Order of Worship - Old South Church

June 22, 2014
Second Sunday
after Pentecost
11:00 am
Warning! To enter into the life of this people of God is to encounter God’s soul-challenging,
life-changing, radicalizing love. Will you join us? Do you dare?
THE GATHERING
PRELUDE
God Plays Hide and Seek
*HYMN 1
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One:
Many:
One:
Many:
One:
Many:
Calvin Hampton
St. Denio
Emily Click
Strong Mother God, working night and day, genius at play –
We stand in awe.
Warm, Father God, hugging every child, until all are reconciled –
We stand in trust.
Old, aching God, grey with endless care, wiser than despair –
We stand in need.
* Indicates all who are able may stand
One:
Many:
One:
Many:
Young, growing God, eager, with wide eyes, open to surprise –
We stand in hope.
Great, living God, joyful darkness far beyond our seeing,
closer yet than breathing –
We stand in faith.
*A SIGN OF OUR UNITY AND RECONCILIATION
We invite you to greet those around you, wishing them
“peace” or “the peace of Christ.”
WORDS OF WELCOME
Anthony Livolsi
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS
Jaime Leigh Barnard
Kevin T. King
Virginia Blanche Rotundo
Anne H. Shepherd
WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS
LITANY OF INTENT
One:
Many:
One:
Many:
One:
Many:
Friends in Christ, we are all received into the church through the
sacrament of baptism.
These people have been led by the Spirit to affirm their baptism
and to claim in our presence their covenantal relationship with
Christ and the members of the Christian church.
They are here, as we are here, to endeavor to love God with all our
hearts, and all our souls, and all our minds. God help us.
They are here, as we are here, to endeavor to love our neighbors
as we love ourselves. God help us.
Friends who are joining, we rejoice in your pilgrimage of faith which
has brought you to this time and place.
We give thanks for every community of faith which has been
your spiritual home, and we celebrate your presence in this
household of faith.
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One:
Do you promise, by the grace of God, to continue in your pilgrimage
of faith, to be Christ’s disciple, to resist oppression and evil, to show
love and justice, and to witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ
as best you are able?
Those joining: We promise, with the help of God.
Many:
Do you promise to walk with us in faithfulness and in Christian
love? And do you promise, that so far as able, you will
participate in the life of this church, by worshipping God with
us, and offering your time, talent and means for the ministry of
this church and for the larger church of which this is a part?
Those joining: We promise, with the help of God.
One:
Friends, we then welcome you as partners in the common life of this
church and rise to share our covenant of mission with you:
*All:
(Please rise) I do now in the presence of God and before this
assembly give myself to the One whom Jesus called “Abba,
Father” as the God in whose love I am grounded and whose
realm I serve; to Jesus Christ, God incarnate, to whom I
surrender and who rules my life; to God the Holy Spirit as the
One who sustains, recreates, and guides me. I will share God’s
everlasting covenant by loving and living responsibly in
communion with this one God. And I do furthermore engage to
walk with my brothers and sisters in the wider Church and the
Old South Church secure in God's grace, prepared in gratitude
to live by the promise and serve in the hope of the Gospel.
*THE RIGHT HAND OF CHRISTIAN LOVE
ANTHEM
Ralph Watson, Deacon
Let All the World in Every Corner Sing
Hampton
Let all the world in every corner sing, My God and King!
The heavens are not too high, God’s praises thither fly;
The earth is not too low, God’s praises there may grow.
Let all the world in every corner sing, My God and King!
Let all the world in every corner sing, My God and King!
The Church with psalms must shout, no door can keep them out;
But, above all the heart must bear the longest part.
Let all the world in every corner sing, My God and King!
–George Herbert (1593-1632)
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THE GIFT OF THE WORD
SCRIPTURE
*HYMN 277
Emily Click
Holy, Holy, Holy
SERMON
*HYMN
Nicaea
Anthony Livolsi
O God Beyond All Praising
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Thaxted
arr. George Sargeant
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
*CALL TO PRAYER
One: God be with you.
