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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
www.firstparishchurch.org
Insert picture of Church
MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE
Communion Sunday, April 2, 2017, 10:00 a.m.
ORGAN PRELUDE: “O Blessed Jesu”
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
*[Please stand for the lighting of the candles]
CALL TO WORSHIP:
We gather here today,
not because we have to,
but because we want to.
We are here to offer God our worship,
our prayers and our lives
in service of all God’s children.
*HYMN: “Beautiful Jesus” NCH #44 black
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
God, in whose love we live and move,
we pray for a world crying out
to feel loved, wanted, and cherished.
We pray for a world torn apart
by conflict and war.
A world where division between nations, leaders,
races, religions, and relationships lead to distrust.
We pray for a world that is short on happiness,
too busy to enjoy this world you have created,
too preoccupied with living a life that “fits in”.
We pray for a world where spiritual longing
is satisfied by fashionable notions
and temporary fixes with no thought of tomorrow.
We pray for a world that needs to know
your love, divine hope, eternal peace,
and your active presence and joy.
We ask this through Jesus, the Christ,
who taught us to pray …
*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
SCRIPTURE READING: Ezekiel 37:1-14 pg. 1345
ANTHEM: “Out of the Depths”
Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000)
Rebecca Shrimpton, soprano
Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice: O let Thine ears be
attentive to the voice of my supplications. If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord,
who shall stand? I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait. My soul waiteth for the Lord more
than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
Text from Psalm 130
MORNING PRAYER
CONGREGATION’S JOYS AND CONCERNS Look on us, O God,
let the darkness of our souls vanish
as you breathe new life in us.
Fill us with your holiness and love
and open us to the treasures
of your eternal wisdom.
Our desires are known to you,
we seek your presence,
your indwelling Spirit.
Awaken us to your guidance.
Let our longings be satisfied.
Let your peace for us be complete. Amen.
Let us offer our silent prayers …
SILENT PRAYER-PASTORAL PRAYER-CHORAL RESPONSE
OFFERTORY SENTENCE
OFFERTORY ANTHEM: “Lord of the Dance”
Words by Sydney Carter (1915-2004)
Maine Shaker Hymn by Elder Joseph Bracket (1797-1882)
Arranged by John Ferguson (b. 1941)
I danced in the morning when the world was begun, and I danced for the moon and the stars
and the sun,
And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth, at Bethlehem I had my birth.
Refrain: Dance then wherever you may be, I am the Lord of the dance, said he, And I’ll lead
you all, wherever you may be, And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.
I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee, but they wouldn’t dance, and they wouldn’t follow
me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John; they came with me and the dance went
on. (Refrain):
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame; the holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high, and left me there on a cross to
die. (Refrain)
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black. It’s hard to dance with the devil on your
back.
They buried my body and they thought I’d gone. But I am the dance and I still go on.
They cut me down and I leapt up high; I am the life that’ll never, never die;
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me. I am the Lord of the dance, said he. (Refrain)
*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.
SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION (The bread in the middle of the plates is gluten free, the cup is non-alcoholic grape juice.)
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
If we say we have no sin, God,
we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
Yet if we confess our sins to God,
who is faithful and just,
God forgives us our sins and cleanses us
from all unrighteousness in the act of
his breaking of bread and pouring the wine.
Let us therefore prepare ourselves for God’s presence at this table.
SCRIPTURE READING: John 11:17-37 pg. 1668
*HYMN: “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” NCH #286 (v. 3-4) black
COMMUNION MEDITATION: “Jesus Wept”
DISTRIBUTION OF ELEMENTS
PRAYER
We give you thanks, Almighty God,
that you have refreshed us at your table
by granting us the presence of Jesus Christ.
Strengthen our faith, increase our love
for one another, and send us forth
into the world in courage and peace,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
*[The “Removal of the Flame”]
BENEDICTION
CHORAL RESPONSE
ORGAN POSTLUDE: “O Lamb of God Most Holy”
Tune by Nikolaus Decius (1485-1550)
and written in 1541
Setting by Robert Lau (b. 1943)
* * * * *
The lay reader is Sheila Carrassi.
The flowers are given by Barbara and Jim Austin in celebration of the
Easter season.
Readers and Greeters are always needed, to volunteer speak 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 for Soup & Conversation at the Chapel.
Today’s Anthem by Alan Hovhaness
When listening to the music of Alan Hovhaness, considered one
of the major American Composers of the 20th century, it is important to
remember that he was born in the United States, and that his musical
training was thoroughly of the Western World. Nevertheless, from the
early l940’s, he felt himself drawn to the culture, legends, philosophy,
languages, art and music of the East---so much so that he was impelled
to destroy all the Western-type music he had thus far produced. From
then on, he found the Near East, the Middle East, and the Far East a
bountiful source of inspiration.
Hovhaness was born in Somerville, Massachusetts, on March 8,
l911. His father, an Armenian, was professor of chemistry at Tufts
College. Hovhaness attended Tufts, then transferred to the New England
Conservatory, where he studied composition. His early works reflect his
interest in Renaissance music and employed the harmonic language of
the late 19thcentury. In 1940 Hovhaness came in direct contact with
Armenian liturgical music as the organist of the Armenian Church of St.
James in Watertown, Massachusetts. From this time on, he devoted
himself completely to the study of Eastern music. Most compositions
from before 1940 were withdrawn as his works began to reflect these
Armenian and Eastern influences. From l948 to 1951 he taught at the
Boston Conservatory of Music. He traveled widely in India, Russia, and
the Far East.
