November 16, 2014
Transcription
November 16, 2014
FIRST CHURCH IN CAMBRIDGE Congregational 1633-1636 United Church of Christ Garden and Mason Streets Cambridge, Massachusetts FIRST CHURCH IN CAMBRIDGE, CONGREGATIONAL, UCC November 16, 2014 THE TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST GATHERING VOLUNTARY *HYMN 409 Diferencias Sobre el Canto del Caballero Antonio de Cabezon How Can We Name a Love *GREETING Dave McCann, Monica Maher, Taj Smith L: Beloved of God, whether you are here for an hour or a lifetime welcome to this household of grace -C: and to this place of belonging, L: wherever you are on the journey of life, C: wherever we are on the journey of faith, L: welcome to this community, which is both ancient and new, C: a community of hope, faith, and love. *WELCOME ANTHEM Tu Has Venido a la Orilla (Lord, You Have Come to the Seashore) Cesário Gabaráin Tú has venido a la orilla, No has buscado ni a sabios ni a ricos. Tan sólo quieres que yo te siga. Señor, me has mirado a los ojos, Sonriendo has dicho mi nombre. En la arena he dejado mi barca: Junto a Ti buscaré otro mar. Tú sabes bien lo que tengo, En mi barca no hay oro ni plata, Tan sólo redes y mi trabajo. Señor, me has mirado a los ojos, Sonriendo has dicho mi nombre. En la arena he dejado mi barca: Junto a Ti buscaré otro mar. Lord, you have come to the seashore, neither searching for the rich nor the wise, desiring only that I should follow. *You are invited to stand. Hymns proceeded by a “C” may be found in the beginning section of the hymnal. The C (Cambridge) - section contains hymns written and composed by current and past members of First Church in Cambridge. Refrain O, Lord, with your eyes set upon me, gently smiling, you have spoken my name; all I longed for I have found by the water, at your side, I will seek other shores. Lord, see my goods, my possessions; in my boat you find no power, no wealth. Will you accept, then, my nets and labor? CONFESSING INVITATION SILENCE PRAYER OF CONFESSION L: Let us pray. All: Holy and beloved God, we give you thanks for this day, and for its cycle of preparation and celebration, giving and receiving. Lead us into your sacred space, where we can confess our deepest fears and shared our failures and shortcomings. Lead us into a place of quiet contemplation and bold hope. Holy God, during this time of harvest and preparation, Lead us to trust that there will always be plenty, so that our connection with you is deepened and our relationships strengthened, always in Jesus’ name. Amen. ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS *GREETING OF PEACE All children from Preschool to 7th grade are now invited to leave for church school. Teachers will meet children at the side door or in the narthex to accompany them to their classrooms. Parents can meet their children in Lindsay Chapel (through Margaret Jewett Hall and to the left) after worship. *HYMN 31 O Sing to the Lord OPENING THE WORD PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING READING 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 PSALM 90:1- 12 L: Holy One, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. C: Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. L: You turn us back to dust, and say, "Turn back, you mortals." C: For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night. L: You sweep them away; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning; C: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. L: For we are consumed by your anger; by your wrath we are overwhelmed. C: You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your countenance. L: For all our days pass away under your wrath; our years come to an end like a sigh. C: The days of our life are seventy years, or perhaps eighty, if we are strong; Even then their span is only toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. L: C: Who considers the power of your anger? Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. READING Matthew 25:14-30 SERMON A Kidnapped Cross, Stolen Shoes and Cucumber Seeds *HYMN 415 When We Are Living Rev. Monica Maher SHARING OUR LIFE TOGETHER CALL TO CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Phil LaFollette ANNOUNCEMENTS Dan Smith PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH AND WORLD L: God be with you. C: And also with you. L: Let us pray….(silence, intercessions and the Lord’s Prayer) Karin Case THE LORD’S PRAYER (Please pray this prayer and address God in words most meaningful to your heart.) All: 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 forever. Amen. INVITATION TO OFFERING OFFERTORY ¿Con Qué Pagaremos? (O What Shall I Render) Latin American hymn Con Que Pagaremos amor tan inmeso, Que diste Tu vida por el pecador? En cambio recibes la ofrenda humilde, La ofrenda humilde, Senor Jesucristo, De mi corazon. Y cuando la noche extiende su mano Mis ojos en llanto en ti fijare Alzando mis ojos vere las estrellas Yo se que tras ellas, Cual Padre amoroso Tu velas por mi With what do we repay, a love so vast that You gave Your life for the sinner? In exchange, accept the humble offering the humble offering, Lord Jesus Christ, of my heart. And when the night spreads out her mantle my weeping eyes will be fixed