Many: And also with you.
One: May the peace of Christ dwell in your hearts.
Many: Christ is our peace, our light and our hope.
One: Let us pray. (The congregation may be seated.)
Lauren Berk
PASTORAL PRAYER AND SILENT PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)
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 debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory
forever. Amen.
PRAYER RESPONSE Before the Stars Burst Forth in Light
Hampton
Before the stars burst forth in light or heavens stretched above,
Before creating day or night, God showered us in love.
Before our birth we were redeemed by boundless, timeless grace,
Fulfilling our Creator’s dream that we share Jesus’ place.
Before a sound, God’s voice rang out commanding worlds to be;
And that originating shout calls forth our unity.
After such love has filled our hearts, how can we help but praise?
In Christ, we’ll play the Savior’s part by serving all our days. Amen.
–James Hart Brumm (b. 1962)
CALL TO THE OFFERING
Emily Click
In thanksgiving to God and giving witness to generous hearts,
our financial gifts support ministries of mercy, justice, and beauty.
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OFFERTORY ANTHEM
Spirit Divine, Attend Our Prayers
Hampton
Spirit divine, attend our prayers, and make this house thy home;
Descend with all thy gracious powers; o come great Spirit, come.
Come as the light; to us reveal our emptiness and woe,
And lead us in those paths of life where on the righteous go!
Come as the fire, and purge our hearts like sacrificial flame,
Let our whole soul an offering be to our redeemer’s name.
Come as the dove, and spread thy wings, the wings of peaceful love;
And let thy church on earth become blest as the Church above.
Spirit divine, attend our prayers, make a lost world thy home;
Descend with all thy gracious powers; O come great spirit, come!
–Andrew Reed (1787-1862)
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN 558
O How Glorious, Full of Wonder
*BIDDING TO MISSION AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
Fanfares from Suite #1
In Babilone
Anthony Livolsi
Hampton
Following worship, those interested in a tour of the Sanctuary
are invited to meet docent Elizabeth Morgan at the front of the Sanctuary.
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WELCOME TO OLD SOUTH CHURCH
Welcome to Old South Church in Boston. We are a progressive Christian church first
gathered in 1669. The Church played a significant role in early American history.
Today, Old South Church continues to outfit itself for mission and ministry in the
21st century as a thriving urban church in the heart of Boston. Join us immediately
following worship for fellowship and refreshments in the Gordon Chapel.
Old South Church thanks Emily Click and Lauren Berk for leading the congregation in
worship today. Emily is Assistant Dean for Ministry Studies and Field Education at
Harvard Divinity School, and serves as Old South’s Historian. Lauren serves on the
Board of Ministers and Deacons and will begin a Ph.D. program at MIT in the fall.
The flowers today are given by Judy Fisher in loving celebration of her mother’s 99th
birthday with a grateful and loving heart. And by Candace and Bob Kosturko in joyful
celebration of their 30th wedding anniversary. “We will, with the help of God.”
Name tags facilitate community and help newcomers feel welcomed. If you don’t see a
tag with your name on it, let us know.
Audio of the service is available across the Narthex in the Gordon Chapel for those who
would like a place to take restless children.
For LARGE print bulletins or hearing assistance devices ask an Usher.
Visit OldSouth.org for audio and a transcript of today’s sermon.
GARAGE PARKING VALIDATIONS
We have arrangements for discounted parking with two nearby garages for Old South Church
worship or church business (excluding weddings and concerts):
1. Park at the Garage@100 Clarendon (behind Back Bay Station), have your ticket validated at
our Front Desk, and you pay the discounted rate of $7 for up to 3 hours. Old South bears no cost.
2. Park at the Prudential Garage for up to 5 hours on Saturday or Sunday, have your ticket
validated at our Front Desk, and the Prudential Garage will bill Old South (costing us $15k $20k per year).
