Wellesley Village Church

United Church of Christ

You are my beloved with whom I am well pleased.

We promise our love, support and care.

Give to this one: 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.

We will, with the help of God.

Confirmation Sunday

May 22, 2016

ORDER OF WORSHIP

May 22, 2016 10:00 AM Today, all hymns are found in the New Century Hymnal (black).

*Please stand as you are able.

PRELUDE The bell is rung three times to attune us to the presence of the Triune God.

CALL TO WORSHIP Come light of lights into my heart, Come wisdom of Spirit into my heart. WELCOME AND PRAYER OF INVOCATION Sarah Sarchet Butter * OPENING HYMN NO. 350 “Now in the Days of Youth” DIADEMATA INVITATION TO CONFESSION Ellice Patterson PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Holy God, you call us into newness of life, but we confess that we do not give

ourselves over to the transforming power of your Spirit. You send us the Spirit of

peace, but we revert to division and discord. You send us the Spirit of kindness, but

we ignore others’ needs. You send us the Spirit of joy, but we take your gifts for

granted. Forgive us, God, and open our reluctant hearts to the power of your Spirit.

Breathe new life into us as we pray to you in the silence...

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

The assurance of our faith is this: God loves us with an everlasting love. In Christ, God

is forgiving and remaking the world. Through the Holy Spirit, God is everywhere

and always present, the giver and renewer of life.

Thanks be to God for this gift of new life. Thanks be to God for the joy of being

church. Thanks be to God for the grace, hope and love found here and

throughout creation. Thanks be to God for these indescribable gifts!

* PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST AND BLESSING OF THE CHILDREN .

One: Village Church children, may you learn and grow in faith.

All: Go with God’s love, and ours.

One: The peace of Christ be with you All: And also with you.

* As we pass the peace of Christ, children are invited to go to their classrooms.

* RESPONSE IN SONG

SERVICE OF BAPTISM

Invitation Pam Emslie

The Covenant Promises

Of the Confirmands

Of the Congregation Deacon: Will you who witness and celebrate this sacrament promise your love,

support, and care to these Confirmands who are about to be baptized?

Congregation: We will, with the help of God. Through this act we welcome these

Confirmands into the fellowship of Christ’s church and invite them to share with us the cost and joy of discipleship. We promise to receive them as fellow pilgrims on the Christian way, to guide them 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

The Act of Baptism Congregational Response

We thank you, God, for Eleanor Grace, bless her and keep her now and forever.

We thank you, God, for Elizabeth Lydia, bless her and keep her now and forever.

We thank you, God, for Emma Charlotte, bless her and keep her now and forever.

Prayers for the Baptized

Congregation: We give you thanks, O God, for these ones, and for the grace

acknowledged here today in water and the spirit. Grant us grace to receive,

nurture and befriend these new members 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. Benediction

Pastor: Go in the peace of Christ.

Congregation: Thanks be to God.

* HYMN NO. 354 “God, When I Came into This Life” (vs. 1, 2, 3) LAND OF REST

CONFIRMATION REFLECTIONS The Confirmands

* HYMN NO. 354 “God, When I Came into This Life” (vs. 4, 5) LAND OF REST

THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION Pam Emslie and Dave Emslie

Invitation Congregational Promises

Leader: Before you, stand God’s people, God’s gift to you, as you are to them. Will

you welcome these ones with open hearts? Will you confirm the promises

made at the time each one was Baptized, to teach them by word and

example, to guide them in the ways of prayer and service, and to offer them

the love and support of the Christian Church.

Congregation: We will, with the help of God.

Leader: Will you receive the new challenges and questions, insights and gifts that

these Confirmands bring? Will you promise, according to the grace given

you, to grow with them in the Christian faith, that together we might make

God’s love believable in the world that waits beyond these doors?

Congregation: We will, with the help of God.

Confirmands Acceptance of Promises Leader: Before you are God's people, a community that is God's gift to you, as you

are to them. Will you receive these promises that were made at the time of

your baptism and confirmed here again today? And will you accept the

love and support, guidance and fellowship offered to you within this

community as you continue on your journey of faith?

Confirmands: I will, with the help of God.

