united church of christ “welcome one another, as …...2015/09/27 · the lord upholds all who...
TRANSCRIPT
Wellesley Village Church
United Church of Christ
September 27, 2015
“Welcome one another, as Christ has welcomed you.”
Romans 15:7
ORDER OF WORSHIP
September 27, 2015 10:00am
All hymns are found in the New Century Hymnal (black) unless otherwise indicated. *Please stand as you are able.
PRELUDE PASTORAL GREETING AND DOXOLOGY
*Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit One. Amen.
WELCOME AND CALL TO WORSHIP Josh Fitterling *HYMN NO. 4 “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You” HYMN TO JOY
INVITATION TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, You call us to be salt of the earth and light of the world.
We confess that our witness is often faint, dim and bland. Forgive us
when we fail to follow your way, and when we condone or do what is
wrong in your sight. Help us to flavor the earth with goodness and
kindness, and to reflect the light of your love. Guide us even now as we
offer you our silent prayers . . .
SILENT PRAYER
*WORDS OF ASSURANCE
*PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Great is your faithfulness! Great is your faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed your hand has provided, Great is your faithfulness, God, unto me!
Children through Grade 8 are invited to proceed to their classes.
JOINING AND INSTALLATION OF JOSHUA FITTERLING AND
MEGAN SNELL Linda Smith
Presentation Gary Gillis
Question to New Members
Welcome by the Congregation
People: We welcome you with joy as par tners in the common life of
this church. We promise you our friendship and prayers as we
share the hopes and labors of the Church of Jesus Christ. By the
power of the Holy Spirit may we continue to grow together in
God’s knowledge and love and to be witnesses of our risen Savior.
Presentation
*Covenant of Installation Wendy Vander Hart
We, the members of Wellesley Congregational Church, United
Church of Christ, receive Joshua Fitterling and Megan Snell as our
Pastoral Residents, promising to labor with them in the ministry of
the gospel and to give them due honor and support. We gather
with them as a sign of our mutual ministry in Christ’s name.
*Congregational Covenant
We are banded together as a Christian church to maintain the
worship of God, to proclaim the gospel of Christ, to develop in all
people a consciousness of their relations and duties to God and to
each other, and to inspire them with love for truth, passion for
righteousness, and enthusiasm for service. To this end we pledge
our loyalty to Christ and covenant with each other to express His
Spirit in our individual and corporate life; to live together as
Christians and to submit ourselves to the government of this
church, working, giving, praying for its increase, its purity, its
peace and seeking in every way to make it a power for the building
up of the kingdom of God.
*Prayer and Declaration
*HYMM NO. 355 “God the Spir it, Guide, and Guardian” HYFRYDOL
SCRIPTURE Mark 9:38-50 (page 821 in pew Bible)
ANTHEM “God is Living, God is Here!” J. S. Bach
Wherefore despair? God the Lord is everywhere! God is good,
and with compassion gives to all on earth his aid; His strong arm,
in powerful fashion, all good things for us hath made. In his
mystic ways progressing, turns he every want to blessing. So my
soul, now do not fear; God is living, God is here! Wherefore
despair? God the Lord is everywhere! Shall he sleep when
shadows darken, He who made the eye so clear? When we cry,
shall he not hearken, He who made the listening ear? God is God
the Lord, all seeing when despair torments our being. So my soul,
now do not fear; God is living, God is here!
SERMON “Salt, please!” Sarah Sarchet Butter
MUSICAL MEDITATION David Carrier
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Thomas Walter
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.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen
CHORAL RESPONSE
THE OFFERING
Invitation Megan Snell During the offering, please sign and pass the fellowship book, which is
located at the end of each pew.
Offertory “Great and Glor ious” F. J. Haydn
Great and glorious is the Lord in majesty, glorious in power
eternal, mighty and loving Father, mighty and loving Father;
praise Him for His greatness, praise Him for all His exceeding
greatness. Great and glorious, mighty in awful majesty, let all
extol Him evermore. Praise ye the Lord, for it is good to sing
praises unto our God. Praise ye the Lord, for it is good to sing
praises to our God; glorious and mighty, loving Father, glorious
ever in majesty. Praise to Thy Name, Thy holy Name for
evermore. God is nigh to all that call, all that call truly upon Him;
the Lord upholds all who fall, the Lord upholds all who fall and
gently He upraises those who are bowed down. Mighty and loving
Father in power eternal, great and glorious; the mighty, loving
Father eternal Lord. Great glorious; call upon Him, mighty and
loving, glorious ever in majesty, glorious ever in majesty.
