First Parish Church, Congregational On the Village Green

Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts

Awaken the Light and Love of God; Be a Joyful Beacon to Our World

Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt, Interim Pastor

Donald R. Dunn, Director of Music-Organist

Jessica Skidmore, Christian Ministry Coordinator

Tori Potter, Sexton

Nancy Klebart, Office Manager

978-526-7661

office.fpchurch@gmail.com

www.firstparishchurch.org

MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE

Sunday, February 10, 2019, 10:00 AM

ORGAN PRELUDE: “A Cup of Rejoicing” Shaker Tune

Setting by Wilbur Held (1914-2015)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP:

(from a liturgy used by Christians in Turkey & Iran)

One: To God be the glory, to the angels, honor;

ALL: To satan confusion (!), to the cros, reverence;

One: To the church exaltation, to the departed, quickening;

ALL: To the penitent, acceptance, to the sick and infirm, recovery

and healing

One: To the 4 quarters of the world, great peace & safety;

ALL: And on us who are weak and sinful, may the compassion

and mercies of our God come, and may they overshadow us

continually. Amen

*HYMN: “There's a Wideness in God's Mercy” NCH #23 black

UNISON PRAYER

In this holy hour, O God, we promise You our lives, our hearts, our

minds, our struggles AND our joys. We try to walk alone, not bothering

anyone, but Your Son has taught us that we cannot live in this world

alone; so we promise to never forget the homeless, the hungry, the

children, the survivors of terrible storms...those who have lost hope.

This is the prayer always on our lips. Amen.

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

MORNING PRAYER

Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer Silent Prayer

SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 43:1-3 But now, this is what the LORD says—

he who created you, Jacob,

he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the LORD your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

I give Egypt for your ransom,

Cush and Seba in your stead.

ANTHEM: “Dear Lord and Father of mankind”

Words by John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892)

Music by C. Hubert H. Parry (1848-1918)

Dear Lord and Father of mankind, Drop Thy still dews of quietness,

Forgive our foolish ways! Till all our striving cease:

Reclothe us in our rightful mind: Take from our souls the strain and stress,

ln purer lives, Thy service find, And let our ordered lives confess

ln deeper reverence, praise. The beauty of Thy peace.

ln simple trust like theirs who heard, Breathe through the heats of our desire

Beside the Syrian sea, Thy coolness and Thy balm;

The gracious calling of the Lord, Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire; ,

Let us, like them, without a word. Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,

Rise up and follow Thee. O still small voice of calm!

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 25:34-40 34

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father;

take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35

For I

was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to

drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was

sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or

thirsty and give you something to drink?38

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in,

or needing clothes and clothe you? 39

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit

you?’ 40

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these

brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

SERMON: “We Can't Always Win, but We Can Always Be Good”

*HYMN: “I'm Pressing on the Upward Way” NCH #442 black

PAY IT FORWARD STORY

OFFERTORY SENTENCE

OFFERTORY ANTHEM: “Awake, My Soul and Sing”

Allen Pote (b. 1945) Alice Marie “Alrie” Terrill Memorial Music

Awake, my soul and sing arise and sing a psalm.

For great are you, Lord, and great your love; your kindness is forever.

You have been my hope, my confidence since my youth.

I will proclaim your marvelous deeds. I will ever sing praises.

Even when I am growing old, do not forsake me, O God.

I will declare your strength and power to the next generation, to all who are to come.

Awake, my soul, and sing. Arise and sing a psalm.

Be exalted, O God above the heavens, your glory over all the earth.

You have been my rock, my fortress, and my shield.

I will ever praise your name, for you are my God.

Awake, my soul, and sing. Arise and sing a psalm.

For great are you, Lord, and great your love. You arc my God!

Awake, my soul! Awake, my soul, and sing!

Text from Psalms 71 & 108

*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.

*HYMN: “God’s Eye Is on the Sparrow” NCH #475 black

*[The “Removal of the Flame”, which symbolizes the Spirit of God accompanying

us out into the world]

*BENEDICTION

*CHORAL RESPONSE

ORGAN POSTLUDE: “Postlude on an Original Antiphon”

Christopher Uehlein (b. 1931)

* * * * *

After the service join us for hospitality.

The greeter and lay reader is Bethany Woods.

Today's flowers are given by Lynda Griffiths, her brother Larry, and her

sister Phyllis in loving memory of their parents on the anniversary of

their marriage, February 10, 1944.

The Deacons are Lynda Griffiths and Sue Parker.

Readers and Greeters are always needed, to volunteer speak to the

Deacons, or you can also sign up online.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4caba822a1f49-diaconate

Please welcome our Guest Minister this morning, Rev. Emily Preston.