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NOTES ON TODAY’S MUSIC
The organ voluntaries and choral offerings in this service are all from the pen of late New
York composer Calvin Hampton. He would now have been 75 years old, but he passed
away 30 years ago this coming August from the AIDS virus.
Calvin Hampton was born on December 31, 1938 in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, and died
August 5, 1984, in Port Charlotte, Florida. For twenty years he was organist and choirmaster
at Calvary Episcopal Church on Gramercy Park in New York City.
Both as a performer and composer, Hampton possessed an uncommonly prodigious talent,
as well as a superb intellect. Frequently, he was not in the then current mainstream of his
profession, for he always followed his own inner convictions and often the beat of a
different drum. He had an extraordinary ability to produce superior results according to his
own ideals and unique vision of beauty. His setting of “There’s a Wideness in God’s
Mercy”, along with his “A Repeating Alleluia”, have become cherished favorites among the
canon of music presented in the various worship services here at Old South.
The prelude, “God Plays Hide and Seek”, was composed for the Institution of the Rev.
Thomas F. Pike as Rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in New York City in the fall of
1971. It was inspired by a paragraph in Allen Watts’ The Book in which he attempts to
explain to a child who God is. The electronic recording played in tandem with the organ was
created by Edd Kalehoff, who had a commercial Moog studio in Manhattan. Kalehoff was
told only about the literary idea for the piece and that it was to last 8 minutes. While he was
composing the electronic material, Hampton was composing the organ part independently,
as if the two men were playing hide and seek with each other!
The postlude, “Fanfares” was written for the conclusion of the same Institution service in
1971. It later was paired with the movements “Antiphon” and “Toccata” to comprise the
published Suite #1. Hampton was a lifelong cinemaphile, and the exuberance and jocosity of
“Fanfares” were inspired by the closing credits music from the soundtrack of the 1950 film
All About Eve.
The three anthems sung today are actually hymns. “Let All the World in Every Corner
Sing” originally appeared in The Calvin Hampton Hymnary, published in 1980 while the
composer was still living. “Before the Stars Burst forth in Light” and “Spirit Divine, Attend
Our Prayers” were published posthumously in 2008 in The Calvin Hampton Hymnary II.
—Harry L. Huff , Minister of Music
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CALENDAR
Sunday, June 22
Monday, June 23
Tuesday, June 24
9:00 am
9:45 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:15 pm
6:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
7:00 pm
FIRST Worship, Anthony T. Livolsi preaching
Old South Café in the Gordon Chapel
Summer Choir Rehearsal
Sunday Morning Bible Study
FESTIVAL Worship, Anthony T. Livolsi preaching
Fellowship Hour in the Gordon Chapel
EVENING Worship, reflection by Zoe Krohne
Theological Book Group
Membership Committee
Christian Education Committee
American Guild of Organists National Convention Concerts:
Tuesday, June 24
Wednesday, June 25
Thursday, June 26
Friday, June 27
10:45 am
1:30 pm
7:30 pm
1:30 pm
7:30 pm
2:30 pm
Craig Cramer Concert
Rising Stars Concert
Into the Light: A Journey with Jesus of Nazareth
Rising Stars Concert
Into the Light: A Journey with Jesus of Nazareth
Hymn Sing
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OLD SOUTH CHURCH IN BOSTON
MINISTERS, OFFICERS AND STAFF
Nancy S. Taylor, Senior Minister Harry L. Huff, Minister of Music
John M. Edgerton, Associate Minister Anthony T. Livolsi, Associate Minister
James W. Crawford, Senior Minister Emeritus
Donald A. Wells, Theologian in Residence June Cooper, Theologian in the City
Calvin Genzel, Wedding Outreach Minister Ken Orth, Healing Worship Minister
Kate R. Rogers, Field Education Intern
Carolyn Davis, Director, Old South Preschool
George Sargeant, Associate Organist & Choirmaster
Laurel Leslie, Choir Director, First Worship
Willie Sordillo, Music Coordinator, Jazz Worship
Peter Coulombe, Director, Old South Ringers Amy Budka, Children’s Music Director
Linda O’Donnell, Director, Children’s Choir Katie Gerrish, Director, Chime Choir
Mark Schueppert, Moderator Lisa Mahnke, Clerk David Vogan, Treasurer
Phil Stern, Chair, Board of Trustees Emily Click, Historian
Debbie Leonard, Senior Deacon Vicki A. Newman, Pledge Secretary
Helen McCrady, Senior Church Administrator
Amy Perry, Administrator & Webmaster Rosemary Clarke, Accountant
Janet Butler, Wedding Coordinator
Elias Perez, Senior Sexton Ozo Nwodo, Robert Blenman & Jahadul Islam, Sextons
Corey Spence & Rubia Reyes, Receptionists
www.oldsouth.org CCLI License #2802138
A NOTE ON THE INCLUSIVE DIMENSIONS OF GOD’S GRACE
Old South Church in Boston, in the name of its host, Jesus Christ, and in the spirit of Christ’s
invitation carved into the stone of this church’s portico, “Behold I Set Before You an Open Door,”
welcomes all who seek to know God.
