First Parish Church, Congregational On the Village Green

Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts

Awaken to 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, March 10, 2019, 10:00 AM

First Sunday of Lent

ORGAN PRELUDE: “Come, All Christians, Be Committed”

Hymn tune: “Beach Spring” from “The Sacred Harp”, 1844

Arranged by Don Hustad (1918-2013)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP: (from Bread for the Journey)

Leader: Come, let us gather together like those who sat at Jesus’ feet

so many years ago.

People: We gather with joy, for we too want to be disciples of

Christ.

Leader: I tell you, Christ is here with us, calling us now to life and

love.

All: Let us praise God for bringing us together, and coming to

us in Jesus Christ.

*HYMN: “Gather Us In” Insert

OPENING PRAYER (adapted from Touch Holiness)

We thank you, O God, for calling us into your church to be your people

in the world. As we begin this Season of Lent, increase in us a longing

to hear your Word. Speak to us and give us courage to do your will.

With all our doubts and fears and shortcomings, we have decided to

follow Jesus in our time and place, but we can’t do it alone. Guide us by

your Spirit. We pray in Jesus’ name…

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

ANTHEM: “We Walk by Faith”

Text by Henry Alford, 1844

Music based on “Dunlap’s Creek”

By Samuel McFarland, ca. 1816

Arranged by Kenneth Kosche (b.1947)

We walk by faith and not by sight;

No gracious words we hear

From Christ, who spoke as none ever spoke;

But we believe Him near.

We may not touch His hands and side,

nor follow where He trod;

But in His promise we rejoice,

And cry, “My Lord and God!”

Help then, O Lord, our faith abound

To call on You where You are found:

That when our life of faith is done,

In realms of clearer light

We may behold You With endless sight.

SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Isaiah 49:8-10 Thus says the Lord:

In a time of favor I have answered you,

on a day of salvation I have helped you;

I have kept you and given you

as a covenant to the people,

to establish the land,

to apportion the desolate heritages; 9 saying to the prisoners, “Come out,”

to those who are in darkness, “Show yourselves.”

They shall feed along the ways,

on all the bare heights shall be their pasture; 10

they shall not hunger or thirst,

neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them down,

for he who has pity on them will lead them,

and by springs of water will guide them.

Matthew 5:1-6 1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples

came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4“Blessed are those who

mourn, for they will be comforted. 5“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

*HYMN: “Before Your Cross, O Jesus” NCH #191 black

SERMON: “Blessed Are Those who Hunger and Thirst for

Righteousness”

MOMENT OF MEDITATION

CALL TO OFFERING

OFFERTORY ANTHEM: “Go Not Far From Me, O God”

Nicola Antonio Zingarelli (1752-1837)

Go not far from me, O God; cast me not away; in the time of age:

Forsake me not when my strength faileth me.

O let my mouth be filled with Thy praise:

That I may sing Thy glory and honor all day long.

*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.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN: “O for a World” NCH #575 black

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

us out into the world]

*BENEDICTION

*CHORAL RESPONSE

ORGAN POSTLUDE: “Prelude in D minor”

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

After the service join us for hospitality

The greeter and lay reader is Richard Smith.

The Deacons are Ann Heslop and Mark Heslop.

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

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, March 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!

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

of Vin Terrill, 37 Beach Street. Scripture for March 14 will be Matthew

5:7. We will be studying the scripture 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.

IS MEMBERSHIP FOR ME? Today, Sunday, March 10th, there

will be an informational gathering for those who wish to explore what it

means to be a member of First Parish Church Congregational. We'll talk

a bit about the church and share with each other own own life and faith

experiences. This 45-minute gathering will be held in the front of the

church immediately following service.

YOU ARE INVITED to join the PPRC for a CCCCC!

Or, to put it into words: you are invited to join the Pastor Parish

Relations Committee for a Congregational Conversation on Covenantal

Christian Communication.

Or, to put it in plain English: Join us as we explore ways strengthen our

community and deepen our practice of faith!

