the church office 781-444-2510 or office@needhamucc.org to find out how you can give electronically. *Collection amount does not include additional pledges received electronically. The Board is responsible for the overall administrative life of the church including buildings, finances, personnel and the overall health of the church. Moderator: Jackie Allen Clerk: Jane Brand Term Ends 2019: Jim Conroy, Diane Rees, Kristin Mollerus Term Ends 2020: Howard Sesso, Barbra Morton, Amanda Angel Term Ends 2021: Craig Morrison, Scott Lively, Amy Hurley Note: We have a vacant position in the class of 2020. The Deacons are responsible for the spiritual life and well-being of the church. Term Ends 2019: Rick Devereux, Dibby Moder, Scott Stewart, Carol Miller, Jean Veigas Term Ends 2020: Kevin Blume, Paul Brown, Sue Cotton, Lucy Slosser Term Ends 2021: Jim Ruetenik, Phil Gotwals, KM Abraham, Patty Morrison, Janet Rubenstein The Outreach Committee advocates to the church and its members about important issues relating to social justice in our church, community, city state and the world. They provide opportunities to volunteer and guide us in financial giving. We aim to give 15% of our income from pledges to the church to Outreach financial giving. Term Ends 2019: Bill Rees, Fred Moder, Hiroko Hardebeck, Lynn Gotwals, Term Ends 2020: Carol Brown, Mi Herzog, Tom Mollerus Term Ends 2021: Connie Kaufman The PRC is an independent group that supports and maintains an open and healthy relationship between the Minister(s) and Members of the Congregation. The PRC does not take the place of communications between the Members and the Minister(s), but rather helps those who need advice and assistance with such communications. Members: Tom Mollerus, Fred Moder, Martha Lamb 5
Welcome to all who are new or here for the first time! If you are interested in learning more about our church, please email Rev. Jim at revjim@needhamucc.org, Rev Heike at revheike@needhamucc.org or call the office at 781-444-2510 to set up a conversation. For updates on church life, our family ministries, Christian Education and Youth Ministries follow us at: @NeedhamUCC on Instagram Congregational Church of Needham UCC on Facebook @needhamucc on Twitter www.needhamucc.org Please silence your cell phone before attending the service. You can Check In on Facebook and let people know you are here. Feel free to Tweet, Snapchat, or Instagram during the service. If you would like or need a hearing device an usher will be able to assist you. Children s Childcare is offered for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers in the Nursery located downstairs during the service. Rev. Jim Mitulski s Office Hours Please contact the church office to schedule an appointment during his office hours of Tuesday & Wednesday 2 6pm; Thursday 2 5pm Evening hours are also available by appointment. *If these mes do not work for you please contact the office for alternate availability. Interim Senior Minister The Rev. Jim Mitulski RevJim@needhamucc.org 781 444 2510, ext. 106 Associate Minister The Rev. Heike Werder RevHeike@needhamucc.org 781 444 2510, ext. 105 Director of Children &Youth Ministries Madelyn Downer Youth@needhamucc.org 781 444 2510, ext. 104 Organist/Accompanist Sangyoung Kim Housekeeper Sanira Alchaar Staff Church Administrator Danielle Jurdan Office@needhamucc.org 781 444 2510, ext. 101 Office Assistant & Bookkeeper Cindy Sullivan Office2@needhamucc.org 781 444 2510, ext. 100 Music Director Valerie Becker musicdirector@needhamucc.org Handyman Bill Donovan The Congregational Church of Needham 1154 Great Plain Avenue Needham, Massachusetts 02492 www.needhamucc.org Facebook: Congrega onal Church of Needham UCC Twi er @needhamucc Instagram: needhamucc 781 444 2510 of ice@needhamucc.org The Rev. Dr. Paul Clayton, Pastor Emeritus 6
ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS July 15, 2018 NEWS FROM THE SEARCH COMMITTEE The Search Committee is meeting at least weekly this summer. We have received a good number of candidate profiles and expect more as we go on through the summer. Please take a look at the new search process poster on the bulletin board in the church hallway as you leave the sanctuary. The poster shows each step of the process from surveying the congregation and writing the Church Profile, which the Transition Team did, through the reading of candidate profiles, the interviewing of candidates, and the calling of a new pastor. As each step is completed, we will indicate that by a checkmark on the poster. The process continues to challenge us and fill us with excitement. The work requires our careful and prayerful attention, so we ask your patience, knowing that we will share news with you when we can. We respectfully ask that you refrain from approaching us individually with questions. As always, we appreciate your continued prayers. Altar Flower Donations August 15th Whether to honor a loved one or celebrate a special occasion, an opportunity awaits to accommodate your wishes. We have a vacancy in the month of August. Anyone interested may contact the church office at 781-444-2510 or office@needhamucc.org Additionally, an altar flower donation form can be found in the circular rack in the Narthex. Embracing Hospitality during Coffee Hour! What better way to spend time after worship than with a good cup of coffee and talking with friends or making new connections to people who come and visit our church on a Sunday morning. We would like to try to upgrade to more welcoming foods being served at coffee hour. Families and individuals are invited to sign up for a Sunday to provide the food. You can use this opportunity to celebrate someone s birthday, anniversary or honor a person in your family or an occasion by providing goodies for coffee hour. Your sponsorship will be mentioned in the bulletin just like the families and individuals who give flowers for the altar. The office has set up an online sign-up form at https:// www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0844a8aa23a2fd0-coffee or you can simply call the office to do so. Please call the office if you have any questions at 781-444-2510. August Delegation to Santa María Tzejá: The travelers are preparing to visit Guatemala this summer (August 1-12). We look forward to seeing the new middle school building in action, as students and teachers enjoy this comfortable space for learning. Please join us for: 1) the Delegation Send-Off gathering on Tuesday, July 31st (7-8 pm) @505 Great Plain Ave; and 2) the Reportback on our travels on Sunday, Sept. 16th, 11:30 am (Linden Hall). Looking Ahead -- Welcome-Back Sunday (September 9th): Once again the Guatemala Partnership will host a Welcome-Back Brunch for the congregation following worship that 7