Following the One who we believe is Sovereign and Savior, we affirm that each individual is a child
of God, and recognize that we are called to be like one body with many members, seeking with others
of every race, ethnicity, creed, class, age, gender, marital status, physical or mental ability, sexual
orientation, gender identity, and gender expression to journey together toward the promised realm of
God.
We invite everyone to join in the common life and mission of our reconciling community through
participation and leadership in this congregation, and by fully sharing in the worship, rites and
sacraments of this church.
As we all move forward with the work of this church, we commit ourselves to making justice and
inclusivity a reality in this congregation and in the world. On the threshold of Christ’s open door, we
rely upon the healing, unconditional nature of God’s love and grace to be our help and guide.
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Boylston & Dartmouth Streets at the Copley T
Sunday Announcements
June 22, 2014
@OSCBoston
Facebook.com/OldSouthChurch
Worship services and events at Old South Church are sometimes photographed and videotaped to document the vibrant life of
our church. If you do not wish to be included in these recordings, please notify an usher.
Notice: Please do not leave bags unattended in the building, including in the Sanctuary, for any length of time.
TODAY
SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: 10 am, fourth floor Sam Johnson Room. Study and reflect on
the day’s preaching text. Led by BU M.Div. candidate and Field Education Intern Kate Rogers.
SUMMER CHOIR: 10 am, Sanctuary. Rehearse to sing for Festival Worship today. All are welcome.
WORSHIP
FIRST WORSHIP: Sundays, 9 am. In the intimacy of the Gordon Chapel we turn our attention to God in an
informal service of word and sacrament. Led by Rev. John Edgerton and Field Education Intern Kate Rogers.
FESTIVAL WORSHIP: Sundays, 11 am. Our worship is enhanced by the Old South Choir. Led by Revs. Nancy
Taylor, John Edgerton, and Anthony Livolsi, and Minister of Music Harry Huff.
EVENING WORSHIP: Sundays, 6 pm. Our worship is a blend of ancient and new, contemplative yet bold, song
and story. Reflections offered by members of Old South Church.
JAZZ WORSHIP: Thursdays, 6 pm. The Willie Sordillo Ensemble, Rev. Anthony Livolsi, and the Holy Spirit
are our guides as we move through rhythms of music, silence, and spoken word.
HEALING WORSHIP: Sunday, July 13, 10 am. Tap into God’s healing love with a gentle service of prayers and
reflection led by Rev. Ken Orth, a pastoral counselor and spiritual director.
Q&A WITH REV. JENNIFER MILLS KNUTSEN: Sunday, June 29, 12:30 pm. Next Sunday, Rev. Jennifer
Mills-Knutsen will return to the Old South pulpit. Jennifer is pastor of St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in
Jeffersonvile, Indiana, and served as our Assistant Minister from 2001-2005.