on You. (With) my eyes lifted up, I will see the stars; I know that (from) beyond them, loving Parent, You watch over me. *DOXOLOGY Praise God, the source of life and birth, Praise God, the Word, who came to earth, Praise God, the Spirit, holy flame, All glory, honor, to God’s name. Amen. *PRAYER OF DEDICATION GOING FORTH *HYMN 534 O God of Earth and Altar *BENEDICTION *SUNG RESPONSE Send me, Jesus (Thuma Mina) Hymn 344 The congregation is invited to join in the singing of this response. Send me, Jesus, send me, Jesus Send me, Jesus, send me, Lord Lead me, Jesus... Fill Me, Jesus… Thuma mina… Thuma mina somandla VOLUNTARY Medio Registro Vasso Pablo Bruna WELCOME TO FIRST CHURCH IN CAMBRIDGE... Whoever you are, wherever you are on life's journey, we are thankful that you are with us today, and we hope that you will stay for a bit after worship for refreshments and conversation. First Church is an open and affirming, just peace congregation of the United Church of Christ. If you'd like to know more about us, please introduce yourself to one of the ministers after church and explore our website at www.firstchurchcambridge.org. Large print bulletins and assistive listening devices are available. Please ask a greeter for assistance. Children of all ages are welcome in our worship. Picture books, children's Bibles, and activity packets can be found in the Children's Book Corner located by the door to the parish building (to the right of the chancel). Children may visit the Book Corner at any point during worship. Nursery care for infants and toddlers is located through that door and down the hallway (up four stairs to the door on the right). Fussy babies and their caregivers are invited to the Hastings Room, just across the hall from that same door, where the service is broadcast through speakers. PREACHING TODAY IS Monica Maher, Pastor of Social Ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ecuador, in Quito. Assisting with worship are Dan Smith, Senior Minister, Karin Case, Minister, Taj Smith, Ministerial Intern, and Phil Lafollette, First Church clerk. Our liturgist is First Church Dave McCann, chair of the Arts & Communication Committee and a member of the Witness Against Gun Violence Group. Peter Sykes, Director of Music, is playing the organ and directing the choir. The YOUR PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED section of the bulletin is omitted in the online version to protect the privacy of those mentioned. To find out who we are praying for this week, please contact the church offices at [email protected] or by calling 617547-2724. THIS SPACE we share personal, congregational, national, and global prayer requests. If you would like us to include a prayer request, please contact Dan Smith, Karin Case, or Kirsten Manville by Wednesday morning or fill out one of the prayer request cards found in your pew. TODAY’S HAPPENINGS REV. MONICA MAHER PREACHING TODAY, Post service presentation at 12:30 pm, in the Hastings Room Today First Church welcomes Rev. Dr. Monica Maher to preach and offer a post-worship presentation about her ministry, which is based in Quito, Ecuador, but extends throughout Latin America. Monica is a member of First Church and was ordained here in March to become a Pastor of Social Ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ecuador, in Quito. Her courageous work focuses on human rights and peacebuilding, with outreach to Colombian refugees, indigenous women, the incarcerated, and the LGBT community. To celebrate Monica’s visit and our ongoing partnership with her, we will serve a Latin American inspired lunch after church! FIRST CHURCH IS BEING CALLED TO… Today at 10:00 a.m., Hastings Room At our recent fall retreat, we began to discern what might be the end of this sentence for our community, in this time and place. Several directions emerged that were once descriptive and aspirational. Examples include: "to foster simplicity, strength and healing through embodied spiritual practice” and “to build bridge by deepening relations with others by listening to their stories and our own.” Join us and offer your input as we continue this conversation and hone this emerging sense of who we are as a spiritual and religious community, in this time and in this place! And stay tuned for further opportunities in Advent, a season in which we celebrate both the "already" and "not yet” dimensions of incarnate presence in our lives. GENESIS: THE BIBLE’S STORY OF BEGINNINGS Today and Sundays through November 23, at 10:00 a.m., McKenzie Library Join us as we begin the Bible at the beginning with the book of Genesis — the dynamic, unfolding story of creation from Adam and Eve to Cain and Abel to Noah to Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph. Written in exile after the Babylonian conquest, Genesis takes on the big questions: Who is God? Who are we, and what is our purpose in life? How did things get like this? It’s a story of beginnings that never gets old. Bring your favorite Bible translation, or just bring yourself. Led by Kate Layzer. NEWCOMER GATHERING Today at 12:15 p.m., Margaret Jewett Hall Interested in learning more about First Church? About our history? Or our community? Or our denomination? Or our