*Response (sung) TOULON
Lord of all good, our gifts we bring to You;
Use them Your holy purpose to fulfill.
Tokens of love and pledges brought anew,
That our whole life is offered to Your will.
*Prayer of Dedication
OUR COMMON LIFE
*SENDING HYMN NO. 491
“Awake, My Soul, Stretch Every Nerve” CHRISTMAS
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Allegro (Sonata III)” Felix Mendelssohn
Welcome our new pastor, the Rev. Sarah Sarchet Butter
Sarah's agenda for September is getting acquainted with the
ministries of Village Church, the community of Wellesley, and
meeting YOU! For more conversation with Sarah, feel free to
stop in the office Tuesday - Friday, or call to make an
appointment. Throughout September, Sarah will be meeting with a
variety of Village Church committees and groups. Please invite
her to yours!
Contact her at:
[email protected]; 781-235-1988 x12
Or contact her administrative assistant, Tricia Kibbe at:
[email protected]; 781-235-1988 x17
All music and words in this bulletin are reprinted by permission under OneLicense.net, License #A-714276 and by CCLI, License #2910233.
TODAY’S NOTES
Service Sunday
Please plan to join us following worship when the Service Ministry will be hosting its
annual Service Fair. There will be 13 organizations present, including Partakers Prison
Ministry, Bristol Lodge and Friends of Wellesley METCO. The groups will be in
Village Common with representatives from each available to talk with the
congregation about volunteer opportunities. Each group offers a wide variety of
volunteer options with varying time commitments. Come and learn more about these
worthy organizations and how you can become involved!
Chancel Flowers this morning are given in memory of Melissa Bell Meisenhelder ,
on her 31st birthday today, by her family.
A Gift to our Church Family in memory of Melissa Bell Meisenhelder
New York Times bestselling author, Rick Warren, provides simple but powerful truths
for getting unstuck: God's Power to Change Y our Life, Take your copy from the
basket at the Church Street entrance as our gift to you in honor of Melissa’s Birthday.
Fellowship Dinner Groups Forming
Would you like to get to know other members of the congregation better? Fellowship
Dinner Groups offer the chance to get together in groups of 8 to 10 people, 4 or 5 times
during the year. The dinner groups rotate between the participants homes and everyone
contributes an element of the meal. This informal, comfortable setting is a wonderful
way to get to know other members of the congregation more deeply. To join in, email
Kathy Schleyer ([email protected]) or sign up in Village Common today, but no later
than October 4.
Surprises in the Bible – Bible Study
Sundays, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, Upper Room
September 27, October 4, 11, November 1, 8, 15, and December 6
Led by Alice Polley
The Bible contains some surprising material: apparent contradictions, unlikely heroes,
raw emotions uncensored. We will look at some of the more unusual, rarely-read-in-
worship passages in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, at least one of which will lead
you to say, “You’re kidding! That’s in the Bible?!!” No prior Bible study required.
Minimal homework expected. Curiosity desirable. Come to as many sessions as you
can. Email Tricia at [email protected] or Alice Polley at
[email protected] to sign up. Bibles provided.
Cherub Choir 11:15 following Church School, Cherub Choir Room (2nd floor)
The Cherub Choir will meet today for our first rehearsal. All children in Kindergarten,
1st and 2nd grades are welcomed. Come sing!
For more information, please email Linda Harding at [email protected].
Senior Choir
The Senior Choir welcomes new singers and rehearses each Sunday at 8:30-9:30am.
There is no mid-week rehearsal. If you have interest in choir, please speak with David
Carrier in the loft or at coffee hour after the service.
Celebration of the Ordination of Megan Snell 1:30pm, First Church Somerville
A celebratory service recognizing Pastoral Resident, Megan Snell's ordination will be
held at First Church Somerville (UCC) (89 College Ave, Somerville). Megan extends a
warm invitation to Village Church. See the Enews for a link to more information.