Pastor Em grew up in Boston and was educated at Boston University and

Andover Newton Theological School. Her first church was on the island

of Lanai, Hawaii, and then on to a four year Chaplaincy at a boarding

school in Baltimore. During those summers she was the Chaplain/Ethics

teacher at the Phillips Andover Summer School. After that she spent four

years as a Pastor in Deerfield, NH, and then twenty years as a Pastor in

Jaffrey, NH. After leaving Jaffrey, she spent several years as an Associate

Conference Minister (ACM) in upstate New York, before retiring. After

retirement she served several small parishes in this area and was a

houseparent for the littlest boys at the Kurn Hattin Homes in Westminster,

VT. She currently spends her time serving as a Supply Pastor, foster

parenting a young man at Crotched Mountain, and is the coordinator for

the Meals-on-Wheels program in Jaffrey. In her free time she rescues

dogs, and is currently sharing her home with her most recent rescue,

Josiah.

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.

Welcome to all who are new to our worship. To join our mailing list

please fill out a “Welcome Card” to place in the collection plate or

contact office.fpchurch@gmail.com , 978-526-7661 ext 1.

SEASIDE PARISH KNITTERS Meeting the 1st & 3rd

Thursdays, February 21, 3-5 PM, at the Chapel

Conference Room. We all love to knit/crochet, but more

importantly we have been rewarded with helping others

by sharing our handwork. We would love to have you join us!

BOOK GROUP Next meeting, Monday, February 25 at

6:30 PM at Nina Gadmer’s home at 20 Hickory Hill,

Manchester, the book for discussion will be “Their Eyes

Were Watching God”, by Zora Neale Hurston. One of the

most important and enduring books of the twentieth century, Their Eyes

Were Watching God brings to life a Southern love story with the wit and

pathos found only in the writing of Zora Neale Hurston. Out of print for

almost thirty years—due largely to initial audiences’ rejection of its

strong black female protagonist—Hurston’s classic has since its 1978

reissue become perhaps the most widely read and highly acclaimed

novel in the canon of African-American literature. Amazon RSVP to

Nina at ngadmer@hotmail.com or 978-412-5017.

March meeting Monday, March 25 at 6:30 PM at Mary Lumsden’s

house, 18 Woodcrest Rd., Manchester, the book for discussion will

be “Becoming” by Michele Obama.

Book group is open to everyone! This is a time for church members as

well as non-church goers to come together and engage with one another,

build relationships, and share in discussion of books that are of interest

to people of various backgrounds. We have fun visiting, discussing the

book and sharing stories. Each month is a new host, who provides light

snacks, beverages and dessert but only once a year!!!! The host then

chooses the book for the next month. When we meet we will rate the

book and give comments which we will record in a journal that

hopefully the FPC book group will continue with many years from

now!!!

SOUP & CONVERSATION: STORY-TELLING We are

our stories. We get to know one another by listening and

telling them. Do you have a story to share about a birth or a

death in your life, about a miracle or hope? On February

24th, after worship, we will gather in small groups in the

chapel to listen to each other’s tales guided by a moderator.

After lunch you will select one topic of your choice to listen and share

about during the event. Together we’ll marvel at facets of each other we

never knew and yet recognize, as we’ve been through something like it

ourselves. Our goal in this story-sharing process will be to deepen our

faith and strengthen our connections with one another in community.

(Note: The list of topics is similar to those we had last year: “Birth,”

“Death,” “Miracle,” and “Hope,” and the topics can be interpreted as

widely as you wish. For instance, a story about a Birth could be a story

about a new chapter in your life when you felt you “started over;” a

story about “Hope” could be a story of someone who inspired your faith

in some way. If you attended the event last year, we invite you to

consider selecting a different topic this year.)

We ask if you provide a soup that it is warmed and ready to be served,

(in a crock pot is OK). Also, if you have any dietary restrictions please

bring something you can eat and share, such as: gluten free, dairy free,

or vegetarian. Sign up to bring soups, salad and more here

WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY Thursdays, 4:00 to 5:30 PM, at the home

of Vin Terrill, 37 Beach Street. Scripture for February 14th will be

Matthew 5:1-3. We will be studying the lectionary texts for the

following Sunday’s worship. Format of the study is as follows: we

begin with sharing joys and concerns, we have a time of prayer (where

people are free to pray silently or out loud), and then 2 volunteers read

the text out loud, while we all notice which words the Spirit draws our

attention to. (This way of reading Scripture is called “Lectio Divina.”)

We each have the opportunity to share with others the words “speak” to

us, as well as ask questions about the text. We also discuss how the text

might apply to our lives today. The study is led by Rev. Marlayna. All

are welcome to join us! No prior knowledge of the Bible is necessary.

Email or call Rev. Marlayna for more information.

You can find more information about First Parish Church

Congregational, Manchester by the Sea

Website: firstparishchurch.org

Instagram.com/fpcmanchesterbytheseaFirstparishhurchmanchesterma

Facebook.com/FirstParishChurchManchesterMa/

Upcoming events can be found on our website

(www.firstparishchurch.org ) under “News” and “Calendar”

THIS WEEK:

Monday

7:00 PM BOT

7:00 PM Search Committee

7:30 PM Manchester Singers

Tuesday

10:00 AM COA Zumba

Wednesday

10:00 AM COA Yoga

7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

Thursday

4:00 PM Bible Study

Friday

8:00 AM Yoga

Sunday

10:00 AM Worship

Nursery, Sunday School, Youth Group