ministries? Interested in meeting other folks who are new to First Church? Taj Smith and Katie Omberg and other church leaders will be hosting a newcomer exploration gathering following Morning Worship today. Look for the newcomer table in Margaret Jewett Hall during coffee hour. CONFIRMATION CLASS Today at 12:30 p.m., Room 22 The 9th and 10th graders of the church are walking the path of confirmation this year. SPIRITUALITY & MENTAL HEALTH GROUP Today at 2:00 p.m., Tower Room Our Spirituality and Mental Health support group provides a safe, confidential environment where questions of mental well-being can be addressed in a context of faith, drawing upon each other's gifts. S&MH meets every Sunday afternoon from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. The group is co-facilitated by Mary Setterholm and Carter West, both theological school graduates. Contact Carter ([email protected]) or Mary ([email protected]) with your questions. OUR WHOLE LIVES Today at 6:00 p.m., First Parish Church This year our 7th and 8th graders are collaborating with other Harvard Square congregations in this comprehensive sexuality education program with a strong faith component. NIGHT SONG: SOLEMN MYSTICAL COMPLINE Tonight at 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary Night Song is based on Compline, the last daily service of Christian worship, dating back to monastic life in the Middle Ages. Offered in the quietness of the evening, Night Song invokes a sense of protection and peace for the night that is to come. FUTURE HAPPENINGS CALL TO CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday, November 23rd at 12:15 pm, Margaret Jewett Hall Notice is hereby given that the Fall Congregational Meeting of First Church in Cambridge, Congregational, United Church of Christ will be held in its 378th year at 12:15 P.M. Sunday the 23rd of November 2014, in the Margaret Jewett Hall on Garden Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for the following purposes. 1. To review and vote on the proposed 2015 annual budget of the Congregation as prepared by the Treasurers and Stewardship Committee and reviewed by Executive Council. 2. No other business may legally come before the meeting. By direction of Executive Council. WEDNESDAY CHRISTIAN MEDITATION Christian Meditation is the ancient practice of opening the heart in silence to the indwelling presence of God. Join the circle any Wednesday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Lindsay Chapel. No experience is required, but all experience is welcome. Reach Kate Layzer at [email protected] if you’d like to know more. NOTE CARDS FOR CHILD CARE FUND If you would like to buy Gaylen Morgan’s photo note cards you are invited to look over samples and purchasing information posted on the bulletin board in the hallway outside MJH. Small (6.5 x 6.5 inches) hand made prints are available of the Yellowwood image from the bulletin and card. They are $50 and half will go to the fund, which will enable us to offer childcare at church events. METROPOLITAN BOSTON ASSOCIATION FALL MEETING: WHO IS YOUR NEIGHBOR AND HOW CAN YOU BE GOOD NEWS TO THEM? Sunday November 16, 2:30 - 5:00 p.m., North Congregational Church, UCC, 896 Main St., Woburn, MA Please join us to resource each other's ministries, gain new perspectives, and live out our covenant! If you would like to do some advanced work on this topic, you may go to: http://www.macucc.org/ missioninsite. Instructions can be found there on how to download your own community report. FROM JESUS TO CHRIST: THE FIRST CHRISTIANS Sundays, November 23 and 30, December 7 and 21, 5:00–6:30, in the Lindsay Chapel The epic PBS FRONTLINE series From Jesus to Christ: the First Christians will be presented in four segments by the producer and writer (and First Church’s own!) Marilyn Mellowes. Featuring twelve New Testament scholars and archaeologists, the four-hour series explores the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth, and the emergence of his followers into a movement that transformed the Roman Empire and eventually the world. First broadcast in April 1998, the series has enjoyed many encore presentations on PBS. After each viewing, Mellowes will talk about her experience in making the series and respond to questions from those gathered. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ADVENT WORKSHOP ON NOVEMBER 30 Nancy Cyr will be coordinating the Advent Workshop this year, and is looking for volunteers to help out. There will be many different crafts, including candle making and Advent wreath building. If you are interested in helping, please contact Nancy at [email protected]. (You may get an out of office response, but she is checking email.) SOCIAL JUSTICE OPPORTUNITY FIRST PARISH IN HARVARD SQUARE HAS INVITED OUR CONGREGATION TO WATCH CLIMATE REFUGEES Sunday, November 16th, at 1 p.m., First Parish Chapel. This film, which has won many awards, gives a human face to the plight of the 25,000,000 people around the world who have been displaced by climate change. The director, Michael Nash, traveled to over 40 countries and talked with refugees as well as political leaders, scholars, and advocates. Featuring unforgettable interviews with some of the people whose lives