day. This is always a special occasion, when folks return from summer activities and renew old friendships, make new ones, and enjoy great food together! Hope to see you there. February 2019 Delegation Sign-Up: It s not too early to sign up for the February 13-24, 2019 delegation, since the delegation will be finalized and airline tickets will be purchased in late September. Please contact co-leaders Brenda Metzler or Fred Moder with your interest or questions: bmetzler7@verizon.net; or fmoder@verizon.net. Have a ball with inter-faith bowling! UU Wellesley would like to challenge your church to join us for some inter-faith bowling. We currently have two teams and would like to get some more teams to meet people from all the local houses of worship. If you are interested, please contact Marianne Laffitte at MarianneLaffitte1975@gmail.com. The details: Date/time: Sunday nights - 7 to 9 pm Start Date: September 16, 2018 Location: Kings Dedham Legacy Place Duration: 6 weeks (with a break for Columbus Day) Cost: $324 for a team of six people ($54 per person) If we get 10 teams: $270 for a team ($45 per person) Price includes 6 nights of bowling and shoe rental Note: Must be 21 years of age, as Kings serves adult beverages Each team needs one captain to coordinate and collect fees Volunteer Opportunity for Baby Basics We are looking for a person who can host the distribution table on the first Tuesday of every month. This entails giving families diapers from 6-7 pm, dinner provided for you and your family. Contact Jennifer Haggerty at jenniferhaggerty@hotmail.com for more information or to volunteer. Community Dinners continue over the summer months! Upcoming date for summer community dinner in August 7, 2018. Volunteers are always welcome to help set up, serve, and clean up at our monthly community dinner for our Baby Basics families. Please contact Diana Conroy if you would like to join our volunteer team. Please Mark Your Calendars Our summer Family Promise Support Week is Sunday July 22-29. Please contact Susan Kirk susanckirk@comcast.net if you would like to host and/or provide a main, side dish, salad or healthy dessert. There will be a first-aid supply drive for Santa Maria Tzeja happening to the end of this July! Items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, painkillers, topical antibiotics and antifungals, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be dropped off in a labeled box located on a bench in Fellowship Hall. List of first aid supplies need: painkillers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen for adults and children), topical antibiotic creams/gels, topical antifungal creams/gels, anti-allergy medications, multivitamins (adults and children), toothpaste, toothbrushes, bandages, among 8
others. GOD S BIG BACKYARD: Mon. 8/20 Fri. 8/24 Kids are invited to join us as we explore God's Big Backyard! Children will learn about God's love through arts and crafts, science, cooking, and games workshops. Each day we will learn about a Bible story that teaches us about caring for the earth and all of our friends who call this place home! During the week we will be collecting donations of school supplies and Spanish-language children's books for our Guatemala Partnership and the ministry they do in Santa Maria Tzeja, Guatemala. A gluten-free, nut-free snack is provided each day. Students should bring a bagged lunch (please, no nut products). Program Ages: Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5 Program Dates & Times: Monday, August 20, 2018 - Friday, August 24, 2018 Drop-off is between 9:00 and 9:15 AM. Pickup is between 12:45 and 1:00 PM. Sign up online http://tinyurl.com/bigbackyarducc All students take home crafts and activities. Students who participate for the full week will receive a VBS t-shirt! Wednesday is Water Day! Our activities include water toys and shaving cream races. Bathing suits, towels, and a dry change of clothes are encouraged. If you are registering more than 3 children, please submit two forms. Questions? Get in touch with Maddie, our Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministries by emailing youth@needhamucc.org or calling 781-444-2510. 9
Sunday July 15th Monday July 16th Wednesday July 18th Friday July 20th Sunday July 22nd Monday July 23rd Wednesday July 25th Friday July 27th Sunday July 29th Tuesday July 31st Wednesday August 1st Friday August 3rd Sunday August 5th Tuesday August 7th Wednesday August 8th Friday August 10th Sunday August 12th 10:00 am 11:30 am Worship & Baptism, Chapel UCC Update Coffee Hour, Front Courtyard Services for Ann Bannister, Winchester Congregational Church 7:00 pm Wednesday Night Worship, Chapel Board Meeting, Library 7:30 pm 10:00 am 11:30 am Office Closed Friday Night Family Movies (Clue adventures w/ talking toys) Worship Taj Smith Guest Preacher, Chapel Coffee Hour, Front Courtyard 7:00 pm Property Committee, Library 7:00 pm Wednesday Night Worship, Chapel 7:30 pm 10:00 am 11:30 am Office Closed Friday Night Family Movies (Clue adventures w/ some cold princesses) Worship Blessing the Guatemala Delegation, Chapel Coffee Hour, Front Courtyard 7:00 pm Guatemala Send Off, 505 GPA 7:00 pm Wednesday Night Worship, Chapel 7:30 pm 10:00 am 11:30 am Office Closed Friday Night Family Movies (Clue LEt s GO watch this brick adventure Worship, Chapel Coffee Hour, Front Courtyard) 6:00 pm Community Dinner, Linden Hall 7:00 pm Wednesday Night Worship, Chapel Board Meeting, Library 7:30 pm Office Closed Friday Night Family Movies (Clue adventurous girl on a quest) 10:00 am Worship, Chapel N 10