“Out of the Depths” (Psalm 130) was written in 1938, although it sounds
very modem. Its stylistic similarity to much later works, with its bass
pedal-points and mysterious swelling and receding organ parts
demonstrating the mystical feeling Hovhaness envisioned around his
choral works.
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
[email protected] , 978-526-7661 ext 1.
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
Join us today following worship for a conversation
with Lisa Fenn, author of “Carry On”. In the spirit
of The Blind Side comes a deeply moving memoir
about the unexpected bonds that would transform
three lives. Lisa Fenn produced human-interest
features for ESPN for over a decade, but one
particular story came into her life and never left.
After seeing a newspaper image of two young
wrestlers from one of Cleveland’s tougher public high schools, Lisa
followed a hunch and flew back to her hometown to meet the boys that
very day. What she found caused her spirit both to sink and to soar.
11:30 AM in the Chapel.
Mid-Week Sunday School 4/5, from 6-7:00 PM. The
curriculum offered is Godly Play, a Montessori based
look at the many Bible stories. We hope your children
can join us at 1 Chapel Lane (behind Santander Bank).
Newcomers welcome!
SAVE THE DATE! Celebration of Rev. John Hughes’ retirement
following the June 11th Tuck’s Point service. To volunteer contact John
Feuerbach at [email protected].
Seaside Parish Knitters meets alternating Thursday
afternoons in the Conference Room of the Chapel, 3-5
PM. Join us April 6 and 20.
The Diaconate invites you to join in a
Family Breakfast before worship next
Sunday, April 9, 8:30 AM in the
Chapel. Come and enjoy a delicious hot
breakfast to begin your day, then head to
Sunday School, Church or off to sport
obligations. All are welcome!
“For where 2 or 3 are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst
of them”. Matthew 18:20
All are welcome to gather in the parlor of First Parish
Church on the first and third Thursday of each month, next
gathering April 6. We will start promptly at 6:00 PM and end at 7:00
PM. We will be praying in one accord, a form of conversational prayer.
Bring your concerns to the Lord whether they are for Yourself, Family,
Friends, Our Country, The World! You may pray along silently or pray
aloud.
The Nominating Committee is looking for
volunteers! Because we are a Congregational church,
we are dependent on our members to serve in various
ways as officers or on committees. Are you interested in learning more
about the committees that serve First Parish? Would you like to serve on
a committee? Contact members of the Nominating Committee- Martha
Gubbins, Penny Lapham, Mary Lumsden, Jen Powers and Marianne
Round.
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, [email protected]
Janet Groth at 978-526-8408, [email protected]
We continue with a new selection for April; "Hillbilly
Elegy" by J. D. Vance. The Vance family story begins
hopefully in postwar America. J. D.'s grandparents were
"dirt poor and in love" and moved north from Kentucky's
Appalachia region to Ohio in the hopes of escaping the dreadful poverty
around them. They raised a middle-class family, and eventually their
grandchild (the author) would graduate from Yale Law School, a
conventional marker of their success in achieving generational upward
mobility.…Amazon. We will meet on Monday, May 8 at Marianne
Round's home at 7 PM.
Saturday evening, May 13, 5:45 PM we
invite everyone to come and participate.
What is a Progressive Dinner? We meet at
the Chapel, 5:45 PM, to carpool to a host
home for cocktails, at 7 PM we head out to
assigned host homes to enjoy dinner in
smaller groups. At 9 PM we travel to our last
home for dessert, coffee and tea. It is a lovely evening of delicious food
and warm friendship.
To help defray main course and wine costs we are asking for $15 per
person plus one side dish, appetizer or dessert.
To RSVP or offer your home please call Martha Elder at 978-526-7036.
Thursdays, at 4 PM at 37 Beach St.
Members of our church (or anyone
associated with it) have the following
volunteer opportunities available on an
ongoing basis. To sign up for any of
these volunteer jobs, contact Tyler
Maclay at [email protected], (978)
283-6776 x205. Please be sure to let
Tyler know that you found about this
from First Parish Church. This
volunteer work will count for community service. Let Tyler know in
advance if you plan to do it so she can accurately track your hours.
Open Door Community Meal Thursday May 4. Signups must be
finalized a week in advance (April 27) Two shifts available 5 people
max / 3 people min per shift. 2:30 to 4:30 (preparation) and 4:30 to
6pm (serving and clean up). We will commit to May 4 and then more
dates if it goes well.
Food Pantry/Warehouse - Max 3 people. Signups finalized by
Thursday the week before. Mondays 1-3pm. Responsibilities are to
stock shelves, possibly help with checkout, bagging of produce, and
sorting food donations.
Second Glance Thrift Store – Max 3 people per shift. Signups
finalized 3 days before. Thursdays 3-5pm and Saturdays 11-3. Help
with donations – good people skills important.
If you have any questions contact Nancy Peterson,
[email protected]. 508-284-0883.
Reminder: One item from each family's routine grocery shopping trip
will go a long way towards fulfilling the mission of our local food
pantries, look for containers in the Chapel and Narthex for donations.
Upcoming events can be found on our website
(www.firstparishchurch.org ) under “News” and “Calendar” and on our
Facebook page (First Parish Manchester-by-the-Sea)
THIS WEEK:
Monday
7:30 PM Manchester Singers
Tuesday
10:00 AM COA Zumba
Wednesday
10:00 AM COA Yoga
6:00 PM Midweek Sunday School
7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal
Thursday
10:00 AM Health Clinic
3:00 PM Seaside Knitters
4:00 PM Bible Study
6:00 PM Prayer Team
Friday
8:00 AM Yoga
11:30 AM Tai Chi
Sunday
8:30 AM Sunrise Breakfast
10:00 AM Palm Sunday Worship, Nursery, Sunday School
Middle School Youth Group