have been shattered by climate change, it has been shown at the UN, the Pentagon, and universities and churches around the world. VOLUNTEER NEEDED TO TAKE DONATED FOOD TO THE HELPING HANDS FOOD PANTRY IN CAMBRIDGE Ann Curby has been a devoted volunteer doing this task each first Sunday of the month. We thank her greatly for the service she has given to those who need food. Now she can no longer do this, and the Mission and Social Justice Committee is looking for someone to deliver the 15 - 20 food items donated each Communion Sunday. The task takes less than one hour once a month on the first Sunday of the month. The food pantry is located near Alewife Station at 362 Rindge Avenue. If you are willing to volunteer, please call Alice Kidder at (617) 276-6227 or email [email protected]. Thank you. DON’T FORGET ABOUT LONG ISLAND REFUGEES It’s been nearly a month and there is still no plan for relocating/replacing the shelter, substance abuse recovery and other services provided on Long Island and no longer accessible because of the condemnation of the Long Island Bridge. Aside from a miserable and cramped, converted fitness center in Boston's South End, no credible alternatives have been offered for the over 500 women and men who made of the facilities and service on the island. Please contact Boston Mayor Marty Walsh (617) 6354500 @Marty_walsh and Gov. Deval Patrick (617) 725-4005 @Massgovernor. Tell them to restore shelter and services NOW! You can also post a support picture to Don't Forget Long Island Refugee on Facebook. For more information contact [email protected]. CITY MISSION SOCIETY COAT REQUEST The Mission and Social Justice Committee would like to invite members of the congregation to give coats -new, for children, youth who need warm clothing but can't afford it. This request comes from the UCC-sponsored City Mission Society. A box has been placed in the narthex until November 29th, should you wish to contribute. Thank you for meeting a critical need. Proposed 2015 Budget The Proposed 2015 Budget is available for your review on our website (About Us – Our Financial Life – at the bottom of the page). Printed copies are available in the church office. Thanks to our Treasurers and Executive Council for the diligent and detailed financial work, as we work to be faithful stewards of our resources! One Gift, Many Givers Next Sunday is Stewardship Pledge Sunday. If you did not receive a stewardship packet, please fill out a pew card and let us know – we will make sure that you receive a mailing! Next Sunday, we will bring our stewardship pledge cards forward as a sign of our covenant and commitment to our community of faith. You may also pledge online here: http:// www.firstchurchcambridge.org/about-us/make-a-stewardshippledge If you have any questions, please speak with Jim Greaney, Moana Bentin, Mark Destler, Elizabeth Lovance, or Karen McArthur. Gratitude from Karin Case Dear First Church, My heart is full of gratitude for the call to serve among you. I especially want to thank you for a beautiful and Spirit-filled service of installation on Sunday November 2. Thank you to all who were able to be present; to the entire First Church staff for behind-the scenes work on logistics; Dan Smith, Gaylen Morgan, Rachelle LaMaster and Barb Hume for participating in the service; Peter Sykes, Patricia Van Ness and the First Church Choir for gorgeous music, Deacons who commissioned the creation of a beautiful new stole; and (last but not least!) Joanne Paul, Friends of Fellowship, and many bakers for tasty pies and goodies at the reception. Thank you for the many blessings of our life together. Introducing the Friday Café You may have been hearing about plans for a new First Church pilot project, a community café where neighbors living on the margins can come rest, warm up, and have some hot coffee and something to eat during the cold winter months. After careful consideration, Executive Council has given this project the green light! Starting Friday, November 14, The Friday Café opened in Margaret Jewett Hall from 1:00–5:00, with a Communion service at 4:00 for all who are interested. Purpose of the Friday Café The immediate purpose of the Café is to provide respite from the winter cold. We’ll also be offering some simple amenities, such as refreshments, hygiene kits, a library, art activities, and computer help. But the Café’s main purpose is to provide space where people can gather— housed and unhoused—and be together as neighbors. That Means You! Since the Friday Café is all about neighborliness, we would love for you to set aside the occasional Friday afternoon to come for a few hours. Café volunteers don’t need special skills or experience. We are not trying to fix problems but to be with people. We need help with set up and clean up, welcoming and hospitality. We also need a few people who can just listen and be present. Ways to Help Neighborhood businesses and service providers are helping out with refreshments and computers. Other supplies are being sought through grants and donations. We are gladly accepting donations of new or secondhand… books and magazines for a new Community Library—general interest, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. (Choose