Christian Meditation Practice 5:00-6:00pm, Burtt Chapel
6th and 7th Grade Youth Group No Meeting
High School Youth Group (10-12 grade) 7-8:30pm, Youth Room
Care Kits and Hearing Devices If dur ing the worship service you find you need a
tissue, cough drop, or a drink of water, please ask an Usher to help you. The Ushers are
in the back of the sanctuary. Hearing devices amplify sound anywhere in the
Sanctuary. They are available at the back of the church. For assistance, please speak
with an Usher.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING AND COMMUNITY
All Are Welcome!
Please Say Yes To The Board Of Nominating
Members from the Board of Nominating will begin calling and sending emails to ask
you to serve on a Village Church Board or Ministry. Say Yes! Brad Harding,
[email protected] and Jay Hammerness, [email protected] are co-chairs
of the Board of Nominating. Feel free to be in touch with them if you have any
questions.
Book Groups:
Science and Religion in Quest of Truth by John Polkinghorne
Mondays, 7:30 to 9pm, Seminar 1
September 28; October 5, 19, 26, and November 2 (skips Columbus Day week)
Facilitator: Don Smith
Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of
the Human Spirit by Parker Palmer
Thursdays 7:30 to 9:00pm, October 1, 8, 15
Facilitator: Chris Braudaway-Bauman
Cereal Sunday, October 4
Just one box of cereal per Village Church family per month and we’ll fill the Wellesley
Food Pantry cereal shelves for a year! Food may be dropped off anytime in the
designated box in the Cloister and in the basket at the Village Common entrance.
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Monday, October 5, 1-7pm in Village Common
There is a 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 or you may also just show up at a time convenient for you between 1
and 7pm. It is important to drink plenty of fluids before donating. Refreshments will
also be provided. Please bring a valid ID. This is a great opportunity for you to give
the gift of life. To volunteer to help, contact Susan Hoffman at
Volunteers Needed for Family Promise
Village Church Host Week: October 18-25
From October 18-25, our church will be home to four families, providing safety,
meals, and warmth. Classrooms will be transformed into bedrooms for each family,
and volunteers will provide hospitality to make families feel at home each evening.
During the day, children will go to school, and adults will go to work or attend job
training classes. You can help provide or serve a meal, play with children, do
laundry, set up rooms, or stay overnight. You can make a difference for these four
families. Volunteer positions that involve contact with families require first
attending an orientation session. Orientations are available at area churches on
September 24, October 6, and October 18. For orientation times and locations or
other information about volunteering, please contact Village Church's Family
Promise Coordinators: Christina Oliver, 617-529-9246,
[email protected]; Susan Mykrantz, 781 690 6443,
Village Churchwomen Luncheon Program
Tuesday, October 13, 12pm, Village Common
The Village Churchwomen will host our annual combined luncheon/program with
our St Andrews friends on Tuesday, October 13th. There will be a charge of $5.00
per person. Our speaker will be our very own church member and friend, Captain
Mark Lenci, U.S Navy Retired. Mark suggested “A Day in the Life of a Submarine”
as the title of his talk. Join us to learn more about Mark’s deployments and what life
on a submarine is like. Please R.S.V.P. to [email protected] or sign up on the
sheet posted on the bulletin board in the church lobby by October 5th.
Environmental Ministry News
Ecumenical Service of Service and Understanding of Papal Message
Monday, October 12, 7-9pm, Temple Beth Elohim
The Pope has landed bringing prayers and concerns for the global environment and
social justice. With the support of Village Church and our Environmental Ministry,
an ecumenical service will be at Temple Beth Elohim on October 12.
All are invited to celebrate and learn more about this game-changing Papal
message from prominent local ecumenical clergy. Speakers will be Fr. Bryan
Hehir of the Boston Archdiocese, Rev. Fred Small of First Parish UU
Cambridge, Fr. VerEecke of St. Ignatius of Boston College. Our own UCC Jim
Antal gave his support and was instrumental in helping to structure the program.
See the Environmental Ministry page of Village Church website for details.
For more information contact Cynthia Curtis [email protected], 781-235-
2124 or Wil Breden, [email protected], 781-235-0193
NIA W ednesdays, 7pm, Upper Room (No class October 7)
Join Leslie Appleby as she shares her Nia practice. Nia's simple choreography
combines healing arts, dance arts and the martial arts for fitness, health and well
being! Nia is open to everyone, is done in bare feet and requires loose or fitness
clothing. Leslie’s suggested $10 donation is given back to the church for
specific needs. For more information, contact Leslie at [email protected].