SUNDAY FLOWERS: The 2014 Sunday Flower Calendar is posted in the Elevator Lobby. August 3rd is still
available. The cost is $50. Write your name beside the date you want. Send the message you wish to appear in the
bulletin to [email protected]. Please note that multiple people can sign up for any one Sunday.
LEARN
THEOLOGICAL BOOK GROUP: Mondays, 6 pm. We are reading Margaret Bendroth’s The Spiritual Practice
of Remembering. Books are available at the Front Desk for $15. Led by Theologian in Residence Don Wells.
[email protected].
CHILDREN AND YOUTH: Due to building-wide renovation projects underway, the Church School is taking a
“summer break.” Childcare for all ages is still provided; please see an usher for room locations. Formal Christian
formation offerings and classes for children will resume September 7th, as we kick off exciting new family
ministries. Thank you for your flexibility in this time of transition.
CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP
Diana Strange, Stewardship Committee
10 years of equal marriage in Massachusetts – Last weekend in Boston thousands of folks celebrated this
anniversary. Ten years ago the son of my college classmate and his partner stood in line in Cambridge on that very
first day to get their marriage license. Recently our family celebrated with my daughter’s brother-in-law who
married his partner of many years. I wonder how many equal marriage ceremonies have been celebrated among us
here at Old South in that period. At Pride Morning Worship, led by six of our members, we proclaimed together:
“It Has Been Ten Years and the Sky Hasn’t Fallen!” Alleluia! AMEN! In thanksgiving, I make my gift to Old
South. Church.
MUSIC
SUMMER CHOIR: Sundays, 10 am. Through the summer, the Old South Choir rehearses on Sunday mornings
to prepare to sing for Festival Worship that morning. Robes are not worn, however, please wear black pants or
skirt and a white or solid color shirt or blouse. All are welcome. [email protected]
FIRST WORSHIP CHOIR: Each Sunday at 8:30 am, our “pick-up” choir rehearses one song to sing during
First Worship. No experience is necessary. You are invited to sing as often as you like.
INTO THE LIGHT: A JOURNEY WITH JESUS OF NAZARETH: June 25 and 26, 7:30 pm. This worship
experience is an interdisciplinary excursion through the life of Jesus Christ, from the world in darkness to the Day
of Pentecost. It was created by Harry Huff and Rev. John Edgerton for the National Convention of the American
Guild of Organists. All Old South Church folks are welcome.
SERVE
OLD SOUTH CHURCH, LET’S TALK! The Christian Service and Outreach Committee is organizing one-onone conversations between members of the church to talk about faith, our lives, and the direction of the church’s
ministry. From these conversations we will identify the work that we ought to be doing in the world, and focus on
that for the coming year. Interested in shaping the ministry of Old South? Email [email protected].
ROLLING FOOD DRIVE: We are collecting oatmeal to benefit the Allston-Brighton Food Pantry. Donation
baskets in the church entryway.
CONVENTION VOLUNTEERS: To volunteer for the American Guild of Organists National Convention, in
Boston June 23 - 27, visit agoboston2014.org. Many events are happening at Old South Church.
SUNDAY’S BREAD: June 29, 12:30 - 4 pm. Join the Old South Church team in preparing and serving a
community lunch to people who are homeless and low income. Meets at Church of St. John the Evangelist on
Beacon Hill. To RSVP, contact Mary Ann Lape and Lucy Costa at [email protected].
MEET
OLD SOUTH KNITTERS: Sunday, June 29, 10 am. Practice the art of creating Prayer Shawls. Through the
Congregational Care & Support Committee, our shawls have been delivered to people from the Back Bay to
Ethiopia. [email protected]
NORTH OF 35: Friday, July 18, 8 pm. Join Old South’s 35+ crowd for Movie Fridays at the Boston Harbor
Hotel with a screening of Citizen Kane. In order to reserve a table at Rowes Wharf Sea Grille, located beside the
screening, RSVP to [email protected].