On Sunday, March 17th, after church we will gather in the chapel for a

potluck lunch and to participate in an enlivening conversation about our

recently adopted Covenant for Christian Communication. Through

small-group discussions and other fun activities, we will develop

together a greater understanding of the meaning and value of the

covenant for our church and an appreciation for how it can enrich both

our personal and congregational life. This time of food, fun, and

fellowship will be done by 1pm. For more information, talk with

members of the PPRC (Jason Smith, Eleanor Harris, Lynda Griffiths) or

Rev. Marlayna.

LENTEN VESPERS Looking for a way to deepen your

spiritual connections to God this Lenten Season? Join us for a

quiet service of prayer, poetry, and candle-lighting on the

seven Saturday evenings of Lent. Services focusing on

various spiritual themes--including forgiveness, blessing, healing, letting

go-- will be held at First Parish Church Congregational from 5:30 to

6:00 p.m. starting on Saturday, March 9th and running through Saturday,

April 20th. Members of the church and the general public are welcome

to attend.

SOUP & CONVERSATION Join us for an “Intergenerational

Lenten Prayer Workshop” led by Rev. Maren Tirabassi, Sunday,

March 24th, 11:30 to 1 PM in the Chapel. For over 20 years, Rev.

Maren Tirabassi (poet, author, and UCC pastor) has led workshops at

First Parish Church for different groups, including confirmands and

parents. She is uniquely gifted in using creative and fun methods to get

people of all ages (even introverted teenagers!) talking, writing,

thinking, and praying. I (Marlayna) can guarantee that if you engage in

the exercises of this workshop, your mind, heart, and faith will

expand! Open to people of all ages—Sunday School children, youth

group members, parents, and all other church members—and friends!

MUD-SEASON BLAHS BRUNCH Sunday, April 7th immediately

following worship, new members and newcomers are invited to a

Potluck Brunch hosted by the Vitality Committee at Allison and Jason

Smith's house at 42 Forest Street in Manchester. Let's warm up a cool

New England Spring with some cozy carbohydrates and eggs (and

probably a mimosa or two). (Note: In terms of defining "new member”

and “newcomer” we're thinking of folks who've joined or been involved

in the church roughly 3 years or less. However, we won’t be checking

membership certificates at the door…) For more information or to RSVP

call or text Vitality Committee Co-Chairs Allison Moir-Smith 617-935-

3362 or Mary Ellen Cook 978-500-0018.

Serve Dinner at The Open Door,

Wednesday, March 20

Prep & Servers needed! Please contact Jim Brennan

after worship or at 978-879-4595 or sign up online

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4caba822a1f

49-open4

Brown Bag Lunch on Friday, March 29, sign up to help online

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4caba822a1f49-brown6

FPCC CARE TEAM Have you shared the experience? We support

FPC families with meals, rides, & visits through times of illness and

loss. Please contact Sue Pick (suepick1@me.com or 978-548-0145) if

you would like to share your ideas, time, & talents with the Care Team.

Is your family's Directory photo outdated? Check

our most recent directory here to see how your

family looks. If you need to send a new photo or

update your contact information you can email it

to office.fpchurch@gmail.com

Upcoming events can be found on our website

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

THIS WEEK:

Monday

7:00 PM BOT

7:30 PM Manchester Singers

Tuesday

10:00 AM COA Zumba

Wednesday

10:00 AM COA Yoga

6:30 PM Missions Committee

7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

Thursday

11:30 AM MBTS

4:00 PM Bible Study

Friday

8:00 AM Yoga

Saturday

5:30 PM Advent/Lenten Vespers

Sunday

10:00 AM Worship

Nursery, Sunday School, Youth Group

11:30 AM Church Conversation

Spring Healing Service

30-minute Service of Healing, Movement, and Prayer

The service will draw on both Christian and Eastern traditions,

incorporating easy movements from Qi Gong and Yoga

(No prior experience with prayer or movement is necessary)

Sunday, March 31st, 11:30 A.M.

First Parish Church, Congregational

10 Central Street

Manchester-By-The-Sea

Offered by Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt,

Interim Pastor of First Parish Church, Congregational; and

Carla Mattioli, M.A., Interfaith Minister of Awakening Arts,

Teacher of Yoga, Tail Chi, Qi Gong

People from all Religious Traditions are Welcome