Confirmands Acceptance of Gifts Leader: Through the guidance given you by your family and this community, and

having explored your faith throughout the past year, do you gratefully

affirm the unique gifts you have received by the grace of God, and promise

that you will strive to be the person that God has created you to be?

Confirmands: I will, with the help of God. Leader: And will you promise to humbly share your gifts with this community, in

all the places of your life, and in all faith communities of which you will be

a part, that together we might make God’s love believable in the world that

waits beyond these doors?

Confirmands: I will, with the help of God.

The Laying on of Hands and Prayer of Consecration SCRIPTURE Acts 2:41-47 page 886, pew bible CHARGE TO CONFIRMANDS Josh Fitterling

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Tim Loff Response:

Many: Sung Response (4 times) One: Lift up your hearts!

Many: We lift them up to God! One: Let us pray, singing together…

Many: Sung Response (twice) One: Creating God, we come before you today as a people who are striving to be

worthy of your calling. To honor these gifts you have given us, these

challenges you have set before us. But we cannot do it alone. So come, Holy

Spirit, come, draw near to us as we sing…

Many: Sung Response (twice) One: Tender and merciful God, even as we look to the world outside and see

brokenness, on this day of affirmation and confirmation we are filled with the

promise of your new creation. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and

Mother of us all, we long to knit the world back together with your

mysterious unity of spirit through the bond of peace. So begin now, God.

Knit us together, join with us as we sing…

Many: Sung Response (twice) One: Oh God, hear us now as we pray the prayer Jesus taught.

Many: 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, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Many: Sung Response (twice)

THE OFFERING Invitation Thank you for your gifts to support Village Church. The most important gift you can offer

God is your presence. Please sign and pass the fellowship book, located at the end of each pew.

The offering card may be placed in the offering plate as a sign of other forms of giving.

Offertory “Laudate Dominum” M. A. Charpentier Praise the Lord, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

* Doxology and Presentation 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.

* Dedication * HYMN NO. 355 “God the Spirit, Guide and Guardian” HYFRYDOL

* BENEDICTION POSTLUDE “Allabrave” J.S. Bach

Confirmation Class 2016

Eloise Rachel Baker Andrew Elijah Blake

Brooke Woolston Bossert Duncan Clements Brown

Hughes Rockwell Callahan Abigail Sinclair Chapman

Eleanor Grace Cramer Alison Michelle Frambes

Kelly Elizabeth Fuller William Marshall Raymond Georgenes

Olivia Mae Goff Elizabeth Lydia Green

Hannah Marie Grupposo Blake Crocker Harju

Lindsay Pearce Heffernan Elizabeth Lynn Kantrowitz Anna Katharine Mauldin Owen Kondo O’Connor

Grace Helen Seaborn Madison Vivian Tucker

Faith Partners

Associate Pastor and Youth Programs Leader

Rev. Pam Emslie

Leslie Appleby

Cynthia Curtis

Susie Davis

Debbie Duval

Gary Gillis

Bobbi Hayes

Amy Hille

Leif Hille

Amy Law

Zachary Newell

David Oliver

Christina Oliver

Dorothy Patton

Alice Polley

Neil Simister

Linda Smith

Nancy Smith

Ron Smith

Sue Williamson

Joseph Yang

Adult Advisors Dave Emslie

Rev. Josh Fitterling Linda Gallinaro

Tim Loff Ellice Patterson

HS Youth Advisors Ryan Accardi Will Cramer

Bobby Georgenes Emma Green

Emma Himmel-berger

Will Mountzoures Chris Mykrantz

Stephen Pfaff Maya Rovniak

Matthew Snyder

We wish to thank all the Advisors and Faith Partners for their love and leadership this year.

Joining Emma Charlotte Green

TODAY’S NOTES

9:00 AM First Worship, Village Hall, lower level

Scripture: Proverbs 8:1-8, John 16:12-15

Sermon: “Wisdom’s Way”

Rev. Sarah Sarchet Butter and John Hargrave

10:00 AM Second Worship, Sanctuary

Confirmation Sunday

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Revs. Pam Emslie, Josh Fitterling and Sarah Sarchet Butter

Church School through grade 8

11:15 AM Fellowship Hour, Village Common

4:00 PM Rev. John Allen, Installation at First Congregational Church in Milton

5:00 PM Christian Meditation Practice, Parlor

NO 6th & 7th Grade Youth Group, this group has concluded for the year.