Knitting News
Wednesday mornings beginning September 23, 9:30-11:30 am, Seminar 1
Create our wonderful prayer shawls, baptismal blankets, and Caps for Kids.
Come as often as you can on Wednesdays but, of course, items knitted from
home are equally welcome! We extend a special invitation to new knitters.
Contact Ruth Breden (781-235-0193) or Bobbie Hayes (781-235-1059) for
supplies or directions. Yarn for the shawls will continue to be in the baskets on
the lower shelf of the table outside the church office.
Volunteer to serve at Rosie's Place, a women's shelter in Boston.
First Sunday of each month
If you have served at Rosie's for years or are thinking about it for the first time,
we encourage you to sign up this year. We are going digital! To volunteer,
please go to http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e49a9ab2ca20-rosies. This
will bring you right to our Rosie's page and allow to you sign up directly. A
reminder will be sent several days before your volunteer date.
Two Day Summit: “Subverting the Gospel of Guns”
October 22-23, Andover Newton Theological School
Andover Newton Theological School invites you to join them for “Subverting
the Gospel of Guns,” an urgent conversation about the epidemic of gun violence
in our communities and nation. Keynote speakers include Massachusetts
Attorney General Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, and panels
will include more than a dozen area religious, civic, and law enforcement
leaders. Cost: $35/person. Visitwww.ants.edu/summit to learn more.
YOUTH MINISTRY
6th and 7th Grade Youth Group
Meets every other Sunday from 5-6:30pm.
8th Grade Youth Group
Meets every other Tuesday from 6:30-8pm.
Confirmation (9th Grade youth)
Meets most Wednesdays from 7:30-9pm
High School Youth Group (10-12 grade)
Meets Sunday evenings 7-8:30pm.
Please check Youth Program Calendar on the church website for dates. If you have
any questions, please be in touch with Pam Emslie, Associate Pastor for Youth –
781-235-1988 ext. 15; [email protected]
MUSIC
Cherub Choir 11:15 following Church School, Cherub Choir Room (2nd floor)
The Cherub Choir will meet today for our first rehearsal. All children in
Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades are welcomed. Come sing!
For more information, please email Linda Harding at [email protected].
Senior Choir
The Senior Choir welcomes new singers and rehearses each Sunday at 8:30-9:30am.
There is no mid-week rehearsal. If you have interest in choir, please speak with
David Carrier in the loft or at coffee hour after the service”.
Junior Choir: Grades 3-6
Rehearsals after 10am worship, 11:15am-12:00pm, beginning September 27.
Youth Choir: Grades 7-12
Rehearsals Wednesday evenings 6:15-7:00pm beginning September 23.
Instrumentalists
If you play an instrument and would like to share your gifts with our church, please
contact Dr. McDonald at [email protected].
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
What is happening in 10am Church School today?
Kindergarten students and younger will be welcomed in their classrooms before Second Worship begins:
• Toddlers, two and three year olds will meet in their classroom located on
the upper level at the top of the stairs just outside the Sanctuary; use the door to
the left of the piano.
• Four year olds and Kindergarteners will meet in the 4/K Room located on
the upper level beyond the library.
Grades 1 - 8 begin in worship until it is time for class, as noted in the bulletin.
At that time:
• Grades 1 - 5 proceed to Village Hall on the lower level.
• Grades 6 - 8 meet in Village Hall on the lower level.
Children of all ages are always welcome in our sanctuary to worship and be
part of our service. Worship bags are available in baskets at each of the
entrances. Children’s bulletins are available from an usher.
The Family Worship Room, located just outside the Sanctuary to the left of the
piano, is for families who wish to worship together in a child-centered space. The
service is piped in on a live audio feed. Please feel welcome to use this room
anytime.
Those Leading Worship Today
The Rev. Sarah Sarchet Butter – Senior Pastor
The Rev. Joshua M. Fitterling–Pastoral Resident
The Rev. Megan L. Snell–Pastoral Resident
The Rev. Wendy Vander Hart - Associate Conference Minister
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
Linda C. Smith – Pastoral Residency Coordinator
Gary Gillis – Chair, Pastoral Residency Committee
Thomas Walter – Member, Pastoral Residency Committee
An Open and Affirming Congregation of the UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
2 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02482 781.235.1988
Urgent Pastoral Care: 781-591-7451 wellesleyvillagechurch.org