a few; storage is limited!) ♦ sleeping bags and blankets (not too heavy) ♦ warm coats, hats, scarves, gloves ♦ other clothing items, especially pants, shirts, sweatshirts ♦ art and framing materials for the Friday Art Table ♦ first aid supplies ♦ There is also room for some with special gifts to share on an occasional basis: Book people to help maintain the Library Artists willing to assist at the Art Table Cooks to organize volunteers in baking or soup making Health professionals able to offer first aid and simple medical screening ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ (Continued on other side) Interested? We will be holding an information and simple training session after our congregational meeting on November 23. Come learn more about the Friday Café and how you might be a part of it. Meanwhile, please feel free to fill out the following form and leave it in the offering plate or church office: — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — — — NAME: ___________________________________________________________________ BEST WAY TO CONTACT YOU: ________________________________________________ I would like to volunteer at the Friday Café o Once a month o Once every other month o _________________________ (other) o I would like to help out with… ___________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ o I would like to donate the following items: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Thank you for your interest and support! —Kate Layzer, community minister “Communion means accepting people just as they are, with all their limits and inner pain, but also with their gifts and their beauty and their capacity to grow: to see the beauty inside of all the pain. To love someone is not first of all to do things for them, but to reveal to them their beauty and value, to say to them through our attitude: “You are beautiful. You are important. I trust you. You can trust yourself.” The Week Ahead Sunday, November 16 9:00 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 9:45 a.m. Coffee/Gathering Time, Margaret Jewett Hall (MJH) 10:00 a.m. Christian Formation for Adults, Hastings Room 10:00 a.m. Genesis Study, McKenzie Library 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship, Rev. Monica Maher, preaching 11:20 a.m. Church School: Classes for preschoolers-7th grade 12:30 p.m. Latin American Ministry Presentation and Lunch, Hastings Room 12:30 p.m. Newcomers Gathering, MJH 12:30 p.m. Confirmation Class, Room 22 2:00 p.m. Spirituality and Mental Health Group, Tower Room 2:30 p.m. MBA Fall Meeting, North Congregational Church, Woburn, MA 6:00 p.m. Our Whole Lives Class, First Parish 7:00 p.m. Night Song, Sanctuary Wednesday, November 19 9:30 a.m. Staff Meeting, Dan Smith’s Office 6:00 p.m. Christian Meditation, Lindsay Chapel Thursday, November 20 7:45 p.m. Choir Rehearsal, Hastings Room Sunday, November 23 9:00 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 9:45 a.m. Coffee/Gathering Time, MJH 10:00 a.m. Christian Formation for Adults, Hastings Room 10:00 a.m. Genesis Study, Tower Room 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship, Stewardship Pledge Sunday, Karin Case, preaching 11:20 a.m. Church School: Classes for preschoolers-7th grade 12:15 p.m. Fall Congregational Meeting, MJH 2:00 p.m. Spirituality and Mental Health Group, Tower Room 5:00 p.m. “From Jesus to Christ” Series, Chapel 6:00 p.m. Our Whole Lives Class, First Parish 7:00 p.m. Night Song, Sanctuary First Church Covenant Testimony We believe that our covenant with God and each other calls us: To love God with all that we are, and our close and distant neighbors as ourselves; To seek peace with justice and equity for all people; To engage in non-violent resistance to evil; To respect and preserve God’s earth; To foster community across every barrier and division; To attend to God’s unfolding and reconciling word; To support each other in our frailties and strengths, that we may embody that love which overcomes fear and death. This we testify, confessing always our reliance on God’s grace in Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Adopted 1990 The Staff of First Church in Cambridge Senior Minister Rev. Dan Smith, 617-547-2724, ext. 23 [email protected] Minister Rev. Dr. Karin Case 617-547-2724, ext. 26 [email protected] Ministerial Interns Katie Omberg, [email protected] Taj Smith, [email protected] Minister of Stewardship & Finance Rev. Karen McArthur, 617-547-2724, ext. 22 [email protected] Director of Music Peter Sykes, 617-645-0833 [email protected] Director of Creative Worship & Arts Sarah Higginbotham, on sabbatical until December Staff Composer Patricia Van Ness Shelter Director Jim Stewart, 617-661-1873 [email protected] Parish Administrator Kirsten Manville, 617-547-2724, ext. 21 [email protected] Administrative Assistant Rebecca Behizadeh, 617-547-2724, ext. 41 [email protected] Financial Assistant Chelsea Turgeon, 617-547-2724, ext. 22 [email protected] Facilities Manager Dan dos Santos [email protected] Sextons Douglas Casey, Tina Quimby, George Williams, Kimel Williams, 617-642-3980 FIRST CHURCH IN CAMBRIDGE, CONGREGATIONAL United Church of Christ 11 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 617-547-2724