6:30 PM High School Youth Group, Youth Room, lower level

The Sacrament of Baptism Today During Confirmation Eleanor Grace Cramer, daughter of Mary Gard and Paul Cramer and sister to Peter, Harrison and William. Eleanor’s godparents are Katie and Michael Milway. Emma and Elizabeth Green, daughters of Catherine and Andrew Green. The Chancel flowers this morning are given in loving memory of “Mimi”, mother of Lilly Stafford and the adored grandmother of Paul and James. Today’s Fellowship Hour is hosted by the Village Churchwomen.

John Allen’s Installation at First Congregational Church of Milton Today at 4 pm Former Pastoral Resident, Rev. John C. Allen (2013-2015) will be installed as Pastor of the First

Congregational Church of Milton, 495 Canton Avenue, Milton, MA. Rev. Martin Copenhaver will

preach. A reception will follow the service - all are cordially invited!

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Monday, May 23 from 1-6 pm at Village Church

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. Call the

American Red Cross at 800-733-2767 or visit their website to schedule an appointment or come at a

time convenient for you between 1 and 6 pm. 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, email Susan Hoffman at sghhoffman@comcast.net.

Stock the Shelves Food Drive The pantry in Village Common is filling up and soon the shelves will overflow onto the floor. This is good news! Let’s overflow these shelves together as we live as disciples of the Extravagant Christ! In our continued support of this drive, remember that some suggested items of need include coffee, peanut butter, jelly, and canned fruit. The Food Pantry is also looking for laundry detergent! In addition to meeting the need for food in our community, the Wellesley Food Pantry strives to meet other personal care needs as well. Let us also help provide clean clothing for our friends and neighbors! All nonperishable donations are welcome and can be brought to the church every Sunday in May! The food collected will be blessed as part of worship on Sunday, June 5th before it is delivered. If you have any questions, please contact Joshua Fitterling at 781-235-1988 ext. 23 or at joshua@wellesleyvillagechurch.org. Upcoming Book Groups

Visit the table in fellowship hour today to sign up and purchase books for upcoming book groups,

including:

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

A memoir reflecting on American history and values, race and a parent’s hope for his son.

June 1, 8 & 15, 10am and 7:30pm. Led by Liz Garrigan-Byerly

The Road to Character by David Brooks

How can our deeper values govern our daily lives?

July 6, 20, 27, 10am and 7:30pm. Led by Liz Garrigan-Byerly

The Copernicus Complex by Caleb Scharf

Science and philosophy meet in this exploration of the cosmos.

Fall, TBD. Led by Don Smith

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalinithi

This memoir of a dying man—a young father and physician—is a gift of beauty and inspiration.

Fall, TBD. Led by Liz Garrigan-Byerly

Chancel Flowers Sponsor Needed—Sunday, May 29 If you would like to sponsor flowers in celebration of an event or in memory of a person/s in your life, contact Christine Toppin at 781-235-1988 x17 or by email at Christine@wellesleyvillagechurch.org. The cost of the flowers is $75. Thank you!

Environmental Ministry The Environmental Ministry will meet on Wednesday, May 25, at 7:30 in Seminar 1. Feel free to attend if you have an interest in environmental issues. Remember to RSVP for the Installation Picnic on Sunday, June 12 Please contact Erin Donato at 781-235-1988, x11 or by email at erin@wellesleyvillagechurch.org.

Our Church 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 God’s 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.

Wellesley Village Church An Open and Affirming Congregation of the

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 2 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02482

Office: 781-235-1988 – Urgent Pastoral Care Cell: 781-591-7451 www.wellesleyvillagechurch.org

The Rev. Dr. Sarah Sarchet Butter ~ Senior Pastor

Associate Pastors The Rev. Pam Emslie

The Rev. Liz Garrigan-Byerly Pastoral Residents

The Rev. Megan Snell The Rev. Joshua Fitterling

Ministry Directors Michaela McDonald – Children’s Ministry

David R. Carrier – Music Jodi Hitzhusen – First Worship Music Dr. Kevin McDonald – Youth Music

Erin Donato – Administration